The revelation of Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built. That was why, in response to Peter’s revelatory awareness and expression of His identity, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:17-18). There are important things to learn from this and other related Biblical texts, as it concerns the nature and purpose of revelation.
All true revelation unveils the identity of Jesus, not just as man, but as God who is also man at the same time. Jesus is the perfect expression of God to man and of man to God. The Bible says, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”” (Matt 16:13). That was the first recorded question He had asked His disciples on that occasion as they entered Caesarea Philippi. Their response is instructive : “So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”” (Matt 16:14). The disciples of Jesus were abreast of the current speculations in town about His identity. It was good they knew who other people thought He was. Nevertheless, Jesus wanted to know their own thought on the issue, so He asked, “… “But who do you say that I am?”” (Matt 16:15). Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16). The contrast between Peter’s answer and those of the others was his identification of Jesus Christ not just as a man but as God who was also man.
God gives revelation to you in order to provide a valid basis of faith for you. Without revelation from God, any attempt to exercise faith amounts to presumption. Revelation is the foundation of faith. It is impossible to have faith without revelation as its basis. There was a common factor that existed among Biblical characters who demonstrated faith for exploits: they all received revelation knowledge from God. People such as Abraham, Elijah, David, Daniel etc, were so attuned to God as to take certain steps of faith which the average person would consider illogical and risky. However, because their faith was based on revelation from God, what would ordinarily have turned out disastrous proved to be wise and commendable. The shining of the light of revelation signals the Divine initiation of a course to follow.
Revelation originates in God. Peter could never have identified Jesus as the Son of the living God, had God not disclosed it to him. The Bible says, “At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Matt 11:25-27). Man, irrespective of his intelligence, cannot by human wisdom discover anything about God, which He does not Himself reveal. Shalom.
