Don Stewart :: What Is General Revelation?

God's revealing of Himself to humanity has come about in a couple of different ways. One of these ways is known as "general revelation" or "natural revelation." General revelation is something that all humanity has received. It is general in that it reaches all people in all times and in every place-nobody is without general revelation.

Revelation Is Geographically General

Every place on earth receives revelation about God. 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).

Therefore general revelation is worldwide in scope. No one is ignorant of God's general revelation.

All Humans Experience General Revelation

Every human being receives general revelation. The apostle Paul said.

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy (Acts 14:17).

There Are A Number Of Ways That God Has Revealed Himself To Everyone

According to Scripture, humanity receives general revelation in a number of ways. These include the following.

1. Unwritten Human Tradition Is A Means Of General Revelation

Human tradition is a means in which God has revealed Himself. The Bible says that God spoke to Adam and Eve. They, in turn, would have told others about the things God both said and did. As God revealed Himself to humanity at various times in the past these events would also have been told and retold by people with whom God spoke. The problem, of course, is that in the telling of these stories things get added and subtracted. Yet the basis of the story usually remains.

2. Nature, Or Creation, Testifies To God's Existence

The magnificence of creation testifies to God's existence. Everywhere we look we can find testimony of His great power and majesty. Creation demonstrates that God is the Creator, Designer, and Sustainer of all that exists.

3. God's Providence Is Experienced By Everyone

God has also revealed Himself to humanity through the gracious things that He has provided. The gifts of God's providence are for everyone, everywhere.

4. The Human Conscience Knows That God Exists

The human conscience tells us that God exists. There is something inside every one of us that testifies to the existence of God's existence. We all know that there is some power greater than ourselves that exists.

5. God's Dealings With The Nations Testifies To His Existence

Finally, the Bible also says that God has dealt with the nations of the world in a way that shows His existence. God as set forth examples in history that testify to His existence, power, and control over history.

Summary

General revelation reaches everyone, everywhere. The Bible speaks of five ways in which God has revealed Himself to all of humanity. These include: unwritten human tradition nature or creation, providence, the human conscience, and God's dealings with the nations. No one, therefore, is ignorant of God's existence.