Revelation is communication from the living God. It can be in the form of thoughts, impressions, images, insights, or ideas. Since Jesus first revealed Himself to me, I’ve searched history and discovered the writings of hundreds of people who share my experience and relationship with the risen Christ.

Few Christians are trained to receive direct revelation from God throughout the day–to say “Speak, Lord,” and listen in stillness. The early Christians received revelation of things that eye can’t see and ear can’t hear. (1 Corinthians 2: 9-10) We can too! People hungry to know God seek Him with their whole heart and receive glorious insights. Pray: “Lord, make me hungry for You.”

We can personally interact with Emmanuel (God with us) every day. Here’s an example of how revelation works. Throughout last night the word revelation kept going through my mind. When I woke up this morning, I read a blog that I read daily. The author had used the word revelation (or revealed) at least 7 times.

God is as close and as real as our breathing and just as easily unobserved. It requires courage to receive revelation from God because it often conflicts with our feelings, desires, and opinions. Throughout history people who receive and talk about direct revelation from God that aligns with the Bible have often been persecuted.

Genuine revelation from God is consistent and always aligns with what God revealed in the Bible. False revelation redefines Jesus and departs from who the Bible says He is. Anyone who claims a revelation that contradicts what the Bible says about who Jesus is, has embraced a false revelation. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets.”

Here’s an example: One large, growing, and aggressive religious group claims that Jesus is the physical offspring of the physical body of the god of planet earth and Mary. Their god was once a man on planet earth and is now only the god of earth. He isn’t the Creator of all that exists. This group is very deceptive. They hide what they really believe about Jesus and pretend that they believe in the same Jesus that the Bible describes.

Let casual/carnal Christianity (including the Christmas season) remind you that God has so much more for us than formal religion has to offer. The risen Jesus is eager to reveal Himself to you. Are you ready and willing?

God wants to reveal
And to unveil
But we prefer
To analyze detail
Instead of humbly
Following His trail
Into life-altering insight.

In this world
Of devastation
We desperately
Need revelation
From God.

Decide
Not to hide.
Open wide
Your heart
And confide.