Don Stewart :: What Conclusions Should We Draw from General Revelation?

What Conclusions Should We Draw from General Revelation?

God Has Spoken to Us – Question 13

General revelation consists of God revealing Himself through various ways that are continuous and universal. There are a number of conclusions that can be drawn from general revelation. They include the following:

1. God Does Exist

From general revelation we know that there is a God who exists. Paul said that the order of nature testifies to the existence of the living God. He told the following to a crowd who wanted to worship him and the apostle Barnabas as gods:

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:15-17 ESV).

The New Living Translation says,

“Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings like yourselves! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In earlier days he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left himself without a witness. There were always his reminders, such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and joyful hearts.” (Acts 14:15-17 NLT)

Paul and Barnabas were bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to these people. In doing so, they testified that God gives them a continuous witness in the good things that He provides. Therefore, general revelation makes it clear that God does exist.

2. The God Who Exists Is Intelligent

God not only exists, the God that exists is an intelligent God. The Bible says that everyone sees this intelligence of God. Paul said,

Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse... (Romans 1:20 NRSV).

The preciseness of creation reveals an intelligent Creator; the wonderful, intricacy of our world argues against blind chance. The psalmist wrote,

He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? (Psalm 94:9 NRSV)

The obvious design of such things as the ear and the eye testifies to everyone that a “Designer” exists.

3. The God Who Exists Is Powerful

God’s power is clear to everyone. The psalmist wrote,

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1 NIV)

The fact of the vastness of the created universe, along with its precise order, shows the power of the Creator.

4. The God Who Exists Is Good

General revelation shows the goodness of God. Jesus said that God is good both to the evil people as well as the good. We read in Matthew,

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44, 45 NRSV)

God is good to everyone in the sense that He provides for our survival and well-being.

5. The God Who Exists Has His Glory Continuously Displayed Everywhere

The glory of the Lord is found everywhere. The psalmist wrote,

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (Psalm 19:1, 2 NIV)

Everyone everywhere sees the glory of God.

6. The God Who Exists Is Lord over All

The fact that God is “Lord” over all is seen by means of general revelation. Paul wrote the following truths to the church at Rome:

Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse... (Romans 1:20 NRSV)

The Contemporary English Version says,

God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That’s why those people don’t have any excuse. (Romans 1:20 CEV)

Though they cannot be directly seen with the human eye, God’s character, eternal power, and divine nature are seen through what He has made.

Therefore, we find there are a number of important truths that humanity learns about God through the testimony of general revelation.

Summary – Question 13
What Conclusions Can We Draw from General Revelation?

We can draw a number of conclusions from looking at the subject of general revelation.

First, it gives testimony to God’s existence. As we look at the universe around us we discover that “some„ God must exist. Everything is too precise for it to happen by chance.

It also tells us much about His character. From general revelation we discover that God is intelligent, powerful, and good.

We also see His glory is everywhere. Scripture tells us that the heavens declare God’s glory to all who look at it.

General revelation lets us know that God is Lord over everything. He rules the entire universe.

General revelation also informs humanity that God is constantly providing for them. The Bible says that the Lord provides the things necessary for life for both believers and unbelievers.

No one can be excused for missing God’s general revelation. Indeed, it is everywhere!