REVELATION

Third in the series SALVATION: A Technical Explanation

In light of the fact that God created man a rational being, it is logical that God would want mankind to have knowledge of Him. Of foremost concern in that knowledge would be what requirements God has for man.
It is fair to ask if God has any requirements at all. That is, whether He created the universe and man, and then simply let them loose to run throughout time on their own while He simply sat back and watched.

God has progressively revealed His plan for mankind.

He has shown in progressively clearer and ever more detailed ways who He is, and what it is that He desires. He has had people live out their lives as examples, each one showing a different aspect or fuller view of God's complete plan. He has provided an account of these things in the Bible.
In the Bible the lives of the people, and the acts and edicts of God, are recorded for all succeeding generations to see and gain understanding.
As previously covered in the discussion of religion, the central element in this revelation was the need for the sacrifice of a life to atone or "cover" for sin.

The Bible gives the following accounts:

Adam and Eve - After they had committed their sin, they covered themselves with leaves. God showed that more than a plant was needed to cover up their sin. God replaced the plant coverings with the skins of animals to give Adam and Eve a "cover" for their nakedness before Him. (Genesis 3)

Cain and Abel - Cain offered plants, Abel offered animals. God accepted Abel's sacrifice and rejected Cain's. (Genesis 4)

The Law and the Day of Atonement- On the set day each year, the high priest went into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice upon the Mercy Seat. So each year the sacrifice was made to cleanse the people of their sins from the previous year. (Leviticus 16)

Jesus went to the cross, taking upon Himself the sins of mankind. (Ephesians 2) The book of Hebrews tells us after that He entered into the Heavenly Temple. As the perfect High Priest who Himself was without sin, He there poured His own blood upon the Mercy Seat. This sacrifice met the need to once and for all time cleanse those of us who believe in Him of all of our sins. (Hebrews 9)

The closing chapter on Revelation is The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John the Apostle. In this, the last book of the Bible is recorded the things which will come to bring about the completion of God's dealings with His creation and man.