Revelation

Revelation refers to the act of revealing or disclosing something that was previously unknown or hidden. In a religious context, it often denotes the communication of divine or sacred knowledge from a deity to a prophet or chosen individual. The term is derived from the Latin revelatio, meaning "an uncovering" or "unveiling." In Hebrew, the equivalent term is גילוי (giluy), which also means "revelation" or "disclosure." In Greek, the term is ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis), from which the English word "apocalypse" is derived, originally meaning "uncovering" or "revelation." Key contextual information includes the distinction between general revelation, which is available to all people through nature and conscience, and special revelation, which is specific communications from God, often recorded in religious texts such as the Bible. Revelation plays a central role in many religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and others, where it is believed to provide insight into divine will, the nature of the universe, and the path to salvation.