It is shown that the random-phase approximation (RPA) method with its nonlinear higher generalization, which was previously considered as approximation except for a very limited case, reproduces the exact solutions of the Lipkin model. The nonlinear higher RPA is based on an equation nonlinear on eigenvectors and includes many-particle-many-hole components in the creation operator of the excited states. We demonstrate the exact character of solutions analytically for the particle number N = 2 and, numerically, for N = 8. This finding indicates that the nonlinear higher RPA is equivalent to the exact Schrödinger equation, which opens up new possibilities for realistic calculations in many-body problems.