Lately I have been interested in photography. Interested because of the creativity involved and the skill necessary to even take a good picture. Beyond that, there is finding the right "light" to snap a shot in the first place. Further, with today's computer programs, even a good picture can be made better by manipulation. So, sometimes when I look at a picture it is hard for me to tell if it is real or not. That is true of the rainbow-funnel cloud above. Honestly, I really don't know. I wish such things were restricted to the photographic realm, but they are not. Here is a real life instance where it was hard to know what was genuine...
Acts, Chapter 12
1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. 2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him. 6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands. 8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
15 They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. 17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
Peter wasn't sure what was happening: was it a vision? Not this time!!! Rhoda was so shocked, she just left Peter at the door and told the others about him. They didn't believe it either and said she was "crazy". But, finally they opened the door and learned what was real. Some people will believe the truth when it stares them in the face- others will not. The things the Scriptures relate to us are true- believe them or not; its a matter of choice. Choose wisely!!!
PS. I think the photo at the top is manipulated; does anyone know for sure???????