Revelation, responses to

God requires and imparts a frame of mind that receives and responds to what he has made known.

God commands that his word be heeded

Mark 4:3 See also Isaiah 1:10; Mark 4:9; Revelation 2:7

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

People do not naturally understand what God has revealed

They fail to recognise God's revelation in Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:25–27 parallel Luke 10:21–22 See also John 5:37–40, John 6:44–45, John 10:24–26, John 12:37–41, John 14:9; Romans 9:31–10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4

At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

They fail to understand God's revelation in general

1 Corinthians 2:14 See also Mark 4:11–12 parallels Matthew 13:13–15, Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9–10; John 8:43–47; 2 Corinthians 3:14–16; 2 Thessalonians 2:11–13

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

God has given his Spirit to illuminate the human mind

He reveals and teaches truth

1 Corinthians 2:12–13 See also Jeremiah 31:31–34; Matthew 16:17; John 3:3–10, John 14:16–17, John 14:25–26, John 16:12–15; Philippians 3:15

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

He reveals through prayer for understanding

Psalm 119:18 See also Psalm 119:12, Psalm 119:27; Ephesians 1:17–18

Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Understanding God's revelation carries special responsibility

Luke 12:47–48 See also Matthew 13:11–12, Matthew 25:14–30 parallel Luke 19:12–27

That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

God's revelation of himself will only be fully understood at the second coming of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 13:12 See also 1 Peter 1:13; 1 John 3:2

Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

The consequences of responding to revelation

Repentance

Acts 2:38 See also Matthew 4:17; Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20; 2 Corinthians 7:10

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Faith

Romans 10:17 See also Romans 10:8–10, Romans 10:14–15; 1 Corinthians 2:4–5

Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Obedience

Romans 1:5 See also Judges 2:17; Philemon 1:21; 1 Peter 1:2

Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.