Christine,
I used to read a lot of science fiction. It was very entertaining. I preferred the "hard core" science fiction as opposed to fantasy. The science that some authors relied on was real, although it was not yet a reality and very theoretical. The idea emerged that if we were ever to meet an alien race from another world that had the capability to travel between stars in a reasonable amount of time that their technology would appear to us to be magic. We would know it was not and would only feel that way because we did not understand the scientific principles but we would still be awed and impressed. The same type of reaction has been seen when advanced civilization have met primitive ones on good ol' earth.
Out-of-body experiences are something we don't understand fully but I never thought of it as magic. I understand it is a regular discipline of some eastern religions. I believe the ability can be cultivated although I certainly don't want to. I can't think of any other explanation for my experience. The fact that I was seeing from a different place, my own body. My consciousness of where I was was apart from my body, I was detached with no connection. At that moment I knew I was outside my body. My sister also had the experience. It was also the result of a "state of mind". She was more brave than me and wanted to explore a little, which she did. She went out of the building she was in and went around the yard. It was years later when she told me and only after I told her of my experience. No doubt she thought that nobody would believe her! If I had not had the experience myself I would have thought she was making it up.
On another topic, the reference made to Luke and the kingdom of God in another post. A complete reading of the part of Luke being referred to makes it clear Jesus is talking about His coming Kingdom which will be within us. He says there will be no outward signs that you can point a finger at and say "there it is". We know that is because the born again experience is taking place within us, in our "hearts". It is a spiritual rebirth by God's Spirit coming and residing in ours. There is no power in our own spirit to become a god as many beliefs state. We are powerless on our own.
Jesus says in John 14:16-17,
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper; that He may be with you forever;
That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you."
14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
Jesus says the Helper will come and He is a spirit and He will be in us. He goes on to say this Helper is the Holy Spirit from God. This establishes the kingdom of God in us that Jesus was talking about in Luke. Jesus also explains how the apostles will write the Gospels accurately, the Holy Spirit will bring to their remembrance all that he said and also teach them all things. We know this indwelling of the Holy Spirit came to them on the day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 2. And it happens to all who become born again. The Holy Spirit comes in and seals the spirit of the person until the day of redemption as a promise. The kingdom of God is not in us until the Holy Spirit comes and resides in us.
Have a good day,
Bob |
