It’s critically important to recognize that, according to God’s word, there are no modern-day apostles or prophets who can bring new or specific revelations from God. Yet, God has graciously provided a way for us to find answers to our questions. Let me explain. It is vital for every believer to be involved in a Christ-centered, Bible preaching and teaching church. The Holy Spirit that indwells every believer gives gifts as God chooses for the building up of the saints.

“Speak, for your servant hears.”— 1 Samuel 3:10b

At one time or another, the question “How can I hear from God?” has likely crossed every Christian’s mind. With heartfelt conviction believers want to know what God has in store for their lives and what they should do to best please their heavenly Father. The wide range of suggested answers, however, has caused no end of confusion and controversy for many. So how can we hear from God? How can we know his will for us?

God Tells Us How He Speaks to Us

The direct answer comes from Hebrews 1 where, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer to the Hebrews says:

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. (Heb. 1:1–2)

Before Jesus came to earth to begin his redemptive work that reached its zenith at the cross, God spoke to his people directly and through the prophets. We read of Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, and the other inspired prophets who spoke, as they heard from God, to give his people the law to reveal sin and to disclose his plan of salvation that would free us from our guilt and condemnation. 

The law was clear, but the promises of redemption were less so in the Old Testament. In Genesis 3:15, when God tells Adam and Eve that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent, we find the first reference to God’s promise of a redeemer. Adam and Eve are given this promise as they sit in horror of their disobedience, but the details of how their disobedience would be undone were less than clear to them and their offspring. 

Abraham Didn’t Understand Fully How God Would Fulfill His Promise

It was the same with Abraham. When God promised to give him offspring more numerous than the stars of heaven, Abraham didn’t understand how or exactly why. Yet, he trusted in the promise by faith. It was the same for Moses. Told to return to Egypt to demand the release of the Hebrew slaves, Moses was more than a little reluctant to go (Exod. 4:1, 13; 6:12). God had spoken, however, and his people believed. 

Hebrews 11 says that the Old Testament believers, including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Samuel, the prophets, and countless others, trusted in the revealed word of God to guide them and assure them of eternal life (Heb. 11:16).

With the birth of Jesus, the prophetic office reached its pinnacle—Jesus was The Prophet foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15 (Acts 3:23; 7:37).

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