Series: Bible Basics – Bible
God Speaks So We Can Know Him
What Revelation Means
When God makes Himself known to us, the Bible calls that revelation. It means God shows us who He is and what is true. We could never figure these things out on our own. We do not climb our way up to God by our own wisdom. God, in His mercy, comes down and makes Himself known to us. He is the One who takes the first step, and we are the ones who receive what He graciously shows.
Why We Need God to Speak
We need God to reveal Himself because He is so much greater than we are. He is infinite, and we are limited. He is holy, and we are sinful. Left to ourselves, we would never truly know Him or understand how to come to Him. If we are going to know God at all, He must make Himself known. The good news is that He has done exactly that. God reveals Himself in two ways: through general revelation and through special revelation. Both matter, and together they help us see the full picture.
God Speaks Through Creation
General revelation is God’s witness to all people, everywhere, at all times. It is called general because everyone can see it, and because it tells us broad truths about God instead of the full message of salvation. We see this revelation in the world God made—in the heavens, the earth, and all of creation. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. (Psalm 19:1–4).
In Romans 1:18–25, Paul writes, For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
We also see it in human beings, because we are made in God’s image: So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law, do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:14–16). Through creation and conscience, God shows that He is real, that He is powerful, and that He is the Creator and Judge.
Why Creation Is Not Enough
General revelation is important. It gives us a foundation for moral truth, supports our witness to the world, and reminds us that this world points beyond itself to God. But it does not tell us everything we need to know. It is enough to leave people without excuse for rejecting God, but it is not enough by itself to show us how to be saved. For that, we need God to speak more clearly. We need special revelation.
God Speaks Through His Word and Through Christ
Special revelation is God making Himself known to particular people in specific times and places, and that revelation has been recorded for us in Scripture. It is special because it is more direct and more detailed. God gave this revelation through mighty acts in history like the Exodus, through His spoken word as recorded in Scripture: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord (Jeremiah 18:1); All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), and most fully through Jesus Christ, God’s Son: Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. (Hebrews 1:1–2). In special revelation, God not only tells us that He exists—He tells us how He saves. Here we learn the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and how to live in a way that pleases God.
Our Response
Without special revelation, we would know enough to be accountable before God, but not enough to know His saving grace in Christ. That is why the Bible matters so much. God has spoken, and His Word is our guide for truth and for life. If we want to know Him, trust Him, and walk with Him, then we must stay rooted in Scripture. A steady diet of God’s Word will strengthen our faith, direct our steps, and help us live faithfully in this world.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 2006–2026 by Miguel J. Gonzalez Th.D.
Dr. Miguel J. Gonzalez is the Founder and President of Reasons for Faith International Ministries. He served as a pastor for ten years in Charlotte, NC and has taught in churches and conferences throughout the United States. He currently hosts the Time in the Word and Truth To Live By podcasts and writes at KnowingChristianity.blogspot.com.
