Manfred emphasizes the vital importance of revelation in the Christian life, especially for believers in the Brethren denomination. He begins with a prayer for open hearts and minds to receive God's Word, highlighting that Christ is the divine expression of God's will. Manfred explains that revelation is fundamental because, due to the fall in Eden, man's spirit is dead and unable to receive spiritual truths through the soul, which is governed by the flesh and invaded by Satan. Only through God's revelation can believers truly understand His heart, purpose, and the spiritual realities of Christ. He illustrates that all divine truths, including the mysteries of the church and God's eternal purpose, are revealed by God to His servants, notably Paul, through revelation. Manfred stresses that revelation is akin to God's light shining into darkness, bringing life and understanding. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but an impartation of Christ as life, enabling believers to see, understand, and be transformed. He also discusses how revelation is often received through divine dealings, especially in times of distress, which enlarge our capacity to contain God's truth. The effects of revelation include exposing hidden sins, humbling us, enlightening our understanding, delivering us from false concepts, transforming us into Christ's likeness, and guiding our steps. Ultimately, revelation is ongoing and essential for spiritual growth, requiring God's work through difficulties and divine dealings to deepen our understanding and experience of Christ.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.