In this post I would like to show why some degree of revelation must continue, even if the canon of Scripture is closed and we know it is. Previously I already gave my reasons why I believe the "perfect" of 1 Cor. 13 refers to the second coming as the general agreement of the Christian Church has always been, not the canon of Scripture. Suffice it to say now, that unless I now know as I am known, perfection has not yet come. We still see through a glass dimly, and that no cessationist can argue. Some cessationists allow for some measure of God speaking even today, but my post will be directed towards those who deny any direct revelation of any sort, a semi-deism if you will.
Let me first state that it is impossible to deny all direct revelation consistently and be a born again Christian. Thus we know that many of these cessationists do not actually believe what they say they do. Why do I say this? Because the new birth experience is not only a creation of a new man within us made in the image of God, but is also accompanied by a revelation that we have been born of God, and a realization that Jesus is exactly as He claimed in Scripture – the Son Of God who died and has risen and who will return. What is The Spirit Bearing witness to our spirit, but a revelation that we have experienced the new birth as the Bible tells of it?
Further Christ specifically told his disciples that He would not leave them as orphans (John 14:18). If we are left with the law, but yet without presence of the Spirit within to instruct and remind us in the situations we face and instead must rely totally on our own understanding of it as imparted by elder brothers in the Lord, are we not much like a child-headed orphan family? A father not only chastens and corrects, and lays down a law, but he also listens and talks to His children, shows them how to do what He commands and when they are unable, assists them. Is our Heavenly Father less likely to do this than a sinful by nature earthly father?
Also Christ made a promise to manifest Himself to those who love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:21). By definition any manifestation is revelatory, and any revelation is a manifestation of what was previously obscure.
Now this is the point that should be made clear when I mention revelation. Notice that these examples are not revelations of new doctrines to be propounded but rather are an enlightening of the understanding of an already given Scriptural doctrine. Christ is Saviour already, but He is revealed to us as Saviour when we are born again. Thus these revelations are confirmations of Scripture by experience, and they cannot cease or Scripture would be of no effect.
It has been argued that the main purpose of the gift of prophecy was that what was prophesied could be added to Scripture and once Scripture was written there was no further need. Anyone who thinks thus has no idea of Biblical prophecy at all. There were many non-writing prophets in the Old Testament, compare the use of the term sons of the prophets, and also note how though Jonah's prediction of prosperity for Jereboam II was fulfilled the actual words are not given (2 Kings 14:25). These prophecies were important for those hearing them, but they were not included for the instruction of all times to come as the Scripture was. Also consider Corinth, Phillip's daughters and the other New Testament prophets, if the purpose of their ministry was to add to the canon and yet there is little evidence of any of the perhaps thousands of prophecies given being added to the canon were the gifts not complete, consummate and catastrophic failures? Thankfully, that is not what the New Testament says of prophecy. Prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). It establishes a person in the path that God has ordained for his life. Timothy had received a prophecy and also a gift when the elders had laid hands on him (1 Tim. 4:14). We do not know what the gift was, but we do not need to know, Timothy knew and was the one that needed to use what was imparted and required a reminder to do so from Paul. Thus some prophecies are for specific situations either personal, congregational, or even national. They were intended to guide the receivers in their actions, and were never intended to be received into the canon of Scripture. Thus the whole argument for cessation of gifts due to the closure of the canon is, frankly, irrelevant.
In closing this post I would also add that I fail to see how it would be possible to believe in no direct revelation at all and yet to sing some of the hymns in any non-sophistical sense. Hymns such as "He lives" and "This is my Father's World" are examples.
In my next an final post, I intend to mention a few personal experiences I have had and also discuss a little on miracles and experiences in general.
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