Multiple dreams, of God, the devil, his subordinates

[prudent_commenter]

My spiritual life has increased significantly over the past three years, and since then my dreams have been increasing. I typically dream prophetic. Either I "see" what will happen as-is; or I am told what will happen (i. someone will send me a written text, or someone will speak to me); or I dream fiction warning me of what will come. However, before this increase in the spiritual, I have never dreamt about religious things.

But since last year, I've started dreaming of God, the devil (and his subordinates).

Eight months ago, I dreamt of God, Himself:

One night I was annoyed by the effort in maintaining this holy life, and seeing nothing. And was thinking out loud and asked "Is there a point to all this?". And in that morning, I had a dream in which I was talking to God. And He said to me something like "I promised you, and you - you keep your word as well".

After that dream, I had all sorts of dream of people with black eyes. Staring at me - from places that are inconspicuous. Multiple such persons. Staring from window blinds, from windows, from cracks in the walls - wherever they could remain hidden, and have a clear view of me.

And also had dreams where I was attacked but out of nowhere appeared help. For example, I had a dream in which I was at my grandparents house, and there was a mechanical dog, made of metal, that was highly aggressive and tried to attack me. It felt threatened by me for some reason. I got a wooden stick and fought him. Out of nowhere came a black dog that defended me. The black dog seemed to have known me, and I it - it seemed familiar. The mechanical dog never harmed me, it never gotten the chance to do it. I got away.

One month ago, I dreamt of the devil himself:

He came to my house and wanted something from me. We talked for some time. I remember having great fear in his presence, but had the courage to face him. I didn't have what he wanted, so I sent him away. But I remember deliberately not having what he wanted. However, just before he left, he said something similar to "You follow God. What has God ever done for you?" And seemed extremely displeased. He didn't look any different than the average man, but I knew it was him. During this time, my relatives that were in the house quickly became out of sight, and went into hiding, and crying in fear. I remember comforting them after he left.
I was the only one to face him out of them.

What do you make of all this? The order in which these appeared, and their meaning? To me, it's curious that God appeared first in my dreams, and afterwards came everything else. Like a warning.

 

[Zceptre]

My name is Daniel. While I don't have as many dreams as other people do, I see visions and hear a quiet voice when I read or hear other people's dreams.

You asked, God promised to answer (Matthew 7:7), and so He kept His promise. He is telling you that His promises are the reason to follow Jesus, and that He promised all of us, that you are here for His sheep to feed them. (John 21:17) The promises are not seen, because we walk by faith, not by sight and you were looking to "see" something. (2 Corinthians 5:7) To receive promises, one must trust the promise maker which is the entire point to this whole ordeal, to determine who trusts God and who allows Satan to make them doubt in God and His Word. (Hebrews chapter 11) Every promise is the Bible is yours as God's child, bet your life on them and claim them.

The people with black eyes are demonic entities and demonic hybrids. They are hiding in the shadows because they are of the darkness, and God was showing them to you for you to know that they are always watching you, that they are always trying to embed thoughts into your mind and cast doubt on you. The enemy absolutely has the ability to influence human thoughts and plant ideas that pop into our mind (Matthew 16:23 - Christ was not speaking to Peter), questions that we can't answer, dark or negative thoughts of doubt and especially discouragement, and also personal desires and concerns to try to lead us away from God or from God's plan. They never sleep day or night, and they typically prey on people at night because of psychological reasons as it is when fear is more easily induced in a person, but they will attack any time and are around during the day also. Fear is a control mechanism, and they are always attempting to get a foot into the door of your mind planting seeds of any sort of distraction they can. God is telling you to be vigilant with your thought life and to take authority over anything that stands against God's Word or faith in God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

The dream where you received help from a black dog is God telling you that there are angels watching over you with swords drawn and ready to protect you at any moment. Dogs are primarily guard animals if not wild. The mechanical dog (metal means no soul) is a hell-hound and is a common creature depicted in demonic themed media and witchcraft. Hell-hounds are sent to harass people and attempt to steal their soul away, but more importantly like police use dogs as support, the same notion applies here in that they are the enemy sending support in to attempt to avoid your angels and the backlash they will receive by attacking you directly themselves in person. The nature of evil is to send anything else in one can so as to avoid personal pain or loss, and sacrifice others on your behalf, making a perfect contradiction to the nature of God who sacrifices Himself for His own on the cross. There are myriads of creatures from the demonic realm that may manifest in dark realms of sorcery, but the hell-hound is the one to chase a person down as dogs are fast with four legs and it is their nature to chase things. God has you moving fast in the Kingdom and He is doing mighty things through you, and your speed and growth is uncomfortable to Satan, hence sending a dog to chase you down.

The Devil (Satan) often shows up when he is "losing a soul" in his own eyes, supposing previously that he could have convinced someone to give up on God or had a firm grip on them, only to find out they are slipping away easily into God's glorious light where God has great plans for them in the war. The Devil sees people as property and he showed up wanting to "buy you out" and God is showing you these things, that he does not just send demons to you, but you are a high value target and so he felt the need to step into the ring himself, so to speak, and try to strong-arm you. Satan shows up and manifests in demonic gatherings as a man often, and typically a well dressed one, with flashy attire and looking clean and groomed. This is, of course, a facade as he is covered in innumerable sins and they are filthy, so he is hiding the truth about himself and painting a pretty picture of deception to lure people into trusting him, especially by showing up as "one of our own" in the image of the likes of humanity.

God was showing you that Satan wants your soul (1 Peter 5:8) and he has asked God to sift you as wheat (Luke 22:31) and try you like he tested Job long ago (Job 1:12 - Job 2:6), but God is protecting you and limiting him. He is sorely disappointed in this and wants to really dig in and make you doubt God because of circumstances, and not only you but those around you who need your prayers and encouragement.

"You follow God. What has God ever done for you?" - The direct nature of the question posed to you means he knows he cannot sneak up on you because God is sending you warnings and so subtle tactics have been abandoned. Satan is attempting one last ditch attempt at throwing a monkey wrench in God's plans for you, because something bigger for you (in terms of being faithful) is on the horizon for you and the Devil is afraid of this. The Devil does not see the future, but knowing the direction of things and with some basic prediction abilities (even humans possess such) along with being in the spiritual realms, he can see things he doesn't want to happen are occurring and God is preparing you for more and he knows it.

"I was the only one to face him out of them." - God is showing you a distinction here between you and the people around you. He is calling you out like He called on Gideon and told him that he is a mighty warrior (Judges 6:12). To be victorious in any battle and to have confidence in the fight, a person must know who they are, that God is with them, and that they are called to battle.

God is doing this with you. - "I remember comforting them after he left." -

"I was the only one to face him out of them." - Your relatives need you, and God is giving you insights and preparations to engage in the battle, to give you the confidence you need in knowing He is with you everywhere you go and that you have a warrior's heart. (Joshua 1:9) This is the reason you are the one facing the Devil, like king David was the only one with confidence in God and His promises to face the giant Goliath of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 17:24 - 1 Samuel17:26 - 1 Samuel 17:45 - 1 Samuel 17:47)

Make no mistake that these dreams are not coincidences (no such thing) nor random thoughts conjured up in your own subconscious mind while you slept from Bible stories. They are given by God, to warn you, to encourage you, to prevent you from ever doubting in Him, to guide you to feed and protect God's sheep, to inform you that you are never alone, and to call you to the battlefield with the Gospel without fear as a warrior for Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3 - 2 Timothy 2:4)

Many are called, but few are Chosen (Matthew 22:14). Make sure you are aware and know well you are Chosen and be bold in the face of evil with no fear, for God is with you. (Proverbs 28:1)

You are being shaped into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and God has built you for battle and given you a warriors heart to stand in between Satan (evil) and your relatives and those around you. (Mark 10:45)

Share the Gospel (Mark16:15), pray for those around you (Luke 22:32), rebuke any evil that appears in Jesus' name (Acts 16:18), and know who you are in Christ when you do. (Galatians 3:26)

 

[prudent_commenter]

My name is Daniel. While I don't have as many dreams as other people do, I see visions and hear a quiet voice when I read or hear other people's dreams.

Hey. I'm Alex.

I will reply to your entire post but I have to take it all in. For now, just some parts of it

The Devil (Satan) often shows up when he is "losing a soul" in his own eyes, supposing previously that he could have convinced someone to give up on God or had a firm grip on them, only to find out they are slipping away easily into God's glorious light where God has great plans for them in the war. The Devil sees people as property and he showed up wanting to "buy you out" and God is showing you these things, that he does not just send demons to you, but you are a high value target and so he felt the need to step into the ring himself, so to speak, and try to strong-arm you. Satan shows up and manifests in demonic gatherings as a man often, and typically a well dressed one, with flashy attire and looking clean and groomed. This is, of course, a facade as he is covered in innumerable sins and they are filthy, so he is hiding the truth about himself and painting a pretty picture of deception to lure people into trusting him, especially by showing up as "one of our own" in the image of the likes of humanity.

I thought as much. He only comes himself when all other things fail. It's exactly as in our worldly lives: the manager never comes unless there's a real problem.

In this dream, he wasn't of good attire, more like an average person - I would say humble. And he looked sick. I don't know what to make of it.

He didn't even try to cover anything up. Like he knew that I knew.

I've never been of the world. And I'm thinking this is why these things are happening. Never been as in never fornicated, remained pure, pray, fast, don't get involved in any worldly things, don't have lusts, neither do I seek "fun", of any kind. Would all this, in satan's view, be considered "high value"? Possibly be of value if I could be seduced by something? I've never been seduced by anything my entire life.

I suppose that's my question: what can the devil attack you with when lusts aren't a factor? Nothing that you desire?

 

[Zceptre]

Nice to meet you Alex.

the manager never comes unless there's a real problem.

Dead on. Exactly.

In this dream, he wasn't of good attire, more like an average person - I would say humble. And he looked sick. I don't know what to make of it.

He didn't even try to cover anything up. Like he knew that I knew.

Last ditch attempts aren't always impressive, being as they are an act of desperation. Being as it is a dream, the details can vary but the meaning is specific. The fact he looked sick may be showing that you can see past his facade or that he was playing on your empathy if you care about others deeply. That you aren't worldly would be a good reason to not show up in flashy clothes, in that it would have no effect on you toward his goal of trust in his words. To look humble to a humble person would be more fitting as we trust those that are more like us.

I suppose that's my question: what can the devil attack you with when lusts aren't a factor? Nothing that you desire?

Just what he did, the idea is a suggestion. The power of suggestion is very strong and while people underestimate them every day, many are pulled into darkness by them. Every suggestion is a seed that is planted in a person's heart, and if it stays there long enough it could potentially grow into much more, just like a seed turns into a large tree.

The only thing I can think of that would be a temptation for such a situation is depending on your own righteousness or believing you are righteous in your own strength. I'm not saying you are doing that, but it could easily be what the Devil would try to play on if he were to attempt anything.

This would fit the situation in the dream also, in that Satan asked you what God ever done for you... So then, he might very well be pointing to this about you that you are not lost in many sins and you are generally not hooked by carnality at all.

That doesn't mean that I'm saying you think Christ done nothing for you, but that the Devil would be trying to play on the only thing he thought might be left to pull some leverage on.

In Luke 5:32 Christ says He didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repent. While I used to think He was making a distinction between two different people groups, He actually isn't. Christ came to save all of us, and we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) whether we are laden by many or few of them, a single sin is all it took to land us in Hell. (James 2:10)

Satan is a relentless creature and he never gives up even when losing. He has been losing the war since the fall of Adam and Eve and he is a deceiver, and the first rule to being a deceiver is that at the moment you decide to lie to others, you begin lying to yourself. So he is convinced he can and will beat God even though this is an absolutely foolish conclusion, he has no other option, as no one could "manage" or "keep going" unless they were deluded into such a thought process of confidence in self.

Would all this, in satan's view, be considered "high value"? Possibly be of value if I could be seduced by something? I've never been seduced by anything my entire life.

Yes, this would be considered a high value target. Those who are already hooked by worldliness are not going to escape wrath, since they are loving the world and most aren't giving their heart to God, and that is what Satan is aiming to achieve as misery loves company and deep down he wishes destruction on God's creation because he was booted from paradise.

When one is consumed by evil, it is that which one does not have in their hand that they want. If it is unobtainable, they want to obtain it, if it is forbidden, they wish and fantasize about having it. It is the nature of evil to crave those things not allowed, and if God has forbidden him to touch you in particular ways he would certainly do whatever last ditch attempt he could to weasel in and plant a seed that could grow into doubt or concerns or fears or anything that would redirect you to focus on yourself rather than Christ.

You being focused on Christ and the Kingdom is what challenges the kingdom of darkness.

 

[prudent_commenter]

Last ditch attempts aren't always impressive, being as they are an act of desperation.

It could also be a ploy: to make you think it's the last time.

Being as it is a dream, the details can vary but the meaning is specific. The fact he looked sick may be showing that you can see past his facade or that he was playing on your empathy if you care about others deeply.

I think it's more the former. I knew who he was, and no matter in what state would have he appeared, the answer would have been the same. I'm very hard to convince or seduce, especially when I get a shred of doubt about something.

That you aren't worldly would be a good reason to not show up in flashy clothes, in that it would have no effect on you toward his goal of trust in his words. To look humble to a humble person would be more fitting as we trust those that are more like us.

I think so as well. And I don't trust easily.

Just what he did, the idea is a suggestion. The power of suggestion is very strong and while people underestimate them every day, many are pulled into darkness by them. Every suggestion is a seed that is planted in a person's heart, and if it stays there long enough it could potentially grow into much more, just like a seed turns into a large tree.

A seed, yes. I am aware. But if you bring it towards the light, it would stop it there, correct?

The only thing I can think of that would be a temptation for such a situation is depending on your own righteousness or believing you are righteous in your own strength. I'm not saying you are doing that, but it could easily be what the Devil would try to play on if he were to attempt anything.

An overconfidence in something. Yes, I'm afraid of this.

This would fit the situation in the dream also, in that Satan asked you what God ever done for you... So then, he might very well be pointing to this about you that you are not lost in many sins and you are generally not hooked by carnality at all.

Exactly. He chose this, because its the only thing. I asked God for many things, and received none of them. It's the only thing that satan has, and I'm afraid of this as well. God may want to have me wait. It might not be a refusal, but so far, it sure does seem like God refused what I asked Him. And my despair is what the enemy uses against me. It's only thing that it can.

That doesn't mean that I'm saying you think Christ done nothing for you, but that the Devil would be trying to play on the only thing he thought might be left to pull some leverage on.

Yes, but what do I do? God is taking His time. And I've waited thirty years and so far, it has been nothing.

In Luke 5:32 Christ says He didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repent. While I used to think He was making a distinction between two different people groups, He actually isn't. Christ came to save all of us, and we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) whether we are laden by many or few of them, a single sin is all it took to land us in Hell. (James 2:10)

Indeed. I make the distinction as sin and wilful sin. I have a good handle on myself, what I do, and am in complete control of my doings.

Satan is a relentless creature and he never gives up even when losing. He has been losing the war since the fall of Adam and Eve and he is a deceiver, and the first rule to being a deceiver is that at the moment you decide to lie to others, you begin lying to yourself. So he is convinced he can and will beat God even though this is an absolutely foolish conclusion, he has no other option, as no one could "manage" or "keep going" unless they were deluded into such a thought process of confidence in self.

I never thought about it. You're right.

Yes, this would be considered a high value target. Those who are already hooked by worldliness are not going to escape wrath, since they are loving the world and most aren't giving their heart to God, and that is what Satan is aiming to achieve as misery loves company and deep down he wishes destruction on God's creation because he was booted from paradise.

When one is consumed by evil, it is that which one does not have in their hand that they want. If it is unobtainable, they want to obtain it, if it is forbidden, they wish and fantasize about having it. It is the nature of evil to crave those things not allowed, and if God has forbidden him to touch you in particular ways he would certainly do whatever last ditch attempt he could to weasel in and plant a seed that could grow into doubt or concerns or fears or anything that would redirect you to focus on yourself rather than Christ.

You being focused on Christ and the Kingdom is what challenges the kingdom of darkness.

What about, when you want something, but you don't go against God? When you want it, but you patiently wait for God to give it to you? Instead of satan's way, which is to disregard everything to acquire it?

 

[Zceptre]

A seed, yes. I am aware. But if you bring it towards the light, it would stop it there, correct?

Yes, the light of truth replaces seeds of darkness and keeps the garden de-weeded. The seed of doubt is the easiest one to plant of all seeds, and it does not take much effort to cast many of them into anything a person believes. They are nasty little weeds that linger and grow back if trust is not well established. No matter how much knowledge we obtain, there will be a cut off limit and we will reach a point of "not understanding" our situation or what is going on fully. This is the nature of things and it is by design, as God wants trust, so doubt is the antithesis to faith and if we are not willing to trust without fully understanding then doubt will always have a place to take root and potentially grow. Questions are a dime a dozen and I likely am more guilty of this than anyone I've ever personally known, so I speak from experience here.

An overconfidence in something. Yes, I'm afraid of this.

It's good to have a healthy fear in a sense of respect for a dangerous thing, but not being actually fearful of it. God will keep you.

Exactly. He chose this, because its the only thing. I asked God for many things, and received none of them. It's the only thing that satan has, and I'm afraid of this as well. God may want to have me wait. It might not be a refusal, but so far, it sure does seem like God refused what I asked Him. And my despair is what the enemy uses against me. It's only thing that it can.

God does say no to us about things we ask. I can't count the number of times I've gotten "no" for an answer. I personally feel that for every no he gives me that there will be a blessing waiting for me in the Kingdom, but I can't prove this through Scripture. Just something He has put in my heart based on His love and nature.

Yes, but what do I do? God is taking His time. And I've waited thirty years and so far, it has been nothing.

Maybe God has you on a much higher level than those around you. At least this would be my suspicion. He certainly has told me many times (many...) that to whom much is given much is required (Luke12:48). A lot of people equate this to money and power over other people in the world, but this isn't the case. It is more so spiritual gifts Christ is referring to here, in that the greatest among us shall serve the least (Matthew 23:11). John the baptist supposed Christ to save him from prison and bring the Kingdom in (Matthew 3:12), being the last of the great prophets, but John was mistaken in a sense, and sent messengers (Matthew 11:3) to "double check" and see if he had made a mistake in who the Savior was. John was not wrong in his preaching or vision God gave him, but only about the timing and full plan, as he did not understand the time of the Gentiles where God would bring grace to the world by the cross through Israel's rejection of their Messiah. While John likely was thinking similar thoughts to "I've waited thirty years" during his time in prison, God's answer not only was not to spare him from being imprisoned, but allowed his enemies to remove his head. The way we see things is not the way God sees things, and Christ very clearly stated that John (even with such an ending...) was the greatest man born of women per his own testimony walking the Earth as God in the flesh (Matthew 11:11).

What to do? Let nothing interfere with faith in God (Mark 11:22), in trusting Him, even when our feelings try to arise against believing in His goodness and love for us because of circumstances or unanswered prayers. (Hebrews 11 - "By faith" they conquered) This is easier said than done but can be done through the spirit (Matthew 26:41 - Galatians 5:16) even though it sometimes feels impossible. Our disappointments in this life I'm sure carry great rewards in the next life and we must look to it to overcome (Matthew 6:33).

In my personal experience, God has taught me to focus on the fact that I'm "leveling up" and to accept the circumstances and answers He gives because while it does not seem like an upgrade at all, it is only my inability to see all things clearly that makes me feel that way. Really truly, in reality, we are gaining more than we can imagine, as God loves to reward those who seek Him (Hebrews11:6). Being the top notch choice pick in God's Kingdom requires walking through many hard days, and being our example is Christ we don't have any reason to expect any less. We have to count the cost and either go full send for God (Luke 14:28), or ask God for a downgrade like Elijah (1 Kings 19).

God loves His Sons in Christ very much, and in my experience if one of them has high aims to achieve much for Him and serve Him well, God will push His Son to his limits and beyond to points previously thought unreachable by him. I've done things I supposed impossible in my own estimations even though I know I'm not capable of them in and of myself. Maybe this is one of those kinds of situations you are in.

I never thought about it. You're right.

One of the first rules of warfare is to know one's enemy. Underestimating him is the problem many people have, and they get a bit of "pride" in the process of fighting evil and more specifically Satan, rather than respecting the danger they are fighting against. Being fearful is not necessary, and having confidence in Christ's power to protect and guide us is a good thing not a bad thing... but many tend to mock the Devil and mockery is not from a place of humility, meaning the Devil has manipulated them without them knowing it.

He is very deluded but still very dangerous. He has had a lot of practice since the Garden of Eden and seen millions of men and women fall to his tactics. His delusions are invalid in the sense of defeating God, but not always so in defeating men. He will never give up on trying to turn sheep into goats, and the more devoted to God one is the harder he will attempt to make their life.

What about, when you want something, but you don't go against God? When you want it, but you patiently wait for God to give it to you? Instead of satan's way, which is to disregard everything to acquire it?

That is exactly it. Desires are the bait put on hooks that give the Devil something to reel us in with. It isn't that every desire is evil of course, but it is that any desire can be used against a man or woman if it can be wedged in between that person and God. The literal moment that God saying "no" to any gift whatsoever becomes an issue that a child cannot accept, the enemy is laughing his head off and the seed is growing of doubt in God's goodness and love toward them. God has told us to be content with what He gives us and to be thankful for what we have (1 Timothy 6:8). The very thought that God isn't giving us something we want is what happened in the desert with Israel in the Old Testament, where they grumbled and complained about their "harsh" situation and in their thinking that God wasn't doing good enough for them in answering their prayers and requests (1 Corinthians 10:10). Satan destroyed them using this very simple thing, and it is no small matter to God.

I am one who certainly understands having wants, but I also understand that every time I didn't accept a "no" I learned the hard way why He told me no. I've destroyed many things in my life, hurt other people, lost friends, and set myself back in my journey all because I didn't understand why God would not let me have something I wanted. (Obviously, these were things easily obtained being put before me, but God said no)

For me, by now, in my life if God is telling me no I have learned through some excruciating situations that I am pretty sure fire positive I don't want it as much as I think I do, and that it isn't going to turn out how I think.

I was having a conversation about this the other day with a friend, that tends to recur, in which I was pointing out that there is not really any example of an "easy" life in the Bible. Hebrews chapter 11 kind of highlights this and posts it up with a spotlight on it (Hebrews 11:38).

Even when we are doing everything perfectly and walking right with the Lord Jesus, He can still have different plans for us than we seem to have for ourselves. In my own case, His plans were so dramatically different and painful I never would have seen it happening, but I wouldn't change any of it at this point knowing His hand was at work on me.

 

[prudent_commenter]

Yes, the light of truth replaces seeds of darkness and keeps the garden de-weeded. The seed of doubt is the easiest one to plant of all seeds, and it does not take much effort to cast many of them into anything a person believes. They are nasty little weeds that linger and grow back if trust is not well established. No matter how much knowledge we obtain, there will be a cut off limit and we will reach a point of "not understanding" our situation or what is going on fully. This is the nature of things and it is by design, as God wants trust, so doubt is the antithesis to faith and if we are not willing to trust without fully understanding then doubt will always have a place to take root and potentially grow. Questions are a dime a dozen and I likely am more guilty of this than anyone I've ever personally known, so I speak from experience here.

I bring everything in the light. Had some experiences with metaphorical weed growing, and afterwards, I fixed it - permanently. Nothing grows now from the enemy.

That is exactly it. Desires are the bait put on hooks that give the Devil something to reel us in with. It isn't that every desire is evil of course, but it is that any desire can be used against a man or woman if it can be wedged in between that person and God. The literal moment that God saying "no" to any gift whatsoever becomes an issue that a child cannot accept, the enemy is laughing his head off and the seed is growing of doubt in God's goodness and love toward them. God has told us to be content with what He gives us and to be thankful for what we have (1 Timothy 6:8). The very thought that God isn't giving us something we want is what happened in the desert with Israel in the Old Testament, where they grumbled and complained about their "harsh" situation and in their thinking that God wasn't doing good enough for them in answering their prayers and requests (1 Corinthians 10:10). Satan destroyed them using this very simple thing, and it is no small matter to God.

I assumed this much. Every time that God doesn't do something, it gives the enemy leeway into his plans. But why is this? It's a test to see how you'll react, when the path you want is closed, but satan's paths are opened?

And this is my issue here. I talked to God in that dream, what is the holy life for? Because, I've received nothing that I want. Yet, I have gave God my full attention, and discipline. I gave Him all this at the expense of all societal methods of "living one's life". So, I took away all the lust,m gluttony, pleasures, corruption... for what? If it is for nothing, then by societal standard's I wasted time and resources mainlining the body safe and pure, for absolutely nothing? And God refuses to answer the question. What is it for?

These dreams, as you said, He's showing me what is happening behind the scenes. But it doesn't help me. Even if I know, why do I know? It has to have a reason.

That dream of God when He told me to keep my word, and He promised me, cannot be in relation to eternal life. It can't be. Eternal life comes after you lived your life, after the judgemet is passed (decided based on a life lived). It's too early for this. It has to be something else. And I think it is in relation to this holy life. And I have no idea what I promised Him, and what He promised me.
Eternal life is given by simply believing on God. You don't have to live exemplary to have it. It has to be something else. But how do I know what it is? He promised me, what? Because if Hew said that, it means He hasn't kept his end, yet. "I promised you" means something that will occur in the future.

 

[prudent_commenter]

Also, a side question, but relevant to the promise. What would happen if things were to go "wrong"? I don't have theological knowledge on the matter, but from my understanding, people are judged differently by God. Those that sin after the truth has been revealed, are judged and punished much more harshly than those that don't know the truth. Could be curses involved as well (automatic-curses as I like to call them), based on actions formed after the truth. (But by that logic, there should also be automatic-blessings, right?) .
I know better - that's the problem. And the promise pf God, I suspect is much more than a promise. It could be a warning to me - either you keep it, or... (something will happen).
It's this "or" that frightens me. And in all this time, the serpent is watching.
What do you know about holy people that fallen astray? What happened to them? There may also be two categories here: holy by your own decision, and holy by God's decision. The former is a restraint, you crucify yourself. The latter would be the case where God crucifies you, and so.. you are able to withstand passions, traps, see through lies, because of His intervention.
What do you know of all this?

 

[Zceptre]

I assumed this much. Every time that God doesn't do something, it gives the enemy leeway into his plans. But why is this? It's a test to see how you'll react, when the path you want is closed, but satan's paths are opened?

Everything is a test. Job was tested, Noah was tested, Abraham was tested, we are tested. Each one of us must go through tests of all kinds, and while I've met people that simply cannot accept this about this life, they are mistaken and it is the case. No one escapes the testing, and knowing about the nature of life here and that one is being tested does not make it any easier, as the knowledge of being tested means your test might be harder than it was to counter-weight the situation and your advanced knowledge to set the standards to a proportional weight and ensure that your grade on the test is true and accurate.

No one escapes testing. God the Son walked this Earth as a man and was tested while here no differently than we are, except in the fact that He passed with a perfect score.

And this is my issue here. I talked to God in that dream, what is the holy life for? Because, I've received nothing that I want. Yet, I have gave God my full attention, and discipline. I gave Him all this at the expense of all societal methods of "living one's life". So, I took away all the lust,m gluttony, pleasures, corruption... for what? If it is for nothing, then by societal standard's I wasted time and resources mainlining the body safe and pure, for absolutely nothing? And God refuses to answer the question. What is it for?

These dreams, as you said, He's showing me what is happening behind the scenes. But it doesn't help me. Even if I know, why do I know? It has to have a reason.

That dream of God when He told me to keep my word, and He promised me, cannot be in relation to eternal life. It can't be. Eternal life comes after you lived your life, after the judgemet is passed (decided based on a life lived). It's too early for this. It has to be something else. And I think it is in relation to this holy life. And I have no idea what I promised Him, and what He promised me.
Eternal life is given by simply believing on God. You don't have to live exemplary to have it. It has to be something else. But how do I know what it is? He promised me, what? Because if Hew said that, it means He hasn't kept his end, yet. "I promised you" means something that will occur in the future.

This life is not for receiving but rather, again, is the testing phase. The Lord Jesus receives a Kingdom for passing the test the Father put Him through on our behalf for faithfulness, but He didn't receive it in the here and now. We are appointed a time to do God's work (John 9:4), and we do not receive payment until the work day is over.

While we are indeed saved by God's grace and not our works (Ephesians 2:8) it does not mean people will all be on the same level nor rewarded equally when we enter the Kingdom. On judgment day our gift of life is by grace through faith in Christ, but our rewards are determined by our faithfulness, works, and seeking God (Hebrews 11:6). There is more information to be found in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 on this, where Paul discusses building on the foundation Christ has laid for us in giving us eternal life (1 Corinthians 3:14 - more context around this verse).

God also isn't refusing to answer a question I don't think (although I have received a number of "no" answers to requests). I wouldn't be urged by God to reply to these messages if He wasn't living in me and putting it in my heart to do so. Although I know it may feel like He is refusing, I think it may be more so His perfect timing and methods than a refusal. I waited ten years for more than one question I've had in life and many others also took years even if it wasn't ten years. God's sense of time and when He answers can also be part of the test, in seeing if we are willing to trust Him like when He tested the woman who came to Him for help... and she passed because she believed in His goodness (Matthew 15:27).

The reason, I suspect, is to prepare you for whatever may happen in showing you that He is with you and speaking to you and even when things look bad, He is there and has not abandoned you. The situations we find ourselves in are of the nature that bring about questions like "where is God right now?" and "why would God allow this sort of thing to happen to me, to us?" When my life is hardest, and it seems God showed up too late for anything to be saved, I've been taught through many accounts of these occurrences that God is never too late, and I have to trust Him through the process. I'm going through this experience even as I write this now, and I've hardly had many times in my life that I wasn't going through the same experience. It feels like God would love me more if He made it easier, and feels like He would show me more kindness throughout these hardships if there were some provisions that made what seems to me very unreasonable circumstances much easier, but when you really know Him, you know that there is a method to what seems to be madness in His great plans. This is after all, what makes the test a test, in that testing is always very hard. The military regularly encourages their recruits to quit and trying to get them to give up just to make sure they are dedicated and willing to go through with what they agreed to be, and if they won't... then they want them to quit because they don't want disloyal soldiers. Our enemy is regularly accusing us before God, and I'm sure the stakes can get pretty intense even though we can't understand what those stakes are. I know it is for God's glory, and I know we will be rewarded, and I know that God knows what each of us can handle.

"And I have no idea what I promised Him, and what He promised me."

This part strikes me pretty deeply with an intense sense of urgency to make note of. He promised you that He would keep you (John 10:28), and pull you through, and be with you (Matthew 28:20). He has promised literally everything in the Bible, as every promise in it belongs to God's Sons and Daughters, believers in Christ. We are the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2), and when we accept Christ and choose to follow Him, we pledge ourselves to Him as such, and this is our promise to Him. Keeping our faithfulness to Him, and doing good by Him (Ephesians 2:10) is out of gratitude for everything He has done for us and not to gain reward (1 John 4:19) as we would have no reward at all if not for His gift of life for our sake.

Being wed to Christ is no small thing, and if He lived a perfect life, and we are Saints, which are sinners saved by His grace, we should always be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We promised to follow Him, and love Him, and repented and dedicated ourselves to living according to His ways, and He has promised us hundreds or thousands of promises in His Word if we claim them and remind God about them in prayer (Matthew 7:7).

Ultimately the promise is to be a good husband to us and walk us through this life, as marriage is an institution that portrays our relationship to Christ (Ephesians 5:25), and our promise is to be a good "wife" in that we do as we have been asked and trust He will make it well worth it to us.

Also, a side question, but relevant to the promise. What would happen if things were to go "wrong"? I don't have theological knowledge on the matter, but from my understanding, people are judged differently by God. Those that sin after the truth has been revealed, are judged and punished much more harshly than those that don't know the truth. Could be curses involved as well (automatic-curses as I like to call them), based on actions formed after the truth. (But by that logic, there should also be automatic-blessings, right?) .
I know better - that's the problem. And the promise pf God, I suspect is much more than a promise. It could be a warning to me - either you keep it, or... (something will happen).

The fact is, no one is punished who is in Christ in a sense of condemnation (Romans 8:1). While there are temporal consequences that we receive for sins at times (John 5:14), God often even spares us of more harsh punishments we would have otherwise received for our evil doings when we repent and our heart did not intend to do evil.

The statement of some being punished more than others by Christ (Luke 12:48) is referring to those who go into punishment and have not been forgiven. Christ is pointing out the fact that when people are given the truth, and they reject it when they had the ability to follow it, it is because they are being much more evil than others, and thus being more evil brings on more severe punishment.

There are "automatic" blessings also, in that doing right keeps one safe from evil things they would otherwise experience. God protects those who are walking right with Him, and even if we do fall into foolish things God will use them to teach us and make blessings out of our curses (Romans 8:28). We truly do not have any idea just how much evil God is really protecting us from. There are far worse things than we can imagine that exist than we would want to even know about. I've learned more about the darkness than I would like to know, and I've learned when we are safe and secure it is not because there is no evil that wishes to harm us, but that there are very mighty angels protecting us at quite literally all times of each and every day.

"It could be a warning to me..."

I suspect it could be a warning, but much more so. I think it is also an encouragement in that many people never get dreams from God, and many people especially do not get information about their enemies watching them and wishing to get a foot in the door. He obviously is also telling you that He is pleased with your efforts so far and wants you to continue in them, and in following Him. He also wants you aware that people are wishing for your demise, and for you to stay diligent and on the path.

I think He is trying to put your mind at ease about many questions that are arising in you, and is showing you that while you are surrounded, that there are far more of His own around you than there are against you (2 Kings 6:16). He doesn't want you to doubt in Him because you have not received rewards in this life, because this life is for testing, not rewards (Daniel 12:13). He also does not want you worried about your enemies, but quite clearly does want you aware of them to encourage you to keep fighting the good fight. There is nothing in God's heart, our Father, toward us except love, forgiveness, and an extreme desire to fashion us into little versions of Christ (Romans 8:29) and to reward us for being faithful.

He loves you, and He wants you to be prepared for the future, to quench your doubts, to ease your fears, to lift you up, and to encourage you to keep going with the efforts and investments you have engaged in toward Him and the Kingdom.

There is nothing to be afraid of besides doubt invading our hearts and putting a wedge between us and Him, because that is the only tool that anyone ever has to get to us. Hardships or other experiences we have where we embrace putting expectations on God are the tools used to impose doubt onto us and cause us to question God when we are made to glorify Him, in direct opposition of the enemy's desire to steal God's glory.

 

[prudent_commenter]

Everything is a test. Job was tested, Noah was tested, Abraham was tested, we are tested. Each one of us must go through tests of all kinds, and while I've met people that simply cannot accept this about this life, they are mistaken and it is the case. No one escapes the testing, and knowing about the nature of life here and that one is being tested does not make it any easier, as the knowledge of being tested means your test might be harder than it was to counter-weight the situation and your advanced knowledge to set the standards to a proportional weight and ensure that your grade on the test is true and accurate.

But for how long a person is tested? I'm in my thirties and I've been tested all this time. I suppose I passed, whatever it was because of God's gifts to me. And the way things are working. I am not given what I want, but I am heavily shielded, protected, warned.

Shall expect to be tested until the end? Is testing done our entire lives, or just until a discernment by God is determined?

The reason, I suspect, is to prepare you for whatever may happen in showing you that He is with you and speaking to you and even when things look bad, He is there and has not abandoned you. The situations we find ourselves in are of the nature that bring about questions like "where is God right now?" and "why would God allow this sort of thing to happen to me, to us?" When my life is hardest, and it seems God showed up too late for anything to be saved, I've been taught through many accounts of these occurrences that God is never too late, and I have to trust Him through the process. I'm going through this experience even as I write this now, and I've hardly had many times in my life that I wasn't going through the same experience. It feels like God would love me more if He made it easier, and feels like He would show me more kindness throughout these hardships if there were some provisions that made what seems to me very unreasonable circumstances much easier, but when you really know Him, you know that there is a method to what seems to be madness in His great plans. This is after all, what makes the test a test, in that testing is always very hard. The military regularly encourages their recruits to quit and trying to get them to give up just to make sure they are dedicated and willing to go through with what they agreed to be, and if they won't... then they want them to quit because they don't want disloyal soldiers. Our enemy is regularly accusing us before God, and I'm sure the stakes can get pretty intense even though we can't understand what those stakes are. I know it is for God's glory, and I know we will be rewarded, and I know that God knows what each of us can handle.

That's what worries me. I can handle a lot. It's not self-praise, it's what it is. But this would mean that.. I'll live a horrible life because I can handle it.

The fact is, no one is punished who is in Christ in a sense of condemnation (Romans 8:1). While there are temporal consequences that we receive for sins at times (John 5:14), God often even spares us of more harsh punishments we would have otherwise received for our evil doings when we repent and our heart did not intend to do evil.

But it doesn't make any sense. I am severely tested here. All the path I need to take are closed, yet all the paths that lead to darkness are wide opened. I even meet people on street very talkative that urge me to live my life. As in, forget everything, lies, manipulations, just go with the flow. Go for carnal pleasures, if it doesn't divorce, make some kids, abandon them.. just life your life. I get this imbecility on a daily basis. And with God, I don't know what to do. Living life, as it is done today, is in direct contradiction with the scripture. I'm dealing with lukewarm Christians here: people that take from the scripture what they can/or will do, and disregard what they won't/or can't do.

God doesn't tell me what to do. He left all to me, and I bombarded by people that have no notion of anything.

The statement of some being punished more than others by Christ (Luke 12:48) is referring to those who go into punishment and have not been forgiven. Christ is pointing out the fact that when people are given the truth, and they reject it when they had the ability to follow it, it is because they are being much more evil than others, and thus being more evil brings on more severe punishment.

But expectations of God also increase in those that received the knowledge. This part of what I am afraid of. He's given me a lot of things, but never did He say what should I do with. If anything He tells me what not to do. But, If I don't know what to do, then isn't it a waste? Say you have more than half of the manifestations of the Spirit, if you do nothing with them, who's profiting here? I'm not sure, but I don't think God is profiting here.

There are "automatic" blessings also, in that doing right keeps one safe from evil things they would otherwise experience. God protects those who are walking right with Him, and even if we do fall into foolish things God will use them to teach us and make blessings out of our curses (Romans 8:28). We truly do not have any idea just how much evil God is really protecting us from. There are far worse things than we can imagine that exist than we would want to even know about. I've learned more about the darkness than I would like to know, and I've learned when we are safe and secure it is not because there is no evil that wishes to harm us, but that there are very mighty angels protecting us at quite literally all times of each and every day.

That's the other thing I'm dealing with. There seems to be a very strong protection around me. Anyone that ever harmed me, got it bad. But it's never immediate. More like a certainty at some point in time. It seems to work based on forgiveness. When I forgive, then things start to happen to these people that have wronged me. I can't recall the verse, i Think it was in Romans, where you have to make space and leave justice to God. I never took revenge in my life, but from what I've noticed, it gets done by itself. I never had to do anything. Weird things are happening to these people, and I'm not doing anything. In the past there have been situations where, when such justice occurred, I heard voices that said "It's done". And these words are in the bible if I'm not mistake.

"It could be a warning to me..."

I suspect it could be a warning, but much more so. I think it is also an encouragement in that many people never get dreams from God, and many people especially do not get information about their enemies watching them and wishing to get a foot in the door. He obviously is also telling you that He is pleased with your efforts so far and wants you to continue in them, and in following Him. He also wants you aware that people are wishing for your demise, and for you to stay diligent and on the path.

I agree. Encouragement, but why? Is this something I must, or is it optional for me? If it's mandatory, why doesn't God tell that it's a life-long mission? As mentioned previously, I am "encouraged" by everyone (except God) to live life. Different tactics are tried here: the fact that I deserve, that life is short, time is ticking, look at how beautiful women are, or how much comfort money brings... All this, frequently. Someone I talked to a few days ago said to me "do you plan to live 300 hundred years?", as mean reply to me saying that I wait for God to direct me, and give me what is is mine.

I think He is trying to put your mind at ease about many questions that are arising in you, and is showing you that while you are surrounded, that there are far more of His own around you than there are against you (2 Kings 6:16). He doesn't want you to doubt in Him because you have not received rewards in this life, because this life is for testing, not rewards (Daniel 12:13). He also does not want you worried about your enemies, but quite clearly does want you aware of them to encourage you to keep fighting the good fight. There is nothing in God's heart, our Father, toward us except love, forgiveness, and an extreme desire to fashion us into little versions of Christ (Romans 8:29) and to reward us for being faithful.

I don't doubt God. I question the time. Everything in my life moves extremely slow. I never seen anything like this before. Everyone else seems to move faster. Me, I don;'t know. It takes a lot of time for things to receive answers, for things to be accomplished, for things to be fulfilled. Obviously, the quality is much higher than on most people that get it fast, but.. after all, time is ticking.

There is nothing to be afraid of besides doubt invading our hearts and putting a wedge between us and Him, because that is the only tool that anyone ever has to get to us. Hardships or other experiences we have where we embrace putting expectations on God are the tools used to impose doubt onto us and cause us to question God when we are made to glorify Him, in direct opposition of the enemy's desire to steal God's glory.

In other words, let nothing come between me and God?

 

[Zceptre]

But for how long a person is tested? I'm in my thirties and I've been tested all this time. I suppose I passed, whatever it was because of God's gifts to me. And the way things are working. I am not given what I want, but I am heavily shielded, protected, warned.

Shall expect to be tested until the end? Is testing done our entire lives, or just until a discernment by God is determined?

As much as I'd like to comfort you with promises of beds of roses, because I'm a softer heart than most, and console you with assurance, I cannot say for sure but I would suspect it to be possible. I personally don't put limits on what God will or won't require of us, as it has felt to me that He has asked more of me in bearing pain than I ever thought I could manage to carry. While I do admit this, I also admit that I'm still very grateful for every "no" and all the things that seem like curses in my life, as I know He is using it all to bless me more than I can be informed directly.

If you are as able as you have said to walk right with Him (and I don't doubt you), then I would suspect the test would be a greater test in my own personal estimations. The higher the skill of the athlete, the more advanced the obstacle course. If we are to be kings under Christ, I suppose our time of testing to be a real test, and not a flimsy whimsical semblance of something that was suppose to be a test. We are in an all out war against evil as children of God after all, and I am fully aware some of the testings seem irrelevant and unrelated, but I think that is just something that seems that way to us being on this side of the veil. (Luke 12:48 - 1 Timothy 1:18 - 1 Corinthians 13:12)

That's what worries me. I can handle a lot. It's not self-praise, it's what it is. But this would mean that.. I'll live a horrible life because I can handle it.

Isn't that the goal of the enemy? To make your life so hard as to actually put you to a test? It wouldn't be much of a test if you had a gravy life and even with hardships kind of sailed through effortlessly... No one would give up on God then. Smooth seas make not great sailors.

Job lost everything, including his health and was in an immense place of torment day and night sitting on a pile of ashes and scraping wounds open (that I'm sure were agonizingly painful) with shards of pottery (Job 2:8). His wife even told him to curse God and die (an obvious voice from the enemy to egg him on during the test to give up on God).

I wouldn't be worried about it to be honest, as He has brought us this far and will carry us through to the end. We haven't been asked to give our lives (yet) even though that is what we are told to be ready to do (Revelations 12:11 - Revelation 2:10). There are Christians right now as we discuss this being martyred and murdered, their blood soiling the ground and crying out just like righteous Abel's in the beginning.

Not to mention, although I know there is much confusion on the matter, I can assure you that we do not have much time left here and that our redemption is very soon (Luke 21:28). To be focused on ourselves while the world is being persecuted will not make it easier for us, but harder, and we are called to give our lives to God and trust Him with caring for us whatever that may look like (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Many people are confused sadly about the state of affairs of how things will play out, but we are leaving quite soon (sooner than we know) and so the time of testing for us will not be much longer. This might very well play into what our tests look like for each of us, but it also means we are being called to much higher seats in the Kingdom if we are being tested more heavily than others. It may also be that the hardship is a way of sparing us having to be given over to death and allowing us to be raptured, in that we are bringing God glory through our hardship and being a light to those around us. I certainly trust Him in these painful days because I know He has our best in mind and has shown me we are on the brink of having new bodies, no pain, and perfect lives with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

But it doesn't make any sense. I am severely tested here. All the path I need to take are closed, yet all the paths that lead to darkness are wide opened. I even meet people on street very talkative that urge me to live my life. As in, forget everything, lies, manipulations, just go with the flow. Go for carnal pleasures, if it doesn't divorce, make some kids, abandon them.. just life your life. I get this imbecility on a daily basis. And with God, I don't know what to do. Living life, as it is done today, is in direct contradiction with the scripture. I'm dealing with lukewarm Christians here: people that take from the scripture what they can/or will do, and disregard what they won't/or can't do.

God doesn't tell me what to do. He left all to me, and I bombarded by people that have no notion of anything.

Ahh yes, I certainly feel your pain in this. I know how it feels, and I can say I could have wrote the same and it would not be a lie. This is the time of the great falling away, another sign of the impending end (2 Thessalonians 2:3). I know you feel alone in this place you're in, but you have brothers and sisters all over the Earth who are in the same place and people are jumping in head first by the thousands per second into doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

The first part of your statement is the darkness encroaching on the world "all the paths that lead to darkness are wide opened." This is the case, yes, and the harder it gets, the closer to the rapture we are. I wouldn't be shocked if it happened tomorrow, or today even for that matter, I am so convinced from all that I have seen.

There are portals being opened daily around the world, the demonic entities are being seen more, hauntings and spiritual oppression in people's sleep and especially for those who are in sin it is increasing. Be aware God is certainly with you because you are being protected from evil creatures most don't even know exist. The magnitude of evil in this place has reached epic levels and we live in modern day Sodom, resurrected. It is not for no reason the world will be put through the Tribulation time of greater testing and nightmarish troubles.

As far as God not telling you what to do, I know the feeling of not having signals and leading that seem as clear as I would want them to be, but He is there for us always and always leading even when we don't know it. His sovereignty is absolute and your steps are guided even when you aren't aware of it, everything happens for a reason, and God does not make mistakes.. especially with His Children.

I would suggest taking a look at Gary Habermas' presentation "Making Sense of God's Silence" and maybe even taking notes. I've been on this Jesus train all of my life and I have to say I think Gary did one of the best jobs of elaborating on this subject than anyone I've encountered to date.

But expectations of God also increase in those that received the knowledge. This part of what I am afraid of. He's given me a lot of things, but never did He say what should I do with. If anything He tells me what not to do. But, If I don't know what to do, then isn't it a waste? Say you have more than half of the manifestations of the Spirit, if you do nothing with them, who's profiting here? I'm not sure, but I don't think God is profiting here.

I would say you are doing what you can, with what you have, right now. God calls us to be separate and just like the priests in the Old Testament had to be separate from the general population in Israel, so God calls us to be separate if we are willing to serve Him (2 Corinthians 6:17). You are seeking and asking and knocking also and that is good (Matthew 7:7), and I'm sure you are doing more than you know in the world in terms of being a light and shining (Matthew 5:16). We can't internalize our situation and suppose God isn't making any good use of us, as His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts ours (Isaiah 55:9). I think when you get into the Kingdom and see many faces of people you impacted toward eternal life, you might very well end up being shocked. I've learned even though my life seems insignificant to me, and seems as if I'm going nowhere, that we are really truly traveling faster than light in an eternal sense and God is making great things happen through us even when we are unaware of them.

That's the other thing I'm dealing with. There seems to be a very strong protection around me. Anyone that ever harmed me, got it bad. But it's never immediate. More like a certainty at some point in time. It seems to work based on forgiveness. When I forgive, then things start to happen to these people that have wronged me. I can't recall the verse, i Think it was in Romans, where you have to make space and leave justice to God. I never took revenge in my life, but from what I've noticed, it gets done by itself. I never had to do anything. Weird things are happening to these people, and I'm not doing anything. In the past there have been situations where, when such justice occurred, I heard voices that said "It's done". And these words are in the bible if I'm not mistake.

Genesis 12:3 says those that bless you will be blessed of God and those that curse you will be cursed of God. This is a promise to you, as one of God's Children grafted into the tree of Israel, as you and I are part of Israel, the seed of Abraham. We are not a replacement of Israel, but part of Israel through Christ. (Romans 11:17 - Galatians 3:28 - Romans 2:29)

When people are against you, the promises of God are for you, and this promise is not void. It impacts the real world and people in it, and when they curse you, they become cursed by their own doings (Psalm 7:16). If you were to rebel and fight for yourself, God would not fight, because He has told us that vengeance is His (Romans 12:19 - Deuteronomy 32:35 - Romans 12:15).

This will always occur, and will unto the end, and it is a sign He is with you, loves you, and is guiding you in everything. It is something to find great comfort in, especially with all the extremely demonic uprisings that are increasing in the world right now.

 

[Zceptre]

(Breached Character Limit - Continued...)

I agree. Encouragement, but why? Is this something I must, or is it optional for me? If it's mandatory, why doesn't God tell that it's a life-long mission? As mentioned previously, I am "encouraged" by everyone (except God) to live life. Different tactics are tried here: the fact that I deserve, that life is short, time is ticking, look at how beautiful women are, or how much comfort money brings... All this, frequently. Someone I talked to a few days ago said to me "do you plan to live 300 hundred years?", as mean reply to me saying that I wait for God to direct me, and give me what is is mine.

You see, this ties back to your dream. The little things hiding in the darkness all around you are hiding inside of the people that say these things. Demons don't just live in shadows around your house, they seek to inhabit people, just like God inhabits your body (Matthew 12:43).

The notion that God isn't encouraging you is a sign the enemy has his foot wedged into your door, and is trying to pry you away from believing in God's goodness and love for you, but God has proven His love for you through the cross and that is where our faith in Him is to be anchored (Romans 5:8). None of us deserve that sacrifice Christ made for us, and He absolutely proved He loves us beyond imagining. God certainly has encouraged all of us in the Scriptures nonstop, even if we are not aware of the address in the book He did so, the people that encourage us who are Godly got all of their own comfort and encouragement from Him (Romans 8:32). Also, God works through people He lives inside of, so if anyone is encouraging you in a Godly way, it is God doing it through them. He is always moving things to benefit you, even when we don't see it (Romans 8:28).

The fact that God has brought us this far is an encouragement, the fact you are protected over and over from countless people who wish you harm, including from witchcraft you are likely unaware of, should be an immense comfort in these days where children in Sudan are hungry and starving and millions are displaced, Christians in the Congo are being murdered (amongst others) currently (not in the past), and the underground Church is possibly larger than it ever has been in history. Oppression in the world is not only ours to carry and I dare say we don't have the heavy end in many ways. I know we often have hardships that seem unbearable, and I have that feeling often myself, but I dare not let it make me doubt in God's love for me in Christ.

I wouldn't let the Devil slip into your ear and put thoughts in your heart that God isn't doing enough. That's exactly what the dreams are to warn you about, that they are trying to find a crack in your armor and break through to you as hard as they can get. Put your armor on and use it, I would brush up on the armor of God in Ephesians 6, as even though it seems simple and sometimes it is just words, not having those points solid in our walk leave open areas for Satan and his minions to attack and break into our psyche and into our heart.

Don't doubt in God, but trust Him. (Mark 11:22)

I don't doubt God. I question the time. Everything in my life moves extremely slow. I never seen anything like this before. Everyone else seems to move faster. Me, I don;'t know. It takes a lot of time for things to receive answers, for things to be accomplished, for things to be fulfilled. Obviously, the quality is much higher than on most people that get it fast, but.. after all, time is ticking.

Reading your words sounds like the little dark voices that try to creep into my own mind at times. I relate immensely to the feeling, and I certainly understand the disdain for having to wait. I'm one who is susceptible to being impatient at times, and so it isn't easy but I think is part of the test.

Nothing worth having is easy to get. I really think God has greater blessings for you than you can comprehend and I think you are going to be shocked when you get home. Christmas will look like a peasant show in comparison to what God will have waiting for you, and I just am very keenly aware of this in my spirit. The more you talk, the more I hear Him tell me with a smile you are going to be stumped when you get there.

He knows how you feel. He is looking through your eyes with you, walking in your body with you, feeling your feelings with you, watching your thoughts with you. He is with you, and He is for you, and He cares so much that it hurts Him when you feel alone, or confused, or like you just don't understand the situation you're in. But He knows best and He won't let you bow out for less than what He knows you can be, and He won't pull back when He knows all that His heart wants to give you.

"I never seen anything like this before." That's right, and you likely won't ever see anything like it again. We are living in literal Biblical days where prophecy is moving so fast no one but God can track it. Israel is not only planted back in Israel, but the tree has almost all of its leaves on it again (Matthew 24:32). Everything in the news is lying, even if reporting on a true event, the world is falling into darkness and even Christians are turning against Israel because they are aware they have sins (as if anyone doesn't or Israel ever didn't).

Time is ticking, and it is good you have a sense of urgency about things, since our time here is short. But I would trust God in that He is outside, above, and has total control of time. I've been through this exact concern many times with Him and He assures me over and over that His timing is perfect and I need to trust Him with everything, including timing. It isn't what we want to hear, and we may be slow learners, but no matter how many times we scream "are we there yet?!" from the back seat, it isn't going to change when we arrive.

In other words, let nothing come between me and God?

Exactly. Our whole purpose is to glorify God (Psalm 86:12 - Isaiah 43:7 - 1 Corinthians 10:31). We are His Children made in His image (Love - 1 John 4:7 - 1 John 4:8). He is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5).

No matter the situation or circumstance our purpose for being alive is to glorify God by being like Him and trusting Him and His Word no matter what is thrown at us. Satan is trying to get you to doubt in God's goodness (1 Peter 5:8) when you have all the proof in the world (Romans 5:8 - Romans 8:32 - protections you've seen Genesis 12:3) that He loves you, is with you, is helping you, guiding you, and fighting for you (Isaiah 54:15).

When things seem impossible, or like darkness is winning, it is our job to trust in God and praise and glorify Him, and show that nothing will or can break our faith in Him like Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).

We are meant to mirror God's nature of love and goodness and to be light and love (fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22) in every situation no matter what hardships we go through. Don't be like the Israelites in the desert (1 Corinthians 10:10) but take it with patience and praise God in the situation anyway showing that you know God loves you even when everything seems to say otherwise (1 Peter 2:20 - 1 Peter 2:21).

You've got this. God is with you and He loves you no matter what things seem like (Proverbs 14:12 - Proverbs 3:5).

The fact that He is giving you dreams to inform you of things in advance, protecting you and in a very visible-to-you way, and urging your brothers or sisters to encourage you or be there for you in any way is Him pouring His love out on you. He is telling you that your previous investments are not moot or pointless, and that they are paying dividends and He is assuring you and reassuring you that it is all going to be worth it even though there is a lot of darkness currently, that He is going to make it more than worth it if you will continue to trust Him through all of this, as that is what the enemy is trying to pull you away from... trusting in Him.

This is all about a relationship and in a relationship there is only one crucial factor that sets high above all others...

TRUST.

Make sure you don't let Satan weasel in and make you distrust the person that loves you most and you'll do swimmingly, no matter what things seem like from our low resolution viewpoint down here in the dust.

Another resource I wouldn't recommend checking out is brother Billy Doray's "Rise Up In Your Pain" video. It is simple, but it is very powerful if applied.

Also, I'm praying for you. (Luke 22:31 - Luke 22:32)

 

[prudent_commenter]

@Zceptre By chance, do you know anything about hair dreams? One in particular:

All my life I've had short hair (buzz-cuts - very short). Three years ago, I had a dream, I heard a voice in my dream someone telling me to leave the hair alone, and that I'll see what comes from it.

I woke up with the thought of beauty, as in "I'll see how beautiful it is", but it may be something else meant. I never saw the person's face, nor do I know who it was but I knew it was some important, very important to me.

Do you know anything about this?

It couldn't have been a nazarite vow, could it? I mean, the requirements for the vow, I already have them. Haven't touched, nor drank, nor cut anything in all this time, and even before the dream.

For context, I have kept it long, both hair and beard. Haven't touched it since.

 

[Zceptre]

Seems to me it may be something between you and God.

What came to mind when I questioned the Lord about it was John the baptist, in that he was a very outdoors type man and had all of his hair. The Lord Jesus did not have women's hair in being very long, though I feel confident He has shown me (after many years of nagging Him about it) that it is shoulder length-ish but neat, and a groomed beard.

John the baptist was not "just a man." No no, he was, according to Christ's own words the greatest man born of women (Matthew 11:11).

John was actually the last of the Old Testament prophets and he was martyred by beheading before Christ's sacrifice on the cross which marks the beginning of the New Covenant.

I don't, personally, think it is related to the nazaritic vow and while many think the Lord Jesus is a nazarite, He actually is not... He is a Nazarene, meaning He is from Nazareth. Christ is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

While I don't think it related to being a nazarite, I do think it may be something between you and God wherein He spoke to you, and because you have it in your heart to honor Him you did as you were bidden (Romans 14:6). This seems to be part of your personal walk with Him and part of His sign to you, maybe even an answer to prayers of yours.

To be connected to John the baptist is something I would hold in high esteem, or even to be like him somehow (which you now are). You are not under the law in any way shape or form, but you rather are part of a greater ministry altogether (Hebrews 8:6) in that you belong to Christ and have died to the law in Christ so that you may belong to Him instead (Romans 7:4).

God's ways are very personalized in dealing with us, His Children. We are not slaves meant for a work purpose but special to Him, and He moves in our lives in very personal ways, making things custom cut-to-fit for us because He loves us. Whatever this is, it is a special bond between you and Him in that you take Him seriously, while many do not.

My guess is that you might very well be having some interesting conversations with John the baptist, greatest born of women, in the Kingdom quite soon. I suspect when he sees you that He will look at Lord Jesus and he will initially say something to the effect of, "Lord, now this is a brother of mine!"

 

[prudent_commenter]

@Zceptre I always wondered why do monks keep their hair and beard long. Wherever real faith lives, there's also hair, and lots of it.
And per my bias, I also had positive experiences with long-bearded priests than with those well-groomed.
Maybe God told them to leave it?

I also find it curious that only men can grow beards. If it's something that only men can do, then it should be apparent. If it has a connection with God, then that would imply that women are only half. There's something about hair that I just never found.

 

[Zceptre]

I also find it curious that only men can grow beards. If it's something that only men can do, then it should be apparent. If it has a connection with God, then that would imply that women are only half. There's something about hair that I just never found.

Everything has meaning that we don't fully, and likely won't fully, comprehend except as time goes on and we learn throughout eternity. There are compounding levels to everything in the world far beyond natural explanations.

Hair in a general sense in a lot of ways is a means of protection, insulation, and also a covering. Not only this, but such as is seen in the lion's case it also carries a sense of authority and prestige. It is a symbol of strength, and power, like seen with Sampson also.

With men and Godliness, there is a deeper sense to all such things, in that once a person starts focusing more on their physical appearance and sense of style or look, it can lead to pride, and distraction from God, and all sorts of things depending on the case in question. Men who are more concerned about who they are on the inside are preferred by God, as it is the inside of the cup that needs cleaning, not the outside so much (Matthew 23:26).

Women aren't counted half of man or anything necessarily, but are just in a different placement in terms of roles. Every one of us is called to serve as Christ served others, not Himself (Matthew 23:11). Women are held in high regard by Christ and there were more women standing at Christ's cross, than men when He was crucified. They are simply different, and meant to compliment the man being the counterpart to him. Whether wives or simply sisters, they add a particular service to life that could not be afforded by men alone, as they are the embodiment of God's more merciful side, and the mother often is the one who softens the father's heart when discipline is carried out. In that, they are a picture of the kindness and mercy of Christ whom we are the Bride of (2 Corinthians 11:2).

The man is the embodiment of the Father, the just and powerful God of the throne, who loves all but must keep order and does so through His might and strength. Just like the Son and Holy Spirit are in relationship with the Father, so the wife and the children are in relationship to the husband. We simply all have a particular part to play in God's world that He purposes for us. Only God is all in all and is in all things.

In the case of men like John the baptist, and Paul the apostle, there is a higher calling they are bidden to. Their devotion and time is strictly dedicated to purity and relationship with their Maker, and to enjoy the privileges that many men enjoy is not part of their life and walk with Him.

The grooming of the beard and hair is meant to be physically attractive and geometrically appealing to others. It encourages acceptance of men and women alike, and carries into public life and horizontal relationships, as opposed to the vertical relationship with our Life Giver.

I don't have a full understanding of how that plays out in the Kingdom, but I'm very aware that sacrifices are all counted in God's judgments and He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). That includes the sacrifices we make for Him in abandoning pleasure and temporal gains to be devoted more fully to Him and His purposes in love and serving others after the fashion of His Son, Christ.

It isn't so much the hair that counts, as the heart that is behind the hair. That seems to me to be the reason you have noticed a distinction between those who have and have not such appearances, in that the heart was shining through that was behind the beard.

 

[prudent_commenter]

@Zceptre At any rate, I'll see what these dreams are worth.

What I did not write in the previous posts is that there were many smaller dreams in which I received the words such as "You will" or "You'll have it", or "It will be done" or "It will be done in XX months", whenever in my dreams I said I'm oppressed/cursed/unlucky/I'll never have, someone came and said the those words. I also received words in my dreams of trust, such as "Trust me".

I can't tell whether these were from God or the devil. It's been a long time, and I see nothing. Quoting the scripture is well and good, but in the dreams I asked for specifics, and the replies were based on those specifics. And nothing yet.

The way that I have lived my life is that I put all trust in God. But.. if He doesn't do anything, in the very near future I will no longer exist. It's mathematical certainty. And nothing seems to be steering away from this situation. It seems to be going (very slowly) in that direction. Maybe God wants me gone. But it doesn't explain, why the wait? And also doesn't explain why this "building" of me. My mind, the knowledge, the wisdom, the intuition, the distinction of what to do and not to do, all have been increasing in the last years. If He going to let me die, why the effort? Why the investment in something that will never do anything? The problem that I have at the moment prevents from doing anything, either for God, or myself. Which means I cannot help anyone, nor can I live my earthly life. And will continue to do so wither until He finishes me, or until He begins to help me.