Revelation

The act by which God discloses divine truth to humanity. Revelation is how the unknowable becomes known, how the transcendent God communicates with finite human beings.

Types of Revelation

General Revelation

Truth about God available to all through:

• Nature and creation
• Conscience and moral intuition
• Reason and philosophy

Special Revelation

Direct divine communication through:

• Prophecy
• Scripture
• Theophanies (divine appearances)
• Angels
• Dreams and visions

In Judaism

Torah as Revelation

The giving of the Torah at Sinai is the paradigmatic revelation:

• God spoke directly to the entire nation
• Moses received the full Torah (written and oral)
• This revelation is complete and sufficient

Modes of Revelation

• Direct speech (Moses)
• Visions and dreams (other prophets)
• The Bat Kol (heavenly voice) after prophecy ceased

Revelation and Interpretation

While revelation is fixed, interpretation continues through:

• Rabbinic exegesis
• Ongoing study and commentary
• The “70 faces of Torah”

In Christianity

Progressive Revelation

God revealed truth progressively through history:

• Patriarchs → Law → Prophets → Christ

Christ as Ultimate Revelation

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Jesus is:

• The Word made flesh (John 1:14)
• The exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3)
• The fullness of revelation

Scripture as Revelation

The Bible is understood as:

• Inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)
• The written record of revelation
• Authoritative for faith and practice

In Islam

Wahy (Revelation)

God communicates through three modes (Quran 42:51):

1. Direct inspiration (ilham)
2. Speaking from behind a veil
3. Sending a messenger (angel)

The Quran

The Quran is understood as:

• The literal word of God in Arabic
• Revealed through Jibril to Muhammad
• The final and complete revelation
• Preserved perfectly without corruption

Previous Revelations

Islam affirms earlier scriptures:

• Tawrat (Torah) given to Moses
• Zabur (Psalms) given to David
• Injil (Gospel) given to Jesus

However, Muslims believe these were:

• True when originally revealed
• Later corrupted or altered
• Superseded by the Quran

Comparative Perspectives

Aspect	Judaism	Christianity	Islam
Primary mode	Torah at Sinai	Christ incarnate	Quran through Gabriel
Scripture	God-given, interpreted	Inspired, Christ-centered	Literal word of God
Finality	Torah complete	Christ is final Word	Quran is final Book
Ongoing?	Interpretation continues	Spirit illumines	Quran preserved exactly