Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1403 God, revelation of

1403 God, revelation of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1400 God, knowledge of » 1403 God, revelation of

God graciously makes himself known to humanity since people cannot discover him on their own. He achieves this in many ways, but supremely through his Son Jesus Christ.

The necessity of revelation

God is hidden from human view because of sin

Isaiah 59:2 See also Deuteronomy 31:18; Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 45:15; Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 39:23; Micah 3:4

People are ignorant of God

People cannot know God unaided

Matthew 11:25-27 pp Luke 10:21-22 See also Job 34:29; 1 Corinthians 1:21

The means by which God reveals himself

In the Scriptures

Psalm 119:105 See also Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 147:19; Proverbs 6:23; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21

By the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:17 See also Nehemiah 9:20; Luke 2:26; Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10,12; 1 John 2:27

Supremely in Jesus Christ

Hebrews 1:1-2 See also John 1:18; John 8:26; John 12:49; John 14:10; John 17:6

In the creation

Through the prophets

In visions and dreams

Daniel 1:17 See also Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 1:1; Ezekiel 11:24; Daniel 8:1; Nahum 1:1; Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:12,22; Acts 9:10; Acts 16:9; Acts 22:17-18

Face to face

Numbers 12:8 See also Genesis 32:30; Exodus 24:9-10; Judges 13:22; Job 42:5; Isaiah 6:5

In the exodus

In special signs

Judges 6:36-40 Gideon's fleece; 1 Kings 13:3-5 an altar split apart; 2 Kings 20:9-11 pp Isaiah 38:7-8 a shadow moving backwards

The nature of God's self-revelation in Jesus Christ

God reveals Jesus Christ's true identity

Matthew 16:17 See also Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5 pp Mark 9:7 pp Luke 9:35; John 1:31; Galatians 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:17-18

Jesus Christ is the visible image of God

Colossians 1:15 See also 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:3

Jesus Christ's glory is still to be fully revealed

Luke 17:30; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7,13; Peter 4:13

Things that God reveals

Hidden mysteries

Daniel 2:22 See also Genesis 41:16; Job 12:22; Daniel 2:28-30,47

Future events

Genesis 41:25 See also 1 Samuel 9:15-16; 2 Kings 8:10; Jeremiah 11:18; Jeremiah 38:21; Matthew 2:13; Acts 18:9-10; Acts 27:22-24

His righteousness

Romans 1:17 See also Isaiah 56:1; Romans 3:21; Revelation 15:4

His wrath

Romans 1:18 See also Numbers 11:1; 2 Samuel 6:7 pp 1 Chronicles 13:10; Psalm 7:11; Romans 2:5

His salvation

His glory

Isaiah 40:5

The pillar of cloud and fire in the wilderness:

Exodus 16:10; Exodus 33:9; Numbers 12:5; Deuteronomy 1:33; Nehemiah 9:12; Psalm 78:14; Psalm 105:39 Exodus 33:18-23 the LORD shows his glory to Moses

The cloud of glory in the tabernacle and the temple:

Exodus 40:34; Leviticus 16:2; Deuteronomy 31:15; Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:4 Deuteronomy 5:24; Psalm 97:6; Psalm 102:16; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 60:2; Acts 7:55

The mystery of the gospel

Ephesians 3:2-3 “mystery” in the NT means “something previously hidden, undiscoverable by human means but now revealed by God”. See also Matthew 13:11 pp Mark 4:11 pp Luke 8:10; Romans 16:25-26; Galatians 3:23; Ephesians 3:5-6; Colossians 1:26-27; 2 Timothy 1:10

The revelation of God's will

Physical means by which God reveals his will

By the Urim and Thummim:

Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21

By casting lots:

Joshua 18:6-10; Jonah 1:7; Acts 1:26

God's self-revelation makes his will plain

Romans 1:20 See also Zechariah 7:11-12; John 9:41; John 16:8; Romans 7:7

God's self-revelation is according to his own sovereign purpose

Isaiah 65:1 See also Daniel 2:30; Romans 10:20; Galatians 1:11-12