God, in His great wisdom, skillfully tailors His interactions with every believer—taking into account the unique needs and circumstances of His children.
Among the rationales behind the belief that God no longer communicates with us as He did in the past is the assertion that the guidance and wisdom we seek from God are already encapsulated within the pages of the Bible. Besides, the Holy Book is referred to as the living, breathing Word of God.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Nonetheless, it is also equally true that the Bible does not suggest any forthcoming shift or provide any overt indication that God will cease speaking audibly with people.
Note: The Bible mentioned the rarity of direct exchanges between God and the people of Israel prior to the famed conversation of God and the prophet Samuel:
“And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” 1 Samuel 3:1 KJV
Nevertheless, there is no intimation that God will cease to speak with people in their dreams and during open visions. It’s quite the opposite.
It is written: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 KJV
Such a statement contradicts the belief that God has ceased conversing with us as He did with His servants thousands of years ago.
However, it is crucial to understand, based on personal experiences of individuals who genuinely heard God's audible voice, that the Lord's interactions with them only occurred once or twice. It is a shift from the effusive dialogue God had with His servants in ancient times.
Hence, people who claim to hear His audible voice regularly are a sham. It is essential to delve into the concealed motive underpinning these claims with discerning insight—as many adeptly manipulate believers with lies to amass wealth.
One of the most compelling factors to consider when assessing the veracity of such an assertion is the lasting positive transformation such an ethereal experience has on the life of the person who made such a claim.
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Therefore by their fruits you will know them." Matthew 7:16-20 NKJV
Powerful Testimonies of Jews Encountering Jesus in the Spirit Realm
Aside from Pastor Charles Stanley’s personal testimony, here are other compelling stories that prove God still speaks to us today:
Jewish Man Saw Jesus in a Vision on Mount Tabor Israel
Jesus Appears to a Jewish Woman
Jewish Man Sees Vision of Jesus in the Sky
The veil and hardening over Israel will be lifted according to the prophecy. God temporarily gave Israel its spiritual blindness but will, in time, lift the veils off their eyes and recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
According to some pastors, such an awakening has already begun as a growing number of Jews are coming to faith in Christ. Some encountered Jesus miraculously, experiencing His ethereal presence, and He spoke with them through dreams and visions.
The number of Jews who received Jesus as Messiah is still modest compared to the whole population of Jews in Israel, but it is gradually increasing at a steady pace.
Note: There have been sporadic attacks of religious Jews in Israel against Christians in the news—please let us not hold grudges against them, for it is written:
“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25 NIV
We can support Jewish organizations that aim to share the gospel of Christ with their fellow Jews in and outside of Israel by subscribing to their YouTube channels. They are as follows:
Devout Muslims Came to Faith in Jesus After a Miraculous Encounter
In the Middle East, it’s dangerous for Christian missionaries to share the gospel with Muslim communities. Hence, some pastors believe that God seems to be using otherworldly measures in order to reach the unreached.
And here are compelling testimonies of Muslims that prove God speaks audibly to us today when needed. Based on a report by CBN News, a growing number of Muslims miraculously come to Jesus after seeing and hearing Him speak to them in their dreams and visions.
“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:16 ESV
Here are links to powerful testimonies of former Muslims:
Islamic Terrorist Converts to Christianity After Seeing a Vision of Jesus
Devout Muslim Man Meets Jesus in Mecca Testimony
Muslim Woman Saw Jesus Through an Open Vision
If you desire to hear Him speak audibly, whether in open visions or in dreams, you can always ask Him to do so. God finds profound joy in witnessing the genuine longing of His children to forge a deep connection with Him.
However, it’s still in God’s hands whether to grant your request. God, in His great wisdom, skillfully tailors His interactions with every believer—taking into account the unique needs and circumstances of His children.
Considering that we are in the last days, hearing Him audibly speak to you in visions or in dreams may not be too far-fetched as stated in Acts 2:17 (KJV).
Pastor Charles Stanley once said: “Sometimes people say, 'I don't believe God speaks today.' Well, let me just say this. You are absolutely wrong! God speaks today, and what He says to each individual, He says according to what the need is and what's His plan for your life. That's why developing a listening heart is so very important."
He said so because he heard God’s audible voice himself. Here’s a link to Pastor Stanley’s sermon on hearing God’s voice.
Lastly, God communicates with us in a myriad of ways. Some hear Him speak audibly in dreams and visions, while others through the Bible, present circumstances, or other believers' wise words or sage advice. Hence, never be disheartened nor perceive yourself as any less if you have not heard His audible voice in your dreams or seen Him in an open vision. God will communicate with you and convey His message as He sees fit.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [a]mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 KJV
Photo Credit: ©Tanes Ngamsom
