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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 135

"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.

a) Whereas revelation involves receiving new material from God, illumination seeks only to comprehend what the Scriptures teach.
b) Whereas revelation involves only God’s special servants (apostles and prophets), illumination is for everybody.
c) Whereas revelation involves “inspiration” where the Biblical writer experiences the superintending work of the Spirit of God, illumination can claim no such thing!
d) Whereas revelation is now in the past, illumination still continues to the present day! Each day we read the Scriptures, our hearts should offer a prayer to be illumined by the Spirit of God.