Embracing True Revelation: Signs, Criticism, and Salvation

In a world of many beliefs, there is a distinction that is obvious to the naked eye: a true religion is capable of bestowing not only inner unity and humanity but also an unparalleled connection with the Divine. It all begins with a revelation, embodied in the person of Christ. This spiritual leader unites people, awakening within them an inner energy and granting a profound awareness of divine love, emphasizing the authenticity of the revelation through a personal union with the Divine.

Furthermore, truth finds its confirmation through external symbolic manifestations, such as prophecies and miracles, which serve as objective signs that religion is not the product of a rational mind but is born of immediate spiritual consciousness. These phenomena, evident to all, help to separate genuine revelation from random human thoughts and ideas.

Special attention is also given to the methodology of analyzing religious teachings. Rigorous source criticism and the verification of testimonial records are key tools in the search for true revelation. This approach not only allows one to discern the roots of the divine message but also to distinguish it from human fabrications that can often even hinder the pursuit of absolute truth.

In addition, a true religion possesses a powerful saving force, directing human life onto the path of spiritual rebirth and the formation of a living, complete connection with God. Unlike false or partial truths, genuine revelation gives each individual the opportunity not merely to follow rituals but to experience a direct union with the Divine.

Thus, true revelation is revealed through the harmony of inner spirituality, objective signs of divinity, a strict methodological approach, and, above all, the ability to lead one to salvation. This unique combination renders it unparalleled and invaluable in the realm of beliefs, calling everyone to strive for a deep, living communion with God.

By what signs can one distinguish true religion from other beliefs? In determining a true religion, several aspects are highlighted that are not found in other traditions and that establish its authenticity.

Firstly, true religion is characterized by a revelation expressed through the person of Christ. As stated in one of the sources, “the essence of the Christian religion consists of three components—the inner, the intimate unity among people, and the union of Christ with God. Natural religions and the Christian faith should be set in two oppositional conditions. In any case, for Christian science, understanding religion through Christ must be the ultimate criterion in distinguishing truth from falsehood in religion” (source: link , page: 1). Thus, the unique combination of inner spiritual life, humanity, and connection with the Divine is the key differentiator.

Secondly, true religion confirms its divinity not only through subjective feeling but also by means of external symbolic manifestations, such as prophecies and miracles. One source notes, “divinity is measured by truth—not a rationalist truth based on intellectual considerations, but the truth of immediate moral consciousness. The same must be said regarding external signs—prophecies and miracles” (source: link , page: 1). These signs, apparent to all, help to separate genuine revelation from random human opinions.

Moreover, an important factor is the methodological approach to analyzing religious teachings. To distinguish true revelation, it is necessary to employ rigorous criticism of sources and to verify the reliability of testimonial records. As stated, “The first thing he must begin with is criticism. He must identify those sources in which the revelation is contained, verify (check) the authenticity of the records and the reliability of the testimonies, and understand how the truths of the religion are contained in them and derived from them—for example, whether the epistles of Apostle Paul truly belong to Paul, the teacher of languages. After this critical analysis, a second analysis should follow—the hermeneutical, where the mind must extract the essence from the examined religious teachings” (source: link , page: 6). Such analysis helps in determining which teachings arise from divine revelation and which are human inventions.

Another essential characteristic of true religion is its capacity to lead a person to salvation, unlike the partial truths found in false beliefs which may even hinder the search for absolute truth. One source comments, “And therefore, all those faithful teachings that appear in various false religions cannot save a person... Partial truths contained in different religions frequently do not help, but rather impede a person from finding the absolute Truth” (source: link , page: 11).

Finally, true religion is distinguished by the fact that it offers the opportunity to establish a genuine, living connection with God rather than merely the superficial observance of prescribed rituals. This is confirmed by the following thought: “But no religion offers a person the chance to unite with God—only Orthodox Christianity does. This opportunity is given to us, yet we do not experience union with God. So, what distinguishes us from Muslims? Nothing! What kind of faith do we have? It turns out that it is akin to that of Muslims: performing prescribed duties without a living union with God” (source: link , page: 16).

Thus, true religion can be recognized by the unique combination of unified inner spirituality, the presence of divine signs, a clear method of critical examination of revelation, and its ability to bring about salvation and establish a living connection with God.

Supporting citation(s):
“Those signs that Christ exhibited cannot be merged with the signs of other natural religions. We can find common signs, but they would not constitute the essence of religion. The essence of the Christian religion consists of three components—inner; the close union among people; and in Christ with God. Natural religions and Christianity should be placed in two fundamentally opposing categories. In any case, for Christian science, understanding religion through Christ should be the ultimate criterion in distinguishing truth from falsehood in religion.” (source: link , page: 1)

“Here, divinity is measured by truth—not a rationalist truth based on intellectual considerations, but the truth of immediate moral consciousness. The same must be stated regarding external signs—prophecies and miracles.” (source: link , page: 1)

“The first thing he must begin with is criticism. He must learn the sources in which the revelation is contained, verify the authenticity of the records and the reliability of the testimonies, and understand how the truths of the religion are contained and derived from them; for example, do the epistles of Apostle Paul truly belong to Paul, the teacher of languages? Following this critical analysis, a second, hermeneutical analysis should ensue, whereby the mind extracts the essence from the examined religious teachings.” (source: link , page: 6)

“And therefore, all those faithful teachings found in various false religions cannot save a person. For example, in a pharmacy there are many good medicines, but if they are used untimely or in incorrect dosages, the result of such treatment will be extremely dismal. Similarly, the partial truths contained in different religions often do not help, but rather hinder a person from finding the absolute Truth.” (source: link , page: 11)

“And the Chinese pray for their deceased, as do the Japanese, and in Islam marriage exists, and all peoples in various religions, in some way, dedicate their children to God. But no religion offers a person the opportunity to unite with God—only Orthodox Christianity does. This opportunity is given to us, yet we do not experience union with God. So, what distinguishes us from Muslims? Nothing! What sort of faith do we have? It turns out that it resembles that of Muslims: following certain prescriptions, yet lacking a living union with God.” (source: link , page: 16)