Is God giving direct revelation? Part 4

by Elizabeth Prata

Is God Giving Direct Revelation? Part 1
Is God Giving Direct Revelation? Part 2
Is God Giving Direct Revelation? Part 3

Today is the last part of a 4-part series on direct revelation. Direct revelation is when God personally and individually and uniquely speaks to a person on earth. He has a personal message for the person which is outside of the Bible. Sometimes people claim to hear God audibly, like Jennie Allen who founded IF:Gathering did claiming “a voice from the sky”, or they say they hear Him speak in dreams, whispers, visions, or impressions. However the method the clam is “God told me”.

The question I’ve been answering is, “Does God still give revelation today?” The answer is NO.

We can refer to two verses in the Bible. One in the OT in Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

And in the NT in Rev 22:18-19 where the Bible is closed out with this warning, I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

Does God ever call Christian mothers to full time ministry outside of their homes, especially if their children are still young?

Let’s be cautious about using the word ‘call.’ God doesn’t call people to do the opposite of what he has ordained in His word. Anyone claiming that they heard a voice or received a dream, vision, or message from God telling them otherwise is either self-deceived or lying. God does not contradict Himself.

His word is clear that the primary orientation of the woman in the home is to the home. Titus 2 records some principles for the woman/wife/mother, here-

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor be enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,  4 so that they may 1encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

If a woman follows those verses she will not dishonor the Lord. Now perhaps a woman hasn’t had children or her children are older teens or adults and she has more time at home. Rather than become bored and tempted, she might obtain a job or volunteer. The key is being sensible. If a full time job removes the mother from the home in ways that cause the home to become fractured or run less well, the verse says the word of God will be dishonored. It is up to each couple to decide what is sensible for them and how the love commanded to her husband and children is best expressed. But in fact I’ve seen few woman be able to manage a full time job outside the home AND raise the children with full attention and energy.

Why is claiming direct revelation from God dangerous?

Allowing ground to the devil makes one drift away. Hebrews 2:1- For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. ANYTHING that drives a wedge between our mind and soul and Jesus is a danger. Satan’s lies do that.

Sinclair Ferguson explains why so many prefer an immediate revelation of God to the ongoing illumination of the word of God by the Spirit of God:

–It is more exciting to have direct revelation rather than Bible revelation. It seems more “spiritual,” more “divine.”
–For many people, it feels much more authoritative to be able to say, “God has revealed this to me” than to say, “The Bible tells me so.”
–Direct revelation relieves us of the need for painstaking Bible study and careful consideration of Christian doctrine to know the will of God. In comparison to immediate revelation, Bible study seems—to be frank—boring. ~Source Ligonier.org, Knowing God

Why is all of this important knowledge for the average Christian mom and wife?

For the name of Jesus and His glory. That is the chief end of man, the Westminster Confession says in number 1. We must glorify Him. Anything that glorifies him is necessary and anything that detracts from it is, well…

I understand the loneliness of the stay at home wife and mom. You are thirsty for an adult to talk to, you want grown up conversation, you feel your mind dulling by the day. This makes a woman a target for voices that are pitched to her yearnings and inner desires for affirmation, attention, or just love in a busy life. Ignore those devilish voices. Say in the word, the sure word. A MORE sure word Honor the word by following the prescriptions outlined for women of all ages, no matter what age you are.

Further Resources

Knowing God – essay at Ligonier.org

The Problems with Personal Words From God: How People Become False Prophets to Themselves, by Bob DeWaay

Justin Peters on Divine Personal Revelation – video, 9-minute clip