1445 revelation, responses to

God requires and imparts a frame of mind that receives and responds to what he has made known.

God commands that his word be heeded

Mk 4:3 See also Isa 1:10; Mk 4:9; Rev 2:7

People do not naturally understand what God has revealed

They fail to recognise God’s revelation in Jesus Christ Mt 11:25-27 pp Lk 10:21-22 See also Jn 5:37-40; Jn 6:44-45; Jn 10:24-26; Jn 12:37-41; Jn 14:9; Ro 9:31-10:4; 1Co 1:18-25; 1Co 2:8; 2Co 4:4

They fail to understand God’s revelation in general 1Co 2:14 See also Mk 4:11-12 pp Mt 13:13-15 pp Lk 8:10; Isa 6:9-10; Jn 8:43-47; 2Co 3:14-16; 2Th 2:11-13

God has given his Spirit to illuminate the human mind

He reveals and teaches truth 1Co 2:12-13 See also Jer 31:31-34; Mt 16:17; Jn 3:3-10; Jn 14:16-17,25-26; Jn 16:12-15; Php 3:15

He reveals through prayer for understanding Ps 119:18 See also Ps 119:12,27; Eph 1:17-18

Understanding God’s revelation carries special responsibility

Lk 12:47-48 See also Mt 13:11-12; Mt 25:14-30 pp Lk 19:12-27

God’s revelation of himself will only be fully understood at the second coming of Jesus Christ

1Co 13:12 See also 1Pe 1:13; 1Jn 3:2

The consequences of responding to revelation

Repentance Ac 2:38 See also Mt 4:17; Ac 3:19; Ac 26:20; 2Co 7:10

Faith Ro 10:17 See also Ro 10:8-10,14-15; 1Co 2:4-5

Obedience Ro 1:5 See also Jdg 2:17; Phm 21; 1Pe 1:2

See also