Beyond Intellectual Knowledge
Have you ever experienced a miraculous encounter that ignited a fire within you?
For me, it was the moment when the Lord touched my life fifty-five years ago. As I celebrate this milestone, I’ve been reflecting on the miraculous journey that brought me here. It wasn’t just that initial encounter; it was the revelation knowledge that followed, transforming my life and guiding my steps.
My journey began with a life-changing encounter with the Lord on March 23, 1968, but I soon realized that living solely on past experiences wasn’t enough. Have you ever had a glimpse of who God is and what He wanted to do in your life but had no clue about how to get from where you were to where God wanted you to be? That’s where I was. Frustration began to set in, as I lacked direction and clarity on how to progress further in my relationship with the Lord.
The turning point for me was when God began to reveal Himself to me through His Word.
It wasn’t just intellectual knowledge, but a real and intimate experience of God revealing His truth to me. I call this revelation knowledge, and it shaped not only me but also my ministry. I never would’ve made the impact that I have if it hadn’t been for the Word of God and revelation knowledge.
The Apostle Paul demonstrated a powerful principle in 1 Corinthians 2:1–3, where he said that he didn’t come with excellency of speech but in weakness and fear. The path to success in God’s kingdom isn’t to exalt yourself or flex your muscle and show people that you’re somebody special. Paul’s ministry was not built on eloquence or charisma but on knowing Christ crucified. When you humble yourself, God extends more grace to you, and He exalts you.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Relationship with God is heart-to-heart—it goes beyond mere mental understanding.
With the heart man believes (Rom. 10:10), and this belief shapes actions and transforms visible circumstances.
During my time in Vietnam, I led a Bible study with a group of guys. One day a skeptic joined us and stumped me with questions I couldn’t answer. So, he ridiculed me and left, taking my whole group with him. When he returned twenty minutes later and said he wanted what I had, I was shocked.
I learned from that experience that faith is more than debates—it’s a real relationship rooted in personal encounters with God.
You can’t tell me there isn’t a God, because I know Him. He lives on the inside of me. This is what drew this guy. Because of it, I was able to pray with him and lead him to the Lord, and he got born again!
There are things that come only by revelation. It’s not just a matter of using your mind to figure everything out. I’m not saying that the mind isn’t involved, but you’ve got to have it be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The problem with the wisdom of this world is that it’s limited to the physical realm.
God’s wisdom transcends intellect and enables us to believe in an unseen God who transforms our lives.
You know, a person can have multiple degrees, but it doesn’t guarantee their success. The Apostle Paul was highly educated, yet he considered all his achievements totally worthless compared to knowing Christ through faith. He didn’t discard his intellect but rather used it to analyze and interpret everything through revelation knowledge.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Paul received a revelation that surpassed even the intimate experiences of the twelve disciples.
Paul’s understanding of the New Covenant and God’s grace exceeded that of Peter, who had physically walked the earth with Jesus for three and a half years. There is just nothing that compares to having God reveal His wisdom and truth to you at a heart level.
For example, did you know that when you’re in need and don’t have enough money, natural instinct will tell you to save and hold on to what you have? But because there is a God who says that when you give, it will be given back to you, giving away a portion of what you have will actually bring you closer to your goal.
When you trust in God and follow His guidance, even when you’re lacking, you actually increase rather than decrease.
It may not make sense to your natural mind, but in the kingdom of God, the way up is down. By giving instead of hoarding, you open yourself up to receiving more. These are truths that need to be understood through personal revelation.
The point I’m making is that revelation knowledge is far superior to just intellectual knowledge—it’s a journey into the unseen realm of God’s promises! It defies the limitations of the human mind and pleases God when we trust Him beyond reason. I am not saying Christianity is mindless. But a relationship with God goes beyond explanations; it’s about experiencing His presence.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The Word of God is alive and powerful. It inspires and transforms us as we read it with an open heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us.
As I celebrate fifty-five years of ministry, I encourage you to seek more than just experiences.
As you read God’s Word, I pray you’ll allow Him to light up your heart with the things He wants to help you understand. If you’ll let the Lord shape your life through revelation knowledge, He’ll lead you to heights you never thought possible.
In my new teaching Twenty Revelations That Will Change Your Life, I go into much more detail, and I believe it would be a real blessing to you. This teaching is available as a booklet, CD or DVD series, and USB. Be blessed!
