God's discerning test ... to see if we really do love Him.
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth
thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass,
whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which
thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken
unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the
LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God
with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
Note then, that 'signs and wonders' are NOT SUFFICENT proof that a
prophet is speaking the truth of God.
So did Jesus pass?
You may not have heard this, but some say 'no' because they believe
that Jesus changed the laws of Moses.But is that right?
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the
law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of
these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called
the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I
say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter
into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)
Now ... see how The Holy Spirit tells about death and after death experiences:
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called
Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now
when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead
man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and
much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he
had compassion on her, and said unto her,Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still.
And he said,Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him
to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God,
saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath
visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all
Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John
calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying,Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
When the men were come unto him, they said,
John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying,
Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues,
and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.Then Jesus answering said unto them,
Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how
that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And
blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Luke 7:11-23)
And ...
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the
law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another,
committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from
her husband committeth adultery.There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine
linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar
named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring
to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table:
moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that
the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom:the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his
eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in
his bosom. And he cried and said,Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip
the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented
in this flame.But Abraham said,
Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,
and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou
art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a
great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.Then he said,
I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my
father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto
them, lest they also come into this place of torment.Abraham saith unto him,
They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said,
Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:17-31)
Did you notice that the Holy Spirit moved right from the topic of
divorce, remarriage, adultery to a certain rich man who ends up in
torment ... ?Do we see that kind of preaching ... today?
Do we need that kind of preaching today when so many 'signs and
wonders pastors' are divorced and remarried and teaching that that is
ok?