To make previously unknown or secret information known
Revelation is God disclosing His spiritual truths and prophesies to man, as well as His doctrine, and His divine nature and His character. Revelation is not Inspiration; through God’s inspired Word He has revealed, given a disclosure of, these things.
God has spoken and revealed Himself, revelation is God to man
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
The content of God’s communication to man is accomplished through three aspects of Revelation.
Natural Revelation
God speaking through creation
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
In a man’s testimony
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Within mankind
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
In creation
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Special Revelation
God speaking to a man
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Written Revelation
God speaking to all generations
Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Daniel 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Inspiration and revelation work hand-in-hand but are not the same thing, don’t confuse them.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
II Samuel 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
Isaiah 22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Romans 1:17-18 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
II Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
II Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
I Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: As you can see, revelation by God is timeless. God has uncovered, or revealed, from the beginning and He continued through to the end. Revelation is the process of God revealing Himself to men. Revelation was progressive, which is to say that as time passed, God revealed more of Himself and His plan. Revelation is complete at this time. Therefore, through Illumination God uses His completed Revelation in Scripture, which He Inspired, to show the fullness of His truth to humanity as time goes on.
See also Illumination, Inspiration, Preservation