Hebrews 1:1-2 reads,””God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…”(KJV).  The writer contrasts “the time past with these “last days”.  In the times past, God spoke unto the fathers by the prophets in many various ways.  The period known as the “last days” is not in these various ways.   Instead, God spoke in the last days by His Son.”   Other blogs deal with the identity of the “last days.”  See the following article: https://firstcenturyletters.com/terms-describing-the-age-of-fulfillment-last-days/   The first century was those days.  They were the last days of the Jewish world.  Their world, along with the law and their temple, was about to be fulfilled and come to an end.    The day in which this book was written was referred to as “these last days.”   In those days, God spoke through His Son.  God did not speak in the same way in both periods of time. 

Today, we not only have people claiming that God speaks through the Word but that he speaks to us individually outside the Word.  It is suggested that we must not put God in a box and limit him and His power.  Individual relations with God cannot contradict the Scriptures, nor would God say anything today that would contradict His Word.  The Bible, therefore, for a majority of people, is the general standard of truth, while personal revelation is outside the Word.  According to this view, the Scriptures are used to check God’s personal voice to us.  We can verify the truthfulness of God’s voice by seeing if it matches His past revelations.  

The problem with this worldview is that truth is established on a very subjective experience.   It is to be expected for them because a relationship with God is impossible without it.  Yet, this appears to ignore the teaching from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which reads, “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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  For them, something more than Scripture is necessary because it is not specific enough for our needs.  

The Bible teaches that God’s redemptive plan has been fulfilled and the called-out of God is the product of that plan.  We rest upon the promises of God and take solace in them.  The Word of God is the living, active Word.  It is not a lifeless book.  For this reason, He continues to speak to us.

About

I have been a fervent student of the Bible all of my life
Experience: Preacher for 30 years and father of three sons
Education: Florida College and Missouri State University

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}