GOING BEYOND THE ELEMENTARY TRUTHS

Too many Christians stay on the forever immature merry-go-round of basic elements and never mature into the deeper and intricate concepts about Jesus. The Author of our faith did not produce a third grade primer on salvation. He produced a library of 66 books that offers something at every level of spiritual development. Paul observed the fact that some people would not grow up spiritually and he chastised the Hebrews saying, 

“We have much to say about [the ministry of Christ], but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.” (Hebrews 5:11-6:1) 

Did you notice the subjects that Paul called “elementary truths?”

Of course, Paul believed that we should understand the basics of salvation first and then move on to practice them in our lives. But he did not stop there. He encouraged all of us to grow up and continue learning more about the ways and plans of Jesus. If we are satisfied with “just enough religion” to be saved (the basic truths about salvation), could it be that we are more interested in saving ourselves than knowing Jesus? How foolish. The plan of Salvation is not an insurance policy, nor is it a scheme to obtain eternal life. Instead, the plan of Salvation is a comprehensive way of life. 

When a person enrolls in the plan of Salvation, he or she wants to grow up spiritually and reflect Jesus’ character. A hunger for spiritual food drives a born again person to the Bible. When people insist that Bible prophecy is not essential to salvation, they tacitly admit they are spiritually immature and still fascinated with the milk of elementary things. (Remember Hebrews 5:11-6:1.) Keep in mind that Jesus is neither mindless nor shallow about the things He does or says. He is the Creator of molecular physics, as well as the Revealer of the mysteries of God. He would not have included electrons in atoms nor apocalyptic prophecy in the Bible if these elements were not important. Jesus would not have instructed John to write the Book of Revelation if it was meaningless and useless.

On the contrary, the Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that offers a blessing to everyone who reads it. 

“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) 

The Book of Revelation will become, at the right time, a marvelous “road map” of present truth for the people of Earth. Prior to the Great Tribulation, the Book of Revelation will not enjoy preeminence because it will not be the time for its fulfillment. But this will suddenly change and overnight, the most complicated book in the Bible will become an important roadmap explaining the actions of Jesus. Do not lessen the importance of Bible prophecy simply because you do not understand what it says. Paul wrote,

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20) 

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for not recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy right before their eyes. He said, 

“Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:56)

John warns us to be aware of false prophets. 

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) 

Jesus warned His disciples, 

“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible.” (Matthew 24:24) 

Think about it. According to these texts, if a person performs great signs and miracles, does it necessarily make them a true prophet? No! (See Deuteronomy 13:1-5.) If a great sign or miracle is not proof of truth or a true prophet, then the proof of a true prophet must be found in the validity of his message. 

A prophet’s message will conform to Bible truth and be a plain “thus saith the Lord.” A prophet is not a god. True, prophets sometimes perform miracles to confirm their testimony, but a miracle is not enough. There has to be something external (that is, a witness) to validate the testimony of the prophet. (John 8:13-20)

If a person is not acquainted with the Bible, it becomes very difficult to use the “gold standards” set forth in the Bible to test a prophet. If we are left with nothing but our senses – he or she looked good, spoke authoritatively and appeared to know a lot about the Bible – we become very vulnerable to deception. 

The devil knows the Bible very well and this makes it imperative that we know God’s Word, too. In days to come, a great contest will occur between the prophets of God and the prophets of the devil. Many people who currently claim to be “led of the Spirit” will painfully discover they were led by their foolish imaginations. (Ezekiel 13) 

The Spirit ever leads us toward truth – to carefully examine God’s Word. Then, as we discover more truth, the Spirit confirms it in our minds by connecting more dots to form a growing picture of truth.

Jill soto