Revelation

Revelation and scripture overlap.

Ephesians 1:9–10 CSB

He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

The story of scripture is the story of the Revelation of Christ in His first and second advents.

Not the only way that scripture talks about Revelation, but scripture is always the basis of Revelation and so they are intrinsically related and don’t require two separate podcasts.

Observations:

Revelation is the revealing of mystery

There are things we know

And things that are mystery

The mystery of God mentioned here is the way that Christ’s coming(s) bring things in heaven and on earth together in Him.

Revelation, then, is soteriological and eschatological. — this will become very important

What is Revelation?

General/Natural Revelation

Reason

Science

Marvel: The heavens declare…

Reason of spiritual realities

…what can be known about God is evident … because God has shown it … For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.

There is a limited revelation of God

God has shown the limited revelation to humankind through the creation itself

The creation testifies to God’s

eternal power — that God’s power transcends every aspect of the creation, even time

and divine nature — God’s nature is divine not human (Note: there are other divine beings that God created, but they do not have eternal power—cf.: ‘you are gods’ are created beings and not eternal in the sense that God is eternal).

The method of understanding God through the creation is scientific discovery, ‘through what he has made.’

(backing up)

God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth

Special Revelation

Because people understand God’s divine nature and eternal power, they also understand their own godlessness and unrighteousness, thereby this combined revelation of God’s nature paired with the understanding of our nature means that we are aware of God’s wrath.

This is the first method of revelation—the precursor to the Gospel—the natural understanding that people are sinners before a holy, sovereign, and all-powerful God.

When we refer to reason as a source of knowledge distinct from revelation, we mean the information attained, by the use of this faculty, in connection only with the natural, as distinguished from the supernatural. (James Petigru Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 47.)

Special Revelation

Scripture (Supernatural)

Declaration

Teaching (Scriptures and Wisdom)

Prophesy (Supernatural-ish)

Jeremiah received the Lord’s word at the beginning (it continues to say, ‘the Lord’s word came to me...’)

Jeremiah pronounced what the law already demanded regarding the Israelites and the kings

— prophesy is for strengthening, encouraging, and consoling the saints.

What about futurism prophesy? — Most prophesy is not futuristic; even most of Revelation is reflecting backwards on the scriptures—although not everyone reads it that way.

Tongues (Supernatural)

Indiscernible tongues (i.e. prayer language)

— Pray for gift of interpretation so that your tongues will be prophetic. (edification)

— Tongues is ultimately for the unbeliever.

Tongues should specifically point to the Gospel if it is really from God and for the unbeliever.

Why do I care?

there’s lots out there—Continued Revelation

People who want to claim gifts of prophesy today

Predictions about the second coming, etc. (balderdash)

Prophesy about specific things that specific people should do. (easily abused — cf. ‘pray about it’ on a whole other level)

Calling people out for their sins. (Could be, but this is easily abused. — not specific, or done in public, etc.)

Declarative prophesy (NAR, not just what God has said, but now what God has empowered us to declare in His name)

People who want to make prophesy in the scriptures about future things.

Much of the OT prophesy has been fulfilled in the first coming, in the church, and at Pentecost, but people want to make it future.

ex. vs. , (cloud, Jesus is sitting on the throne until the end comes)

Same with Revelation

most revelation is soteriological and eschatological, but most eschatology is past for us where we are now in history—their fulfillment, as far as the NT authors were concerned are part of Christ’s first advent not second.

NOTE: Paul said, “He made known to us the mystery of His will...” — PAST TENSE

Scott R. Swain, “Trinity, Revelation, and Reading”

The importance of God speaking is that by the revelation of God’s covenantal Word, He creates, redeems, and consummates the world. God’s Word is the script for the divine Kingdom drama of God.

God’s purpose in the Revelation of scripture is communion with Him. — I would add, His purpose in ALL revelation is communion with Him—including natural revelation as well as prophesy and tongues which should point back to scripture.

Discussion on, ‘Is the whole Bible about Jesus?,’ or not?

What do I do?

Mystery of God

Mystery of God’s purpose

Purpose

Listen to prophesy, but do so critically with scripture as your guide.

It pleased God

Revelation

To bring everything together in Christ

At the right time

Everything in heaven and on earth (The Bible is the story of the reunification of God’s family)

sermons

Listen to that Mike Davis Podcast where he was talking about and the image of God

books

NOTE:

Means of Revelation

podcasts

Special

General/Natural

The importance of God speaking is that by the revelation of God’s covenantal Word, He creates, redeems, and consummates the world. God’s Word is the script for the divine Kingdom drama of God.

facebook posts

God’s purpose in Revelation is communion with Him. — I would add, His purpose in ALL revelation is communion with Him.

Discussion on, ‘Is the whole Bible about Jesus?,’ or not?

By revelation, we mean the knowledge which God conveys by direct supernatural instruction, pre-eminently that given in the book known as the Bible. (James Petigru Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 47.)

By revelation, we mean the knowledge which God conveys by direct supernatural instruction, pre-eminently that given in the book known as the Bible. (James Petigru Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 47.

When we refer to reason as a source of knowledge distinct from revelation, we mean the information attained, by the use of this faculty, in connection only with the natural, as distinguished from the supernatural.

James Petigru Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 47.

General/Natural

JP Boyce argues that natural revelation is from God—in fact it must be if God created—if, in fact, we discern it correctly (rationalization).

When we refer to reason as a source of knowledge distinct from revelation, we mean the information attained, by the use of this faculty, in connection only with the natural, as distinguished from the supernatural. (James Petigru Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 47.)

Natural

Boyce argues that natural revelation is from God—in fact it must be if God created—if, in fact, we discern it correctly (rationalization).

If so, then, special revelation must follow certain rules:

God as source

Must accord with natural revelation

It must be received without error (remembering that the human factor brings error to play with natural revelation)

It must be authoritative (cf. One who teaches with authority; cf. Hebrews, now revelation comes by the Son)

We must expect that special revelation come with further question, mystery, and difficulty of understanding as we have come to expect from natural revelation.

Also, let this extend to however you respond to people who declare God’s word.

Prophesy/Revelation/Scripture is for

strengthening the brotherhood, not dividing

encouraging the downhearted, not hammering people with your opinion, even when you’re right

consoling (comforting) not distressing (notice I’m not calling people out so much as warning against misuse)

Remember this when you

Talk about your preachers sermon after church this Sunday — what are you saying to lift up, how gently do you disagree before the church body (I don’t care if you want to slam me in my office, but don’t belittle me in front of my church family)

respond to people on Social Media

Leave book reviews

Buzzwords

heretic

‘bad pastor’

‘be careful’ about this person vs. teaching (cf. Rick Warren quote this week)

The scriptures are the revelation of God regarding Christ—know the scriptures, love them, and let them be your teacher in every way including the grace, mercy, patience, and longsuffering of God.

Revelation

Intro

Body