Revelation

Revelation (Greek apokalypsis, meaning uncovering or disclosure; also from Latin revelatio, unveiling) refers to the act by which God makes himself and his will known to human beings in ways that go beyond natural reason or observation. The biblical doctrine of revelation distinguishes between general revelation — what can be known of God through creation and conscience (Romans 1:19–20; Psalm 19:1–6) — and special revelation, which is God's direct communication through prophets, mighty acts, Scripture, and supremely through the incarnate Son. The author of Hebrews opens with the declaration that God "at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1–2).

Special revelation is the foundation of Scripture: the prophets received the word of the LORD, and the apostles proclaimed what they had seen and heard of the incarnate Word. The canon of Scripture is regarded as the complete and sufficient deposit of special revelation for the church age. The theological concept of revelation undergirds the entire biblical enterprise: without God's self-disclosure, knowledge of his character, will, and saving purpose would be inaccessible to fallen humanity.