Explain the difference between general and specific revelation. Use specific texts to support your answer.
These are the two ways God has elected to reveal Himself to mankind. General revelation is through the natural world and our natural selves – IE: Romans 1.19 states that every man knows of Him in that “what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them”, and Psalms 19.1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”
Specific revelation is God revealed through the supernatural, or the miraculous – IE: Preincarnate physical, Gen 18.1 “Then the LORD appeared to (Abram) by the terebinth trees of Mamre,as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day”, or Gen 14.18 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High”; or, in the vision in Daniel 7; or His voice in Matt 3.17 “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”; or through His movement to guide men as per 2 Pet 1.21 “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Most importantly of course is God made in Flesh, Jesus the Christ. Of John 1.14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I believe both categories speak of His character. No person will ever be without an awareness of the God of Everything, and on the other hand, all who pursue Him can find Him personally. It seems any other god remains beyond reach, never allowing the lesser beings below to see him, yet in contrast our God has allowed, encouraged, us to press in close – even now through His Spirit in us as believers.