The Bible is a book written for us but not directly to us. Paul writes this about Scripture in his second letter to Timothy.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Not only is this verse not written to us, but it’s also a great example of Scripture that is 100% for us. After all, as servants of God, the Bible is the tool used to equip us for every good work. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of that much Scripture that isn’t to us or for us. However, I did “find” something today in 1 Corinthians 14 that, without a doubt, is not for us.

While explaining proper church etiquette to the Corinthians, Paul gives this description of what a typical Corinthian “church service” looks like.

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NIV)

Paul mentioned five elements present in the Corinthians’ gatherings: “hymns, words of instruction, revelations, tongues,” and “interpretations.” For us, which of these is not like the others?

Revelations.

The canonization of the Bible is finished and has been finished for hundreds of years. This means that the Bible is a complete work. As a complete work, there will be no new revelations from God since everything that will be said was said and put into the Bible. This is the reason why there will be no new revelations. Some teach that there are no new revelations because of Revelation 22:18.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

Revelation 22:18 (NIV)

While it may be popularly taught that this verse includes the entire Bible, I respectfully disagree. This verse only talks about everything said in the book of Revelation since that’s what John had just finished writing; a scroll full of prophecy. No one was to change what had been given to John by revelation. We can apply this concept to the rest of the Bible, that is, don’t change the meaning, context, etc., behind Scripture, but I don’t see interpreting Revelation 22:18 referring to the entire Bible. Doing so goes against proper hermeneutics for this reason.

A text cannot mean what it could never have meant for its original readers/hearers…the true meaning of the biblical text for us is what God originally intended it to mean when it was first spoken or written.

Fee & Stuart, 2014, p. 52

Since it would be hundreds of years before the Bible was assembled into canon and there was no discernible book called “The Bible,” John couldn’t have meant the entire Bible since it didn’t exist yet!

Therefore, there are no new revelations. There are, however, and will continue to be, illuminations given to us. The difference between the two is that illumination means what we have learned or what has been revealed to us is new to us, while a revelation from God is new to everyone. Thus, if someone says they have a revelation, they’re probably talking about an illumination unless they are a false prophet.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

References

Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2014). How to read the Bible for all its worth. Zondervan.

Advertisement