The Things to Come

Below is an excellent article on the spirit surrounding so much of what people are flocking after these days, lots of good insights. Of course, those who need to hear this most may not care to hear, but that too is a sign of the times. This was part of this month’s Berean Call newsletter (www.thebereancall.org) –Mary

By Mark Dinsmore

Those golden calves are back again! God save us from them! It is by doctrine–by the teaching of Bible truth as the very word of God that men learn and live and nations prosper.

J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore the Book, Vol. 4, p. 96, 1960

Just an orange’s throw away from Walt Disney’s vision of Utopia, a new “destination” attraction is rivaling the nightly fireworks of Orlando’s most spectacular amusement offerings. Less than 60 miles to the west of “Fantasmic!” (starring Mickey Mouse as “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”) a Canadian “healing evangelist” has turned neighboring Lakeland, Florida, into a new “Charismagic Kingdom.” All summer long (or for as long as the “spirit” moves and crowds attend), Todd Bentley is presiding over a “Fresh Fireworks” extravaganza every night. Increasingly hailed as a modern day prophet, Bentley’s “transferrable healing anointing” has led thousands from around the globe to leave home and family to literally camp out under the “glory cloud” at the latest Latter-Rain Revival (LRR) “outpouring.”

As Solomon recorded in Ecclesiastes, however, “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Neither is there anything “new” occurring in sunny Lakeland; while the human containers have changed, the ancient doctrines dispensed from these “prophetic” vessels have not. The “new wine” being poured out at Bentley’s nightly “Fresh Fire” meetings is neither new nor “divine” but is an intoxicating blend of showmanship, manipulation, and “spirits” from the fruit of neo-gnostic (”new knowledge”) mysticism.

Truly, the state of the church today is as the state of Israel when Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet,” lamented, “A wonderful [appalling] and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so” (Jer 5:30-31). It is indeed a “wonderful and horrible” thing to view videos of Bentley’s bizarre behavior-and of the wildly adoring crowds making eager and hopeful pilgrimage to the latest circus to hit Lakeland. The “wonder” of this phenomenon is not the alleged (or even actual) occurrence of healing and manifestations, but that thousands upon thousands of sign-seekers flock from around the world to “come get some” (in Bentley’s words of invitation) of this “transferrable impartation,” which is seemingly at his will to dispense. Gone is the humble power of prayer by the example of our Lord: “Father, if it be thy will.” It has been replaced by the exaltation and power of man in prayer who summons, “I decree and I declare!” (with Jesus’ name tacked on, of course). And, as in the days of Jeremiah, the priests of the Latter Rain are self-appointed “apostles” who “bear rule” by dispensing their own blend of neo-gnostic “enlightenment” while censoring biblical discernment.

If one good fruit has come from Todd Bentley’s “carnival,” it is that the very power of the internet that has helped catapult this alleged “third wave” revival to worldwide acclaim has also enabled faithful watchmen (and women) to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Th 5:21). This Scripture stands in stark contrast to Bentley’s “apology” for the tangled confusion of bodies on his platform as he recklessly “slays” sign-seekers from his angel-empowered pulpit while raucously shouting, “Don’t even try to figure this out!” Gratefully, technology has allowed an increasing multitude to conduct their own testing of Bentley’s writings, rantings, and ravings, which are, by the standard of Scripture, “weighed…and found wanting.” A quick search on Google or YouTube turns up dozens, if not hundreds, of discerning believers’ posting of video clips, Bentley quotations, and biblical commentary that expose the darkness that purports to be light (Matthew 6:23).

This public trial-by-jury (a biblical principle) will be slightly hindered, however, by a defensive countermeasure: Bentley recently announced that all material deemed “too contoversial”-including his testimonies of meetings with angelic beings-is being extracted from his website. It appears that too many “fear-based” or “pharisaical” (terms used to deride those who are cautious or critical) believers were questioning his out-of-body encounters with angels of light, whose “new revelation” raises serious doctrinal concerns. Instead of standing firm on his convictions, this alleged prophet of God is simply yanking his “offending” material from public view to avoid causing “division” among those who are either too weak or “not ready” to receive higher knowledge that comes from his “hours and hours” of trancelike meditation. Believing to commune with Christ in this manner, Bentley has clearly succumbed to seducing spirits who leave him deceived, and deceiving others (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13).

Similar evasive action was performed by Latter-Rain prophetess and avid Bentley supporter Patricia King, who also withdrew from her website “controversial” teachings on raising the dead and communing with [dead] saints, although she maintains, “I do believe that the Lord is divinely releasing visitation from The Great Cloud of Witnesses” (supposedly tangible, real encounters with spirits of departed biblical saints and loved ones). To strengthen one’s “faith” for raising the dead, King has recommended practicing on roadkill (dead animals). She wrote, “I believe that a person can be raised from the dead and then saved.” When confronted with Hebrews 9:27 and other Scriptures, she did not repent or recant of any of these false teachings but simply stated, “I shared prematurely…too much at times, too soon, to some of the wrong people concerning [these] subject[s].” In other words, “It’s not my fault you don’t get it, but because your ‘natural mind’ can’t receive it, I’ll take it away…for now.”

It’s not that discerning believers doubt the reality of spiritual encounters by these men and women, for fallen angels have been communicating with mankind in various forms since the Garden of Eden. Rather, a comparison of Bentley’s and King’s teachings and testimonies to Scripture raises serious concern over whether they have fully escaped the bondage of occultism from which they claim to have been saved. As the apostle Paul warned, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Furthermore, the popularity of a prophet or their teachings is no gauge of truth. In fact, Scripture foretells the opposite: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).

Believers who reject on biblical grounds these and other “revelations” are accused of quenching the Holy Spirit, and those who attempt to bring biblical correction, they say, have a “Jezebel spirit.” (Bob Jones, spiritual mentor to many neo-prophets, says that if anyone speaks a negative word, they are guilty of witchcraft.) In truth, it is the LRR “zealots” who are claiming higher authority and “wisdom” than Scripture, which instructs discerning believers to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). While many ministers have mistakenly bowed at the altar of academia, the neo-apostles are no less elitist, having arrayed their networks against the mere “muggles” of evangelicalism. Ironically, while claiming to do battle with principalities and powers in the spiritual realm, they are in fact “kick[ing] against the pricks” (Acts 26:14) by persecuting those who stand firm on the “more sure word of prophecy,” which, according to Scripture, excels even the eyewitness testimony of Christ’s transfiguration (2 Pt 1:16-21). In pale and pathetic contrast to the blinding glory of God as witnessed then, the “best” manifestations that prophets of the Latter Rain Revival have conjured today is mere “glory dust” or “blue haze” or “scented oil” that descends upon their meetings. Surely, this is not the Shekina glory of God (as they claim), but is instead chicanery, sorcery, or some of both.

Tragically, as we’ve seen, such ignorance and gullibility is a sign of the times: “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign” (Matthew 16:4). By enticing believers with “higher” and “hidden” knowledge of a “secret place” accessible by anyone who surrenders to “christ” in “meditation,” prophets of the LRR fit Christ’s description of those who enter “not by the door into the sheepfold, but [climb] up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (Jn 10:1). And with regard to the flock being rustled away “unawares” (Jude 1:4) this preoccupation with manifestations over manna indicates that the “insatiable hunger” of many who follow this movement is not a healthy appetite for the meat of God’s Word but is, in reality, a lust for the forbidden fruit.

Like the Israelites who grew impatient for the Word of God to come down to them, and like Benny Hinn, who shouted, “I don’t need gold in Heaven. I got to have it now!” today’s Latter-Rain “outpouring” in Lakeland is laboring to birth and build its own magical “Kingdom Now” utopia, whose “mascot” (if one were to be chosen) would also have ears-the ears of a Golden Calf.

-Mark Dinsmore

http://www.khouse.org (visit our website for a FREE subscription)

Several weeks have passed since Irish voters dealt a knockout blow to the new EU reform treaty, and it seems Europe’s leaders are still in shock. Ireland is the only EU member whose constitution required a referendum on the treaty. The Irish voters chose to reject the treaty, a move which stunned and embarrassed Europe’s leaders. As a result, the European Union is scrambling to find a way to revive the Treaty of Lisbon.

In December of last year Europe’s leaders signed the Treaty of Lisbon, also commonly called the EU reform treaty. The Treaty of Lisbon is essentially a repackaging of the failed EU constitutional treaty – which was overwhelmingly defeated by French and Dutch voters in 2005. Critics say the bulk of the document remains unchanged, it is 90 percent the same as the former constitutional treaty. What is gone is the term “constitution”. Because it is not technically a constitution, government leaders can ratify the treaty without submitting it to national referendums. The idea was that by taking away the people’s chance to vote on the treaty, it had a better chance of survival.

For many Europeans the EU constitution represents a loss of sovereignty and national identity. Which is one of the primary reasons why voters rejected the constitution in the first place. The Treaty of Lisbon was scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2009, but it cannot be implemented unless approved by all 27 EU states. So far national parliaments in 19 countries have voted to ratify the treaty. However the Irish “no” vote has made Europe’s future somewhat uncertain.

What Happens Next?

Despite this setback, the Treaty of Lisbon may still one day become the law of the land. Many of Europe’s leaders are already plotting ways to get around the Irish vote. Rather than respect the will of the people, Europe’s leaders seem determined to get their way. Some have even suggested making Ireland vote again, and perhaps the second time around they will come back with the “right” answer. If that doesn’t work, Ireland may be forced to leave the EU, or perhaps the bureaucrats in Brussels will simply find even more subtle and creative ways to implement changes and consolidate power.

It is interesting to note that a survey of 2,000 Irish “no” voters found the main reason they rejected the Treaty was that they did not understand it. Which is ironic, because the treaty was not meant to be understood. In a sense, Europe’s leaders shot themselves in the foot. The Treaty of Lisbon is long and complex. It is written in highly technical legal jargon that has proved difficult even for experts to understand, much less the general public. According to Giuliano Amato, former Italian Prime Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Convention which drew up the EU Constitution, the treaty is confusing by design: “They decided that the document should be unreadable. If it is unreadable, it is not constitutional, that was the sort of perception. Where they got this perception from is a mystery to me.” It is also important to note that, because of the failure of the Treaty of Lisbon, accession talks with Croatia and Turkey will most likely be put on hold.

To learn more about the rise of the European Superstate, click on the links below.Related Links:

• Polish President Deals Blow to EU Treaty – AP
• Summit On Troubled Treaty Leaves Onus On Ireland – RFE
• Ireland Rejects EU treaty – Daily Times
• Strategic Trends: Rise of the European Superstate – Koinonia House

A lot of people are questioning the so-called Lakeland Revival, and that’s good. It should be questioned, and spirits should be tested. As author Warren Smith (Deceived on Purpose) recently pointed out, people no longer test spirits to see if they are from God, this is a lost art in Christendom today.

But we are told to perform such tests in the Scriptures nevertheless. That there is a testing involved in discernment implies that some will not pass the test; some will fail utterly, and we must acknowledge and if necessary, expose the failures. John tells us to test them (1John 4) because, “many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Simply said, there is a spirit of truth and a spirit of error, and anyone who claims to open his mouth for God will espouse one or the other. And in this day of heightened spiritual activity, with so many who claim to speak for God, Christians should be on the alert for deceptions and delusions and have a firm grasp on what constitutes both. We do not ever test the spirits by our emotions, but based on the revealed truths of the Scriptures. Some like to think of Christianity as ‘outcome-based” spirituality, where God grades on a curve and we don’t trash anyone’s self-esteem by telling them their teachings and practices are unbiblical. Christianity is not wired the same as the public school system, but is subject to the laws and commands of the Bible and of a holy God who must be represented properly.

As much as I have been trying to ignore Bentley’s outlandish show that more resembles Wrestlemania than Christendom, I cannot ignore it any longer. I have been around for the Kansas City “Revival”, the Toronto “Blessing” and Brownsville, and it is increasingly difficult to understand why the church needs to be subjected to more and more of the same deception and public humiliation in the name of Christianity. Does anyone else cringe when they see people being duped by so-called apostles and prophets who are simply out to drag Christianity around like a stuffed dog, and separate undiscerning sheep from their money in exchange for a ‘blessing’, ‘revival’, or the promise of apostleship? Outrageous.

Again, the spirits are not tested by emotions. And with all the emoting going on in Lakeland, it’s a sure bet that it follows that spirits are not being tested. After 84 nights of this “revival” there are some who are beginning to question Bentley’s claims and methods, and his doctrine. Now, instead of those who object getting some face time for a dialogue, Bentley’s camp responded by organizing another self-promoting show, for the benefit of whom, I do not know – designed to play a smoke-and-mirrors game of wiggling off the hook and diverting attention away from any criticism.

I guess he thinks he is above any doctrinal inquiries, because they put together a frivolous ceremony and read a statement about the need for “apostolic alignment”. Spiritual chiropractic, or something similar, I am guessing. A group of self-appointed apostles and prophets are claiming that a contingent consisting of Rick Joyner, C Peter Wagner, John Arnott, and others magically made Bentley even more spiritually powerful (just blow off the critics – this will make them happy! They’re easy to appease…) through a commissioning ceremony that supposedly represents “a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world.” Wagner goes on pompously, “I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, you authority…your favor…your influence…your revelation will increase….I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry….a new life force…government will be established to set things in their proper order…” Wagner went on to say that this is the biggest thing to happen to the church in history. How presumptuous on all points. How arrogant. Oh, and that the devil is “shaking in his boots”. Right. More like he is loving every minute of it!

Bentley’s show is one big ego-stroking blow-out. This circus is broadcast all over the globe via GodTV, it is said to go out to over 200 stations, with pictures of him being prayed over and prophesied over night after night. And of course the money flows. “Get out your credit cards…write a check…click on the blue button on the website. ..’you reap what you sow…generosity and teh anointing go hand in hand.’ ”

The St. Petersburg Times reports the following. Test this spirit:

On the 84th night of the revival, the air was charged with collective energy and the floor shook from pounding feet. A spine-tingling roar rose from the crowd. They were calling to God for oil and fire. • Eight thousand people filled the tent. They had come from all around the world, bringing walkers and wheelchairs and chronic pain. They were here for the Florida Outpouring in Lakeland, the hottest thing going in religion these days, and some wore T-shirts that said It’s Hell Without Jesus.

Above them stood their spiritual leader: Todd Bentley, 32, a stout, balding Canadian with flames tattooed on the back of his neck. He was known to boast about healing through violence. He had been videotaped telling stories about kicking a woman in the face, slamming a crippled woman’s legs against the stage and knocking out a man’s tooth. This was done, he claimed, on behalf of the Holy Spirit.

“Kaboom-boom!” he shrieked. “God’s been pouring the gas. And then the match. KABOOM-BOOM!”

Bentley paced the stage as he spoke, head sometimes jiggling like a bobblehead doll. He said his staff was working overtime on a catalog of healings and resurrections, verified by X-ray and blood test.

“The devil is shaking in his boots!” he bellowed, and whatever he said after that was lost in the clamoring of the crowd.

“Your power will increase,” said Peter Wagner, a white-haired minister from Colorado. “Your authority will increase. Your favor will increase.”

Bentley grinned, hands outstretched, head still bobbing, as another pastor anointed him with oil, special revival oil FedExed from Africa, and slew him in the spirit so he fell to the stage.

He was down for nearly 15 minutes. The prophets prophesied: One said Bentley was a tugboat breaking the ice of religious tradition; one spoke of glory issuing forth; one blew wind from her lips and shook her head so fast that her hair was a golden blur.

Bentley twitched as he lay there, occasionally raising his hands in triumph. Early in the fifth hour he stood up and the crowd rushed in to form what resembled a mosh pit. Someone wheeled an old woman on stage and he touched her for a while before she was whisked away.

“Let the wind of your spirit stoke the fire,” Bentley said.

A long-haired man writhed on the stage. When Bentley touched him he began walking like a fiddler crab and nearly knocked the lectern into the pit. Bentley made a wide sweeping motion with both hands, directed toward a thicket of people on stage, and they recoiled. People lined up and he knocked them down, bodies cascading like dominoes. “Bam! Bam! Bam!” He wiped his face with a white cloth. At 11:43 he checked his watch, and then he was gone.

• • •

Fire of God!

Two human walls formed below the stage, and thousands lined up to walk through and be touched by Bentley’s associates. Fire of God! the associates yelled, rubbing heads, pushing shoulders, blowing in faces. People cackled and convulsed.

Ellie Carroll, 45, a breast cancer survivor from Texas, sat and watched. She said the power is real: Sometimes her skin burned, sometimes she felt glued to the floor. Sometimes it seemed as if she was drowning in liquid butterscotch. “When the fire of God comes on you, it is violent,” she said. “It took a while for me to be okay with it.”

———————————————————————————————————————————- Here an opportunity presented itself for this woman (obviously uncomfortable with the god of Todd Bentley) and anyone viewing this meltdown, to test the spirits concerning how God works, how, when and if He heals and whether this clamorous cacophany is genuinely brought to you by the Holy Spirit or perhaps by the author of confusion himself, the devil. Perhaps if more of those getting caught up in the manic and emotional tossing of the masses were to hold all these things up to Scriptures such as John 1, there would be at least some level of discernment going on and this would come to a halt. But I don’t see the Holy Spirit here, I see the flesh. Lots of it.

Something is amiss, and I pray that eyes will be opened before too many sheep are duped and hurt. Next thing you know, there will be more and more people claiming to have been ‘abused’ by the organized church, and we’ll have yet another wave of departure from the faith because of shepherds who have no fear of God.