In the last article of my "Faith Trilogy," I am going to explain something that may surprise some people. It is the misunderstood phenomenon we know as "premonitions." Now, what do premonitions have to do with "Faith?" Well, they may not have anything to do with it per sé, but they do relate to "the lack thereof." The lack of faith seems to have a correlation with premonitions. The absence of faith seems to have a mutual connection with premonitions, in which one thing affects or depends on the other. Some say that people who had premonitions experienced what the ancients used to call: "Γνώση των ο ανήσυχων," further translated into the Latin phrase: "Scientia de Vivacissimus," meaning "Knowledge of the Restless." One may wonder why it would be knowledge of "the restless," as opposed to knowledge of "the future." After all, that's what premonitions are supposed to be associated with. The future, right? Well, when we define someone who's "restless," it is generally someone who is ceaselessly worried, anxious, or uneasy (e.g. in the mind or heart). That is, someone who is preoccupied. The word: "preoccupied" comes from the Greek "απορροφημένος," meaning "engrossed" and the Latin "solicitī," meaning "careful." So, as we look further at what premonitions actually represent, we will see that its roots stem from the type of people who experience the phenomenon, not what people experience during such an occurrence.
Premonitions are considered to be paranormal phenomena. That is why it is a parapsychological term. Parapsychology is a field of study concerned with the investigation of paranormal phenomena that are excluded from or inexplicable by orthodox scientific psychology. The prefix "para" can have a variety of meanings based on context. It can be used to mean "beside, alongside of, or by." or "against or contrary to." "Para" can also mean "beyond or past by." It is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary, auxiliary, or subsidiary to requiring more training, or of a higher status. But IS parapsychology truly considered a profession "beside, alongside of, or by Psychology?" Is parapsychology considered a profession "against or contrary to Psychology? Is parapsychology considered a profession "beyond or past by Psychology? Is parapsychology considered a profession "ancillary, auxiliary, or subsidiary to Psychology; requiring more training or of a higher status?" Many scientists regard the discipline of parapsychology as a "pseudoscience." Now, the prefix "pseudo," means "not genuine but having the appearance of," or "imitation." So, does this mean that parapsychology is not a genuine science, even though it has the appearance of one. Is parapsychology an "imitation science?" Is it a discipline that pretends to be or has a close resemblance to science? Well, one thing we know for sure is that it is a practice which is presented as scientific, but does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status. For example, hyponyms of parapsychology violate well-established Laws of Physics. Psychokinesis and Telekinesis violate the Inverse-Square Law, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and the Conservation of Momentum. But contrary to popular belief, there are many intelligent scientists out there with no agenda other than discovery, as well as metaphysical masters that encompass all as valid and worth exploring. So, perhaps parapsychology is not as much a "pseudoscience" as it is a "metascience." Metascience is: the study of the seen and unseen and the reality that is. It comes from the notion that the Universe is a symphony of vibrational energy awash in electromagnetic frequencies. Matter is organized by waveforms and frequencies. Vibrational energy waveforms and frequencies are all just different forms of knowledge and information. A pre-Socratic Greek philosopher named: Heraclitus of Ephesus (535 BC - 475 BC) once said that: "You can never step into the same river twice, for new waters are ever flowing on to you." It's the proclamation that everything is always in transition; that everything is constantly changing. It is the same with information, knowledge, and wisdom. Like stepping into a stream, knowledge is in constant motion, each step opening new wonders of information. I guess it's another way of saying: "You learn something new everyday." Our experiences and our decisions change the direction of our lives and, in its turn, this irreversibly changes us. What once made us happy and what once defined our reality might no longer give us satisfaction, and on rare occasions, can even bring us grief and sadness. Metascience reveals that knowledge is ever present in the now, a river of information to be accessed as needed. Like a river: information, knowledge and wisdom are always flowing, as life does. Some would say that metascience is beyond contemporary science, where the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual realms are integrated into a unity. It is a science that is driven by my inner imbalance to reconcile the contrast between the critical mind and the spiritual heart. So, it distinguishes the relationship between mind and matter; substance and attribute; fact and value.
Now, much of what lies behind parapsychology is the belief that the mind is independent of the body and that the field has the means of proving the truth of a non-materialistic conception of life and the Universe. Of course, this is the same premise that drives spiritualism. But this does not mean that paranormal phenomena does not exist. Paranormal phenomena is defined as: experiences that lie outside the range of normal experience or scientific explanation or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure. To understand paranormal phenomena, we have to realize that just because we can't explain WHY or HOW something happened, it doesn't mean that it DIDN'T happen. There are things in this world that happen that we cannot explain. You can take all of the interdisciplinary sciences ever mentioned, use each of their methods, and still not figure them out. As it was indicated in the last article, the character Father Kennedy in the movie "Premonition" said: "History is full of unexplained phenomena. Nobody knows why." And that's true. When it comes to phenomena that you can't explain, history is full of it and nobody knows why. And when the character Linda Hanson was talking with Father Kennedy, what did she ask for? A scientific explanation? No! What she said was: "I need your... I need your help. I need your direction. I need faith." Because she needed to accept that she didn't know what was happening to her, she needed to believe "in something beyond herself; something she couldn't feel, or smell, or touch... like hope or love." Why? Because, as you see in the conversation, that is what Father Kennedy said that faith is. With the title of the movie being "Premonition," I felt compelled to not only explain what a premonition was, but how it related to faith (assuming it had any relation at all).
Generally, people think that "Premonitions" and "Precognitions" can be used interchangeably. But if you study metaphysics the way I do, you're going to come across the discipline of parapsychology from time to time. And you'll find that there is a very distinctive difference between a Pemonition and a Precognition; though similar in nature these two abilities have one difference. The ability known as Premonitions is to see a future event, in essence to have a "waking vision" or "a flash of a future event" while awake. The ability known as Precognitions is to see a future event while sleeping, this future sight mainly occurs while dreaming. Precognition is "clairvoyance relating to an event or state not yet experienced." Precognitions can be experienced anywhere from days to months before an event takes place. However, Premonitions are presentiments. Any "waking visions" or "flashes of future events" are brought on by an intuitive feeling about the future; future events that is perceived as emotion. Moreover, they are brought about by "feelings" or "senses" of dread or anxiety that something abominable is about to happen. They can occur anywhere from minutes to hours before an even takes place. Notice one common denominator between the two. They both have the prefix: "pre-" in the words. Surely, you'd remember from fifth grade English class that the prefix: "pre-" from Latin: "prae-," where it meant "before," applied freely as a prefix, with it means "prior to," "in advance of," "early or earlier than," or "beforehand;" along with other meanings: "Preparatory," "Preliminary," or "Prerequisite to" (e.g. premedical), and "Anterior to" or "in front of" (i.e. preaxial, premaxilla, or premolar). Now, let's go further and look at the words that follow the prefix. First, let's look at the word: "monition." What is a monition? A monition is defined as: an admonition or a warning of impending or imminent danger. Now, let's look at the word: "cognition." What is cognition? Cognition is defined as: the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. Let's go further than that and see where both of these words come from. Again, let's first look at the word: Premonition. We would get the Latin prefix: "prea," which you know means "before." Then, we have the Latin "monitiō, " meaning "friendly reproof or warning," third declension from "monēre," meaning "to warn." So, put it into one word, originating from the Latin word: "praemonēre," a premonition is described as a "forewarning," "anticipation of an event without conscious reason," or (literally) "to warn in advance." Now, let's look at the word: Precognition. If we were to break up the two words, we would get "prea," which we know means "before." Then, we have "cognitiō," meaning "acquiring knowledge," from "cognōscere," meaning "to know or ascertain knowledge." Put it into one word, it is derived from the Latin word: "praecognitiō," meaning "foreknowledge," from "praecōgnocere," meaning "to foresee," literally translated as "to foreknow." So, as you see, even looking at the mere definitions, the difference between a premonition and a precognition is noticeable. Precognition involves "foreknowledge," whereas premonition involves "forewarning;" both with no specific knowledge of the coming event. They are paranormal phenomena that involve the acquisition or effect of future information that cannot be deduced from a presently available cause or normally acquired sense-based information.
Premonitions, by all accounts of those who have had them, are not pleasant. They are accompanied by either fright or uneasiness over what they feel is about to happen. The people who have the premonitions often do not know what will happen but they know it is not good. People do not realize how common it is to have a premonition. The subject of a premonition is almost always someone or something that has direct impact on you. Some call it a "Sixth Sense;" a supposed intuitive faculty giving awareness not explicable in terms of normal perception. Premonitions of murders, death, robberies, plane crashes and accidents are predominantly the type that are "felt" or "seen." They are at a loss as how to explain the impending sense of dread they feel. Hence, the root phrase "Knowledge of the Restless." Could the premonitions be coming from somewhere out of this world? A premonition is something or a feeling that you see (as if it is a dream). It is usually brought forth by a fear of something that you feel is about to happen, even if you do not know what or when. They are related to our senses. What if the premonitions we have are actually something that is happening on another dimension? This could tie in with the Theory of Astral Projection. Is there an explanation for premonitions? Just because something does not fit in with the normal way we think, is it to be dismissed without another thought?
From a scientific perspective, many people believe that our minds are confined to the present and to the brain and body. However, to make a place for premonitions, we have to go beyond these core beliefs. Even though we have established in the past what the definition of "time" is, conceptually, it is difficult for scientists to really explain what "time" is. We assume it flows in one direction, which prohibits premonitions. But no experiment in the history of science has ever shown that time flows in one direction, or that it flows at all. Some people say that all time exists "right now." In other words, there is no past, present or future. Everything is happening in this same moment of time, but we are not aware of it. Premonitions (just a theory) are when an image from that future time (which is actually now) is glimpsed by someone in the now. In other words, you perceive glimpses of more than just this plane of consciousness. This suggests that the mind is nonlocal (i.e. infinite). According to this idea, consciousness is present everywhere in space and time. This means that we have access to all the information that has ever existed or ever will exist — past, present, and future. Energy tends to create a circular rhythm. So, if one were to imagine time as a circle, then visions of future events begin to make sense. This opens the door for premonitions. It's like you go through a catastrophe that may cause your death, as well as others; then you "circle" backward through "time" at a point where the disaster had not happened yet (i.e. several minutes prior). Think of it as what is known as a "Time Loop." A Time Loop or Temporal Loop is a common plot device in science fiction (especially in universes where time travel is commonplace) where a certain length of time (such as a few minutes or a few hours) repeats over and over. When the Time Loop "resets," the memories of most characters are reset (however, not all of them), and behave as though they're not aware of "The Loop." The plot is advanced by having one or more central characters "retain their memory" (i.e. the visionary with a premonition) or become aware of "the loop" (sometimes through déjà vu). When looking at it in terms of premonitions, you could think of it as a "Concious Loop." Why? Because in such a "Time Loop," causality could easily be violated. Recognizing that a second event (or alternative event, if a visionary changes what they see in their premonition) (the Effect) is understood as a consequence of the first (the Cause), premonitions can offer a peek into potential futures based on the current path taken, and they reveal the next big fork in the road we are about to approach. This would also imply that our common-sense ideas about time, space, matter, and our own minds are flawed and that the Universe works differently than we supposed. Eternalism has implications for the concept of free will, in that it proposes that future events are as immutably fixed and impossible to change as past events and that all points in time are equally "real;" equally timeless. This suggests that the future is already present; already laid out in what is called a "Block Universe.;" space-time as an unchanging four-dimensional "block." Premonitions may be ways we might gain access to this already-present information. I have learned that it is the function of the Hippocampus of one's brain to connect the "dots" of experience into some kind of meaningful order Being as how the Hippocamus plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation, from a neurological point of view, it makes sense that one would be vulnerable to relying on alternative forms of knowledge during such times. From a strictly biological perspective, I suppose you could say that’s what is going on: that a "premonition" is simply a "perception" with a bizarre twist.
Suppose we take science out of the equation and made premonitions the product of Supernatural Causation? I explained what that was in my article: "Life III: 'It happens!'" But let's review anyway. Supernatural Causation is: an act or agency attributed to some abstruse force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature which produces an effect. So, if we look at if from THIS point of view, when someone has a premonition, God didn't will it and the person who had the premonition didn't bring it on himself/herself. It just sort of — happened. You see, the human mind has a great ability to reason and make evaluations and judgments. With that being the case, any so-called "premonitions" are mere coincidence or a function of the human mind. But are these "so-called premonitions" or are these "so-called coincidences?" Well, what is a coincidence? A coincidence is defined as: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. That does not apply to Supernatural Causation, being as we do live in a world bound by "cause and effect." Remember, Supernatural Causation produces an effect due to some unexplained cause. Coincidence is a mere correspondence in nature or in time of occurrence unlikely to bear a relationship as either "cause to effect" or "effects of a shared cause." You see, coincidence is unforeseen to us because we are victims of linear time and limited perception. But if you're like me and you want to acknowledge the possibility a divine order (i.e. God), then you would have to admit that what seems to be coincidence to us may make perfect sense to someone else. Now, let's go back to the example in my article: "Life III: 'It happens!'" Say, for instance, that your assailant DID know that you were going to be at a particular place at a particular time. So, he or she just "coincidentally" decided to go to Greenwood Park at the same time you did, sneak up from behind you, and assault you? Sure, it's a random occurrence to you, but to your assailant, it is no coincidence at all. What about toward the end of the article? Look at the possible outcomes that make a difference throughout the course of your life. Being inspired to become a detective. A spiritual awakening to where you start going to church. Becoming good friends with the young Home Healthcare Worker during the time you spent together during your recovery. Becoming a patient of A.J.'s decades down the road for cancer and cures you of that cancer by using a method she read about in a Medical Journal written by Marshall. To you, all of this may be a coincidence, but for God, each of these possible outcomes are far from being random events.
In a Christian point of view, the Holy Bible does not speak directly on the subject of premonitions, but it emphasizes that our faith should always be based on the revealed Word of God, and not on our subjective feelings. Yes, premonitions are common among humans. Most of us have done something, seen something, or gone some place, for example, that seemed familiar (i.e. dé·jà vu). Some of us have sensed something would happen and then seen it actually occur. This has happened to Christians and non-Christians alike. I believe that God's will is like a road and He has given you the freedom to drive a little slower, faster, closer to the right of the road, or more to the left. It is your choice as long as you stay on the road. However, God does not want us to know the future. So, how is it that people see premonitions? Well, there are demonic premonitions called: Omens. Omens are not synonymous with premonitions, but they are types of premonitions that most people associate the phenomenon with. This type of premonition is a prognostication. This type of premonition is a portent or a presage (particularly something calamitous). This type of premonition is a sign of things to come. We are forbidden to seek it — even to know its Interpretation. The Latin world for "Omen" is the second declension genitive of "auguriī," which is where the word "augury" (a form of Divination) comes from. The origin of the word in general is unknown, although it may be connected with the Latin word "audire," meaning "to hear," being as it is connected to the Latin word "auguriī." It is also a third declension genitive of "ōminis," as with the word English word "ominous." As far as it is known, its roots stem back to the 1580's Latin word: "praediscere," meaning "forebode" or "learn in advance," since "discere" means "learn." So, if you were to put all of of these things together, it would make sense that omens are demonic premonitions. Ominous, by definition, means: giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. A Foreboding, by definition, means: a fearful apprehension; a feeling that something bad will happen. Being as premonitions are accompanied by fright or uneasiness over what they feel is about to happen, most people would say that having these feeling doesn't mean that you're SEEKING the future knowledge that God forbids us to know. However, during times of anxiety, the awareness of peoples' surroundings are heightened. They are more observant of the smallest occurrences around them. This leaves their minds wide open to those "waking visions" or "flashes of a future events" that demons can trigger at any given moment. Look at the Final Destination Series. Ever notice that the characters who experience the premonitions of catastrophes, resulting in multiple deaths are always characters who always seem to be actually "LOOKING for signs of some type?" The movies show the exclusive association of premonitions with the emotional realm, since typical premonitions occur in relationship to negative events to come, feeling an overwhelming sensation of anxiety before a tragedy. However, in the end, all the people who are saved from the disasters would eventually perish. Seeking ways to see the future are clearly forbidden clear back to the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 says: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." It also says: "Do not practice divination or seek omens" in Leviticus 19:26. It mentions people and nations who sought omens and did other things that were "evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger." in 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 21:6, and 2 Chronicles 33:6. The Devil uses temptations of future knowledge to sway people into his realm of the occult. Be careful of the path you choose when dwelling on this, my friends. If it does not serve a greater purpose in our faith in God Almighty, I'll bet it serves a lesser purpose to damn people into the world of mysticism. If someone is given a "premonition" about the future from God, that would be ongoing revelation. However, God has closed the Book of the New Testament conon, thus, declaring that ongoing revelation is not possible. Other theologians say that although God has used this means of communication in the past and will do so again (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17), we must realize that He uses it only when the circumstances warrant. Even then, such revelations are ordinarily directed to His ministers and specially chosen servants such as Jacob, Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel (Amos 3:7).
Suppose we take science out of the equation and made premonitions the product of Supernatural Causation? I explained what that was in my article: "Life III: 'It happens!'" But let's review anyway. Supernatural Causation is: an act or agency attributed to some abstruse force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature which produces an effect. So, if we look at if from THIS point of view, when someone has a premonition, God didn't will it and the person who had the premonition didn't bring it on himself/herself. It just sort of — happened. You see, the human mind has a great ability to reason and make evaluations and judgments. With that being the case, any so-called "premonitions" are mere coincidence or a function of the human mind. But are these "so-called premonitions" or are these "so-called coincidences?" Well, what is a coincidence? A coincidence is defined as: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. That does not apply to Supernatural Causation, being as we do live in a world bound by "cause and effect." Remember, Supernatural Causation produces an effect due to some unexplained cause. Coincidence is a mere correspondence in nature or in time of occurrence unlikely to bear a relationship as either "cause to effect" or "effects of a shared cause." You see, coincidence is unforeseen to us because we are victims of linear time and limited perception. But if you're like me and you want to acknowledge the possibility a divine order (i.e. God), then you would have to admit that what seems to be coincidence to us may make perfect sense to someone else. Now, let's go back to the example in my article: "Life III: 'It happens!'" Say, for instance, that your assailant DID know that you were going to be at a particular place at a particular time. So, he or she just "coincidentally" decided to go to Greenwood Park at the same time you did, sneak up from behind you, and assault you? Sure, it's a random occurrence to you, but to your assailant, it is no coincidence at all. What about toward the end of the article? Look at the possible outcomes that make a difference throughout the course of your life. Being inspired to become a detective. A spiritual awakening to where you start going to church. Becoming good friends with the young Home Healthcare Worker during the time you spent together during your recovery. Becoming a patient of A.J.'s decades down the road for cancer and cures you of that cancer by using a method she read about in a Medical Journal written by Marshall. To you, all of this may be a coincidence, but for God, each of these possible outcomes are far from being random events.
In a Christian point of view, the Holy Bible does not speak directly on the subject of premonitions, but it emphasizes that our faith should always be based on the revealed Word of God, and not on our subjective feelings. Yes, premonitions are common among humans. Most of us have done something, seen something, or gone some place, for example, that seemed familiar (i.e. dé·jà vu). Some of us have sensed something would happen and then seen it actually occur. This has happened to Christians and non-Christians alike. I believe that God's will is like a road and He has given you the freedom to drive a little slower, faster, closer to the right of the road, or more to the left. It is your choice as long as you stay on the road. However, God does not want us to know the future. So, how is it that people see premonitions? Well, there are demonic premonitions called: Omens. Omens are not synonymous with premonitions, but they are types of premonitions that most people associate the phenomenon with. This type of premonition is a prognostication. This type of premonition is a portent or a presage (particularly something calamitous). This type of premonition is a sign of things to come. We are forbidden to seek it — even to know its Interpretation. The Latin world for "Omen" is the second declension genitive of "auguriī," which is where the word "augury" (a form of Divination) comes from. The origin of the word in general is unknown, although it may be connected with the Latin word "audire," meaning "to hear," being as it is connected to the Latin word "auguriī." It is also a third declension genitive of "ōminis," as with the word English word "ominous." As far as it is known, its roots stem back to the 1580's Latin word: "praediscere," meaning "forebode" or "learn in advance," since "discere" means "learn." So, if you were to put all of of these things together, it would make sense that omens are demonic premonitions. Ominous, by definition, means: giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. A Foreboding, by definition, means: a fearful apprehension; a feeling that something bad will happen. Being as premonitions are accompanied by fright or uneasiness over what they feel is about to happen, most people would say that having these feeling doesn't mean that you're SEEKING the future knowledge that God forbids us to know. However, during times of anxiety, the awareness of peoples' surroundings are heightened. They are more observant of the smallest occurrences around them. This leaves their minds wide open to those "waking visions" or "flashes of a future events" that demons can trigger at any given moment. Look at the Final Destination Series. Ever notice that the characters who experience the premonitions of catastrophes, resulting in multiple deaths are always characters who always seem to be actually "LOOKING for signs of some type?" The movies show the exclusive association of premonitions with the emotional realm, since typical premonitions occur in relationship to negative events to come, feeling an overwhelming sensation of anxiety before a tragedy. However, in the end, all the people who are saved from the disasters would eventually perish. Seeking ways to see the future are clearly forbidden clear back to the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 says: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." It also says: "Do not practice divination or seek omens" in Leviticus 19:26. It mentions people and nations who sought omens and did other things that were "evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger." in 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 21:6, and 2 Chronicles 33:6. The Devil uses temptations of future knowledge to sway people into his realm of the occult. Be careful of the path you choose when dwelling on this, my friends. If it does not serve a greater purpose in our faith in God Almighty, I'll bet it serves a lesser purpose to damn people into the world of mysticism. If someone is given a "premonition" about the future from God, that would be ongoing revelation. However, God has closed the Book of the New Testament conon, thus, declaring that ongoing revelation is not possible. Other theologians say that although God has used this means of communication in the past and will do so again (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17), we must realize that He uses it only when the circumstances warrant. Even then, such revelations are ordinarily directed to His ministers and specially chosen servants such as Jacob, Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel (Amos 3:7).
Today, God speaks to us through the Holy Bible. Notice that in Hebrews 1:1-2, it says: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." Jesus Christ is the living Word of God (John 1:1 & 14), and the Holy Bible is the Word of God in written form. God the Father gave it to Christ. Christ, in turn, inspired both the Prophets and the Apostles, and they preserved it for us (2 Peter 1:21; Luke 1:70; John 16:13). The Father's will, Commandments, and specific promises are revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures. God, then, is actually speaking to us through His Word; the Holy Bible. It is not always easy to determine the origin of a vision, dream, or premonition which one might experience. Therefore, we must be very careful about ascribing to God any such communication—even if it is supernatural! We are warned to "test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world''" (1 John 4:1). Jude warns that sometimes false ministers use dreams and visions to deliberately deceive God's people and create a following for themselves (Jude 1:8; see also Deuteronomy 13:1-5). We must be careful to separate such paranormal activity from the revealed Truth of God. God, through the Prophet Isaiah, instructs us how to test the spirits in Isaiah 8:19-20: "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.." Unless a dream or vision agrees completely with the Holy Bible in its message and content, we can know it is not of God. Some visions and dreams may simply be caused by mental or physical stress or the pressures of daily life. The Holy Bible reveals that dreams may be the result from an upset or overly stimulated mind (Ecclesiastes 5:3). If one has had a very troubled or busy day, he might be more likely to have vivid dreams that night. Ill health or memories of unpleasant experiences may also cause such dreams. In situations where an unpleasant dream or vision causes distress, fear, physical sickness, or any such thing, we would advise seeking God's intervention and healing. If Satan bothers us with bad dreams, we should ask God to rebuke him (Jude 1:9). We should also stay close to God in prayer and Bible Study so that Satan cannot bother us (James 4:7-8). God will grant us peace of mind if we walk with Him each day (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:4-9). Remember, there are only two legitimate sources of knowledge available to us: (1.) the things revealed by God, and (2.) that which can be learned through general revelation. That is, what is revealed by God is contained in the Holy Bible. General revelation is limited to what can be learned through the physical senses and rational implications of what is seen in the Creation.
Now, please, don't confuse premonitions with "The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy." If you possess the Gift of Prophecy, you can possibly call yourself a Prophet or Prophetess. Still, be VERY CAREFUL in how you present yourself when you call yourself a Prophet or Prophetess. Let's take a look at what the word: "Prophet" really means. The word “Prophet,” as used in the Old Testament, comes from two Hebrew words which have different shades of meaning. One of these words is: "roeh," which means "to see." It is rendered “seer” in 1 Samuel 9:9. And what is a Seer? A Seer is defined as: a person who is supposed to be able, through supernatural insight, to see what the future holds. Like I said, we have to watch ourselves because this is what people generally think the Gift of Prophecy is. But it's not! Ecclesiastes 8:7 says: "Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?" The further essential part of the Prophet's responsibility is clearly expressed by another Hebrew word: "nabi," which means "to speak forth." The two shades of meaning of these Hebrew words are united in our English word: "Prophet," which is itself spelled over from the Greek, meaning literally "for-speaker" or "forth-speaker." Hence, the Prophet or Prophetess is: "a person of speech, one who gives forth words." So, Prophecy means much more than to foretell the future (assuming it is even that these days in the first place). It also means "to speak the truth" or "to proclaim." Those who are bestowed this Gift receive messages from God that can be about anything from warnings, to guidance, to kind words in tough times. What makes this Gift different from wisdom or knowledge is that it is a direct message from God that is not always conscious to the one with the gift. Yet the one with the Gift feels compelled to share the truth revealed by God to others. Very seldom does the Lord God reveal a future event to us. The motivational Gift of Prophecy is primarily concerned with speaking forth the truth. The Word of God helps us to understand characteristics and avoid misunderstandings associated with the Gift of Prophecy, and it shows us how we use that gift when we walk in the Spirit. Often those with this gift have to go back to the Holy Bible and spiritual leaders to be sure what they think is a message from God by closely looking at it from a Scriptural perspective. Remember, Jesus Himself warned us not to follow false prophets. This is a rare gift that carries a lot of responsibility. As far as listening to prophecy, we must use our discernment. How do we recognize true Prophecy then? 2 Thessalonians 5:20-21 says:"Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all;hold on to what is good," It is not the prophet who we test; rather it is the prophetic words. We are not told to test the Holy Bible! The Holy Bible, we know, is true. But we have to test prophetic words by what the Bible says. So, how do we test Prophecy? As mentioned, it isn't seeing if a "vision" or a "dream" of the future happens. We DO, however, have to ask ourselves some questions in order to test Prophesy. Does it leave you feeling positive? Is it honoring and glorifying to Jesus? Is it consistent with the Holy Bible? Is it consistent with the other ways in which we hear from God? So, a pastor or preacher who declares the Holy Bible can be considered a "prophesier" in that he is speaking forth the counsel of God. You see, with the completion of the New Testament canon, prophesying changed from declaring new revelation to declaring the completed revelation God has already given. With this being the case, Christians are to be very wary of those who claim to have a "new" message from God. It is one thing to say: "I had an interesting dream last night." However, it is quite another matter to say: "God gave me a dream last night, and you must obey it." Be cautious if you hear someone utter words of that nature. No utterance of man should be considered equal to or above the written Word. We must hold to the Word that God has already given and commit ourselves to "sola scriptura" — Scripture alone. With all that being said, it is safe to say that premonitions have nothing to do with the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy.
Also, please, don't confuse this with "Instinct." Instinct is defined as: the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behavior, often receptive to a specific stimulus. It is innate behavior that requires cognition or conscious will. It is any behavior is performed without being based upon prior experience (i.e. in the absence of learning), and is, therefore, an expression of innate biological factors. Reflexes are an example of instinct. A true reflex is distinguished from other behaviors by mechanism; they do not go through the brain. Rather, the stimulus travels to the Spinal Cord and the message is then transmitted back through the body, tracing a path called the Reflex Arc. Reflexes are similar to fixed action patterns, but a fixed action pattern can be processed in the brain as well. Some instinctive behaviors depend on maturational processes to appear. For example, birds "learning" to fly. Similarly, sleeping in humans is instinctive, but how much and when one sleeps is clearly subject to environmental factors. Whether a behavior is instinctive or learned is common subject of nature versus nurture debates. To be considered instinctual, a behavior must:
- Be automatic,
- Be irresistible,
- Occur at some point in development,
- Be triggered by some event in the environment,
- Occur in every member of the species,
- Be unmodifiable,
- Govern behavior for which the organism needs no training (although the organism may profit from experience and to that degree the behavior is modifiable).
Did God give us instinct? Absolutely! You know those times where you’re going through a situation and though you seem to know the right thing to do or the right answer, you never seem to trust your instincts? God gave us instincts for a reason. God gave us the ability to feel things that aren't right. It’s up to us to trust that gift. It’s when we don’t that we seem to get ourselves into trouble. The one time those instincts will be confirmed is through someone that knows what you’re going through and is walking it out with you. Someone that knows how to encourage and can hear exactly what God is saying to them. They can bring those instincts to light and hold you accountable. So, the next time you question the way you feel or the next time you don’t feel at peace about something, stop for a second and realize that it’s really Him trying to get a point across to you. He wants you to stop for a minute and really pray about the decision you’re about to make. We must understand that because we are made in God’s image, we have a moral instinct (i.e. a conscience) that helps us know what is inherently right and wrong. Taking it further, as Christians, we also have the Holy Spirit who makes God’s commands very clear. Romans 2:14-15 says: "(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)" Sometimes I tell people to listen to the instincts that God gives them about things, because He guides us through these. I’m not sure if the instinct He gives us and "our conscience" are the exact same thing or not. In Titus 1:15, it says: "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." If instinct is biologically encoded, can Satan alter that instinct? From a biological standpoint, that would be impossible, especially since the Holy Bible refers to "mind" and "conscience" as being similar. What I DO know is: God DOES GUIDE US, if we listen to Him. Every time I listen, I have been amazed at how well things turn out. Every time I didn't listen, I always remember wishing I had. Well, this has happened enough times that I don’t want to ignore God when He is guiding me anymore. I listen to my God-given instincts. The other thing I like about this is that God takes the time for me and my problems on a personal level, when there are millions and billions of people in the world. If God gives of His time to guide me, then I definitely want to listen! Hebrews 9:14 says: "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Saint Augustine once said: "Love God, and do as you please." It sounds like a dangerous statement, doesn't it? After all, Galatians 5:17 says: "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." But think about THIS.... If you have a heart for God; truly love Him, and are in the process of understanding His love for you (because none of us completely comprehends it), you know He wants you to live life, not waste time thinking about it and trying to figure it out. So, as long as you're living for God, following your God-given instincts is not dangerous at all. When you live for God, your desires are of the Spirit; desires of your heart. Psalm 34:7 says: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." You see, God wants to give us direction. He wants for us to choose wisely. Why would He make His will elusive? He doesn't! We make it elusive. We make it deeper than it’s meant to be. Sure, there is some wrestling within; some conflict of choice at times, which is natural to the human experience, and it compels us to seek Him for clarity. But if we have made fellowship with God part of our lifestyle, and we regularly listen to His voice and obey His Spirit, and we are growing spiritually, chances are we know the right choices to make instinctively. It’s almost like your relationship with your closest friend. You probably know him or her well enough that when you come to him or her for advice, you pretty much know what he or she is going to say due to your bond. Be careful, though. Some might even quote the Holy Bible against instinct. For example, Jude 1:19 says: "These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." But don't get confused. Who are these people who are to "divide you?" Go back to Jude 1:18. It says: "They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.'" So, you see, when the Holy Bible refers to people "who follow mere natural instinct," it is referring to "scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires" and will not "have the Spirit." 2 Peter 2:12 describes these "scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires" and will not "have the Spirit" as people who "blaspheme in matters they do not understand" and are like "unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed." As we know, animals are pure instinct; creatures of instinct, as the Holy Bible says. But the Apostle Peter refers to unbelievers as "unreasoning animals;" people that "blaspheme in matters they do not understand." as compare to people who satisfy the "desires of the flesh," (Romans 13:14, Galatians 5:16, 2 Peter 2:18); people "who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are not people who are follow their GOD-GIVEN instincts. People who follow their GOD-GIVEN instincts are people who have their "minds set on what the Spirit desires." (Romans 8:5). Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:16: "'I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves..." Jesus wasn't into fear-mongering, but He did issue a warning to His Apostles. He knew they would endure persecution from other human beings; people who intended to do them harm. With the promise of His Spirit of peace, He also urged His Apostles to use their heads, to have discernment, to walk circumspectly, and know the intentions of others.
How many others have dedicated their lives to trying to study the "prophecies" of people like Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce? It is all driven by fear and worry over the future. And what did Jesus say about the future? "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). Why worry about the future when we aren't promised to even see it? If you are in Christ, you have a God that is already in your tomorrow. You have a God who has promised that you will spend eternity with Him. We must also have to have faith that the Lord is in control. If it is in accordance with His purpose, we will live to accomplish our endeavors, so why worry about it? How do we know this? Listen to the Apostle James in James 4:14-15 when he says: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." All premonitions, in my humble opinion, are the byproduct of a person's fear of the future and where they will spend it. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." This is not something that comes from the Lord. Most of us spend our times focusing on one of two things, if not both. One, we are worried about yesterday: the past. Or two, we are worried about tomorrow, the future. We can do very little to change them. We can't go backwards and we aren't promised another day. All we can do is rest in today, enjoy what we have been given in Christ and look for an opportunity to be used by the Lord to share His love with others. And we can't share His love if we aren't experiencing it. Remember, 1 John 4:18 says: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." Premonitions predict all sorts of tragedy and destruction. It is natural to be afraid of that. But, if we are resting in God's love for us and promise that He is in control of the future, there is nothing to fear. There is no punishment for those in Christ Jesus. Like you, I wish I knew the future. And also, like you, I have fearful thoughts about the future on occasion. But, I have to realize that things like premonitions are just the fruit of not resting in the Lord. Within the definition of premonitions is the word: "anxiety." 1 Peter 5:7 says to: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." It goes on to say in Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Fear and anxiety are normal, but they are not of the Lord. When they come into our lives, we should know that God can use them as an opportunity to teach us about trusting and depending on Him. The future is God's territory and if you look at it fearfully, you should see it as an opportunity to ask God: "What am I not trusting Him with my life?" The future is not bigger than our God and we should not be afraid of it. If we do see another day, we should look at it as an opportunity to share God's love with others that has cast out our fear.
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