Fresh Revelation

I think I have just come up with some fresh revelation! Texas truly is God's chosen state. I have proof from the Bible! What is the "nick name" for the state of Texas? The "Lone Star State." And how many stars are on the flag of Texas? One - one lone star.

Now, how many stars guided the wise men to the child, Jesus? Was it a whole constelation? No - it was one single star. God chose to lead the magi to Jesus with one, lone star because He knew that one day there would be a place called Texas whose symbol would be a single star. Thus, Texas is God's favorite state.

Of course, I'm being silly, but as an amateur teacher of Biblical Hermeneutics (the art of interpreting the Bible), I am constantly amazed at what people can do to the Bible - all in the name of "fresh revelation." Some of the "fresh revelation" is pretty harmless and so I don't make too much fuss over it. However, some of it causes us to miss significant truth in God's Word. For example, in Matthew 18:19 Jesus says, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." I can't tell you how many times I've heard that verse quoted in prayer meetings (especially when only two people showed up), in an attempt to convince God that He has to answer your prayers because two of you are praying together. The implications of that wrong "hermeneutic" are significant. If Jesus really meant what people have said this verse means, then no one could ever pray with any confidence when they are alone. If the verse really meant what people say it means, then it would reveal that Jesus' actions of going off by Himself to pray were wrong - or at least that He couldn't expect the Father to answer since He wasn't praying with someone.

Now you may not think this is any big deal - but the reality is, this particular verse doesn't have anything to do with prayer. Instead, it has to do with getting a friend to help in the restoration of a broken relationship. Jesus has just taught that if a brother sins against you, it is imperative that you do everything possible to restore that lost or broken relationship. And then He promises, that if two of you will agree to restore the broken relationship, then He will work with you to make it happen. That understanding of the verse is significantly more powerful.

I want to encourage you to seek fresh revelation from Scripture - but make sure that the "revelation" you receive truly is that, and not just the product of a good imagination.