Revelation From God

Revelation from God

In this time of Waiting for Him the Lord wants us to Rest in Him and be Restored by Him so we can receive Revelation from Him. I have looked at how we can enter the first two, rest and restoration, so that we can receive revelation. Without the first two we will find that God’s revelation will not come strongly to us at all.

In Hebrew, the most used word meaning “revelation” is “hazon”. The best meaning of this is “spiritual sight”. The first mention of this is the Old Testament is 1 Samuel 3:1:

“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

The Hebrew word for “widespread” here is “paras” meaning “break out”. There was no breakout of spiritual sight in the time of the priest Eli as he and the people were far from God. Even the light in the tabernacle was going out as Eli was not functioning properly as a priest. Only as Samuel rose into his prophetic mantle did the spirit of revelation return in the land.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” This shows us that revelation was related to hearing and obeying the voice of God, particularly from His Word.

In the New Testament the main Greek word for “revelation” is “apokalayis” meaning “a revealing or unveiling”. This has its fulfilment in the ultimate revealing of Jesus at His second coming (1 Corinthians 1:7 also 1 Peter 1:7,13).

But how does this revelation come to us now? The New Testament reveals that revelation comes to us:

Firstly, From Jesus.

The first mention of “apokalaysis” is in Luke 2:32:

“A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

Simeon is prophesying over the baby Jesus that He would bring revelation to the gentiles. True spiritual sight and unveiling of the truth only comes through the person of Jesus.

The more we know Jesus the more spiritual revelation we will receive.

Ephesians 1:17 says “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Revelation comes through our knowledge of Him. The biblical term “knowledge” always means more than simply head knowledge. It means an intimate relationship – knowing Him not knowing about Him. This comes through resting in Him and being restored by Him in times of worship and prayer.

Secondly, Through His Word.

We also know Him and have revelation through reading the Word of God in faith.

In Romans 16:25-26 The Apostle Paul writes,  “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.”

The Scriptures are prophetic in that they reveal the coming of the Messiah, both His first and second coming. It was as Jesus expounded the Scriptures concerning Himself to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus that their hearts burned in them and in the breaking of bread (a time of intimacy and fellowship with Him) He was revealed to them.

Through soaking daily in His word by reading big chunks of the Bible and then going into times of worship, prayer, and meditation we will receive His revelation.

Thirdly, To our Lips and Feet.

This revelation is not passive! It is to lead us to speak His words and do His works!

Paul says in Galatians 2:2, “And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.”

The Apostle Paul had received the Gospel out of times of fellowship with Jesus, based on His revelation from the Word (the Old Testament Scriptures in his case) and he went forth with acts of revelation to speak forth this Good News wherever he went.

During this time of CB (Circuit Breaker as the Singapore Government has termed it) God is revealing to us His CB – His Culture of Blessing. This comes from the Word, primarily as a revelation of Jesus who blesses us to be a blessing. We need to soak in His word and presence daily to receive revelation of words and works God has prepare for us to speak and do now and after the Circuit Breaker is lifted.

I have found myself busier during this time as the Lord has been revealing more things to me. I have been learning to not rest from work but rest in work and flow in His revelation rather than flow in my own thinking.

Revelation is from Jesus, through His word and then to our lips and feet as we speak and move in Him. This comes out of true rest and restoration in His presence.

I pray, as Paul did in  Ephesians 1:17-23 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”  Amen