Responding to God's Revelation in Personal Experience

Responding to God's revelation in personal experience involves an active engagement with the divine disclosure, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deeper, often transformative, encounter. Revelation itself is understood as an "uncovering" or "bringing to light" of what was previously hidden, a supernatural self-disclosure by God concerning himself and his purposes ^[1]. This revelation is not solely confined to written scripture but also manifests in personal experience, prompting various forms of human response.

One primary response to God's revelation is prayer, which is commanded and described in scripture as a direct address to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit ^[6]. Biblical figures demonstrate this, such as Jacob, who, after experiencing God's presence, declared, "I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went" (Genesis 35:3) ^[3]. This act of building an altar signifies a tangible, worshipful response to a personal encounter with God's intervention and faithfulness. Prayer is characterized by various postures and expressions, including bowing the knees, lifting up the soul and heart, pouring out the heart, and crying to God, all indicating a deep, personal engagement ^[6].

Another significant response is a profound sense of self-awareness and accountability before God. When confronted with God's glory or truth, individuals often experience a realization of their own character and sinfulness ^{[9, 15]}. Job, for instance, grappled with the question, "what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?" (Job 31:14) ^[2]. This reflects a recognition of divine judgment and the human inability to be justified before God on one's own terms (Job 9:2) ^[4]. Such encounters can lead to a spiritual refinement, akin to Israel's experiences in the wilderness or exile, where challenges serve to deepen faith and reliance on God ^[10].

The New Testament further elaborates on the nature of personal revelation and response. Jesus speaks of a "profound spiritual revelation" that transcends worldly understanding, occurring through his resurrection, the coming of the Spirit, and his second coming ^[8]. In this context, God and the Father are said to "reside within believers," making a home with them ^[8]. This indwelling presence fosters an experiential and personal knowledge of God's grace and love in Christ, which is central to the Christian life ^[14]. This "knowledge" is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, intimate experience, encompassing obedience, suffering, and a close relationship with God ^{[11, 16]}. The ability to learn and grow from such experiences is considered a divine gift ^[12].

The book of Revelation, often called the Apocalypse, signifies an "unveiling" of things previously hidden, serving as a "manifesto of the kingdom of Christ" and a guide for the Church ^{[13, 7]}. It speaks of God's dwelling being with people, where "he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God" (Revelation 21:3) ^[5]. This ultimate revelation promises a complete and intimate union, where believers are filled with "all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within," conforming them to his image ^[14]. This eschatological vision underscores the ultimate response to God's revelation: a transformed existence in his direct presence.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
Job “Job 31:14 (BSB) — what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?”
Genesis “Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” -- Genesis 35:3”
Job “Job 9:2 (LEB) — “Truly I know that it is so, but how can a human being be just before God?”
Revelation “I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. -- Revelation 21:3”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Revelation Of St. John — the last book of the New Testament. It is often called the Apocalypse, which is its title in Greek, signifying "Revelation," + Canonical authority and authorship.--The inquiry as to the canonical authority of the Revelation resolves itself into a question of authorship. Was St. John the apostle and evangelist the writer of the Revelation? The evidence adduced in support of his being the author consists of (1) the assertions of the author and (2) historical tradition. (1) The author's description of himself in the 1st and 22d chapters is certai”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 14:23: 14:23-24 Jesus answered Judas’s question, explaining that his coming would be a profound spiritual revelation beyond the world’s grasp. • Jesus’ coming would occur in three experiences: his resurrection, the coming of the Spirit, and his second coming. When he comes in the Spirit, he and the Father will reside within believers, making a home with each of them (see study note on 14:2).”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:6: 17:6-7 Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5; Dan 8:17; 10:9, 15-19; Rev 1:17).”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 12:6: 12:6 Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hos 2:14-15; Acts 7:38-45) and in exile (see Isa 5:13; Ezek 12:1-3), the Christian church must face its own wilderness. Revelation presents messages of endurance and perseverance in the face of trouble and shows that God provides places of refuge and avenues of escape for his people (cp. 1 Cor 10:13). 1,260 days: See study note on Rev 11:2-3.”
Amos (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Amos 3:2: 3:2 The word translated been intimate indicates personal and experiential knowledge that often extends beyond mere intellectual awareness. It can indicate formal recognition and acknowledgment (Exod 1:8; 5:2), personal experience (Gen 2:17), or sexual relations (Gen 4:1). This word is frequently used of God’s relationship with Israel (Hos 5:3) and of Israel’s ideal relationship with God (Hos 2:20). Because of Israel’s privileged status, God would hold them accountable for all their sins, not just some of them. God holds people accountable in terms of what has been gi”
Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 20:12: 20:12 The ability to observe and learn from experience is a divine gift.”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1 (introduction): 1TITLE: SOURCE AND OBJECT OF THIS REVELATION: BLESSING ON THE READER AND KEEPER OF IT, AS THE TIME IS NEAR: INSCRIPTION TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: APOSTOLIC GREETING: KEYNOTE, "BEHOLD HE COMETH" (Compare at the close, Rev 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): INTRODUCTORY VISION OF THE SON OF MAN IN GLORY, AMIDST THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, WITH SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND. (Rev. 1:1-20) Revelation--an apocalypse or unveiling of those things which had been veiled. A manifesto of the kingdom of Christ. The travelling manual of the Church for the G”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:25: And thus--omitted in the oldest manuscripts and versions. secrets of his heart made manifest--He sees his own inner character opened out by the sword of the Spirit (Heb 4:12; Jam 1:23), the word of God, in the hand of him who prophesieth. Compare the same effect produced on Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:30 and end of Dan 2:47). No argument is stronger for the truth of religion than its manifestation of men to themselves in their true character. Hence hearers even now often think the preacher must have aimed his sermon particularly at them. and so--”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 53:11: 53:11 his experience (literally his knowledge): This clearly does not refer to intellectual knowledge but to all that the servant would experience in his obedience, suffering, and intimate relationship with God. • The servant’s righteous obedience enables people to be put right with God (see Gen 15:6; Rom 5:18-19), for he will bear all their sins.”

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