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As I indicated in the opening remarks of “The Doctrine of Earthen Vessels,” there are plentiful examples of individuals who profess to have spoken with deity, or with the Holy Spirit, or with angels. Here are just two cited by Hank Hanegraaff in Christianity in Crisis, 21st Century.

“Prosperity purveyors seem to implicitly realize that their Scripture-twisting tactics are less than convincing. As such they call in a second wave of artillery called ‘revelation knowledge.’ This stealth apologetic allegedly bypasses the mind and directly impacts the spirit. Kenneth Copeland calls upon revelation knowledge to buttress the ‘reborn Jesus’ doctrine and more:

“‘The Spirit of God spoke to me.’ [Copeland said] ‘And He said, “Son, realize this” – now follow me on this; don’t let your tradition trip you up – He said, “Think this way: a twice-born man whipped Satan in his own domain…” ‘ “(p. 187)

Hanegraaff goes on to discuss similar claims by televangelist and faith healer Benny Hinn:

“Benny Hinn’s rendition of revelation knowledge is even more dizzying than that of Kenneth Copeland. According to Hinn, if Jesus was not reborn spiritually, we ourselves have no hope of being born again:

‘”My, you know, whoosh!” [Hinn said] “The Holy Ghost is just showing me some stuff. I’m getting dizzy! I’m telling you the truth – it’s, it’s just real heavy right now on me… He’s [referring to Jesus] in the underworld now. God isn’t there, the Holy Ghost isn’t there, and the Bible says He was begotten…”‘” (p. 188)