--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Revelation when applied to religion…" description: "\"“Revelation when applied to religion, means something communicated immediately from God to man. It is revelation to the first person only, and hearsay ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/thomas-paine-267_first-person_revelation-when-applied-to-religion-mean_3124768.png" --- # Revelation when applied to religion, means something… ![“Revelation when applied to religion, means something communicated immediately from God to man. It is revelation to the first person only, and hearsay to every other, and, consequently, they are not obliged to believe it. It is a contradiction in terms and ideas to call anything a revelation that…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/thomas-paine-267_first-person_revelation-when-applied-to-religion-mean_3124768.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/thomas-paine-267_first-person_revelation-when-applied-to-religion-mean_3124768.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/thomas-paine-267_first-person_revelation-when-applied-to-religion-mean_3124768.png) > ““Revelation when applied to religion, means something communicated immediately from God to man. It is revelation to the first person only, and hearsay to every other, and, consequently, they are not obliged to believe it. It is a contradiction in terms and ideas to call anything a revelation that comes to us at second hand, either verbally or in writing. Revelation is necessarily limited to the first communication.”” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revelation is only valid when directly received from divine source; second‑hand claims lack authority. **In simple terms:** Only first‑hand divine messages count. Key Takeaway Seek direct understanding, not hearsay. Themes faith authority communication epistemology Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - personal spiritual experience - theological debate - religious teaching Key Concepts divine revelation first‑hand knowledge skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What counts as genuine revelation for you? - How do you evaluate indirect spiritual teachings? A Different Perspective Second‑hand interpretations can still inspire meaningful insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-person/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Revelation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelation/) [Revelation Applied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelation-applied-5501899/) [Revelation Necessarily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelation-necessarily-1094693/) [Revelation Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelation-person-1042029/) [Second hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-hand/) [Writing Revelation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-revelation-5501900/) ## Related quotes > [“It is a contradiction in terms and ideas, to call anything a revelation that comes to us at second-hand, either verbally or in writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-is-a-contradiction-in-terms-and-ideas-to-call-anything-a/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“No one will deny or dispute the power of the Almighty to make such a communication, if he pleases. But admitting, for the sake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-one-will-deny-or-dispute-the-power-of-the-almighty-to-make-such-a/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Revelation is necessarily limited to the first communication- after that it is only an account of something which that person says was a revelation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/revelation-is-necessarily-limited-to-the-first-communication-after/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Love is the revelation of the other person's freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/love-is-the-revelation-of-the-other-person-s-freedom/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [“Learning and receiving revelation must necessarily include both the heart and the mind, or thoughts, and feelings. Intellect alone cannot produce a testimony. 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