The final myth I want to examine in this topic of study is a claim that often causes confusion. Teachers say that the Bible foretells that God will do a new thing, and their new doctrines are a fulfillment of that prophecy. Isaiah 43 is often used by those claiming to be anointed by God to bring in a new revelation and new move of God. What they do not understand is that the work of Jesus is the new work of God. We’ll explain this shortly, but first look at Isaiah 43:18-19
18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
This is one of those passages that cannot be fully understood without reading the context of the scriptures around it. We need to read several chapters back to get a grip on the topic God is presenting in this passage in Isaiah. The people of God have fallen into idolatry and God is foretelling of their destruction. The Lord is giving a prophecy of doom, saying they will be destroyed as a nation and taken captive. As is usually the case, the Lord presents hope with the warning of judgment. The prophecy of judgment was for the idolatrous people in Israel during the time of their overthrow, but this passage above is given to the future generation who would later return to the Lord.
God is declaring that when He visits them and returns them to their land and from captivity, don’t focus on the former things, but look ahead to the new thing God will do among His people. They are being instructed not to look at the sins of the nation that brought them to this state, but to embrace the hope of God’s deliverance. It’s like the words of Paul. After talking about his former sins before coming to Christ, he concludes, “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to what lays ahead.” Once forgiveness is granted by God, we are to no longer remember the former things, but to reach ahead to the merciful calling of God.
Reaching ahead is not reaching for a brand new revelation, but reaching for what God has already revealed and placed before us. When we repent, we turn from our ways, and toward God. Only then do we see the path of righteousness. It is what lays before. Three chapters later in Isaiah, after God tells them to forget the former things, God tells them to remember the old paths. Look at Isaiah 46:8-10
8 " Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'
They are not being told to forget the word of God and look for something new, but to forget their old sinful ways, put the judgment they have experienced behind them, and to turn back to the paths of truth God has already revealed to them. The thought concludes with, “My counsel shall stand.” Jesus made it clear that the word of God will never pass away, but will be completely fulfilled.
In Israel’s case, they were to seek the ways God had already delivered to them through the prophets. These were the paths that would one day lead directly to Jesus Christ. In our case, we stand on the paths that have already led to Christ. He is the new thing. Look at Romans 16:25-27
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith --
27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
What was once a mystery in times past has now been revealed to us through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, our salvation in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was a mystery. It wasn’t revealed to those of the past. Their witness was the law and the animal sacrifices given through the Old Testament law. But to us, we have seen the manifestation of Christ and the will of God that was veiled in the Old Testament law and rituals. We are witnesses and partakers of the new thing – the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. To look for yet another covenant is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ. Also consider Hebrews 1:1-3
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
For the Christian, the one whose faith is in Christ, the revelation has been given. In times past, God spoke to us through the prophets, but in these last days, has spoken to us by His son – Jesus Christ. The phrase ‘last days’ is significant. Last means just what it says. There is nothing to follow. Jesus is the conclusion of all things – the Author and Finisher of our faith. There is none greater; therefore, no new prophet can arise to compensate for what Jesus lacked. He is not lacking, but is the fulfillment of all things. He is the First and the Last. He is the one who began the revelation through the prophets, and the one who has spoken and revealed all things. There is no new revelation. Prophets today merely reveal the truth of God as given to us through scripture. Prophets of old pointed to the coming revelation, and prophets today point back to that revelation.
Jesus is the final word. He spoke to His disciples and promised the Holy Spirit would remind them of what He said, and reveal the meaning of His truth to them. This is the New Testament we hold in our hands. If we look at Paul, the only apostle not an eyewitness to Jesus’ teaching, we still see no new revelation. Paul repeats the same doctrines of the other apostles and reveals how the Old Testament is fulfilled through Christ. He is not revealing a new thing, but the old thing already given to us. The abundance of revelation Paul received was the same truth given to the disciples of Jesus, the truth of the Old Testament, and how it applies to the church and our obedience to Christ.
Many claim to be prophets, but those who turn us away from the revealed truth are not workers of righteousness. The Bible warns that if anyone, an angel of light, worker of righteousness, or even the Apostles themselves come and deliver any teaching that is contrary to what we have already received, we are commanded to account them as anathema – cursed by God.
We must be people of the Word.
Regardless of how we break down the issues discussed in this study, everything points back to the same truth – our focus should be on knowing scripture and abiding in Christ through His word. Every single issue presented by false teaching is clarified by an understanding of the word. Knowing God’s word removes confusion about doctrine. These myths are expressly refuted in the scriptures. I’m often amazed at how many false teachings are directly and unmistakably debunked by scripture. 99% of all false teaching would die in the pulpit if God’s people knew the word.
We should stand amazed at the foreknowledge of God. Each time a false teacher finds a new angle to deceive, God’s word is already shining and exposing the lie. The light of truth exposes what is false and shines on the right path for His people. The only ones who will be deceived are those who refuse to look at scripture, or refuse to accept it. Whether someone closes their eyes, or denies what they see, they are in rejection of God and are making a willful decision to choose the lie.
We should be comforted knowing that God has provided a way of escape and the strength to run this Christian race with victory. But it is only to those who hold to His word. Study the word, for it provides good doctrine, rebuke, correction and instruction in righteousness. Through the scriptures, you will be complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the only way. Take heed of the words of Peter. When Jesus taught a doctrine they didn’t like, many departed just as we see in the church today. When Jesus asked the remaining disciples if they would leave too, Peter said, “Where shall we go, for only you have the words of eternal life.”
Many new doctrines and false teachers will arise and draw disciples after themselves, but only the scriptures, given to us by Christ, has the words of eternal life.
Eddie Snipes
www.exchangedlife.com
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