Vos Group #90 — Four Divisions of Revelation by Christ

Reformed Forum

Join us as we discuss the four divisions of revelation by Christ beginning on p. 344 in Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. We will unpack Vos’s comprehensive categorization of revelation by Christ, which he divides into four distinct yet interconnected periods:

1. Natural or General Revelation: Extending from creation and continuing indefinitely, revealing God’s nature and attributes through the world around us.
2. Old Testament Revelation: Spanning from the entrance of sin to the incarnation, highlighting God’s redemptive plan through the history and prophecy of the Old Testament.
3. Revelation during Christ’s Earthly Ministry: Covering his life, teaching, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension, manifesting the fullness of God in human form.
4. Revelation through His Chosen Servants: Extending from Christ’s ascension to the death of the last apostle, communicated through the inspired writings and teachings of his disciples under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We explore how these revelations unfold in a linear, biblical-theological manner, emphasizing Christ’s activity before and after the incarnation. We discuss the significance of natural revelation, the pivotal moments of Old Testament prophecy, the profound truths revealed during Christ’s ministry, and the ongoing impact of apostolic teaching.

Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the coherence and unity of God’s redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture. We also reflect on the continuing relevance of these revelations for the church today and how they inform our worship, theology, and daily living.

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:02:34 The Essential Revelatory Function of the Logos
• 00:04:50 The Four Divisions of Revelation by Christ
• 00:13:11 Natural/General Revelation
• 00:26:36 The Prologue to John’s Gospel
• 00:33:25 Revelation under the Economy of the Old Testament
• 00:44:05 Revelation in Jesus’ Public Ministry
• 00:47:14 Character- and Word-Revelation
• 00:58:04 Revelation Post-Ascension
• 01:01:01 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton