Exploring General and Special Revelation in Everyday Language
If you’ve ever wondered “How can anyone actually know God?”, you’re not alone. The answer, according to the Bible, is that God reaches out and makes Himself known to people—He reveals Himself. But what does this really mean, and how does it happen? Let’s break it down in everyday language.
What is Revelation?
Revelation simply means “uncovering” or “making something known.” When we talk about the revelation of God, we mean God showing who He is, what He’s like, and what He wants for us. This isn’t something people can figure out on their own, like solving a math problem or climbing a mountain—it’s God deciding to let us in on who He is.
How Does God Reveal Himself?
The Bible talks about two main ways God reveals Himself: general revelation and special revelation.
General Revelation: Clues for Everyone
General revelation is God showing Himself to everyone, everywhere, all the time. It’s like the broad daylight of God’s existence shining over the whole world. This happens in a few ways:
- Nature: Ever looked at the night sky, a mountain range, or a beautiful flower and felt like there must be something (or Someone) bigger behind it all? That’s general revelation. Creation shows us something about God’s power, order, and creativity.
- Our Conscience: All people have a sense of right and wrong, a kind of inner moral compass. This is another way God “speaks” to us, showing that there is a moral law and a Lawgiver.
- History: The rise and fall of nations, the course of human events, and the universality of religious longing all point to God’s hand at work.
But there’s a catch: while general revelation tells us that God exists and is powerful and good, it doesn’t tell us everything—especially not how to have a personal relationship with Him. People often misunderstand or ignore these clues because we’re imperfect and tend to go our own way.
Humans: Made in God’s Image
The Bible says people are created in God’s image. This means we reflect something about who God is—our ability to love, create, reason, and make moral choices all point back to Him. But because people are flawed, we often distort or miss these “signals.”
General Limits of Revelation
General revelation is like a road sign that says “God this way”—but it doesn’t give the full address. It shows there is a God and that we are responsible for how we respond to Him, but it doesn’t show us how to be saved or forgiven or truly know Him. This is why people can admire nature or feel a sense of right and wrong, yet still miss God’s deepest message.
Special Revelation: God Gets Personal
Special revelation is God revealing Himself more clearly, specifically, and personally. This kind of revelation doesn’t go out to everyone all at once, but starts with particular people, at particular times, in particular ways. Special revelation is all about God stepping into history to make sure we really get His message.
- In History: God visited, guided, and spoke to individuals and groups (like Abraham, Moses, and the prophets) throughout history so they could know Him and pass on His truth.
- The Bible: These encounters and God’s actions were recorded in the Bible. Today, the Bible is the main way God specifically reveals Himself to us, showing us His character, plan, and how we can know Him.
- Jesus Christ: The center of special revelation is Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is God “in the flesh”—the ultimate way God shows what He’s really like. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection clearly reveal God’s love and the way to forgiveness and new life.
- The Holy Spirit: Even today, God’s Spirit helps people understand and apply what He has revealed, working in the lives of those who trust Him.
Why Faith Is Important
Just reading or hearing about God isn’t enough. It takes faith—a trusting response—to really “get” what God is revealing. Faith is accepting what God has shown as true, and being willing to respond and build a relationship with Him.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding how God reveals Himself helps answer life’s big questions: Who is God? Why am I here? How can I know what’s right? Most of all, it shows that God doesn’t leave us in the dark—He wants us to know Him and be in a relationship with Him.
In Summary
- God reveals Himself in two main ways: generally (to all, through nature, conscience, and history) and specially (in the Bible and Jesus).
- General revelation shows there is a God, but only special revelation explains how to know Him personally.
- The Bible is the main source for understanding God’s special message, with Jesus as the ultimate revelation.
- Faith is needed to receive and respond to what God has revealed.
God’s revelation is like a light turned on in a dark room—it helps us see who He is, what He’s like, and how we can walk with Him. That’s good news for anyone searching for meaning and hope.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 