In biblical usage the term revelation refers to God's disclosure to man of previously unknown truth about His person, works, and plans (Exodus 6:3; Amos 3:7; John 16:12-13; Galatians 1:11-12; cf. John 15:15). Divine revelation is of two types: general and special. General revelation refers to divine truth evident in nature and in the constitution of man and thus is sometimes called natural revelation. General revelation is knowable by human reason apart from the Bible and discloses God's attributes, power, and moral nature (Acts 14:17; Romans 1:20; 2:15). General revelation is sufficient to leave man "without excuse" (Romans 1:20) for his failure to respond appropriately to God (Romans 1:21), but it is inadequate apart from the gospel message to give man a personal, saving knowledge of God (Romans 10:13-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; cf. John 5:39; Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:15). Special revelation is the disclosure of God's being and works through divine acts and words, particularly as recorded in Scripture (Jeremiah 1:9; Micah 6:5; John 6:63). Biblical revelation includes all that may be known through general revelation plus a much more extensive and clearer body of divine truth.

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.