Ps. 19, General and Special Revelation (1)

Let’s talk about “General Revelation.”  Specifically, let us consider this subject against the backdrop of Ecclesiastes.  The writer of Ecclesiastes is concerned with everything “under the sun.”  That is the realm that concerns “general revelation.” 

We would not know anything about God if He did not reveal it to us.  The Bible indicates God has done this in two ways.  In 19:1-6 we learn that “the glory of God” is declared by the heavens.  In 19:7-11 we learn that the word of God, in all its facets (law, testimony, statutes, commandments, judgments and so forth), warns us and provides an avenue for great reward.  The theologians call these two revelations “general revelation” and “special revelation.”

“General revelation” is general in that it gives us a tremendous amount of truth about God that is available to anyone who will pay attention.  The truth is general and the audience is general.  The truth is that we can see that God is real and we can see many of His attributes.  Without going into detail now, in the heavens we see God’s glory (19:1; meaning that all that we know about Him places Him in a category that is unique, as the Creator).  It is not just the telescope but the microscope also declares God’s glorious attributes.  Everywhere we look in Creation speaks of Him.  A true understanding of the “scientific method” is that it is man, using his senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling), can learn much about his Creator.  The Bible also places the “conscience” in this category.  According to Rom. 2:6-16 all people have “the law (of God) written in their hearts” (2:15).  When we join this to Rom. 1:18-21 we see that in Creation and Conscience people have access to sufficient knowledge of God and His standards to be held accountable before Him in judgment.  “They are without excuse” (1:20).

“Special revelation” is special in that God must convey this information to man in some special way.  It is “the word of God” but includes what Hebrews 1:1-3 calls “various ways” that God spoke through the prophets, and then supremely God’s speaking through His Son.  In terms of Scripture (God’s written revelation), it is the Bible that came through the prophets (Old Testament) and apostles of Christ (New Testament, 2 Peter 3:2). 

We will show that Ecclesiastes is concerned with “general revelation.”  The writer is always talking about what he has seen.  When the writer speaks about God, he is expressing truth that is available to anyone who will look at Creation and Conscience and think about what it is saying.