What is Revelation?
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10 KJV)
Revelation is a big word in Christianity, especially among Charismatics. However, it is a murky and potentially confusing concept. I will break down this concept so you can fully understand and take advantage of it.
The verb “to reveal”, from the Greek apokalupto, means to make something known; it means to disclose or uncover. Consequently, the noun revelation (Greek apokalypsis) is the knowledge or information made known to us. So the basic idea of revelation is simple: it is coming to know something.
Though the meaning of revelation is straightforward, the means is often confusing to many. How does God reveal or give us revelation? Here Pentecostals often mistakenly encamp around some special ecstatic experience or dreams. However, this is the crucial point: God reveals things to us in different ways.
If you have read what I have written about spiritual eyes, especially the free short e-book “Keys to Open Your Spiritual Eyes”, you already know how revelation comes to us.
Here are the basics. First, God reveals things to us by His Spirit—the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of knowledge and truth. Second, the Spirit can reveal to us through the prophetic eye or understanding. For example, the prophets of old had open-eye visions, dreams, special divine appearances, etc. God revealed Himself to them in different ways, prophetically( Numbers 12:6).
The Spirit also reveals mysteries to us through understanding. Here, there is no prophetic vision, but He gives us revelation as we study the scriptures, meditate, listen to sermons, etc. The Apostle Paul is the epitome of revelation through Spirit-quickened understanding (Ephesians 3:1-3).
Avoid the temptation to over-spiritualize the idea of revelation. Know all the ways the Spirit gives us revelation, and do not miss it when it comes.
Meditate
When was the last time you received a revelation from God?
Apply the Word
The truth above can revolutionize your life. It will make you more sensitive and responsive to revelation. Do not wait to enter the 3rd heaven in an open-eye vision to know the Spirit is revealing things to you. Learn to discern the Spirit’s revelation, whether through the prophetic or understanding.
Pray
Ask the Lord to help you be sensitive to His revelations.
Recommended
- How God Opens Our Spiritual Eyes
- The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Knowledge
- What is the Word of Knowledge?
- What is a Devotional?
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
