Still "Small" Voice According to 1 Kings 19:12
In order to understand any given passage of scripture is to look at both previous and preceding verse. The best interpretation is the Bible itself (1 Cor. 2:13). Also it is important that we understand the history, culture, and theological meanings of the biblical text of scripture. It is unfortunate that there are individuals within the church especially its own leadership has in fact stop short of the historical context of scripture so as to make such present-day application. As we begin to study the context of 1 Kings 19:12 we must first of all read previous and preceding verses in order to understand the whole of its message. To ignore that of the plain meaning of the context of the Bible in favor of what is allegorical is to destroy the message of the Bible.
Mystics who promote hearing God's still small voice have in fact reached into the annals of both evangelical churches and "liberal" mainline Protestant denominations. The intrusion of theological mysticism have also infect that of the Church's theological and moral wings (2 Tim. 2:18). Unfortunately it has come in the form of modern-day seers, revelators, prophets, and prophetess. Such so-called prophets claim to hear from God in a "special" way at the exclusion of the Church as a whole. They also claim to be God's anointed as to be in the God-class of men. The degree by which they possess such knowledge or "gnosis" is something that are revealed to them supernaturally within their "spirit" as opposed to such Sensory knowledge. Reason and faith are a opposite side of the pole so as to have a love/hate relationship. The truth of the matter that Reason and Faith are bedfellows by which they are mutually inclusive; not exclusive. Therefore these modern-day prophets and seers are without "true" knowledge by which they do not possess the Spirit. They appear to demonstrate humility by their own fleshly wisdom but they are emissaries of Satan (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
Within this particular article we will look squarely at 1 Kings 19:9-18 so as to explain clearly this portion of the passage of scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). Also throughout this article I will begin (1) The nature of the revelation of the word that came to Elijah the prophet (v. 9-10). (2). God commands to the prophet Elijah (v. 11-12. Also (3) God's still small voice (v. 12-13).
As we look at 1 Kings 19:9 it says, "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and said unto him, "What does thou here, Elijah?" In so many words God spoke "directly" to the prophet Elijah by asking him the question, "What doest thou Elijah?" To paraphrase the text as God directly speaks to Elijah the prophet so as to ask him the question, "Why are you here Elijah?" It is important to note that to know whether a person is God's spokesman is to know their calling and the consistency of their message. Many who claim to be God's divine messengers are those who went but were not sent from God and as a result they teach such a false doctrines that are detrimental to the lives of God's people as to claim some "spiritual" revelation that are outside the boundaries of God's Word. Even though God spoke to the prophets in the Old Testament (e.g. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah) are not applicable to the Church today (Eph. 2:20). The church have already been established by which there is no need for prophets and apostles today. Jesus Christ is God's Final Word (Heb. 1:1-2a). The canon of scripture is closed by which there is no further need for any continual revelation or revelation of the spirit (2 Pet. 1:19-21).
God spoke to the fathers by the prophets but in these last days God spoke through His Son Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:2a).
In 1 Kings 19:10 Elijah response to God was by saying, "I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah the prophet was zealous unto the Lord by announcing Israel's apostasy by which they wanted to kill Elijah so as to kill many of God's prophets. We live in a time where people within the church are uncomfortable with those who tell them the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). They would prefer to have false teachers who will tickle their itching ears so as to not put up with sound doctrine. They will turn their eyes from the truth but turn unto myths (1 Tim. 1:3-11). Postmodernism, subjectivity, relativism, and mysticism is the norm of the day within many professing churches especially among emerging church leadership.
Even though God spoke to the prophets in time past in order to give the message to the people of Israel but also reveal Himself through the Person of Jesus as God's Final Word (Heb. 1:2a). The problem with many "new" evangelicals including Charismatics and Pentecostal leaders in the church today that just like God spoke to Elijah that God "continues" to speak today through modern-day prophets, prophetess, and seers. They utilize as a proof-text Hebrews 13:8 where it says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." The Hebrew writer for referring to the "unchangeable" nature of God's character. God is immutable; unchanging. It is not warranted in Hebrews 13:8 that what happen than by God speaking to the prophets of the OT can happen NOW by God giving prophetic revelations, visions, and dreams to so-called modern day prophets and prophetess today. These self-proclaimed modern-day prophets and prophetess today believe that they are God's mouthpiece to give spiritual "revelations" to the Church today by which they are in opposition to the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16).
The sill "small" voice perpetuated by many Charismatic leaders within that of evangelicalism is that they utilize at will also such biblical proof-text as John 10:4 where Jesus says in regards to His sheep, "When he has brought out his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." The truly elect those who have been chosen unto salvation will hear the truth of God's Word (Jn. 18:37). The truth of God's Word is in the form of such propositional truth; not what is subjective "inward" voice of the spirit. Those professing believer who are not truly saved will not tolerate hearing what God's Word says based upon His written Word but will pay attention to deceiving spirit taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Many professing "Christian" teachers will have the church to believe that God speaks "through" His Word but not what is His written Word. The Church have that of God's written Word by which it is complete and final: that of the absoluteness of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16). Also the "truth" that many apostates in the church claim to receive is what are revealed in a person's spirit in the form of Revelation Knowledge something that is "beyond" what is already revealed in God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). Many Gnostics contend that in order for the Church to know God's spoken Word it must be revealed in such a way that is not consist of the "senses" but what is in a person's spirit. If in fact such "inward" voice of the spirit is a means by which people know the truth than what is the basis by which they judge what they know to be the truth? If in fact it is based upon what is "inward" voice of the spirit than by all means it will become very much problematic. Why? Because the written Word is not the source of the "mystic" authority (2 Tim. 3:16). In so many words the church cannot afford to make sound judgment based upon their "emotions" because such emotional experience will in fact "fluctuate" back and forth by which most mystics are not stable emotionally. In short, "Feelings comes; feelings goes." In order for the church to make such wise decision is based upon the knowledge and understanding of God's Word by which it can be applied to the experiences by which believers experience daily (Jas. 1:5-8).
In conclusion even though God spoke to the prophets in the pass but that the Church have the written Word of God in order to know what the church must believe and to live their lives daily. Many professing "Christian" teachers who claim to hear God's still "small" voice within their spirit are in fact paying attention to deceiving spirits taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Postmodernism, subjectivity, relativism, and mysticism is the "norm" of the Church's message today by which it leads into such a dark path. The church must rely upon God's Word as their source of authority; not what is of such "inward" voice of the spirit. The Church possess that of the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word but that Christian "mystics" in the professing church today possess such "fleshly" wisdom and knowledge (Col. 1:9, 10 contrast Col. 2:18-19).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopof lyons.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Even though God spoke to the prophets in time past in order to give the message to the people of Israel but also reveal Himself through the Person of Jesus as God's Final Word (Heb. 1:2a). The problem with many "new" evangelicals including Charismatics and Pentecostal leaders in the church today that just like God spoke to Elijah that God "continues" to speak today through modern-day prophets, prophetess, and seers. They utilize as a proof-text Hebrews 13:8 where it says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." The Hebrew writer for referring to the "unchangeable" nature of God's character. God is immutable; unchanging. It is not warranted in Hebrews 13:8 that what happen than by God speaking to the prophets of the OT can happen NOW by God giving prophetic revelations, visions, and dreams to so-called modern day prophets and prophetess today. These self-proclaimed modern-day prophets and prophetess today believe that they are God's mouthpiece to give spiritual "revelations" to the Church today by which they are in opposition to the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16).
The sill "small" voice perpetuated by many Charismatic leaders within that of evangelicalism is that they utilize at will also such biblical proof-text as John 10:4 where Jesus says in regards to His sheep, "When he has brought out his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." The truly elect those who have been chosen unto salvation will hear the truth of God's Word (Jn. 18:37). The truth of God's Word is in the form of such propositional truth; not what is subjective "inward" voice of the spirit. Those professing believer who are not truly saved will not tolerate hearing what God's Word says based upon His written Word but will pay attention to deceiving spirit taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Many professing "Christian" teachers will have the church to believe that God speaks "through" His Word but not what is His written Word. The Church have that of God's written Word by which it is complete and final: that of the absoluteness of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16). Also the "truth" that many apostates in the church claim to receive is what are revealed in a person's spirit in the form of Revelation Knowledge something that is "beyond" what is already revealed in God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). Many Gnostics contend that in order for the Church to know God's spoken Word it must be revealed in such a way that is not consist of the "senses" but what is in a person's spirit. If in fact such "inward" voice of the spirit is a means by which people know the truth than what is the basis by which they judge what they know to be the truth? If in fact it is based upon what is "inward" voice of the spirit than by all means it will become very much problematic. Why? Because the written Word is not the source of the "mystic" authority (2 Tim. 3:16). In so many words the church cannot afford to make sound judgment based upon their "emotions" because such emotional experience will in fact "fluctuate" back and forth by which most mystics are not stable emotionally. In short, "Feelings comes; feelings goes." In order for the church to make such wise decision is based upon the knowledge and understanding of God's Word by which it can be applied to the experiences by which believers experience daily (Jas. 1:5-8).
In conclusion even though God spoke to the prophets in the pass but that the Church have the written Word of God in order to know what the church must believe and to live their lives daily. Many professing "Christian" teachers who claim to hear God's still "small" voice within their spirit are in fact paying attention to deceiving spirits taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Postmodernism, subjectivity, relativism, and mysticism is the "norm" of the Church's message today by which it leads into such a dark path. The church must rely upon God's Word as their source of authority; not what is of such "inward" voice of the spirit. The Church possess that of the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word but that Christian "mystics" in the professing church today possess such "fleshly" wisdom and knowledge (Col. 1:9, 10 contrast Col. 2:18-19).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopof lyons.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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