General revelation

General revelation is sometimes also called natural revelation in contrast to the supernatural revelation of God recorded in Scripture. The mental, moral, and spiritual qualities of humankind are a manifestation of this general revelation. Human beings were created in the image of God, and in spite of the Fall, we still reflect to a certain degree the character of God. In particular, every human being has moral consciousness. “The main task of conscience is to encourage us to do the right and to avoid the wrong. It also pronounces judgment. This faculty is a universal phenomenon, even though its operation differs from person to person.” ^{1Peter van Bemmelen, “Revelation and Inspiration,” in Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, Raoul Dederen, ed. (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald®, 2000), 28.} The concept of the voice of conscience is particularly important to understanding God’s justice and the salvation of the heathen.GP 11.3

God’s disclosure of Himself through what He has created also constitutes general revelation. It was this that prompted David to exclaim, “The heavens declare the glory of God; / And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). In Romans 1:20, Paul argued that all humanity has a rudimentary knowledge of God: “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”GP 12.1

Unfortunately, human beings often miss the message of God in nature. Some become so familiar with God’s creation that they take it for granted and don’t think about its wonders. Others elevate nature to the position of God and ascribe everything to the laws of nature. Still others turn away from the true knowledge of God and worship the creatures God made or human-made idols and practices. Paul, therefore, wrote in Romans 1 that “God also gave them up to uncleanness . . . God gave them up to vile passions . . . God gave them over to a debased mind” (verses 24, 26, 28).GP 12.2

While nature provides an abundance of examples of God’s wonderful creative acts, it also displays the consequences of the Fall. Thorns and thistles, the lion that kills the gazelle to feed its cubs, and the spider that traps the fly all bear evidence to the fact that sin has changed what God at one time pronounced “very good” (see Genesis 1:31). This is also why Ellen White wrote, “Nature still speaks of her Creator. Yet these revelations are partial and imperfect. And in our fallen state, with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are incapable of interpreting aright. We need the fuller revelation of Himself that God has given in His written word” (Ed 16).GP 12.3