Tips to Understand Your Bible - Tip 4: PROGRESSIVE REVELATION

As time unfolds, God's purposes become more clear and understandable. Biblical revelation is truth given by God, not some facts worked up or reasoned out by man.

Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible; however, it may not have been very clear to Adam and Eve what God was talking about when He said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel”.

As Paul explained, “God himself revealed His mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by His Spirit He has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.” - Ephesians 3:3-5 NLTWherever people are and whatever their present understanding of God is, He seeks to lead them into a higher and clearer understanding of Himself. Consider Simon Peter: There was a point in time when Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan”, but later on the Day of Pentecost Peter stood up and clearly declared the Scriptures to the crowd. Later also, he received revelation on how God’s plan extended to the Gentiles and then went to minister to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10).

Jesus is the focal point and the key. Greater revelation was given to man after the birth of Jesus, His death and resurrection, and the Spirit’s infilling at Pentecost. 

We see that progressive revelation when we study the Bible from the Old Testament and through the New Testament. Augustine said, "The New is in the Old contained, the Old is in the New explained”. Even Jesus shared with the disciples only what they could receive at the time. He waited until they could receive more before He gave them more revelation. 

John 16:12-14 NLT

As Jesus prepared His disciples for all that was about to happen He told them

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me.”

Things to note: 

1. We understand certain aspects of the Bible when we study from the Old Testament to the New Testament. 

2. Prior to Calvary, less insight is given in Scripture of God’s redemptive plan than after Calvary. Prior, we see the prophecies, the “types and shadows”, and Jesus foretelling His own sacrifice. Then we see the actually events and them explained. 

3. Before Pentecost the disciples did not understand the plan of God like they did after the Day of Pentecost. 

   
   

DEGREES OF REVELATION THROUGHOUT HISTORY 

• Written on nature (Creation) Psalms 19:1

• Written on one's conscience (Mankind) Romans 2:15

• Written on stones (The Law of Moses) Exodus 24:12 

• The Old Testament scriptures (the Old Covenant) Romans 15:4 

• Written on the heart of believers (The engrafted Word) Hebrews 8:10

• Manifested in the Christian life (Believers) 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

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These 5 tips of Bible Interpretation help equip us to better understand God’s Word: 

1. Context - The primary rule of Bible interpretation is to take into consideration the context of a passage.

2. Comparison - In order to arrive at a balanced view and understanding of a particular scripture, it’s important to compare scripture with other scripture.

3. First Mention - Looking at the first place a subject is mentioned in Scripture is a key to understanding that subject. That first mention becomes like an anchor or reference point for further interpretation on the subject. 

4. Progressive Revelation - As time unfolds, God's purposes become more clear and understandable. 

5. Christ - The Bible is one continuous story, and it is imperative that we keep in mind that all Scripture revolves around Christ and the redemption of mankind.