By: Sunny David
Countless thousands of people live today under the illusion that God continues to speak directly to men today. Some claim that God speaks to them in dreams and visions. Some are publishing papers and magazines, constantly telling people that God has revealed to them this or that message, and they expect people to believe them. Indeed, some do believe whatever they say, because some people are so gullible and credulous that they would believe just anything preached to them in the name of God or religion. Not only that, but they become their followers and call them “Prophets” and “Forerunners of Christ’s second coming.”
Who are these people who claim that God speaks to them today through visions or dreams? These are people who are ignorant of what the Bible teaches about how God speaks to man today. They are mentally sick. They are highly emotional, often being driven by the heart rather than by pure logic and by what the Bible teaches. They imagine things and tell people that that was what God had told them. They contemplate, view mentally on something that they personally believe to be the will of God, and might even see those things reappear to them in their dreams, and they conclude that God has been revealing those things to them! When they get a little publicity, by telling their imaginative stories to people who believe them, then they do that more, because it brings to them fame and honor, as well as a sizable following.
The sad thing, however, is that once a man has established a status or an image of that kind, it is very hard for him to change, even after coming to know the truth. Some believe the Pope has the power to reveal God’s Word when he speaks “Ex Cathedra.” Most denominational churches have their own creeds, catechisms, manuals, prayer books, disciplines or confessions of faith that they equate with the Bible. This means, when it is pointed out to them what the Bible says on some important subject, they counteract and remind of what their creed book says, placing it on the level of the Bible or even elevating it above the Scriptures.
According to the Bible, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV). It is highly significant that the apostle emphasized that the Scripture provides all the information we need with regard to obeying the Gospel and living the Christian life. The Scripture that was written by the inspiration of God makes man complete and thoroughly furnishes man to do every good work. Now, if the written Word of God makes man complete in all aspects and equips man with every good work, then certainly man does not need any more revelations. That is, the Scripture is all that we need for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness to make us complete. Since that is the case, where is the need for any additional information? Consider the inspired writing of the apostle Perter, too. “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:1-3).
To Christians at Galatia the apostle Paul said, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6–8). Note: the apostle’s warning told the Christians that they should not accept anything that is not already written in the Scripture, even if it were brought to them by an angel from Heaven. Does this leave any room for any additional information or revelation, man-made creed books and such like? Again, the apostle John told the Christians, “Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Further, he said, “We” that is, the apostles, “are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:1, 6). The same apostle, in 2 John 9–10, said, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house or greet him.” It would be a fatal mistake to believe anything religiously if it is not taught in the New Testament doctrine of Christ (John 12:48).
