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The question of whether God is still giving new revelation today is an important one, especially in a time when many people claim to receive visions, dreams, or direct messages from God. In considering this question, we should understand what revelation means in the biblical sense. Revelation is the act of God making Himself and His truth known to humanity. The Bible speaks of two main types of revelation: general revelation and special revelation.
General revelation refers to what God has made known about Himself through creation. It is a universal, unspoken message to everyone in the world. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Similarly, Romans 1:20 explains that “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” This kind of revelation is available to everyone, everywhere.
Special revelation, on the other hand, refers to God revealing Himself through supernatural means—such as through prophets, miracles, and most importantly, through Scripture. The Bible is God’s special revelation, being the written record of His plan through history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1–2 says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” Jesus is the final and fullest revelation of God. In Christ we see God most clearly.
The Bible teaches that Scripture is complete and sufficient. Second Timothy 3:16–17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If Scripture thoroughly equips us for every good work, then we do not need new revelation to understand God’s will or to live faithfully in His sight.
Some people argue that God still gives new revelation today through dreams, visions, or prophetic words. While God certainly has the power to communicate in any way He chooses, we must be cautious. The Bible warns about false prophets and those who claim to speak for God when He has not spoken. The problem was rampant in Jeremiah’s day: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16).
Here are several reasons why we believe God is not giving new revelation today in the same way He did in biblical times:
• The canon of Scripture is closed. Revelation 22:18 warns against adding to the words of the prophecy in the Bible.
• Jesus is the final and complete revelation of God. Hebrews 1:2 makes it clear that God has spoken definitively through His Son.
• The apostles were uniquely chosen to lay the foundation of the church. Ephesians 2:20 says the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” We don’t believe that, 2,000 years later, God is still laying the foundation.
• New revelation would imply that Scripture is insufficient. But 2 Timothy 3:17 says Scripture equips us for every good work.
• Modern claims of revelation often contradict Scripture. God does not contradict Himself (Numbers 23:19).
This does not mean that God is silent today. He still speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand and apply it. God may also guide us through circumstances, wise counsel, and the inner prompting of the Spirit—but these are not new revelations. They are applications of the truth He has already revealed.• Jesus is the final and complete revelation of God. Hebrews 1:2 makes it clear that God has spoken definitively through His Son.
• The apostles were uniquely chosen to lay the foundation of the church. Ephesians 2:20 says the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” We don’t believe that, 2,000 years later, God is still laying the foundation.
• New revelation would imply that Scripture is insufficient. But 2 Timothy 3:17 says Scripture equips us for every good work.
• Modern claims of revelation often contradict Scripture. God does not contradict Himself (Numbers 23:19).
In conclusion, while God is always active and present in the lives of His people, He is not giving new revelation today in the form of new Scripture or authoritative messages equal to the Bible. The Bible is complete, sufficient, and final. Our responsibility is not to seek new revelation, but to faithfully study, obey, and proclaim the revelation God has already given.
