WAKE UP PEOPLE READ AND STUDY GOD WORD SO YOU WILL NOT BE DECEIVED: Many today are falling for these self claimed prophets/apostles, People are being deceived with false dreams and visions. Seems like many are looking for new revelations. Special revelation ceased with the end of the New Testament. God has given no additional revelations beyond the Bible. Any who claim to have new visions or new revelations from God violate the biblical prohibition against such new teachings, and ignore the teachings of the church through the centuries. Well, those are dogmatic words. Let me try to back them up. There are at least seven lines of proof that demonstrate God’s special revelation to humanity terminated with the New Testament. Keep in mind that we are here talking about special revelation from God that conveys particular knowledge and information to individuals or humanity. General revelation is certainly on-going today. *********** we are not to seek new revelation *********** 1. First, there is a general biblical taboo against seeking new revelation (Isaiah 8:19-20; 19:3; 29:4; 47:12, 13; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:4; 1 Samuel 28:8ff.). Though this does not prove that revelation has ceased, it does give a general warning against seeking new revelation. The Bible says: “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31). Many today seek new revelation from God. Many books such as the Book of Mormon claim to be revelation from God. That church also claims to receive continuing revelation from God on a regular basis. Pagan religions make the same claim to receive revelation through their priests. Unfortunately, many Christians seek information from God through fortune tellers or seek to communicate with the spirits and devils – or speak to the dead through séances. As can be seen from the selected verses above, we are forbidden to seek new revelation. The reason why is easy: God said He would not give more revelation, and secondly, the demons deceive and lead many astray (1 Timothy 4:1ff.). ******** False prophets ************* We have clear warning that many false prophets will come and try to add to the Bible, but that the church should carefully guard against such perversion. The idea is that since there is such a strong warning against false prophets, we should not expect new revelation and also we need to stoutly resist such alleged new revelation. The following verses document this point. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse thing to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert... And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” - underlines mine (Acts 20:28-32). 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 13.For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14.And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15.15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrines; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3, 4). To summarize: we learn that many false teachers and prophets will come. They will give new “revelations” that are false and they will even try to confirm these false doctrines with signs and wonders. Their goal is to lead the people of God astray. The ultimate source of motivation for these people is Satan. Christians are to be on guard, on the alert for such perversions and vigorously resist the constant attempt to undermine the Bible. We should not expect any new revelation. Our entire basic orientation is to defend and proclaim that revelation which was given through the Apostles, not to seek and take in new, continuing revelation. Some ways, historically, that alleged new revelation has come from God to humanity is by religious leaders claiming that God is speaking through them and then they write those revelations down in some book. *********** Jesus promised the comforter ************* Christ’s promises of future revelation offer proof that Revelation ceased with the New Testament. He told of coming revelation that the Holy Spirit would reveal to the disciples (John 16:13, 14; 14:26). The Apostles acknowledged receiving that revelation (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). Finally, Jesus said revelation was then final (Revelation 22:18-20). ***Revelation was the last book finished at the end of the 1st century *** There are Bible statements that indicate revelation is terminated (1 Corinthians 2:9, 10; Hebrews 1:1, 2; 2:1-4; John 17:4, 8; 15:15; Jude 3). I consider each section below. Paul wrote, “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God” underling mine (1 Corinthians 2:9, 10). The word “revealed” in the Greek tense (aorist) is important. One commentary states, “The aorist points to a definite time when the revelation took place, viz. to the entry of the Gospel into the world.” Regarding who received the revelation, the theologian Hodge writes, “unto those to whom this revelation was made, viz. ‘the holy apostles and prophets,’ Ephesians 3, 5.” (“viz.” means “that is”.). What does all this mean? From a study of the grammar we learn that the revelation of the New Testament was given at a definite time to the Apostles and Prophets, to no one else, and that it is not continuing, but finished. The Greek has a separate tense, perfect, for actions in the past that still continue today, but that tense is not used in this Scripture verse. I consider the next verse, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” – underline mine (Hebrews 1:1, 2a). The Greek scholar Robertson comments on “has spoken,” saying that it means “’did speak’ in a final and full revelation.” There is a powerful contrast set up between these two avenues of revelation. In the Old Testament times revelation from God was continuous, whereas in stark contrast, the revelation in Jesus Christ is full, complete, and final. Next I place before us more evidence. In speaking to the revelation of Christ, the writer of Hebrews states, “after it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” – underlines mine (Hebrews 2:3b, 4). What we learn here in this context of special revelation is the revelation of Christ was confined, or limited, to those early Apostles who laid the foundation of the church (cf. Ephesians 2:19, 20). He teaches that it was confirmed to later generations by “those” (first Apostles), which refers back to a previous generation. Paul, the probable writer of Hebrews, was himself one of “them,” that is, a first generation Apostle who received the revelation. The point is that revelation is not continuing, but was confined to and completed in those first generation Apostles. Next I invite you to consider the words of Jesus. In speaking to God the Father, He said, “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do…for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them…for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 17:4, 8; 15:15). From this data we learn that Jesus said He had “accomplished” (completed) the work He was sent to do. The “words” (revelation) from the Father had been given out and Jesus had given those “words” to the disciples. Jesus also said that “all” the things He had heard from the Father He had made known to the Apostles; thus, there is nothing else to be added today. The Holy Spirit was to clarify, explain, teach, expand and bring to recall what Jesus told the Apostles (John 16:13, 15; 14:26). This total, one-time project took a few more years to be completely unfolded, and was declared completed with the book of Revelation. Next I offer up Jude’s teaching. He told his readers, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” – underlines mine (Jude 3). One trusted authority on the Greek language writes the “faith” mentioned “is not used in its primary sense of a subjective feeling of trust or belief, but in the secondary sense of the thing believed, the Truth of the Gospel.” Another authority on the Greek language comments on the “once delivered” as meaning the following, “not at one time, formerly, but once for all, so that it continues thus forever, that is liable to no changes, and that no new revelation is to be looked for. (Casuabon: ‘To contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Divine words, few in number, but rich in meaning. If rightly understood and duly obeyed, these words would put an end to all modern controversies, and restore peace to the Church. Do we desire to know what the true faith is? St. Jude here tells us – that which was once, and once for all delivered to the saints. Every doctrine which can be shown to be posterior to that faith, is new; and every doctrine that is new is false.’” To summarize: what we learn from this group of widely recognized scholars and authorities of the Greek language is that the Christian Faith as given to the Apostles was complete. No more revelation was to be given. Period. ************Bible is adequate and the Final Authority ***************** Now I turn to another class of verses to demonstrate that revelation is finished. There are Bible statements that indicate the Bible is adequate for our faith and practice, and that no new revelation is needed to help us grow in Christ, or to know His will (John 17:17, 20; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). As a qualification, I do not mean that just reading the Bible will bring about spiritual growth. God uses other means as well. Examples are prayer, fellowship with other likeminded Christians, obedience, life experience, circumstances, counsel from others, etc. However, the true, pure Divine information that informs us regarding life skill principles, personal or corporate worldview, attitudes, behavior, values, feelings, and direction comes from the Bible. It is the sole authority regarding faith and practice. Jesus In speaking to God the Father regarding believers, Jesus stated, “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth…I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word” (John 17:17, 20). In His prayer, Christ declared that the “word” was the means to sanctify believers. (Sanctify means perfected, or to bring to maturity, in our Christian faith). The Bible is the word of God. He further prays that future believers will be sanctified by the words passed on by the Apostles. We can see, then, that the revelation given to the Apostles is sufficient for our complete maturing and growth as Christians. Apostle Peter To continue, consider the Apostle Peter, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” – underlines mine (2 Peter 1:3, 4). You and I learn from the mighty Apostle that everything we need in relation to living life and growing in godliness has already been given to us. That was true in Peter’s day; thus, we have no need for new revelation today to instruct us in Christian living or for salvation. All the promises and principles – the total package – Christians have ever needed down through the ages was granted in the revelation given to the Apostles. I seem compelled to submit another qualification. I don’t mean that human wisdom and science (even social sciences) never have any good thing to say. I am not of those who say the only book you ever need is the Bible. I do mean, however, that anything offered needs to pass the test of the Bible. It is the final authority. Apostle Paul Now let us consider what Paul said on the matter of continuing revelation from God. He wrote to Timothy, “from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15017). Paul says the Bible alone is adequate to equip and produce Christian maturity. He mentions only the Bible, nothing else is mentioned. All other sources, we may conclude, are excluded. Again, this does not mean that we cannot gain help from other books, life experience, teachers and sources to assist in our Christian growth. It does mean, however, the Bible is the final judge over all other sources of information. I keep repeating myself – but it is important. You can also note from these verses that Paul could not have uttered them if continuing revelation down through the ages was needed for Christian teaching, reproof, correction and training. Paul was teaching that the Bible as it was in his generation was sufficient, adequate to prepare us with everything we need to fulfill all our Christian responsibilities for this life and to be prepared for the next. It is a tremendous encouragement to know that God did not forget to tell us something in the Bible that we need for salvation or Christian growth and service. Everything we will ever need for salvation or Christian maturity and duty is recorded in the Bible. Christians also have the fact that the foundation of the church was set in place by the prophets and apostles. In speaking of the church, Paul said it was, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:20, 21). The prophets are the Old Testament prophets and the apostles are those of the New Testament. The Revelation they received formed the foundation of the church which is progressively being built upon that same foundation of the prophets and apostles. Nothing else was needed for the on-going building up of the church. For example, the foundation for a building is set once for a base, then the bricks, mortar, and wood are stuck or nailed together to form the structure. The builders don’t go back and rearrange the foundation. It is the same with the church. The foundation was the revelation of God given through the prophets and apostles. We do not go back and add more to or take away from the foundation that God has built. The cornerstone (Christ) and foundation was once set. We build on it by following the directions established by the foundation. If we change the foundation, the building will fall over.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:13:44 +0000
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