God Gave it vs I Found it…..
Revelation vs Discovery
Discovery—a baby suddenly realizes that the waving object in front of his face …. Is a part of him!
Revelation—a darkened area of the mind is suddenly flooded with light!
Discovery—coming to know that which was previously unknown via the senses or through another’s explanation of their knowledge—a knowing that is cultivated.
Revelation—coming to know that which was previously unknown beyond the senses or another’s explanation of their knowledge—a knowing that is transplanted rather than cultivated.
The Bible has many instances of both discovery and revelation (as defined above) happening to various individuals within its pages. While the two seem to be synonymous, yet they have very different affectations, at least in the Biblical and spiritual sense. The dividing line between these two methods of obtaining knowledge is thin indeed, but there is a very definite division none the less.
One Biblical example of someone experiencing a discovery can be witnessed in Adam. Adam, through the operation of God, becomes a living soul—he “awakens” in a world where he and everything else in it is new—Adam “learns” or discovers his world mainly through his senses—his observation teaches him many things about the world he inhabits—his taste, smell, touch and hearing also combine to further his education of his world.
Adam also is our earliest example of a man experiencing a revelation. Adam, it is apparent, not only has physiological abilities, but a divine revelation also transplants a complete language into his mind—he is able to converse with God with a God-given language (a language he was not taught). All future offspring of Adam and Eve will acquire language through discovery, not revelation—they will learn via another’s (their parents) knowledge.
When the Bible speaks of something being “revealed” it can be either discovery or revelation that is being addressed—only the context can determine which of the two is meant. Some things that are revealed are time determined knowledge—things that come to be known with time—while other things are revealed as a special act of God in the mind. The word “mystery” in the Bible is often speaking of that which is hidden until its unveiling in the future—this is a time dependant discovery. Rom 16:25 “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
The things that are “revealed” to the mind of man by the Spirit are true revelations. We see these revelations in the sudden transplanted knowledge in the identity of God as the One and Only—Jesus Christ! “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.” Gal 1:12 “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
It is important to note, however, that usually a revelation is many times prefaced by a desire to know and a study in that area of knowledge—God seldom drops a revelation into a mind that is not thirsting for divine understanding. This is why hunger and a desire to know are paramount ingredients which invites sometimes a divine revelation.
In the gifts of the Spirit it is apparent that the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are seen as divine instruments that come into action when the Spirit activates them within the mind. These revelations are vital to the welfare of the church and for its perfection. One must not always assume that he has all the answers—but God does—and God can divide severally as He wills.
As preachers it is still our call to discover—to learn and to hunger to know—and if there be need of a divine revelation—God will supply. Paul still gives us the charge—study to show thyself approved—a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. In other words, concentrate on learning—and He will supply the revelations as needed.
Eph 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
— jlg —