Using General Revelation to Argue for God's Existence and Glory
The concept of general revelation refers to God making himself known through creation, human experience, and conscience, distinct from special revelation found in Scripture [2]. This form of revelation provides a basis for understanding God's existence and glory.
The Bible takes God's existence for granted rather than offering arguments for it [1]. However, it frequently points to creation as a testament to God's attributes. For instance, Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." This verse suggests that the natural world openly displays God's majesty and creative power [6]. The book of Revelation further emphasizes this, with heavenly beings proclaiming, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be" [3]. This passage directly links God's creative act with His worthiness of glory, honor, and power.
The glory of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, exhibited in Christ, in His name, majesty, power, works, and holiness [6]. The knowledge of God's glory is also conveyed through the Gospel [5]. While God's glory is revealed in creation, Proverbs 25:2 notes that "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out" [4]. This suggests that while some aspects of God are openly displayed, others require diligent inquiry.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:18-32, discusses how humanity's universal sinfulness prevents them from fully apprehending God's glory through general revelation [7]. Even though God's "invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made," people suppress this truth through unrighteousness [7]. This suppression leads to a rejection of God despite the clear evidence of His existence and power in the created order. The angels, however, continually give praise to God, acknowledging His blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- 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”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 4:11 (BSB) — “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be.””
- Proverbs “Proverbs 25:2 (BSB) — It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 7:12: Saying, Amen,.... As approving and confirming what the great multitude of men had said in Rev 7:10; in ascribing the glory of salvation to God, and the Lamb: the angels, though they have no part in it themselves, yet highly approve of it as right and just, that men should give the glory of it where it is due. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Here a seven fold praise is given to God by the angels, as to the Lamb, in Rev 5:12, and in words much the same they rightly ascrib”