To my earlier comment about 'two houses', two whoring wives, both guilty of idolaty/adultery ...
But therein lies the rub. It has divided the two 'rebellious wives' at least since Constantine and Marcion, and Shaul/Paul warned about "another jesus, whom we have not preached" even earlier. And as can be readily seen, it remains a key, and divisive, issue still.
This troubles me . . . because it makes it sound like a person can really be unsure as to whether or not they have 'met the LORD.' To think that a personal encounter with the creator of the universe is a matter that would be subject to confusion troubles me...
It should. It's why He put so many clear - and oft-ignored - warnings in Scripture.
But I won't argue with people.
Directly.
(As has been noted in several contexts, it's generally a waste of time, regardless of their religious experience, be it real or car wreck. )
However, I've worked in deliverance, and had enough personal experience to know why we are given "tests". (And not just the one from 1 John/Yochanan that folks no doubt first think of.)
With all due respect, I'd say that Scripture seems to make it clear (as do a number of parables) that obedience matters more to Him than whether we feel friendly.
I have long suggested to people that the "scariest verse in Scripture" OUGHT to be the one ABM quoted, where He has a lot of people saying "didn't we do all this GREAT STUFF in your name!???" And the answer,
"I will say to them who work lawlessness [torah-less-ness], I never knew you!"
That ought to raise some eyebrows. Especially when the same Messiah ALSO said the way that leads to life is "
narrow," and "
few there be that find it!"
Maybe that's why Shaul also told people to "
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
None of which is going to sit well with most churchianity doctrine.
If we truly have '(Jer. 16:19) "
inherited lies from our fathers", and (Matthew 24, etc, etc, etc) the coming Deception and "falling away" if truly of "Biblical proportions," just MAYBE there's a reason for all their warnings.
I know that the Adversary is fully capable of not only massive deception, but convincing people that what "feels GREAT" must MUST be from "God".