Why does God keep Himself hidden?

[twin1954]

There are many reports of Muslims turning to Christ because He appears to them in dreams. Are these people deceived? Is Satan deceiving them? Satan is now in the business of deceiving people to leave pagan religions to become Christians?

Absolutely! Satan's biggest deception is to get folks to become "Christians". They, instead of actually resting in Christ, trust in a decision or a prayer or a vision or even their faith. That is not true Christianity but changing one false religion for another. Satan loves to fill churches with religious people who have no idea what it is to actually rest in Christ alone.

(2Co 11:13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

(2Co 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(2Co 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 

[SpunkyDoodle]

God is visible and audible the whole time, its just that we have a tendency to close our eyes and stick our fingers in our ears.

There is truth in these words.

Romans, Chapter 1
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

If God were there to be viewed by all as He is in His glory, it is stated what would happen to us. When Jesus appeared to John (His best friend and beloved disciple,) John was immediately on his face as a dead man. If we could see Jesus as He is, we would all be on our faces. The time will come when Jesus comes back, all will see Him, and they will pray that they could neither see Him, nor be seen by Him.

Revelation, Chapter 1
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation, Chapter 6
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

 

[newlightseven]

Let us not forget that Jesus is the Word of God. Everytime we hold a bible, we are holding him.

 

[SkyWriting]

Finally, someone addresses the issue I raised. Congratulations.

But I see serious problems with your answer. You are in effect, saying that sin separates us from God and God hides Himself from us to essentially protect us from destruction. There are two problems with this:

1) In the Old Testament, God appeared in many ways to sinful people. Sure, there had to be some veiling of his full glory, so why can't He do that more often?

2) Since we have been washed clean of our sins by the finished redemptive work of the Son and made fit for God's Spirit of Holiness to reside in us, making our bodies His holy temple, how can this still be an issue?

Even our Spirit cannot be perfected, though it has been forgiven. We will cry when we encounter the father, becasue it will be evi

Finally, someone addresses the issue I raised. Congratulations.

But I see serious problems with your answer. You are in effect, saying that sin separates us from God and God hides Himself from us to essentially protect us from destruction. There are two problems with this:

1) In the Old Testament, God appeared in many ways to sinful people. Sure, there had to be some veiling of his full glory, so why can't He do that more often?

2) Since we have been washed clean of our sins by the finished redemptive work of the Son and made fit for God's Spirit of Holiness to reside in us, making our bodies His holy temple, how can this still be an issue?

1) God sent His Son to give His life for us. A Father has no additional obligation past the death of His Son.
2) The one passage about body = temple clarifies the idea in the next sentence:

17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

 

[SkyWriting]

Let us not forget that Jesus is the Word of God. Everytime we hold a bible, we are holding him.

Not quite. In a manner of speaking. If you go that direction then you
are really drinking blood and eating His body. Is that where you at?

 

[Floodland]

God cannot look directly upon sin (which includes sin in us) without his holy nature burning us instantly to a crisp as a sort of reflex. Let's say you have a pet peeve and somebody does whatever it is that HIGHLY irritates you and causes you to shriek in agony, well it's much like that with God with sin being his pet peeve.

 

[MechPebbles]

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[SpunkyDoodle]

So what is to stop God from veiling His glory the way He did many times when He appeared to people?

God is putting us through a testing and proving. Jesus said His disciples were blessed because they see, but we (anyone else) are more blessed because we believe, though we don't see.

There are times when the faithful need some extra encouragement for what they will endure. We have books like Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and a compiled book of scriptures in the Holy Bible, that the first century Church did not have. They are examples to us, and we get strength, and our faith is encouraged by seeing what they endured, and how they lived.

To demand to see God is not the same as being allowed to see God. The time will come when God will prove that seeing Him as present on this Earth, in Jerusalem, for a thousand years is not sufficient for the unregenerate to come savingly to Him. As soon as the opportunity arises, they will go the wrong way again. Seeing God, in itself, does not change hearts, but trusting what God shows you in your heart has the power to change you into a child of God.

What's wrong with being on our faces before the risen all-powerful Lord? That's where we belong. A great cure for all this casual, irreverent, buddy-buddy way we treat the King of kings.

Nothing stopping you from having that attitude even now. God allows us to see enough of those people who do assume the "buddy-buddy way we treat the King of kings" to know it is not right.

 

[MechPebbles]

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[twin1954]

I fear for you, Twin. You are so adamant with your doctrines that, in order to uphold them, you are willing to ascribe the powerful, compassionate work of Christ in appearing to Muslims to bring them out of their darkness into His light as the work of Satan. That's frightening. You accuse people of not resting in Christ alone, but are you doing that? Instead of glorifying the Lord for His gracious love toward a people group especially opposed to Him, you seem to care more about giving glory to your dogmatism.

Not at all. I am overjoyed that God is calling His elect from the four corners of the earth. I rejoice in His Gospel and preach Him at every opportunity. I desire for folks to know Him and the peace that passes understanding with every fiber of my being.

At the same time I recognize the truth that what passes for "Christianity" in this age is a sham and a show. Especially those who claim to believe because they saw a vision of Christ. The preaching of the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. Read what Paul says in 1Cor. 2:1-5. The Lord Jesus Christ appears to His people through His word. We don't need extra-biblical visions, signs and wonders we have the Word of God preached and the Spirit making it reach our hearts.

I am not trying to uphold doctrine, even though I have given Scripture to back it up, but trying to answer your question. Am I dogmatic about what I believe? Sure, but that dogmatism comes from many years of study and prayer for light in the truth according to the Scriptures.

 

[Dave-W]

There are many reports of Muslims turning to Christ because He appears to them in dreams. Are these people deceived? Is Satan deceiving them? Satan is now in the business of deceiving people to leave pagan religions to become Christians?

Absolutely! Satan's biggest deception is to get folks to become "Christians". They, instead of actually resting in Christ, trust in a decision or a prayer or a vision or even their faith. That is not true Christianity but changing one false religion for another. Satan loves to fill churches with religious people who have no idea what it is to actually rest in Christ alone.

(2Co 11:13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

(2Co 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(2Co 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Really? Calling the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit on some of the most hardened jihadists a deception of the devil?

You do realize many of those are now preaching the gospel, right? Putting their lives on the line for the sake of the cross.

 

[Dave-W]

Especially those who claim to believe because they saw a vision of Christ. The preaching of the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. Read what Paul says in 1Cor. 2:1-5. The Lord Jesus Christ appears to His people through His word. We don't need extra-biblical visions, signs and wonders we have the Word of God preached and the Spirit making it reach our hearts.

How does God reach those who will never read or even hear someone read from a bible? Of the few I have personally heard on their stories, after coming to faith they were VORACIOUS in reading and studying the Word.

 

[twin1954]

I notice that most of you are not answering my question. You are creating your own questions which you then gleefully proceed to answer.

My question is very simple: "Why is God keeping Himself hidden from us?" Or to put it another way, "Why does God not appear to us in a visible way?" Note that this is a 'why' question.

To answer this question and not some other, phrase your answer like this: "The reason God keeps Himself hidden from us is..."

The reason that God keeps Himself hidden from us is because in His infinite wisdom, love, mercy and grace He has determined for it to be so. That should be answer enough for a believer.

 

[twin1954]

Really? Calling the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit on some of the most hardened jihadists a deception of the devil?

You do realize many of those are now preaching the gospel, right? Putting their lives on the line for the sake of the cross.

Which gospel are they preaching?

I don't discount the supernatural work of the Spirit on anyone but I am convinced by the Scriptures that the Spirt speaks by the word not by visions and dreams.

 

[Dave-W]

Which gospel are they preaching?

Check them out for yourself.

Umar Mulinde
Mosab Hassan Yousef

 

[twin1954]

How does God reach those who will never read or even hear someone read from a bible?

The word makes it very clear that God always puts His elect together with one of His preachers.
(Rom 10:6) But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above

(Rom 10:7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

(Rom 10:8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

(Rom 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Rom 10:11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

(Rom 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

(Rom 10:15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Of the few I have personally heard on their stories, after coming to faith they were VORACIOUS in reading and studying the Word.

Reading and studying the word is nothing new to unbelievers. The Pharisees read and studied the word voraciously but missed Christ because of it. It takes the Spirit opening up the word and showing the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Cor. 4:1-6

Do you remember what Peter said about visions and the things that are seen?

(2Pe 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

(2Pe 1:17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(2Pe 1:18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

(2Pe 1:19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

(2Pe 1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

(2Pe 1:21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

[twin1954]

Check them out for yourself.

Umar Mulinde
Mosab Hassan Yousef

OK I will Google them and see for myself.