ChristMasIsALie.com

As of the year 2000, 161 countries (about 88%) of the world’s 188 countries, subscribed to some version of the 3 predominant Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  The comes out to be about 3.3 Billion people in the world, and roughly 55% of the earth’s total population.

The vast majority of these people, if asked if they “knew God”, would very quickly respond in the affirmative because of the brand of their religion, which they are assured by their religious leaders, qualifies them for the affirmative answer by virtue of their chosen religion.  (By virtue of the fact that they are “Christian”, or “Muslim” or “Jewish”) in terms of their religious preference. (Thus they “know God”)  And this “belief” paradigm has existed for, in some cases, for hundreds and even thousands of years. To know this “religion” (which ever brand it is) is to “know God” by default.  But is that really “the truth”?

But if we define the term “know God” to mean actually know something other than know one’s religious “dogma” and “affiliation”… if we define the term “know God” to mean “know” like we would know a person, by speaking with them personally, and interacting with them personally, then a very strange fact will begin to surface.

Because what is amazing about this figure of 3.3 Billion people on earth, is that for the overwhelming vast majority of all these “theistic” people, they also (simultaneously) hold to a doctrine, known as “cessationism”. 

“Cessationism” is the belief that God, while continuing to exist as God did in the past, (as spoken of in their “Sacred texts”) no longer communicates with any human beings, anywhere on earth, (as spoken of in their “Sacred texts” in the past), except by way of “religious lectures” by their “religious leaders” or reading in their “sacred book”, which they give the title of, “The Word of God” to, by way of extension. "The word of God" is a phrase that has become synonymous with a "sacred text", Christian, Jewish or Muslim.  But what is "ironic" about that usage, is that nowhere in these "sacred texts" (Christian, Jewish or Muslim) is that phrase used in that manner.

Which seems like an amazing contradiction. (Because it is) But despite the fact it is an incredibly amazing contradiction, it has become so normalized, standardized, and institutionalized, that it is considered “the norm” for almost all traditional “Theists” on earth, all 3.3 Billion of them. And that’s an awful lot of “Theists”, who are not even on a “speaking basis” with God.

Most “religious leaders” of this 3.3 billion people on earth, will literally laugh at the idea that God would “speak” to anyone, despite the fact they swear their allegiance to some religious figure (from the past) who built their entire religious tradition on precisely that. And yet, they will never see the “contradiction” of that belief.

In many parts of the world, “hearing God” is still viewed as a “political act”, that is interpreted as “sedition”, “heresy” or even “blasphemy”.  Such language could result in the imprisonment, or even execution, of not only yourself, but your entire circle of family and friends. And yet “religious leaders” in these parts of the world, who would enforce such laws, would never see the “contradiction”.

But there was a place, among these 3.3 billion theists, that had a theological paradigm or framework, for knowing God, in this manner. (The very same manner he was known by all the ancient theists in their same sacred texts), still using the very same words and terminology, seeking the very same experiences today, that was had, thousands of years ago. That theological tradition, also helped give birth to the founding of America.

For centuries, it was believed, that it was because of that theological tradition, that much of the progress concerning “freedom” emerged, from the Plymouth Puritans, to the Quaker abolitionists, calls for freedom, progress and equality were made, often inspired by, and thought to be directly guided by, the act of “hearing God” …from William Penn, to Harriet Tubman, “Hearing God” was not considered a theological “deviancy”, but a required expectation, available to anyone who wanted to either know, or serve, the true God of heaven. But did you know, according to the Bible…

The term “word of God” or one of its variants, such as “the word of the Lord” is referenced over 250 times in the Bible. Not once (not 1 time) is it used of anything written by men. Not a single time. And what it does refer to, most clergy in the world, refuse to “accept”. Why?

CONTENTS

I               DEFINITIONS IN HEBREW AND GREEK (Not a “book” but a “speech”/”speaking”)

II            “THE WORD OF GOD” IN OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT (Not a “book”)

III           “THE WORD OF THE LORD” IN OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT (Not a “book”)

IV           “THE VOICE OF THE LORD”  (Not a “book”, never said to “end”, or “pass away”)

V             KEY CONCEPT TEXTS

VI           ARTICLE

From H1696; a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause: - act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), + because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune (-ication), + concern [-ing], + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, [evil favoured-] ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, [no] thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some [uncleanness], somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what [-soever], + wherewith, which, word, work.

Total KJV occurrences: 1438

From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

Total KJV occurrences: 330

1Sa 9:27 KJV -  And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.  (No “Bible” in existence)

1Ki 12:22 KJV -  But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, (No “Bible” in existence)

1Ch 17:3 KJV -  And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, (No “Bible” in existence)

Pro 30:5 KJV -  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (More than 1)

Mar 7:13 KJV -  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Pharisees taught God “no longer spoke”)

Luk 3:2 KJV -  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (No “Bible” in existence)

Luk 4:4 KJV -  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (More than 1, notice the distinction between “it is written” and “every… word of God”)

Luk 5:1 KJV -  And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, (Not something written)

Luk 8:11 KJV -  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (Not something written)

Luk 8:21 KJV -  And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. (Something “heard”, not “read”, not a reference to the Torah or Tanakh)

Luk 11:28 KJV -  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Something “heard”)

Joh 10:35 KJV -  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (Something that “came” to them)

Act 4:31 KJV -  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. ; (Something “spoken”)

Act 6:2 KJV -  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Act 6:7 KJV -  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Something that “increased”)

Act 8:14 KJV -  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (Samaria already had the Torah)

Act 11:1 KJV -  And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. (Gentiles already had the Septuagint)

Act 12:24 KJV -  But the word of God grew and multiplied. (“Books” do not “grow”)

Act 13:5 KJV -  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Act 13:7 KJV -  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. (not “read” or have “read”)

Act 13:44 KJV -  And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. (not “read” or have “read” [not the Torah or Tanakh])

Act 13:46 KJV -  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (not “read” or have “read”)

Act 17:13 KJV -  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

(not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

Act 18:11 KJV -  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Act 19:20 KJV -  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

Rom 9:6 KJV -  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

Rom 10:17 KJV -  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

1Co 14:36 KJV -  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

2Co 2:17 KJV -  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

2Co 4:2 KJV -  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

Eph 6:17 KJV -  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah. It is called something of the “Spirit” [non-physical])

Col 1:25 KJV -  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

1Th 2:13 KJV -  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

1Ti 4:5 KJV -  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.(Not a “book”)

2Ti 2:9 KJV -  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. (“Books” are “bound”)

Tit 2:5 KJV -  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Not a “book”)

Heb 4:12 KJV -  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (“Books” are inanimate, not “interactive”)

Heb 6:5 KJV -  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (“word of God” compared to a “power”)

Heb 11:3 KJV -  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (No “Bible” in existence)

1Pe 1:23 KJV -  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (Beyond the physical existence of a  “Bible”)

2Pe 3:5 KJV -  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (No “Bible” in existence)

1Jn 2:14 KJV -  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (Not a physical “Bible”)

Rev 1:2 KJV -  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Not a physical “Bible”)

Rev 1:9 KJV -  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Not a physical “Bible”)

Rev 6:9 KJV -  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (Not a physical “Bible”)

Rev 19:13 KJV -  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Not a physical “Bible”)

Rev 20:4 KJV -  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Not a physical “Bible”)

Gen 3:8 KJV -  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Gen 3:10 KJV -  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Gen 22:18 KJV -  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Gen 26:5 KJV -  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Exo 5:2 KJV -  And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exo 15:26 KJV -  And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Exo 19:5 KJV -  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Exo 19:19 KJV -  And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

Exo 23:21 KJV -  Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

Exo 23:22 KJV -  But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Num 14:22 KJV -  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Deu 4:36 KJV -  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

Deu 5:24 KJV -  And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

Psa 29:3 KJV -  The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

Psa 29:4 KJV -  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Psa 29:5 KJV -  The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

Psa 29:7 KJV -  The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

Psa 29:8 KJV -  The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

Psa 29:9 KJV -  The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

Psa 68:33 KJV -  To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

Psa 95:7 KJV -  For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Psa 103:20 KJV -  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Isa 6:8 KJV -  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isa 30:30 KJV -  And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

Isa 30:31 KJV -  For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

Isa 31:4 KJV -  For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

Jer 7:23 KJV -  But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Jer 7:28 KJV -  But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jer 10:13 KJV -  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Jer 11:4 KJV -  Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

Jer 11:7 KJV -  For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

Jer 18:10 KJV -  If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jer 25:30 KJV -  Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

Jer 38:20 KJV -  But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.

Jer 40:3 KJV -  Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

Jer 42:6 KJV -  Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Jer 42:13 KJV -  But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,

Jer 42:21 KJV -  And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.

Jer 43:4 KJV -  So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.

Jer 43:7 KJV -  So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.

Jer 44:23 KJV -  Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.

Jer 51:16 KJV -  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Eze 10:5 KJV -  And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

Eze 43:2 KJV -  And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

Dan 4:31 KJV -  While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Dan 10:9 KJV -  Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Joe 2:11 KJV -  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Joe 3:16 KJV -  The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Amo 1:2 KJV -  And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

Joh 10:4 KJV -  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5 KJV -  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:16 KJV -  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 10:27 KJV -  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Act 10:13 KJV -  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Act 10:15 KJV -  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Act 11:7 KJV -  And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

Act 11:9 KJV -  But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Act 22:7 KJV -  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Act 22:14 KJV -  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Act 26:14 KJV -  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Heb 3:7 KJV -  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Heb 3:15 KJV -  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Heb 4:7 KJV -  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Rev 1:10 KJV -  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Rev 3:20 KJV -  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Luk 4:4 KJV -  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (More than 1, notice the distinction between “it is written” and “every… word of God”)

Luk 8:21 KJV -  And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. (Something “heard”, not “read”, not a reference to the Torah or Tanakh)

Rom 10:17 KJV -  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (not a reference to the Tanakh or Torah)

2Ti 2:9 KJV -  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. (“Books” are “bound”)

Heb 11:3 KJV -  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (No “Bible” in existence)

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Gen 15:1 KJV -  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.(Came “in a vision”)

Gal_3:9  So then they which be of faith (in “the word of God”) are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Religious leaders, who seem to be “very religious” on the “outside”, but do not really know God personally (on the inside), excuse the absence of God’s reality in their life, by claiming “God no longer speaks to people”. Thus the ABSENCE of God in their life, is “normalized” for all. And unfortunately, it is held up, to the public, as the “standard”.

And if anyone says they do “hear God speak”, then “they are crazy”.  But the fact is, what is actually crazy, is to dedicate your life to a book, that is filled with not only instructions on how to “hear God”, but even “commands” to do so. And then pretend God no longer does it. That is truly the definition of “crazy”.

It is also extremely illogical and hypocritical to say the least. If God has “stopped talking”, then “Cessationists” religious leaders should shut up too. Because to talk, when it is no longer God’s will to do so, would really be a sin. It is not “doing” as God is “doing”.

But “Cessationists” religious leaders always have a mouthful of words to speak, for God, who apparently became a mute, a couple of thousand years ago. (As soon as he finished writing the same “book” that says he will speak for eternity)

The truth of the matter is, that God’s “voice” (a metaphor for God’s “speaking”) is promised in the Scripture, to never “stop talking” eternally. God not only is speaking right now, he will “speak” forever. And not only does he “speak” right now, he “speaks” to everything in creation, from the stars in the heavens, to all the creatures here on earth, “God’s voice” is always “speaking”. (To all things, including you. Right now)

But the question is, have you been taught the “discipline” of “hearing God” or have you been told by “Cessationists” religious leaders, who do not really know God personally, that there is nothing to learn about that subject? For most people, it is the latter. That is why most people do not understand either the concept or the discipline, of “hearing God”. 

Most people have been taught, there is nothing there to “hear”, because that is the personal testimony (and experience) of their own religious leaders. But these “religious leaders” are simply wrong. And there have been a people in the earth since the beginning of time, that have heard the words of God spoken. And they are still in the earth today. You could be, one of these people. 

All that is required from you, is “faith” in God’s word. Most people who venerate the Scriptures think they already “have faith” in “God’s word”.  But that is a misconception, created on purpose by religious hypocrites, who do not have “the word of God”. All they have is “the Bible”, and since most of the “Bible” talks about “hearing the word of God”, they have to come up with something that fits that description. That technique is called “replacement”.

Otherwise they have to confess to their religious followers, they do not “have the word of God”. And therefore, they should shut up, and stop talking. (And no one should be listening to them “speak”) 

But, this would shut down the religion “businesses” and leave them without “money”. (Which is not an acceptable option)  So they “continue to talk” long after their God, has gone stone cold quiet.

The Bible is a very important book. For learning to “hear God”, it is what historians call, “the primary source documentation”. People can “write books” on “hearing God” today, but they are not the “authoritative source” on how that is supposed to happen.  And there is a “skill set” that must be learned. (That is what the Bible teaches) It also however, teaches, it is a “gift” that God must give you. Because if God chooses not to “say anything” to you, you cannot have it. And that experience is written about in the Bible too. It is caused by “sin”.

“Sin” cuts us off from “hearing God speak”.  That is why hypocritical religious leaders, do not (and actually cannot) hear him. Their “sin” is publicly exposed by God, who refuses to “speak to them”.  Thus their belief, “God does not speak”. Because that has been their own personal “religious experience”.  And there is a reason that is the case, it is called “sin”.

But “sin” does not have to be the end of “hearing God”. All that a person must do to “hear God” again, is “confess their sin” and “repent”.  Which can be done by anyone, anywhere, in 2 seconds. And God “speaks” again. But if you never “confess” your sin, and never “repent”, then eventually God stops speaking to you, because it “grieves” the Holy Spirit.  There is a “separation” from God that takes place.

Learning to “hear God” is very very simple. But because it has been defamed with so much intentional “misinformation”, there are layers upon layers of false “beliefs” that have to be stripped away, in a novice “disciple”.  And the “disciple” must be “serious” about wanting to learn (from God), rather than men. Only God can actually teach you how to “hear him”.

And because the “disciple” will experience the pains of learning a new skill, it is compared to being a “baby”.  At first all a newborn can do, is cry for “milk”. But if the newborn receives the “milk” it will grow, and eventually become a “toddler” when it learns to start “walking” on its own.    It will not learn to “walk” without “mistakes”. It will miss a step and fall down on it’s behind. But eventually, (with practice), the toddler will learn to keep it’s balance, and walk. 

That is what happens to a novice, learning to hear the “word of God”.  “Hearing God” can happen right away, as soon as you “have faith”. That is what is meant, by the phrase, being “born-again” by “the word of God”.  Hearing the “word of God”, is what causes the spiritual “new birth” and it “never passes away”.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (Now you know)

Once you “hear God speak to you” for the first time in your life, it is the birth of a whole new way of life. And everything in this new way of life, is new.  That is why it is compared to the birth of a child.

Through growth and experience, the child will eventually become a fully mature adult. And that is the goal of growing, in this new way of life.

 While it is clear in the New Testament that “hearing God” is a“gift” that only God “speaking to you” can bestow, …

…it is also clear that it is a “gift” that grows in proportion to a “skill-set” learned through the discipline of “experience” over time.  

The term by which “individual” followers of Christ were most often called, as an “individual”, was “disciple”.  It was on the foundation of “discipleship” to Christ, that every other term beyond that, followed.

Collectively, in a local area, they were referred to as the “ecclesia” in that area.  But “ecclesia” as a corporate term, required more than 1. “Ecclesia” implied more than 1 “disciple” existed there. 

So why does all that matter? Because the reason “hearing God” was pushed out of the religious lives of “Christians”, was because of the rise of the ecclesiastical “Bishop”, their “Thrones” of “authority”, and their claim to “speak” on God’s “behalf” (because he no longer could). If that claim was fundamentally “false”, so was the entire “construct” of their “theology”. (And it was)

If you had 1 disciple in an area, they were not referred to as “ecclesia”, but rather as “a disciple”.  “Ecclesia(s)” were always spoken of, in terms of “households of faith”, out of which an “ecclesia” would be based.  

Among the “ecclesia”, there would be an original “disciple” who through their work, established a “household of faith”. Which then spread to other “households”, which in turn became “households of faith” in their own rights.  

“Disciples” did not have the luxury of “elders, bishops or deacons”. These things came later with the establishment of an “ecclesia” in their area.  And when you look at the original Greek terms for “elders” and “bishops” you discover they were simply the early heads of “households of faith”. “Elder” and “bishop” in reality, being a reference to the same exact thing.

All families in homes, have an “elder”. [Someone who is ‘the oldest”] That is the natural organic structure of all “families” in all “homes”, and that is also how and why, these terms were really used in the New Testament. It was simply extended to application in the “spiritual sense” as well.  A family, tribe, city, or nation’s “elders” were its “older ones”,  just as it is used today. The “elders” of any society, is simply a reference to it’s oldest, and therefore, wisest counsel. Just as it is understood today, in modern usage.  The same was true in the New Testament. Elders were “olders”, not ecclesiastical “clerics”, with government endowed “thrones”.

Notice how the English word “Church” is applied in the KJV to a pagan Greek temple.  The original usage of the Greek term “Ecclesia” was not a reference to a “Temple” with an institutional hierarchy containing “thrones” in which to be occupied by lavishly compensated authoritative government officials.  That was precisely the “ecclesiology” of the “pagan Roman empire”

The people themselves were the only temple God ever desired to “live in”.  And it was the only temple he commanded the support and maintenance of, in the New Covenant. “God does not live in temples made with hands” is how Stephen ended “the gospel to the Jews”, and how Paul began “the gospel to the Gentiles”. It featured prominently in both messages.

But this quaint view of New Testament ecclesiology was purposefully replaced with “temples” and “kingdoms” and “thrones” demanding monetary tributes from its conquered subjects, beginning with the Nicolaitan “celibate” Bishops in Antioch. The “voice” of God, and the “word of God”, were intentionally nullified and “replaced”. 

Copies of the Biblical texts held in personal possession were confiscated across the empire, and anyone possessing this “illegal knowledge” could be imprisoned or executed for possessing illegal “contraband”.

There was in essence, no need for God’s opinion about anything in this new ecclesiastical kingdom, begun just for him. God, now wishing to have an opinion about anything, was disrespectful of the authority of his very own Bishops that assured him,

he had appointed, to speak for him.

If God was still speaking, what was the point of the “Bishop”? who speaks “for him”? What is the point of the “tribute” that is paid to him? to do this? What is the point of his great “knowledge” of Latin, in which all the “secret words of God” are kept safe from common eyes and are judiciously doled out to the public, only when absolutely needed? Cherry-picked for exactly what the “Bishop” wishes to say through his occasional appeals to them?

The “voice of God” did nothing but create problems for these “Bishops” and undermine their “claims” for servitude and tribute payments. So very early on, soon after the Apostles were “gone”, (originating in Antioch) the idea that “God” no longer “spoke” to anyone was born out of necessity in ecclesiastical history.  But, ironically, it wasn’t actually based on any of those “secret words” they read in their secret Latin magic holy book, though. But who knew otherwise? 

The claim that God had discontinued his discourse with humanity, was not presented as a “option”. It was “enforced” through criminal legal statute codified into law by the State. So making any reference to anything that “God” may have communicated to you, in any way shape or form, could have resulted in a declaration of “insanity” (prescribed by the Theodosius Codex), a prison sentence, or even an execution. (Depending on the “mood” of the Nicolaitan “Bishops” sitting in their “thrones” on that day).

(So naturally “God” quit speaking, at least as far as “the Bishops” were concerned). And they were correct, God had stopped “speaking” (to them). But, then again, he had never “spoken with them”, to begin with.  So it wasn’t really “accurate”, that God ever “stopped speaking”.

As you have seen in previous discussions, the Chronicle of Zuqnin noted the fact that the Nicolaitan “Christian” Bishops in

Antioch, weren’t even considered “Christian” by the common people in Antioch. They were described as malicious violent “tyrants”.

For over a thousand years, the celibate Nicolaitans who emerged from Antioch as these “Bishops” in their “thrones”, enjoyed the unquestioned tributary, given to them from their conquered subjects.

Until the words in their “secret book” were one day translated into the common speech of the masses. And all of a sudden, people realized there were no words in their “secret Latin book” that even justified their existence. Their wealth and splendor and absolute authority became the subject of anger and public mockery.

Many of those doing the mocking, had themselves been “Bishops” in “thrones” who suddenly realized they had unwittingly become part of one of the greatest deceptions in the world. They wished to repent.  Despite their “status” as “Bishops”.

And so, the Reformation was born. When the Reformation came, there were so many things that had been corrupted and changed and lost to “the Ecclesia”, that all “Reformers” had to “pick” from among the garbage heap of medieval Theology, what had to be “repaired” first.

The Lutheran movement focused on what logically would seem to be the most important issue, which was the question of “salvation”. There were nothing about “Bishops” in the role of salvation. The Lutherans discovered that “Bishops” could neither grant, nor withhold anyone’s salvation, as a result of their “magic”. (Known as “sacerdotalism” in Theology)

Salvation was a gift from God. And it was given to anyone anywhere anytime, as a result of “faith”.  But there was still a place for “bishops”, to tell people what to think, by reading and explaining to them, the words that had been translated from the “secret Latin book”.  In fact, the “secret Latin book” was really… the “word of God”. (Not the Pope).

It was the primary source documentation of what had been “originally accepted” and “Apostolic”.  While there is no controversy over the fact that the Scriptures DO teach they are “INSPIRED”, they never call themselves by the phrase “The Word of God” because the Scriptures do not teach the claim, God has ever stopped talking to his creation. Not even those parts of it, we today consider “inanimate”.  God is STILL speaking to his creation.

If the words of the document are supposed to be the “final authority”, but the “final authority” itself says it is not the “Word of God”, then what do the now “married” and repented Bishops do, to justify and explain their existence? That question was never answered. To fill in the blank, most Protestant “Churches” simply assimilated their previous “Catholic” theology on the question, inherited from the original celibate Nicolaitan “Bishops” (voila, God no longer “speaks”).  

But this claim was never really seriously scrutinized. It was just assumed such was the case. It was argued “logically” that if the “secret

Latin book” was not the “word of God”, then the Papacy was “back in business” and no one wanted that. 

God hasn’t changed. People have, and their “laws” have, and their “culture” has, and their “beliefs” have. But that is all. Not “God”. Metaphorically speaking, God still has a “mouth”. And it is still “heard” by people who have “ears to hear”. The same as it has always been. Big problems are created when we abuse the Scriptures in ways that the Scriptures themselves do not endorse. If we build an idol in our living room in the shape of a big Bible and pray to it every day, even though our intent may be to “honor the Scriptures”, the exaggeration and idolatry involved will hardly do so.

We cannot “honor” someone or something, by making up flattering lies about them, that we “think” they would like. It is disrespectful, more than it is honoring. We “honor” God and his “Word” to us, by saying what he says about them. Not by “inventing things” about them, we think in our flesh and finite intelligence, would be “a good idea”. The greatest “honor” we can give to God, his Messiah and the Scriptures, are to speak of them, as he does, without additions and subtractions, no more and no less.  That is what is required by the phrase “The Word Of God”, as it is actually taught in the Scriptures.

How is “God heard”? “God’s word” is a euphemism or idiomatic expression, for information that is intuitively received, when an individual is “focused” on God. 

"God speaks" inside you.  The "voice you hear" inside you speaking, will sound like your own voice. But it will not be you, speaking it. It was what psychologists call "self-talk", except it is not your "self" that is doing the talking, it is God. So while it may sound like you, what it says will not be something that comes from you. It will tell you things, you had no way of knowing.

The biggest challenge in learning to "hear God" is learning the difference between your "self" and "God", that is why the greater the distinction, the easier it will be to "hear God speak".  If you "conflate your own ego" with "God", there will be NO DISCERNMENT between the two. And you will NEVER be able to know which is which. That is why "Humility" is THE KEY that will unlock the gift.

When people begin to "learn how" to hear God, they will often ask the question, was that "God" or "just my imagination"? That is actually the wrong thing to ask. Because it is ALWAYS "just your imagination". But sometimes it is "just" your "VAIN IMAGINATION", and sometimes it is A VISION from GOD.  Since they both "occur" through "the imagination", asking if it is your "imagination" is the wrong question. The question is, was that "imagination" produced by God, or was it produced by your "self" (as in a "Vain Imagination"), i.e., "empty","void","useless".

God gives the person “pictures” (visions) that pop into their head, or “feelings” that they sense in their heart (impressions), or even dreams at night after they fall asleep praying about something.

A “word” or “phrase” or even “paragraph” that repeatedly comes while in prayer. All these things, are the amazingly simple ways, in which “God speaks” to us. It is not like the movie productions made by Holly-wood. The simplicity of how God speaks to us, is what keeps most from recognizing it is him speaking.

When “God” wants to “give you a call”, this is how he does it.  This is “God’s telephone” to you, and he put all the parts to his personal “telephone to you” right inside you, so you would never lose them. (How perfect is that?!?)

The “discipline” in “hearing God” really is about the way you manage how you recognize it has happened, (or hasn’t), and what do you do with it then. How do you come to know the difference between your own “vain imagination”, and God’s “voice” or “word”?

Surprisingly, one of the “biggest sins” in the whole Bible was “vain imagination” but most people do not even know it has a proper function? It’s proper function? It is how we “hear God”. 

The “thoughts” are produced by the “heart”. And the “imagination” translates those “thoughts” into “visual” and “verbal” feedback. Or in other words, “God’s voice”.

You don’t “imagine” things, you really don’t want to hear about anyway. Unless you have a psychological complex of some kind that always goes contrary against yourself.

But the “self” in the “imagination”, on the other hand is arrogant and loud. It knows everything. It always wants to talk. It is always busy with vanities. And everything it will tell you, to crowd out the place of God speaking to you, will end up false. Untrue. So, time will always expose, which one has metaphorically “spoken”. And this is what you learn only from “experience”.

As you live a “life” of “hearing God”. You learn your own sign posts, about which one you are seeing at the moment. You learn your own “techniques” on how to “be still before God” and wait “patiently upon him”. This process is not like a “Coke Machine” where you put in a quarter and out pops a “coke”. 

It is a “relationship” and you must learn the way of the other person. In this case, it is God. But you can learn to “hear God” the same way anyone you read about in the Bible did. That is why they are there to be read about. And the whole point, of reading about them, to begin with. Your relationship with God, includes his mouth AND his ears. It is the “promise” of the New Covenant.

“Cessationists” who seek to malign and discredit the Scripture’s teaching on the subject of “hearing God”, often do so by pointing to extreme examples of the mentally ill who commit some horrific crime of violence, and claim to have done so because “God told them” to do it. Such examples are held up to the public as prime evidence why “hearing God is dangerous” and should never be done. It is also “reported” as a major feature of such stories.

But they rarely follow-up those reports, when the same mentally ill subject later says, God did not really tell them to do that. (Which frequently happens) They only report the initial claim.  Just as when any act of “violence” occurs, and the subject is of the “Islamic faith”, their faith is reported. But when the perpetrator is for example of the “Christian” or “Catholic” faith, it is never reported. (And statistically, the majority of “domestic terrorism” has been actually carried out by right-wing extremists who were “Christians”)

And, if you are attempting to really “be fair” (which they never really are), you would have to compare all “violent incidents”, and break them into 2 categories. Those who did so, (1) NOT claiming to hear “God”, versus, those who did so (2) “Claiming to hear God”. And then “conclude” which these two “groups” produced MORE acts of “violence”? And then, based on an actual real statistical comparison, conclude WHICH GROUP was “More” likely to “commit an act of violence”.(Scientifically)

The fact is, the group NOT claiming to “Hear God” would be the larger group, statistically, and therefore would produce more “acts of violence” (so would it be fair to conclude then, that anyone not “Hearing God” is prone to insane acts of violence?) Of course it would not. But when you are confronting “religious bigotry” and “propaganda” fairness is rarely a consideration.  The “appeal” to these very rare examples in "public media", is really the propagation of a dominant religious mythology to justify “cessationism”. 

In the Scriptures, "hearing" the "word of God" was the "normal human experience". It was the "goal" of "discipleship". It was considered a "human right", and something freely given to any, who would  simply be willing to "seek to find", or "ask to recieve".  It was not "special", in the sense that it was reserved for "spiritual elites". It was the promise to "every believer", from the day of their "spiritual birth". And it is your "right"  as well.  You were 'created" to hear "the word of God". There is no valid reason to continue living your life, without "experiencing it", for yourself.  That was the whole point of "becoming a Christian" to begin with.

2. PRECEDENT - (Example) Biblical precendent is a concept that is very similiar to the concept in any legal system. If a situation occured previously, the way it was "interpreted" , had already "set the precedent", and been followed.  Verifying what was really God speaking, versus a person's subjective claims, would be matched against "precedents" in the Scriptures. So obviously, knowing those "precendents" helped the "disciple" to undertand and interpret his "experience".

3. PRINCIPLE - When there is not an exact "precendent", there is the application of an underlying "principle". "Principle" provides objective definitions of the over-all "way" or "spirit" or "nature" of something.

4. PROPHETIC ACCURACY - Foresight of future scenarios, should be "accurate" and "real".

Understanding that "God spoke" to "all things", including even "the heathen", was the basis of the entire "theological paradigm" of the Scriptures, in both the Old and New Testaments.  The stories of Daniel and Joseph, accurately "interpreting" the dreams of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament, and even the prophecy given to Balaam concerning Israel and their Messiah, demonstrated that God spoke to everyone, including the "heathen", but often, only those who "knew him", understood the speech.  This "speaking" to the heart of human kind, is in the Scriptures, the "glory" of "the word of God".

THE RELIGION OF THE WORD OF GOD

I don't care what label you are, or what religion that you claim,

For if you deny my voice, I shall deny your name.

I AM today, as I was back then, and I AM speaking still.

Those who refuse to hear me speak, refuse my very will.

There is but one true religion, and one that has always been,

That the still small, voice of God, speaks to the heart within.

From the father to the prophet, from the spirit to the son,

This is the great religion, in which all of these were one.

Ask the bird for which religion it sings,

And ask the bee for which it makes its honey.

Ask the Sun for which religion it rises,

Or, for which one is it Sunny?

Ask what religion is the earth and trees,

Upon which religion does it dew?

Ask the water in the mighty river,

Which religion it runs to?

Ask the stars up in the sky,

For which religion are they bright?

Ask the Moon, for which religion does it darken,

Or upon which religion does it shine?

Ask the mountain for which religion it stands,

And the valley for which one has it bowed.

Ask the sky for which religion is it blue,

Or, For which one does it cloud?

Ask the ocean to which religion does it wave,

For which one does it ebb and flow?

Ask the wind for which religion it swirls,

Upon which religion does it blow?

For this is the religion in which I AM, and this is the only one that’s true,

And this is the religion that I made, and I have put inside of you.

This is the only religion I created, and from eternal life does spring,

And this is the religion of the tree of life, and the truth of everything.

Hearing God speak, can (and will) happen in an "instant".  Learning to be a "disciple" of "the word of God" however, is a skill set that will take a "life-time".  But it is a skill-set that is a worthy investment, because there is no greater experience a person can have, than knowing they have heard God speak to them. It is the greatest experience any human can have. And it's rewards, are survival itself, both physically and spiritually.  There is no "religion" on earth, greater than this.  That is why Christ said...

This is how, we are "supposed to live" (every day)... by becoming a "disciple" of "the word of God".