Hebrews tells us that “He [God] spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways…”  (Heb. 1:1). But something has changed since those days of old. The author continues by saying “in these last days [He] has spoken to us in His Son…” This favored Son is God’s final message to the world.

Not incidentally, this Son had spoken these words a bit earlier: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40). In other words, God compiled the Scriptures through the works of the Holy Spirit and the prophets. If only all people would be willing to come to it, and thereby Him for salvation. Now that the written word is complete, the full message of the Son is available to all!

Thank God that it is! Because Paul and others show us that not every person is a prophet, not even Christians (1 Cor. 12:28-31). In Paul’s day, it was clear that not every disciple of Christ would receive individual messages from God. Only the apostles and the prophets seem to with any regularity, and even these with decreasing frequency as the Biblical record progresses (1 Cor. 13:8-13). Peter would say that “His [God’s] 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” (2 Pet. 1:3). In conclusion, he would say, “So we have the prophetic word confirmed, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:19-21). God has already told us everything we need to know, and it’s all in Scripture.

Unfortunately, there are many, just as the Scripture says, that says that God is speaking to/leading/directing them and others to do things that the Scripture hasn’t told us (2 Tim. 3:13). We have numerous warnings, Old and New Testament, against thinking that God speaks to everybody individually. We also have explanations as to why people claim that He does. It is a justification for their own thoughts and self-deception. Just like God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds” (Jer. 14:14). Deception is very real. That’s why we should carefully examine “the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation” (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

– DMF