Revelation and Experience

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. I Corinthians 2:9-10 (KJV)

This speaks of revelation, or in the Greek, an uncovering. It’s like pulling back the curtain to see what’s hidden behind it. God says He has prepared many things for us now and in eternity, but we will never know or experience them in this life unless they are revealed to our spirits by the Holy Spirit. Revealed knowledge shows us we can experience all Jesus died to give us, starting at our salvation. By revelation, we can know, see, and have what God has prepared for us. We can experience the good things of God.

Always remember that experience that comes by revelation must always be based on God’s written Word. Any revelation or experience that isn’t backed by the Bible is not of God- instead it is from the devil and must be rejected.

As we go through life, we all gain experience. How are revelation and experience related? Revelation helps us to endure all we experience in life, whether good or bad.

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)

This is a progression of our Christian walk. Verse 1 points to our salvation. Being right with God gives us peace with Him. In verse 2, we see that this brings us into relationship with God and access to Him and all Christ and His grace provided. Grace gives and faith receives. As a result, we rejoice in God’s glory; His manifest presence and His goodness. Verse 3 tells us that God’s glorious presence enables us to rejoice in tribulations and pressures. This, in turn, works patience in us-or endurance and the ability to outlast anything we face. Verse 4 explains that patience bring experience, and then hope. What we live through comes out on the other end as experience. We gain experience about how to go through things and come out victorious. Our hope is based on the knowledge that God will use it all. Hope is a “know so” not a “hope so.” It is based on your belief that you will experience all of God’s promises. As verse 5 says, hope does not disappoint us because God’s love is poured out in us. Love never fails. All the revelation we receive along the way helps us to go through this progression, empowering us to successfully go through everything we encounter in life.

Any God-given revelation will stand up to and help us through any experience. Revelation will be tested. Any revelation from God will last and helps us to pass the test. By revelation, we are enabled to experience life victoriously.