God’s Work and Voice in Me, Part 7G: Didn’t the Apostles Say God Was About to Quit Speaking to Us?

The blog post discusses various scriptures in an attempt to address the topic of whether God ceased to speak after the Bible was finished. The author contests teachings that this is the case, arguing that scriptures often thought to support this view require numerous assumptions. The post suggests that the divine dialogue continues, challenging readers to approach scripture with less literal interpretation and more open-minded understanding. The author plans to discuss each scripture in greater detail in subsequent posts and videos.

Once again, this post mainly collects the scriptures on the subject, which I intend to discuss one by one, in detail, in later posts and videos.

Here is a link to the video associated with this blog post:

Slide 2. The answer is “NO”

But here are the passages often argued to insist that the answer is “yes.”

The question is raised because of teaching I’ve heard that says that, when the Bible was finished, that’s all God had to say, he will never say another word!

Well, the answer is “no,” but here are the passages often argued to insist that the answer is “yes:”

Slide 3. 1 Corinthians 13–When the Perfect comes, I will know fully

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part and prophesy in part;  but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.  But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NASB)

For the argument to work, one must also assume that the Scriptures are the “perfect” thing or state of which Paul is speaking.

Slide 4. 2 Timothy 3–Every Scripture is God-Breathed and Given to Make Us Complete

But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (WEB)

For the argument to work, one must also assume that every word uttered by God is Scripture and that being “equipped” for good work is the only thing God wants to talk with us about.

Slide 5. Hebrews 1–God Spoke Through the Prophets and More Recently Spoke to Us Through His Son

Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors.   But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son. God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven. He had become much greater than the angels, and the name he was given is far greater than any of theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV)

For the argument to work, one must assume that, now that he has ascended, the Son continues to speak to the universe but has stopped speaking to us.

Slide 6. Hebrews 2–Pay Attention to What We Heard

Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

Hebrews 2:1-4 (WEB)

For the argument to work, one must read the past tenses used in the passage as imposing on everything in verse 4 an inference of occurrence exclusively in the past.

Slide 7. 2 Peter 1–No Prophecy in Scripture Has a Private Interpretation Not Open to All

We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (WEB)

For the argument to work, one must assume 1) that everything God says to us is prophecy, 2) that all prophecy is found in the Scriptures, and, therefore, 3) that God speaking anything else to us individually would therefore constitute a prophecy “of private interpretation.”

Slide 8. Revelation 22–Adding to the Words of the Prophecy of “This Book”

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:18-19 (WEB)

Which leaves the question, “which book is he talking about?”

For the argument to work, one must assume that 1) “this book” refers to the whole Bible, not just John’s Apocalypse, and, therefore, 2) saying God has said anything to me directly constitutes “adding to” the “words of the prophecy” of “this” book, as so defined.

Slide 9. Heading: Has The “Perfect” Come?

The passage I quoted from 1 Corinthians 13 seems to say that our partial knowledge, our partial prophecy, will be done away with when the “perfect” thing comes. Well, has it?

Slide 10. Do I Now Know Him as Fully as He Knows Me?

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (WEB)

Slide 11. No, I Don’t Yet See Him Just As He Is

Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

1 John 3:2-3 (WEB)

Slide 12. The Last Enemy Has Not Yet Been Abolished

But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

1 Corinthians 15:23-25 (WEB)

Slide 13. Our Bodies Are Still Dying Soon, Not Yet Immortal

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (WEB)

Slide 14. As Long As There Are Still Tears, the New Heaven and New Earth Haven’t Come

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.” He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”

Revelation 21:1-5 (WEB)

Slide 15. Heading: Is Every Word God Says “Scripture?”

This question is raised most strongly by the passage in 2 Timothy, and it has two questions buried in it:

The first one is, “Is every word God has ever said in the Bible?”

The second one is, “Is every word of God recorded in the Bible ‘Scripture?'”

I’ll proceed from there.

Slide 16. Words God told Daniel Not to Record

The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”

Daniel 12:7-10 (NIV)

Here are some words God said that didn’t get into the Bible.

Slide 17. Heading: Life Verse for a Type “A” Personality

I usually seem to have a pretty driven, “type A” personality. And there is, in John, apparently a “life verse” supporting the “type A” personality:

Slide 18. John 13:27b!

Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

John 13:27b (WEB)

Sounds like a pretty good proof text to me!

… until you realize Jesus said it to Judas Iscariot, telling him to carry out the worst treason in all of history quickly, before he had a chance to change his mind.

Slide 19. Easy Tax Advice.

And then there’s Jesus’ really easy tax advice…

Slide 20. Go Fishing!

When asked about paying the temple tax, Jesus told Peter

“…But lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

Matthew 17:27 (WEB)

So, is it right that we should go fishing on Tax Day, and not prepare to pay our taxes instead?

Slide 21. Heading: Apparently Contradictory Instructions

Finally, I point out that, in his epistles, Paul gives some instructions that apparently contradict the ideas that prophecy has ended and that God speaking has ended.

Slide 22. “Have Two or Three Prophets Speak?”

Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:29-33a (NASB)

Slide 23. Pray to Interpret Tongues? Earnestly Desire to Prophesy?

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret…

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:13 & 39 (NASB)

Slide 24. Don’t Quench the Spirit or Despise Prophecies, But Test Them

Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (WEB)

Next (for now): Is God Speaking? Determining Who is Speaking.

Part 7A: God Uses No Cookie Cutters — the first presentation in this series.

The Kingdom of the Heavens Outline

The Voice of God (God Speaking to Us) Outline

What I Believe–stated simply

Introduction to the Word and Voice of God –all of the alternatives