What is the purpose of water baptism?
Whatever you may believe, what does the Bible teach?
Is that what's going on here?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
What Is The Purpose of Water Baptism?
Monday, July 7, 2008
Reflections On Lakeland Florida Events
Here is an article from Moreil Ministries, http://www.moriel.org , apparently from a pastor/church in the UK. LINK TO ARTICLE
Reflections On Lakeland Florida Events
Dear Friends, Fellow Ministers, saints and any others who will listen,
I have been inundated with both concerns, requests for information and for help concerning the happenings in Lakeland, Florida. I thought it might be helpful to send out some guidelines and information I have received from different sources. (on request-see later)
First, some things to think through.
(1) It isn't necessary to have to go there to find out what is happening as there are a multitude of excerpts on You Tube, which give just about every slant you would wish to have. For those who dispute that, I would say "why do you just watch the news on TV and not go to all the places where it comes from to make your own assessment?" We can discern things both good and bad by media visuals without actually being there. I have just watched yet another excerpt called "What possesses Todd Bentley?" (Defending contending.com 2008/5/27). If I needed any further convincing this stuff is not of God this would be it. Full of the usual peripatetic and bizarre behaviour accompanied with the horrible mocking laughter (characteristic of Torontoism), it is the total antithesis to the ministry of the Lord Jesus described in Isaiah 42 and which describes TRUE ANOINTING. To watch the helper of a so called minister of God staggering across a platform with a laptop in his hands and falling down with it, is more akin to clowns at the circus. Anybody who really thinks this is God deserves to be deceived! Even if ALL the You Tube segments were selective, I would still have the same concerns. A huge amount of footage now available shows behaviour so bizarre, that even children in our Church have said "Daddy, how can that possibly be of God?"
(2) Todd Bentley claims to converse with an angel called Emma, who was active with the Kansas City Prophets, and I note one of the people very close to him is Bob Jones whom I understand is a discredited Kansas City Prophet and who claimed to hear from this same angel. At least one site gives information on a pagan goddess called Emma! Does any of this sound Kosher or Biblical? (See Col 2 vs 18-19). Surely, this alone should make any sensible person ask serious questions about what is going on here?
(3) More than one person I have seen on the web and with whom I have spoken believe Todd Bentley has gone into deception and some of these claim to be either his friends or have met him personally.
(4) When revivals took place in Church history (e.g. at the beginning of the 20th Century), they spontaneously occurred in SEVERAL places in the world and were not dependent on ONE place or ONE person or the impartation of "IT" (whatever that is?) People went there to receive a SCRIPTURAL baptism in the Holy Spirit and all the events could be substantiated by Scripture. It seems that everything is dependent on this IMPARTATION. If this is not the Holy Spirit, then we need to be aware that we can receive another spirit, another Jesus and another gospel (2 Cor 11 v 4). Most people don't like to hear that what they are receiving might be this and not the real thing. Why did Paul give this warning if it couldn't happen?
(5) Could somebody tell me what "in the name of BAM" means? Or what does "blah, blah, blah" being said over somebody signify? If you take the trouble to actually examine the media, you cannot but be really alarmed by what you see.
(6) Would a spirit filled man promote tattoos or be filled with bits of metal when the Scripture expressly forbids marking or piercing the body. True prophets and ministers promote obedience to the Word of God. (See Deut 13 vs 1-5)
(7) There seems to be a preponderance of dreams and visions (sometimes several per night?) My recent studies on the Apostle Paul show that he had 7 major visions in his whole life and these often at crucial and dangerous periods in his life.
(8) There is a clear link with Toronto - You can see Todd Bentley on screen with the Arnotts and many You tube excerpts show the same bizarre, and ridiculous behaviour which accompanied the Toronto events. In one clip I am told people throw food around! We read or hear of Bentley and Jones "spirit surfing" (whatever that is), and some people who have been in the occult believe that astral projection is taking place.
(9) Healing and miracles, so called, are absolutely no guarantee that something is of the Holy Spirit. How many of these have been medically authenticated? Read Revelation 16 vs 13-14 if you don't believe me. Raphael Gasson a converted medium describes in his book "The challenging Counterfeit", how people are healed in spiritism. It is worth noting that in Matthew 24 one end time sign which occurs 3 times is that of deception and false prophets, which makes it all the more important that these events are matched against Scripture and ALL the Biblical tests by which we should test ministries, manifestations and "signs and wonders". Scripture makes it abundantly clear that we are to judge doctrines, spirits and ministries. Unfortunately many have long since left their Bibles behind in these matters!
(10) Having been personally involved in the charismatic renewal of the sixties with its Spirit anointed meetings, where people hardly dared to move because of the glory and presence of the Holy Spirit, these meetings are more akin to a circus, than anything described in real revivals. There is much hype and I cannot believe that Jesus and the disciples or the early Church ministered in these bizarre ways. Some of the physical activities of kicking people etc beggar belief! I have also experienced with others at close hand the ministry of those who have gone into falsehood and with the experience of hindsight I hear the same alarm bells ringing. Unfortunately many people have never had the misfortune of that experience and think that they are beyond being deceived or that this only happens in somebody else's back garden!
(11) As I both expected and predicted, all those who ran after Toronto seem to be running after these events. I find it sad that when our own country is under judgment, with warnings from people like David Pawson and the Bishop of Rochester, thousands of pounds are being wasted jetting off to USA. We should be on our knees crying out to God to visit our nation in true revival and using this money to evangelise and reach the lost or giving it to those who do.
(12) Somebody once said "the one thing we learn from history is that we never learn". All these things have happened before (Toronto probably caused one of the biggest divisions amongst charismatics/pentecostals in my lifetime, and perhaps ever). In my view, it divided those who really love Scripture and its plain teachings and warnings from those who only pay lip service to such. When Toronto first came, I spent hours examining, researching and most of all tried to search out the heart of God over all these matters (as I also did with the Kansas City prophets). Not only was I horrified by the way Scripture was twisted to suit the events by the leading players, but the Holy Spirit revealed many places in Scripture which clearly showed errors, abuses and deception taking place. I am glad to note that whilst the usual "big name" charismatic leaders are running after this stuff, there are many balanced and noted men of God who aren't.
(13) On a positive note, as an individual and as a Church, we never suffered by weighing and testing and rejecting Torontoism and many other things which have taken place. We have emphasised the balance of preaching the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and we are increasingly finding many hungry people coming in some cases long distances. We regularly experience true gifts of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance and the manifest presence of God in our midst, and so we should not be bullied by those who may suggest we are missing something if we do not get involved in all this hype. ANYTHING God does, if it is genuine may take place anywhere direct from heaven and as already said is not dependent on one person or place or some special "impartation". Neither should we be bullied by those who use the phrase "Pharisees" to describe those who are not enthusiastic about these so called "revivals" or wish to weigh them against Scripture and discernings of spirits. The Holy Spirit is "sent down from heaven“ (1 Peter 1 v 12). Just like Torontoism all of this in Florida is dependent on somebody who has this so called anointing imparting it and then passing it on to others. It's all tracked back to one place! This is totally unbiblical.
(14) The use and practices of IMPARTATION in my view is used far beyond the remit of Scripture and there is a huge need to re-visit the doctrine of laying on of hands and the word anointing in both OLD and New Testament concepts. All of this is done far to liberally and freely in the modern Church without realising both the implications and dangers. We should exercise extreme caution about whom we allow to lay hands on us indiscriminately unless we know who they are, and are sure WHAT spirit is being communicated. We are personally acquainted with situations where people received false spirits from "Torontoism" and needed to be delivered from such. Beware of "in" buzz words such as impartation, soaking, resting in the spirit etc. Paul exhorts us "to compare spiritual with spiritual - NOT IN THE WORDS WHICH MAN'S WISDOM TEACHES, (ie the jargon of psychology, religion or modern charismatic 'pop' religion) but which the HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES". (1 Cor 2 v 13) The language of Scripture is quite adequate to describe what God is doing. "Soulish” (psychic) sensations are very different to reality which comes from heaven and God's glory. James tells us "the wisdom which descends NOT from above is earthly, sensual (soulish or psychic) devilish (demonic)”. These verses are written not to unbelievers but to Christians. The big problem today is that so many in the Church cannot tell the difference between the soulish and the spiritual. As confirmed by a lady in my Church who was deeply into the occult, much of the activity we are observing is more akin to the kundalini spirit found in yoga and hinduism. This understanding between soul and spirit can only come through allowing God's Word to DIVIDE soul and spirit (Heb 4 v 12) and the true and genuine work of the cross in our lives. (eg John 12 v 25 ). However, this is contrary to "quick fix" Christianity which is the hall mark of much that happens today. I recommend "War on the saints" by Jessie Penn Lewis (unabridged version). She was closely associated with Evan Roberts of Welsh revival fame and shows in this book the dangers of PASSIVITY and how believers can open up to seducing or deceiving spirits. It is dangerous just to open up ourselves to "power" and to stop using our minds and faculties. This is how eastern mysticism and new age thinking works. We should always remember that the fruit of the Spirit is SELF CONTROL (Gal 5 v 23) and no matter how "powerful" an experience is, if we cannot control it, it is doubtful it is of God. Also the Holy Spirit never interrupts Himself. God is not the author of confusion. Raucous laughter in the middle of a God given message will never be of God. Indeed, much of the laughter I am observing, I believe to be spirits of mockery masquerading under the guise of the Holy Spirit. I sat on Derek Prince's UK board for some years, and as one of the most travelled Bible teachers of recent years, and well used to manifestations of the Holy Spirit, Derek said how concerned he was about "Torontoism" of which this is a replica. He also felt the charismatic stream had been 'hijacked' by flaky ministry and teaching.
(15) There is not only a host of information on the web we can examine, but a growing number of good men have now offered assessments of "Florida". I can send these to you on request and one of the best is by Doug Harris of the well known Reachout Trust in Surrey. These people are specifically called to deal with sects and cults and have much experience and insight from which we can learn. Tony Pearce and Dave Hunt have also written well measured articles amongst others.
(16) Many things have come from America over the past 40 years and the problem is nobody bothers to check them out. Big name "leaders" are the biggest culprits! Check the doctrine, background, pedigree, track record of "ministers" and you might be surprised. "You are gods" and "Jesus died spiritually" are 2 doctrines peddled by American ministries who are very popular here. The fact that somebody is on the God channel is no guarantee that they are Biblically accurate or sound. "If the ROOT be holy, so are the branches" (Romans 11 v 16.) If there is something wrong at the source, then there will always be something wrong with the so called fruit. That's why WE HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE SOURCE!
(17) In SWORD magazine (formerly PROPHECY TODAY) last year November/December 2007, a Word from the Lord was printed. This was to the Church and the Nation of Britain and was given by the leader of one of the longest standing intercessory movements in this nation (a Spirit-filled man) Part of this stated "My people give heed to those who prophesy a lie and they delight in teachers of falsehood. They run to those who steal from them by their destructive heresies, for they cannot discern a path of righteousness. A wave of deception is about to break forth that will sweep away many. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and cling to the Word of my truth." It also contained clear revelation about the negative economic and financial situation which would come, and I can't help noticing that since then we have seen a huge "downturn" in our nation in these areas. Others I know have been waiting for a wave of deception to come. I see nothing else around that fits this.
We understand that Todd Bentley may have already been invited to Reading (?) and that certainly there are those from the town who have already visited Lakeland. Consequently with the backing of my Church which represents a growing segment of the body of Christ in the south area of Reading and surrounding villages, we will unfortunately not be able to promote or back anything connected with these happenings. We understand that our concerns and warnings are widely and equally shared and supported by other Churches and organisations in this nation.
We also find ourselves at variance with the statement issued by the Evangelical Alliance (Joel Edwards) in a number of areas. For example, to compare these strange occurrences with such revivals as Jonathan Edwards, Wesley, Whitfield and the Jeffreys is an odious comparison. As any student of revivals or Church history will well know, the reactions here were physical reactions, mainly by sinners to clear anointed Biblical preaching and presentation of the gospel and not to questionable things producing bizarre behaviour in Christians following some "impartation" by one man. However, in my view, such is the power of deception.
No doubt there will, as always, be those who will re-act to what I have said. I am willing to take that risk for the sake of many wounded 'charismatic' saints I have met over the years. I'd rather sound a trumpet call now and risk bigots firing shots at me than to pick up pieces later on and be guilty of standing before the Lord knowing that I should have said something and didn't. For those who feel I am speaking out of turn, having been involved in "charismatic renewal" for 42 years, I do feel I have some right and experience to comment on these events.
We do not intend to get involved in endless discussion or argument over these matters and they have been weighed carefully and prayerfully before this communication, but for the sake of the body of Christ in Reading, felt it would be helpful to flag up this message BEFORE things get too far. It would be good to think that those in Reading who truly weigh things by the Scriptures and seek to exercise discernings of spirits may actually do that before these bizarre events hit Reading with force.
May the Lord speak clearly to and have mercy upon us all.
John AnglissModern-day 'miracles' lack Biblical purpose
It's sad when the secular press speaks clearer than most "Christian" ones.
I recently read this one and figured you would like to as well.
Link To Article
Modern-day 'miracles' lack Biblical purpose
It has been said an individual can grow a beard, dress in a robe and sandals, and walk through America claiming to be Moses and find a following.
I believe that is true of people who claim to have visions. If you watch any amount of Christian television you will eventually hear someone claiming to have a vision from God. However, the vision is totally unverifiable and the only authoritarian source for the vision is the seer.
Todd Bentley, the leader of the Lakeland, "Florida Healing Outpouring" revival, is the latest seer to entice crowds with wondrous accounts of 20 foot angels and his story of personally ". . .going to heaven via a pillar of fire through the church roof. . ..." He describes a hotel room literally burned down because an angel visited his room. Mr. Bentley has even had a female angel visit him with new revelation. Of course, nowhere in the Bible do we read of female angels.
Mr. Bentley is more in line with Gnostic beliefs than Christianity. Gnosticism was a direct counterpart to Christianity when the twelve Apostles were alive. The Gnostics took pride in visions they claimed to see and new revelations they received. They taught that special rituals could catapult a person's spiritual level. Gnosticism was very fond of naming the angels after their activity.
Thomas Bentley has named the angel who started his revival "Winds of Change," and has said one angel told him, "I am a healing angel. . .." Mr. Bentley claims all Christians should and can take trips to heaven. An ad on his Web site says, in part, "The School of the Supernatural Realms of Heaven" will get you ready to fly like an eagle into the supernatural realm!"
In her June 21 article, "Lakeland Revival Is the Real Deal," Krista Abbott testifies of the validity of Todd Bentley's revival. Listen to the reasons Ms. Abbott gave for the revival's validity. She said, "...my heart leaped" when she entered the structure and even though she was not cold. "I felt a chill on my arm." As sincere as Ms. Abbott might be about her "experiences," I suggest we as Christians look closer at the Bible when it comes to validating miracles and visions, rather than our feelings and others non-substantiated testimonies.
There is a sect in Christianity who thinks miracles of the New Testament are to be duplicated today. Mr. Bentley, his angel, "Winds of Change," and his followers are an example of such a sect. They neglect the uniqueness of Jesus and the purpose miracles had in the New Testament.
John the Baptist, while in prison, sent messengers to Jesus asking if he was the Messiah or whether they should look for another. Jesus told John's disciples to report to him the miracles they were seeing. (Mark 11: 4-5) The reason miracles are a part of the Biblical revelation is to validate Jesus' claims as the Messiah, not to be duplicated. Jesus' miracles have an authoritarian source, God's word
Mr. Bentley and others claim a pseudo-authority for their "miracles," via duplication, but they still lack a Biblical purpose. To propose we need to duplicate Jesus' miracles today is to negate the uniqueness and purpose of those miracles which testified to Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Pastor Visits and Objectively Evaluates The Revival.
- A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida
- A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida - The Practice of Revival
- A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida - Todd Bentley’s Connection to the Latter Rain Movement
- A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida - Music, Mass Hypnotism, and Angels
- A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida - Belly Up to the Bar
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
St Petersburg Times Article: Todd Bentley's revival in Lakeland draws 400,000 and counting
Another interesting article.
Get out your credit cards, he said. Write a check. Click on the blue button on the Web site. "You reap what you sow," he said. "Generosity and the anointing go hand in hand."
St Petersburg Times Article from June 30th
LINK
Funny, your generosity towards Todd will determine the level of "anointing" you will receive?
Interesting theory.
I'll have to look for the Biblical example of that one.
Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
St Petersburg Times Article from June 30th
LINK
Funny, your generosity towards Todd will determine the level of "anointing" you will receive?
Interesting theory.
I'll have to look for the Biblical example of that one.
Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Todd Answers the Critics
Todd tried to answer his critics.
To his defense comes one Dr. Gary S. Greig, supporter of the Kansas City Prophets, and a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary.
If you go to Todd's website, and go to his happily named (and rarely done in the meetings) page, Lifting Jesus High!, you will see the "scholarly" article by Dr Greig.
Wowza, 55 pages and theological mumbo jumbo. Of course that makes it all right, and something so daunting and impossible to finish/understand as to make it too much for you and I, right?
But alas, to their dismay, along comes a theologian not trained in a liberal seminary, James Praisch, Faculty of Hebrew, Judaism and Judeo Christian Hermeneutics, Midland Bible College and Divinity School, University of Wales, UK
Here is the rebuttal.
A Review Of Gary S Greig’s Pseudo-Scholarly Apologetic For The Unbiblical Antics Of Todd Bentley And The Lakeland, Florida Sequel To The Failed Revivals Of Kansas City, Toronto, And Pensacola.
Enjoy.
Berit Kjos
I've ran across Berit Kjos in her articles on NewsWithViews.com and found most to be very informative and accurate, and an awakening call to the Church and America.
You can find here archived articles on that website, here.
As she says, "Truth Will Triumph."
That is certainly the case with the supposed city-taking (not in Lakeland, apparently) nation taking(not in the US, apparently) anointing Todd has for the taking, encouraging all to "come get some."
The truth is radically different than that shared before the audience of thousands/millions nightly by Todd, his understudies, or Stephen Strader.
Please, come to Lakeland and stay a few days. Wander around town. It's a normal American town, so you don't have to be lead around by the revival masses Enjoy the swans and geese in the many lakes as you stroll. Talk to the locals.
You'll notice something glaringly missing from their day to day talk: Jesus and what's going on on the outskirts of town, on the other side of the airport each night.
Anyhow, Berit Kjos has a good website, Kjos Ministries, that has some great information about several things attacking/influencing the church, including the New Age, Purpose Driven, attacks/influences. Those are for further study/reading.
She has weighed in on the outpouring of the spirits here in Lakeland, as well.
Angels or Demons? Todd Bentley and "The Beautiful Side of Evil"....
Mesmerizing the masses
To alter her consciousness and connect with these entities, Johanna used meditation, visualization, concentration -- and the repetitive beat of a metronome. Bentley's tools are different but just as effective. Like tribal shamans (and like his own former world of "satanic music"), he uses loud rhythmic sounds (drums, etc.), then adds repetitious words and hypnotic music. Pastor Gary Osborne described it in his article,
Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida:"The phrase 'stir yourselves up' was used repeatedly.... A woman led in prayer for the service and ... told the people to 'roar like a lion!' ... People everywhere shouted at the top of their lungs.... This same lady was jerking and twitching.... There was also much talk of 'birthing' and 'signs and wonders.'... People were swaying and dancing.... There was a very sensual spirit... People seemed to be in a trance all around me. If the worship leader said, 'raise your hands' everyone did so immediately. If he said, 'drop to your knees' they did.... The music had the people mesmerized....
"At about 8:30 PM... the music leader says, 'I’m feeling drunk.' He then tells the people to say to God, 'Intoxicate me, Lord.... Now the people are getting truly wild and the leader says, 'Scream!!!' and the people let out a yell.... Finally the worship leader falls to the floor himself...."[5]
This manipulative process started up again the next evening. Finally, with the crowd thoroughly conditioned to "break out of the box" of Biblical order (1 Cor 14:40), Bentley took control. Wearing a t-shirt with the words, "Jesus Gave Me My Tattoos," he announced the presence of "great authority" in the building. "I speak creation," he declared. "I speak new hearts, new livers into existence tonight....'”[5]
Todd Bentley's "Revival": Music and Mass Hypnotism
Just a couple of articles for further research.
ATM Machines In the Meeting Tent
ATM machines in the Lakeland outpouring of the spirits tent.
Why, when any documented giving or ministry table sales can be done using your
ATM/Visa/MC/Amex?
I think the key here is documented giving. Cash doesn't require the 501c3 to issue a tax statement of giving to the individual giver, resulting in less expense to the organization.
Does anyone else see a problem with this?
I live in Lakeland, and there are ATMs within 5 minutes of the tent, already existing, not to mention the normal banks/groceries within 10 minutes drive from the edge of Polk County, 10 minutes from the far side of the airport, where the meetings are being held.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Great Falling Away Today, By Milton Green
I just realized, after reading Vine Man's post below, How To Know The Difference, that there is an online version of Milton Green's book entitled "The Great Falling Away Today."
It is located here, about a fourth of the way down the page.
Starting Places For Further Research
There is lots of information out there about the revival, so you can research what's going on, compare that to the Word of God, and decide for yourself.
Of course, try the search engines and different queries like, "Todd Bentley," " Todd Bentley Cold Reading," "Lakeland Revival," "Bob Jones," "William Branham" etc and start going down those rabbit trails.
Please don't get engrossed with the opinions, even those sounding knowledgeable and convincing for or against what's going on in Lakeland.
Look for the verifiable facts (videos/books/interviews/articles) and compare what's said/done/written to the Word of God. Everything else is just hearsay, and should be treated that way, until you verify it yourself.
Here are some places for further research:
- Spiritual Research Network (Lots of links for researching)
- Battle 4 Truth
- Church Warnings
- Discerning the World
- End Times Prophetic
- Files From Toni
- Living Journey
- Pure Gospel Truth
- Revival Army
- Revival School
- Slaughter of the Sheep
- Slice of Laodicea
- Theology Today
- A Little Leaven
Todd Bentley by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 5/20/08 - The Todd Bentley "revival" in Florida.
Another Lie, Another Deception, & Another False Move Of God, Just One More False Revival by Jacob Prasch, Moriel Ministries, 5/30/08
Todd Bentley/Fresh Fire Ministries Research Page compiled by Bud Press, Christian Research Service, 6/08
Todd Bentley’s Diabolical Signs by Jackie Alnor, ApostasyAlert, 5/11/08
Press Release – Third Wave Exposed by Christian News Today, 5/17/08
Todd Bentley’s revival in Lakeland Florida [with the assistance of Karl Strader’s son Stephen Strader is all about money.]
Todd Bentley or Jesus Christ? by Bud Press, Christian Research Service, 5/20/2008
Todd Bentley claims to have seen Jesus Christ, but it was not the Jesus of the Bible.
Todd Bentley - The New Simon Magus by Pastor Bill Randles, Believers in Grace Ministries, 5/26/08
Todd Bentley's Angels 4/26/08
Todd Bentley and Contemplative Meditation 4/26/08
Todd Bentley Taught Contemplative Prayer and Silence 4/29/08
Bentley's Lakeland Revival Keeps Moving Spirits... 5/20/08
Todd Bentley or Jesus Christ? 5/20/08
Todd Bentley by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 5/20/08 - The Todd Bentley "revival" in Florida.
Todd Bentley: "Will We Get Fooled Again?" (Part 1) May 2008
To be Forewarned is to be Forearmed (Part 2) May 2008
A Story of Earth and Heaven (Part 3) May 2008
When the Angel came: The Branham connection (Part 4) May 2008
The fire-Fresh Fire (Part 5) May 2008
The Fire as an ANOINTING (Part 6) June 2008
Angels We have Heard and Seen (Part 7) June 2008
To the Sheepfold or the Luau? 5/21/08
Todd Bentley: The New Simon Magus 5/23/08
Tracking Bentley back to Benny 5/9/08
Todd Bentley Kicks 'Older Lady' with his 'Biker-Boot' 5/28/08
Todd Bentley's Highway to Heaven 6/8/08
Fools for Christ--or just fools? June 2008
Is the Anointing Tangible and Transferable? June 2008
Todd Bentley: Miraculous Healings? 6/18/08
Same old scam? 6/20/08
'Is this the healing hand of God?' 6/21/08
BTW, if your site isn't listed, or you've ran across one that has some good, balanced, information/opinion about the revival, and you would it listed in these links, please email me @ MOG_Hesed@hotmail.com
Revival Quotes
Finally, someone takes the time to transcribe some of the YouTube videos of the services here in Lakeland.
Lakeland Quotes is the website/blog.
Make sure you check out the videos yourself, to see if the transcript does say the things that are posted on that site.
Then go back and re-read what was said at the revival, and compare that with Scripture.
You may be surprised.
Thanks LeeAnn of Lakeland Quotes!
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Christian Civil War
I ran across an interesting website that included a page about those speaking against any supposed move of God, entitled: The Christian Civil War.
The site is very much supportive of the Latter Rain movement, Paul Cain, and this outpouring of the spirits headed by Todd Bentley.
They had a list of websites/people who are supposedly against any move of God.
Here is the list, for further research to see if these people are watchmen, or are part of the "betraying army" in the dream that the author of that website had.
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Monday, June 23, 2008
International Visitors
Currently there have been visitors from over 50 countries checking out the outpouring of the spirits in my town.
A lot of people are hearing about this and checking out the information for themselves.
BTW, only 70% of the visits to this blog are from the US, currently.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
How to know the difference
Most important: always check out what someones teaches in & with the Word of God (in balance and context).
Here are some additional resources that are relevant to these modern times.
Brother Milton Green gives some solid biblical help in these two messages found here:
Fury of Fire series, Mark of God or Mark of the Beast 1 & 2, #11 & #12 on sermonindex.com
Brother Milton Green gives some solid biblical help in these two messages found here:
Fury of Fire series, Mark of God or Mark of the Beast 1 & 2, #11 & #12 on sermonindex.com
Hey, better yet, why not listen to the whole series for yourself? A real eye opener.
Also an excellent resource: THE GREAT FALLING AWAY TODAY book.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Another Observer Of The Meetings In Lakeland
This is from End Times Prophetic
....Dear friends, after having been to the Lakeland Outpouring in person, I am very concerned about what is going on. Are there people there who are really saved and love the Lord? I have no doubt this is the case. Could some of the healings be real? They could be but I did not personally observe any - and I looked for them. Is Todd Bentley a man of God or a false prophet? Well, all I can say is that I do not believe him to be an honest man, he is a masterful manipulator of people’s emotions, he is actively engaging in activities that are extra-biblical and flat out unbiblical, and he does not preach the Word. What I am about to say is, I freely admit, subjective and by no means in and of itself authoritative in any way, but my spirit was very troubled the entire time I was there - very troubled. I believe that the Lakeland Outpouring is just the latest manifestation of the counterfeit revivals
Thursday, June 12, 2008
An Open Heaven
Let Us Reason has a great article entitled, An Open Heaven- Todd Bentley's Highway to Heaven
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Exposing Error: Is It Worthwhile?
Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951), a godly Fundamentalist author and teacher for many years, served as pastor of Chicago's Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948
Here is his article, "Exposing Error: Is It Worthwhile?", from Go To The Bible.com
It is a good read.
Monday, June 9, 2008
25 Questions About Prophets And Moves Of God
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This list comes from Defending, Contending.
I changed a few terms, in italics, BTW, to make it a bit less offensive to some.
1). If a modern-day prophet says one thing and the Bible says another (opposing/opposite) which do you follow?
2). Why if God spoke “long ago” through prophets, but now in the last days speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1) do we still chase after men like Todd Bentley?
3). If the temple veil was ripped in two (Matthew 27:51) and God is not to be found in any one particular place on earth (Acts 7:48), but is now available to any true believer anywhere, why must we go to a certain church, event or venue in order to “come get some?”
4). God sent prophets to the Jews up until the 400 years of silence preceding Jesus Christ, (whom to this day the Jews still reject). Why don’t those who know the standard of prophets best (the Jewish people) continue to “raise up” and chase after prophets like the Charismatics do continually? Why do the Jews continue to patiently wait for their Messiah (which they missed 2,000 years ago) while the Charismatics keep chasing after the next big prophet? What do the Jews understand about a true prophet of God that Charismatics seem to keep missing?
5). Why if the Church is instructed in 1 Corinthians 14:40 to conduct itself “properly and in an orderly manner” do Charismatics refuse to accept this and instead we see the antics, shenanigans, and circus-like atmosphere in these self-proclaimed movements of God?
6). When Christians use the “my God is the same yesterday, today and forever” argument in the context that they commonly use it, why do they then no longer stone false prophets to death?
7). Why do Christians keep proclaiming the coming of a great revival in these last days when this is in direct opposition to the revealed Word of God which says that a great falling away will occur in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3)? Where does it say that the return of Christ is preceded by a great healing revival?
8). Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus asking Him to show them a sign (Matthew 16:1, Luke 11:16, John 2:18, John 6:30). Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?
9). Why do those seeking a sign in Mark 8:11-12 cause Jesus to “sigh deeply in His Spirit”?
10). Why are those seeking signs and wonders (Matthew 12:38-39, Matthew 16:4, Luke 11:29) referred to by Jesus as evil, wicked, and adulterous?
11). Was Jesus saying the need to see signs and wonders was a good thing in John 4:48?
12). Was Paul implying the need to see signs was a good thing in 1 Corinthians 1:22?
13). Why do Christians always use Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2 (quoting Joel) to justify the tongues and prophecies they perform while excluding the other events like the sun turning dark and the moon turning to blood (v. 20)?
14). If it is God’s will that we should be healthy and wealthy, why did Paul suffer so much (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 12:7-10)?
15). Isn’t seeking to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable in this life a direct contradiction to God’s way of testing the faith of a believer and producing endurance in the life of a believer (James 1:2-4)?
16). Jesus addressed the fact that we are not greater than He, and since He suffered, we (true Christians) should expect the same (John 15:20, Matthew 10:24-25). Why do Charismatics ignore this and cling to the false notion that any suffering is of the Devil?
17). Why do the only two prophets directly referred to in Scripture in the last days (Revelation 11) perform no healings? Instead they do exactly the opposite of what all the “prophets” of today do; the very things most Charismatics would say is from the Devil. Why is that?
18). Why does the Bible repeatedly identify the existence of and warn us about false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24:24, Mark 13:22, Luke 6:26, Acts 13:6, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1, etc.)?
19). In the end many false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to mislead many (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22). Why do most Charismatics refuse to accept this, and if they do accept it, they never accept that this could be referring to their favorite prophet?
20). Is there any “sign and wonder” that you can point to that is false/counterfeit from Satan? Or do all “signs and wonders” come from God only?
21). Can Satan and his servants appear as “good” or do they always come to us as easily identifiable “bad” spirits (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)?
22). Is the great and visible sign performed in Revelation 13:13 a good thing from God or a counterfeit from Satan?
24). Can Satan and those in accord with his activity perform signs and wonders and exhibit power (Exodus 7:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:9)?
25). What is the more common theme of the Bible regarding the prophets with accompanying signs and wonders?
A). The presence of signs and wonders are proof of them being true prophets of God.
B). That false prophets will mislead many and they will use signs and wonders.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Todd, The Evangelist's Interview With Channel 8, NBC
Todd's Interview with TBO.com.
Remember, Todd is first and foremost, supposedly, an evangelist.
With that in mind, watch the interview, 17 min, and see if you can determine his vocation.
I like his, quote sign, salvation, conversion, and awakening part, shortly after the 12 min mark where he finally mentions the name of Jesus in passing.
I'm glad the interviewer didn't ask some hard hitting questions like what must I do to be saved?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Why I Believe this Todd Bentley, Fresh Fire "outpouring of the spirits" is not of God
When I first heard about the revival, via an email from a friend, about 4 days or so into the revival, I decided to check it out.
This was the video that made me definitely check out Todd Bentley.
I am a student of revival, and there were obvious things to me that seemed waaaay off in this video.
First, Todd tries to create an apostolic/revivalist/angelic succession. The angel, William Branham, etc. At this point, I had no clue who William Branham was, but I've heard revivals/outpourings speak about the revivalists of old before. You should look into William Branham for yourself, to see what Todd is claiming is on him now.
Then he tries the fire on a Kentucky lady. Unfortunately, not being a veteran of being in the "spirit" she didn't do the courtesy drop or manifestation. I'm sure that changed over time.
At 5 min or so, the fun begins. You know, if you don't understand, well then.....
"I told the Lord why can't I just move in healing and forget talking about all that other stuff?"
"Because, Todd, you have to get the people to believe in the angel."
"I said, God, why do I want people to believe in the angel? "
"Isn't it about getting people to believe in Jesus?"
"He said, the people already believe in Jesus, but the church doesn't believe in the supernatural."
This sounds like another Jesus to me, even when I watched it over and over again, trying to justify what I heard.
That drove me to check out his website, freshfire.ca. It's changed in the last few weeks, as you'll see from the "cleaning out the barn" link above.
There I found out the "revelation" that Todd has encounters with dead people.(I'm sorry, for you "prophetic" and "anointing" seekers, yes, it was supposedly a vision, not speaking to dead people. But in my experience, the conscious conversational interactions in a vision usually are with God, not something you see.)
There I found out that Paul AND Abraham wrote the Book of Hebrews.
There I learned that Todd has no problem with encounters, for he NEVER, EVER, EVER, relates in his teachings, videos, books, or audio that he has EVER TESTED THE SPIRITS.
And one has to ask, if Todd is not listening to and doing what the Bible says, "testing the spirits," what "spirit," according to all we know about the Bible, WHAT did Todd embrace, and continues to embrace?
As I watched videos of Todd at Toronto (pre-tattoos) you hear stuff like this:
Notice, as you look for yourself, check out Freshfire.ca, and his statement of faith there.
You gotta keep that "further revelation" open, yet although claiming they're substantiated by Scripture, as you read, learn, watch, and listen to the encounters, you'll see these "further revelations," equivalent to Scripture in their eyes, are far extra Biblical. (again, see cleaning out the barn)
I ran across some other websites, as listed to the right. On one, I came across this:(start at 3 min IMO, to get the context)
Anyway, around 3.55 in this video - you can fast forward to it - a girl comes forward. After some ministry from Bentley, Todd says: Could we pick her up, I’m not done messin’ with her yet? which is a very odd thing to say, even in jest, and then there is something even odder he says about a minute later - it is like really mocking tongues or mocking ministry - Blablahblahblahblah be drunk! Blah blah blah blah blah blah - he says - what on earth is that about?
You see, I regularly get questioned as to my salvation, whether I believe in the supernatural, what religion am I, when I'm in the chatroom for the revival, and I dare post something that questions the "god" of Todd.
I've been there, done that, bought the tshirt and have the video to prove it as far as the supernatural, and experiencing true Biblical repentance.
I do and can embrace the genuine. There is a difference, and you find that by knowing the real McCoy, as you study your Bible.
I've seen the genuine. I've prayed for, seen people healed, and been healed myself.
In fact, from the beginning of this "The Great Adventure" since I repented of my sins, and put my faith in Jesus Christ, I've seen God's Hand move mightily and have been a "God Chaser" myself, spending many weeks in revivals where God supposedly was blessing with an outpouring, staying "under the spout, where the glory comes out" as one "move" called it.
I've been to Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Fundamentalist churches, and can easily feel at home in any of the above, for they all are right, anointed, and following after God, if in balance with what Scripture Says/Teaches.
I've seen the devil in action on the missions field, and I've seen the overwhelming deception here at home, and see some of the things, compromise, that has got us here, to this.
Todd started as a cheap charlatan, but because he's "christian" we let all kinds of things slide.
I keep hearing people say things like look at what God is doing, keep your eyes on man, not God, and take in the meat, spit out the bones.
There is a basic problem with this. If you read a box's/bottle's ingredients label and it contains things poisonous/harmful to you, do you take in the good stuff, and hopefully aren't affected by the bad, before you spit it out?
As a friend of mine says, how many drops of poison does it take in your glass of water for you to realize you shouldn't drink it?
As you can see in this video, below, his "prophetic/word of knowledge" gift isn't.
There is lots of legitimate, researchable items of concern to anyone who is wondering about this "outpouring of the spirits" in Lakeland.
All it takes for you or I to find the Truth about Todd, Freshfire, the Kansas City Prophets(I'm not going to go into that one), Emma -O, 6 or 7 heavenly realms, Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Patricia King(I'm not going into those three in this post either), etc, is to do the research which is as easy as using a search engine on the internet.
See what the man teaches, does, says, and writes, and compare that to Scripture.
Some of this stuff is ridiculous. Some of it will make you cry for your brothers and sisters involved with this deception.
As you can see here, violence is how Todd's god heals some.
BTW, in the accounts of thousands of claimed healings in the past two months, why isn't there even one medically verified healing/miracle?
We(people who dare question anything about the revival and stand on the evidence) are demonized and told to not "touch 'god's' anointed" or that we're being "critical" or possibly that we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit, when we share the facts.
But personally, if I know my brothers and sisters are having a nice walk down a path, leading over a cliff, I will warn them.
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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Todd Bentley Florida Revival Links From End Times Prophetic
Tons of articles that you can research or use as a starting point for research about Todd
Are the challenges just fluff, or is there any validity to the messages?
I guess we will have to look at what these people say, compare them to what was said on the videos, taught in the teachings on freshfire.ca, and see what's in Todd's books/materials to see if there is validity to these concerns/challenges.
A Few Links From Let Us Reason Ministries
Todd Bentley “Meet the new thing- same as the old thing” “Will We get fooled again?”pt.1- Todd Bentley's pursuit of the supernatural
pt.2 To be Forewarned is to be Forearmed- How important is it to know the word to test supernatural experiences?
pt.3 A story of Earth and Heaven- Examining Bentleys experience of a pillar of light and his trip to heaven.
pt.4 When the Angel came- The Branham connection- Bentleys claim of the visiting angels revelation and power.
pt.5 The fire- Fresh Fire
Three Questions About The Todd Bentley Florida Outpouring Revival Meetings
\o/An excerpt from the website, Storm Harvest. You can find the entire article/discussion HERE .\o/
...Questions
1. Why are we calling this a revival?
The largest churches in the UK (such as Kensington International) draw more people every week than are turning up to Lakeland. The largest church in Nigeria (Faith Temple) draws three times that number! These churches win as many people to Christ each week as are being won at Lakeland. We do not call them revival because such a term implies that communities are being affected, towns are being changed, nations are being shaken. For a start, there are no credible evaluations of how many have been saved in Lakeland, Florida. Not from any of the main sources. We are now six or seven weeks in! There are estimates of how many people show up, and how many are falling down - but not of salvations?
2. Why have all the recent "revivals" which cause tourism take place in America?
Toronto, Smithton, Pensacola, Lakeland... thousands travelling to see it. Next week in a Northern Indian city there will be a baptism of 10,000 new converts, gathered in from hundreds of COC churches. In two weeks time there will be the confirmation of 8,000 new converts in a Pentecostal assembly in Uganda. It is estimated that 1,000 Iraqis are being converted a week now from Islam. Why don't we fly to those places - whose statistics are far more impressive than Lakeland?(For more information on revival tourism to those places watch this space!)
3. What has our Christianity become about?
Since when is the gospel centrally about a focus on angels, third heaven revelations, impartations and transferable blessings? Since when did Jesus die to make us rich, or to cancel debt we have accrued through the self focused spending we engage in here in the West? What happened to the simplicity of the gospel - repent, believe and be baptized?
We do not think the meetings in Lakeland will do much to make churches around the world look and act more like Jesus. The need for holy love, perfect oneness, release of the saints to ministry and completion of the great commission is not enflamed by enamel teeth or even miraculous healings. These tasks will remain long after Lakeland has become a set of archives in the YouTube history. Before you spend thousands of dollars going there, take a trip to the empty buildings at Pensacola, edifaces with a high debt and few people. Or perhaps go to Toronto and see a city that has successfully resisted God's presence in her midst these last twelve years.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
An Apology To The Body
As I mentioned in this Email to the Churchwarnings website, I live in Lakeland, now about 25 min, across town, down Harden Rd, Right on Pipkin, and take another right to the Sun N Fun area where the revival is at.
Something totally not of God manifested itself in Polk County on the second April Fools Day this year, Apr 2nd.
First, I must say that we, as a community of believers have sinned and have not been the watchmen we should have been, as lots of this demonic oppression and infiltration of the church has been going on for several years, that I am aware of.
The overlooking of sin in the church by the pastors/leadership(some of them guilty themselves and still there), the condoning of extra-Biblical teachings(for example, outreaches making sure we don't mention Jesus as to not alienate the "seekers") and seeking after the supernatural(encounters, without any teachings about what's real and what is of the devil), all the while not discipling the sheep by teaching them the Word of God, so that they may be prepared, mature, and reaching the lost.
So in essence, this community of believers is guilty of allowing this thing to fester and now it seems the boil has popped and affected more of the Body of Christ.
For this I am personally repentant towards God, and my deceived brothers and sisters.
Why was I so stupid, and did not watch and pray, interceding for my community as well?
We don't learn by doing things right. We learn from mistakes.
I apologize to you, that you have to even hear about Lakeland, Todd Bentley, Stephen Strader, Ignited Church, or this supposed move of God.
Had we done our part as Christians here in Polk County, Lakeland, and at our church, we would not be having this discussion.
You have no idea how sorry I am, for what was unleashed upon the Body of Christ through our indifference and neglect.
The devil had his day. We will not let it happen again, and as we pray, and Glorify the One True God, and His Son Jesus, the devil's influence will wither away, and this thing will move on to another unsuspecting, ignorant/neglectful place.
So if I can ask of you, pray for our community, for the communities of those who have people coming here to get some of this spirit or spirits and take that, anointing as they are calling it, spirit/spirits home to affect their church and community.
If we do not prepare, warn, discern, pray, and act, when the real latter days deception comes, you and I may be part of the elect deceived, as well as millions of souls lost.
It's worth the cost. Pray, read and teach the Bible, make mature disciples, and engage in spiritual warfare.
There is precious little time to reach the lost, and to save some of our brothers and sisters, before Jesus' return.
Let's be about the Lord's work, not seeking signs and wonders, and letting our brothers/sisters get wrapped up in a false gospel, ending up in hell.
We do make a difference. And the nice thing about repentance is now we get to get up off of our faces and get to do His work.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
That Sums This Outpouring in Lakeland Up Nicely.
I ran across this post on a forum today.\o/
Todd Bentley equals
1 Timothy 4:1 and Matthew 24:24
\o/That kinda sums it all up nicely, doesn't it?\o/
Well, Is It or Isn't It?
The Foursquare Church, Jack Hayford, President, Concerning “The Lakeland Revival”
So, is it real, in the Foursquare Church's opinion, or not? I guess we may never know.
...David Wilkerson in speaking about revival:
My recommendation? Get your own revival! You will find it in Isaiah 58:10-11. You need no airline ticket, no travel. I have found the springs of water that never fail!
"And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
Revival Report
This was posted on Theology Today under the Title, Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring Part 6. It's a comment by someone who has spent lots of time at the services. \o/
I have attended this revival for many weeks. In fact, I have been there since the second night of Todd’s meetings (4/2/08), long before this became “revival”. Initially, I was so excited to see God move in such a mighty way. I was encouraging my pastor, several other pastors that I know, many friends and family members to “come and see what God is doing.” There were few times when I was uncomfortable with what was happening in the meetings, but I figured that I was just being critical and reminded myself that God’s ways are not my ways. I continued to support this revival, even after I heard my own pastor voice his concerns. I was quite vocal about these misgivings others had. I continued to defend Todd, God, etc., etc.
However, as time as passed, I have become increasing concerned about several things. First of all, I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years (in radiology). I have noticed that there have only been a very few “documented” miracles in comparison to the numbers that have claimed miracles. I am aware of at least two claims of healing that I believe to have possibly been real. There was the child with the elbow fracture and her x-rays. However, I would like to know the dates between the first set of x-rays and the 2nd, as healing, especially with very young children can be quite quick…especially if it was very mild fracture. Also, I would love to see the type of fracture, position, and the view (AP, lateral, etc.) of the second set of films. (Sometimes a particular view will not show the fracture that is actually there.) There was also a young man who testified one night (before TV/internet) about being healed from Hepatitis C, with the lab work to confirm. Again, with false positive/negatives that can happen with labs. I’d love to see what his actual lab values were and see a retesting to confirm. Although I do believe that this individual could very well have been healed, but because of how I’ve seen other things handled in this revival, I would just like to see more documentation.
Much of the “miracles” that I have seen over the weeks have been based more on what people believe that have happened, more than medically documented miracles. Many times over I have seen people with metal rods in their spine be “healed”. Todd will ask, what couldn’t you do, and usually has them bend over. This act of bending over is declared as a miracle. It is not. Most folks with metal rods in their back or neck CAN bend over, as these rods (Harrington rods) very seldom go the entire length of the spine. In fact, I have metal plates/screws in my neck and can bend my head from side to side and front to back. I remember one night when a woman with bulging discs in her neck came up to declare her healing. Todd felt along her spine and said “I don’t feel any bulging discs in your neck”, and then announced she had been healed. A disc bulge is something that you will NOT detected by running your hand up and down the spine. It is not something that can be physically palpated. Only imaging with MRI or CT would show the presence of disc bulges and if they were compressing nerve roots or affecting the spinal cord/spinal canal. I saw where this declaration of healing caused the room the go wild. My feeling is that if this is truly a bonafied healing…PRAISE GOD! But let’s confirm these miracles. That is what the world really needs to see! But alas, very few healings are actually being confirmed.
Secondly, my concern is the focus that has been placed on Angels, visitations, manifestations, etc. Although Jesus is mentioned throughout the night, though an altar call is given… far more emphasis is being placed on these other things than is actually being given to the Jesus and him crucified (as Paul would say). The cross, the resurrection, holiness, repentance, dying to the flesh, etc., are merely glossed over and not really preached. What is being given more time, more emphasis are these other “experiences”.
The atmosphere here has changed from the very first meetings…at least it seems to me. And as I said earlier, I have been at revival since April 3rd…the 2nd night Todd was here in Lakeland. Something is wrong and I am concerned. Somehow the gospel that saves and keeps is not being preached as it should. Jesus…not even the Holy Spirit… is to be focus. In the Gospel of John, it says the when the comforter (Holy Spirit) would come, it would not speak of himself, but of Jesus. My concern is growing. I think we need to really pray and ask for discernment. I’m all for revival. I am all for miracles. But is there another Jesus, another gospel that is being preached here?
\o/ My answer, as a person living in Lakeland, is yes.\o/
Monday, May 26, 2008
Quote From John McArthur
Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.
—John MacArthur
Todd Testing The Spirits?
I recently ran into someone who said they had read all of Todd Bentley's books, and watch all of the revival services.
We had a nice cordial discussion about the revival.
I asked a simple question.
Have you ever heard Todd, in relating his many, many encounters with angels/spirits, say he tested them?
Naturally he continued with talking about the revival/Todd and ignored my statement.
After pointing out that he did not answer my question, finally, he had to admit, and stated, I don't know.
Hmmmm, so, another question, if Todd Bentley did not test the spirits from the first "encounter" but felt it was God, what did Todd embrace years ago?
Hmmmm.
Now, here's my question directed at you. If you have a supernatural encounter with a spirit that seems to be an angel, what should you do?
What's Happening To People?
{click for a better picture}
They act as if something is wrong with you, if you hear about the revival, do a little research on the "evangelist" and other speakers, and don't embrace the revival as if it were from God.
I keep on hearing "eat the meat but spit out the bones."
Well, when you read the product label, and the ingredients include things you know are poisonous to your soul, do you ingest the poison and hopefully spit it out?
Is the supposed good we are encouraged to partake of tainted by what we know is bad?
Do we buy that bad piece of meat, expecting to cut off the rotting parts when we get home?
Honestly, I'm sure there is lots of stuff in this revival that would be appealing to me, had I not checked out Todd Bentley for myself, did a little research on the internet to see what he teaches on his website, checked out a few of the Ustream.tv video clips from the meetings, and watched several meetings online myself in the first week.
But Scripture is clear: There will be false prophets who go out and will show great signs and wonders, and will even deceive the elect, if possible.
We're okay with someone saying, "look over in Missouri, God is there. Look, over in Texas, God is there. Look, over in wherever there is an outpouring of God, let's go." And we search the internet for cheap flights and hotels, to go and be with "God," take some of that "anointing" and bring it home.
But do we check out who is there, and what is going on, against the Bible, or do we just pack our bags?
The Bible is clear.
Are we going to ingest poison, or are we going to seek counsel, check our Bible to see if it is so, and research/pray before booking a flight?
Sadly, most don't know their Scriptures or have enough common sense to do some minuscule amount of research.
Discernment isn't needed when the ingredients list includes poison.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
What's Up With Those Tattoos?
Did you ever wonder about Todd's tattoos, that he got in the last two years?
Here's an article with the pics.
Some of the stuff is just plain obvious that either Todd was stupid in getting the art, or is into something any Christian shouldn't be involved with, let alone plastering on his/her self.
Nobody has explained why a minister of the Gospel went tattoo crazy.
Oh, right, it must be so he can relate to those with tattoos and body piercings, right?
Here's another article with pics.
Here is a forum discussion about the Japanese words and the different pics.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Run For Your Life - Sermon From The Sunday After 9/11
This is a sermon message that was preached the following Sunday after 9/11 attack on the United States at Times Square Church.
What prophecy is currently being fulfilled?
Here's a video to watch.
It's called, What Prophecy Is Currently Being Fulfilled?
What do you think?
False Prophets Duping Christian Parents
Youth Ministries Alert has an article and a video on their website, entitled
Targeting the Children: False Prophets Duping Christian Parents or just check out the website for yourself, Youth Ministries Alert
Warning, don't watch the video until you have read the article and transcript, and compare it to the Scriptures and to New Age teachings, and astral projection. You will notice it compares to the latter, not the former. Be warned.
But remember, these are the people speaking at and leading the revival.
Smells like rotten vanilla to me.
After praying up, watching the video, if you can handle it, and praying again, you'll know what I mean.
Remember, the guy taking these kids into this "experience," Bob Jones, is the same fella who had women stand "naked before the Lord" before him at the Vineyard Aneheim in order to receive a "personal" prophecy. He has no credibility in my eyes. Do you want him taking your kids anywhere?
You might want to research Patricia King, and her encounter with the sUn, and how important the "blue flame" is to her.
And when you read up on Todd Bentley's past, you will never let him be alone with your children, regardless of how much of "God" you feel Todd has, if you have any sense of responsibility as a parent.
There's lots to be careful about with Todd.
The deception over this "revival" is growing.
Notice that the damning evidence is now removed from his website, so the stupid sheep will continue to flock to Lakeland, and pour into Todd's coffers, affecting the economy locally, and devastating/"marinating" several good churches in town before it will be considered "over."
Yet the community is still unchanged, and oblivious to supposedly "God" showing up in town.
Why?
If only we had been watchmen several years ago, this would never have descended upon Polk County, Florida.
Lord forgive us for our complacency, and lack of intercession for our church, our community, our nation, and our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Cleaning Out The Barn
Todd has been doing some serious housecleaning on his website.
First, Emma is gone.
Now the Abraham and Paul wrote Hebrews article is gone as well?
What's that stinking smell? Is it rotting vanilla?
And, for your temporary enjoyment, here it is, and here's where it was.
Temporary, because if you don't have a copy, this one may go bye bye as well.
Think of all the deceived ones you won't be able to go and say, look and see, when all the youtube and freshfire.ca non-Biblical and heretical videos/posts are gone!
BTW, this "teaching" is also located Here. But it's not on Todd's site for some reason.
Man, that vanilla is just rancid!
In Part One of this two-part teaching entitled: A Face to Face Encounter, Todd defines supernatural encounters and experiences based on specific biblical evidence. Then, as he shares his face to face encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul, your belief-grid concerning heavenly experiences is sure to be both broadened and challenged. In Part Two, as Todd releases meaty portions of what the apostle Paul taught him, (in the context that Jesus Christ is the door to every heavenly encounter) you’ll be inspired to press in for your own face to face encounter with the Lord.
A FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER
by Revivalist Todd Bentley [ as edited by Kathy Thorne]
PART 1 of 2
To come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ is to come face to face with the goodness and glory of God! Oh to be a friend of God like Abraham and Moses were; for out of their intimate friendship with the Lord they had a face to face encounter with Him (Gen. 17:1; Ex. 33:11).
Listen. Today, for a deeper understanding of the apostolic, we need to note that every apostle in the Bible had been with the Lord. Not only were they friends of God who had face to face encounters with Him, they also had supernatural encounters and prophetic experiences. In fact, what made Paul an apostle was that he was taken up into the third heaven where he saw the Lord (1 Cor. 9:1; 2 Cor. 12: 2–4). That’s where his apostleship came from because he wasn’t yet a disciple or an apostle when Jesus was physically on earth.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER
Now I want to ask an important question. Can Paul’s experience also be ours today? The answer is “yes” and I say this because Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday when Paul was on earth, and He’s the same forever (Heb. 13:8).
Now consider this: Jesus’ healing virtue is still released through His trusted servants today and that means that He heals people today just like He did two thousand years ago. What a great promise when it comes to healing, but why not for the supernatural? If He’s the same today, then why can’t He visit me like He visited Abraham? If He’s the same today, why can’t He visit me like He visited Daniel? Why can’t He visit me like He visited John? Why can’t He visit me like He visited Isaiah? How about Ezekiel?
Yes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that makes what’s available in “Bible days” available today. It’s not just about healing and laying hands on the sick and seeing miracles, as great as these are, but it’s also about supernatural encounters with God. Do you believe that? Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead and over five hundred people saw Him for forty days in His resurrected body (1 Cor. 15:6)?
Do you believe supernatural things can take place today? I’m asking this because we’re okay with angels showing up and speaking to Mary and Joseph, but we’re not okay with angels showing up and speaking to us. We’re okay with Paul being taken into heaven, or what he called the third heaven—caught up into a place called paradise. We’re okay with that. It’s good for Paul, or it’s good for Elijah. Yet both Paul and Elijah were men just like we are, and as you know, they’re both in heaven today. So are Abraham and Isaiah, for example. They aren’t on earth anymore for God to interact with. But God, by His very nature, wants to interact with somebody supernaturally. My question is: Why not you?
Why should anyone’s experience in Christianity today be any different from what people experienced in Bible days? Take Peter. He was in prison (See Acts 12:1–17). While an all night prayer meeting took place (on his behalf in someone’s house) an angel of the Lord came to Peter in his cell and his chains miraculously fell off his hands. Then he was led by the angel out of jail into the city. Peter made his way to the prayer meeting and when he arrived and knocked on the door they didn’t really believe that he was at the door! They said (paraphrased): “Ah, it’s not Peter, it’s his angel.”
My point is this. As God pours out His greater glory, we’re going to hear about supernatural encounters and prophetic experiences, and they’re going to be based on the way God moved supernaturally, in ancient times, for people in the Bible.
ENCOUNTERS AND PROPHETIC EXPERIENCES ARE INTENTIONAL
What’s the purpose for supernatural encounters and prophetic experiences? You might be thinking: We’ve got the Bible and that’s enough! For me, it’s about intimacy, but not just that. It’s: Why wait for your inheritance? When you get to heaven what do you think you’re going to see? What do you expect it to be like in heaven? After all, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, the
I’m hungry now. I’ve got an inheritance, I’m a joint heir, I don’t have to wait for: One day I’m going to be in heaven. Thank God that’ll be fullness. I’ll be in eternity. What’s more, we don’t only need greater faith, we also need a greater expectation that God wants to impart something to us. We need an expectation that He is going to touch us; He is going to speak to us; He is going to visit us.
Look. Heaven is real; it’s tangible, and the glory of heaven is real. It changes everything it touches. Furthermore, God wants the reality of heaven to be made known to His friends. For Jesus told His disciples—after He established the fact they were His friends if they did what He commanded—“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
God is looking for true friends with whom He can reveal His glory. There is a purpose for this desire. For instance, as God has revealed different aspects of His glory to me this year I’ve gained a deeper friendship with God. This has helped me to keep pressing in for all the fullness of God that I can contain, not just for my satisfaction, but ultimately so that He can work through me and cause others to know Him and be saved.
Now I want to share about an amazing prophetic experience concerning God’s glory that I had in a meeting in
JESUS CHRIST IS THE GATE, THE DOOR , AND THE LADDER
In that meeting, about an hour before I was due to speak, I was suddenly overcome by the Holy Spirit. Feeling somewhat weak, as if I was going to go into a trance (a biblical trance like the apostle Peter had—Acts 10:9, 10), I asked my team to take me to a nearby place called ‘The Green Room.’ Sitting down on the couch I could feel a strong overwhelming sense of the presence of God and I knew I was going to fall into a trance. I was going to have a supernatural encounter.
Then, in the chair, with my eyes open, I had an open vision. Jesus appeared right in front of me. It was as though He stepped right out of heaven, the Lord Jesus Himself, and stood before me as a
Out of the Lord came beams of white and golden light. Such brightness! From out of the white, golden, light came other brilliant colors—blue, purple, green, red and pink were the main ones—like rainbows. Pink prophetically represents love and emotions. I saw what looked to be ten rainbows coming from the Lord, Himself. It reminded me of the description of the throne room in Ezekiel 1:28—“Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” I even saw rivers of oil, rivers of honey, and I saw bridges.
Then the Lord did two things to me. He walked up to me and He put His hand inside my belly and He gave me a supernatural enablement to live through what was about to take place. He was establishing me so I wouldn’t die. I say that because when I saw heaven I wanted to pass the Lord and go right in. But the Lord said, “If you pass Me right now, you will die. Todd, you are not just having a vision, you are in heaven and this is real.” The Lord said, “I am the gate, I am the door, I am the ladder. There is no heaven without Me.” He said if you pass Me, you will die. Something sustained me. He put His hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes and said, “Peace I give you, not as the world gives,” and a great peace came over me like a vibration and my whole body trembled while I received the peace of God.
Then the vision faded. Yet I was so overcome by the glory of God I just laid on the floor in the Green Room and as I was lying there, unexpectedly I was caught up instantly into the spirit. I was no longer aware that I was in a conference setting. All of a sudden I was standing on a grassy hill and I saw still waters. I saw a river flowing between its banks. It was like Psalm 23, green pastures, and I was looking down. I thought the (flowing) river was going to be pure, living water but as I looked I saw that it was a river of oil and honey. Next the colors changed from pink and rainbows, white light and the color of gold, to orangey red. Everywhere I looked was the appearance of amber. Everywhere, it was like a sunrise or a sunset, red or ruby or orangey red.
I looked up to my left and there was a bridge, and my first thought was: What a secret place. Still waters, I am in
While in this heavenly experience sitting up on the bridge I saw someone walking toward me. I knew in my spirit it was Paul the apostle. He walked right onto the bridge and he sat down next to me. He had this blank scroll in his hand and he started writing with a pen (which was more like a feather with ink). When he started writing it looked like Hebrew and he would say, “Eat this.” He continued writing on the scroll, saying “Eat this” again and again. But when I realized I was eating, I noticed that I wasn’t eating by my mouth, I was eating by my belly. He was stuffing his writings inside my spirit right past by head, putting some kind of divine revelation right into my spirit.
Then Paul spoke to me about the message of the hour for the Church and much more. Yet, it would be best to hold his inspiring message and the other heavenly adventures in connection with Paul until Part Two next week.
In the meantime, for those of you who want to study this subject matter further I want to recommend several excellent resources [three audio CD sets]: Greater Glory 2 gathering (from which this teaching comes); Developing your Seer Gift; Encounters of the Kingdom Kind; and Open Heavens.
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http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Act=read&status=teaching&Id=219&pid=954
In Part Two of: A Face to Face Encounter, Todd begins by emphasizing that friendship with God must precede any face to face encounter with Him. Then as he shares several highlights concerning what the apostle Paul taught him you’ll discover who authored the Book of Hebrews as well as what other heavenly realms Todd saw. So be blessed in your pursuit of God’s greater glory which ultimately is God, Himself!
A FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER
by Revivalist Todd Bentley [ as edited by Kathy Thorne]
PART 2 of 2
Before we begin this week’s teaching I’m going to emphasize one vital element from last week’s lesson, namely—friendship with God—and then resume where we left off concerning my encounter with the apostle Paul. [As well, because Part One lays a foundation for my visit with Paul, if you haven’t read it please do so before you begin Part Two.]
FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD PRECLUDES ANY FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER
God highly esteems your friendship with Him. Not superficial friendship, but real, deep friendship—the kind forged through His fiery testings as well as His blessings. Look, even if you don’t really understand the great shakings of God in your life but you are still determined to trust in His inherent goodness and great love for you, such devotion thrills His heart. With an attitude like that God can’t help but be moved to commune with you on a deeper level, a level which is directly connected to the depth of intimacy you have with Him.
Take Moses for example; ultimately his friendship with God was so rich that God didn’t communicate with him like He did with most prophets in a vision or a dream, but He spoke “with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings” and “as a man speaks to his friend” (Num. 12:8; Ex. 33:11). In fact, face to face encounters with God like the one Moses had, only come after true friendship with Him.
So keep that friendship principle in mind as we move on to examine more facets of the encounter I had with Paul in the Paradise of God (the third heaven). So here we go!
THE MESSAGE FOR THIS HOUR IS THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
Now, continuing from last week, after Paul “fed” me revelation he stressed that the beginning of First Corinthians Chapter Two contains the most important passage of scripture for the church in this hour because it’s the message of the cross. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (vv. 1, 2).
In fact, when you read First Corinthians Chapter Two, yes, Paul begins by preaching the cross, but he also speaks about the hidden mysteries and he ends with preaching about revelatory gifts and the deep things of God (vv. 7–16).
Consequently he spoke to me about a supernatural faith, a supernatural gospel, and a supernatural experience. Paul said (paraphrase): “I was never just (only) a preacher of the gospel and I was never just a man of the gospel and salvation. I was a prophet of visions and revelations. I was a man of prophetic encounters and prophetic experiences. I was a man of the open heavens. I was a man that believed in the revelatory gift of the Spirit of God searching the deep things of God and revealing it to me. This is what the church needs and this is what God is doing today. The focus is going to be on a demonstration of the Holy Ghost in power. God has revealed these things to us by His spirit. We have the mind of Christ—a spirit of revelation searching the deep things of God.”
To summarize, Paul was saying that, above all, God is releasing the message of the cross, the gospel, in power (preaching and salvation), but not without hidden mysteries and not without revelation.
MORE WITH PAUL
After that, Paul took me to his house. (I was still in paradise [the third heaven]. His house wasn’t a mansion. It was actually a small cabin. There was an open field and a forest there.) Inside his cabin I saw books wall to wall, and scrolls. I saw every book that’s in the Bible as well as Paul’s diaries/journals that covered things that had happened in his meetings, things God had spoken to him, and things he had written that aren’t in the Bible. Paul said, “Not everything’s in there, Todd. Not everything’s in the Bible.” Just so you know, Paul didn’t give me a new gospel and all my revelation is based on the Bible. I’m not talking about a new gospel!
Paul took down the book of Titus and he said, “You need to eat this.” He explained that Titus was his apostolic son in the faith, and he said, “This is for the sons and daughters that you are raising up. I want you to get an impartation of what it really means to be an apostle, what it really means to have sons and daughters, and what it really means to be a son.”
Next he took down another scroll; this time it was Hebrews and he told me to eat it. This book is one of the most prophetic books in the Bible, and in that connection he told me something that I want to share with you even though I’m probably “stepping out” on theology now.
First of all, I want you to understand that Paul always made it clear when he authored an epistle—“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” or “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ.” Always! Yet, for the Book of Hebrews, although most Bible scholars believe that it was authored by Paul, there are those that really can’t say it was him because the authorship is never clear. Paul told me why.
Here is what he said to me. “Do you know why I know so much about Abraham?” [So much of Hebrews is based on other things that you just can’t pull from in other scriptures.] Paul said, “When I was in the third heaven, Abraham was with me like you are with me now. Abraham himself shared (information) with me and I simply wrote it” (in the Book of Hebrews). “The authorship isn’t clear because it was Abraham and I; Abraham shared the content with me.” [Much of Hebrews is about Abraham; i.e. Hebrews Chapter 11.]
He said (paraphrased): “Remember, when I was caught up into the third heaven, I heard inexpressible words. I actually spoke with Abraham, and Abraham shared details with me about what took place, about Melchizedek and all these things that only Abraham knew. I authored the book as the Holy Spirit moved on me, supernaturally. Some of what I wrote, I learned by talking to Abraham face to face when I visited him in heaven.” That’s what Paul told me!
THE HEAVENLY REALM HAS REAL GEOGRAPHICAL PLACES
What’s more, several days later I was taken back into heaven to Paul’s house! But this time I didn’t go inside. I stayed outside where I saw a ladder in his back yard like the one described in Genesis 28, Jacob’s ladder. [I’ve come to understand that there are ladders like that in heaven in order to ascend and descend into different realms because heaven has places, geographical places. For example, the first heaven is where we live on the earth; the second heaven is the invisible realm of Ephesians 6: 12; and the third heaven where I was with Paul, it’s the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).]
So I jumped onto the ladder and began to climb up into another realm. I saw around me that it was all clouds so I began to pull those clouds back. As I did, a hole opened up in the heavens. Immediately then, out of heaven, flowed the color green, not just a light; it was like a green liquid and it was pouring onto my eyes! When I asked God about this, He said, “You are coming into the throne room; you are beneath the sea of glass; there is a rainbow around the throne. It’s not just above the throne; it’s a circle around the throne, a rainbow, emerald green in color.” [“And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald” (Rev. 4:3).] This is the fourth realm of heaven, the throne room, (with more realms to follow). [You can read Revelation Chapter Four for a good description of the throne room.]
I went up from the throne room into the fifth realm which is the heavenly city. I saw streets that are golden and mansions and I noticed that it was very different from the Paradise of God (third heaven) where there are hills, still waters, and flowers. It wasn’t as peaceful. Then came the sixth realm of heaven which is the place where the angels live. There is literally a realm reserved for Michael, Gabriel, all the archangels and all the angels under the archangels! This isn’t the second heaven, the angel and demon realm, where they battle. It’s a realm where the angels dwell.
Then the last heaven I saw, the seventh realm was other universes and the solar systems; undiscovered universes and planets that God has created.
So I ascended the seven atmospheres of heaven but it all began with a face to face encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. How many of you are getting a little bit hungry, hungry for greater glory, which ultimately is Jesus Christ? More of Him!
LET FAITH COME ALIVE IN YOUR HEART
I shared these supernatural encounters because I want to bring heaven closer to home. Ezekiel saw the glory. Heaven opened and he was taken into visions of God. (See Ezekiel 1; 8; 9; 10; 11; 37; 40; 41–44; 47.) I’m not just talking about having a vision. Ezekiel was taken into visions of God. How many of you would like to have a season of visions of God? A season of visitations of the Lord? A season of encountering the heavenly glory? A season of coming under the spirit of wisdom and revelation? A season of open portals and heavenly glory?
If you’re like me, then you want open heavens of heavenly glory. Now I’m not promising you that you’re going to have an experience like mine; however, I want to bring forth a perspective so that faith comes alive in your heart! I am saying you could make yourself available today for deeper and deeper friendship with the Lord.
If that’s your heart, if you are longing to encounter God in deeper intimacy, if you are longing to behold His face and to be in the wonder of His presence, then I want to pray today that God will open the eyes of your heart as you press-in for this and all that He has for you. Let’s pray.
Lord, we’re so hungry for You in Your glory, for You in Your presence. That’s what we’re hungry for. It’s Your greater glory.
For the people reading this teaching, Lord I ask that you would open the eyes of their hearts, oh God. Take them into a deeper place of intimacy and friendship that they would behold Your beauty face to face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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