I have read the various posts on this with great interest. I too was in a Charismatic church for 20 years and came to the Reformed Confession about 5 years ago and left my AOG church a little over a year ago. My wife is still there. The whole time I was in the AOG church I never once heard the direct voice of God even though at times I sought it being prodded by the others who had.
With all of the exchanges going back and forth and the Scriptures flying hot and heavy, I want to add a practical side where hearing from God apart from Scripture ultimately ends up. What you are about to read is a true story. I have changed the actual names. I relate this story not for entertainment or even to prove a theological point. I write this because I believe that seeking to hear the voice of God leads us into the wilderness. That wilderness is full of doubt, confusion, lack of true biblical faith, and the Word of God as being secondary.
About 2 Years ago at my old AOG church, the only son of a couple who where one of the pillars of the church, was diagnosed with Leukemia. His Dad was a deacon and his mother was head of the Intercessors. A year ago with much prayer and words from God confirming that he would be healed, his Leukemia went into remission. We all rejoiced and those that heard from God were now confident that they heard a true Word. A few months back, the cancer returned. There was much prayer going up and many of the Intercessors assured his Mom that God had directly spoke to them that her son would be healed. Even as his condition worsened, because of these words from God, they all never doubted that he would be healed.

Today I attended this young (31) man's funeral.

As tragic as this story is, not any less tragic is the doubts and confusion of the Intercessors. I include an e-mail from one of them:

"This is very sad and confusing. Josh had an incredible Army fighting for him. Can't find a better bunch of prayer warriors anywhere. What happened? Why didn't God heal him? Why didn't God answer prayers? Sue(the mom) is such a wonderful person, God fearing, God loving, everything that God could ask for in a woman. Why didn't God answer her prayers? Why didn't God honor her belief that he would be healed? Why?"

Sad, isn't it. Even though the words from God didn't come true they will still look to new revelation to get answers.
You will see that in this next e-mail

"You are asking the same questions we are all asking……I am looking forward to asking pastor those same questions tonight when I go to church….we are still meeting at the prayer gate tonight and MAYBE someone will give some revelation on this whole situation…..We don’t get it either……..
BUT that probably is the plan of the enemy to bring us to a place of confusion…so that our faith wavers and gives him a way TRY to infiltrate the camp…..I have no answers …. Other than GOD is still on the thrown and what the enemy planed for bad the LORD will turn it for HIS good…..that’s all I know…"

The really sad part is that I know all of these women and they will admit that they know very little about the Bible. Why should they take the hard work to study God's word? They get "a fresh word" from God all the time. One of them told me that God told her what color He wanted her living room painted. I have dubbed this Caroline Kennedy theology. When JFK became President his daughter, Caroline, was very young. Many things where written about her now famous dad. Why should she read any of it? She talked to him directly while sitting on his knee.
With all of these visions and words from God that didn't come true and all the doubts and confusion, they still hold on to error. I will leave you with this last e-mail that was sent a day or so after Josh died. This will show you how far down the slippery slope of current day revelation people can go. So convinced that they heard from God about his healing, they where not about to give up.

Dear Ellen,
I feel like I can ask you this question. I thought about it all day, Mary was over this evening with the Same question, and before she left her house Joan asked the same question....why are we not praying over Josh for God to raise him up from the dead? We took that course at the healing room where we heard about it on more than one occasion, as you know. What's your thoughts on it?
Love,
Debbie

As I have seen with my own eyes, the road of personal revelation from God is littered with the wreckage of biblical illiteracy, lack of true faith, and in severe cases, jettisoning their faith altogether.

Last edited by bassbum; Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:21 AM.