2 Peter 1:19-21 – 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Joel 2:28-29,32a – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days… And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…”
John 10:25-30 – 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Bill comes to visit Joe at Joe’s house. It was a downpour outside. Joe gave Bill a hug and invited him in. They are brothers. Bill noticed that all of the curtains in the house were drawn closed. In the entryway, Bill observed an open Bible. Also, in the living room and the kitchen, in fact, in every room, were opened Bibles. Bill smiled as he considered Joe’s great love for the Word of God. After Joe had made and brought out hot tea for the both of them, along with pastries, they sat in the living room by a blazing fire. It was then that Joe noticed that Bill’s clothes were wet. Joe asked Bill why his clothes were wet. Bill laughed and told him that there was good rain falling and Joe would have known that if all his curtains were not drawn closed. Joe quickly asked again why Bill was wet. Bill thought Joe was kidding, but repeated that he was wet from the falling rain. Joe’s next words worried Bill as he again inquired why Bill was wet and added “If it were raining, then I would be wet.” Bill paused for a moment, he was trying to understand what was going on. He said “Joe, it’s raining outside.” Joe responded back “Nonsense, if it were raining, I would know. You know I live in this neighborhood too and it were raining then I would also be wet. Bill asked if Joe had been outside lately. Joe said that he had not and then repeated that if it were raining, then he would certainly know. Bill was wondering what could be behind what Joe was saying. Bill smiled at Joe and said “Come with me Joe, let’s go out the door and you shall see the rain. Joe declined. Joe said he had no need to step outside. Joe reminded Bill that he was a meteorologist so he understood weather and so he certainly knows if it is raining or not. Bill then said to Joe “Well if you will not believe me that it is raining, and you will not come outside so that I can prove it, then at least let me open the curtains so that you may look out of the window and see that it is raining.” Joe told Bill to leave the curtains as they are. Joe was getting upset with Bill. He told Bill that they should just change the subject because Bill was obviously not sharing why He was wet. He told Bill that if Bill had been rained upon then he would also have been rained upon. He said that since he had not been rained upon, then that is proof that it was not raining. Bill agreed with Joe to just change the subject. He knew that both Joe and he agreed that brothers should dwell in peace.
God has spoken to men and women as long as there have been men and women. Sometimes He speaks audibly, sometimes through signs and wonders, sometimes by scriptures. Except during a dark time between the Old Testament and New Testament, God has always spoken to His people. Always He has always spoken His people from different walks of life. Look at your Bible. God communicates to us in whatever manner He deems best. Always has been that way. That has not changed just as God does not change (Numbers 23:19).
Gideon received signs, Samuel physically heard the Lord speak to Him, Daniel records that a finger wrote on a wall, Balaam’s donkey spoke to Him, Jonah knew God’s will was certain when he was swallowed by a great fish, Moses was spoken to from a bush that was burning but not consumed. God has communicated through dreams and visions both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Peter writes that the scriptures have been received as God spoke to men through the Holy Spirit. Joel wrote that in the last days, in our times, God would pour forth His Spirit to sons and daughters and they would prophesy. God is clearly saying this would happen in the latter days. In our time. God has clearly said through His scriptures, using men “carried along” by the Spirit,that we would, as the Spirit who lives within us moves, prophesy in the last day (Not write scripture, but speak as God leads.) Joel clearly writes that some of us will dream dreams and see visions as led by the Lord. Jesus said in an unequivocal way those who are His sheep will know His voice. Yet people preach that God does not speak to us and we cannot hear God speak to us. At least not audibly. How outrageous! They think and say that because they are not wet and they refuse to witness the rain. They need to go outside and get wet! People, don’t let anyone tell you that the scriptures do not say what they clearly say. Do not let them tell you that they understand and you don’t. Don’t let them tell you that you need a mediator so that God can express Himself to you (1 Timothy 2:5). You have no need for a mediator, the veil is ripped in two the Holy Spirt lives with and speaks to us (1 John 2:27, Hebrews 8:10-12). There is no scripture that says that God no longer speaks to us. None. Men may use eisegesis to arrive at the conclusion, but they will never do it by exegesis. How arrogant a position it is to say what (other than what the scripture clearly states) God will do, or can do, and what He will not and cannot. In order to state that, outside of clear scripture, one must be omniscient. Family, only God is omniscient. If God says that He will continue to talk to us and that we will know when He does, don’t believe the man who has not gotten wet. Instead, go out and get wet. God has not changed and does not change (Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17). Not ever. It is essential to our faith and hope that He does not change. He has always communicated to His own and still does. Our loving Father, our dear Savior and Lord, and the precious Holy Spirit of God that lives within, speaks to us. What loving parent doesn’t? Yes, in many different ways He communicates to us. Some hear an audible voice. Some never hear an audible voice but receive God’s message to them by discerning when God is communicating through their thoughts. He communicates with us through our pastors and other people. Of course, He communicates to all of us through His scripture. In fact, all other forms of communication must stand the test of being verified in scripture. But people, God is pouring forth His Spirit on all of us. He loves us and is talking to us. Open your windows, go outside and get wet. The rain is good and standing in it is wonderful. Trust the Word of God. God is talking to us and we can know that, if we want to. Know the joy of getting wet! Praise our good and gracious God who loves us so! Get wet! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.