Direct revelation is a term used by some Christian churches to express their belief in a communication fromGod to a person by words, impression, visions, dreams, oractual appearance. Directrevelation is believed to be an open communication between God and man, or theHoly Spirit and man, without any other exterior (secondary) means. Direct revelation fromevil spirits can also occur.

Examples of this are seen in God communicating theTen Commandments toMoses onMount Sinai (Exodus 34:4); or the devil communicating knowledge toJesus Christ during his temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12) or the appearance of anangel toManoah's wife telling her that she shall bearSamson (Judges 13:2). Direct revelation is classified asspecial revelation. Still, the word "direct" has come to make this type of revelation distinct.

Pentecostal andCharismatic Christianity have always maintained that God directly speaks today through direct means such asdreams,visions, voices, impressions, and signs (or meaningful coincidences). While these Christians have emphasized speaking intongues or even praying forhealing, for the longest time Charismatics have shied away from expressing the gift ofprophecy – which is the cause of these direct spiritual experiences. The reason for this is that Christianprophets in history have often come into conflict with the pastors and religious authorities of thechurch hierarchy. Throughout church history, Christian prophets have usually beenmystics or people that practiced divinecontemplation or soaking prayer.

Various Christian groups throughout church history could be labeled "prophetic", because they have welcomed the gift of prophecy in their church meetings and lives: theMontanists, theDesert Fathers, various orders ofCatholic monasticism such as theDominicans and theDiscalced Carmelites, theWaldensians, theAnabaptists, theJansenists, theQuietists, theQuakers, theFrench prophets, various people in theGreat Awakening andSecond Great Awakening, theIrvingites, individuals in theHoliness movement, the earlyPentecostal movement, theLatter Rain revival, theCharismatic movement, theJesus movement, theVineyard; and especially theKansas City prophets,Dukh-i-zhizniki, theToronto Blessing movement, andBethel Church in Redding, California.

TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) teaches that God restored direct revelation as recently as the nineteenth century by way ofJoseph Smith and theFirst Vision. Since then, direct revelation has been the teaching and practice of the LDS Church. The Latter-day Saints believe that direct revelation is available to all mankind who diligently seek God with sincerity and real intent.^[1] "Every devoted, obedient and righteous person on the earth has and does receive revelation from God."^[2]

According to the LDS Church, there are two basic types of direct revelation,public andpersonal. Public revelation refers to the revelation of God’s will to his chosenprophets, seers, and revelators. These revelations are to guide the church, its functions, direction, and doctrinal stance. "These public revelations usually illuminate scriptural passages that are doctrinal rather than those that are descriptive or directive."^[3]

Personal or private revelations pertain to that person's life. A person can receive personal revelation from God as would God's prophet, but the difference lies in its purpose. This revelation is to edify, enlighten and fill the soul of that person and assist them in their lives, both in a general sense and a religious or spiritual sense. A person can receive private revelation for him/herself or their immediate family, but will not receive this revelation for others outside their family or the church. This revelation is considered an integral part of the life of the faithful.

Sometimes personal revelation affects nations or the world but in a more indirect manner. In this sense, God inspires certain people in history to impart knowledge and moral truths. God "enlightens" theworks of certain people that have influence or will have influence upon the world. God enlightened "great religious leaders of the world such as Muhammad, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others. This was to bring whole nations to a higher level of understanding."^[4]

• Private revelation
• Continuous revelation
• General revelation
• Progressive revelation (Christian)

• Givens, Terryl L. (2001),"The Book of Mormon and Dialogic Revelation",Journal of Book of Mormon Studies,10 (2):16–27,69–70
• Hyatt, Eddie L. (2002),2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House,ISBN 0884198723
• Kendrick, L. Lionel (September 1999),"Personal Revelation",Ensign

• Scripture and general revelation, by Andrew S. Kulikovsky at theCreation Ministries International website - a discussion of theevangelical notion of revelation in contrast to the common understanding.