Revolution vs. Revelation — What's the Difference?

The overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

A surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed to others.

A drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.

An enlightening or astonishing discovery.

A dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or operation.

The act of making something known that was previously secret or unknown.

A method or practice that radically changes an industry or field.

Information revealed in a surprisingly clear way.

A single, complete turn (in reference to celestial bodies or machinery).

The divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence.

In political science, a revolution (Latin: revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due to perceived oppression (political, social, economic) or political incompetence. In book V of the Politics, the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) described two types of political revolution: Complete change from one constitution to another Modification of an existing constitution.Revolutions have occurred through human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration and motivating ideology.

In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing of some form of truth or knowledge through communication with a deity or other supernatural entity or entities.

Orbital motion about a point, especially as distinguished from axial rotation

The act of revealing or disclosing.

A turning or rotational motion about an axis.

Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized.

A single complete cycle of such orbital or axial motion.

A sudden insight or idea

The overthrow of one government and its replacement with another.

(Theology) A manifestation of divine will or truth.

A sudden or momentous change in a situation

Revelation See Table at Bible.

(Geology) A time of major crustal deformation, when folds and faults are formed.

The act of revealing or disclosing.

A political upheaval in a government or state characterized by great change.

Something that is revealed.

The removal and replacement of a government, especially by sudden violent action.

Something dramatically disclosed.

Rotation: the turning of an object around an axis, one complete turn of an object during rotation.

(theology) A manifestation of divine truth.

In the case of celestial bodies, the traversal of one body along an orbit around another body.

Something that turns out to be a great success.

A sudden, vast change in a situation, a discipline, or the way of thinking and behaving.

The act of revealing, disclosing, or discovering to others what was before unknown to them.

A round of periodic changes, such as between the seasons of the year.

That which is revealed.

Consideration of an idea; the act of revolving something in the mind.

The act of revealing divine truth.

The act of revolving, or turning round on an axis or a center; the motion of a body round a fixed point or line; rotation; as, the revolution of a wheel, of a top, of the earth on its axis, etc.

Specifically, the last book of the sacred canon, containing the prophecies of St. John; the Apocalypse or Book of Revelation or The Revelation of Saint John.

Return to a point before occupied, or to a point relatively the same; a rolling back; return; as, revolution in an ellipse or spiral.

The speech act of making something evident

The space measured by the regular return of a revolving body; the period made by the regular recurrence of a measure of time, or by a succession of similar events.

An enlightening or astonishing disclosure

The motion of any body, as a planet or satellite, in a curved line or orbit, until it returns to the same point again, or to a point relatively the same; - designated as the annual, anomalistic, nodical, sidereal, or tropical revolution, according as the point of return or completion has a fixed relation to the year, the anomaly, the nodes, the stars, or the tropics; as, the revolution of the earth about the sun; the revolution of the moon about the earth.

Communication of knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency

The motion of a point, line, or surface about a point or line as its center or axis, in such a manner that a moving point generates a curve, a moving line a surface (called a surface of revolution), and a moving surface a solid (called a solid of revolution); as, the revolution of a right-angled triangle about one of its sides generates a cone; the revolution of a semicircle about the diameter generates a sphere.

The last book of the New Testament; contains visionary descriptions of heaven and of conflicts between good and evil and of the end of the world; attributed to Saint John the apostle

A total or radical change; as, a revolution in one's circumstances or way of living.

A fundamental change in political organization, or in a government or constitution; the overthrow or renunciation of one government, and the substitution of another, by the governed.

A drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving;

The overthrow of a government by those who are governed

A single complete turn (axial or orbital);

While many revelations have religious connotations, the term can also refer to any significant disclosure of information, especially those that bring new insights.

Yes, revolutions can be peaceful, involving nonviolent protests and civil disobedience to achieve systemic change.

A revolution is a fundamental change in political power, societal structures, or technology that significantly alters the existing system.

A revelation is the act of revealing or disclosing something that was previously hidden, often with divine or supernatural significance.

Revolutions can dramatically reshape societal, political, and economic structures, often leading to new forms of governance and societal norms.

Revelations can be positive or unsettling, depending on the nature of the disclosed information and its impact on individuals or communities.

Yes, technological advancements can lead to revolutions, such as the industrial revolution and the information technology revolution.

A rebellion is an act of violent or nonviolent resistance against an established government or authority, while a revolution seeks to completely overthrow and replace the existing system.

Revelations can profoundly impact an individual’s beliefs, values, and understanding of the world, often leading to significant personal transformation.

Yes, revelations, especially those with significant implications or that challenge established beliefs, can lead to conflict within societies or groups.

Examples include the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the digital revolution.

Not all revolutions are violent; many involve peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and other nonviolent means to achieve change.

Yes, revelations can be experienced by anyone, though the context and significance may vary widely between individuals.

In religion, revelation is crucial as it involves divine truth being disclosed to humans, often forming the foundation of religious beliefs and practices.

Societies may prepare for revolutions through activism, building coalitions, and raising awareness about the need for change.