Fall
2002
Taught by Revelation
Penny Smith
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the Gospel
which was preached by me is not according to man.
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught
it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus
Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12.
“It came through the revelation.” Paul did not
receive the Gospel that he ministered from hearing sermons,
reading books, or by attending conferences. He did not attend
a homiletics class on how to preach. Rather, Paul was taught
by “revelation.”
There are several Biblical references in which the word “revelation”
is used.
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off
restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18.
The marginal note for this verse defines the word “revelation”
as being “prophetic vision.” Thus, revelation
allows us to see into the heavenly realm, where we see things
(and people) from God's perspective. In other words, we become
a See-er (Seer).
It may seem as though this realm of prophetic “seeing”
is too high and lofty for us. The truth is that Jesus Christ
has sent His Holy Spirit in order for us to see in this way.
Seeing from God's perspective enables us to be obedient to
His will. Without this revelatory vision at work within us,
or active in us, we “cast off restraint.”
“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together,
each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue,
has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things
be done for edification.” I Cor 14:26.
Here, Paul is dealing with the gifts of the Spirit and their
operation in a corporate body of believers. Then Paul goes
on to enumerate the potential that lies within each corporate
body that gathers. Within each body of believers, each individual
has something spiritual to contribute to the meeting, as circumstances
allow.
This means that an individual who walks after the Spirit
already has within them a psalm, or teaching, or tongue, or
revelation, or interpretation. All that is needed is to stir
it up, and then allow it to come forth.
This is the context in which this word “revelation”
is used. This should be the normal experience for the believer
in Jesus Christ. YOU have something of the Spirit of Christ
to give.