I agree with Thomas Paine that revelation is first-hand and personal. When considering the Bible, it seems to me that the words/ideas aren't sacred in themselves. They must come to life in our consciousness, not unlike that "ah-ha" moment that we've all had when we recognize (re-cognize) something we know in our heart to be true. It's not about the words per se, because they can be accepted or rejected intellectually. It's about how they resonate within us (the "living word").

My personal experience is that revelation is a kind of inner awakening that can be triggered by any number of thoughts, words, or experiences. It's like a door opening in our consciousness.