He covered much of the info (in the link above) with a few added interesting observations and quotes from Robert Ricciardelli. I'll post it all plus a few more added words and observations made today by Robert Ricciardelli at yet another board/forum, Charisma Online. I believe you'll find these interesting coming from an insider.

His explanation behind one of Todd's actions back in June, should cause you to tremble for Todd Bentley--not only for him, but for Stephen Strader the pastor of Ignited Church, who allowed this to go unchecked. It also explains to me HOW Todd could believe what he stated on this clip HERE.

***

First, let me start by saying that Robert Ricciardelli has been incredibly bold and courageous in speaking out on this issue in recent days. He is one of the very few from NAR circles who have dared to speak up - firstly on blogs and on the radio - and even on our own Forum at RevivalSchool.com, etc. Robert is a member - a "marketplace apostle" in Peter Wagner's "International Coalition of Apostles" (ICA). He is the real deal. For him to speak out about Lakeland is a very brave act indeed. Plus he is a Charisma Magazine writer and a friend of Lee Grady.

Last week on July 14th Robert was a guest on Radio KGNW - where he spoke of how he had just come back from Lakeland, and told of his deep concerns and the background research that he had been doing. On July 16th he commented on one Internet blog:

"Truth is there are very few people being healed in Lakeland. I have worked with Charisma Magazine editor Lee Grady in discovering how many false reports have been released as facts. These are our brothers and sisters involved in this, but this move of God has been a move of men with God still touching some who come to seek Him."

On another blog he wrote:

"Charisma reporters and a few others like myself have tried to get these verified and cannot... We actually had offered to help, because any news of a resurrection in my opinion is world news if it can be validated. But then when the totals continued to mount which led to hype and embellishment, they began to ask us to stop asking questions. Hmmmm?

"Friday night, Todd said that God said there were 1000 people that were to give $1000, and they were to receive a 1000 fold blessing. The one hour drama on this giving subject was so deceptively evident that it was embarrasing to watch. On top of that, those that would give that money were able to come to the platform to be recognized."

Concerning the 'Resurrections' in Lakeland, Robert wrote: "We have investigated the 20 plus "raised from the dead" claims as we want to report them to the media, and they cannot be verified, but were only called in, or sent in from an email. This is not responsible reporting, and leaves many questions, which also adds to the claims of hype and embellishment." [~Robert Ricciardelli blog comments - 'jasonclark.ws' & 'stevehickey.wordpress.com']

The hour-long broadcast that Robert did on KGNW is also causing quite a stir as it does the rounds on the Internet.

On our own Forum at RevivalSchool.com, Robert publicly added the following comments:

"Peter Wagner and Chuck Pierce nominated me as a marketplace apostle 6 years ago. I threw the title away before I ever got it. I am not into titles, but I am into functions. The Lord told us "yes" to engage, and He was going to show us some truth in the process. Being engaged has given us a great oportunity to see the good, the bad, and the ugly of the apostolic/prophetic movements. The biggest thing along the way is the friends and associates we have met that have a biblical worldview much the same as we do...

"After this year we will pray about next year and so far it looks like the Father is giving us a sense that we may not to be a part of the ICA if Peter and the leadership do not reconsider their impromptu decision to jump into the Lakeland stream, when many of us warned him not to. It was a mistake to coronate, when they needed to father and correct Bentley from the direction he is heading others into. It just put more fuel in his errant tank.

"I am praying for Todd, because he really is an evangelist, and he is a gifted evangelist. But he cannot go on embellishing, speaking untruths, hyping, manipulating, shoving, kicking, slapping, leg dropping, and bamming his way on the pulpit without consequences.
God will not be mocked, and Todd and others must answer to Him for everyone led astray.

"The biggest thing about Lakeland is the lack of the fear of our Awesome God, lack of repentance and humility. Many have exchanged the truth for a lie and chosen experience over content. Angels, trances, and 3rd heaven focus has replaced the gospel as a focus... Lord do what only you can do to bring your divine alignment to all of us in Jesus name.."

I took note of the fact that Robert said that "many" had warned Peter Wagner not to jump into the Lakeland stream. I also noted that Robert seemed to be saying that he himself may leave the ICA over this issue. I thanked him publicly for his courage in speaking out, and asked him if there really was a lot of disagree-
ment even within Wagner's own movement?

Robert replied:

"To answer your question, yes there is at least a dozen ICA members that I know of that are extremely concerned at Peter's endorsement and more to follow as the nonsense continues. The transferring of anointing, the focus on man bringing anything but the gospel is amazing and sad.... if Peter Wagner, Bill Johnson, and some distinguished members of the Who's Who in Charismania say it is all good, then people just go with it. Some have begun to see the YouTube and other information and begun to change. Some go as far as to claim it as deception, others say it is a move of God that needs correction.

"It is my opinion that it was man orchestrated and demonically influenced from the very beginning. The worship has been good and Roy Fields is an awesome worship leader, so many in the worship and even watching from afar can sense God in the worship of His people. The truth is God has been engaged in the worship and has touched and healed some. This is why it has been so confusing to some. I have heard that Roy Fields has stated a few times that when the worship ends, God's presence leaves the platform, and then Todd Bentley operates void of His presence. That is why most all of what they have claimed cannot be verified, because it just is not happening.

"We have heard a few people getting well, being touched and so on. There is a church here in North Carolina that brought 27 sick down there for a week. Some with cancer, leukemia, diabetes and such. None got healed and most were worse when they came back. The emperor is not wearing any clothes and the truth must be known. Many are claiming that Todd is the new thing that God is doing. The fact is he is still operating in the old thing, and operating with less integrity and character than the previous one man shows.

"God is about nameless and faceless people who are operating without any agenda but the Lord's. Preaching about the King and His Kingdom, and moving supernaturally after Him, and as they do, signs and wonders follow. The problem in Charismania is that they seek the sign, they seek the thrill, they seek the craft supply quality gold dust, feathers and gems. They may get the chills and frills, but leave with nothing more than goose bumps and really little spiritual change. When they seek the King, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, you begin to see transformation take place at the heart level. This is God's way and always has been... Bentley is just a product of the Charismatic/ apostolic/ prophetic trending away from Plumb line truth. At the same time the fact is, none of us amount to much, no not one. But in Him and dying to self and living His agenda, we can move mountains... The church is getting there, I wrote an article for Charisma that everything that can be shaken is being shaken, and this is what is happening in a great way right now..."

• Today at Charisma's forum, Robert Ricciardelli posted a few further observations:

Quotes: with link to full posts

Todd has been filled with hype and embellishment since he first started, and I have gotten informationfamily members experience who traveled with Todd, so know I am talking fact here. from staff members, former staff members, my own experience, and a This event has been man orchestrated from the beginning. If you would like to prayerfully consider some of the influence of this, here it from Todd yourself;  here...

..one of the violent moments of Lakeland .This man did not get healed but was assaulted; here

I think the first clip is vital to what we are seeing. Todd admittedly fell into some sin a few years ago. Looking at all the tattoos he added during that time, his current violent tendencies, is it possible he opened the door again and needs some time away for healing and deliverance? If someone claims an angel is female and has a name for her, and then writes a book with the same story and the angel being male or no sex at all, will lead to questions. Was he lying, is he covering something up? ... That is what I believe you will find in the book.

I agree that this is well beyond Lakeland, but this is a Lakeland Forum, and also Todd is on a world stage thanks to GodTV's financial needs. So to whom much is given, much is required. If you are going to lie or stretch truth like Todd does on a world stage, you can bet people like me who he is representing are going to speak up.

Here is one of the errors.

In early June, I think on the 6th Todd gave an offering message that was manipulation and borderline witchcraft. He said the Lord told Him that there were 1000 people who were going to give $1000 and if they were obedient, the Lord said they would receive 1000 fold return. I am in almost daily conversation with Stephen Strader, and challenged him that it was not from God. He agreed and talked to Todd. Todd admitted that he worded it wrong, but that it was an idea he had to raise money for the 30,000 seat revival center they want to build. I then asked if he would repent publicly and they said no because the crowd changes every night.

This stuff goes on and on and deeper and deeper, and my heart goes out to immature believers that are being deceived. It is not right, but I believe God is going to use this to expose these sorts of sensational and supernatural seeking doctrines of men. God is patient with us... He is a good God... Todd will come around, but those around him that are yes men are not helping him. He needs those around him who will be willing to say 'Stop it, just Stop it", when necessary.. *any bolding or hightlighting was mine-pj

****

Again I say its interesting information; mainly because of the source. Many of those who have been warning of this outpouring/Lakeland, and in particular, Todd Bentley and his strange extra biblical teachings, will not be surprised in the least at this information because it only confirms what the Holy Spirit has been showing them from the 'get-go'....but for others, it may help them to read the comments and observations from someone who is closely associated with Bentley and the entire group of 'prophets/apostles' behind this ungodly mess.

I actually was watching the night he did the whole "1,000 people to give $1,000" manipulative move, and was disgusted. Now we read from Robert Ricciardelli that Todd was even called to task on this--but nothing resulted from it: no apology, nothing. AND that the reasoning BEHIND 'why' he did it WAS NOT because God told him to do this--which he clearly stated, but was HIS IDEA ALONE, to raise money.

People of God--that is called lying. It is USING THE NAME OF THE LORD to further ones own personal agenda. It is putting our words in GOD'S MOUTH! O what a dangerous thing to do friends...This above all shows me Todd has no fear whatsoever of the Lord.

Please wake up...

also see: 3 Reasons to Fear God by John MacArthur

TORTURED BY NIGHT VISITORS - PATRICA KING

Local Pastor; Flying with the lord - Patrica King

"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye put up with it easily enough.....

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" 2 Corinthians 11

- The Lord's Supper as vitamin - This clip is an excellent warning against seeking after experiences. In the case of this woman, it put her in a mental hospital and has ultimately led her into false beliefs concerning  the Lord's supper.

- Kim Clement, modern day prophet or "prophet for profit? -

And this one below, Todd Bentley and the theology of glory

Below is an excerpt taken from chapter (6) of the book War On The Saints by Jessie Penn-Lewis:Counterfeits of the Divine; (the dog-eared copy on my bookshelf attests to how many times I've read it). I've posted small quotes from this chapter in the past, but wanted to post a larger portion of the chapter this evening: I believe its as applicable today as when written shortly after the Welsh Revival of 1904....perhaps more so.  Also, while doing some weeding tonight of old posts over the last year, I came across an excellent post/chart also from this book which was posted back in January: The True Workings of God, and Counterfeits of Satan, you might like to check that out as well.

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In seeking to obtain full control of the believer, the first great effort of evil spirits is directed toward getting the man to accept their suggestions, and workings, as the speaking, working, or leading of God.

Their initial device is to counterfeit a "Divine Presence," under cover of which they can mislead their victim as they will. The word counterfeit meaning the substitution of the false for the true.

The condition on the part of the believer, which gives the deceiving spirits their opportunity, and the basis of this counterfeit, is the mistaken location of God; either (1) in them (consciously); (2) or around them (consciously). When they pray they think of, or pray to God in themselves, or else to God around them, in the room, or atmosphere. They use their imagination, and try to "realize" His presence, and they desire to "feel" His presence in them, or upon them.^note 1

The logical sequence of prayer to God as located within, can be pressed to absurdity, i.e., if the soul prays to God in himself, why not pray to God in another elsewhere? The limitation of God as a Person within, and all the possible dangers arising from this misconception of truth are obvious.

Some believers so live inwardly in communion, worship and vision, as to become spiritually introverted, and cramped and narrowed in their outlook; with the result that their spiritual capacity and mental powers become dwarfed and powerless.^note 4 Others become victims to the "inner voice," and the introverted attitude of listening to it, which is the ultimate result of the location of God as a Person within, so that eventually the mind becomes fixed in the introverted condition with no out-going action at all.^note 5

In fact, all turning inwards to a subjective location of God as indwelling, speaking, communing, and guiding, in a materialistic, or conscious sense, is open to gravest danger; for upon this thought and belief, sedulously cultivated by the powers of darkness, the most serious deceptions, and final out-workings of deceiving spirits have taken place.

THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF MISTAKEN LOCATION OF GOD

Upon this principle of the mistaken location of God; used by evil spirits as the ground work for manifestations to support and deepen this belief; has come about the delusions of believers during past ages, and of recent years, who assert themselves to be "Christ." On the same principle will come about the great deceptions at the end of the age, foretold by the Lord in Matthew 24: 24, of the "false Christs" and false prophets; and the "I am the Christ" of the leaders of groups of side-tracked believers; and the thousand others who have been sent to asylums, although they are not monomaniacs at all. The devil's richest harvest is from the effects of his counterfeits; and unwittingly, many sober and faithful teachers of "holiness" have aided him in his deceptions, through the using of language which gives a materialistic idea of spiritual things, and which is eagerly laid hold of by the natural mind.

Those who locate God personally, and wholly in themselves, make themselves, by their assertions, practically, "divine" persons. God is not wholly in any man.^note 6 He dwells in those who receive Him, by His own Spirit communicated to them. "God is Spirit," and mind or body cannot hold communion with spirit. Sensuous feelings, or "conscious" physical enjoyment^note 7 of some supposed spiritual presence is not true communion of spirit with spirit, such as the Father seeks from those who worship Him (John 4: 24).

God is in heaven. Christ the Glorified Man is in heaven. The location of the God we worship is of supreme importance. If we think of our God as in us, and around us, for our worship, and for our "enjoyment" (?) we unwittingly open the door to the evil spirits in the atmosphere which surrounds us; instead of our penetrating in spirit through the lower heavens (see Heb. 4: 14; 9: 24; 10: 19, 20) to the throne of God, which is in the highest heaven, "above principality and power, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come" (Eph. 1: 21, A.V.).

THE TRUE LOCATION OF GOD

The Word of God is very clear on this point, and we need only ponder such passages as Heb. 1: 3; 2: 9; 4: 14-16; 9: 24; and many others, to see it. The God we worship, the Christ we love, is in heaven; and it is as we approach Him there, and by faith apprehend our union with Him in spirit there, we, too, are raised with Him and seated with Him, above the plane of the lower heavens where the powers of darkness reign, and seated with Him, see them under His feet (Eph. 1: 20-23; 2: 6).

The Lord's words recorded in the gospel of John, chapters 14, 15 and 16, give the truth very clearly concerning His indwelling in the believer. The "in Me" of being with Him, and in Him, in His heavenly position (John 14: 20), being the fact for the believer's faith, and apprehension; and the "I in you"--spoken to the company of disciples, and hence to the Body of Christ as a whole--following as a result in the individual life of the believer. The union with the Person in the glory, resulting in the inflow and outflow of His Spirit and life, through the believer on earth (see Phil. 1: 19). In other words, the "subjective" is the result of the "objective." The "object" of Christ in heaven, being the basis of faith for the subjective inflow of His life and power, by the Holy Spirit of God.

CHRIST AS A PERSON IN HEAVEN

The Lord said "If ye abide in Me (i.e., in the glory), and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will. . ." (John 15: 7). Christ abides in us by His Spirit, and through His words, but He Himself, as a Person, is in heaven, and it is only as we abide in Him there, that His Spirit, and His life, through His Word, can be manifested in us here.

"Abiding" means an attitude of trust, and dependence on a Person in heaven; but if the attitude is changed into a trust and dependence upon a Christ within, it is really a resting upon an inward experience, and a turning from the Christ in heaven, which actually blocks the avenue for the inflow of His life, and disassociates the believer from co-operation with Him by the Spirit. Any manifestation therefore of a "presence" within, cannot be a true "manifestation" from God, if it uncentres the believer from his right attitude toward the Christ in heaven.

There is a true knowledge of the presence of God, but it is in the spirit, when joined to Him Who is within the veil; a knowledge of spiritual union and fellowship with Him which lifts the believer, so to speak, out of himself to abide with Christ in God.

The counterfeit "presence" of God^note 8 is nearly always manifested as love,^note 9 to which the believer opens himself without hesitation, and finds it fill and satiate his innermost being, but the deceived one does not know that he has opened himself to evil spirits in the deepest need of his inner life.

COUNTERFEIT PRESENCE OF GOD

How the powers of darkness counterfeit the presence of God to those ignorant of his devices may be somewhat as follows. At some moment when the believer is yearning for the sense of God's presence, either alone, or in a meeting, and certain conditions are fulfilled,^note 10 the subtle foe approaches, and wrapping the senses round with a soothing, lulling feeling--sometimes filling the room with light, or causing what is apparently a "breath from God" by a movement of the air--either whispers "This is the presence you have longed for," or leads the believer to infer that it is what he has desired.

Then, off his guard, and lulled into security that Satan is far away, some thoughts are suggested to the mind, accompanied by manifestations which appear to be Divine; a sweet voice speaks, or a vision is given, which is at once received as "Divine guidance," given in the "Divine presence," and hence beyond question as from God. If accepted as from God, when from the spirits of evil, the first ground is gained.

The man is now sure that God has bidden him do this or that. He is filled with the thought that he has been highly favoured of God, and chosen for some high place in His Kingdom. The deeply hidden self-love is fed and strengthened by this, and he is able to endure all things by the power of this secret strength. He has been spoken to by God! He has been singled out for special favour! His support is now within upon his experience, rather than upon God Himself, and the written Word.

Through this secret confidence that God has specially spoken to him, the man becomes unteachable and unyielding, with a positiveness trending on infallibility.^note 11 He cannot listen to others now, for they have not had this "direct" revelation from God. He is in direct, special, personal communion with God, and to question any "direction" given to him, becomes the height of sin. Obey he must, even though the direction given is contrary to all enlightened judgment, and the action commanded opposed to the spirit of the Word of God. In brief, when the man at this stage believes he has a "command" from God, he will not use his reason, because he thinks it would be "carnal" to do so--"common-sense" is lack of faith, and therefore sin--and "conscience"^note 12 for the time being, has ceased to speak.

Some of the suggestions made to the believer by deceiving spirits at this time, may be: (1) "You are a special instrument for God," working to feed self-love; (2) "You are more advanced than others" working to blind the soul to sober knowledge of itself; (3) "You are different from others," working to make him think he needs special dealing by God; (4) "You must take a separate path," a suggestion made to feed the independent spirit; (5) "You must give up your occupation, and live by faith," aiming at causing the believer to launch out on false guidance, which may result in the ruin of his home, and sometimes the work for God in which he is engaged.

All these suggestions are made to give the man a false conception of his spiritual state; for he is made to believe he is more advanced than he actually is, so that he may act beyond his measure of faith and knowledge (Rom. 12: 3), and consequently be more open to the deceptions of the beguiling foe.

Upon the basis of the supposed revelation of God, and the special manifestation of His presence, and the consequent full possession of the believer by Him, the lying spirits afterwards build their counterfeits.

THE COUNTERFEIT "PRESENCE" IS SENSUOUS

Counterfeits of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are recognizable by the manifestations being given to the senses;^note 13 i.e., in the physical realm; for the true indwelling of God is in the shrine of the spirit alone; and the soul vessel, or personality of the believer, is purely a vehicle for the expression of Christ, Who is enthroned within by His Spirit; whilst the body, quickened by the same Spirit, is governed by God from the central depths of the human spirit, through the self-control of the man;^note 14 acting by his renewed will.

The counterfeit presence of God is given by deceiving spirits working upon the physical frame, or within the bodily frame, upon the senses. We have seen the beginning of this, and how the first ground is gained.^note 15 It is deepened by these sense-manifestations being repeated, so gently, that the man goes on yielding to them, thinking this is truly "communion with God"--for believers too often look upon "communion with God" as a thing of sense, and not of spirit--and here he commences praying^note 16 to evil spirits under the belief that he is praying to God.

The self-control is not yet lost, but as the believer responds to, or gives himself up to these "conscious" manifestations, he does not know that his will-power is being slowly undermined.^note 17 At last through these subtle, delicious experiences, the faith is established that God Himself is consciously in possession of the body, quickening it with felt thrills of life, or filling it with warmth and heat, or even with "agonies" which seem like fellowship with the sufferings of Christ,^note 18 and travail for souls, or the experience of death with Christ in the consciousness of nails being driven into the bodily frame, etc. From this point the lying spirits can work as they will, and there is no limit as to what they may do to a believer deceived to this extent.

COUNTERFEIT MANIFESTATIONS OF DIVINE WORKINGS
IN THE BODY

Counterfeit manifestations of the Divine life in various ways now follow quickly; movements in the body, pleasant thrills, touches, a glow as of fire in different parts of the body; or sensations of cold, or shakings, and tremblings; all accepted by the believer as from God, but showing what a full entry the deceiving spirit has obtained to the bodily frame; for there is a distinction between the manifestations of evil spirits "with"^note 19 and "in" the body and mind of the believer; although when they are really inside, they can also make it appear as if they were outside, both in influence and action.

When evil spirits are really outside, and desirous of entry, they work by sudden suggestion, which is not the ordinary working of the mind, but suggestions which come from without; "flashes of memory," again not the ordinary working of the memory, but coming from without; touches and twitches of the nerves; feelings of draught and sensations of wind blowing on the circumference,^note 19 etc.

EFFECTS OF EVIL SPIRIT ENTRY TO THE BODILY FRAME

When the evil spirits are inside, the whole frame is affected, at times with the pleasant sensations referred to, but at others with pains in the head and body which have no physical cause, or else so working with the "natural" that the supernatural cannot easily be distinguished from it; such as accelerating the heartbeat so as to appear palpitation, and in other ways working with the physical causes, so that part has natural ground, and part is from the accentuating force of evil.

Depression then ensues in proportion to the previous exhilaration; exhaustion and fatigue in reaction from the demand upon the nervous system in the hours of ecstasy; or else a sense of drainage of strength without any visible cause; grief and joy, heat and cold, laughter and tears, all succeed each other in rapid changes, and varied degrees--in brief, the emotional sensibilities seem to have full play.

The "senses" are aroused, and are in full mastery of the person, apart from the man's volition; or they may be apparently under control, so that the evil spirit's presence may be hidden from the knowledge of the believer, his workings being carefully measured to suit the victim he has studied so well; for he knows he must not go a shade too far, lest he awaken suspicion of the cause of the abnormal movements of the emotions, and of the sensitive parts of the bodily frame.

It can easily be seen that in time the health of the deceived one must be affected by this play upon mind and body; hence the "breakdown" that so often follows experiences of an abnormal kind, or else a snapping of the tension, by a sudden stoppage of all conscious feelings, and the apparent withdrawal of the "conscious presence of God;"^note 20 followed by an entire change of tactics by the deceiving spirits in the body, who may now turn upon their victim with terrible accusations;^note 21 and charges of having committed the "unpardonable sin," producing as acute anguish and real suffering, as he once experienced of the bliss of heaven.

Appendix

Notes

Summary of "Ground"

Seeking radical cause in ground

***

...we are presently in a time of revival, and it is just beginning. We are still a long way from even seeing the peak of this revival. Some prophetic words have come from those I consider trustworthy that this revival will last for three years. That would actually be a long time for a revival, but the revival is not the end of the matter. If we transition right into the next phase, the work of God will not stop but go both higher and deeper. It will change, but it will need to just as an infant needs to change constantly until he is a mature adult...

Going to "High Orbit"

If transitions are accomplished with wisdom and strategy, ( *note: what is this strategy these people are always referring too?)  revivals will not give us the sense that we are leaving something behind, rather the sense of going to something, not from something. To make these transitions with wisdom and strategy, we need to begin by letting the revival do its full work, without being prematurely stopped or cut off.

Years ago we were repeatedly shown in dreams, visions, and words that our ministry was compared to a rocket being launched. That metaphor proved to be accurate and very helpful through the stages we have passed through. It also applies to what is now coming upon the whole body of Christ.

Just like the first stage of a rocket, the "booster" needs to burn off all of its fuel in order for the rocket to get to place where the next stage can take over. Revival may just be the first stage, but we will not make it into the orbit to which we are called if it is cut short or the next stage fires prematurely.

....we need to see the stage 2 of this rocket burn for its entire term before stage 3 can fire and take us to the orbit to which we are called. Stage 3 is the transformation of society. It is crucial for us to get to this stage at the right speed and altitude because this is a major purpose of what is now unfolding

....The last trumpet or message of God in the Book of Revelation is "our God reigns" (see Revelation 19:6), or the gospel of the kingdom. That gospel has not been preached since the first century, and it must be preached throughout the world before the Lord will come. The church is being prepared to preach that gospel and to do it from a position of living in the power of the kingdom. We are being prepared to prepare the way for the Lord.

...He is coming, and He is coming to establish His kingdom on the earth so that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. As we see in Isaiah 40, the way we prepare the way for the Lord is to build a highway. The highway of God is the "higher way" that leads to Him. There is much that needs to be said about this highway and the gospel of the kingdom, which we will be saying in time. For now, we need to understand the present purpose of God to receive the full benefit from it.

As stated, if we try to prematurely jettison stage 1 so that we can fire stage 2 of this rocket before we have reached the needed speed and altitude, we will fall far short of accomplishing our purpose. This is likewise true for the transition between stage 2 and stage 3. Many people are being prepared for stage 2 and 3, and it is understandable for them to want to get on with their job, but they will not truly be ready nor will the church until the proper time.

*what does all that mean?

moving on...

...We should also keep in mind that this metaphor of a rocket being launched breaks down like all such prophetic types and metaphors if we try to make them perfectly mirror what is happening. If stage 2 started firing while stage 1 was still burning with a rocket, it would destroy the whole rocket. Stage 1 has to be fully jettisoned before stage 2 can fire, and the same for the next stage. In this move of God, we can expect some to start firing stage 2, which is evangelism, long before stage 1 is finished. Some may rightly start firing stage 3, which is the reformation of society, even before stage 1 is finished. These are principles not laws. Principles have exceptions, but laws do not. If we try to make a principle into a law, this legalism will not leave room for true life.

In a general timing, we can expect most of the church to be in stage 1, reviving and waking up the church, getting her healed from her wounds and afflictions for about three years. Then there will likely be a transition time between the stages where stage 2 starts to burn more and stage 1 fades out, at least as far as being the main emphasis of the church. Even so, stage 1 imparted healing, miracles, deliverance, and faith in God for great things and will continue to be an integral and major part of church life from now on. All that is accomplished by stage 1 will continue on into orbit as a basic part of the vehicle. However, what we are now calling revival and what is causing revival will be normal church life. Miracles far beyond what we are seeing now are going to be commonplace.

As stage 1 of this move of God continues to burn, we can expect to go higher and faster. By higher, I mean greater miracles and by faster, we can expect them to happen faster. If we continue on course and make it to the orbit to which we are called, this will all be normal church life from now on.

****

This stuff leaves my head spinning...it brings into ones spirit and mind a cloud of total confusion. I'm sure that's the intent. I recall reading a book by the late Win Worley who God used in deliverance work, in which he pointed out some of the ways we can know when a word or message coming forth is coming from demons: one way to detect this was the message-givers 'circular reasoning' ...In other words, after hearing the message and walking away, you had no clue what you just heard! It 'seemed' deep and important at the time, but you walked away scratching your head in bewilderment. If you're old enough to have seen the cult-classic movie, 'Erasier Head' you know what I mean.

He then offers further 'insight' and a warning to those who climb on the rocket which tells them to expect opposition, but 'no worry' its just persecution coming from those who don't understand the 'rocket'.

...I have known a number of astronauts, and they have all remarked about the incredible shaking that takes place during a launch. Those who experience it for the first time may think it is so great that there is no way for the rocket to hold together. What is happening now really is the launching of something significant, and we, too, can expect the whole church to be shaken by it, even to the point where many will wonder if the church might just fly apart..

Using the metaphor of being launched like a rocket, this move of God has barely left the launch pad and has a long way to go before stage 1 is finished. The shaking will likely get much more violent and remain that way through the stage 1. It will lessen some after the main booster has completed its burn, but it will not be over until we are finally in the assigned orbit.

A lot of the shaking will come from persecution, most of which will come from religious people. Historically, the worst persecution of emerging moves of God came from the leaders of the previous moves of God. This great tragedy has undoubtedly nullified much of the fruit accomplished by these leaders and even helped prepare for the coming move that they persecute.  This tragedy has rarely been avoided because pride comes before a fall, and those who get used in great ways have rarely been able to escape the most deadly trap of pride, which is easily salted with jealousy. We are told that it was because of envy that Jesus was crucified (see Mark 15:10), and this is still true.

When this happens it should not surprise us because sadly it is the pattern. Even so, the Lord uses this great shaking that comes to purify those who will go forward with Him. When persecution of a move of God comes from one that we esteem because of their previous great leadership, it can be even more confusing and discouraging, but this has been the pattern in both Scripture and history, and it should not surprise us.

... I will address some of these examples, at least briefly, in future Special Bulletins.

For now, tighten your seatbelts. We are in for the ride of our lives!

****

I loved how he tossed this in:

The last trumpet or message of God in the Book of Revelation is "our God reigns" (see Revelation 19:6), or the gospel of the kingdom. That gospel has not been preached since the first century...

Really? What does that mean, that no one in the last 2000 years has 'heard' the real Gospel? If we're to believe that, then the only conclusion we can come to is no one has been saved since the early days of the church.

My recommendation; don't climb aboard this Rocket! Because if God is not behind the controls, you'll end up crashing or worse.

I've always loved Lee because for years I've seen in him a true Godly peace-maker. He is an example of those Jesus spoke about on the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God...(Matthew 5)

Lee has also been instrumental in standing as a 'bridge' between Pentecostals (those who teach and believe the gifts of the Spirit are still in operation today) and other groups who insist they passed away. In other words, he has always appeared to be respected by even those who may have disagreed with him on this issue..

BUT....

I would have to strongly disagree with him concerning at least one of his points in this newest commentary:

***

Some leaders say the controversial Lakeland Revival is forcing us to choose sides. But I don’t believe God wants to split our movement.

It’s been more than 10 years since charismatic prophet Rick Joyner predicted in his popular book The Final Quest (*NOTE: see the excellent article at LET US REASON on Joyner's Final Quest) that believers would experience a Civil War in the church. Joyner’s book, based on a series of visions he says God showed him, describes in graphic detail a turbulent conflict that redefines Christianity as we know it.

Other charismatic leaders have echoed this theme since Joyner’s book was published in 1996. They have predicted that our movement will be divided between “Blues” (those who constantly live in the supernatural realm of dreams, visions and miracles) and “Grays” (those who rely more on their intellect), and that the Blues will win and usher in true revival as champions of the Holy Spirit’s power.

Even in early 2008, before the Lakeland Revival erupted in Florida in April, some charismatic prophets were declaring that a great rift would divide those who believe in “the glory realm” and those who have a more conservative, left-brained approach to their faith. When God TV began its nightly broadcasts of evangelist Todd Bentley’s healing meetings in Lakeland, the Civil War prophecies reappeared overnight on hundreds of blogs and e-mail blasts.

“Jesus prayed that we would be one. There is no record of Him praying that we would split over doctrine.”

I’ll admit I was not paying too much attention to these Civil War predictions 10 years ago. But I was jolted into reality in May after I wrote an online column in which I raised honest questions about some of Bentley’s teachings and techniques. Even though I celebrated his passion and zeal, and praised God for the healings that were reported in Lakeland, I was immediately branded a revival critic and banished to the Gray camp.

I became the bad guy because, by asking questions, I was “relying on my intellect.” To those in the Blue camp, my skepticism made me an enemy of the Holy Spirit and all things supernatural—even though I believe that all the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today!

I tried to laugh this off at first. Surely, I imagined, my Christian brothers and sisters do not really think it is wrong for a Spirit-filled believer to test the spirits (which we are instructed to do in 1 John 4:1), discern truth (see 2 Pet. 3:17) or evaluate prophecies and angelic encounters (see 1 Cor. 14:29, Gal. 1:6-8).

But now I realize that some people really want a war. They want the charismatic movement to split right down the middle. They imply that all those who do not embrace 100 percent of the current movement in Lakeland are “old wineskins” that cannot be used by God in the coming revival.

I can’t even describe how much this hurts because I love people on both sides of this conflict. I love the Blues and the Grays, along with every other color in the body of Christ. I refuse to believe that God is trying to split us. Division is the devil’s work.

I want to plead with everyone in our movement to reconsider the whole Civil War scenario. Instead of rattling sabers and stockpiling gunpowder, maybe we need to take steps in the opposite direction:

1. Let’s accept one another. The apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthians because they exalted certain gifts above others. He reminded them that every member of the body of Christ plays an important role, and that no individual part—whether eye, hand or foot—functions on its own. He rebuked this elitist attitude “so that there may be no division in the body” (1 Cor. 12:25, NASB).

Most of us already acknowledge the importance of supernatural gifts of healing, prophecy, tongues and other demonstrations of God’s power. But in our zeal to recover these gifts, let’s not isolate those whose primary functions may be mercy, giving to the poor, teaching or intercession. We should cherish every spiritual gift—not just the sensational or the exotic.

2. Let’s admonish one another. Christians have not always been the best models of conflict resolution. When tension gets high we either avoid it (usually by saying nothing and hoping the problems go away) or we overreact (by childishly picking up our marbles and playing somewhere else). But the Bible tells us to work things out in eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation.

In the case of Lakeland, there are some doctrines and methods that have come under intense scrutiny. Heresy hunters are having a field day as they toss their grenades and label everything in Lakeland demonic. But because I embrace Todd Bentley as my brother in Christ, I must take a higher road even if I don’t agree with his prayer methods or his claims regarding angels. Anything I say, even if it is corrective, must be said in love (see Eph. 4:15).

Thankfully a group of leaders from various charismatic camps (both “Blues” and “Grays”!) are discussing the contentious issues surrounding Lakeland—and biblical confrontation is occurring. I trust this process will result in correction where it’s needed, apologies when necessary and more humility on all sides of the debate.

3. Let’s pray for one another (see James 5:16). Jesus prayed that we would be one. There is no record of Him praying that we would split over doctrine. So why in the world would any of us hope for a Civil War?

Please pray for Bentley—and for the leaders who are speaking into his life during this season. And pray that the church will not only experience genuine spiritual revival but also true unity. Let’s work out our differences, support one another’s ministries and focus all our efforts on one common goal: To tell a lost world about the love of Jesus.

******

Lee's words are good admonishments, we should love and pray for each other, and I agree with him that Jesus' desire was and is to see His body as 'one'. But I think we need to be careful in as far as his first suggestion:

1. Let’s accept one another.

First, what does that mean, "accept one another"?

He goes on to explain this has to do with spiritual gifts, how the Corinthians exalted certain gifts above others...and how we are not to discount the 'gifting' of other parts of the body ( mercy, giving to the poor, teaching or intercession, etc)

I agree with this, but is that what he is asking the Church to do when saying 'accept one another'?

Or is he admonishing us to accept others who blatantly teach falsehoods and extra-biblical teachings, or that are operating as false prophets, imparting 'something' on multiple thousands of people which they claim will open them up (spiritually) to visions, seeing Angels, opening portals in the heavens which will enable them to make the same (or similar) "trips to heaven" as they frequently experience?

We cannot do that brothers and sisters--that's unity based on the flesh--a false unity; not true unity which can only be found (with others) through Jesus Christ alone.

He mentions Paul..

Would Paul, if here today be telling the body of Christ to 'accept' all those who claim to be followers of Christ, EVEN IF they were bringing damnable heresies and false unbiblical or extra-biblical teachings into the body of Christ? Of course he wouldn't!

"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.....This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme" 1 Tim:1

"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [Gk., anathema, - devoted to destruction]" Gal. 1:8

Lee also goes on to write;

In the case of Lakeland, there are some doctrines and methods that have come under intense scrutiny. Heresy hunters are having a field day as they toss their grenades and label everything in Lakeland demonic. But because I embrace Todd Bentley as my brother in Christ, I must take a higher road even if I don’t agree with his prayer methods or his claims regarding angels.

My question is, how can you separate the two? How can any Christian separate a person's doctrines --which in the case of Todd Bentley, are extremely extra-biblical, with the person themself, and accept one into the body but not the other? Does the word of God tell us this is possible?

Folks, I'm not talking about differing positions/doctrines on ways to baptize, election or predestination, eschatology, etc (not that those are not important) but I'm talking about basic Gospel doctrines which have to do with ones salvation and/or growth in Christ. I'm talking about doctrine which reveals the character of God, Jesus, and the blessed Holy Spirit.

We cannot accept those who twist, add to, or are blatantly teaching falsehoods and extreme dangerous doctrinal error, and bringing these into the Church for the sake of 'unity'.

If this is what Lee Grady is saying--then I totally disagree with him.

I wanted to pass on this link to those have been looking into this subject, mainly because it answers many of the questions concerning Todd's background as a Christian, what foundation (and who's teaching) his ministry was founded upon, and some valuable insight into the healing's being claimed. Its a good research page...

Eternal Path: Todd Bentley, Fresh Fire Ministries and Lakeland Revival Compiled By S. E. Ray

(mega-thanks to Sheepy for posting the link at WolfTracks)

Pat Holliday and Rick talk about the latest occurrences at the Lakeland revival in Florida

This is an excellent informative broadcast. After listening to this I have to agree with Pat, what is going on today--this 'revival' spreading all over the world, is a revival all-right....a revival of witchcraft.

Plus, I want to also ask you to lift up in prayer a woman who posted on a Prophecy board tonight. Let me tell you, in brief,  what I read; for if like me this will break your heart. I felt so deeply grieved and burdened in my spirit after reading this, I had to pray immediately.

The title: Can God Raise The Dead - After Cremation?

This poor woman's son, newly married, drowned and was cremated this week. She and many others are continuing to pray and hope for his resurrection. (sigh...)

quote..

So far the Lakeland Healing Revival reports 27 being raised from the dead since April. A friend said, "So, why not us?"

She has experienced a 'trip' to heaven, has talked to 'Jesus', and been visited by an 'Angel' ...who have encouraged her to believe this could happen.

quote..

Friday, June 27, 2008 - In spirit transport, I found myself on the Great Stage before the Throne of God, where dancers in victorious abandon were praising God. I first saw my sister [deceased '98] coming up, then past my right shoulder, quickly speaking into my ear: "HE'S COMING BACK.." Then just as quickly coming up to my left side, speaking into my ear was Will's cousin (deceased while yet in teens, some 30 years ago, also drowning) - who said, "HE'S COMING BACK." I asked, "Where's he at?" And then I saw him (my son), at last. He was wearing his white wedding tux, headed my direction; he and his 'Rachel-bride' had been married less than a year ago (8/4/07), staying in Maui, both working for The Dive Shop. His blue eyes met mine as he smiled, saying, "I'M GOING BACK..." - even as he then turned to join with the others in victorious dance, even as I did. I then saw Jesus approach us. He looked at Will and said, "It's almost time to go back to your bride..." Pausing, He added, "Mine is here..." (winking at me). It was a moment of glory, glory, glory - the fatigue of my body, mind and soul instantly energized with faith. [All this occurring, even in the midst of his cremation.]

People pray! Pray for this woman.

Not only for her but for all those listening to these unsubstantiated reports of the dead being raised all over the country from Todd's impartation, and on his command.

In my spirit I feel something bad is going to happen eventually, if this does not cease: I'm referring to this outpouring. Someone is going to be emotionally and/or spiritually hurt so badly by a false healing or promised resurrection,.... well, I don't want to even spell out what I'm thinking. God forbid! People are so wrapped up in this fiasco, to the point of believing everything Bentley is saying, that disaster may be what brings it to an end.

In my opinion what started in Lakeland is 100 times worse then even Toronto.

I was reading Mariam's newest post tonight: Heavenly Portals, Spiritual Warfare, Kingly Anointing, The Third Temple, which is, by the way very good, when a few thoughts came to me concerning the so-called Heavenly 'Portals' that Bentley, King, and all the rest of this group of false Prophets keep talking about.

The word of God tells us in Ephesians 6: 12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The NIV version reads this way:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

"spiritual wickedness in high places" or "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"...both translations imply there are wicked/evil spiritual 'somethings' in the heavenly realms, or HIGH PLACES.

If you do a word search on the term High Places in your bible, you're going to have many scriptures come up. God's word has a lot to say about High Places:

And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. Le 26:30

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. Nu 22:41

That's just a couple of the many scriptures in which you'll find that term. What I want to specifically point out are these below:

And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only (or but) he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. 1Ki 3:3

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: De 12:2

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places. Nu 33:52

And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 2 Kings 12: 2-3

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.  For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. 1 Kings 14; 22-23

***

Satan desires God's Throne--he wants 'to be God'. He also desires the praise and worship which only God deserves. We also know, because the word tells us, there are principalities--wicked powers- in the heavens above earth.

Here is where my thinking is going tonight; All these false prophets and teachers who are telling us about their trips to 'heaven', about open 'portals' over specific geographical areas, and how we can attain access to them in which to have our own personal "experiences" of being whisked into God's heaven...how can we NOT give thought to the possibility that they are indeed going 'somewhere' in these open portals--and that 'somewhere' could be into the heavens directly above earth which is occupied by these spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms? (Eph. 6:12)

God had a good reason for commanding the High Places to be torn down once the children of Israel entered a nation/land. They where the places in which those who 'knew not God' gathered to burn incense and to lift their hands in worship and praise to their false gods--to also burn sacrifices to these false gods as well.

What they were in fact doing was worshiping those evil wicked powers in the heavenly's directly above earth, by erecting these places of worship upon the High Places....the highest points geographically, they could find.

Do you see where I'm going? These portals which these people are praying (to be opened) and encouraging others to seek, are not actual portals by which one can travel to God's heaven, but portals which are being prayed open in the spirit realm, which are allowing these powers of wickedness (principalities, etc) to have a greater access by which to interact with man on earth.

To encourage this sin, they are more then willing to give these deluded people false impressions and visions (which appear true and real) which only look like what these folks 'think' or 'imagine' Heaven is like--or what they imagine Jesus or God's Angels look like. As in Todd's case of 'seeing' and talking to Paul, these spirits of wickedness in the heavenly's convinced him he was talking to Paul, visiting Paul's 'house' etc.

Am I making any sense at all?

I believe these people have erected their own High Places, which God condemned and said to tear down. By doing this--"even" if it be in God's name, it is sin, for they are worshiping a false god...a false Jesus. And are instead interacting with the wicked spirits in high places who desire God's Glory. They are practicing paganism.

just some late night thoughts...

Charisma; Leaders Commission Todd Bentley at ‘Lakeland Outpouring’

quote...

Canadian revivalist Todd Bentley, leader of the “Lakeland Outpouring,” was commissioned as an evangelist last night in a special ceremony in Lakeland, Fla., that was broadcast into millions of homes by God TV.

California pastors Ché Ahn and Bill Johnson, along with Canadian pastor John Arnott, laid hands on the 32-year-old Bentley while Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles, (*see The Apostles Are Coming To Your City, Ready or Not) read a statement about the need for apostolic alignment. Other prominent leaders from the apostolic and prophetic movements stood on the platform to show their support for Bentley and to endorse the revival, which began in early April and is now in its 83rd day of continuous meetings.

The ceremony, held in a 10,000-seat tent, took place after some charismatic leaders raised questions about Bentley’s claims, methods and theology. They asked Wagner to oversee a dialogue, and he responded by organizing Monday evening’s event so that Bentley could have more accountability—or what Wagner calls “apostolic alignment.”

“I believe last night was truly historic and a true sign of unity,” Bentley told Charisma today. “Many streams converged and I know last night’s commissioning will truly help bring God’s outpouring to a much larger part of the body.”

Participating leaders at the ceremony included Wagner; Ché Ahn, pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, Calif.; John Arnott of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in Canada; Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, Calif.; and Rick Joyner, founder of MorningStar Ministries in Charlotte, N.C.

Wagner said to Bentley on the platform: “This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, your authority will increase, your favor will increase, your influence will increase, your revelation will increase.

“I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. A new life force will penetrate this move of God. Government will be established to set things in their proper order. God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error. New relationships will surface to open the gates to the future.” (full article at link)

****

The live broadcast was strange. I listened to a worship group I hadn't previously seen at the outpouring...Don't know their name but I found myself crying as I listened to them. I sensed the presence of the Lord. Surprised? Me too. Whoever these guys are, they were different then any of the worship singers I've seen at Lakeland. The music honored Christ. It was none of the high octane stuff that is usually heard night after night--which causes the people to go nuts. No one jumped up and down, fell out, etc..they worshiped.

And then it was over and I felt my stomach clinch as the "emcee" got up and began revving up the crowd by walking back and forth, yelling and head shaking. (it appears all of Todd's 'group' have picked up his constant head shaking)

Then came Todd.

While listening to him brag and boast I tried to take notes. I'll try to relate to you what I witnessed.

He compared what is happening to Acts 8...the story of Phillip. OK, but this is what shocked me, he also quoted Psalm 2...

6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

This is about Christ--I hope you know that. Apparently Todd does not for he attributed these verses to himself and the 'Kingly Anointing' upon the false prophets there on the stage with him. He said, 'I'm not just reading these verses, I'm making a decree...a Prophetic decree"...

He also compared what was getting ready to occur--his 'commission' to the greatest thing to occur in the Church since the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) At this point I felt ill and came close to turning it off, but stayed with it.

He said he 'felt' two anointings were to be imparted that night...the only one I recall hearing about though was the 'Kingly anointing'. He said it was coming with a big KA-BOOM-KA-BOOM-KA-BOOM! (repeated about 5-6 times as he looked into the camara)

The next thing (I wrote down) made me feel like crying folks..

Todd started talking about 'sowing seeds' into the outpouring....It was take up the offering time.

He began to talk about the 'impartation'...asking the people how much of it did they want--comparing how much they gave to how much of this impartation they could receive. In other words, sow into the impartation little, you'll receive little [of it]..

Then he said something which is what caused me to want to break down in tears.

"Do you love me...Do you really love me? are you sure? how much do you love me..? This is your opportunity to show me, 'I love you Todd'.."

Can you see what he did folks...even his voice changed as he semi- quoted the words of Jesus to Peter:

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. John 21

Then the commissioning (Knighting) got started...

This was the biggest bunch of nothing I ever saw. All the false Prophets and Prophetess' gathered on stage, while Peter Wagner led it off by speaking. I won't repeat what he said, its included in the quotes from the Charisma article above.

They then gathered around Todd anointing him with some 'special anointing oil' which was flown in from Africa. He shakes his head back and forth--finally falling down. While lying prostrate, with the head still going, they all take turns speaking individual prophecy's over him.

About the 'Branham anointing' on him...portals opening up even more for Todd, the same anointing Christ has is Todds....on and on it went--giving him the power over other nations/countries....Unity is going to come forth in the whole body of Christ because of this Kingly impartation, ...

One of the 'prophetess' came forward, hissing and shaking her head back and forth so hard [and long! it must have been 5 minutes) speaking over Todd of judgment against his critics, the Kingly Apostle anointing [on Todd] etc etc...I had a hard time watching her.

When they finished he got up--and they presented him with a ring with more prayer and words spoke over him. Todd's laughing etc etc..

Todd again speaks about this event as being historic....global, etc...He did thank God for the anointing.(sigh..)

He ends by promoting all the cities he's coming to soon, to bring this Glory and Kingly impartation.

"Cry out for the Glory' he says as he walks back and forth...shaking his head and fists in the air.

"Theres impartation in the air..we're not done tonight" he says...

Then he begins to lay hands on those on stage...manifestations, shaking, falling down, etc...

More bam bam bam...

I turned it off then.

My conclusion was this commissioning was a show and nothing more.

Please hear me, those who believe I started watching this already biased--I did not. As I said, at the beginning, the worship group was very good, I really liked listening to them. I found myself worshiping God as I sensed the sincerity of the young man singing praises to Jesus, to God. And as I watched the peoples faces out on the floor--I saw the needs, the love for Jesus.

But I also was being truthful about being immediately turned off as soon as the speakers began to get up...

It was like going from the presence of God one second to having cold water thrown in my face. I know when what I'm hearing is God and when its flesh or worse. Nothing spoken tonight from those present, Todd or any of the Apostle club members resonated of God with me at all...

I was sickened by the manipulation of the crowd (and those watching on GodTV) by Todds words which mimicked the words of Jesus to Peter (do you love me?) to attain money..and of the misapplying of Psalm 2, to himself and this Kingly anointing. The so-called prophetic words spoke over him by all those present, was nothing more then flattery and in my honest opinion, self serving for those "prophets" and "prophetess' in attendence; see, they all plan on being a huge part of what they are calling "a global event...historic....not seen since the book of Acts' etc...Which they plan on taking and sending around the world.

I'm tired. Just writing this out, recalling my notes and how it left me feeling, is like a heaviness returning to my spirit.

But all I  know is, God will prevail folks..no matter how much people try to take his Glory, how many false words are spoken, false teachers and prophets rise up, false moves begin, God will prevail. And so will his people...

Pray for those in Lakeland...please. Watching their faces, with so many needs in their eyes and in their tears, is heart breaking.

Lord, I pray for all those there coming night after night to Lakeland...that you would look upon their hearts, see their love for you, and answer their needs Father. Keep them safe in your hand...let nothing but your Holy Spirit touch them. In Jesus name I humbly ask.

Are we to imagine Jesus...and can't vain imaginations get us into spiritual trouble.? I believe they can cause havoc with one's spiritual life. The bible tells us to cast down imaginations..( 2 Cor. 10:5)

I came upon an excellent teaching on this topic written by Ed Tarkowski. Its broken up into 3 parts, but I especially want to post parts two and three. If interested you can read part one here: Part 1: The Realities Of God Versus Man's Imagination.

*****

Part 2: Man's Imagination Builds Self-Exalting Structures

THE FLOOD AND MAN'S VAIN IMAGINATIONS

In Part 1, we saw that there was one neutral use of the word "imagine." From here on, we will be hard pressed to find to a positive connotation to the words, "imagine" and "imagination" and their various forms, i.e., imagined, imaginations, etc. For instance, in Genesis 6 we see God observing the wickedness of man,

(Gen 6:5 KJV) And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that EVERY IMAGINATION OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY.

This was, of course, right before the Lord called Noah to build the ark, and he called him because "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Man's thought were not God's thoughts, and man developed his thoughts about who God was through his imagination.

God then, sent the flood, and only Noah and his family were left to repopulate the earth along with all of the animals, and Noah offered sacrifice to the Lord. In Genesis 8, we read,

(Gen 8:21 KJV) And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; FOR THE IMAGINATION OF MAN'S HEART IS EVIL FROM HIS YOUTH; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

What was the difference between Noah and all who drowned during the flood? I believe we could rightfully say that Noah built his life on what God said and not on the imaginations of his heart. Noah didn't change what God had said through his imagination or devise a plan to save all humanity, but obeyed God perfectly out of fear of Him, knowing His word alone would stand when put to the test. In other words, Noah REMEMBERED God in his imagination also so he didn't have to imagine anything about about the greatness of God.

THE TOWER OF BABEL AND MAN'S VAIN IMAGINATIONS

After the earth was repopulated, we read again that man's imagination got him into trouble with God:

(Gen 11:6 KJV) And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have IMAGINED to do.

God's word is not a flexible standard and there is no room for developing it through our imaginations. When He speaks it is as a two-edged sword and no imaginative thoughts can dull that sword, though such thoughts can dull the hearing of that word and thus lessen our understanding and obedience to it. Nor is there any reason to develop the presentation of His word through the use of our imaginations. Again, His word in itself is spirit and life to the one who hears it,

(Heb 4:12 KJV) ". . . piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not MANIFEST in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

In the heart are man's thoughts and out of the structuring of those thoughts comes spiritual plans of action. But when man's thoughts and actions do not come out of what God has said, God calls them vain imaginations. Many have been imaginative even with the word of God and we now stand in a world of cults, their offshoots, and an apostate "revival." Why did we have a flood? Why did we have the scrambling of languages at the tower of Babel? Why do we have a drive to make humanity one again as in the time of Babel? Because of man's imagination exalting itself against the known word of God and pursuing these through agendas and strategies. By their imaginations, they replaced God's word with what they conjured up in their imagination. But God asks,

(Psa 2:1 KJV) Why do the heathen rage, and the people IMAGINE a vain thing?

(Acts 4:25 KJV) Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people IMAGINE vain things?

VAIN IMAGINATIONS AND DECEIT

How much of the "revival" can be attributed to the true word of God, and how much to vain imaginations? You can't have both. The "revival" is based on deceit, and Scripture says,

(Psa 38:12 KJV) They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and IMAGINE DECEITS all the day long.

(Prov 12:20 KJV) DECEIT is in the heart of them that IMAGINE EVIL: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Have you heard mischievous deceits that come out of the imaginations of some "revivalists"? I have. One recent one was the statement I heard by Benny Hinn when he said something to the effect that those who have opposed the anointing will wish they hadn't because of the greater power that is being unleashed. He truly believes this is a word from God, but it is nothing but vain imaginations rather than the will of God. Yet Scripture says,

(Zec 7:10 KJV) And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you IMAGINE evil against his brother in your heart.

(Zec 8:17 KJV) And let none of you IMAGINE evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

(Prov 6:18 KJV) An heart that deviseth wicked IMAGINATIONS, feet that be swift in running to mischief, Yet, our comfort is in the fact that God sees and hears:

(Lam 3:60 KJV) Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their IMAGINATIONS against me.

(Lam 3:61 KJV) Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their IMAGINATIONS against me;

These verse shows that man's imagination in his fallen condition will come to exalt himself and his imaginings against the Lord.

Part 3: As In The Days Of Noah

VAIN IMAGINATIONS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

How and why have all those involved in the "revival" come to this place? Because man still has his sinful nature, saved or not, and the "imagination of man's heart is still evil from his youth," and, because we are moving into times as in the days of Noah when "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

To have sinful, fallen men living out of their vain imaginations is one thing, but to have men professing to be spiritual men seeing visions and dreams and spewing forth what they believe to be truth, but is really deceit, out of their vain imaginations is another. "New" revelations are vain imaginations and replace the word of God. Spiritual warfare is one example. Read what David said in the Psalms:

(Psa 140:2 KJV) Which IMAGINE mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

The apostate Church is gathering for war against principalities and powers and all who won't go along with the agenda.

VAIN IMAGINATIONS AND DRUNKENNESS

Spiritual drunkenness is another example because they didn't hold to God's word and tried to quench their own spiritual thirst:

(Deu 29:19 KJV) And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst.

"New" revelations, prophecies and "words from the Lord" have gone out from the "revival" that judgment in the Church is coming through Joel's Army. This is walking in the imaginations of the heart, where we are judged for not taking part in what "God is doing," while they bless themselves in the heart because God is blessing them with abundance to bring in the Kingdom of peace. And how would anyone fall for such things? Because the word of God in its true context was forsaken and the vain imaginations of the heart took over to the point that these imaginations quenched their thirst to the point of spiritual drunkenness. When a heart turns away from the word of God, it returns to the vain imaginations of the past, this time with an unbiblical spiritual emphasis:

Deut 30:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; 19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: 20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

VAIN IMAGINATIONS AND CHRISTIAN ROCK

I include this here because it has been on my mind quite a bit concerning the Christian Rock being shown on TBN. The last time I watched it, it was like demon-apes jumping around on stage. Have you looked at what is happening to the gospel through kids today? Spiked collars, black makeup, purple and green hair and "Jam With The Lamb" and "Body Piercing Saves The Soul" written across their T-shirts. That's blasphemy, and its origin is in the vain imaginations of man that upping the beat of worship music will draw kids to church so they can be attracted to Jesus. That's vain imagination, folks, and the devil has walked right into the church through it because it is being presented as inpired saongs from God.

THE ONLY DEFENSE AGAINST VAIN IMAGINATIONS

The guidance and direction and strategies coming forth from these vain imaginings will only spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e for the true Christian in the days ahead, and they will rage against us as they did David and Jesus as stated in the Scriptures above. Why?

(Rom 1:21 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart was darkened.

That's why Paul said we are to stand for the purity of the faith as once delivered to the Church 2,000 years ago,

(2 Cor 10:5 KJV) Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

God understands the imaginations of men's hearts and is patient and forebearing that all will come to the truth and be saved, but men can't find God in their imaginations, but by seeking Him apart from those imaginations:

(1 Chr 28:9 KJV) And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the IMAGINATIONS of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

How long will these vain imaginations be there, and how long will we have to stand against them? Luke wrote of Jesus in His first coming,

(Luke 1:51 KJV) He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the IMAGINATION of their hearts.

As God scattered the proud in their imaginations the first time Christ came, so will He do in His second coming. Jeremiah spoke God's promise when he wrote,

(Jer 11:8 KJV) Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the IMAGINATION of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.

(Jer 13:10 KJV) This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the IMAGINATION of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

(Jer 16:12 KJV) And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the IMAGINATION of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:

A CLOSING WORD

God's word is not anything man should add his imagination to. There are no such Scriptures that I could find that speak of man's imagination in a positive light, but the imagination is spoken of in Scripture as a vain thing that can weaken or usurp the effectiveness of the word of God. One could argue against that by bringing up the use of parables and analogies used in scripture as stemming from the imagination rather than through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who knows all things. I don't relish getting into such debate. Concerning the actual use of the word, this is what I found and I will leave it at that. Surely we cannot deny the tremendous damage done to the Church through the pursing of the imagination. But God's word contains all that He has to say to man. It is spirit, and life, and sharper than a two-edged sword that ALONE is able to save our souls. It alone brings peace and comfort, hope and assurance to the spirit of men.

What the vain imaginations of some have done to it and continue to do so will be answered for when Christ comes visibly, bodily, in the sky in glory. We must persevere in renewing our minds according to His word, and adding vain imaginations to it will not do that. It may, in fact, prove to be a very dangerous thing to do.

[Note; Since I wrote this series, I have thought a lot about what I have said: "One could argue against that by bringing up the use of parables and analogies used in scripture as stemming from the imagination rather than through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who knows all things. I don't relish getting into such debate." In looking at the occult gaming world that is overwhelming kids today, I am slowly yielding to the idea that games written by Christians in this area are necessary, and the use of the imagination could be used in writing them. This has become a burden of mine as of late. 9-10-2000, Ed.]

SCRIPTURES NOT USED CONTAINING "IMAGINE" AND ITS DERIVATIVES:

(Job 6:26 KJV) Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

(Job 21:27 KJV) Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

(Psa 62:3 KJV) How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

(Hosea 7:15 KJV) Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.

(Nahum 1:9 KJV) What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

(Psa 10:2 KJV) The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

(Psa 21:11 KJV) For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

(Deu 31:21 KJV) And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

(Jer 7:24 KJV) But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

(Jer 9:14 KJV) But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:

(Jer 3:17 KJV) At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

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As you can see by the authors edit (in 2000) this was written some years ago. But its still pertinent today...in fact more so. I believe vain imaginations and 'imaging' (To picture mentally; imagine) are extremely dangerous when it concerns things related to the spirit realm. They can be doorways for demons, by which they can feed us false visions.

Part (1) of this weeks series at Herescope:The Practice of "Revival" - A Pastor Reports on Todd Bentley's "Revival" in Lakeland, Florida

By Pastor Gary Osborne

WHAT I OBSERVED IN THE SERVICES

The first night I personally attended was Thursday, May 8th. Mr. Todd Bentley and his crew were now holding services in the Lakeland Civic Center, which can seat approximately 7,000 people. The doors opened at 6:00 PM to the blowing of a shofar from people waiting to get in. The first thing I noticed as I took a seat in the very back of the auditorium was that the music being played was the loudest I have ever encountered in any “Christian” service I have ever attended. It was blaring loud as the worship team practiced a few songs in anticipation of the 7:00 PM service. I was immediately struck by how many people had banners or flags waving, and how many were jumping up and down like Mexican jumping beans.

There was a lot of “cheerleading” from the stage as microphone checks were being done. Another thing that really stood out were certain buzz words that were used repeatedly. The phrase “stir yourselves up” was used repeatedly, as was the concept of a “transferable anointing.” A woman led in prayer for the service and said, “sound waves carry your [God] presence and anointing” and then told the people to “roar like a lion!”...

She went on to tell the people to look at one another and say, “You are pregnant – with the Holy Spirit and fire!” There was also much talk of “birthing” and “signs and wonders.”

The “MC” (that’s the best word to describe him) for the meetings then came up and told the audience to get ready because we were going live on GodTV in just a couple of minutes. He had a young man stand behind him and gave the audience instructions to look at this man as he held up his hands for a countdown. Everyone was to make as much noise as possible when the services went live, and believe me they did. It was very orchestrated. There was also talk of being “drunk in the Spirit” during this lead up time to going live on TV.

The service began with loud, loud rock style music. By the way, I am not an old fuddy-dud who doesn’t like up-tempo music. I’m a Pentecostal and don’t at all mind exuberant worship. So my comments are not coming from some prejudice in that vein. I love to praise the Lord, and to do so with a full heart. I clap, shout, and have even been known to jump up and down every now and then. But what I saw and heard at the beginning of this service was unlike anything I had ever witnessed in a Christian service before (and I’ve attended my fair share of “off the wall” services in the past). This was different. It had a secular, rock concert feel to it...

There was a very sensual spirit in the meeting. Much inappropriate dress as well. And everyone was caught up in their own euphoria. After nearly 45 minutes of upbeat music, things finally slowed down. People were still standing everywhere, but the music was now slower and more hypnotic. The same songs were being played over and over and over. People seemed to be in a trance all around me....

At about 8:30 PM, with music still being played and Todd Bentley still standing with the other leaders on stage, the music leader says, “I’m feeling drunk.” He then tells the people to say to God, “Intoxicate me, Lord” – “Inebriate me, Lord.” I am disgusted at this point...

The music continues and picks up again. Now the people are getting truly wild and the leader says, “Scream!!!” and the people let out a yell that shakes the entire building. Finally the worship leader falls to the floor himself, but the back up singers continue. This continued until nearly 9:00 PM and I had seen enough for my first night. I left amidst the shouts of thousands.

THE SECOND SERVICE

I came back the following Thursday, May 15th, which was the 44th day of the revival, determined to stay and hear Todd Bentley (if the music leader would allow). This time I entered the Civic Center and noticed that people were much more subdued. Why? Because the band was not practicing and instead much softer music was being played on a CD throughout the auditorium. There was only one person with a flag/banner raised this time, as opposed to the 10 or more I saw the first night. Things stayed calm until the MC came out and once again pumped up the audience with a countdown to going live on TV. As soon as that happened the people were the same as before – shouting, jumping, dancing, etc.

The music is going fast and furious and the same emotions and actions that were in the first meeting are in this one as well. There also continues to be much talk of angels in the songs.

After almost an hour and a half of singing the MC comes back to the center of the stage and declares, “I feel the ‘sauce’ tonight.” He then introduces Todd Bentley who comes out wearing a t-shirt that reads, “Jesus Gave Me My Tattoos.” He tells everyone that he “felt like the Holy Spirit was massaging his body” tonight. He then talks about the transferable anointing that comes in like a mist. He claims that God told him he could “feel the anointing just like Moses did” in the book of Exodus! Of course God never told Moses that he could “feel” the anointing. God did say He would “show” Moses His glory, but He never mentioned “feeling” the glory. Yet Bentley continues to emphasize feelings. This is a huge part of his entire teaching. He talks of not only seeing a mist but says that in some of his previous meetings he has been able to smell incense, concluding that this is the glory of God manifest. He then invites people to come to the altar and screams, “Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire!” which is a trademark signature of his.

There’s a real restlessness in the arena. In fact, I’ve never seen more people coming and going, moving from seat to seat to seat, than I have at these meetings in Lakeland. There’s a tremendous lack of peace amongst the people. No one seems to be able to settle in, and people are walking the aisles and moving constantly.

Suddenly, Bentley says there is “great authority” in the building tonight and he says that people can decree whatever they want, but to be careful what they ask for. It’s obvious that he’s heavily influenced by “Word of Faith” teaching and believes that God has abdicated His throne and given us authority to do anything we want, or better yet have anything we pronounce. In fact, he himself says “I speak creation. I speak new hearts, new livers into existence tonight.” Speaking to the audience in general he tells people to take off their oxygen and he commands tumors to fall off bodies and for cripples to get out of wheelchairs. He continues to declare all types of healings. I watch as several people gather around one wheel-chair bound woman and pray for her. They exhort her to rise, but she cannot....

One severely handicapped girl (physically and mentally) was brought forward in a wheelchair and was lifted out of the wheelchair by Todd and another man and dragged several feet before Todd let her go so she could be “slain in the Spirit.” It was a travesty, in my opinion.

Bentley then claims that this revival was prophesied in 1977 and again in 1989 by none other than Paul Cain, of the Kansas City prophets. We will deal with him more later on, but it’s important that the reader gets an understanding of who Todd Bentley looks up to. He is very much in the same camp as the KC prophets, among others. I decided to leave at this point, as it was approaching 10 PM and I had an hour drive back home.

A THIRD MEETING

Many other events could be documented, but space limits me from going into more detail concerning the two nights I attended. However, there was one other service that I caught on TV, and fortunately taped, that must be mentioned here. On Saturday, May 17th, a service took place unlike any other I have seen yet. During the testimony time some extreme manifestations took place. One young eleven year old girl was brought up and Todd asked her if she would like to feel the “manifest presence of Jesus” and she sheepishly said yes (clearly not understanding what he was talking about). He took her by the hand and blew on her. Nothing happened. He then told her to close her eyes and repeat after him. “Jesus, fill me with your presence” he said. He placed his hand on her head and was clearly exerting some pressure in an attempt to make her fall down. She still didn’t collapse so he focused his attention on her cousin (who he wrongly called her mother – so much for his prophet status) and blew on her. She went straight down as the little girl watched. He then blew on her one more time but she never went down so he turned away.

As Todd went over to the other side of the stage he began to laugh in a deep, scary way. There is no other word I can think of to describe this laughter. After speaking with that person, who was very hyped, he laid hands on her and gave his trademark yell, “Bam!” She went right down. From there he began to laugh more, and the audience went right along with him. He talked about drinking from the river. He instructed everyone to put their head back and open their mouth and drink. More scary laughter occurs as he blows down another 9-year-old girl. He then tells the girl’s mother that he is “drunk in the Holy Ghost” and as his head is shaking strangely he mentions that “it’s [meaning the anointing] leaking out of my eyes.” More laughter and more “bams” occur as he sweeps his hand over the audience and rows of people react.

Todd then shouts “Fire!” and tells the people to say, “Come Holy Ghost, get me.” This continues for several minutes. He tells Jesus to “get them all.” Others on stage are laughing uncontrollably and staggering around, not even able to talk without slurring their words. The laughter from Todd is very much like Rodney Howard-Browne. As he continues to shake Todd asks the people to stand and make a barrel. So they clasp their hands together and act like they are holding a huge rain barrel in their arms. Then he shouts for them to tip this imaginary barrel up as their head is tipped back and “Drink!!!!” He shouts it again, “Drink!!!!” This is some of the most insane stuff I personally have ever seen in my life. I have been in many of these types of meetings, including meetings conducted by Rodney Howard-Browne and John Kilpatrick. Yet I’ve never seen anything as extreme as this.

The next man up to be interviewed is Pontus and he’s clearly led a rough life. His arms are filled with tattoos and to be honest he speaks as if he’s drunk. Todd comments on one of his nice tattoos and shows the man a similar one on his arm. This man is eventually “slain” as well. Todd continues to laugh in an almost demonic way. He continues to exhort the people to receive the anointing. Another lady is brought forward and the man holding the microphone for her says she’s been “bellied up to the bar here drinking quite a bit tonight.” She is of course an easy mark for being slain. Her husband then receives a “big fat drink of the Holy Ghost” as well. Todd goes on to say he’s “feeling drunk” and then he begins to shake his head to the left and right violently and shouts “ohhhhhhhhhh...!” It’s a truly frightening moment as he seems to be controlled by a spirit and my mind immediately went to the story in Mark’s Gospel of the young boy who was often tossed about by demonic spirits attempting to kill him (Mark 9:22)....

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TOMMOROW: Todd Bentley's Connection to the Latter Rain Movement

False Christ's, False Prophets, Great Deception

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For more than a year, David Koresh had predicted an armed confrontation with federal agents. He even nicknamed his compound "Ranch Apocalypse." In a paranoid frenzy, the Branch Davidian's had bought or bartered for $200,000 worth of weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a grenade launcher. The initial FBI raid had been met with such a flurry of bullets that federal agents decided to send heavily armed tanks against the compound to break through the walls and insert massive injections of tear gas into the buildings starting at 6:04 A.M., April 19, 1993.

The tank incursions were met with volleys of gunfire. Inside the compound, the Branch Davidian's donned gas masks and prepared for an apocalyptic confrontation with the "enemies of God." FBI spokesman Bob Ricks explained, "We were hoping by the infusion of gas into that compound that the women would grab their children and flee."' Instead, they all "bunkered down," put on gas Masks and tried to withstand the siege.

The tanks rammed the building five times between 6:04 and noon. At 12:05, flames erupted from the opposite ends of the compound and were whipped by 20 to 30 mile-an-hour winds. Within minutes the entire compound was ablaze. By 12:18, the watchtower collapsed. Shortly thereafter, the ammunitions room exploded in a ball of fire. And by 12:28, the second floor was engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed. The blazing flames and dark smoke billowed across the Texas sky. Only nine of Koresh's followers managed to escape or survive the fire. Arguments persisted for some time as to whether the inferno was the result of a mass suicide, an accident or an act of desperate self-destruction. But the whole terrible mess was the end result of a false prophet whose deceived followers perished for a lie.

A false prophet is one who contradicts the true message of Christ, as well as one whose predictions fail to come true. David Koresh was guilty on both counts.

A typically self-deceived extremist cult leader, Koresh perished with nearly 90 of his followers in the flames of Ranch Apocalypse. And in Matthew 23:27-33, Jesus Christ warned there is a worse fate for false prophets: They will not escape the fires of hell!

Jesus spoke often of false prophets and spiritual deception. He told His disciples that spiritual truth could be recognized by its fruits. Then He added,

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven.... Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"' (Matthew 7:21-23).

One might expect false prophets and extremist cults to arise from non-Christian religions that reject Jesus Christ. But when false cults arise from within Christianity, it is especially disturbing. The New Testament, however, is filled with warnings about heretics, false prophets and false prophecies.

Even in apostolic times, the apostle John wrote, "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come .... They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us" (1 John 2:18,19).

Masters of Deceit

The Bible describes Satan as the "father of lies" (John 8:44). He is pictured in Scripture as the ultimate deceiver; his name means "accuser." He is the accuser of God and His people (Revelation 12: 10). He is opposed to God and seeks to alienate people from the truth. He misled the f