Revelation

Revelation is an uncovering or disclosure via communication from the divine of something that has been partially or wholly hidden or unknown, "which could not be known apart from the unveiling" (Goswiller 1987 p. 3). In monotheistic religions, revelation is the process, or act of making divine information known, often through direct ontological realization which transcends the human state and reaches into the divine intellect. Revelation in a religious sense is that which God, a god, or other supernatural being such as an angel makes known about divine will, principles, laws and doctrines, although the realized principle can also be interpreted as the realizing principle.

Most religions have religious texts they view as sacred. Many religions and spiritual movements believe that their sacred texts are wholly divine or spiritually inspired in origin. Monotheistic religions often view their sacred texts as the "Word of God," often feeling that the texts are inspired by God. There are a number of ways that religious thinkers have traditionally approached this topic; many widely differing views have been proposed. Below are extensive related details (with referenced notes) for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Bahá'í Faith, Latter Day Saints (Mormon), and others.