Several books lately have been discussed that promote visions of heaven and hell. This is all very confusing to mature believers, so what are the babes in Christ to believe? Why don't we go straight to the Word and see what God says?

 

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Cor 11:3-4

 

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: Rev 22:18

 

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Cor 14:33

 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor 5:8

 

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; Ezek 14:4

 

    I would suggest that these confusing words that others are purporting to be the true words of God, are attempting to add to the words of this Book, another gospel, another Jesus, and that in order to believe, one only needs the Word of God, not some vision that the Lord Himself gives those who set up idols in their own heart. What does this mean? The Lord allows one to believe in the idols he has set up in his own heart, and that idol is the image of God the individual has chosen, whether it is false or not. The Lord says He will answer them according to the idol they have set up. In other words, He will let them believe what they have already chosen to believe. If one bases one's salvation upon something other than the Word of God, it is not true salvation.The Bible has many verses that confirm this idea, of allowing one to believe a lie, here are but a few:

 

That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.  Is 45:6 -7

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Thess 2:11

And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. Ex 4:21

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. 1 Kings 22:22-23

And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee. 2 Chron 18:21-22

 

   Discernment is sorely lacking these days. It is not something one automatically gets upon repeating a few words of a prayer. It is something that must be sought. According to Webster, discerning is showing insight and understanding. It is a gift of God. Pray for it and seek it with all your heart.

 

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:9

 

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. Eccl 1:13

 

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: Eccl 7:25

 

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. Prov. 15:14