THUS SAITH (NOT) THE LORD

By Akin Ojumu

Without question, these are the Last Days. A tsunami of chaos is ripping through the Church, laying waste to the foundation of the Christian faith that was laid by the Apostles and the Prophets.

We live in a time when self-professed Christians shun sound and wholesome teaching but instead subscribe to housewives’ fables. With itching ears, they surround themselves with soothsayers who fuel the fire of their carnal desires.

Inundated with psychics who profess special ability to tell the future, the Household of Faith is ablaze with strange fires. Conjurers, disguised as God’s shepherds, lure many away into new age mysticisms with their ecstatic utterances and revelations that come from altered states of consciousness. Claiming to receive divine revelations directly from God and thus making themselves oracles of God who must be obeyed, they lead the flock of God astray into idolatry.

“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, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Scripture makes it clear that God speaks to us today through what has already been written about His Son by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Outlandish claims of personal “revelations” are a haven for every imaginable aberration. Boasts of “the LORD told me” are gross deviations from Biblical orthodoxy.

“And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19).

Those who say they get direct divine revelation from God, apart from what’s written in the Bible, pose an existential threat to the integrity of Scripture. These God’s whisperers diminish the fulsome and sufficiency of the Bible and they are a menace to the faith once for all delivered to the Saints. Failing to repent of their error, they are doomed for eternal damnation.

“Seeing that His 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 Peter 1:3).

The Bible is a closed canon, it is a perilous thing for anyone to add to it by fraudulent claims of “Thus saith the LORD.” Everything we need to know about God and life has already been spoken and written. All of God’s prophecies and promises are contained within the pages of Scriptures. If any man wants to hear God speak to him, let him read the Bible. If he wants God to speak to him audibly, he should read the Bible out loud.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16).

Divine guidance on everyday issues of life does not come by way of esoteric mystical experiences or spooky paranormal sensations for those who have the Word of God inscribed upon their heart. Those who belong to God are led by the Spirit of God who dwells within them.

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105).

When the heart and soul of a Christian become saturated with the Word of God, His Word becomes a lamp that shows the way and a light that points in the right direction. His thoughts, will, and desire are totally in sync with the Holy Spirit. The Believer no longer lives according to the flesh but has put the deeds of the body to death.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14).

The Christian, in whom the Word of God dwells, does not rely on mystical navigation systems to know where to go and what to do. As he navigates life, he instinctively makes decisions that are in perfect harmony with the will of God.