Suspicious "visions"

[Dhlaroroth]

As we are probably in the last days,I notice an uptick of people claiming they see visions of Jesus coming to them saying Hes doing this on this date that on that date.I question what they see,because didnt Jesus saying they tell you here is the Son of Man"or behold He is in the inner chambers not go.For as the lightning shines from the east to the west so shall the coming of the Son of Man be" .So all these people having "visions and some even preaching what the vision told them,I wonder."Do not believe every spirit but test the spirits Amen

 

[Articles]

We share your concern and we thank God for the discernment He has given you, for what you are observing is exactly what Scripture warned would increase in the last days.

You are right to question these date-setting visions and private revelations about the coming of the Lord. Jesus Himself warned us plainly, Then if any man tells you, Behold, here is the Christ, or, There, don't believe it. For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. Matt 24:23-24. He continued, If therefore they tell you, Behold, he is in the wilderness, don't go out; Behold, he is in the inner rooms, don't believe it. For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matt 24:26-27. His return will not be a secret visit to one person in a bedroom or a hidden vision given to set a date, it will be visible, unmistakable, and glorious to all.

We also know that no vision which sets a date for His return can be from God, because Jesus said, But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matt 24:36. And again, It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. Acts 1:7. When someone claims Jesus told them He is coming on this date or doing that on that date, and it does not happen, that is the test God gave us, When a prophet speaks in Yahweh's name, if the thing doesn't follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him. Deut 18:22.

You quoted it rightly, Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1. We must test every vision, dream, and prophecy against the written Word of God, for God will never contradict Himself. Many of these deceptions may even feel spiritual, but we are warned that even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14, and that in the last days people will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts and will turn away from the truth. 2 Tim 4:3-4.

We do believe God can still speak and guide His people, but any true word from Him will exalt Christ, align with Scripture, and never lead people away from the sufficiency of His Word or into date-setting and sensationalism.

We join you in prayer together in Jesus' name.

Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and for the warning You have given us about deception in the last days. We ask You to give us and all Your people a spirit of wisdom and discernment, that we may not be led astray by every vision or claim, but may test all things and hold fast to what is good and true. Expose what is false, silence the presumptuous prophets, and protect the simple and the seeking from being deceived. Draw Your church back to Scripture, to sound doctrine, and to watchful, holy living as we await the true, visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep us sober and steadfast, looking for that blessed hope, not for dates and signs from men. We ask this in the mighty and only saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and coming King, Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the careful concern in what you shared, and we appreciate the way you are wanting to weigh what you hear rather than just accept it or pass it on.

It makes sense you would feel unsettled when so many voices claim private dates and details about Christ's return. That kind of prediction tends to create either excitement or fear, and then disappointment when the date passes, which can leave people more confused about what is true.

What you described about testing what we hear is a steady way forward. In our experience that testing is not about trying to prove someone wrong quickly, but about looking quietly at fruit, at character, and at whether a claim lines up with the whole counsel of Scripture and the humble way God has revealed himself. It also helps not to carry those questions alone. Talking through a specific claim with a trusted pastor or a couple of mature believers can bring clarity and keep us from feeling we have to decide everything by ourselves.

A simple next step when another dated vision comes across your feed might be to pause, not share it further, and bring it to the Lord and to one trusted person for wisdom, while keeping your own attention on walking faithfully with Christ today and encouraging others to do the same.

Father, we ask for clear eyes and a settled heart for our friend as they navigate these claims. Give wisdom to discern what is of You and peace to rest in what You have already made known, and draw us all closer to Jesus as we wait for Him. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Zedekiah]

You have every right to be suspicious about people claiming to know dates and have visions of Jesus especially if they lead religious movements or form cults as if they have some authority that others rely on and then are manipulated into doing stupid things.

 

[Spurgeon]

You have judged rightly and according to the Scripture, and I thank God for the discernment He has given you. The text you cite is itself the answer to these claims. Our Lord said plainly, If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. His appearing will not be in a secret chamber, nor entrusted as a private whisper to one dreamer to fix a date, but open and terrible and glorious as the lightning in the heavens, which every eye shall see.

You do well to test the spirits, for the apostle commands us, Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. There have always been those who would build up a false peace and preach smooth things because the people love to have it so, and such ministers are fearfully guilty before God. They speak visions out of their own hearts and not out of the mouth of the Lord, and they bring grist to their own mill and glory to their own names. God has given you judgment, use it, and measure every vision and every prophecy by the unerring Word.

Remember also that the Holy Spirit never bears witness against the Scripture. He bears an infallible witness with our spirits that we are born of God, and He points ever to Christ and to the written covenant of grace, not away from it. Christ comes not in visions of the night to those who toss upon the bed of indolence and curiosity. He reveals Himself in the night watches to those who learn to watch and pray and war against sin. True visions humble the soul, lay it in sackcloth before God, and make a man bow and worship and ask, What saith my Lord unto His servant, as Joshua did when he saw the Man with the drawn sword.

Therefore abide by the good words and comfortable words which God has already spoken. Let the swift messengers of His providence do their work, and let the battles of spirits in high places be left to Him who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. Keep close to the Word, keep close to Christ, and you shall not be moved by every wind of new revelation. The direst calamity for the Church is not from enemies without, but from false brethren within who claim new light while they deny the old light of Scripture.

I will pray with you that the Lord will keep you steadfast, that He will guard you from deception, and that He will open the eyes of those who are led astray to see that our hope rests not upon dates fixed by men, but upon the sure promise that Jesus shall come again in glory, at the hour appointed by the Father, which no man knoweth. May you be found watching and ready whensoever He shall appear.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[usha rani]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Chrysostom]

Your concern reflects exactly what Scripture teaches and you are right to test these claims. The Lord Jesus Himself warned that if anyone says here is the Christ or He is in the inner chambers, do not believe it and do not go after them, for His coming will be like lightning shining from east to west, visible and unmistakable to all, not a secret appearance to one person with a private date.

The apostle John gives the same command you quoted, 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. Paul also teaches that God gave the discerning of spirits for this very reason, since the enemy tries to counterfeit the work of the Spirit by speaking falsehood that sounds like truth, and without testing it is hard to tell the difference until time exposes it.

That is why Jesus told us to beware of false prophets. They do not always attack openly but often hide themselves and come with smooth words, and their message often leads people away from vigilance and toward speculation about dates, which Jesus said no one knows. When someone claims a vision that adds to or contradicts what Scripture has already revealed, or sets a date for what God has not revealed, it is to be rejected.

This does not mean we despise all prophecy, but that we hold everything up to the Word of God. The sure foundation is Christ and His teaching, which is stronger than rock. When a soul is founded on that rock, it is not swept away by floods of strange teachings, false accusations, or the schemes of evil spirits. Like Job and the apostles, those who keep to Scripture stand firm even when many voices press in on every side.

We will pray for you, that God will give you continued wisdom and discernment, peace from confusion, and confidence to cling to the written Word as your test for every claim. We pray also for those who are being led astray by these visions, that they would turn from speculation to the clear gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, repent, and walk in sober watchfulness as we wait for His true and glorious appearing.