Today I want to talk about revelation. Many times we hear in the body of Christ, from ministers, and teachers of the Word of God the need to get or receive revelation. What does that even mean? Why do I need revelation concerning God and His Word? What does it look like? What if I don’t have a revelation? Am I deficient or lacking in some way? Is that why my prayers aren’t answered or why I haven’t received healing, prosperity, etc? How do I get revelation from God’s Word? These are great questions and I want to unpack some of them today.
The word for revelation in Hebrew is Ḥāzôn almost always signifies a means of divine revelation. A sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle:- vision. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament). In the Greek, it is apokalypsis (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.) It means divine disclosure:- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation. A familiar verse speaking of this is Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV)-18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. You could say where there is no disclosure, dream, or vision the people perish or cast off restraint. God is the source of disclosure, a dream, a vision, or revelation. It is the manifestation of God through the operation of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it is God revealing, making known who He is and what His will is.
The heart of Father God is not to keep secrets from us but to reveal them to us. Especially when it comes to His Word. Revelation is not just for the super Christian, the elites, or those in the Five-fold ministry but for every Born-Again believer. Isaiah 48:16 (KJV)-16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. In the New Testament Jesus spoke about revelation in Matthew 13:11 (NKJV)-11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. God doesn’t want us to be in the dark when it comes to Himself, to the Kingdom of God, what it is, and how it operates. God wants us to have an understanding of His Word. He is not withholding from us. Look at Ephesians 1:8-9 (KJV)-8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
In the Gospel of Matthew, we have Jesus talking to His disciples. He asks them,” Who do you say that I am? “Here is Peter’s response- Matthew 16:16-17 (KJV)-16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. The Greek Word revealed is apokalyptō– to take off the cover, i.e. disclose, reveal. (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary). Through the operation of the Holy Spirit, Peter by revelation perceived who Jesus was. God the Father revealed it to Peter. He took the cover off. God wants us to know by revelation who He is. He wants us to know and understand who He is and His Word. Look at Romans 16:25-26 (NKJV)-25 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 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith– What mystery is Apostle Paul speaking of? The Mystery of Christ, Who we are in Christ, God’s redemption plan for man, the dispensation of grace, the Church Age, the forgiveness of sin, and the Gospel, the good news, etc. (cf. Eph 3:3-7).
We have defined revelation, God’s will, and His desire for us to know. How the Holy Spirit is involved in revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NKJV)-9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. The Bible tells us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. ( Gal 4:6). My understanding of the heart is when the human Born Again spirit and soul are in alignment with God’s Word. What this does is produce the character of Christ in our actions. Colossians 1:9 (NKJV)-9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Revelation is spiritual understanding. An understanding that is not just head knowledge. Revelation is in our Born Again spirit and we draw it out through our soul. We have the wisdom and revelation of God within us! ( 1 Cor 2:16, 1 Cor 6:17, Col 2:2-3, 1 Cor 1:30).
Here is Apostle Paul’s testimony: Galatians 1:11-12 (NKJV)-11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is powerful. The writings of Paul in the New Testament came by revelation. (2 Tim 3:16). You are a believer in Christ. You have the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 (NKJV)-26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. The Word of God is complete. There is no new revelation to add to scripture. Yet the Holy Spirit discloses to us giving us the spiritual understanding of the God-breathed, God-inspired Word.
You can receive not only knowledge of God’s Word but understanding and revelation.
The Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians wanted the Christians to know certain things. He wanted to share with them what was really important in order to have a fruitful and blessed life. That their spiritual eyes would be open. (Acts 26:18). This is what He prayed: Ephesians 1:16-18 (NKJV)-16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:17 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,18 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, We can have a knowledge of God’s Word but what is important is to get it from our mind into our lives. My understanding is that revelation flows from our Born Again spirit, through our study and meditation in God’s Word which flows through our mind and then into our actions. We know it is a revelation to us when we just don’t know it in our head but in our heart (soul and spirit), to where we respond to it. To where we obey and stand on that truth that has been revealed to us. Just like when Peter received a revelation of who Christ was. It changed his life and ministry.
We hear people say I have a revelation of God’s love, healing, faith, or joy. What they are saying is that the Holy Spirit has made it real in their life, to the point that they are experiencing the reality of it in their lives. It is not just head knowledge. It is to the point of, “I know that I know, that I know!” You are established in a certain truth and you don’t back off. You don’t let the Devil steal it from you. Revelation isn’t just for a few but for every Born Again person in the body of Christ. We share that revelation when we come together. 1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)-26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. Revelation doesn’t make us better or more spiritual than someone else. We are called to edify and build up one another with revelation. This speaks of our testimony and our growth in Christ.
Revelation can mean that God’s Word is becoming more clear. It is like connecting the dots as they say. This disclosure comes as I seek the Lord, pray, study, and meditate in God’s Word. Here is a prayer to pray: Psalm 119:15-18 (NKJV)-15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. This speaks of revelation. The eyes of our hearts be opened to understand His Word. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)-130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Another translation: Psalm 119:130 PassionNTPsa)-130Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.
The Holy Spirit wants to download into your life from your spirit as you receive knowledge from God’s Word. This is so exciting. Revelation is when it becomes real to you. You own it. It becomes personal. Revelation can come in a dream, a vision, through God’s Word, and prophetic ministry. Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)-29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. We see revelation operating in the life of Daniel: Daniel 2:20-22 (NKJV)-20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
Another thing about revelation is that when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues it is a powerful way to receive revelation. We see this in the Life of Apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 14:1-2 (NKJV)-1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. Some translations say he speaks divine secrets or divine wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 14:13-15 (NKJV)-13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Of course, this is talking about a church service. Where a message in tongues needs to be interpreted. It can also apply to our own personal time in prayer. Revelation is when our mind or understanding is fruitful. There are times when praying in the spirit that revelation can come through interpreting what we are praying in tongues. It can sound very prophetic. It is a bubbling forth from our spirit. Of course, this comes from the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This can happen from time to time and any revelation you receive must agree with the Word of God and the character of God.
Revelation is important. We need it when studying God’s Word. We need it to discern God’s will and direction in life. God’s Word always reveals His general will for our lives but some things we need to get directly from God that might not specifically be mentioned in His Word. Like who do I marry, where should I live, where does God wants me to serve in Church, etc.
The key to revelation is your relationship with your Father God.
We see that picture of a light bulb above a person’s head. I’m sure you have seen that. In other words, it is telling us, I see it, I finally see it. I see it now!” It is not just knowledge, and that is where it starts but it bursts open upon the table of your heart. Luke 24:31-32 (NKJV)-31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” The word Burn is to kindle or consume, to be lightened in Greek. It speaks of revelation. Psalm 36:9 (NKJV)-9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Thank God for the light, the illumination of God’s Word.
One final thought: Beware of those who pride themselves in secrets of the Bible that only they know. Revelation doesn’t belong to a certain few but to all the Body of Christ. God’s Word is a revealing Word! I hope this has helped and encouraged you. There is so much to say on this topic. How exciting it is to study God’s Word, to pray, and to receive greater wisdom, understanding, and revelation as we grow in our relationship with God. May the Holy Spirit continue to reveal and lead you in the truth of God’s Word. Pray the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-20. Begin to thank God in faith for wisdom and revelation to flow out of your spirit into your life. This is His good pleasure.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)-12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
1 John 2:20 (WuestNT)-20 But as for you, an anointing you have from the holy One, and all of you have the capacity to know. I am not writing to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because every lie is not out of the truth as a source.
- God is a God of revelation.
- Start to thank Him for it.
- Pray Eph 1:16-20.
- Study and meditate on God’s Word.
- Pray in the Holy Spirit.
- Take time to reflect and listen.
- Write down what you are seeing and hearing.
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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