The concept of the holiness of God's revelation is central to understanding the nature and purpose of the Scriptures within the Christian faith. Holiness, in the biblical sense, refers to the divine quality of being set apart, pure, and morally perfect. God's revelation, as found in the Bible, is considered holy because it originates from a holy God and serves to communicate His will, character, and redemptive plan to humanity.

Nature of God's Revelation

God's revelation is twofold: general and special. General revelation refers to the knowledge of God available to all people through nature and conscience. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:20 , "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." This revelation is holy because it reflects God's creative power and divine attributes.

Special revelation, on the other hand, is God's direct communication to humanity, primarily through the Scriptures. The Bible is considered the ultimate form of special revelation, as it contains the inspired words of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , it is stated, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." The holiness of Scripture is derived from its divine inspiration and its purpose to guide believers in righteousness.

The Holiness of the Law

The Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, is a significant aspect of God's holy revelation. It reveals God's standards for holiness and righteousness. In Leviticus 19:2 , God commands, "Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'" The Law serves as a reflection of God's holy character and His desire for His people to live in a manner that is set apart from the surrounding nations.

The Prophetic Revelation

The prophets of the Old Testament were chosen by God to deliver His holy messages to Israel and the nations. Their words often called for repentance and a return to holiness. In Isaiah 6:3 , the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This triple declaration of God's holiness underscores the purity and majesty of His revelation through the prophets.

The Holiness of the Incarnation

The ultimate expression of God's holy revelation is found in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. As the Word made flesh, Jesus embodies the holiness of God. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection reveal the holiness of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the ongoing revelation of God's holiness. The Spirit guides believers into all truth and empowers them to live holy lives. In John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life is a testament to the continuing revelation of God's holiness.

The Call to Holiness

Believers are called to respond to God's holy revelation by living lives that reflect His holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is a response to the holy nature of God's revelation and an acknowledgment of His transformative work in the believer's life.