The Process Of Divine Revelation (Part 1) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Process of Divine Revelation

Introductory Remarks.

1. This series of lessons will discuss the theme: “Divine Revelation and Inspiration.” In truth, we can only say these two processes, revelation, and inspiration, are the work of the “Hands of the Father, the Lord, and the Holy Spirit.” Human translations were done entirely through the hands and minds of uninspired men and women. The translation process was void of biased interpretations and religious influences.

2. Today, we will consider the process of divine revelation of the word of God. “Revelation” means to: “Uncover, reveal, or to make known." Who "Knoweth the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways are past finding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord...to whom be glory forever. Amen,” Romans 11:33-36.

3. Paul wrote that what God has done through “revelation” is to have made known His divine will and way, which had been kept secret since: “The world began. But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me (and the other apostles) according to the commandment of God our Saviour,” Titus 1:1-3.

4. His word was manifested through “revelation unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,” Ephesians 3:1-7; Galatians 1:11-12. With this brief introduction, let’s consider the first point in this series of lessons.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE PROCESS OF DIVINE REVELATION

A. To begin our discussion of the word "revelation," we must define what it means in the scriptures. To have a clear understanding of how the Bible uses this word to convey an understanding of the word of God to the readers.

1. The word “revelation” in Gr., is apocalyptic, which means a disclosure: —appearing, coming, enlightening, manifestation, being revealed, or revelation. The disclosure of truth, instruction, and divine enlightenment concerning heavenly things before unknown — especially those relating to the Christian System — given to redeem the soul of humanity by the Father and the glorified Christ through the revelations of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10. Paul wrote,

a. To Corinth: “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit that is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. We also speak of those things, not in the words of man's wisdom, but the Holy Ghost's teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (unlearned),” 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 1:7-11.

b. To Rome, he penned: “Who...knoweth the wisdom and knowledge of God? How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways are past finding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord...to whom be glory forever. Amen,” Romans 11:33-36. [Text shortened for brevity].

c. To Ephesus, “Wherefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom, and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:15-18; 1 Timothy 3:16. The making known this,

2. Revelation of Christ. The revelation was from eternity the work of the divine Godhead. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all collaborated to reveal the Plan of Redemption to the world at their chosen time. I liken it to the military “Chain-of-Command.” Military men and women and “first responders and receivers” understand this terminology. Let's consider the divine "Chain-of-Command," in uncovering Christ's revelation. First,

a. The doctrine of the Father became – the doctrine of the Son, John 16:15. Notice, John the beloved Apostle: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son," 2 John 1:9.

NOTE: Illustrate, The Oneness Doctrine, Ephesians 4:4-6. There is a notion that Jesus is all of these: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is a casual reader or learned student of the Bible knows such a doctrine is in error and is unsustainable in the Word of God. Further,

b. The doctrine of the Son became – the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. John again: “Howbeit when He the Spirit of Truth comes...He shall guide you into all truth…He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine and shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore, said I, that He (the Spirit) shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you,” John 16:13-14; John 14:26; John 15:26-27. [Text shortened for brevity]. Next,