Introduction
The book of Revelation has long been a source of division among Christians, especially when discussing matters of eschatology—the study of the Second Coming of Christ. Postmillennialists, premillennialists, and a millennialists find themselves in passionate debates over the timing of Christ’s return. However, amidst these differences, there are fundamental teachings within Revelation that unite Christians. One such teaching is the ultimate authority of Scripture, often referred to as Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). In this article, we will explore the foundational principles that support the concept of Sola Scriptura as derived from the book of Revelation.
God Speaks
Throughout the Bible, we encounter a God who communicates with humanity. The divine voice is not silent but actively engages with His creation. In the opening chapters of Genesis, we read the recurring phrase, “And God said,” signifying God’s spoken word in the act of creation (Genesis 1:3). This pattern continues in Revelation, emphasising God’s nature as a speaking God (Genesis 1:6;9;11;14;20;24). Revelation 1:1-2 tells us, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.“
John’s account in Revelation is filled with instances of divine communication. In Revelation 1:10, he describes hearing “a loud voice like a trumpet.” This pattern repeats in verse 11 and continues throughout the book, demonstrating a God who actively speaks. These words are not mere visions; they are accompanied by audible voices. Therefore, it is evident that God is not silent but communicates His divine will.
God Can Be Heard
If God speaks, then He can be heard. The text in Revelation corroborates this notion. In Revelation 1:3, we read, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” This verse explicitly states that those who hear the words of the prophecy are blessed. It affirms that God’s spoken word can indeed be heard and understood by His people.
Revelation further exemplifies this by repeatedly encouraging believers with the phrase, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). This recurring exhortation reinforces the idea that God’s voice is accessible and comprehensible to His followers. The Apostle John, elsewhere gives us the words of Jesus, stating in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.“
How Can We Hear God’s Voice? Through Scripture Alone
To address the essential question of how we can hear God’s voice, we arrive at the concept of Sola Scriptura, which translates from Latin to “Scripture Alone.” While the roots of the doctrine emphasizing the authority of Scripture, as taught by early figures such as Augustine of Hippo (354–430), can be discerned in the Early Church, its formalization and widespread recognition gained prominence during the 16th-century Reformation led by key figures like Martin Luther. Luther’s stand against the Roman Catholic Church’s elevation of tradition and papal authority to be on par with Scripture was pivotal. When charged to withdraw his writings and teachings, he declared, “Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason, I cannot recant, for my conscience is held captive by the Word of God, and to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I can do no other.”
The foundational principle of Sola Scriptura asserts that the Bible, as God’s written word, holds ultimate authority over the lives of believers. As Revelation reminds us, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Observe that this hearing of the Spirit occurs through the reading and understanding of what is written. Hence, Revelation 1:3 declares: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the word of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and keep what is written in it...” What the Spirit says to the churches is what John was instructed to write (2:7, 8, 12, 18, 3:1 etc.). Consequently, the recipients of John’s letter, and by extension, believers of all time, are not called to hear the Spirit speak to them the same way as he spoke to John; they are to hear the Spirit through what He instructed to be written. Thus, Scripture is the means by which God’s voice is conveyed to His people.
Implications of Sola Scriptura
The Sufficiency of Scripture
The Bible is sufficient for guiding and directing our lives. While many Christians’ desire to hear God speak to them, the sufficiency of Scripture should not be underestimated. All that is necessary for faith, salvation, and living a righteous life can be found in God’s written word. God has spoken definitively through the coming of Jesus and the writing of the New Testament. As Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” The completion of the New Testament, alongside the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, marks the culmination of God’s revelation to humanity. If you desire to hear God speak to you, there is no need to search for additional signs or prophecies. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy” (Rev. 1:3). Your encounter with God’s voice begins by reading and studying His Word, the Bible.
Scripture stands as the conclusive authority governing the lives of believers and shaping the trajectory of the Church. In moments of temptation to stray from this ultimate revelation, it unequivocally surpasses traditions and human authority, reasserting its pre-eminence when deviations from scriptural truth arise. Scripture, and Scripture alone, wields the ultimate influence in determining matters of faith and practice.
The Inerrancy of Scripture
In today’s world, many people raise questions about the reliability of the Bible and, in some cases, claim to have found errors within it. However, dear friends, it is essential to affirm that the Bible is not only reliable but also trustworthy, and it can be fully relied upon to guide your life according to God’s will. The Bible is unequivocally precise in every aspect it proclaims, whether in matters of history, science, psychology, or any other category of information that could be established as a benchmark for truth. Its accuracy consistently aligns with reality, affirming its reliability across diverse realms of knowledge without exception. The Scriptures were not authored by mere human will; instead, they are divinely inspired and can be trusted implicitly. The Bible is unwaveringly truthful in all that it teaches.
As 2 Peter 1:19-21 reminds us, “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The Word is to be Obeyed
When we read God’s Word or hear it being preached, we are here to receive instruction that leads to obedience: “who keeps what is written” (Rev. 1:3). God’s word is given to us with the explicit purpose that we may obey it (Deuteronomy 29:29). It is through God’s word that we come to faith in Jesus Christ as sinners. When God has spoken and revealed Himself in Scripture, our response should be one of obedience. The word of God has the power to sanctify us, as Jesus prayed for His disciples and all Christians, saying, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
Amen
