Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"As I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ."
Text: Ephesians 3:3-4
REVELATION- A RESTRICTED ACT
If we carefully ponder the text, it would become obvious that Paul restricted the idea of “revelation”, The following observations may be made:-
1. He speaks of how God revealed truths to him.
2. However, he does not pray that God would do the same for his readers
3. He only prays that they might understand all that he had written (Cf. Ephesians 1:15-19)
4. Paul refers to the revelation he has obtained from God as “my knowledge” rather than “our knowledge”.
5. We may conclude that the work of revelation has ended with the last of the prophets and apostles at the end of the first century. Nobody may claim “revelation” from God today!
ILLUMINATION- A GENERAL ACT
How may we describe the process in which we comprehend the word and will of God? The key theological word would be “illumination”. There is a whole lot of difference between “revelation” and “illumination”.
1. Illumination still involves the grace of God.
2. The Holy Spirit has to open our understanding and enlighten us.
3. We still need to do due diligence in the study of the Scriptures.
4. Essential differences
What are some essential differences between “revelation” and “illumination”? We may highlight four significant differences.