From Psalm 19:1–11, we learn about "General Revelation" and "Special Revelation" from King David. No doubt it is a more challenging theological concept, but it is well worth trying to understand the best we can.
Brief definition of the biblical concepts:
1. "General Revelation"--God revealing Himself to mankind generally through Creation (Psalm 19:1–6).
What the Bible says about the concept of "General Revelation":
Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."
Also see Romans 1:19–20 "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
(For more fun reading on this Main Point #1: Psalm 8:3–4; Isaiah 40:12–15; Acts 14:15–17; Romans 2:14–16 referring to the voice of God in the conscience of EVERY man)
2. "Special Revelation"--God revealing Himself to mankind especially through the Word of God (Psalm 19:7–11) AND the Person of Jesus Christ (Gal 4:4; John 14:9).
There are two sources of "Special Revelation" of God: the Word of God and the Son of God.
First of all, the Word of God being Special Revelation.
From our text from Friday night, please see Psalm 19:7–11.
2 Peter 1:19–21 "And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God las they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
1 Corinthians 2:9 "But, as it is written,
'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him'—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
Secondly, the Son of God as the supreme Special Revelation of God.
Galatians 4:4, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law."
Hebrews 1:1–3 "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Other ways God has revealed Himself to mankind (in the past, not presently):
a. Theophanies (God appearing to man in some shape of form)
b. Dreams and visions (Numbers 12:6)
c. Direct contacts (Numbers 22:9; 23:4; Exodus 33:11)
d. Miracles and signs
e. The Prophets
BUT the nice thing is that we have these recorded for us in the Word of God! So read on! :)
Brief comparison of the biblical concepts:
I believe Pache's comment is accurate and trustworthy, "The revelation given in nature [general revelation] is insufficient. It does allow us a glimpse of the power, providence and eternality of God; but it fails to present clearly His person, His holiness, His righteousness and--above all--His redeeming love and everlasting purposes for us" (Rene Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, pg. 16).
Therefore, you cannot be saved by General Revelation alone. Though someone can believe that God exists through seeing and observing creation, they still cannot be saved because they haven't heard and believed in what the Bible says about Christ dying for their sins, making them right with their mighty Creator God.
"The Bible may be regarded as completing the intended divine revelation of God partially revealed in nature, more fully revealed in Christ, and completely revealed in the written Word." Praise God for the fullness of His revelation to us! We are not left short-handed, or with partial information about Him!
Its kind of like inside information in the investment world. When you get "specific" information from someone on the inside who works for Apple, and they say that a new product is being released in January 2011, then you should put your stock in Apple before it comes out. You have an advantage because you know information that the "general" public and other investors do not know.
God has revealed Himself specially through His Word that we might gain insight into how we can be saved--through Christ and Christ alone. The one who has never heard the gospel is still in the dark, until they are reached with the preaching of the gospel. Listen to Paul...
Romans 15:20–21 says, "
and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
