Well, this is my point, isn't it? Amadeus, I am not against prophecy, inspiration, epiphanies and even miracles. I have just heard too many Christians claim that they are speaking through the Holy Spirit, and that anyone that questions it, is challenging God. What more do i need to say? You just said it yourself, i.e. where in our predominantly Christian society, do we see it, ...nowhere.When we are "in the Spirit" or led by the Spirit, we are right, but who among us is always "in the Spirit" or led by the Spirit? A look around our society consisting supposedly of a large majority of Christians raises a question about that, doe it not? The number of existing denominations using often the same Bibles also raises questions, does it not?
I will never have the audacity to make such a claim! You are calling me stiff-necked and audacious, but truly it is the alleged beholders of the Holy Spirit that are making the boasts, and potentially insulting God. They are in the precarious position, not me.
You implied it yourself, the gift is rare, I'm leaning on the side of caution, they are not.
Like I told the others on this thread, I've had these visions too which I thought were incredible at the time, but shortly afterwards, I realized that it was just my novice Christian naivete, that led me to have these childish fantasies.