It has been said that a great majority of Christians do not understand the true meaning of the word “revelation.” Webster’s Dictionary tells us that revelation means God’s disclosure or manifestation of himself or of his will to man, as through some act, oracular words, signs, laws, etc.
The Spirit of Revelation is a gift just as all the other Spiritual gifts and is given to man to reveal truth, which will make us free from sin and death” (John 8:32).
Paul said, “Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?” 1Cor. 14:6.
The Father revealed himself to the Son, and the Son reveals the Father to us. We should not trade the true meaning of the word "revelation" for a false one just because many have made up their own idea of what it means. To be wise in the eyes of the world is not the same as receiving a spiritual revelation from the Father. You can memorize the whole Bible and still lack spiritual revelation; therefore, we all have need of the gift of revelation.
When the word of Truth is spoken to the carnal mind, it is words that can be taken in many different ways, just as the Sacred Writings have been. It is the carnal mind that has created hundreds of different doctrines.
When the Spirit of Revelation is received, it is the Word of Truth quickened (made alive) to the spirit of man. Truth made alive in us causes us to be aware of love, gentleness, kindness, and patience. Truth causes excitement and even gives us a measure of boldness to share our revelation. A revelation of any truth will be the same within any mind.
The true revelation of love will never become opposite from itself. A revelation of the Father will always be the same. It may be added to, realized more, experienced, or shared more, but it will never change. This is why Paul could say, “…Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you,” 2 Cor. 13:11.
Spiritual revelation is much like a piece to a puzzle. The fact that we have recognized a small portion of the principle of Yahweh’s Kingdom is not always enough to persuade others of our precious God-given insight. With revelation comes a huge responsibility; we must connect it to at least one other piece of the picture to prove that it is truly a part of the Kingdom of Righteousness, and then we will have something to share that is not so confusing. If we do not take the time to confirm our revelation with past revelations, it will cause many people to resent or refuse it.
Some people are bold and anxious to share a revelation with others, so they go out before they have enough pieces to their puzzle, and they cause unnecessary confusion. They, no doubt, have heard much of the Word, but have not spent enough time yielding and dedicating to the Holy Spirit in prayer to receive wisdom in presenting their new revelation.
It saddens me to hear ministers say that people are putting too much emphasis on “big revelations” or "people are measuring their importance by the spiritual gifts given to them” or "I don't care about your great revelations."
Ignorance to the meaning of the word revelation has caused these statements to be made. These statements are contradictory to the move of the Holy Spirit. Every revelation, and only revelation, brings us closer to the Father. We cannot separate true revelation from the Holy Spirit that delivers it—so, revelation cannot be a problem.
Proverb 4:7, tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
When we are in-part—seeking to put on the mind of Christ—we take our precious revelation, decorate it up with much of our carnal understanding, and then share it. Then other ministers, in return, destroy the revelation, along with the carnal decorations. If we discourage Christians who seek more revelation by causing them to feel it is a waste of time, then we have become a stumbling block to them.
Wouldn't it be more profitable to receive a revelation by connecting it with the surrounding truths that will strengthen it and draw attention away from the carnal decorations, rather than belittling the drive within the brother to seek Truth? By exposing Truth, the decorations of the carnal understanding will eventually dissolve and be forgotten.
The Spirit of Revelation, as well as other spiritual gifts, is for those who are in the growing process. The growing process extends from birth to being Son-placed. And once we are Son-placed, we will still function in the same manner, with the same abilities. It is like having your father putting his arms around you, putting his hands over your hands while you hold a bat—showing you just exactly how to hit the ball properly. When the ball is thrown, by his strength and his ability to hit the ball, the ball goes far enough for a home run. Now, when you get the hang of it, knowing that you are a chip off the old block, and that you are born-from-above, with your Father's genetic material moving and motivating you—you learn to hit a home run.
We are told to try the spirits that we might recognize the Holy Spirit. As we do this, we learn to recognize the moving of the Spirit. This comes by prayer and research of Yahweh's word along with putting his words into practice. Some Christians are rebuked for in-depth study of the scriptures, implying that studying is not the way to hear or learn of the Father.
Ministers, who separate revelation and Spiritual gifts from the move of the Holy Spirit, have yet to reveal how the Holy Spirit brings maturity to the people. They seem to be working on both ends. They preach and act in their gift and then make statements that belittle the Spiritual gifts, including revelation in others.
I’ve heard it said that the gifts were "babies’ food," indicating that when you function in the gifts it is a sign of immaturity.
Spiritual gifts are the substance of the Holy Spirit, regardless of what spiritual age you are. If you have developed into the full image of the Father and have sit on the throne to rule with him, you will still have the same substance as the gifts. If you are not in the full image of the Father, your carnal nature will decorate and accompany your gift to whatever measure of carnality you hold, but the substance of the Father is still there.
Here, Paul shows the importance of wisdom when sharing a revealed word that some of us might be able to learn from: “And I went up by (with my) revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain,” Gal. 2:2.
Truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit, through research in the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and saints who are hearing the spirit of the Word.
Paul expressed the importance of revelation in his life, saying, “… by revelation he (Yahweh) made known unto me the mystery…,” Eph. 3:3.
There should not be an attack on Spiritual gifts, especially the Spirit of revelation, for they are given to bring us all into the perfect image of the Father regardless of our spiritual age. The attack should be on the carnal mind and all that it produces.
I pray “that the God of our Lord the Anointed Savior, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,” Eph. 1:17.