# Revelation (Definition) ## Catechism of the Catholic Church God's communication of himself, by which he makes known the mystery of his divine plan, a gift of self-communication which is realized by deeds and words over time, and most fully by sending us his own divine Son, Jesus Christ ([[1.1.2.0.pe#^ccc-50|50]]). # Revelation ## Vatican II - revelation (divine) — "God chose to reveal Himself and to make known to us the hidden purpose of His will" — [[dei-verbum#^dv-2|DV ¶2–6]] ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Revelation* (1:1) - *Apokalypsis* (Gk.): a noun meaning \"revelation\" or \"unveiling\". In the Bible, the term always refers to a disclosure of something that was previously unknown, whether it be secrets ([[sirach-22#^sirach-22-22|Sir 22:22]]), works ([[sirach-11#^sirach-11-27|Sir 11:27]]), the knowledge of God ([[ephesians-01#^ephesians-01-17|Eph 1:17]]), or the plan of salvation ([[ephesians-03#^ephesians-03-3|Eph 3:3]]). Mysteries can be made known in the present, such as Christ\'s glory and Lordship ([[galatians-01#^galatians-01-12|Gal 1:12]]), or await disclosure until the future, when God will judge the world ([[romans-02#^romans-02-5|Rom 2:5]]) and bestow glory on his children ([[romans-08#^romans-08-19|Rom 8:19]]). The word *apokalypsis* serves as a title for the Book of Revelation, sometimes called the Apocalypse on the basis of this Greek term ([[revelation-01#^revelation-01-1|Rev 1:1]]). The title is well chosen inasmuch as Revelation removes the veil from God\'s plan for the future, drawing back the curtain that hides Christ\'s glory, kingship, and control over history from the naked eye (Rev 4-5) (CCC 50). Apostles communicated revelation: [[acts-of-the-apostles-10#^acts-of-the-apostles-10-10|Acts 10:10-16, 27-29]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-15#^acts-of-the-apostles-15-28|15:28]]; ; [[galatians-01#^galatians-01-11|Gal 1:11-12, 16]]; [[2-peter-03#^2-peter-03-2|2 Pet 3:2]]: Jude 17-18 Communication of hidden things: [[matthew-11#^matthew-11-25|Mt 11:25]]; [[ephesians-03#^ephesians-03-8|Eph 3:8-9]] Finality and fullness of Revelation in Jesus Christ: [[matthew-11#^matthew-11-25|Mt 11:25-27]]; [[matthew-24#^matthew-24-35|24:35]]; ; [[mark-13#^mark-13-31|Mk 13:31]]; [[luke-10#^luke-10-22|Lk 10:22]]; [[luke-21#^luke-21-33|21:33]]; ; [[john-01#^john-01-1|Jn 1:1, 14]]; [[john-14#^john-14-9|14:9]]; ; [[hebrews-01#^hebrews-01-1|Heb 1:1-3]]; Jude 3 Holy Spirit reveals and leads to the truth of Christ: [[john-14#^john-14-26|Jn 14:26]]; [[john-15#^john-15-26|15:26]]; [[john-16#^john-16-13|16:13-14]] Made known through the Church: [[matthew-28#^matthew-28-18|Mt 28:18-20]]; [[ephesians-03#^ephesians-03-10|Eph 3:10]]; [[1-timothy-03#^1-timothy-03-15|1 Tim 3:15]] Paul's received revelation of the mystery revealed through the apostles: [[ephesians-03#^ephesians-03-3|Eph 3:3]] Paul's revelation to go up to Jerusalem: [[galatians-02#^galatians-02-2|Gal 2:2]] *See also* [[jesus-christ|Jesus]]; [[scripture-sacred|Scripture]]; [[tradition]]; [[truth]]; [[word-of-god|Word of God]]] ### Sources [[27-revelation-commentary#^26zj8n|Revelation — word study]] [[index-of-doctrines|Index of Doctrines]]