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Heb 1:1 God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the prophets, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things.

2007-04-26 08:19:33 · 28 answers · asked by Jason W 4 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

28 answers

Does God Really Speak Today?

A COLLEGE lecturer walked to the front of the class, prepared to start his lesson. Then he noticed that a student had written something on the blackboard: “QUESTION AUTHORITY!” Without saying a word, the lecturer wrote underneath: “If authority answers, will you listen?”

That is a good question. And it applies with regard to the highest authority of all, Jehovah God. Most would agree that, today, mankind needs help. So many things have gone wrong and are out of control—pollution, overpopulation, widespread starvation, inflation and the ominous threat of nuclear, gas or germ warfare. You may feel: ‘Surely, if God has something to say to mankind, now is a good time for him to say it!’

This is true. But the question has to be asked: If God did speak, who would listen? While man obviously needs guidance, would he accept it if it was offered?

GOD DOES SPEAK

First, though, consider the question, Does God speak to us today? If he does not, our future is bleak. Fortunately, the evidence is that he does. How?

Well, if God really has an important message for mankind, what would be the best way to convey it? ‘By a voice from heaven,’ you might say. That would be an obvious method, true. But would it be the most practical?

A man with long experience in managerial work commented: “When I have important information to pass on, I never do it by word of mouth. I always write it down. In that way there is no confusion afterward.”

This makes sense. If God spoke from the heavens, this would doubtless be very dramatic. But if 1,000,000 people heard him, there would soon be 1,000,000 versions of what he had said. On the other hand, if he were to have his instructions written down, there would be no doubt, later, about what his message was.

However, a written message from God would need to be a very special document. It would have to contain evident godly wisdom, and it would need to be widely available, so that everyone who wanted to could read it. Moreover, it would somehow have to surmount the world’s many language barriers.

Does a document exist that claims to be from God and fulfills these conditions? Yes, there is one, and only one. It is the most widely distributed book in all history, with a circulation of billions of copies. And it is now available, wholly or in part, in 1,710 languages, so that almost any literate person who wants to can read at least a part of it in his own language. What is this document? It is the Bible.

IS THIS REALLY GOD SPEAKING?

How do you react to that information? Do you feel: ‘Oh, no, not the Bible! How could God be speaking today through a book that is so old-fashioned?’

Well, the Bible is, of course, old, because the human race is old, and God has been speaking to mankind for a long time. But is it really old-fashioned? Hardly!

Would you say a book is old-fashioned that foretold thousands of years ago the condition of mankind today, humanity’s fear of the future, the danger of its ruining the whole earth, and even the threats by weapons deep in the sea and in outer space? Yet the Bible does this.—Luke 21:25-28; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Rev. 6:3-8; 11:18.

In days when divorce and marriage breakdown are epidemic, would you say a book is old-fashioned if it contains what has proved to be the most successful marriage counsel ever given? It may not be popular counsel with today’s selfish “me” generation, but it works. And it is written in the Bible.—Eph. 5:21-33.

True, today it is intellectually respectable in some quarters to think of the Bible as merely a collection of myths and folk wisdom. But does this really account for the phenomenon that is the Bible? Thousands of years ago, when it was being compiled, there were books of myths and folk wisdom in existence. Yet they were mostly forgotten as time went by. Some have been reclaimed only recently by archaeologists. Why did the Bible survive although they did not?

During its long history the Bible has overcome extraordinary opposition. Countless copies have been burned. Individuals who tried to make it available to the common man were tortured to death. And for about 200 years, it has been subjected to sustained intellectual attacks by higher critics, evolutionists and modernists. No other book has ever had such antagonistic treatment. Yet the Bible has triumphantly survived and continues to influence the lives of millions of people. Why? Because it is not a mere book of myths and folk wisdom. It truly is God’s message for us.

One young atheist said: “I felt that it didn’t matter whether there was a God or not since I couldn’t see that he was doing anything for mankind.” Then she was challenged to read the Bible and some literature to help her to understand its message. The result? “I was impressed, to say the least, that everything . . . made sense.” Yes, she listened as God spoke, and what he says does make sense.

Toward the end of the 19th century, a noted Bible scholar wrote: “When Columbus discovered the Orinoco river, some one said he had found an island. He replied: ‘No such river as that flows from an island. That mighty torrent must drain the waters of a continent.’ So the depth and power and wisdom and scope of the Bible’s testimony convince us that not man, but the Almighty God, is the author of its plans and revelations.”

We invite you to study the Bible yourself. See if you do not agree that here, indeed, are the thoughts of God himself.

“I will hear what the true God Jehovah will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his loyal ones.”—Ps. 85:8.

please visit www.watchtower.org

2007-04-26 08:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by lynn 2 · 3 0

God, speaks to us today mainly through the Scriptures which were written by men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost on what to write. I also believe God can still speak to us through dreams and prophetic utterances which will reflect that which is found written in the Holy Scriptures. And also through the circumstances of life. Often times we want to hear an audible voice to know that God is still with us, but He wants us to grow up and learn to trust in Him by clinging to the words He has already given us in His Holy Scriptures.

2007-04-26 08:33:25 · answer #2 · answered by biblestudent07 3 · 1 0

Those wordless realizations that fill you full of life and understanding. Through other people that are so blessed. His Holy Spirit testifies to God's written word when you are reading and inquiring. Resist all the forces of the world that pull you into emotion and feeling, then "be still and know that I am Lord"

2007-04-26 08:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

The same today as he ever has, through prophets. Amos 3:7 says "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he brevealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

2007-04-26 08:25:13 · answer #4 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1 0

Nice, JasW; u got some very heart felt answers.
Seems most ppl (that have answered so far),
understand HE does speak to us.
My answer:
Through means of a Son--Matt. 17:5; also,
a Book of Rememberance...Mal.3:16 At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another,each one with his companion, And Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of rememberance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and those thinking upon his name.
I especially liked Lynn's answer; I remember that study.

2007-04-26 10:30:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

God has already spoken, and His words have been miraculously kept for us down through the ages. Now we have the completed canon of scripture, and we need no further miracles to “validate” the Bible

Second, we have within us the Holy Spirit whom God has given to us to “lead us into all truth”/ He speaks to us continually, teaching us,reminding us of all things that Jesus taught, guiding, correcting, and convicting us of sin. God is indeed “speaking” to us today through the Holy Spirit, who is certainly not hidden.

Jesus performed countless miracles, yet the vast majority of people did not believe in Him. If God performed miracles today like He did in the past, the same result would occur. People would be amazed and would believe in God for a short time. That faith would be shallow and would disappear the moment something unexpected or frightening occurred. A faith based on miracles is not a mature faith.

2007-04-26 08:25:37 · answer #6 · answered by Silver 5 · 1 2

Isayah 44:6-8—
6 This is what Yahweh, the King of Israyl, and Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts, says: I am the first, and I am the last, and except for Me there is no source of power!
7 And Who, as I, will foretell, and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things which are coming, and will come, let them foretell them.
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid. Have I not told you from that time, and have declared; You are My witnesses! Is there a source of Power except Me? Truly, there is no other rock; I know not one.

REVELATION 11:3-5—
3 And I will give to My Two Witnesses to perform their prophetic offices, and they will foretell events about the one thousand two hundred and sixty days, those cast about with darkness.
4 These are, as it were, the two olive trees, and, as it were, the two lamps of the seven lamp lampstand, ministering for the Father in the earth.
5 And if any among them determines in his mind to commit sin, The Every Word of Yahweh, like the two-edged sword of fire, proceeds out of the mouth of the spokesman of them, and he devours their enemies; and if any among them should continue to commit sin, in this manner it is binding for him to be destroyed.

Revelation 11:3-5 KJV—
3 And I will give power unto My Two Witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore day, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olives trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

These words, in their original form, do not say that the Two Witnesses will prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. This is a mistranslation which hides the prophecy Yahweh has revealed to His people.

Zec 4:11 ¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What [are] these two olive trees upon the right [side] of the seven lamp lamp stand and upon the left [side] thereof?


Zec 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves?


Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my ruler.


Zec 4:14 Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that minister for the Father of the whole earth.


Isayah 44:1-2—
1 Yet now hear, O Yaaqob My servant, and Yisrayl whom I have chosen,
2 This is what Yahweh says, Who made you and formed you from the womb, Who will help you: Do not be afraid, Yaaqob My servant and Yeshurun; beloved Yisrayl, whom I have appointed.

YOU ARE MY WITTNESSES!

http://www.yahweh.com/TwoWitnesses/twowits.htm

2007-04-26 08:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by YUHATEME 5 · 2 0

Oh God Speaks but not just through the Bible.
God speaks through nature, global warming, terrorism, iraq, Afghanistan, the killing of female foetuses in Asia and Africa, through several voices from several places, through prime time television....
The question is, are you listening?

2007-04-26 08:28:40 · answer #8 · answered by krishna 3 · 1 0

God speaks to us the same as he has done in the past. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He speaks to us through:
- writings of past prophets (e.g., Bible, The Book of Mormon)
- teachings of living prophets
- prayer
- anyone who is inspired by God

2007-04-26 09:03:12 · answer #9 · answered by Bryan Kingsford 5 · 0 1

His still small voice is intuition for me. It takes a little while to get discernment of God's voice. I don't actually hear a voice....but when I get intuition, I do my best to act upon it. Ask God to give u the discernment to hear him and he will grant it to u. I am asking the Lord for more discernment so I hear him more clearly.

God bless U,

Daniel
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2007-04-26 08:34:08 · answer #10 · answered by Third Day 5 · 1 0

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