Direct line to God?

[Windwalker]

Continued...

What church in your neighborhood preaches as Jesus instructed his disciples to preach? (Matthew 10:11-14) Its a search and rescue mission, but you cannot save people who don't believe that they are in danger.

Sales and Marketing 101 teaches that to sell a product you must create a need first. Are you taking otherwise perfectly content and happy people and telling them that even if they are good people, not harming others, being kind and loving as they can to others in the world, that "none of that matters" because God has there rules, and that cannot have a relationship with God unless they believe the things you teach them, and they accept them and convert to your religion?

I find this actually very tragic. This too was another major reason I left that self-proclaimed "restored" religious group. They had me seeing my own parents as "outside God's love". Which was anything but true. I too, being told how it is required of us to "witness" to our families, tried to convince them they needed this religion I was to sell to them as part of my Christian duty, like selling them some Amway product, or something in order to "save" them. This too, was unloving, and unconscionable.

So, yes, God was talking to me, you could say. From inside of my own heart, that the truth of God's love is not in doctrines and beliefs, but in simple, loving, connections.

I can honestly say that no church ever came knocking on my door to tell me "the good news of the Kingdom" for the simple reason that, if you ask them, they have no idea what it is, or what it will do in the future. If you don't know what the Kingdom is, how can you preach to people about it? (Matthew 24:14)

But you see, I'd say most other Christians don't view the kingdom of God quite in the way your group does. For instance, for myself, I understand the kingdom of God to be what Jesus talked about as being "among you", meaning in your immediate reality. It's just a matter of seeing it, or being blind to it. I believe the kingdom of God, is the immanence of God in the world. God is already here, not in the future. To me, to be believing it "will happen" down the road, and to live your life, and reinforce that view through teachings and doctrines, as your group does, actually harms the Spirit of God in the world, because you're not seeing it right here, right now, and enacting upon it.

If you spend your life waiting for the day to come when you will be with God, you will never be with God now. The kingdom of God, is not of this world, meaning as a world system. It is the system of God, or the Way. And that is God's creation, God's kingdom. Not a kingdom of this world system. This too, is biblical.

Most church goers parrot off the Lord's Prayer each week without ever knowing what it is they are praying about. I was one of them. They were my 'brothers and sisters in the faith'...or so I thought....but those who want to hang on to the old ways once they are alerted to the truth, are no longer related to me in the faith.

This seems a disservice, not only to them, but to yourself. I suggest again your read the entire chapter of Romans 14. Paul's message in there cuts right through this like a sword.

How does sitting in a building, listening to boring sermons or attending something that masquerades as a rock concert for collecting money, translate into anything close to what Jesus taught? There is no prosperity gospel.

Of course, I find all that to be missing what Jesus taught. These are just more modern versions of what begin in the early 1900s American religious groups, selling their products to consumers looking for meaning in a changing culture. "We have the restoration of tongues"! "We have the truth about that there is no Trinity!", "We have the last days prophet!", etc. Fast Forward to a modern consumerist culture, and you have groups selling religion with the latest gimmick to hook in customers.

Granted, it is a lot more complex that all this, but the underlying gist is true nonetheless. Everyone is trying to brand and market God, including your church with its door to door volunteer salesforce. And what is that hook? Fear. "Are you ready for the coming wrath of God?"

You see to me, none of that speaks of the Love of God in truth. If you want to share God's love with someone, you don't need to say words. God doesn't need our words to speak. He just needs our hearts.

 

[JesusKnowsYou]

Yes, but such direct lines are merely one way

In our culture:

When you talk to God that's prayer

But when God talks back that's schizophrenia

That aspect of our culture is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

The Bible shares so many examples of God speaking to people in answer to their prayers.

God can speak to anyone at any time, according to His will.

 

[JesusKnowsYou]

Actually he was addressing the Pharisees when he said that. They asked him for a sign and he refused to give them one.

I don't believe it matters who was asking for the sign. Anyone who asks for a "miracle" or "sign from heaven" is among the "wicked" and "adulterous" of their generation in my opinion.

I know that this sounds rather harsh, but I believe that Jesus' words to the Pharisees were meant to be harsh. These were supposed professors of the Law of Moses, yet they were oblivious to the fact that prophecies were being fulfilled all around them.

Also, many of these men had already been witnesses of His miracles and healings, yet they still would not believe.

"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."

Basically, those who demand "miracles" or "signs from heaven" are those who would never believe, even if their request were granted because they refuse to see the "signs of the times" or the fulfillment of prophecy all around them.

He did in fact give his disciples a sign concerning his return. (Matthew 24:3-14)

No, this is not the same thing as asking for a "miracle" or a "sign from heaven".

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3)

They asked Him about what the "signs of the times" would be before His Second Coming.

They weren't asking Him for a sign to prove who or what He was. They wanted to know what to look for to discern the time of His coming.

Its akin to the Lord's claim that anyone can discern the face of the sky. Wanting to the know the "signs of the times" is not at all the same as asking for a miracle.

Can you please identify these prophets....

The Book of Acts claims that there were multiple prophets of the Church that came to Antioch, but only one was named (Agabus) who prophesied of a future famine that caused elders, such as Barnabus and Saul, to deliver relief to members of the Church in Judea.

"And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:

Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:27-30)

Later, the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the members of the Church in Ephesus, also explained that prophets not only still existed in the Church, but that they were considered a part of the "foundation" of the Church, equal to the Apostles.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Epheisians 2:19-22)

Later on in the same epistle, he explained that prophets were given to the Church for many reasons but, pay special attention to the last verse of the quoted portion.

"(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (Ephesians 4:9-13)

The world has yet to "come in the unity of the faith" or become "perfect" so it sounds to me like there is still need for prophets in the Church today.

 

[Eddi]

That aspect of our culture is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

The Bible shares so many examples of God speaking to people in answer to their prayers.

God can speak to anyone at any time, according to His will.

Yes, of course God can speak to anyone at any time, according to His will

He's God!

But I personally don't believe he does - in this epoch, i.e. in the days since Jesus. Or at least that he very rarely does.

And I believe that if he does then it's miraculous, as opposed to routine

In all honesty, if someone were to tell me God had communicated with them (if they were credible) I may very well believe them, but would also maintain a degree of doubt as to their sanity

And I'm speaking as a person who used to believe they had a direct line to God but who now recognises that they are ill and that God doesn't provide such direct lines as the one I thought I had

 

[JesusKnowsYou]

Yes, of course God can speak to anyone at any time, according to His will

He's God!

But I personally don't believe he does - in this epoch, i.e. in the days since Jesus. Or at least that he very rarely does.

And I believe that if he does then it's miraculous, as opposed to routine

In all honesty, if someone were to tell me God had communicated with them (if they were credible) I may very well believe them, but would also maintain a degree of doubt as to their sanity

And I'm speaking as a person who used to believe they had a direct line to God but who now recognises that they are ill and that God doesn't provide such direct lines as the one I thought I had

I understand that this is your belief and that you have every right to it. I don't want to offend you in any way.

But...it just boggles my mind because I believe that it is based on nothing.

There is nothing in the scriptures that claims that revelation would no longer be received after Christ.

Most of the books in the New Testament actually speak out against that idea because they were written after the death of Christ.

We, in this day and age, are just as precious in the eyes of God as those anciently. We are just as much His children as they are.

God can and will speak to anyone who wants to both listen to and do His will.

 

[Eddi]

I understand that this is your belief and that you have every right to it. I don't want to offend you in any way.

But...it just boggles my mind because I believe that it is based on nothing.

There is nothing in the scriptures that claims that revelation would no longer be received after Christ.

Most of the books in the New Testament actually speak out against that idea because they were written after the death of Christ.

We, in this day and age, are just as precious in the eyes of God as those anciently. We are just as much His children as they are.

God can and will speak to anyone who wants to both listen to and do His will.

I understand where you're coming from, it's just that personal experience has made me wary of such things

Please, allow me ask you something, purely out of curiosity:

Since 2004 I've have a thing that communicates with me by touch and who identifies as God

As a person who believes God does sometimes speak to people (in this day and age) do you think the thing that communicates with me may be God?

If so then why, and if not then why not?

Just out of curiosity of course, I believe the thing that communicates with me is a Tulpa, that I accidentally created in 2004 - see here: Tulpa - Wikipedia

Long story short, I believe this Tulpa thinks it's God

I believe that the human mind is an amazing thing and that interesting things can happen when it all goes wrong!

 

[JesusKnowsYou]

I understand where you're coming from, it's just that personal experience has made me wary of such things

Please, allow me ask you something, purely out of curiosity:

Since 2004 I've have a thing that communicates with me by touch and who identifies as God

As a person who believes God does sometimes speak to people (in this day and age) do you think the thing that communicates with me may be God?

If so then why, and if not then why not?

Just out of curiosity of course, I believe the thing that communicates with me is a Tulpa, that I accidentally created in 2004 - see here: Tulpa - Wikipedia

Long story short, I believe this Tulpa thinks it's God

I believe that the human mind is an amazing thing and that interesting things can happen when it all goes wrong!

God may be communicating with you in this way or not. It all depends on what is being communicated and why.

You need to compare your experiences and the ideas communicated to you to the scriptures and you need to pray to see if what you are receiving is truth.

If it turns out that this is a Tulpa, then pray to have it removed.

However, I think we both can agree that your experience should not automatically de-legitimize everyone else's.

Unless, of course, you are also claiming that all the accounts in the Bible about God speaking to people were also experiences with a Tulpa.

 

[Eddi]

It all depends on what is being communicated and why.

It hasn't communicated anything much to me, it affirms various things but that's it

Unless, of course, you are also claiming that all the accounts in the Bible about God speaking to people were also experiences with a Tulpa.

No, I am not claiming this. And also, in the bible, God is (always?) portrayed as external, correct me if I'm wrong? And I think Tulpas manifest themselves as internal rather than external

If it turns out that this is a Tulpa, then pray to have it removed.

I've been doing just that

 

[JesusKnowsYou]

It hasn't communicated anything much to me, it affirms various things but that's it


No, I am not claiming this. And also, in the bible, God is (always?) portrayed as external, correct me if I'm wrong? And I think Tulpas manifest themselves as internal rather than external


I've been doing just that

God can speak to us externally such as with a voice from Heaven, but the scriptures also claim that He can communicate with our spirits through His Holy Spirit which has been described as a "still small voice".

That type of communication would be felt internally because it speaks to your center. Your spirit.

 

[Workman]

Many crazy people claim to have a direct line to God

Crazy people claiming to have a direct line to God are a fairly common thing in this world

However, (as a Christian) I believe God interacts with humankind through the Bible, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, thus negating the need for individuals who have a direct line to him!

I therefore very much doubt the idea that people can have a direct line to God but nonetheless find the idea interesting

But putting this to one side, I have some questions:

Is it possible for a person to have a direct line to God - an extraordinary relationship that's beyond the usual relationship humans have with God?

What would you call a person who truly does have a direct line to God?

And would God ever actually give someone a direct line to him – and if so, why?

I’m not sure how I’d answer these, but I don’t think God would ever communicate with humankind through a person humankind would consider insane: I believe his message is far too important to be placed in the care of schizophrenics

But I’d still be interested to hear how people would answer these three questions of mine, even though I don’t believe God would ever give people a direct line to him!

(as a Christian) I believe that the age humankind is currently in is a post-prophet age, and that although God sent prophets in the past, since Jesus came there has been no need for any further prophets. If someone came to me telling me he or she was a prophet I would demand miracles as proof they were from God – and I bet none of the people in this age who claim to have a direct line to God can perform miracles!

I’d therefore say that such a person (with a direct line to God) would be a prophet, however I do not believe we are in an age of prophets, and would be massively skeptical about anyone claiming to be a prophet – I’d want miracles! So basically, I'd consider a person claiming a direct line to God insane!

I would therefore consider such a person insane, but if I didn't consider them insane I'd say they were a prophet. However, I don't believe we are in an age of prophets. So I'd think they're insane...

Basically, I'd say a person claiming a direct line to God to be a false prophet but not necessarily a malicious false prophet, I'm sure you can get benign false prophets!

When you pray..
Pray to your(SELF)...
For your(SELF) is from God...
Then Him(SELF) WILL give you ‘The Spirit’,
For The Spirit was from the
SELF(your SOUL/Self),
your Soul is GOD.
Your Soul are your feelings...
Your feelings is where God communicates to you..your Soul is what makes you sensitive..sensitive is where you are based from.


God Bliss...You Eddi.