Does God Speak "New" Truth Today?



Does God Speak “New” Truth Today?

 

A few weeks ago, I preached a sermon from 1 John 2:7-11 called “The ‘New’ Commandment.” (Link to sermon) One of the main points of the passage is that the commandment is both old and new. It has been with the Church from the beginning, and we are to continue following it through the grace of our Lord Jesus!

The Bible is an ancient book and far from new to us; so, anytime we hear the word “new” when related to the Bible or the will of God, that should jump out at us as something worth our concern. Why? Because if anyone believes God has moved him to a new or different interpretation or perspective about who He is or what His Word means, and no one else in the history of Christendom ever held that perspective or interpretation, he must be warned in love that he’s WRONG!

Many Bible teachers, though, do not agree, and are claiming to hear and receive “new” truth in this generation, and it’s been happening for a long time. It’s a doctrine called Divine Revelation Knowledge. Coined by Essek W. Kenyon in the early 20th century to refer to one of the two different ways knowledge can be attained. First, by using our five senses to gain knowledge and processing it in the mind. Second, receiving knowledge supernaturally.

Now, this seems okay, knowing that the Bible is God’s Word given to us supernaturally; but Kenyon taught that these two ways to receive knowledge are mutually exclusive. That is, to receive what God truly wants you to know (deeper revelation), you must suspend cognitive reasoning. Press the pause button on the old noodle, so God can take over.

Now, must we suspend all rational thought if we desire to grow in our faith? Of course not, we’re to reason together (Isaiah 1:18), renew our minds in Christ (Romans 12:2), to study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), and to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:8).

With divine revelation knowledge, however, none of that matters. If it doesn’t square with the Bible (according to the Divine Revelation Knowledge belief), that’s “A-OK!”

Kenyon was never well-known, but his teaching and writings became popular with well-known preachers like Kenneth Hagin and Oral Roberts, and the belief continued to expand and flourish with Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, and many others. (They study Kenyon’s work diligently for God’s further revelation. Quite ironic, eh?)

One of the others, Benny Hinn, constantly discloses what he refers to as a message from the Lord, and it must be impossible to figure out how often he has provided revelation knowledge that doesn’t align with God’s Word. As an example, on live TV in 1990, God apparently revealed to him that each member of the Trinity is triune (three persons) in themselves. God the Father is triune, God the Son is three persons, etc. Therefore, the Godhead doesn’t have three members, but three times three = NINE! New revelation indeed.

Video of Benny Hinn

 

You may wonder where Mr. Hinn found that in the Bible. Nowhere, and he never acted as if this knowledge was in Scripture; he submitted that it was divinely revealed to him personally to be given to his listeners. à And we can see more examples when someone sets a date for the rapture or the end of the world, or reveals something else that will happen in the future they received directly from God. For example, Kenneth Copeland revealing to his congregation he would live to be 120 years old! à Who else wants to naturally age to 120?

Video of Kenneth Copeland

 

If you are reading this, you were not born yesterday. Please do not act as if your mind was. Spiritual discernment is a must for all who are “grow[ing] in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). And every iota of knowledge needed for spiritual growth comes through the ministry of God the Holy Spirit directing us to and through His Divinely-inspired Word!

 

1 Corinthians 4:6 – And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 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.

 

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Help with the post: These words are mine (as far as I’m aware of) unless there’s a source connected. However, much of what I’ve learned about this topic has come by reading and listening to Justin Peters and his teachings on the Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation movements. Find more about his work and ministry at https://justinpeters.org.


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