Joel 2:28

[Sunrunner]

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pout out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 (KJV)

Why don't we see the gift of prophecy manifest in the Church like we see it throughout the Bible? I have never met or met anyone who has met, someone who has experienced a prophetic dream or vision.

 

[Sophia7]

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pout out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 (KJV)

Why don't we see the gift of prophecy manifest in the Church like we see it throughout the Bible? I have never met or met anyone who has met, someone who has experienced a prophetic dream or vision.

I don't know. The Adventist Church tends to downplay some of the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophesying (other than in reference to Ellen White), healing, and "miraculous powers" (as listed in 1 Corinthians 12). It seems to me sometimes that we are so wary of the counterfeit gifts that are exhibited in some churches in an unbiblical fashion that we ignore the possibility of the true gifts.

 

[Sunrunner]

The spiritual gifts are a fascinating subject, to me. I have always felt that I have the gift of Intercession. I can pray for very long periods of time and I am always interested in praying for other people's needs.

 

[Romanseight2005]

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pout out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 (KJV)

Why don't we see the gift of prophecy manifest in the Church like we see it throughout the Bible? I have never met or met anyone who has met, someone who has experienced a prophetic dream or vision.

Wow, are you kidding? One of my closest friends has prophetic dreams alot. I know others who have words from God as well.

 

[Sunrunner]

It was generally directed towards the Seventh-day Adventist Church. You don't hear about prophetic dreams or visions much in most of our churches..

 

[Sophia7]

The spiritual gifts are a fascinating subject, to me. I have always felt that I have the gift of Intercession. I can pray for very long periods of time and I am always interested in praying for other people's needs.

That's a great gift to have.

 

[djconklin]

One of my closest friends has prophetic dreams alot. I know others who have words from God as well.

I had a co-worker who claimed that his wife had visions; but, what he said she was shown/told contradicted Scripture--that is always the ultimate judge as to whether or not these are from God. We should never assume that.

 

[djconklin]

The Adventist Church tends to downplay some of the gifts of the Spirit,

What?!? I was taught in the SDA church that some of these very gifts are alive and present today--usually in the 3rd world.

 

[Sophia7]

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What?!? I was taught in the SDA church that some of these very gifts are alive and present today--usually in the 3rd world.

You have had a different experience in the SDA Church than I have then. What would the reaction be in your church if someone spoke in tongues (according to the biblical guidelines) or prophesied? In the churches that I have attended, people would not even bother to consider the tests of Scripture; they would immediately label the person a fanatic and condemn the manifestation as a Satanic counterfeit. The Adventists that I have encountered (and I have been an Adventist my whole life) have had a pretty limited, if not downright dim, view of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Yes, in third-world countries things are often different, but why would all of the gifts of the Spirit not be available everywhere?

 

[Romanseight2005]

You have had a different experience in the SDA Church than I have then. What would the reaction be in your church if someone spoke in tongues (according to the biblical guidelines) or prophesied? In the churches that I have attended, people would not even bother to consider the tests of Scripture; they would immediately label the person a fanatic and condemn the manifestation as a Satanic counterfeit. The Adventists that I have encountered (and I have been an Adventist my whole life) have had a pretty limited, if not downright dim, view of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Yes, in third-world countries things are often different, but why would all of the gifts of the Spirit not be available everywhere?

I know I am not an adeventist, but I had a thought that was a bit chilling. When you asked why gifts would not manifest here, but they would manifest elsewhere, this came to mind...

Rev 3:16-17
16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
NIV
Could this be describing we Americans? Could this also explain why we wouldn't see as many manifestations? We do see some, but I know that other places see and experience more. Just a thought.

 

[Sunrunner]

Good thought, Romanseight2005. Maybe many of our hearts' are not open enough to the Spirit?

I would not be surprised to know that in places like Africa there are more manifestations of visions and dreams. Because life is so different there, many of the believers in these countries have very deep faiths... it is their comfort and their life. Many of us living in the first world are spoiled, for lack of a better word.

 

[StormyOne]

fear..... and lack of trust... people get nervous when you start saying, " The lord told me....."