Are There Revelations From God?

Some people don't believe that we should pay much attention when someone says they have received a revelation from God.  In fact, they believe that if it isn't a quoted Scripture from the Bible, then it's questionable that it's from God at all.   So these same people are often closed to hearing any prophetic words from fellow believers.  While it is true that we are warned in the Bible in the Book of Revelation not to take away from or add to the Word of God, it doesn't mean that we should shun all revelations from God.  In fact in I Corinthians 14:39, we are told to "covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."  Prophecy and tongues and the interpretation of tongues are revelations from God when they are carried out according to Scripture (decently and in order). 

This topic also brings up an interesting question about communicating with God and receiving direct answers from Him.  If we believe we can only receive an answer from Him in a certain way, aren't we limiting God in the way in which He can answer us?  In my own experience, God has used many different ways and means to answer my prayers and to communicate with me.  Some of the times I have heard His still small voice.  Other times someone has given me wise counsel.  Sometimes people have given me a word of knowledge that I knew was from the Lord because the Spirit confirmed it to me.  On occasion, I have received prophetic words as well from other believers.  These prophetic words could be and were verified when I searched the Scripture.  In some cases, appropriate Scripture was quoted in the prophecy, and also, Scripture came to my mind immediately.  I never had a shadow of doubt that the prophecy was meant for me.  Similarly, when ministers give a sermon, something the pastor says will strike a chord with someone, and something else he/she says will reach someone else.  Are these not specific revelations from God for particular individuals whether it is given in a word of prophecy or by a minister giving a sermon?  It is all God communicating with us, and we need to be open to the many ways He attempts to reach us. 

Receiving revelation of words of knowledge or prophecy from God is really a matter of trusting in Him.  We must trust Him that we are not going to be so easily led astray.  And we must be open to the way in which He speaks to us.  If we are truly His children then He has already said that we would recognize His voice and know Him: 

Joh 10:27    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

Another important thing to consider, is that how do we read and understand God's Word except by revelation?  It simply can't be done because we are in the flesh.  We have to be in the Spirit in order to understand spiritual things. 

1Co 2:9    But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Co 2:10    But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:11    For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13    Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:14    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

Every day we need to ask ourselves if we are being led of the Spirit or the flesh.  If we are being led of the Spirit, we will be focussing more on what is important to God, and less on what is important to us.  We may worry that we are being too spiritually minded, but in Romans 8, it is a much more serious issue if we choose to remain in the flesh.  If we read verse 8, we see that when we are in tune with Him (walking in the Spirit), phenomenally, God uses us to fulfill His righteousness.  This is a profound thought.  If we read on, we see that if we fail to walk in the Spirit, we cannot please God.  And further on we read that if we live in the flesh we will die. 

Rom 8:4    That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:5    For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6    For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

 

Rom 8:7    Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8    So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Rom 8:9    But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10    And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12    Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13    For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 

So when it comes to receiving revelations from God, if we are walking in the Spirit, these will be common place, not something to be afraid of.   

Further, when someone says they felt led of the Spirit, this is also common place according to Romans 8:14: 

Rom 8:14    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

Verse 14 distinguishes if we have the Spirit of God or not - If we are truly a Christian, we will be led by the Spirit of God. Why would it be wrong or unusual to say, "The Lord led me to do this or say that?" This should be common practice for a Christian. 

Finally, we have an absolute assurance that God will be faithful to lead us into all truth, no matter how wicked the world around us gets.   

Joh 16:13    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14    He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Joh 16:15    All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

We can stand firm in the knowledge of His Word, and never fear whether a revelation is from God or not.  If we have been reading and immersing ourselves in the Word of God and praying for revelation and understanding, we will most assuredly grow leaps and bounds in our faith, and our works will be pleasing to Him.