Would you be converted hearing God? I have a long time held my peace!
24th June 2019, hej
So many Agnostics and Atheists explain that they would believe the God of the Bible if they heard Him speak, or saw a miracle sign of His existence.
Are you reasonable, that is able to change a position or belief due to evidence? If you are truly reasonable you are a minority. If you are a Christian you may also wish to consider:
“In a perfectly rational world, people who encounter evidence which challenges their beliefs would first evaluate this evidence, and then adjust their beliefs accordingly. However, in reality this is seldom the case. Instead, when people encounter evidence that should cause them to doubt their beliefs, they often reject this evidence, and strengthen their support for their original stance. This occurs due to a cognitive bias known as the backfire effect. effectiviology.com
All people aren't reasonable. That's me. That's you. Whether human beliefs are based on evidence is debatable as here is much evidence including in science that people may 'believe' all sorts of things on the basis of no evidence, such as the earth is flat, and not believe things for which there is evidence, such as the historic scale of the Holocaust. There are numerous studies and opinion polls that illustrate this, not just at the site above. A fundamental issue is knowledge. The lack of knowledge of the Bible, even by Christians, is woeful!
If Atheists and Agnostics who express the opinion that they would believe if they heard God, had actually read the Bible, they would know it is written:
The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden (held) my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (Isaiah 42:13-14)
For a long time God said he will hold his peace: then He will Roar! In context the roaring will be at the time God's Servant will judge all the nations,
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles (Hebrew means Nations). He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. (Isaiah 42:1-4)
Has God judged all the nations since this was written? No! Has God roared? No!
If we wait for the loud roar to prove to us the God of the Bible's exists, it will be too late-
Listen to Paul, who all should know was a deadly opponent of the followers of Jesus until he was given irrefutable evidence in hearing Jesus (Y'shua)!
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thess. 1:6-9)
There is a logic loop missing if we say we have not heard God, yet we have never fully read and understood what He has caused to be written for us to hear! It is abysmal ignorance in any case to have not read all the Bible, a foundation document of Western Civilisation!
So what would convince you? Do you want to see a miracle? – well it might not convince you anyway! So let's take an era of dramatic miracles of the Bible and see if the mass of people got anything much out of seeing miracles!
Faithless Era of Miracles
The Israelites who saw the miracles in Egypt are famous for not having any faith - Israel recorded their lack of faith in their God of Israel as an embarrassing fact in their well preserved history. Amazing things happened, such as massive plagues of flies and frogs, unseasonable storms that killed wiping out crops and only the eldest son of every family dying. Then the sea amazingly parts so they could walk through it, oh, and then being given water from a rock and being fed with bread from heaven! The subsequent rebellion and lack of faith in God of Israel is noted at the time!
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them.. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. (Deut. 32:18-20)
So there is no evidence that the unconvinced would be convinced even if they saw such miracles as the sea parting! Would you be convinced? Be honest! We would be awed! But a scientist might say, “If you have a strong wind this way and combined with the topography, it is not so remarkable, it could be natural”. I have seen such an explanation with a scale model of the supposed topography of the Red Sea and indeed they made the waters part! As to how a never-before-seen phenomena may occur, at the time required! But the point is that even Jews themselves have the history for at least 2,000 years that says such miracles didn't lead to their faith in God! The letter to the Hebrews, a Christian document makes this history of failure clear,
Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (Hebrews 3:7-11)
If some half millions of Israel recorded they saw miracles and lived a miracle, and yet still failed to believe the Power of the God of Israel, would the masses of other people of the world really do any better? Two only of over half million people at that time are recorded as having faith and belief in the Power of God. If you don't believe in the God of the Bible you aren't remarkable.
Not listening to God
The issue of those not believing in the power of God was well known to the psalmist:
But unto the wicked God saith, “What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou should take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hates instruction, and casts my words behind thee. When thou saw a thief, then thou consented with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou give thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frames deceit. Thou sit and speak against thy brother; you slander thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thought that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. (Psalm 50:16-22)
The Psalmist says that the issues of all forms of evil, from theft and including slander and lies, is from people thinking God is like them, because he keeps silence. Yet the fundamental reason for them thinking God is silent is that they 'hate instruction' and throw God's written words away. If they read, looked and pondered there is evidence of judgement!
But as for them whose heart walk after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 11:21)
It may just look 'natural', but the consequences of our actions come back upon us, and the good we may hope for by theft, slander or lies turns to evil in our lives. How many have had careers ruined by things they thought a past 'success' in their scheming for power?
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:26-28)
Thus there is a property of the world – a 'natural' state - where theft, cunning, lies and deception fail. It looks very 'natural'. Many can dismiss it and blind themselves, thinking God has 'kept silence'. They are ignorant of the power of God over all the things that look natural! It is a miracle that those that devise the fall of others fall into their own trap in the end. We are told about Haman in the book of Esther. His death on his own gallows that he prepared for the man he hoped to destroy doesn’t appear a Divine Miracle where God roars forth and condemns him! It all seems quite natural. The Name of the God of the Bible isn't even mentioned in the entire book of Esther that recounts this history.
What if all that some may think 'Natural' – is in fact miracle? From the sun rising, to life in the deep oceans. The sun rises each day due to an impossible rotation of the earth. According to laws of physics things go in straight lines unless a force acts on them - what Force holds the earth in its curious wobbly circuit of the sun? Are you, smarter than Isaac Newton and able to explain it? Where does life come from in the deep oceans? All life is impossible, let alone the myriad of irreducible complex forms of life that exists in pressures that kill humans. There is a Law of Biogenesis, which says life can't arise from nothing. Are you smarter than Louis Pasteur? Can you understand how DNA arose?
When God will Roar
The last point of abysmal ignorance of the doubtful seeking great signs 'here-and-now' is that there are millions of Christians who say their Lord is away absent in Heaven until he comes back in judgement. No, we won't see great signs now, unless we know what to look for.
Let us hear about what Christians know: There is a parable they will know, a story with a lesson: let us enjoy it.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Mat 13:24-30)
Do you get the point here? We aren't going to be blasted in judgement here and now, as perhaps we might rethink our position, or perhaps it might hurt those who are Christians nearby who are valuable to Christ.
Let's hear another story with a message from Christ,
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
They say unto him, “He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” (Matthew 21:33-41)
We can also consider the gospel record of miracles. Are people today cured in a moment? No way! Not possible! We have multiple witnesses that something very remarkable happened at the time of Christ. People were likely being suddenly healed of life-long illness, as without something like that crowds of 5,000 people don't make sense. The crucifixion account doesn't make sense unless there was power there, as no group in power goes out of their way to kill those who don't pose a threat. Yet despite this evidence that something was going on that was unusual, the great leaders and the intellectuals, who didn't believe the power yet felt the threat, asked for a sign from Christ.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, “Master, we would see a sign from thee.”
But he answered and said unto them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” (Matthew 12:38-41)
There was about them all sorts of evidence. But if you don't see it, you don't see it. It's not a great place to be with the masses who don't understand the cause of things.
Seeing Signs
The servants of Christ are given strong warning to not fall into thinking there are no signs. They are told to watch.
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he (Christ) said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? (Luke 21:5-7)
Even the Disciples of Christ didn't believe what he said, as they asked for a sign! Luke 21 is a record of Christ's list of the signs in many events that would occur, leading to the destruction of the Temple- which did occur as predicted. Christ then goes on to speak about his second coming, giving specific signs.
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (Nations other than Jews), until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh. (Luke 21:24-28)
Were Jews led away captive into all nations after the latest time this record in Luke could have been written? It is well know there were Christians being killed well before any Jews were displaced from Jerusalem! It is a fact that Jews were scattered to every nation on earth. It is a fact that this scattering ceased in this generation. It is fact seen in news since 1967 month after month and year after year that Jews 'illegally' occupy and rule Jerusalem. Recently some nations including America recognised Jews rule in Jerusalem as a 50 year old fact on the ground. So how did Christ get that right? The impossible! A guess?
On one hand Anglo-European people who have no connection to the events are shouting in protests about Jews in Jerusalem, and then on the other hand others are saying, 'I might believe God exists if I saw a sign.' Where could we expect to see a sign God exists? Should it be for us personally, like Saul on the road to Damascus? Yes perhaps, but seeing how it so easy to miss things, have you looked for signs in your own life?
If I talked of signs in my life would you believe me? No! Why should you. It is a witness of one! It's not even by definition of the Bible a substantial proof. If others speak of signs that God works in their personal life, it is also not proof. No good court would accept the witness of one. So yes go look in your own life for evidence, if only that can convince you. But don't expect God to work there in your life to convince others He exists! Let's move up a level to that of a community. Many attest to things that are miracles where people survive and it's impossible and can only be from God. If there are many witnesses, would you believe them, if you didn't experience it? Why believe their witness and not those who penned the Bible? Are all liars, but yourself? Is that a logical position to have? So we move to the level of nations. There are many committed Jews and Christians who see in the life of nations the work of God, especially as much is written of the fate of nations in the Bible. Would you consider their evidence? There is much evidence of fulfilled Bible prophecy. Or would you contest that it is natural and/or chance? If this is so, what can convince the sceptic? Logically nothing.
Hearing the Still Small Voice
Elijah faced this issue of how to convince people: He had faith. He shows by miracle of sudden fire in water that Baal was nothing and the God of Israel existed, to Israel on Mt Carmel, but not all believed and he failed to convince the Queen, who sought his life. Elijah for his faith got to hear from God. This is his witness,
He (God) said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1Kings 19:11-12)
This was to show us that great exhibitions of power are not how faith is made. It comes in the form of the small voice, the voice recorded in the Bible. The Bible is by many miracles the most freely available book on the planet. Zechariah was told:
“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)
There is a quiet miracle of understanding given to those who ears are open to seek truth in understanding. Most won't hear the word. Most won't even seek to listen. Science establishes most people aren't reasonable.
Those who want to hear God roar to be convinced He exists are leaving it too late, the thing they say they desire to see is the deadly earthquake of Judgement Day!
Let the Nations be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the Nations round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy. (Joel 3:12-17)
For more see Unbelief in God
