I used to go around and around with Harold Camping about that on his call in show [before he jumped off the end predicting the 2nd Coming].
He insisted as most of that ilk do that the written text of The Word is the only input any Christians since NT times get from God.
When I would ask about hadn't he ever been reading Scripture while burdened about an urgent prayer need and had a Scripture jump off the page while Holy Spirit caused a leap in his inner man? He'd waffle all over the place trying to avoid any hint of God speaking specifically to a specific individual in a specific way in the NOW.
A lot of people think that Acts 2 was for back then and not now. Charismatics strongly disagree. As do millions of Chinese who don't "know any better" than to take Scripture at face value and apply it and see God do miracles routinely.
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I just received this interesting email which your post reminds me of, somehow.
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Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 22:19:13 -0800 (PST)
From: Lance A Sneath
Subject: Word for the Church: "I have a game plan."
All, Just wanted to share the following event/word I received on Sunday morning for your edification/thoughts:
I was awakened at 2:38 AM on Sunday, Jan 11, 2004, by the broadcast of the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts playoff football game that was yet to be played. It was coming from my speakers, but there was nothing in the natural to provide the source of sound.
My TV was off, and my computer was offline. The announcer, loudly and with great excitement, called a play with Peyton Manning of the Indianoplis Colts finding a receiver open down the field and completing a pass for a touchdown. He went on to describe how this was one of the finest days of Peyton Manning's career. The broadcast went off promptly at 2:41 AM.
I immediately was prostrate before the Lord and asked Him the meaning of this. He immediately replied:
"I have a game plan. My game plan is found in the record of the first church at the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38-41.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids
"Many of the men in My church in America will sit in my house with their hearts and minds on football games. They care more for the game plan of their favorite ball team, than for My Kingdom. Many of the men of My church have several passions beyond Me. My word to them: 'Get with My game plan!'
[color emphasis NOT added though the last red was darker in the original]
If my church will return with a passion for My game plan as demonstrated here at the outpouring of My Holy Spirit at Pentecost, I will once again pour out My Spirit with great signs and wonders. Their will be great harvests and demonstrations of My Spirit's work. Those of my Kingdom who love My team will have much to be passionate about in the days ahead if they will devote themselves passionately to Me and My game plan!
Later that afternoon, as I ate dinner after church and watched the second half of the Chiefs-Colts game, I heard the announcer excitedly call the play for Peyton Manning throwing the same touchdown I heard nearly eleven hours earlier! What an amazing God we serve! Come on Church, let's get with His game plan!
Grace and peace,
Lance
"The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I think the operative word is "public".
That doesn't preclude private revelation. If the private doesn't contradict the public revelation received from Christ it might be trustworthy. If it contradicts the public it doesn't come from God.
"The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I think the operative word is "public".
That doesn't preclude private revelation. If the private doesn't contradict the public revelation received from Christ it might be trustworthy. If it contradicts the public it doesn't come from God.