The Naked Truth About Divine Revelation

One of the major conflict points in the spiritual gift debate is definitions. Words have meanings. Some words have multiple meanings, and some words have implicit meanings or implied connotations. Some words mean different things to different people. I believe that poor diction and lack of well-defined terminology is the primary cause of confusion in this debate.

For example, next time you find yourself in a Sunday school class or Bible study with a group of predominantly reformed Protestants, mention a new personal “revelation” that the Lord has given you. Immediately, their minds will be consumed with warning sirens and red flashing lights. You have breached their theological protective defense grid. They become like swarming fire ants, ready to protect the sanctity and sufficiency of Sola Scriptura at all costs. How do I know this? I’m just another soldier ant.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact this defense of scripture is necessary. The New Testament is chocked full of warnings to be on guard for wolves in sheep’s clothing. I feel it is our duty to fight false gospels and rebuke false teachers (in love). And the word “revelation” is one of those fightin’ words. This is why it is important, for both sides, to properly define this term.

Revelation Defined

Strong’s Concordance – 602 (Ref. Luke 2:32, Romans 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:25 )

ἀποκάλυψις - 1) laying bare, making naked

2) a disclosure of truth, instruction

a) concerning things before unknown

b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all

American Heritage Dictionary

a. The act of revealing or disclosing.

b. Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized.

• Theology A manifestation of divine will or truth.

The Greek word translated revelation in the NT literally means to “make naked” or to unveil. My (online) hermeneutics class defined revelation as God’s self-disclosure of Himself. This specific revelation is manifested in the person of Christ (John 1:18, 14:10) and in Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:13-21). This is how God has chosen to reveal Himself, His character, and His will.

Therefore, the term revelation has become theologically synonymous with the inspiration, sufficiency, and infallibility of God’s word. Revelation is the content of the Bible. Each word, phrase, poem, song, story, parable, prophecy and letter is divine revelation.

On the other hand, the term revelation can have a (secular) technical usage. For example, “the concrete slab had several structural cracks which revealed the areas of high stress concentrations. Due to this revelation, the proper repair procedures were designed.” In this sense, the revelation was a manifestation of previously unknown conditions. This was not divine truth. This was not a direct word from God. It was simply a discovery (uncovering). The same word and the same general definition, but totally different connotations.

So this is where it gets sticky. Does the New Testament gift of prophesy give new revelation?

Yes and no. It depends on your definition of revelation. This is the fuel for the fire. If you see revelation as being synonymous with God’s specific, perfect and direct self-disclosure, then the answer would be an emphatic “NO!” (Rev. 22:18) If you see revelation as God generally teaching you something new (new to you I mean), then the answer is “yes” or at least “maybe.”

Theologically, revelation refers to inspired (lit. breathed) words of God. There is no new inspired revelation from God. The Bible is the only avenue through which God has revealed his redemptive plan. As John MacArthur wrote, “The orthodox teaching of Christianity has always affirmed that God’s special, saving revelation to mankind is restricted to the teachings of the Scriptures.”

God does still communicate, and the Holy Spirit still teaches. The Spirit may reveal a truth to us that we may not have previously known. This new truth, however, is guaranteed to be in accord with the doctrines of the Bible. A more correct term for this is illumination. Illumination occurs when the Spirit shines light upon a truth, giving insight and understanding. He does not reveal additional truth to us, but He does enable us to understand the truth already revealed and recorded.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 30, Paul is instructing prophets to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. In this discourse he refers to these prophesies as revelations. What were these revelations? Where they the same as the revelations given to Moses, Elijah, and Paul? In my opinion they were not. In the context, this revelation could be about the sin in the hearts of an unbeliever (vs 24-25) or it could simply be preaching and exhortation (vs 31). Paul makes it clear in verse 37 that his doctrine is the doctrine of the Lord and is therefore paramount to this revelation. Therefore there is no reason to insist that these revelations had the same weight and authority as the revelations of Scripture.

I also believe that the Spirit leads, guides, and prompts. However, these are not on par with divine revelation. It lacks the intrinsic authority and verbal divine inspiration associated with divine revelation. I often times feel led to pray, or help, or give, ect. I do not feel that I can accurately say that “God gave me a revelation to…” I feel this language is much too strong and will immediately set off the warning sirens.

So in conclusion, we must accept that the term revelation can have specific connotations. We must clearly define this term if we are to discuss the miraculous spiritual gifts on a level plane. I feel it is imperative for both camps to come to a mutual understanding of God’s divine revelation. God has unveiled His specific revelation of Himself, His will and His plan for salvation in the Scriptures.

for His glory,

DJ