A Vision From 1974 That Foretells Toronto and Brownsville
MODERATOR: A
few people have been questioning why I chose to bring up 'Toronto'
at this time. "Surely it is old news?" they say. Sadly, that is not
the case. Everywhere I look throughout the Charismatic movement
today I see evidence of Toronto-type excesses and manifestations.
They come in slightly different forms (-new fads blow through every
year). But I tell you, the "children of Toronto" are everywhere.
Sometimes it is plain 'silliness' going on - but other times there
is real power behind it.
However, the other thing that comes into this is the "Youth Revival"
scenario. Personally, we are in the midst of adapting our entire
ministry to the coming 'Street-Revival' right now. Others are
hearing this from God also. And so the basis of our entire ministry
is changing. We are being forced onto a kind-of 'War' footing.
I want to tell you, there is no worse nightmare I can imagine than
'Toronto' getting a foot-hold in the new move of God. All those
young converts - hungry and susceptible. If they get fed 'Toronto'
they will believe it. I have studied Revival history now for over 20
years - and I tell you, Toronto is a "Revival-killer". It has a
proven track-record going back centuries. And I cannot imagine a
worse fate for the coming Revival, can you? Why do you think the
first Great Awakening lasted only three years? (Research the name
'James Davenport', the "old lights" and the "new lights" - and you
will find out). Why do you think the 1904 Welsh Revival became a
by-word in that nation within just a few years? Read history and
there you will see 'Toronto'-type phenomena wrecking Revivals time
and time again. Is that what we want for the coming move of God, my
friends?
From my point of view, if there are leaders who carry that
"anointing", they are absolutely UNWELCOME to minister in any way to
the young converts that are coming in. -Which is another reason why
this issue is so important to discuss at this moment. I believe we
are about to enter 'harvest-time' in the West and we simply cannot
afford to see it so easily ruined. We need to keep this thing OUT!
(Mind you, we cannot afford to be too heavy on 'minor' excesses
either. The Holy Spirit has to be given room to move and there will
always be some 'messiness' involved. It is a question of BALANCE).
By the way, you may be interested in the following brief account
that a lady named Patti sent me today:
"I inadvertently
got prayed over by some people who had received "The Toronto
Blessing". I ended up that night with uncontrollable flopping and
shaking of my limbs, being drunk in spirit and uncontrollable
laughter. At the time it felt right. But later as time went on,
these manifestations came at inopportune times and were
uncontrollable. My arms and legs would shake when trying to pray for
people or when just sitting in church. My legs would give out and I
would have to catch my balance just to stand upright while
worshipping. It soon became clear to me that this was not the Holy
Spirit and so I repented of allowing myself to receive this spirit
and asked God to take it away from me. Praise Him, He did!"
Below is
an interesting vision from 1974 which may also relate to this whole
thing.
NOTE from Arthur
Eedle: Thank you for your article on Toronto. In the mid 90s I sent
out similar warnings, and received some flak as a result, although
here in England, the influence of Toronto has never been as great as
in the USA.
I am attaching a vision [below] I received in 1974, which speaks for
itself. You may find it useful, especially as it was given to me
long before the "crazy manifestations"......
"A DECEPTION made of SUGAR" - extracts
by Arthur Eedle. Vision in 1974
Twenty years ago
this month the Lord gave me one of the strangest visions I have ever
received, and on reflection I still believe it to be one of the most
important, revealing the subtlety of the enemy's intrusion into the
end-time works of God. The vision became the subject of our very
first edition of The Prophetic Telegraph, which we published on 27th
June 1986. In view of the way things have gone in the western world
in the last twenty years, we now believe that it is timely to review
this vision in the light of developments. The Lord said that in the
last days He would send "strong delusion" to those "who received not
the love of the truth." This was the basis of the vision, which may
now be set down once again for analysis.
The Crown Agents in London had appointed me to teach in the King
George V School, Hong Kong.... I was told there were more
millionaires per square mile in Hong Kong than anywhere else in the
world, and after being there for some time, I could well believe it.
Looking back I now believe that what happened next was related to
the Hong Kong way of life, as it was going to influence the newly
forming charismatic churches in the west. Except that the luxury
relates mainly to the spiritual realm rather than the material
realm.
As I sat looking at this amazing scene I began to see something
else, and because of its strangeness my mind was alerted immediately
to the fact that God was conveying truth in visionary form. I saw a
duck, and I knew that it had been made of icing sugar because a hand
was smoothing down the surface with a knife. When all was complete,
the strange thing padded along on its webbed feet as though alive,
and settled down on a flat surface somewhere. But if this was
strange, the next part of the vision took me even more by surprise,
because I saw dozens of people arriving at the duck, and it was only
then that I realised how large it was. It must have been all of
forty feet tall! The people were excited about the coming of the
duck, and some of those who were braver than the rest even went up
to it and touched it. One of them licked his fingers and the taste
was sweet. Breaking a fragment from the surface he ate it, and
jumped for joy. Others gained confidence and followed his example
until they were all delirious with excitement. I saw them singing,
dancing, throwing up their hands in the air, and embracing each
other. The festive atmosphere was its own advertisement. People
arrived in droves, pushing and shoving, and climbing over the duck
with the aid of ladders in an effort to obtain a handful of icing
sugar and join in the fun.
This continued for some time until one man gave a very loud shout,
which brought everything to a halt. They saw him pointing to a hole
that had appeared in the icing sugar. It was therefore not solid as
they had originally thought. No one had imagined the sugar icing
might give out sooner or later. After this, caution was exercised in
the eating. Everyone agreed to ration what was left. But they found
to their joy that even the smallest taste produced the same effects
as a handful, and they wished they had learned this lesson earlier.
In the process of time many more holes appeared. Some tried looking
inside the duck, but all was pitch dark. Nothing could be seen.
Gradually the duck became wafer thin. All of a sudden the crash came
as the remainder of the duck disintegrated in a cloud of very fine
dust. The crowd became silent, waiting and watching.
It took a while for the dust to settle, and then I had a shock.
Inside the duck there was a terrible black beast about forty feet
long, in shape like a scorpion with bulbous green eyes. It also had
wings similar to those of a dragonfly. I fully expected the crowd to
disperse at great speed, but instead they became delirious with
excitement once again, and accepted the beast as their accredited
leader. If anything, the excitement became greater than before. At
this point the vision changed, and I saw the hand once again. It was
outstretched with some white pills on the palm. A small number of
people were arriving to receive one, which they ate. The result
showed on their faces as an inner sense of peace and tranquillity.
And then the two visions merged. Once again I saw people taking the
icing sugar from the duck and jumping about in excitement. The group
fromthe second vision were approaching, and mingling with the crowd,
warning them, "Don't eat it! It's dangerous!" But there was very
little response. Some shouted at them, "Go away, you prophets of
doom! Don't tell us that YOU have the Spirit of the Lord. Where is
your joy?" Disheartened they eventually wandered away, feeling a
dull ache in the pits of their stomachs.
Later on, when I had made a record of the vision, the Lord spoke to
me, and I wrote down the message, as follows:-
"The hand that formed the bitter pill fashioned also the duck. This
is my work, and by it my name will be magnified. Twenty centuries of
progress has not changed the nature of man, and neither has it
changed mine, says the Lord. My Son is the Way, the Truth and the
Life. All those who reject the bitter pill of the cross will find
themselves prey to the lie. I will send them strong delusion, and
they will believe it and rejoice in it because their hearts are not
set upon the Way. They will accept falsehood in a season of careless
security, indulging in spiritual flirtation with powers of darkness
dressed up in acceptable guise. They longed for sweet things and I
gave them sugar, but it was not in tune with my heart, says the
Lord. And each bite of the duck they take, so grows the beast
within. And each bite of the duck they take, so blind they become to
the truth. And then, when antifaith has done its final work the
beast is revealed to the world, enthroned within the temple of God,
blasphemously parading divine nature. Mark well my words, says the
Lord, there is but one great sign for this world, one marvel, one
miracle of challenge that I will accept, and it is the sign of the
prophet Jonah. And those who take the bitter pill shall find
loneliness, derision and sorrow. And they shall walk the way of
their Master, learning of His sorrows, sharing His suffering,
conforming to His death. But I shall raise them to life, life on a
higher plane, and they shall take my message to the nations. This is
my sign, and this shall be their reward. All other ways, however
right they may appear to man, shall be disallowed in my sight, says
the Lord. And those who eat the duck shall refuse this glory when it
is revealed for it shall be folly to them. Choose therefore whilst
it is still possible, choose the salt and reject the sugar, says the
Lord, for the time is now short."
I should like to display a brief snatch from another vision, one
which my wife received in June 1969. She saw a dam across a narrow
ravine, and behind the dam there was to start with just a small
trickle of water, but over a lengthy period of time the water rose
to produce a large lake, and eventually filled the ravine to the top
of the dam. At this stage, the dam burst, and the waters flowed out,
bright and iridescent, into the valley beyond. The Lord gave the
interpretation. The water represented the faith of His people. And
the effect of faith was twofold. Firstly, the faith had an effect in
the believer's life and his walk. But secondly, the faith had
another effect, which was not appreciated by the believer at all. In
heavenly places, each act of faith was like the water behind the
dam. God was preparing for a yet future day when, in His Kingdom, He
could liberate the combined effect of all the faith of His elect,
and it would flow out to a needy world. I believe the two visions
are essentially the same in their interpretation. But the dam refers
to God's work, whereas the duck refers to the counterfeit work.
The people who ate the pills - These have fed on the true word, and
have seen the nature of the evil. They pray for the others, and
whenever occasion arises, they approach them and warn them, but
usually to no avail. Hence the sweetness in the mouth gave way to
bitterness of soul at the outcome of their endeavours.
The Lord's hand - Some might be upset when they realise the Lord was
the One who designed the duck. But it must be remembered that in
olden days, after King Saul's disobedience, the Lord withdrew His
Spirit from him, and gave him an evil spirit instead. In each of
these cases, the Lord takes full responsibility for what happens,
even though Satan was the donor of Saul's evil spirit, as he is also
the architect of the duck.
Those who tried to warn the people of the dangers they were facing,
only received reviling comments. "Where is your joy?" they asked.
But how can you approach such people with a smile, when your task is
to warn them of danger? They were drunk with the wine of
intoxication, produced by the effects of eating the sugary sweet
words of the false prophet, and enjoying the effects.
The Holy Spirit's ministry to believers is essentially towards their
re-creation in the Lord's own image. But in these days, at the
latter end of the twentieth century, vast numbers of believers look
to the Holy Spirit for power, signs and wonders, which instead of
crucifying the flesh, tend to feed it. Oh how easy it is to be
captivated by all the manifestations of supernatural power today.
Many Christians go "conference hopping" in the hope of being present
at yet another occasion of "blessing", where they can witness all
manner of effects, not just by the preacher and those called to the
front, but throughout the auditorium. If believers persist in
praying to the Holy Spirit for signs and manifestations, the Holy
Spirit cannot answer. It is contrary to the purpose for which the
Spirit has come. But there is always "another" who "comes in his own
name", and "him you will hear." The crucial decision must be made.
Is the flesh being fed, or crucified?
The Lord spoke to my wife some years ago saying, "In these days
treat the miraculous very lightly. Look rather to the LIVES of those
who profess to have spiritual powers." We have found it a most
valuable word.
It is amazing how hard one may become when striving constantly for
"power". But those who are striving for mastery (lawfully), "walk in
the Spirit and have no confidence in the flesh." All such are
progressively broken on the Rock which is Christ, and in brokenness
they learn to be gentle, even when acting as salt.
Two final words. First of all, over the years since 1986, when we
first started publishing The Prophetic Telegraph, we have frequently
warned our readers about these growing tendencies within the
charismatic movement. But lest any should think that we doctrinally
reject manifestations of God's Holy Spirit in these end days, our
testimony is that my wife and I received the baptism of the Spirit
in 1967, and have used the gift of speaking in tongues in our
private prayer lives ever since. We have also been God's instruments
in areas of deliverance ministry, healing, and in receiving visions
and revelations from the Lord.
Normally we
should not wish to advertise this fact, but it seems necessary to
say so at this juncture to avoid being misunderstood.
And secondly, over this period of time we have certainly been too
strident and even harsh in our advertisement of the words of warning
given to us. The Lord has graciously revealed these areas t us,
(mainly myself), and where necessary letters of apology have been
dispatched. It is good therefore to reveal this publicly now. My
sincere prayer and desire for all those who are being sucked in to
this present hyped up atmosphere of spiritual worship, is that the
Holy Spirit will bring them through to a stable ground where they
can appreciate the "way of the cross" that Jesus taught. I have no
antagonism towards any of God's people, no matter what their
persuasion is. If God has saved them through the precious blood of
His own beloved Son, then they are my brothers and sisters in
Christ. May God teach me how to love, and yet retain integrity based
upon the revelation granted, until the end come.
Derek Prince on
the Torronto Blessing & Brownsville Deception:
Here is the
account of a vision from God that I received regarding true and
counterfeit revival. This vision occurred on March 4th 2006 –
just to clarify – this was vision not a dream – I was fully
awake and speaking the vision I saw as it was occurring to my
wife. This vision was spoken on March 18th at The Gathering in
Kansas City. (not word for word as written but spontaneously as
prompted by the Holy Spirit.)
The vision…
Everything was
black and I saw one person walking at a semi-brisk pace. Not
fast walking, but a slight cadence above normal pace. Walking
with purpose. This person was walking straight and sure –
upright and strong – solemn and serious, like a revolutionary -
a warrior – a light to darkness. I then saw a couple more people
and then others in the distance and they were bright and shining
against the blackness that was all around. They all walked the
same way – solemn and serious and the Lord spoke and said,
“These are my remnant who are walking in holiness,
righteousness, obedience, brokenness and utter submission to MY
WILL – watch what I am doing Patrick” Then I saw the individuals
begin to unite in small groups of two to three at first and then
more came and the groups grew to five and even ten and the light
intensified greatly. It was beautiful like a sunset over the
mountains or a sunrise on the ocean, a rose in full bloom. What
I saw next made me burst into tears and sobs to the point that I
couldn’t continue to describe what I was seeing. My wife keep
saying “What?!, what is it? What to do you see?!” after a few
minutes a was able to control the weeping to explain what I saw
happening. As the Lord was drawing together His remnant into
these small groups the power God came down – like in the book of
Acts – the lame were walking, the blind were seeing, the deaf
were hearing, (literally and figuratively) and persecution
fuelled the fire! This end times HOLY and RIGHTEOUS remnant of
serious and solemn warriors and revolutionaries walked in the
deep darkness of America and her backslidden lukewarm churches
with apostolic glory and power not seen since the book of Acts
to proclaim the true Gospel of Jesus Christ – repentance and
holiness and freedom from sin!
The Lord spoke and
said, “This is the revival that I am bringing about and it
starts with the individuals who have been called out to personal
revival and are walking straight and sure – upright and strong –
solemn and serious, like revolutionaries, warriors, lights to
darkness. My remnant is walking in holiness, righteousness,
obedience, brokenness and utter submission to MY WILL and I am
drawing them together.”
Then the vision switched…
Now I saw what
looked like a dimly lit movie or a video shot with poor
lighting. I saw clips of people dancing and shaking. I saw
people falling down, shouting, jumping, and singing. There were
huge multitudes rather then the few and many, many were coming
in large groups that filled large auditoriums and stadiums
instead of small groups of individuals being drawn together.
Even some of the lights that were in the first part of the
vision were drawn to this part of the vision. I saw dancing and
clapping, shaking, shouting, strong and powerful emotionalism
and sensationalism. Soulish and fleshy spirits claimed to be the
Holy Spirit. Great miracles abounded – signs and wonders. People
proclaimed, “This is the revival we have been waiting and
praying for!!! – This is the revival we have heard prophesied!!!
– This is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – a great move of
God!” But the Lord spoke and said, “Patrick this is not from me
– this is from Satan – it is a counterfeit!! And many will be
fooled and tricked by this clever deception from the enemy!”
After I had this
vision I spent hours on the internet trying to find the places
that I saw in the video clips. I look at numerous church
websites and church building photos for I new I would know
immediately when I saw the place for the vision was clear. I
never did find the place but I knew I would see it again
sometime in the future. That time came in May of 2008 when I was
viewing video clips from the Lakeland Florida Healing Revival –
I almost fell out of my seat when unexpectedly saw some of the
exact same video clips on Godtube that I saw in the vision.
Then the vision switched again…
Now I saw both
visions side by side – split screen so to speak. They both grew
in intensity at an equal rate - as the true would grow in power,
the false would grow in numbers and as the true would grow in
numbers, the false would grow in false signs and wonders. The
Lord spoke and said, “This is not a vision of the future, but
this has already begun and will grow as the days pass. I am
doing this now and the enemy is coming against it at this very
moment.”
Conclusion…
The Lord is
bringing about an end times revival of which the like we have
never seen and it begins with you. The Lord is calling you to be
separate, to holiness and righteousness unto the Lord and to
walk in obedience and utter submission to His will. Be free from
sin, be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, be dead to
flesh and alive IN Christ. Walk sober and solemn and serious
before the Lord with a reverent and holy fear of God. If you are
looking and waiting for some big corporate outpouring of
emotionalism and signs and wonders you are going to miss the
coming revival. The revival starts with you! Seek the Lord and
press into Him closer everyday. Allow the Blood and Grace of
Jesus to break the bonds of your flesh and produce Holy and
Righteous living in your life. Ask the Lord to show you what it
is in your life that is keeping you from that which is perfect –
no matter how small or how painful; ask the Lord to expose
everything that is keeping you from being closer to Him and
bring Glory to Him and His kingdom and deeply renounce all that
He shows you.
Live your life as
a living sacrifice - a living drink offering poured out before
the Lord for His glory and honor. There are many things that are
cultural, societal and religious that keep us separated from God
and walking in His Spirit. Pray for God to bring these things to
light and put them to death no matter how hard it may be. If you
don’t realize that the revival the Lord is doing begins with you
individually, then you are going to miss it! The Lord is calling
you today, repent for your lukewarmness and your lackadaisical
attitude toward sin in your own life and those who are perishing
and plunging into hell all around you everyday! The Lord is
calling you today to allow the Blood of Jesus and the grace of
God to produce holiness and rivers of righteousness in your life
that you maybe salt to a decaying world and light to the
darkness that prevails. What will you do? The Lord is calling
you right now to make up your mind to love Him with all your
heart, mind, soul and strength, take up your cross, die to self
and follow HIM - forsaking ALL and seeking after Him with
all that you are and have. Come out and be separate in holy,
righteous obedience unto God!
WARNING – DO
NOT be fooled by these sensual, emotional counterfeits that
are and will be popping up that these people and “churches” call
“revival”. IT IS A TRICK FROM THE ENEMY! When you hear
that “revival” has broken out in the next town or the next state
or even in your own city – please remember this warning. There
will be much singing and dancing and shouting and many things
will sound as though they are true. There will be great surges
of emotion that will cause people to fall down and jump and
shout, cry and weep but this not from God. Many will be crying
out in joy, "Peace, peace". But God's Servants will have
discernment above and beyond any gift and a willingness to die
than lie - despite the increase of signs and wonders from all of
the counterfeit moves around them in the 'churches'. If the
"revival" you are in is not serious and reverent, holy and
righteous, and the Love and reverent fear toward God are not the
only things you see, then RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, and warn everyone
you know. These spirits are strong and extremely powerful – get
out of the building and don’t be fooled by the signs and
wonders. Please I am begging you to remember this for I know
that there will be many who are fooled and even (if possible)
drawn away from the real to the counterfeit, but I also know
that there will be some who read this warning and remember it
and are spared. The true revival army will look like small bands
of revolutionaries or Special Forces with an end times mission
to complete and Satan’s counterfeit will resemble a band of wild
Indians or tribal warriors dancing shouting battle cries. The
true revival army will attack the enemy at it strong hold, sin –
their mission will be the souls of men through the power of the
Holy Spirit – they will be concerned with setting people free
from the bondage of sin through the message of the cross and
will watch strong holds of sin topple. Satan’s counterfeit will
go after places and methods of sin – they will try to legislate
morality and get laws change, which results in forced morality
and no salvations. God’s army will seek to save that which is
lost in the streets and alley, around the abortion clinics and
place of sin for every salvation equals one less abortion and on
less patron – Satan’s army will try to change the laws to
prevent sin but result in the salvation of no one.
Satan’s counterfeits will try to change the "laws" to prevent
sin and work through the kingdoms and powers of this
world to make their kingdom of "christ" on earth (trying by
'laws only' to stop abortion, etc.), but this result in the
salvation of no one, just forced morality. For they love this
present world. Whosoever loves his life shall lose it.
Whosoever loses his life for MY sake, shall find it.
Satan you are on
notice! God is preparing a revival army that is going to tear
down the strongholds of your kingdom and Jesus is preparing a
bride for Himself that is spotless and pure! GOD is calling out
to you! God is calling to make a decision right now –
what will you do?!?!
(Note from David: More false
waves of revival are coming to confuse those who do not respect
the Word so that they may discern the true Spirit of God.)
Word to Amos Scaggs - 5/15/03: "The might wind
of revival -- A Mighty Sound of Abundant Rain ushers in the
Messiah but I'm not in it ." (False Religion-False
Jesus-Apostate Church.)
Trojan
Horse Revival
David
Eells
A strong delusion is washing
over Apostate Christianity. It is people forsake the Word to
follow the “spirit.” I have a friend who use to be Mr.
America. He and another brother were telling me when I first
met them that they always heard from "the spirit" vocally. Some
of the brethren and myself began to question them and found that
"the spirit" was not in agreement with the Word. We told them
that this could not be the Holy Spirit. We asked them if they
would submit to deliverance. We also told them they had nothing
to lose since the Holy Spirit cannot be cast out of anyone.
They were a little proud and wanted to prove their point. So we
commanded the demons to leave and they never heard the audible
voice of God again (Not that God doesn't sometimes speak
audibly). Immediately afterwards they came to respect the true
Spirit of the Word.
This strong delusion is seen in
people who appear to love the Lord while they forsake the Word
to follow "the spirit." The Lord said His Words were "spirit and truth" and that that truth would set you
free. He said if you didn't obey His Word you did not "Agape"
Him. If you did obey them He and the Father would come to live
in you. {Jn.14:23} Jesus answered and said unto him,
If a man love (Agape) me, he willkeep my word: and my Father will love (Agape)
him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him. {24} He that loveth (Agape)
me not keepeth not my words: and the word
which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
Notice: "If a man 'Agape'me, he will
keep my word."
This is because "God is Agape"
and He is "the Word made flesh" so you cannot separate Agape
from the Word. This is how we know false spirits. By the
Spirit, an Apostle who wrote the WORD said: {1 Jn.4:6} We
are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not
of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of
truth, and the spirit of error. {7} Beloved, let us love
one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth
(Agape = "keep my Word") is begotten
(born) of God, and knoweth God. {8} He that
loveth (Agape = "keep my Word") not
knoweth not God; for God is love
(Agape). Notice that everyone who is born
of God keeps His commandments and is Agape like Him. Without
keeping the Word you cannot know the true spirit of God for He
is Agape. There are many spirits who lead God's people contrary
to the "Agape" keeping of His Word. This is the strong delusion
of the Toronto/Brownsville spirit. It deceives them to accept
only a "phileo" love, which is an affectionate, emotional, love,
in the place of "Agape" love of God. The devil has a purpose
behind this. You can have this emotionally based "phileo" kind
of love without obedience but it ends in damnation. Jesus asked
Peter in John 21 if he "Agaped" Him enough to obey Him and
forget his fishing career to feed His sheep. Peter answered
that he only had "phileo" love. Emotions are good when
submitted to the Spirit but they are also the foundation for all
sin. For instance: Anger leads to wrath and lust leads to
fornication. "Phileo" in God is very good because His emotions
are submitted to His Spirit but "phileo" in man is easily
manipulated by the devil. God never commanded us to "phileo"
Him but He did command us many times to "Agape" Him.
Deceiving spirits are
heightening the "phileo" love in the Toronto/Brownsville
infected people to make them believe that they "Agape" Him when
they do not obey Him. This destroys the rock of the Word to
live on and replaces it with the sands of their own opinions. (Mt.7:21}
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father who is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy
name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? {23}
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity. {24} Every one therefore that
heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be
likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
{25} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was
founded upon the rock. {26} And every one that heareth these
words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto
a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: {27} and
the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall
thereof. Those who are the true anointed of the Lord
have His Word in their mouth and stand on the Rock of obedience
to it. (2 Sam.23:1)... David the son of Jesse saith,
And the man who was raised on high saith, The anointed of
the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: {2} The
Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, And his word was upon my
tongue. {3} The God of Israel said, The Rock of
Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That
ruleth in the fear of God,
{4} [He shall be] as the light of the morning, when the sun
riseth, A morning without clouds...
Now something even worse has
come to pass. The Toronto/Brownsville infected people have
degenerated into "eros" love toward God. Eros was the Greek god
of love and desire. He is usually depicted as a young winged
boy with bow and arrows to shoot into the hearts of men which
would rouse them to desire. The IHOP (International House of
Prayer) music and others spawned by this false revival for
instance displays a physical attraction for the Lord and His
physical attraction for us. This will lead them even deeper
into deception, lust, fornication and self will than before.
Recently I saw a demon in a
brother and then I heard him speak of ignoring the Word to
follow the "spirit." This is common in the Toronto/Brownsville
brethren. The other elders also felt this and we cast these
demons out. This brother was then convicted by the Lord about
the IHOP music he had been listening to. He brought it to me
and played some of it. I heard the sexual connotations and told
him that the mistaken love represented in the lyrics was "eros
love" and was deceptively replacing God's "Agape love." It was
then that he showed me this article he was bringing to me, which
confirmed in the first words that this was “eros” love. I also
recognized in the lyrics the "fire chants," that were so common
to the Toronto/Brownsville deception. It was common in the
music for them to sing that the fire burned in their spirit or
soul but never in their flesh. This is the exact opposite of
what true Christian desire is.
Here is the article that
confirmed my word:
JESUS AS "LOVER"?
by Andrew Strom
Is there a problem with a "Romantic Lover" Jesus?
ABOUT THE "ROMANCING JESUS" MOVEMENT:
What does the term "Passion for Jesus" mean to you?
Would it surprise you to learn that whole Christian movements are
now using it to mean a kind-of "eros" love for Jesus - a 'passion'
for Him similar to what an earthly husband and wife have for each
other? (From the word "eros" we ultimately get the word 'erotic').
And what does the term "Intimacy with Jesus" mean to you? Would it
surprise you to learn that many are now using it to mean sensual
"romantic" encounters with Jesus - with Him as the Bridegroom and
them as the 'Bride'?
You may think that such unscriptural practices must
be out on the "fringe" somewhere. Surely they cannot be part of
mainstream Christianity? Well, look around you, because this stuff
is now everywhere. I live very close to one of the world's largest
and most influential prayer centers here in Kansas City - and it has
been a major source of this "Jesus as Romantic Lover" teaching for
many years. And now it is all around the world. At this center you
will find hundreds of young men and women who will tell you about
being "ravished" for Jesus, "kissing" Jesus and 'swooning' in His
arms, etc. Their entire understanding of "WHO GOD IS" and their
relationship with Him is being shaped by this teaching. -And it is
an utter twisting of Scripture.
Why is it important to have a right concept of "WHO
GOD IS"? Why does it matter so much? Well, this one thing shapes
everything else about our faith and our relationship with the Lord.
At the heart of a lot of cults and deceptions is a fundamental mis-apprehension
of the true character and nature of God - ie. "Who He is - How we
approach Him". It really does affect EVERYTHING.
Now, imagine that there is a new doctrine that
re-invents our very understanding of God - a doctrine that sweeps
the world and catches up many young people. So, is this new doctrine
based on a careful exegesis of the New Testament, you ask? -No! To
your surprise you find that it is largely based on "spiritualizing"
the SONG OF SOLOMON. Yes, that's right. An entire re-inventing of
our relationship with God based not on the New Testament, but on
Solomon's love-poetry about the body and breasts and comeliness of
one of his 700 wives. -Wonderful poetry to be sure, but what kind of
basis is that for such a drastic change in our basic beliefs?
(So is there no benefit to be gained from an
'allegorical' understanding of the Song Of Solomon? -Certainly there
is! Hudson Taylor and others used it this way. But that is not the
point I am making. The real issue is this:- Should we re-invent our
entire understanding of "Who God is" and how we approach Him - to
fit in with a tiny book of semi-erotic poetry from the Old
Testament? Should this become our dominant understanding of God?)
As history shows us again and again, to the equal
degree that we lose our grasp of the real character and nature of
God - to this same degree we will lose genuine Christianity. You
cannot have the true New Testament Faith if you have lost the true
New Testament Jesus. -Which is why it is so serious when people say
that in the West today we have invented a kind-of "American Jesus"
to suit our self-centered, "me"-focused lifestyle. They point out
that today you mostly hear of a Jesus who exists to make you "happy"
rather than holy, a Jesus who is always a "friend" but never a
Judge, a Jesus who does not any longer hate sin or demand
repentance, but only wants you prosperous and 'blessed'. This is a
Jesus that utterly suits our selfish Western mindset, but is found
nowhere in the Bible.
And the new "Jesus As Lover" doctrine is just another
twist in the ongoing tale of modern Christians distorting the
character and nature of God.
Does Jesus love us? Of course He does - more than
words can tell. And are we to love Him? Of course! -With all our
heart, mind, soul and strength! But does this mean that we are to
approach Him with a sensual "romantic" love, like some adolescent
schoolgirl, "swooning" and smooching with our 'lover' Jesus? Is that
what God's love means? Are we to exchange 'agape' for emotional "eros"
and act like Jesus's "girlfriend" here on earth? (-Men as well as
women?) God forbid!
Of course we know that in Scripture the corporate
body of Christ (particularly at the end of the age) is described as
the "Bride" of Christ. But isn't it obvious that this is talking
about the 'CORPORATE' Body - not individual Christians? Are we each
to become Jesus's little "girlfriends" here on earth - or is it the
"WHOLE BODY" that is to one day be the Bride of Christ? -Clearly it
is the latter.
The effect of this doctrine on young men is
particularly distressing. To describe it as "effeminate" is quite an
understatement. As it is, the modern church is already known for
being an "anti-masculine" zone, with its flower displays, pink
walls, mauve carpets, emotion- laden music, etc. A lot of
commentators point to this when discussing the low attendance of men
in our churches. But this new doctrine takes this theme to
undreamt-of depths.
Can you imagine zealous praying young men who relate
to Jesus (ie. another MALE) as a "lover" whom they kiss and 'swoon'
over? Can you imagine what happens when this becomes their basic
approach to God? -And this is just the beginning of the gender-
bending weirdness that is starting to become "normal" in this
movement. (Some are in such deception that they even have
experiences of "Jesus" kissing them on the mouth, etc. The movement
itself warns against "sensual encounters" but their very teaching
leads directly to this kind of thing. Deceiving spirits are always
super-active in this kind of environment. Where do you think the
famed 'incubus' and 'succubus' originate from?)
The ironic thing is that a lot of the people who are
into this doctrine claim to be "seeking Revival". They really think
that this is the kind of 'intimacy' that God desires. It is greatly
influencing the modern 'Prayer' movement, the Prophetic movement and
the 'Worship' movement (-which explains the recent rash of songs
with "Song of Solomon" type themes: "I kiss you with the kisses of
my mouth", "Take me into your chamber", etc).
I find their talk of "Revival" particularly ironic,
because I have studied Revival for many years, and I am aware that
all the old Revivalists prayed to a God who is very different from
what is being presented here. -And their understanding of "WHO GOD
IS" was utterly crucial to their obtaining Revival. They prayed to a
God of holiness and majesty and awe - a God of glory who hates sin,
yet sent His son to die for sinners.
The God that the old Revivalists prayed to was the
"throne room" God that Isaiah described- "I saw also the Lord
sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the
temple... And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the
LORD of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts
of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was
filled with smoke." (Is 6:1-5).
This is the "throneroom" God who is described again
in Revelation chapter 4 - where we are told that the four beasts
cry, "Holy, holy, holy" day and night without ceasing, and the 24
elders cast down their crowns before His throne - over and over
again. It is "HOLINESS" that is the chief characteristic of God! No
other characteristic is ever repeated three times together in the
Bible - let alone over and over, day and night! -"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY."
And actually, the full title of the book of
Revelation is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ". So in other words,
it is a 'revealing' of who Jesus is and what He is really like. And
when John (the 'beloved' disciple) first sees the glorified Christ
in Revelation 1, we are told that such is His terror-inducing
holiness and glory that John fell at his feet "as though dead."
-This is the true Jesus - as He really is.
In every true Revival, it is the God of majesty who
reveals himself. For Revival is the "Glory of God" coming down. It
is His very 'throne room' presence coming down amongst men. Thus,
even His own children should approach Him with awe. And if we do not
pray to this God, then we should not expect Revival at all. -That is
one of the basic lessons of Revival history. -We must pray to the
'RIGHT GOD' if we are going to see true Revival.
Incidentally, the 'Bride of Christ' in Revelation is
described as a 'holy city' - a "new Jerusalem" coming down from
heaven. (Rev 21). So it is clearly a 'CORPORATE' entity that exists
at the end of the age. -Not some individualized "girlfriend of
Jesus" in the here-and-now.
It is a very serious thing to tamper with our
understanding of 'WHO GOD IS' and how we relate to Him. In a lot of
ways it is like preaching "another Jesus". -It really is that bad.
If you hear phrases today like 'Lovesick for Jesus', 'Bridal
Paradigm', "Bridal intimacy", "Inflamed heart", 'Romancing',
"Ravished", 'Fascinated', etc, then you can be pretty sure that you
are being exposed to this deceptive doctrine. I believe it is
serious error, and I urge you to flee from it as far as you can, my
friends.
READERS REPLY TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE:
"D--" writes:
I ran into this a few weeks ago at our home
fellowship. A woman whom I see to be very Spirit filled, was talking
to us at the dinner table about being taken into the "upper
chambers" where Jesus laid her down on a bed of roses (because He is
the Rose of Sharon He can do that, she said), and that He made love
to her. She described to me this whole scene as if it were out of a
romance novel. The thought of Jesus actually making love to me made
me sick... I was actually disheartened, grieved and shocked that she
was talking about this. What gets me is that her friends who were
with her all agreed as if this was sound biblical doctrine.
[NOTE: The above email is not from Kansas City - but
rather from elsewhere in the USA. It is a good example of what is
happening as this doctrine spreads around the world. Please note
that the prayer center in Kansas City does NOT teach in any way that
we should have sexual or 'physical' encounters with Jesus. However,
their teaching certainly lays the groundwork for it - and is the
ultimate cause of it, in my opinion. Their claim is that it is
"immature" believers who are misusing and distorting their teaching.
Well yes - of course! But they are actually preaching
it to thousands of "immature" believers themselves! In fact, this
seems to be their "target" audience. The hundreds of young people at
their own prayer center boast an average age of 22 years,
reportedly. So yes - a whole lot of "immature" believers are being
greatly influenced by this doctrine. Tell me then - whose fault is
this? Is it right for the KC leadership to simply wash its hands of
the evil effects that this doctrine is having around the world?
Isn't this actually the "fruit" of this teaching? -Isn't it
producing "bad fruit" wherever it goes?]
"J----" writes:
I just went to a ladies retreat two weeks ago and the
theme was this same "lover Jesus" as portrayed in a book they used
called, "With an Everlasting Love"... It was so Godless and selfish
and full of "eros", putting thoughts and feelings in whoever reads
it that certainly did not bring glory to God... I now have the
opportunity to confront the pastor's wife about this teaching that
literally every woman fell for (except me!) and was "wooed" by their
sensuality as women and the need for love, that they sucked it right
up.
"R---" writes:
I moved here to KC 2 years ago to attend [the Prayer
Center]... I have been so confused by the whole up-sweep of the
"Bridal Paradigm" and ravished heart of Jesus and Song of Solomon. I
cannot relate to Jesus as romantic lover, nor do I want to!! I am
trying to have clean thoughts and a pure heart. I want a Godly
husband to be that for me, to model Christ's love and headship. All
my friends tell me, "Jesus is your husband - let Him be your first
love and your provider". As if I should shun men and give up on the
idea of marriage.
The Editor of a Prophetic Newsletter - who follows
the whole movement closely - writes:
I too have been concerned about this for a while. In
particular I have seen much written about intimacy without any
reference to obeying the revealed will of God. Jesus said, "If you
love me, you will obey my commands." The intimacy emphasis is not
just out of balance, it is dangerously soulish, promising emotional
experiences and opening up the way to deceiving spirits if pursued
too far.
"C---" writes:
What's amazing is how the presence of this teaching
is like yeast. For a few years I was among believers who had
absorbed 'bridal paradigm' teaching out of KC. It had a weird way of
rubbing off. Even though I'd never even encountered it myself
directly, for awhile I'd unwittingly absorbed some of it & had some
dreams I now know came from unclean spirits. Thankfully my
discernment antennaes began picking up on & rejecting the unholy
nature of all this. Like many such excesses, it's the mixture that
results when deception is mingled with the pure revelation of the
Spirit that's so very, very deadly.
"L---" writes:
There is a strange message behind this Bridal
Paradigm. -It was shown at the CALL in Kansas City. I was there. I
witnessed this. There was a call to all those young people who were
in attendance at this KC gathering and a few older - to pledge a
marriage covenant right then that night to be MARRIED to Christ.
There was a Marriage Canopy held up for a marriage
procession as hundreds marched under it as to become covenantly
married to Christ. They made it seem so righteous and holy - So -
many threw away their discernment and followed the leaders -
forgetting that the marriage actually takes place in heaven at the
marriage supper of the Lamb.
CBN NEWS REPORT - JAN 6, 2002:
"THE CALL" IN KANSAS CITY: A Marriage Covenant with
Jesus.
By Wendy Griffith, CBN News Reporter.
Some 20,000 mostly young people packed the Kansas
City Convention Center on New Year's Eve for a wedding ceremony
unlike any other... as each person who came embarked on a marriage
covenant with the Bridegroom of Heaven... From noon until midnight
they danced and sang, fasted and prayed, and got ready to get
married to Jesus.
"There's going to be a wedding and God is raising up
friends of the Bridegroom to prepare the church, there's going to be
a wedding!"
One by one, thousands of men and women, young and
old, made their vows and walked under the prayer shawl symbolizing
their commitment to Jesus.
[A COMMENTATOR NOTES: The huppah is in fact an
integral part of a binding WEDDING CEREMONY between man and woman;
therefore what these young people were doing was getting married -
but to whom? The Bible tells us that the marriage of the Lamb takes
place "in heaven" and only at the Day of Redemption when all
believers are gathered in. It does not take place on earth as a
"preparation" for the Lord's coming].
Continuing the CBN Report...
"Stewart Greaves, a 30-year-old, said, "I really feel
like the Lord is calling young people to fall madly in love with
Him. I've always felt that the difference between religion and
relationship is intimacy with Jesus..."
Here in Kansas City, there has already been a
tremendous focus on the bridal love of Jesus... where for three and
a half years, a team of prophetic singers, intercessors and others
have held 24-hour-a-day praise and worship focusing on Jesus as the
bridegroom.
[-END of NEWS REPORT].
FROM a BOOK that is Required Reading at the School of this Kansas
City prayer center:
"He [God] has given Himself to both the exhilarations
and the woundings of a lovesick heart. When He gazes upon me, He
sees through the eyes of love and desire. He comes before me and
says, 'I am a Man in love. I am a God that burns with desire, and I
have set My affections on you. I am an all-consuming fire of love,
and you are the inheritance that My Father has promised me. Will you
receive My love?'" (Pg 57).
"O Gaze Eternal,
How penetrating are Your Fires
Rushing through my darkest places
With the burning streams of Desire
Leaving me naked, purged and bare
... Yet embraced...
You take hold of my weakest places
And kiss them with Your mercy
Lifting up my low grounds
With your mighty love so holy..." (Pg 52).
"She lifted her arms wide to the Lord and said with
all of her strength and her love, 'Enjoy me. Right here, right now,
in my absolute weakness, enjoy me.'" (Pg 84).
[NOTE: The above book goes on and on in a similar vein for 200
pages. We remind you again that this is an officially recommended
publication at this Kansas City prayer center, with a Foreword by
the LEADER of the movement himself. It is "Required Reading" for the
young people at their ministry School.
When they talk about a Bridal "Paradigm" - what do
they mean? Well, a 'paradigm' is a new mindset or "world-view".
These people are now viewing Jesus and Christianity through an
entirely new set of lenses, so to speak - ie. Through this 'BRIDAL'
Paradigm. -For many, that is now their dominant understanding of
Jesus Christ.]
TRUE "INTIMACY" WITH GOD
-by Andrew Strom.
With all this talk about the error of the "Jesus as
Romantic Lover" teaching, I don't want to give the impression that I
am against having a deep relationship with God. The fact is - my
whole ministry is devoted to bringing people into a closer and
closer walk with Him - a walk of truly deep communion. But there is
one very important difference. -And it is all to do with the
'CHARACTER' of God, and how we approach Him.
Since I was 17 years old - when I first went through
a true "Revival" experience in my life - I have found myself in deep
communion with God in prayer. Many times I have found myself (as it
were) in the very 'throne room' presence of God, where all I could
do was behold His glory and majesty in awe - often with tears
streaming down my face. "HOLY HOLY HOLY". Sometimes I have been
unable to speak or utter any word for hours at a time - because what
words are sufficient for such things? -This is the God that I came
to deeply love. -A 'HOLY' God. And I believe that 'knowing' God
deeply in this way is for every believer. In fact, this is what I
spoke about at our recent 'Gathering'. -'Personal Revival' and
coming into a state of deep communion with Him. I am totally
committed to the fact that this is God's will for every Christian.
-Nothing 'unusual'.
But there are "foundations" that must be laid to come
into this. And one of the most important of these foundations is a
right understanding of God as a 'HOLY' God. -I mean deeply and
utterly "Holy". -Holy beyond words and almost beyond comprehension.
The more we get a grasp of God's HOLINESS, the more we ourselves
desire holiness, and the closer and closer to Him we become. I have
seen this and I know it is true.
We all know the Scripture- "The FEAR of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom." But what a lot of us don't realize is that
it is through this reverential 'Fear' of the Lord that we ultimately
come into a deep 'LOVE' relationship with Him. It is utterly crucial
that we embrace His judgments and holiness - as well as His mercy
and grace. And as this foundation of God's glory and holiness and
majesty is laid in our hearts, our whole approach to Him changes. We
start to see Him as He really is - in all His GLORY - and we start
to LOVE Him more and more. And as His holiness works its way more
and more into our lives, we come closer and closer to Him - not in
any "romantic" or 'sensual' way, but in a 'HOLY' way. -This is a
major secret of the 'Revived' life: Apprehending the 'HOLY'
character and nature of God. -That is where it starts.
Which is why I have such a problem with the "Jesus as
Lover" teaching. -Because it brings God down to "our level" - a
sentimental 'romantic' level rather than a 'throneroom' one. It is
an awful distortion. I believe it actually ruins a lot of people's
relationship with God - rather than helping it. In many ways it is a
"false Jesus" that is being preached - and the approach is
completely wrong.
I know from Scripture and all Revival history that it
is the God of GLORY and HOLINESS - the "throne room" God - that we
must get to know if we are to come into the deepest heart communion
and intimacy with Him. The 'Fear' of the Lord really is the
beginning of wisdom.
Through the free gift of the cleansing blood of Jesus
- a FREE GIFT - we can truly and deeply become the 'FRIEND' of the
King of Kings. -Now, how precious is that?? How many billions of
dollars could you pay for that?? -We can actually become the
'FRIEND' of the God of all glory - Creator of the Universe. This is
the God that we can come to deeply know and love. And the key is His
'HOLINESS'.
TO SUM IT ALL UP:
I am convinced that the "Jesus as Romantic Lover"
teaching is more than just an over-emphasis. It is serious error,
which is producing bad fruit all over the world.
But more than that, I regard it as an utterly
"anti-Revival" doctrine. If you are a seeker of true Revival, then I
cannot imagine a worse way to be sidetracked than this. It promises
a new kind of "intimacy" with Jesus, yet delivers only cheap
'romance'. And it fights against true 'holiness' preaching (ie.
Revival preaching) by bringing God down to a more earthy and soulish
and sentimental level. You cannot ever conceive of it preaching
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." At the end of the day, I
believe it simply preaches a 'FALSE JESUS'.
Of course, our culture today is saturated with sex
and romance, so this "Romantic Lover Jesus" doctrine plays right
along with that. But are we supposed to adapt our whole
understanding of God to the sick culture of the day, or are we
supposed to represent the TRUE JESUS as He really is - and change
the world? Clearly the latter, of course. To change our gospel to
make Jesus a "wooing" romantic lover, chasing his beloved and
playing "hide & seek" with her, is obviously 'off' in a major way.
But you can see why many of our youth are falling for it.
Of course, there is another distorted teaching
related to this, which is also coming out of that same group in
Kansas City. It is the over-emphasis on how much God aches and
desires and takes "pleasure" in us - even in our "weakness" and
'brokenness' and sinfulness, etc. Again, when this is distorted and
over-emphasized to such an extreme, it becomes an "anti-Revival"
doctrine of the worst kind. I have been studying Revival now for
over 20 years, and I would say that this kind of teaching is just
about the worst barrier to true Revival in existence. Instead of
exalting God, it portrays Him as excessively 'emotional', as He woos
and enjoys us with His 'inflamed' heart - even in our 'weakness' (ie.
sin). In other words, the seriousness of sin is down-played and "we"
become the center instead of God. Again, this is in direct
opposition to all true Revival preaching, and it simply amazes me
that any "Revival-seeking" group would come out with it.
Of course, as we have intimated before, this "Bridal"
teaching seems to distort or ruin almost everything it touches.
'FASTING' is another example. Here is what one person wrote about
their encounter with 'Bridegroom' fasting: "I have had experience
with some ministry that included what they call a "bridegroom fast"
where they mourn in "lovesickness" for the purpose of experiencing
more of divine Love. Seems to be really over-emphasizing emotional
experiences." - Yes - exactly!
So is such 'Bridegroom' fasting actually pleasing to
God? Does He even notice it at all? And what about their
'Bridegroom' PRAYING? Or their 'Bridegroom' MUSIC? (-Of which there
seems to be such an abundance!) -Does any of it actually achieve
what it is supposed to achieve? Or is it all based on a completely
false perception of God?
These are the questions that need to be seriously
considered by anyone who is thinking of getting involved in this
movement.
… Back to the Trojan Horse
David Eells
Here is a portion of Sovereign
God for Us and Through Us in which I was speaking of this Trojan
Horse Revival that was brought into the Church by ignorant apostate
leadership.
Some of these serpent false
ministries are as Pharaoh’s wise men and sorcerers who counterfeited
the signs and wonders given to Moses (Ex.7:11,22; 8:7). It is
interesting to note that though they could counterfeit some of the
judgments (turning their staff into a serpent, turning waters into
blood, and multiplying the plague of frogs), they could not remove
them. Moses removed them, meaning God permitted them to magnify the
curse, but not to deliver from it. It is still true today.
I have a friend who was mixed
up in a ministry (Toronto/Brownsville) that was seeing many signs
and wonders. As I watched, I noticed that these supernatural
occurrences were not the gifts of provision as in the book of Acts
or in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. These signs and wonders seemed to be
placebos to pacify a desire for the supernatural. They were
flesh-pleasing signs that brought no practical, lasting deliverance
from the curse. I perceived deceiving spirits involved and even saw
some through the gift of discerning of spirits. When some tried to
constrain them to stick to the Word, they would merely pass it off
saying that God was doing a new thing. Even though there may be new
things to our own experience, Solomon said, “There is no new
thing under the sun.” We should find precedent in the Word for
our signs and wonders. Paul warned of lying signs and wonders that
come through Satan and his minions but are sent by God to deceive
those who do not love truth (2 Thes.2:9-12). In concern for my
friend whom I knew was gifted with dreams and visions, I prayed that
the Lord would give her some to warn her of what was going on. The
next time I saw her she related to me that she saw a vision in her
church assembly. The ceiling disappeared, and she saw a great red
dragon (“the old serpent”) stretched over the whole building.
God was obviously saying that Satan was exercising dominion through
deception there. Then she saw another vision: a Trojan horse was
being wheeled through the back door. A voice told her, “Christians
brought that in here.” This symbolized a false gift in which the
enemy was hidden in order to conquer them.
If the demons cannot keep you
out of Christianity entirely, they have another strategy. There are
religious spirits that specialize in keeping people in bondage to
false, so-called “Christian” religions that do not teach the Word
that sets free. There are many serpent spirits at work in the church
today deceiving many with “doctrines of demons,” as Paul
shared in 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Serpent spirits are manifest as false
directions, doctrines, prophecies, and leadership to name a few.
(2 Cor.11:13)For such men are false apostles (Greek:
“one sent forth”), deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into
apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth
himself into an angel (Greek: “messenger”) of light
(truth). (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers
also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose
end shall be according to their works. The word “angel” in Greek
is angelos, and is sometimes translated “messenger” when describing
ministers who are sent by God or other ministers (Lk.7:24,27; 9:52).
It is obvious that there are men who have infiltrated the ranks of
ministers who are sent by Satan through their own ego and religious
organizations. Both Jesus and Paul taught that these ministers were
in the majority (Jn.10:8; 2 Cor.2:17).
These serpent spirits can also
be mind-corrupting such as lust, greed, anger, bitterness, lying,
homosexuality, alcoholism, idolatry, and uncleanness.
I asked the Lord to show me about
this false revival so I could show others. He sent me to a church
not far from Brownsville that I had also ministered in several
times. One of the Brownsville ministers was bringing the “revival”
there. There was a lot of fleshly showy stuff going on, which is
normal for that “revival.” He was going around slapping his bible
on people’s chest saying, “The Word of God in your heart. The Word
of God in your heart.” Of course it didn’t work. It was a
placebo. Nothing can replace obeying what you read in the Word.
After the show there was an altar call. The Lord told me to go down
and get into the line to be prayed for. I questioned Him because of
the religious spirits I saw in the minister. After He confirmed His
direction I started for the altar. I felt to pray on the way down
and forbid any religious spirit to touch me in Jesus' name. I got in
line and about 2/3 of the way down the line and the minister was working
his way toward me, praying for people who had various
manifestations: jerking, twitching and falling out. He stopped in
front of me and put his hands out to put them on my chest to pray
for me and instead of touching me his whole body pushed back and his
eyes got big. He put out his hands again and his whole body pushed
back again and his eyes got bigger. The third time this happened he
fell on the ground and prayed for no one else in the line. I had my
clear answer: religious spirits.
Ever wonder why Christians from the Toronto/Brownsville Revival seem
so very happy and care free? It is because they have cast off the
crucified life of submission to the Word. A revelation was given to
an early Church Father named Hermas in the early second century. In
a
vision the Lord appeared to him as a Shepherd revealing many things
about true and false Christian life, which he was to send to the
churches. Read what was revealed about these unrestrained,
Biblically irresponsible people. These who only want to sing,
praise, listen to their music chants and impart their deceptive,
false fire anointing to the unsuspecting who almost immediately
forsake the Word. Don't let them lay their hands on you. They are
carriers of a demonic disease. If they have laid hands on you
renounce it and get deliverance quickly.
Sitting in my
house, and glorifying the Lord for all that I had seen, and
reflecting on the commandments, that they are excellent, and
powerful, and glorious, and able to save a man's soul, I said within
myself, "I shall be blessed if I walk in these commandments, and
every one who walks in them will be blessed." While I was saying
these words to myself, I suddenly see him sitting beside me, and
hear him thus speak: "Why are you in doubt about the commandments
which I gave you? They are excellent: have no doubt about them at
all, but put on faith in the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I
will strengthen you in them. These commandments are beneficial to
those who intend to repent: for if they do not walk in them, their
repentance is in vain You, therefore, who repent cast away the
wickedness of this world which wears you out; and by putting on all
the virtues of a holy life, you will be able to keep these
commandments, and will no longer add to the number of your sins.
Walk, therefore, in these commandments of mine, and you will live
unto God. All these things have been spoken to you by me." And after
he had uttered these words, he said to me, "Let us go into the
fields, and I will show you the shepherds of the flocks." "Let us
go, sir," I replied. And we came to a certain plain, and he showed
me a young man, a shepherd, clothed in a suit of garments of a
yellow color: and he was herding very many sheep, and these sheep
were feeding luxuriously (Note: The Lord later explained that
luxury was giving into sin and fleshly pleasures.), as it were,
and riotously, and merrily skipping hither and thither. The shepherd
himself was merry, because of his flock; and the appearance of the
shepherd was joyous, and he was running about amongst his flock. And
other sheep I saw rioting and luxuriating in one place, but not,
however, leaping about.
CHAPTER II.
And he said to
me, "Do you see this shepherd?" "I see him, sir," I said. "This," he
answered, "is the angel of luxury and deceit: he wears out the souls
of the servants of God, and perverts them from the truth, deceiving
them with wicked desires, through which they will perish; for they
forget the commandments of the living God, and walk in deceits and
empty luxuries; and they are ruined by the angel, some being brought
to death, others to corruption:" I said to him, "Sir, I do not know
the meaning of these words, 'to death, and to corruption.'"
"Listen," he said. "The sheep which you saw merry and leaping about,
are those which have tom themselves away from God for ever, and have
delivered themselves over to luxuries and deceits of this world.
Among them there is no return to life through repentance, because
they have added to their other sins, and blasphemed the name of the
Lord. Such men therefore, are appointed unto death. And the sheep
which you saw not leaping, but feeding in one place, are they who
have delivered themselves over to luxury and deceit, but have
committed no blasphemy against the Lord. These have been perverted
from the truth: among them there is the hope of repentance, by which
it is possible to live. Corruption, then, has a hope of a kind of
renewal, but death has everlasting ruin." Again I went forward a
little way, and he showed me a tall shepherd, somewhat savage in his
appearance, clothed in a white goatskin, and having a wallet on his
shoulders, and a very hard staff with branches, and a large whip.
And he had a very sour look, so that I was afraid of him, so
forbidding was his aspect. This shepherd, accordingly, was receiving
the sheep from the young shepherd, those, viz., that were rioting
and luxuriating, but not leaping; and he cast them into a
precipitous place, full of this ties and thorns, so that it was
impossible to extricate the sheep from the thorns and thistles; but
they were completely entangled amongst them. These, accordingly,
thus entangled, pastured amongst the thorns and thistles, and were
exceedingly miserable, being beaten by him; and he drove them hither
and thither, and gave them no rest; and, altogether, these sheep
were in a wretched plight.
CHAPTER III.
Seeing them,
therefore, so beaten and so badly used, I was grieved for them,
because they were so tormented, and had no rest at all. And I said
to the Shepherd who talked with me, "Sir, who is this shepherd, who
is so pitiless and severe, and so completely devoid of compassion
for these sheep?"
"This," he
replied, "is the angel of punishment; and he belongs to the just
angels, and is appointed to punish. He accordingly takes those who
wander away from God, and who have walked in the desires and deceits
of this world, and chastises them as they deserve with terrible and
diverse punishments." "I would know, sir," I said, "Of what nature
are these diverse tortures and punishments?" "Hear," he said, "the
various tortures and punishments. The tortures are such as occur
during life. For some are punished with losses, others with want,
others with sicknesses of various kinds, and others with all kinds
of disorder and confusion; others are insulted by unworthy persons,
and exposed to suffering in many other ways: for many, becoming
unstable in their plans, try many things, and none of them at all
succeed, and they say they are not prosperous in their undertakings;
and it does not occur to their minds that they have done evil deeds,
but they blame the Lord. When, therefore, they have been afflicted
with all kinds of affliction, then are they delivered unto me for
good training, and they are made strong in the faith of the Lord;
and for the rest of the days of their life they are subject to the
Lord with pure hearts, and are successful in all their undertakings,
obtaining from the Lord everything they ask; and then they glorify
the Lord, that they were delivered to me, and no longer suffer any
evil."
CHAPTER IV.
I said to him,
"Sir, explain this also to me." "What is it you ask?" he said.
"Whether, sir," I continued, "they who indulge in luxury, and who
are deceived, are tortured for the same period of time that they
have indulged in luxury and deceit?" He said to me, "They are
tortured in the same manner." ["They are tormented much less, sir,"
I replied;] "for those who are so luxurious and who forget God ought
to be tortured seven-fold." He said to me "You are foolish, and do
not understand the power of torment." "Why, sir," I said, "if I had
understood it, I would not have asked you to show me." "Hear," he
said, "the power of both. The time of luxury and deceit is one hour;
but the hour of torment is equivalent to thirty days. If,
accordingly, a man indulge in luxury for one day, and be deceived
and be tortured for one day, the day of his torture is equivalent to
a whole year. For all the days of luxury, therefore, there are as
many years of torture to be undergone. You see, then," he continued,
"that the time of luxury and deceit is very short, but that of
punishment and torture long."
CHAPTER V.
"Still," I said,
"I do not quite understand about the time of deceit, and luxury, and
torture; explain it to me more clearly." He answered, and said to
me, "Your folly is persistent; and you do not wish to purify your
heart, and serve God. Have a care," he added, "lest the time be
fulfilled, and you be found foolish. Hear now," he added, "as you
desire, that you may understand these things. He who indulges in
luxury, and is deceived for one day, and who does what he wishes, is
clothed with much foolishness, and does not understand the act which
he does until the morrow; for he forgets what he did the day before.
For luxury and deceit have no memories, on account of the folly with
which they are clothed; but when punishment and torture cleave to a
man for one day, he is punished and tortured for a year; for
punishment and torture have powerful memories. While tortured and
punished, therefore, for a whole year, he remembers at last a his
luxury and deceit, and knows that an their account he suffers evil.
Every man, therefore, who is luxurious and deceived is thus
tormented, because, although having life, they have given themselves
over to death." "What kinds of luxury, sir," I asked, "are hurtful?"
"Every act of a man which he performs with pleasure," he replied,
"is an act of luxury; for the sharp-tempered man, when gratifying
his tendency, indulges in luxury; and the adulterer, and the
drunkard, and the back-biter, and the liar, and the covetous man,
and the thief, and he who does things like these, gratifies his
peculiar propensity, and in so doing indulges in luxury. All these
acts of luxury are hurtful to the servants of God. On account of
these deceits, therefore, do they suffer, who are punished and
tortured. And there are also acts of luxury which save men; for many
who do good indulge in luxury, being carried away by their own
pleasure: this luxury, however, is beneficial to the servants of
God, and gains life for such a man; but the injurious acts of luxury
before enumerated bring tortures and punishment upon them; and if
they continue in them and do not repent, they bring death upon
themselves."
Questions Concerning the
Toronto/Brownsville Experience
I live two miles from
Brownsville and have warred with the deceiving spirits of that
revival for almost 10 years. If you go to a revival and instead
of calling upon the name of the Lord, they are chanting the
mantra Fire, Fire, Fire; or More, More, More; or More power or
More fire. Run, they are calling forth the Toronto/Brownsville
spirits to deceive you with lying signs and wonders. God gives
Biblical signs and wonders to confirm the people who speak His
true Word. Lying signs and wonders confirm a lie and a people
who come to spread a lie.
{2 Thes. 2:8} And then
shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall
slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the
manifestation of his coming; {9} [even he], whose coming is
according to the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders, {10} and with all deceit of
unrighteousness for them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved. {11} And for this cause God sendeth them a working of
error, that they should believe a lie: {12} that they
all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
If you are prayed over or more
correctly preyed upon by these people renounce it quickly.
Notice that unless you are protected because of your love for
the Word and righteous living several things will happen. You
will be deceived by Satan as a working of error sent by God. I
have seen several things consistently in the infected people.
They begin to hear the voice and follow the leading of
God-impersonating spirits. {Dt.13:1} If there arise in the
midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give
thee a sign or a wonder, {2} and the sign or the wonder come to
pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other
gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; {3}
thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or unto
that dreamer of dreams: for Jehovah your God proveth you,
to know whether ye love Jehovah your God with all your heart and
with all your soul. {4} Ye shall walk after Jehovah your God,
and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice,
and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
They become so convinced this is the voice of God they come to
respect their false word rather than the true Word. Because
they now do not have this standard there is no conviction and
restraint for their life and they are given over to their past
lusts or new lusts. The spirits in them will rail with lies at
those who recognize them as false spirits and love the Word. As
this infection progresses these people not only come to respect
these unbiblical signs but are able to pass on the spirits who
bring the strong delusion and perform them.
It was the Brownsville Assembly
of God church in Pensacola, Florida, that opened the door for
this Trojan Horse and then many other churches of this
denomination jumped in. The reason they were chosen to be the
prime leaders of this is obvious. They do not believe that
Christians can have demons. Since they believed that these
could not be demons manifesting in and through their brethren,
then it must be God. Once again departure from the Word opened
them up to this deception. Jesus commanded His disciples not to
go to any Gentiles but only to Israel to cast out demons
(Mt.10:5-8). This is because they had the covenant right to
deliverance and the lost did not. Jesus also told the
Syrophoenician woman who wanted deliverance for her daughter
that “it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast
it to the dogs” (Mk.7:26, 27). This means that only the
children of God can have deliverance from their demons.Because this woman expressed faith in Jesus, and faith
is accounted as righteousness in the New Covenant that He was
making, she received her request. The Assemblies being a rather
traditional Pentecostal church was then able to influence many
other people of like mind. This was because none of them had
become familiar with God’s Word.
I have been asked, “Can one
have a partial infection?” Yes, for instance: I have seen some
receive the spirits that cause them to disrespect the Word but
they still are not convinced of the lying signs and wonders.
The reason for this is simple. This has been revealed as a
Trojan Horse attack on the people of God. When the people of
Troy brought what they thought was a gift of their God inside
their city, a relatively small group of the enemy was hidden
inside. In the darkness that came, these crept out and opened
the gates to a larger army waiting outside. Many Christians are
bringing the false gift inside and if they continue in the
darkness will sooner or later be infested with more life
destroying demons.
I have been asked, “Can one be
prayed over by these people and not be infected at all?” Yes,
some of the Christians examining this phenomenon from inside the
infected Churches or elsewhere are ignorantly but honestly
seeking only God and sometimes pray the famous prayer, “Lord if
this is not of you I don’t want it.” These usually escape
infection in their ignorance. {Pr.26:2} As the sparrow in
her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse
that is causeless alighteth not. Remember Balaam
was bribed to curse the people of God but found he could not.
{Num.23:8} How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?
And how shall I defy, whom Jehovah hath not defied? {9} For from
the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him:
lo, it is a people that dwelleth alone, And shall not be
reckoned among the nations. Notice that those who
are separate from the world, which is the meaning of
sanctification, are blessed and cannot be cursed as Balaam went
on to say. {20} Behold, I have received [commandment] to
bless: And he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.
On the other hand as these same
ignorant people begin to be warned of God by others or through
His Word and they ignore this, they become guilty of willful sin
and the curse will overtake them. We cannot bless those God has
cursed. If you cast these demons out and the victims do not
repent, they will come back worse. Jesus said that when the
demon is cast out of an unrepentant person, meaning those who do
not respect His Word, he would return and open the gate for
seven worse than himself (Mt.12:38-45). Frustrated because of
seeing this in my experience with these people I cried to the
Father, “Lord what can I do for the Toronto/Brownsville infected
people?” He gave me an immediate answer. {Jer.7:27} And
thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not
hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will
not answer thee. {28} And thou shalt say unto them, This
is the nation that hath not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah
their God, nor received instruction: truth is perished, and
is cut off from their mouth. {29} Cut off thy hair
(Hebrew: crown), [O Jerusalem], and cast it away,
and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for Jehovah
hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. {30}
For the children of Judah(Spirit filled people)
have done that which is evil in my sight, saith Jehovah: they
have set their abominations in the house which is called by my
name, to defile it. {31} And they have built the high places
of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn
their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded
not, neither came it into my mind. Notice that those
who do not hear the true voice of God, will not hear the Word of
God through you, but will lose their crown, entering the wrath.
I have been asked, “What is the
difference between the true gifts of God and the false?” The
true gifts of 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14 destroy the works of the
Satan and cast him out. False gifts never cast him out but
bring him in. {Mk.3:23} And he called them unto him, and
said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
{24} And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom
cannot stand. {25} And if a house be divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand. {26} And if Satan hath
risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand,
but hath an end. The true gifts are practical in that
they bring God’s salvation from the curse. The false gifts are
for fleshly indulgence and entertainment and slyly destroy the
works of God. From God’s point of view they come to separate
the wheat from the tares especially in the time of the harvest
as that parable in Matthew 13 shows.
I have been asked, “If I have
been affected by this false revival, what can I do for
deliverance?” First repent, meaning, change your mind. Do not
deny one Word of God because of your idols. Believing
flesh-appeasing doctrines to appease your own selfish ambitions
will give God cause to permit these demons to deceive you. {Eze.14:4}…
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Every man of the house of Israel
that taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the
stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to
the prophet; I Jehovah will answer him therein according to
the multitude of his idols; {5} that I may take the house of
Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from
me through their idols. God will send deception to
those who have idols of personal ambition.
The next step in deliverance is
to believe the Gospel that Father “delivered us out of the
power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son
of his love {Col.1:13}. Take the authority you received
from this and renounce and rebuke these deceiving spirits from
you. Renounce the false signs that have no relationship to what
you see in Scriptures. If you feel you need help call on true
elders who are free of this deception to stand with you.
Love from your servant,
David
E-mail From a
Prophetess Who Was Involved in Brownsville
I know that this is a very unsettling time. This teaching
on Brownsville/Toronto has really stirred up a hornet's nest
of spirits. As I told you a few days ago, the Lord had
warned me about certain relationships. So I guess this
shouldn't come as a surprise, but still it is a shock.
To be honest, I am a peacemaker by nature and want everyone
to get along. I wondered if things really had to be as
"harsh" as they turned out, so this morning I took it
EARNESTLY to the Lord. I cried out to Him to show me the
TRUTH in all of this, and why were things getting so
difficult. I said, "Lord, I have many friends who were/are
involved with Brownsville. They love you. Aren't we being
a little 'harsh'?. Can't we just sort of 'forgive' and
move on?"
IMMEDIATELY, the Lord said, "Jeremiah
16." So I turned there........it is ABSOLUTELY what I
needed to hear. The reason things seem "harsh" is
because God is dealing harshly with this spirit!!!
Please read Jeremiah 16, the whole chapter. It says
that we are not to get married in this place. That tells me
NO COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS where this spirit is.
So after I read that chapter and understood it, I said, "But
Lord, what about me? I have associated with some of these
people carrying this spirit. Are you cutting me off?" He
lifted my eye up the page a bit to chapter 15 verses 19-21.
Some of it says, "If you return, then I will restore
you--Before Me you will stand; and if you extract the
precious from the worthless, you will
become My spokesman. They for their part may turn to you,
but as for you, you must not turn to
them." So many of us are under God's mercy right now,
extracting the precious from the worthless.
Then I asked the Lord how you (David) had the understanding
to deal so sharply with this spirit, as I would have been
more "forgive and forget" type thing. And this is what the
Lord said to me... "David has been a warrior against this
spirit for a long time. He has been in battle against it
many times and therefore, recognizes it more quickly than
most. He also understands its tactics and has seen
firsthand how devastating this spirit can be to My people."
(Look at what the Lord says is coming to them in chapter
16:4.)
David, I hope this will be an encouragement to you. I know
it is hard. I, myself, HATE it. But, I believe the
Word....so be it!!
E-mail from a
Brother Asking for a Sign
I asked the Lord about going to a meeting where gold dust was one
of the signs along with weight loss as some of the signs manifested
in these meetings.
Well I went to the Lord and asked Him to show me if it was okay
to go. I then opened the Bible and my finger fell upon:
{2 Tim.4:3} For the time will come when they will not
endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to
themselves teachers after their own lusts; {4} and will turn away
their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
Wow! What a revelation. Boy do we need the gift of discernment
today. Is the Word being preached and Jesus being lifted up? Watch
out for these fleshly uplifting preachers. Don't let anyone deceive
you. We are in the last days.
E-mail From Eric of Recent Brownsville Type
Revival
In regards to these
Brownsville spirits, I can attest to the fact that they are
false and harmful. False because all their manifestations fail
to agree with the word of God. Harmful because they distract
from any true deliverance or worship of God.
Here is my experience and encounter with the Brownsville
spirits.
I witnessed people who were supposedly being anointed with the
Holy Ghost suddenly fall down as if knocked out by a prize
fighter. They called it "slain in the spirit." I saw others in
fits of maniacal laughter, while others were swaying or shaking,
some as if they were drunk and others as if they had bodies like
Jell-O. There were strange chantings about fire and sexual
overtones to their speech. There were two charismatic preachers
who were imparting these sensual spirits and the women seemed to
be attracted to them or rather the flirtatious spirits within
them. When they "groaned," it sounded like a man in the act of
sex and their eyes were glassy and red like someone high on
marijuana. There were group impartations that caused everyone to
fall down together and there was even a couple of disturbing
sexual poses. Nobody was prophesying in an edifying way or
teaching, there was no group prayer for healing or deliverance
because most of the people there were interested in coming back
for more impartations like a drug addict comes back for more.
Even when an individual would try to recover they would impart
more of these spirits and put them back out. Please brethren, be
informed that these spirits serve the pleasures of the flesh and
skillfully avoid any true edification of the spirit. They speak
of the power of God but they disobey his word. They speak in
tongues but there is no way to interpret what they say because
no one seems to care what they are saying. They misquote
scripture and add to the Word their own suppositions because
they need to justify these works of the adversary. It is only
about feeling good in the flesh. Our Lord, with a true word,
teaches us to sow to the spirit and not to the flesh.
Brethren, be warned. All of us have a responsibility to God to
not only know the Word, but to obey the Word. If we do not learn
and obey the Word then we leave a door open for strong delusion.
For those who have ears to hear, let them hear. For those who
have eyes to see, let them see. Obey the Word and these unclean
spirits will flee from you. Be cautious as to who lays hands on
you or prays over you, if you do not know their background or
anything about them. Keep studying the word in order to be
approved.
A False
Healing Revival in Florida? Andrew Strom 4/23/08
Many of you will have already heard about the "Healing Revival"
that has purportedly broken out in Lakeland, Florida. Today
Charisma Magazine put out a piece on it entitled 'A Holy Ghost
Outbreak in Florida' - "...Charismatics are flocking to the
sleepy town of Lakeland, Fla. to attend evangelist Todd
Bentley’s unconventional revival services." Is Charisma
preparing to hype this one to the skies like they did with
Toronto and Rodney Howard- Browne? It seems perhaps they are.
But why am I opposed to this 'Healing Revival' so soon after it
has been announced? -It is because I already know Todd
Bentley's ministry all too well, and this whole thing centers
around him.
Todd Bentley actually has deep roots in the Prophetic movement,
and he is one of the very few ministers that I have ever felt I
had to publicly warn people about by name. -His ministry is that
bad. False "angel" encounters of the weirdest kind, gold dust,
guided visualizations of the "Third Heaven" that are straight
out of the New Age, etc. And yet there is a "power" with it that
makes it all the more dangerous.
Here is how Charisma describes his Florida meetings- "His
methods are far from polished. When he prayed for people in
Lakeland, he usually began by laying his hand on their heads and
then yelling, “Bam!” Often the people fell backward to the
floor. After one elderly woman fell, Bentley told the audience:
“She doesn’t know why she fell down.” The woman then laughed and
said to him in the microphone: “Because you pushed me!” He
prayed for her three more times that night, and she said she
could hear better... During the past three weeks people have
testified of being healed from heart conditions, skin rashes and
back problems, and many said scars disappeared... Many
charismatics are wondering if the protracted meetings will
become a phenomenon similar to what happened in Rodney
Howard-Browne’s meetings in Lakeland in 1993, at the Toronto
Airport Vineyard Church in Canada in 1994 and at Brownsville
Assembly of God in Pensacola in 1995..." [END QUOTE]
Sadly, the Charismatic movement is in such a sick state today
that it would not surprise me at all if this happens. (-I say
this as a strong Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking believer
myself. I am by no means opposed to genuine miracles). Have we
completely forgotten the warnings of "Lying signs and wonders"
in the Last Days?
Below is a testimony by Lynn Clark who is a Moderator at our
website 'RevivalSchool.com'. This is what she wrote about her
involvement with Todd Bentley's ministry:
"I decided to check out Patricia King and Todd Bentley and,
ignorant of their 'third heaven' guided visualizations, attended
a five day conference of Patricia King and then two of Todd
Bentley's conferences and began to imagine third heaven
visitations - guided visualization - still not realizing that
these are actually spirits of darkness - the New Age calls them
spirit guides - demons is what they are. And so I bought Todd
Bentley's teaching on third heaven visitations and brought it
home to listen to. "I was in my living room laying on the floor
listening to the teaching on how to visualize the third heaven
and what to say and was getting caught up into his teaching and
all of a sudden I began to shake uncontrollably and jerk and
groan, and no sooner had this taken place I became frozen stiff
- I could not move any part of my body and I knew this was a
demon trying to take hold of me, and so with all the effort I
could muster I cried out, "God save me - Jesus help me" - and as
soon as I cried out to the Lord my body went limp. God spared me
that night and I will be forever grateful.
"I spent much of the night in tears asking God to forgive me -
and renouncing all the hands layed on me and all the awful
deception I had opened myself up to..." [END QUOTE]
ANDREW AGAIN: I myself have heard the tapes of Todd Bentley's
"Third Heaven Visualization" teachings, and I want to tell you -
they are straight out of the New Age handbook. -Terrible stuff.
And yet so widely accepted by thousands of Christians today.
Do these kinds of practices (above) produce a genuine 'Healing
Revival'? -These are the kinds of questions that we need to be
asking Charisma Magazine. I leave it for you to decide.
