Todd Bentley ministering in Auburndale/Lakeland Florida
Last night (Friday 25th) I watched Todd Bentley live on God TV speaking at Auburndale (where the meetings have now gone to from Lakeland Ignited church, to accommodate all the crowds).
I saw a lot going on there which I will write more on as time permits. What was evident was a lot of pride coming from Todd Bentley, and indeed even mockery as he ministered. It was also very staged. His mannerisms were like a caricature and obviously false. At several points, he faked spiritual manifestations - notable a period of holy laughter that was false (and I do not mean by that demonic, but I know a false and forced laugh when I hear one). He was doing it to try and get the congregation to manifest - and manifest they did, right on cue for him before calming down a few seconds later when he began speaking again. And this is supposed to be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit? To start and stop on cue like that with no visible fruit from it, or glorifying God? Todd has learnt that cheap trick from Rodney Howard Browne.
He outright pushed many over to be slain in the spirit as he shouted ‘boom and bam!’ (mockingly I thought as he frequently did a little smirk afterwards), and just before someone was supposed to go over, one of his catchers would press the person in the back to cue them up to falling too. Note also that all the people who had already testified to being healed were laid hands on again and slain in the Spirit. The only point in that was surely entertainment, it looks powerful, it seems impressive - but why would God slay them in the Spirit yet again if they were already healed (I could understand if Todd was praying for a release of an evangelism gift on them or something, but for the most part he was not, he was not praying anything apart from boom and bam and take that….) I have no doubt of the sincerity of many of the people at the meeting - or the desperation in the sick - but Todd was insincere and fake as can be. The whole thing was very staged and very false. I wish it wasn’t false and I wish he were a true healer and a true prophet sent by God preaching the truth. But I cannot deny the truth - he isn’t and he didn’t. At no time did I hear the gospel, and the few times I heard the name Jesus pass his lips it was said rather strangely.
Todd Bentley was obviously desperate for ‘his’ revival to be the next big thing which was all about him (I rarely heard the name of Jesus or glorifying of God in the healings, it was all about Todd, with the attention all on him). The revival which is not a revival anyway by true definition - and is obviously overhyped and has been manufactured - he is obviously wanting to be the next Toronto or Brownsville/Pensacola and so he is doing and saying everything he can to make that happen. This ‘move of God’ is manufactured by man and is not from God. It was not about what GOD wanted, it was what Todd and his associates wanted and about where Todd was wanting it to go. If this were a true move of God, then Todd would be at God’s feet in awe and reverence, happy for this to go wherever it wants to go, rather than the other way around getting it to serve his own ministry, his own needs, wants and desires.
He urged everyone to get the word out about the ‘revival’ and get the media interested and get people from all over the world there, but should it not rather be encouraging people to get the word out about God, about what he is doing, and pointing them to God, and to glorify God, wherever they are at? Why the need to go on about the church/place where it occurred? That is irrelevant. The disciples did not point to the Upper Room at Pentecost, they pointed to Jesus. They did not drag back and baptise new converts in the Spirit in the Upper Room either, their hotspot, they baptised them as and where they were, and they went on their way rejoicing. Jesus was always the focus, never the Upper Room.
I noted how Todd said that it was about this ‘anointing’ - it going to the world. Should it not be the gospel going to the world, pointing to God rather than to an evangelist having meetings in Florida? He spoke about multiple anointings (I think he said there were ten), yet the book of I john says there is only one true anointing, and those who claim otherwise are false teachers.
He urged pastors from around the world to ‘come and get some’ for them and their church as the anointing was transferable from Bentley, yet if this were truly from God, then all that would be needed would be to call the church to repentance and prayer and seeking God, wherever they are at, for God’s power to break forth where they are at on them. The fact he did not do this, and instead encouraged people to come to Florida and Bentley for a transferable anointing with no requirements for congregational repentance, prayer or obedience, says a lot about the counterfeit character and nature of this anointing.
He had people come up to testify to healings, and would frequently and rudely interrupt them (or interrupt himself midflow) to give another supposed word of knowledge to the audience. This goes against the I Corinthians command to prophesy in decency and order without interrupting another speaking, as the spirit of the prophets is subject to the control of the prophets and there is no need - or excuse for interrupting. However Bentley did this, I believe, as it looked good to the audience, it was effective control to keep them enraptured. But I believe it was as staged as his laughter and other antics, and I did not believe he got all the words when he claimed either, let alone from the Holy Spirit. And what was with the pretend tongues he kept repeating over again - that was pure mockery! Bentley well knows what he is doing on this point and it is done with no fear of God quite brazenly.
His tattoos and piercings are what he has gotten recently, long after his conversion. He shows them off proudly to be different, to be unique (he was wearing a heavy metal tshirt with KILLER emblazoned on it last night) - yet the Bible speaks against tattoos - and his whole stage show including his catchers, is part of a well orchestrated show too to be and look different….including the booms and bams. But it is fake.
He gave out words of knowledge which were very general indeed. With a large audience in the sanctuary, and many more watching on TV or on the internet, he would have as good if not better success and a higher hit rate by reading out from a medical dictionary of common medical complaints. So to say someone there is deaf, or has cancer, or a heart problem, well, it’s not rocket science, you’re going to strike each time, especially if no other detail is given with the prophecy such as name etc. Also as he prophesied that this anointing was going to heal the obese and those with baldness problems, I wondered why his God did not heal Bentley who is both fat and balding. I do not say this to be rude about him, or even be personal - I only say this because of the huge dichotomony between what he says and prophesies and with reality.
Anyway these words of knowledge were very general and basic and catch all. Then Bentley said: ‘I don’t think I have ever been so clear prophesying…this is scary!’ This expression is very telling. First off, his prophecy was not clear, let alone very clear, and I do not think it was even prophecy but guesswork but that’s another thing. Second, what he said and more importantly the way he said it was pointing attention to himself, look at me, look at what I am doing, I am such a great prophet. Third and most important, even if he were prophesying accurately and clearly in a genuine spirit, why on earth would it be scary? A mature and genuine prophet would not think this, let alone say this! It would be glorifying to God, and the servant would be a faithful messenger and pleased to speak forth. Nothing scary there, it should be ‘natural’, unless perhaps it was scary content in the vision, and even then a mature prophet would handle this. He at one point called someone out and said he had an ‘open vision’ earlier about something concerning them, and then prayed for them insisting the vision was still alive, inferring thereby there was extra power in it. This is very occultic, as it goes with the idea that a vision has a life and a power intrinsically in itself, rather than ‘just’ being a message of the word and mind of God on a matter. It is a very odd thing for a true prophet to say as a true prophet would know this is not how it works - but what one would expect of one of the new false prophets who are steeped in new age and mysticism, and hogwash, and have not experienced the real, or do not speak for the real God.
There are other things I could say, but that will suffice for now. Bentley is not a true messenger of God, and should be avoided.
Other linked posts:
and http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/todd-bentley-and-the-lakeland-revival/
and http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/todd-bentley-prophesying-bad-cold-reading/
and http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/william-branham-prophet-of-the-latter-rain/
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/lying-for-the-holy-spirit/
I can tell you that the experince at Lakeland… Has lifted too a man made thing… I felt a strong G8d like annointing but… now… It speaks for its self.. I was healed for about a 24 period and then it lifted and not in a good way..Now reading old articles… G8d protected my son from him laying hands on him..I am a very discernful person..I can also tell you I did not go down by a G8dly power.. it saw a slight nudge.. and not by the Holy Spirit..And I do not even want too talk about the kcmo people..I will keep walking away and finding my bible about this… Because the gospel is more about the written word… than the carnal man… touch not Gods annoited … so lord let me stand in wisdom and not neutriality.. but in truth according to your word and lifes experience play a part in that.. I am not affiliated with this blog… signed Lee 2…And Satan I will get healed and be made whole..
correction/was
[...] Todd Bentley ministering in Auburndale/Lakeland Florida [...]
You may be completely right about your observations, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t God in there somewhere. Todd’s young and nothing like this has happened before - don’t we all take our vision off the greater goal when something major happens right in front of us? If I remember correctly, there were a lot of mistakes that happened in the begining at Toronto, but God and His grace kept moving through it anyway. Like Randy Clark was always fond of saying, no matter how strange it looks, if it’s a true move of God, it will spawn a major missionary move. I’ve been in South Africa and Mozambique doing mission work, and most missionaries I have run across were touched by Toronto in some way - some were even commissioned there. I would love for another move of the spirit to happen like that!
I don’t think it’s right to be able to discount the whole outpouring based on the people running it. Spiritual gifts aren’t wages for being holy - I kind of wish they were, but annointings aren’t necessarily connected with the godliness of the person. I know Todd and his team have been desparately crying out for something like this for a long time, and just because it happens doesn’t mean he was ready for it spiritually. Even if the ministry team and Todd are completely focused on themselves, you can bet God’s heart is focused on the hundreds of people desperately seeking Him each night. If Todd’s motives and attitude are wrong, I trust God will refine him or otherwise deal with him. Hopefully Todd will fix some of the flaws you so correctly pointed out. I’ll be praying that Todd will start preaching more of the gospel and focusing more on who the signs point to than the signs themselves. But throughout the Bible, God works through broken people and I pray that He does so again for the sake of the billions that need a savior.
Philippians 1:15-18
Jon
That’s not true at all. This ministry and the manifestations is nothing new to even him, and he is manufacturing this up with the aid of other people. This has been planned by man. This has also happened at Brownsville and Toronto. And Todd is not that young either.
But is it really, that’s the point? What is really happening when you seive out the hype and the false and the hysteria - what is really there that has not been present in any of his other meetings?
Toronto was NEVER from God, it was Satan inspired. God did not keep it moving, although he allowed it. More bad fruit has come through Toronto than anything else in the church for many years. And more bad fruit is still budding there.
You are right on this, God gives them in his grace, and God uses broken imperfect people - but the point is not about Todd’s character flaws, or even his pride - it is that what he is doing, teaching and prophesying. It is false, and counterfeit and unscriptural and in some cases as pointed out Todd is absolutely aware it is fake and he is making it happen. To that degree I am perfectly right in accusing him of LYING and of charlatanism, - because he has done this, and I am not just referring to the episode at Lakeland with the foreced laughter etc and stupid mannerims, I have watched other videos where I just know he is not speaking the truth abouts his prophetic experiences. It is not just the case that he has been sincerely decieved, it is that he insincerely decieving.
Jon said: “Like Randy Clark was always fond of saying, no matter how strange it looks, if it’s a true move of God, it will spawn a major missionary move.”
Hmmm….makes me wonder how the Mormons fit in using this analogy.
G-d has used the unlikely person most of the time.
Most main line Christian organizations fear the Holy Spirit because it would detract from themselves.
Jesus is on his way to earth. If your one of the Christian fakers, in it for the money, that look of terror and anger on your face is justified. Revival is correctly freightening for you. Healing will make you go crazy with anger. Please, get over yourself, accept Jesus, and get out of the way of the Holy Spirit. Let it teach you and heal you.
I found your blog yesterday & am glad I did. I’ve been praying for discernment a lot lately, that God will continue to grow me in it. It’s frightening to see just how many out there are causing confusion, & makes me wonder if there are any out there who we can even trust partially that their hearts are for God first & foremost (even if they do make mistakes). Are there? I’m definitely curious!
I am a fairly new Christian, so it is overwhelming to see that there is such deception out there & such seemingly huge amounts of counterfeit all around, & scary as well!
I’m so glad to have found your web site, & found other “charismatic” Christians looking intensely for discernment & THE truth, & wanting more for the Good News of Jesus Christ to be shared (repentance & all!), for God to get the glory, & for His will to be done above all!
A:
There are still true servants of the Lord out there that will not compromise. There are many false ones also and sadly the ones most in the public eye are likely to be a long way off and/or showmen. This may tend to distort your perspective so you think EVERYONE in the church is an untrustworthy apostate, but it is not so.
But still saying that, every servant of the Lord still has to be weighed and tested - every one, remember, however much they may look, feel, smell like the real deal…however much they may have been right in the past…..because even when we are the real deal, we can still get it wrong. No man should be trusted as the carrier of the implict truth - weigh what they say, if it measures up to scripture great, if it doesn’t discard it.
The command to test the spirits is given in the continuous tense, that is test and keep on testing. Otherwise, bad teaching and off things creep in unawares from someone who you formerly did test but has since gone off track unnoticed. It is amazing how little things creep in unnoticed into church and in a short time everything has gone to pot.
I just watched a bit online; and, I saw all that was posted here: the arrogance, cutting people off in midsentence for their “anointing,” etc. What struck me (not literally, thankfully!) is that Bentley called people who had already been healed for the “anointing.” If one is already healed, just what is the “anointing” for?.
Just a few minutes ago he pointed to the TV (I was watching on the ‘net) and said specifically he was going to impart something to viewers and I IMMEDIATELY closed out the window!
>> Bentley called people who had already been healed for the “anointing
I know, I meant to mention that, thanks for reminding me, it is part of the showmanship and entertainment. Same as when somebody stood in place for another person and got whacked out in the spirit. Why would they get slain?
My family has been watching the TV broadcast for the past several days. I live in FL as well. Anyway I was raised penecostal so I am not new to seeing people being slain in the Spirit, etc. What concerned me was that people were being hurried off the floor area after the altar call for salvation. I have never seen this before. I have always believed that the Holy Spirit has his own time table and that we can’t rush or shut off a true manifestation of God. I have seen this first hand before when people would be slain in the Spirit, filled with the Holy Ghost and it would last quite a while. The preacher/others did not pull anyone up or make anyone leave the altar area. I found it strange that they did in last night’s service. They were actually pulling people up off the floor! Also, I agree that not much prayer is going on. I felt like the people who came down for salvation definately needed to have more prayer time/counseling. I am not doubting that some people may have been healed in these services. But it was the Lord’s work, not that of man. I have also seen prophetic healing services and in those services the person was called out by name or the minister walked over to them and pointed them out for healing. It was not generalized. All that generalization like someone with a nerve problem, etc. almost reminds me of those TV psyhics who say “You have a female spirit around you with long hair” it is so general it could fit anyone. Also, to think that every ailment is caused by a demon is ridiculous. God never promised us a life of ease here on Earth. We are to work for the Lord. And sometimes that’s hard and sometime’s people get sick. I hope that people out there don’t think that they are demon possessed because they have back pain, etc. This is not scriptual. We need to all be in prayer about what is going on.
We are told that they have very large crowds and have had to move to larger places at least 3 times, so that may be the reason for taking people off the floor. What we should understand that human beings who the perfect God graciously uses, are not perfect. We can look at history and that is very clear. God knew David would commit adultery and murder and yet made him king, and had the Messiah come out of his lineage! So God thinks differently…
I have watched Todd Bentley and I have not agreed with everything he has done in terms of the charges for his conferences etc. but I will never deny that he has a gift to minister. In Matthew 7:22, 23, those with mighty gifts may not make it into God’s intimacy, but others can receive of the gift and be blessed. So intimacy and obedience to the Lord (where the fruits of the Spirit will be obvious), will determine if a person with a gift will avoid the Matthew 7 situation. WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOWEVER, THAT IT IS BETWEEN THE PERSON GIFTED AND GOD, and his eternity. It is very clear that those who receive of the gift are not receiving something fake.
Honestly, when are Christians going to stop picking apart their brothers and sisters for not being perfect? I would agree with you that Todd doesn’t do everything right. But I would also have to wonder when was the last time any of us had a massive outbreak of salvations and healings. I’ve followed the guy off and on for years, and read a good bit of his literature, and I know that he’s put in his time. He’s spent thousands and thousands of hours just hanging around with God. Which is a whole lot more than me, and I would assume most of us.
I was actually pretty disappointed about the whole fat and bald comment. Make sure you watch out for bears… And if you’ve done your research or have even seen a past sermon, it would be obvious that he looks a good deal healthier than he did before. Seriously, are we still in high school?
I really don’t want to be the black sheep and try to defend the movement… God can defend and prove whatever HE wants. I would just appreciate it if my fellow brothers and sisters took and look and possibly not become the persecutors of a new movement. Beyond that, at least come up with some better arguments to discredit his ministry beyond how his stage presence comes off to your expert opinion. When God pours out His Spirit through any of us, we would be naive not to know that there’s always going to be a mix of divine and flesh.
All in all, let’s chew up the meat and spit out the bones here. God is obviously doing something, and desperate people are reaching God. If you stand back and refuse to join in because it’s not perfect you might as well become a monk, because you’ll never be happy interacting with other humans. I just want to be where God is moving, and if it looks different, then great! Because the current reach of the church pretty much sucks, and I would like to see a move of God that doesn’t look like a move of the church. When we’re desperate enough to look foolish and different, then God may be able to move. I just don’t want me or any of us to miss it because we think we’re “too smart for it”.
His tattoos and piercings are what he has gotten recently, long after his conversion. He shows them off proudly to be different, to be unique (he was wearing a heavy metal tshirt with KILLER emblazoned on it last night) - yet the Bible speaks against tattoos…
Here may be why he did this. This is apparently from 2004 or perhaps a bit earlier:
Todd Bentley recently said of the Revival and Emerging Apostolic Movement…
“Somebody emailed our ministry and asked a valid question. He said,
‘Todd, you are going to have all these men - prophets and apostles - get together and talk about the emerging apostolic movement. My fear would be that there wouldn’t be a representation of the Goths, the Punks and the Ravers - the whole underground world that God is moving in today - the movement that offends and scares most people in the church. You know - the punked and colored hair with all the earrings and piercings in every part of the body. Is there not room for true apostle and prophets in that sub-culture?’
From that question I realized that we need to be very careful in the whole new emerging (apostolic) movement, not to just package it how we think it should look. I am going to make some statements now: There are punk apostles; there are biker prophets; there are ravers that are apostles; there are skinheads that are part of this prophetic movement…I don’t have any here right now. I’d be the closest thing. We must not forget that these (sub-cultures) have a voice in this whole prophetic movement too. The teenage apostles and the teenage prophets are being raised up, and it’s also happening in other spheres of life too.” [Revival Now]
I copied the above from here:
http://watch.pair.com/bennyhinn.html
Wow, I can’t believe what I have read. God is pouring out HIS spirit in FL! If you don’t believe that’s fine but to say whether God is in something or not is pretty big. Just because you don’t feel it or believe does not mean God is not in it! Please don’t put a damper on God’s spirit..
Sissy,
I read your comment and thought it will be helpful if I explain what my experience was with the type of “thing” that is going on in this ministry. The Lord moves in amazingly wonderful ways, and the Bible says not many wise are called. I look at Todd and think he is hardly “wise.” Many may think he is uncouth; today he did not seem to even know some countries that I would easily have known because I am “educated.” Anyway getting back to the meetings: when I was slain in the Spirit there was an almost acceleration of an inner awareness of my hunger for God, His love and greatness. It is so impacting that I can never ever deny the reality of the Lord, even if I am laughed to scorn. It happened in my spirit, because I am spirit and made in the image of God who is Spirit.
I wonder if God wants His children to get on with His program of amazing wonder, freedom, confidence and blessing, that He does not want to wait till a denomination committee endorses the program??? He is God and He does things His way. Religion is the greatest enemy to to move of God, and just like Jesus shunned the religious big guys, God does the same. The child like attitude of Todd Bentley (which also may account for his lack of discretion and propriety); maybe the attraction for God. After all He did use a donkey to talk to Baalam!!! I think the Lord has a great sense of humor…He wants us to laugh, and for good reason; the Bible says a merry heart does good like a medicine! Many folk need healing, especially those who have searched and searched with no success. The stupendous work of the Holy Spirit is like a laser dynamite the does a quick surgical work deep in the spirits of people, to bring them to wholeness or expose them to the Father.
After reading through the varying comments on this site, I belive that as Christians that we should not be judging any person. If this is truly from God then this will continue and the presence outpoured upon Lakelands and subsequently the corners of the world. If as many have indicated above then this is of Todd Bentley rather than Jesus being glorified, then Todd will be judged on his judgment day. It is not OUR position to judge, but the Lord’s. What position are we to judge when we have so many sins ourselves thatw e commit each day.
I attended the Lakeland meetings last Thursday night. I went to test the spirits whether they be of the Lord Jesus Christ who came in the flesh or of another. Watchinig on television, is one thing. Being there was quite another. I literally began weeping during the service. I saw the crowd as sheep having no shepherd. They were seeking healing, which God desires to give. But they were so bent on getting the healing that they were not seeking God. I noticed that at least three times, we were directed to honor various PEOPLE, including the pastors of the Ignited Church, and Todd Bentley, but there was never really any glory directed to God. At one point I opened my Bible for guidance to a random spot (wanting to start looking in the gospel for the scripture on sheep having no shepherd) and the Lord had my Bible fall open to Mark 13. Verse 5 reads “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming “I am he,” and will deceive many.” I couldn’t have asked the Lord to speak in any clearer way. But that was just one of many things that convinced me that this is an evil deception from the enemy.
There was nothing fake in the physical reactions of people that were touched by Todd. They were being physically affected. I have no doubt that many of their testimonies of “healing” (at least the disappearance of symptoms) were true. But these acts are being performed by demons. Many of the people who fell, clearly were being demonized. I saw a lady pulled to the side of the stage and left manifesting demons with no one to minister to her after she was touched by Bentley. Another girl fell and lay twitching and then motionless after she fell under his touch. She was quickly removed from the stage before she was physically able to stand, and when she was back down off the platform she still could not stand up. She was bent at the waste. The workers form Bentley’s crew didn’t help her. Someone from the audience came to assist her to her seat. There was not gentleness or love being shown these people. At one point, when Bentley accidently touched or directed a “bam” toward one of the “announcers” that was introducing people as the came on stage (a huge guy that must have weighed 300 lbs.), the man lifted up and off the floor and went backwards through the air. The maniacal laughter that rose up from around the sanctuary when someone manifested demons by their violent shaking after Todd’s touch was a sound of mocking. It was not of the Lord. There was indeed power being manifested. But it was not the power of Jehovah God. Bentley no doubt has encourntered an angel. But it is not an angel of the Lord of Hosts. Another thing that was noticabley absent was any mention or sign of repentence. When God’s presence fills a place, the first thing that happens is repentence (see, e.g., Isaiah). I left the meeting after children from a children’s home for abused kids were brought on stage. It broke my heart that children that had already been victimized by the enemy were being revictimized by the demons working out through Bentley and his crew. As we walked away from the event, I and the two others with me were led to pray warfare prayers against the demonic. We together in the car all three broke down weeping because we felt the heart of God for this deception on His people. Sadly, many of those people that were there will need deliverance ministry from the demonization they’ve suffered at the hands of these so called ministers of God. Before going to the meeting, I would have probably simply told people to be careful and test the spirits etc. Now I will tell anyone who asks to stay away. Run, don’t walk, away from this! I have not fully recovered from seeing that abomination. It feels as if I have witnessed some heinous crime like a murder or rape. It makes me very sad. What is most astounding is that God’s people cannot now discern a wolf who is appearing in a wolf’s clothing.
God loves you and you are his precious creation but please, stop what you are doing here. Christians are called to be of one heart and mind and to build one another up, not tear each other down. Criticising one another in public is dangerous because it divides the Church and portrays it as full of ungrace when in fact we should bring HEAVEN to Earth and be filled with God’s amazing Grace, after all He’s done for us. As such, if you have a problem with Todd Bentley, please say it to him or his team directly. I fear that what is here verges on gossip. I respect your right to an opinion but I believe that as Christians we are called to use our minds wisely and above all else: LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Hi guys, me too I started thinking when i saw Todd Bentley on God.tv because of his piercings, that is , the earings, head tie and so on. as for the tatoos, i thought he had them before he received Christ. Well, I choose to keep my mouth closed because the Bible is strongly against talking against men of God. what if he is truely a man of God? Just be careful with what you say. But i think his tatoos and his piercings are going to mislead many christians, as they may want to imitate the tatoos and piercings. Well just control your speech as it may lead you to trouble.
All these different posts on Todd Bentley are confusing as I don’t know where to post my comments!
However, I decided to switch on to God TV last night to see for myself what was going on. I watched some of the worship and then watched Todd send Rory Alec to the floor. I must say I couldn’t make much sense of what he was saying. I felt uneasy as I watched and it appeared to be another case of Christians indulging their flesh. This would apply to much of what I see on the God Channel these days. It concerns me that there is so much emphasis on ‘getting along’ and ‘live and let live’, at the cost of discernment and truth.
Todd is a good charlatan.
He teaches New Age and Gnostic teachings in his conferences, and people are blind to the man, man, man, man in all of this.
Last night, I listened for most of two hours while chatting with others on their website.
NOT ONCE DID TODD MENTION THE NAME OF JESUS, NOR GLORIFY GOD.
It’s all about the anointing, you gotta come to this revival, and take this anointing to where ever.
Nothing about repentance, holiness, or even teaching basic teachings from the Bible.
It’s all about “demonstration,” “signs and wonders” and stuff for those seeking a sign.
A parting Scripture.
Colossians 2:8, 18-19
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
A falling away from the Truth is a precursor to the coming of the Lord. 1 Timothy 4 | 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
The Word of God is our foundation and in my watching of the end times fast approaching, it has become clear that while many are going to look for a revival, the majority will fall away from the Truth of God’s Word in apostasy as prophesied. Let’s also not forget what the spirit of prophecy is. If he is truly not focused on Yeshua, what kind of prophesying is it?
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Bible prophecy comes from the Word of God, which is Yeshua, and tells of His first and second comings. To me, this is what prophecy is all about and I’ve discovered that the Bible gives most of the details of the big picture. Our lives should be lived in accordance with the selfless love of God for Him and each other, preaching the Gospel until He comes to gather His bride. Even then, only half of those that call Him Lord will enter into the marriage of the Lamb. Matthew 25:1-13 - Get to know Yeshua and share Him should be our focus. Signs and wonders aren’t a “proof” of anointing, the testimony of Yeshua and relationship with Him is.
Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I haven’t watched Todd so I can’t truly judge, but from what I’ve read here and some other places the “revival” is based on signs and wonders, not the cross and our salvation through Yeshua. Is there a recognition of sin and true repentance, or feelings? A change of heart? With the rampant apostasy and the merging of Eastern tradition, I would be extremely cautious and personally choose to stick to the Word instead. I’ve gotten more peace and fulfillment from that anyways. Thanks for keeping watch and keep watching!
Im 16. I am from South Africa. and i do not believe what u are saying! u are a hypocrit! this movement is one the best things for the church! it is what we the world need! and ur comment on toronto being satan insired it total made up junk! to be honest i dnt know how u can run a blog and say u a christian! the things u say, the defiance of Gods works and ur plain ignorance to what is right in front of u kills me!
i would go as far as to say that this blog could run u, this blog is not just a blog, i see this blog far worse than any porn site, this blog is a manifestation of evil! if u really want a future past ur life try rethinking ur view on life! ur views are so wrong! and to think that ppl are reading this and ur corrupting them…
matt
Rozain wrote: “It is very clear that those who receive of the gift are not receiving something fake.”
That’s true…but who is giving the gift? …That’s the problem. Remember, Satan and evil spirits/demons/fallen angels can do miracles, too. They can do ’signs and wonders.’ Satan can turn himself into an angel of light. These same contrary beings can communicate with us and manifest in many ways. So, no, it may not actually be ‘fake’ for they can cause very real damage — spiritually, physically and in other ways. We are to make sure we are aligning ourselves with the One True GOD and His Son Jesus Christ and not some false ‘force’ or spirit of deception.
Listen, folks, GOD doesn’t go half-way. HE doesn’t speak half-truths. HE IS PERFECT in absolutely every way. Don’t make excuses for and try to look pass the ‘faults’ of those ministering to you…if you are not sure or have any doubts, turn to the LORD and HE will direct you in absolutely every and any way.
This man Todd B. apparently does have a gift of ministering…how else could he convince so many to give up their money, their faith and possibly even their minds.
Don’t forget, there are only two roads…one broad and one narrow. If the Lord Jesus Christ is keeper of the narrow one, who do you suppose is mindful of the broad way? If the ‘gospel’ does not point to GOD, but to yourself or some other man/woman…then it cannot be of GOD.
And GOD gave us a very important guideline for every facet of our lives, physical and spiritual. It’s called the Holy Bible, and with it you can test all things. And it’s free to acquire.
Personally, I find it quite likely that folks like this Todd B. character are under the guidance of the same forces as those that are operating the new age false prophets/teachers. Please read Warren Smith’s “Reimagining Jesus Christ,” as the information found in it explains what Satan has been up to and how he plans to fully reveal himself to the world. It’s free online or for download, and I have posted some of the introduction here: http://lavrai.com/blogs/2008/04/27/must-read-reinventing-jesus-christ/
Don’t sleep, church. Please stay awake.
Read your Holy Bible, keep watch and pray.
Ouch… what happened to judge not lest you be judged. What was Jesus thinking when he spit in the mud and put it in the eyes of a blind man. Was he doing it for show? No he was doing what he saw his father doing. He was in tune with the spirit of God. How can we judge… if it doesn’t click with your spirit don’t involve yourselves with it but you canot get on a soap box and say it is of satan. All judgement was poured out on Jesus at calvary. There will be a time for judgement but its not today and you are not the judge. Discern in love if you must but do not slander his name on the internet. As far as mature prophets I’m not sure where you get your info. Read Daniel… after visions he would wake up scared out of his mind soaked in sweat. Paul speaks of division in the church all the time. We must come together as the body of christ, not spend all of our energy tearing people down. Discern in love. You are a leader of your household and anyone else you lead but you are not incharge of todd bentley. Doesn’t God know what he is doing or not doing in florida. You don’t even have evidence that it is against the bible. Can you call a man unbiblical because you feel he has pride. Is that all… his so called pride. How can you know it is pride. You have made yourself judge… has todd bentley judged churches that don’t operate as he does. Where is the pride brother. There will always be neysayers of a move of God. We are blinded by our box of religion just as the pharisees were. You may be right and I do not know but take it easy on the accusations. God is in control and I do not believe todd has ever said that jesus was not the son of god. Unless you have biblical evidence that he is false you can only trust your own discernment. God will pull out the tares at the appropiate time but until the tares mature we cannot tell if they are wheat or not they are very alike. If you pull out something you feel is a tare you pull up good wheat with it causing confusion and division in the body of christ
I implore that each of you conversing on this blog be careful of what you say and do concerning Todd Bentley or any other minister or ministry. Over the years I have seen ministers and minstries fall as they ridiculed other people of faith. If this move/ministry is from God, He,not man will put it to flight. It will not be destroyed by our conversing about it endlessly on this blog.
Most of you are pathetic!
Some of you are so insecure you have to bad-mouth an evangelist that has done more in ten years than you could do in 1000. NO wonder you all enjoy this website. It is simply another example of ignorance reproducing itself. I’ll conclude by saying that even the pharisees reasoned that there was no cause to fear another’s ministry, “For if it is of man it will come to nothing, but if it be of God, we just might find ourselves fighting against him!
I am overwhelmed by the announcement of the Great Move of God. I am Crying for the same Move here in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have been pleading with God for such a Move to see the Kingdom of God Manifeasted in Power, and in Glory,
The true Season of Apostle and Prophetic Reign, Is Now. Please, Men and Women of God, Pray and Declare a Kingdom movve of God, for This Season Now, in Raleigh.
Iam in need of An Urgent Supernatural Breakthrough in
Every Area of my Life. I knoiw that God is Faithful in what He has Promised. He yet Heals, He yet Deliveres, He
yet breaks Financial Bondages, He yet Manifeast Supernatural Power, He yet Unviels Supernatural Mysteries,
and More than Anything, To the Uttermost, He Yet Saves. Please Pray Mightily for The Ark of Safety Christian Fellowship Church, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Now Please
God’Will is Our True Prayer,
Apostle Arthur Smith
I saw Todd tonight live at the Lakeland center. I mainly went out of sheer curiosity to see what this guy was all about. The basic conclusion I came to was exactly the same as this article. This guy is seriously a fraud and doing nothing more than spreading false hope and wasting peoples time. He speaks nothing of the gospel or Jesus, mostly just about himself and other men. I’m not sure how accurate it is but according to wikipedia Todd spent 18 months in prison for involvement on a sexual abuse ring and was also a heavy drug dealer as well. This guy is nothing but bad news.
Okay first off I have been going the past five nights to the revival, and I think it’s safe to say that watching something on TV and being there first hand are two completely different things. I have been sensitive to the spirit since I was very young and I am telling you that God has been at this event every night and is doing great works in me. And as for Todd, I have seen no pride in this man whatsoever, just tonight he had Steve Hill pray over him and he had to get on his knees because, “I just know I’m gonna get knocked out in His glory!”, “This is not about Todd Bentley, this is about the glory of God and his Majesty.” That does not sound like a prideful man. As for the “Staged Healings”, that is not true at all, before you accuse someone of being “fake”, take a look in the mirror, I think you’ll find that your not perfect either.
Quote “The few times I heard the name Jesus pass his lips it was said rather strangely.” Laugh…okay first off let me say when someone is from another country they tend to sound differently than we do. Todd is Canadian and he probably says Jesus differnt than you do.
Listen you are doing more harm than good spreading all this negativity about fellow believers that you may not agree with on certain issues. Any man that causes people to look toward God in his Majesty, regardless of his intentions whatever they may be, is doing more for the Kingdom of God, than you are spreading the word of False Teachings and Fake Todd Bentley and all this garbage of negative seed. With all the controversy in the Church it’s no wonder people look at us and say “I don’t want that!”
Rozain:
I could not care less whether Todd Bentley is ‘uncouth’ or not - I only care about that he is unbiblical and leading many people astray.
Michelle
This is no primarily to do whether I do or do not FEEL or believe it. It is based on a scriptural assessment of him and his ministry which is somewhat different (and also direct revelatation) - and yes, if you do test and weight someone scripturally you can say with great assurance God is not in it, if scripture shows what he is doing is false and or demonic.
What about please obey and please God, and test and weigh the spirits and refute false teachers.
Matthew:
Actually it was given to me by God in the Spirit in 1994, the first time I ever saw/experienced the Toronto Blessing. I saw in a vision, very clearly Satan standing there (eg being behind it) and laughing. (I also had had a dream about a year beforehand about a strange foreign (eg not of God) movement coming as an army marching into the church with odd banners waving over them and wearing odd colours, and taking over and polluting the church’s good bits, its soundness, with this strangeness and foreignness).
It is not made up, and it is not junk either - unless you claim other words God speaks are junk too (which you effectively do if you ignore the Bible’s warnings about this movement). To my shame, as I did not understand how the vision I saw could possibly be true at the time as the leaders of the TB were so well respected in my church circles, I ignored the vision at the time and embraced the movement wholeheartedly….but I vividly remember it and it was proven to be true.
Test and weigh Mathew. You’re only young, Mathew, and this thing looks and feels incredible - but listen to God more than men because this ain’t biblical and ain’t godly and leads far astray.
Matt
Hey, you missed the point completely. I did not say what I did to poke fun, to mock or be personal or rude like the youths did to Elijah (as you refer to). I really do not care what Todd looks like, or if he carries a bit of weight, nor do I judge him on it (although his whole look - the tattoos, peircings, heavy metal tshirts etc has been done for the wrong reasons and is false and staged like some of his other stuff).
I said it because Todd Bentley says the fat and the bald are healed by this anointing and he is fat and balding - and his mentor, Bob Jones is very much overweight (and also has kidney problems) and there are some other close names associated in the NAR movement who have had serious health issues too. I was pointing out the paradox, can you not see this?
have u read acts? there was a movement exactly likes thjis in the bible and if u say that the bible warns against this then u have issues.
and i dont believe ur vision was 100% God inspired and i can promise you that more good than evil has come from this.
Dear Matthew
I am from South Africa as well, and what is written on this blog is the truth.
You can’t just accept everything that ‘appears’ to be from God and call it ‘of God’ because some pastor says so and now you must just accept it as being ok - without testing it against scripture.
You need to STUDY the bible and discern as to what is of God and what is NOT of God. There are hundreds of verses in the bible where the apostles and Jesus himself mentions the ‘false people’ who will come and deceive you with ’signs and wonders’ but Jesus says, ‘I don’t know them’. And if Jesus doesn’t want to know them, how much more so should you put on your running shoes and run a mile so that you do not land up in the same position as the false people because you believed them and they led you astray.
God Bless and I pray the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to you.
Todd does things a bit differently, yes. But I have seen him in person twice now, once during the Florida Outpouring and once before, and I do watch the Outpouring every night. I know what I felt there, I know what I came away with and I know that it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the desire for Christ. God is doing a great work all over and I praise the Lord for it! I also thank God that Todd Bentley is so willing to obey Him. I will admit that some of what I’ve seen seems over dramatic, but then, maybe not since I am now feeling the Spirit more and more. I know that It manifests differently in each person and not everyone has the same reaction. Todd also does NOT claim to be the one behind the healings and miracles. He has said time and time again that it is not him, but God and that he makes no claims, simply prays. If Todd were fake, don’t you think it would be more about the money? He lives a simple lifestyle and not flamboyant. He is a man of God who is eager to spread the word of God.
I would just encourage each person who reads this to pray for discernment. In the end, it doesn’t matter what you or I think, but what God says, so go to Him.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…. Are you people forgetting that JESUS said that if we are TRULY His disciples we will LOVE one another? I agree that if Todd in is heart is not right with God, then GOD will judge him; it is NOT our job! Some things seemed questionable with Todd, however when I was there I felt touched by God myself…If something someone SAYS is wrong, then in love point it out, but judging someone’s attitudes is impossible. We don’t know anyone’s heart or motives really, only GOD does. All this arguing and this website endtimesprophet is just taking your focus on LOVE and off JESUS. Don’t let yourself be decieved by the devil into loosing your focus by focusing on others.<
I meant to say- All this arguing and this website e.t.p. are just taking your focus off LOVE and off JESUS.
Looks like you hit a nerve with talking about Todd, and I’m not surprised, I absolutely loved this guy and his far out spiritual teachings till about a year ago. My eyes began to open when I learned of some of the truth about Bob Jones and some of Todds circle of close friends and how Todd completely had faith in these guys.
Then my wife began to be worried because she had a few words for our pastor regarding our church and the direction the Lord wanted or intended us to go. They didn’t agree with her and we found out they based all of their head knowledge on lessons from prophetic books that mainly came out of IHOP!
Those two things combined led me to start searching the scriptures (imagine that!) which I had not done until that point. I was taking everything at face value from the mouths of people I was just automatically trusting.
Like a flood gate being opened is all I can say to describe the moment I made the connection with the end times and the spirit of the antichrist. My wife said she felt as though she was butting up against a very large and imposing invisible wall of untruth that no one else in leadership could see. The problem with this wall is that people actually like it cause it only lets ear tickling prophecy and teaching through.
I think I have read about 98% of this site and I can say that everything you have written is grace and truth. I have found that it is hard for people to swallow both grace and truth because they aren’t used to that combo. We are usually fed either grace and lies or truth and religion. So thank you endtimes, keep up the good work, and God bless you.
Forgive me for the length; it came to be a lot longer than I originally thought. But I thought it would be necessary to try to cover all the bases as well as I could to support my comment.
There are many things that I could say in response to your comments. However, even though I will respond to them, someone may easily dismiss them. I believe that’s why Paul stresses in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and 4:19-20 the use of power not words. (This is the main reason I write). I want to challenge all who read this blog and the author to go and test the power yourself.
And I write this caution first before I babble on about other objections: I cannot go and test the genuineness of the author’s faith or integrity by reading his words. The Christian walk has always been a demonstration of God rather than a argumentative or persuasive talk. People don’t need to just know (head knowledge) that Jesus is Lord, because even the demons know that–they are still bound for hell. No, we need to GONOSKO Jesus (experiential). And I can say all I want and so can you–but if it is real, you can see it manifest.
Oh, and please JUDGE as you would want to be judged, with mercy and love, recognizing that your not the Judge, Jesus is. For he is the only one who would be able to withstand the power and substance of judgment, and destruction it brings. He did it on the Cross.
(Small testimony: I used to be very judging of others; all it did was make my life miserable. Only when I learned to forgive others, even if they hurt me or even attempt to take my life, do I find peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control in my life. I am talking about substance here, not just ideas of thinking)
Having wrote that: I know that the person who wrote this blog is very intellectual (God has gifted him in that way). It is very evident–I want you to know that author. You have a very brilliant mind. But I want to caution you that you do not allow knowledge to destroy you. 1 Corinthians 8:1 says that knowledge can make you prideful, not humble like Jesus. {just a small idea: i think how Jesus only did what he saw the Father do, and how he emptied himself becoming a man is a very good way to live in respect to everything in life, don’t you}
I realize that you will probably use my words against me very easily and very persuasively in order to dismiss my comments because I don’t believe I am as able to articulate myself as this person does. We see in politics that everyone uses what the other said, against them–not because we have their best interest in mind or because they are trying to honestly discover what’s true, but because we want what we have to say to “win” and proclaim it as “The Truth.”
I hope that this author is not; but because I have never met in person, I cannot say for sure.
However, God’s wisdom still outdoes man’s. That’s why the Bible is filled with stories of how the one who has no training or who is the one whom no one thought could persuade the masses ends up bringing God victory–in order to reveal his power! So while he/she is smarter than I, that doesn’t mean that I am wrong. In fact, that’s why I have decided to write something rather than not, in hope that those who read this have ears to hear and eyes to see and hearts to understand.
Maybe I am wrong, but maybe I am right–and maybe the Spirit will enlighten you to the truth. However, I think we can all agree we are trying to figure out what is true and discuss it here in this blog.
Therefore, I pray and hope that everyone that reads these comments on this blog will go for themselves and test the meetings power. If it is truly a move of God, would you really want to miss out on it? Would you really want to tell all those people that its not God and then find out it is? Wouldn’t that make you a false prophet? What terrible judgment would you face if you were wrong?
I don’t say that as a curse. I know that men sin because they are in bondage to it through the fall. I also know that when you are made right through Christ; it was not through our power but through God’s so no one could take away your right to son ship.
I know no one will dispute that; but something you might is: that Christians who continue to sin do so not because they are evil but because they are still in bondage or attacked by the enemy. That’s why God can still love us more than Jesus, and want to send Jesus to save us. Because we need to be free from our own actions. Our actions have given the enemy power over us. But God doesn’t only want us to be free spiritually but also free mentally, physically, and emotionally. That’s what the revival is about: healing.
Before I move on to discussing Todd Bentley, I want to urge the author that the Mormons also believe that their leaders had visions and saw angels. You can’t use the vision alone; allow God to confirm it in scripture.
And author: please read the book (the bible) there are some discrepancies I have found–(1) 1 John mentions an anointing but doesn’t say its the “only one.” (2) The Bible is filled with stories about the supernatural, in both testaments. In the church of Acts, we see many, many supernatural things taking place. (if this is a model for the church, then those things should also take place)
The drunkeness is there too–see acts 2 when the spirit falls on people. “they are not drunk as you suppose.” Soaking in his presence and marination is there too: be baptized means to be submerged fully or dipped repeatedly. it comes from the greek word baptizmo witch is how you make pickles out of cucumbers. You let it marinate until it is totally transformed into something else.
Now, as for the debate dealing directly with Todd Bentley: you can dismiss the person Todd Bentley; but don’t dismiss the power if its true! You will always be able to find fault with a person–we have all fallen short and still do. But look at the fruit. Massive healings, salvations, and now the media like CNN is looking into it. People are are starting to look to God for their miracle rather than doctors who demand payment. And Todd can be a vessel.
For clarification: Todd has his whole upper-body covered in tattoos. Its a mixture of words, symbols and pictures that explain and share the gospel. His body is like a track–like those ones that evangelists would give out to share the gospel; except his is on his body. And doesn’t the bible say don’t have tattoos in the old testament? Its good to reference–its got lots of principles that testify and reveal who God is–but I hope you don’t live by it. For if you live under law then you are subject to it but if you live by grace and the new covenant of Christ, you are no longer bound to that law. Read Galations, its all about that. In fact, if you live by the old law, Christ cannot help you or has nothing to offer you or is worth nothing to you considering he came to fulfill the law because we couldn’t.
I also want to briefly mention that so many forefathers in the faith have been remembered for what other’s said about them. (John Wesley, John Knox, A.A. Allen, etc.) Even Jesus is remembered differently by different people all over the earth. WE can argue about what he said or believes all we want and come up with different ideas, but lets look at what he did, which is actually harder to dispute. You can believe it or not, that will never change. But where words can be twisted and misunderstood, actions are harder.
For example: I have always heard people talk about John Wesley by referencing his theology. Even though there accounts of him walking through people, performing miracles, preaching, moving in the supernatural…
Now the supernatural can be of the devil or of God, you can’t decide from just looking at what happened. So let me clarify because I just said we need to look at their actions above. WE need to test their demonstration (what they did) but we cannot use that alone to evaluate if this move of God is truly of God. We must test the source of the power.
For example: Did you also know that right after the protestant reformation, there was a Catholic reformation. They did away with a lot of the garbage that protestants find fault with; not all but some. During that time there were certain individuals who moved in the supernatural (brother Lawrence, to name one). There was also one known as ‘Gaping Thomas’ because he would go into spiritual ecstasy and visions with his mouth open. They would burn him to see if he would respond but he didn’t. he also was known for being able to levitate. There are accounts of him levitating as high as a two-story building.
Another illustration is the example of counterfeit. How many of you know that no one would ever make a 3 or 4 dollar bill? Why? because there are no real ones made by the government. If you want to fool someone you don’t make something they would be able to recognize–you made something like the original. Satan still wants to rule: he tries to masquerade as an angel of light! Levitating is not of the devil–its power, but what is the source of the power? If it is credited to God then it is good, if it is not it is bad.
Now there is the issue of testing Todd’s character–a false or true prophet. Whom is Todd promoting? Is it not the Spirit of God and Jesus? Does not Todd tell everyone that Jesus can heal them? Todd even said this past weekend that God heals and does miracles mainly because he loves them. Sure miracles will lead many to salvation, but he is a good God and wants to give good gifts. Not just spiritually but physically.
………….
Okay, I have spent too much time writing. And it is getting late so I should probably just stop babbling. Most people would have stopped reading after the first bit, which is why I made my point early.
I am a charismatic, and I will move in the supernatural and will bring revival to the world. Let God be my judge.
For if this is truly a move of the Lord, it will be the first one to be live for everyone to view from far off. Thank Jesus that if it is a move of God, the spirit’s power (anointing) will come and we will see great signs that will be very great and not easily dismissed as being “fake.” And if it is a move of God it will reach levels that will even cause the media to have no answer or explaination, because God loves taking people from glory to glory, expanding his kingdom. What a remarkable time to be alive, to see the prophecies of the great book fulfilled in our day!
Past revivals were remarkable and outstanding–but there were only a few people who carried the mantles and the power (John Wesley, John Knox, A. A. Allen, etc.). But Todd is preaching that everyone walk the power of God–declaring that this move is the nameless and faceless revival that will overtake the world; the last move of the church before the return of Christ; the great harvest before the end times. Not everyone may do what is being said, but Todd then may only be doing and saying as God would have him. Or to the measure his faith would have him.
I am deeply chocked by most criticism towards Todd, it shows two things about those who oppose this move of the Spirit:
1) Total lack of of discernment.
2) An awful condemning spirit of those who do this. Who are you as a ‘christian’, what are your contributions to the Kingdom of God besides criticizing those who are actually being used by God?
For your own sake: please start listening and studying to the teachings of Todd in his podcasts, because if you do not have a change of heart you are out of favor of the Lord, again please listen to:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=212986432
Matthew24
While I watched Todd on GOD TV, I had a real problem with his constant exclaiming “Oh my gosh!”. It’s like taking the Lord’s Name in vain, and it bothered me. Also, he said something like “I COMMAND the power of God to…” do something. How can he command God???? Also, he asked one person what happened or what was going on or something like that, and the person replied “You healed me.” and Todd didn’t argue with that assessment. He didn’t tell the person that it wasn’t him, Todd, that did the healing. So, I don’t know.
I do not understand why everyone is running to Fl to see this man. You can be healed by God without running to see a man who seems to have cleverly fooled all these people. It is terrible to see him feed on the sick and injured the way he does. I have watched him every night and I do not get a good feeling from him. I think it is sad that people today do not research and read up on these people they put so much faith in. I read the other day that he sexually molested a 7 year old when he was 14. I know God forgives but I do not believe this is a true Godly man and I would not want my child to be around him.
Stiring up controversy and heresy is right up Satans alley. Keep it up, you are pleasing Satan to no end with your judgement of the movement of the Holy Spirit, and your creating of division with Gods people. We all sin and come short of the glory of God, even you. But thanks be to God for someone who has the guts to go out and preach the word and declare healing to God’s children as Todd has. As Jesus said, Oh you of little faith. If you only had the faith as a tiny mustard seed, you could move mountains. Todd Bentley is human, he will err, but he has faith and has, by the grace of God, been given the gift to spread the annointing of the Holy Spirit to many across the world. God bless him for that. The joy of the Lord is our strength, so laugh, its ok. The peace of the Lord passes all understanding. The Lords Peace and joy to you. Sharron
I watched the so called ‘revival’ meetings in Florida on God tv here in Ireland, and throughout felt an unease about the whole ’show’. Your post expresses my reservations exactly and Todds preoccupation with Todd shines through over all the ‘healings’ and ‘manifestations’. My understanding of Holy Ghost revival is very different to this tv entertainment! From the Welsh revival of many years ago the pre-emminent characteristic of the Move was a conviction of sin and an ushering of thousands of sinners into gods Kingdom. The gospel was faithfully preached and believed with gladness by the multitudes as well as signs and wonders accompanying it. In Bentleys version of ‘revival’ the Word is barely uttered (never mind preached!)and the whole emphassis is twofold…on Todd Bentley himself and the various manifestations of the so called ‘annointing’.Thanks again for speaking out so clearly and truly on this charade.
I think that Todd Bentley’s tatoos and appearance has a purpose in God and it is surely not to reach you stiff-necked Christians. I think you Guys should read the Bible again and try to get the essence of Jesus Love. For those who say that the devil is the one doing the healing. Give me a break I had never seen the devil glorifying Jesus so much. Anyway didn’t the Pharisees say the same about Jesus too. You should read John 10:20
“Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”
Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?””
What should happen for you to believe that this is from God. I think I know, no shouting, no laughing, no healing, no tears, no new song, no young leaders, and of course no tatoos.
You know I love King David when he said to Michal “and yet I will be more vile than that thus”
2 samuel 2:20
WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF!!! THAT GOD CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
MAY GOD IGNITED US ALL. AMEN
so i was looking to read about this outpouring deal and what was going on. after reading the very first part of what you wrote i didn’t need to go any further.
get over yourself dude.
and stop discounting everything you see just because you don’t understand or it isn’t presenting itself in a way your human brain thinks is presentable or to be expected.
let God out of your box and realize that it’s not always about the person doing the ministry so take your eyes off him and truly ask the Lord what he wants you to take from this. don’t pollute others by badmouthing someone that’s seeking after God.
God doesn’t just touch people when they need healing. maybe he just wants to love them. don’t try to stop that.
I’m not sure what the deal is with some of you guys. Are you really worried that people are being decieved or are you against any move of god you did not have a part in. I just feel that this is very unhealthy and judgemental. It sounds a lot like the religious of jesus day accusing him of doing signs and wonders through evil. Tatoos? Fat.. bald? And then you bring Bob Jones into it. He is a very accurate, tested and proved prophet. I hope for your sake that your “discernment” and accusations of the toronto have at least a shred of truth to them. You are playing with fire by pointing such a heavy finger. I cannot believe that you are as sure as you say you are. How can you judge a prophet so strictly then turn around and expect us to believe that you saw satan in toronto. Its like you don’t understand the love of god. “Why would they go back for more annointing after they already been healed”. Is that even a valid question. Maybe the healing goes beyond just physical. The sign of healing points to a greater work. Maybe their soul and their past hurts and sin perspectives are being healed. Jesus said your sins are forgiven you now walk. The signs and the wonders are pointing to god and his glory and mercy and grace. I applaud you for your heart to see people not be decieved but we must not accuse or judge. Everything must be done in love.
Oh my goodness! I am utterly disgusted with my fellow christians. I sound angry and it is indeed a righteous anger. How dare you judge like this. You legalists remind me of people i call the pharisees. They said that Jesus healed by devils. They judges Jesus by his actions. He went into sinner’s houses. He SPAT, on a guy’s eyes that were filled with mud!!!. If I were watching jesus in that day, I would say that he was a fraud because nobody would do something like spitting on the eyes. If Todd spat on a blind person’s eyes tonight, you would go nuts! I hope that your attitude changes in the name of Jesus. Jesus did many unorthodox things, like Todd. Now I know why the church is like it is. I shall pray for my generation.
and by the way, ive heard him mention the name of Jesus dozens and dozens of time! he says things like “Thank you Jesus” and “praise Jesus”. i am very saddened by some of you.
Thanks for creating this blog on the revival going on in Lakeland (the place I call home!) . Over the years I have been reading about many of the false revivals in the 1990’s. I am always amazed of the folks that i know who believed the Toronto Vineyard revival and the one in Pensacola. I know a few people who are beliving in this one too. I even see people that I thought were pretty good spiritual discerners, that are following this. I’m only guessing but I see this one going on for a long time, decieving many. I know God is sovereign and I pray that even though this is a false revival, that many would come to know Jesus in spite of what is going on at Ignited Church. I pray that our church does not come unraveled due to this.
Thank You,
Joe S.
dear pastor todd,
thank you very much for showing us the power and love of god who surrendered to him. iam from bangalore ( india ).
but i cannot reach you since there is no blessings of god in my life.
plz pray for me at the age of 32 iam jobless b’cause of my sins. plz pray for me to be blessed by a job of design engg.and heal me since i dont have hairs on my head i daily see your revival and healing prayer.plz remember m request in the stadium. pray for me to receive the holy spirit when i touch the screen of tv at home iam watching daily and me healed as others send the blessings plz todd
pray for me this ten days and iam sure that before this ends i will feel the presence of christ
How sad this all is. It’s very easy to sit on the sidelines writing criticisms of other people and attacking their integrity. Have you ever considered those of us who tried to find Jesus in systems that were so religious and dead, and who gave up on them? At least this guy makes Jesus relevant. I can’t imagine that Jesus spent all his time tearing apart those who were doing their best for him.
Paul says in post #30:
I’ll conclude by saying that even the pharisees reasoned that there was no cause to fear another’s ministry, “For if it is of man it will come to nothing, but if it be of God, we just might find ourselves fighting against him!
My response is:
I believe in the inerrancy and verbal inspiration of the Holy Bible. The writers inspired by God wrote exactly what He wanted preserved for the church to learn from. That being said, that doesn’t mean that when Luke quotes what someone said, that that speech was inspired by God. It just means that God told the writer to include that in the scriptural record.
If we assume that, just because Gamaliel’s words are recorded in Acts, that we are to take them as advice from God, then by the same logic, when the crowd, upon hearing Herod’s discourse, cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”, we should take that as divinely inspired words as well, which they obviously weren’t, because when Herod accepted that glory from the crowds, and didn’t give it to God, the Lord struck him dead.
Keep in mind the context in Acts 5:17-40. The party in control of the Sanhedrin, the highest religious governing body in Judaism, was the Sadducees. They did not believe in a soul that lives on after the body dies, and denied the possibility of resurrection. And here were the apostles doing miracles in the name of a rabbi whom they claimed HAD been raised from the dead.
Gamaliel was a member of the Pharisee party, which DID believe in an immortal soul and the resurrection. My take on this is that Gamaliel didn’t necessarily believe in Jesus or really seek to defend the apostles, but he saw that the opposing party, the Sadducees, were attacking someone who believed in a resurrection, which he also believed in. So Gamaliel and the apostles had one shared belief, and a common enemy, so he came to their aid (the enemy of my enemy is my friend). A little first century Jewish politics, if you will.
If we were to take Gamaliel’s statement, “Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” to be inspired by God rather than just a God-directed recording of a historical fact, then we should leave the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses alone, because after a more than a century they haven’t been brought down by God. Yes, they will eventually be brought down, but in the meantime, it is our duty to warn other not to follow their false doctrines.
If we see someone headed off a cliff and do nothing to try to stop them, then we are in part guilty of their death. The same applies to seeing someone heading off a spiritual cliff; if we do not warn them, God will call us to account for it at the final judgement.
Matthew24:
Would you say this about all false teachers/prophets someone speaks up about, or is it just for those who speak against Todd. And if so, why is it ok to speak against Joseph Smith or David Icke or Maitreya and not Todd Bentley.
Speaking about God’s favour, God rather likes obedience, it pleases Him rather - and his word says to test the spirits. Why don’t you?
Thomas Wilson:
Seek Jesus Christ and not Todd Bentley. Jesus Christ - if you repent of your sins - will meet you wherever you are at. You do not need to got to Florida to be blessed.
Nathaneal:
This is not about the intellectual head knowledge vs the power of God (like you infer) - which are not incompataible anyway despite the claims of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) who insist Christians hang up their brains before carpet time. I believe in the true gifts, I believe in the power of God. It is about counterfeits and charlatans ministering in something other than the power of God and leading many astray that concerns me in Todd Bentley’s case.
Atually, yes you can in many cases, and the Bible says you can. You can study what is being taught, and you can discern the spirit the minister operates in. There is also the works of the flesh to consider - not every experience is spiritual but can be emotional/psychological.
You mention various names in your ‘revival history’ but just because a Catholic saint allegedly levitated or had some amazing mystical experiences, does not mean they operated in the power of God, does it? Many religions have mystical supernatural experiences, shall we say they all are under the power of God too? The Bible would disagree. It is not so much the experience itself, but the word that has always been more important than the sign. The word and signs following is a potent combination. But signs with a counterfeit word ain’t God.
Bert Robinson:
What like the merchants in the temple, for example, and the pharisees who were doing their best too - all busy and ‘good’ religious people?
Don’t imagine Bert, actually READ what the Bible actually says instead and you will be far safer.
This is not all my time, and I am not ‘tearing’ anyone apart either, for the record, but I am laying bear the truth for those who care.
Brian:
Re the words of Gamaliel so misapplied…
Amen, thanks for putting it so well.
Michael:
I would not go nuts if Todd spat and put mud in anyone’s eyes, as long as he ministered in the correct spirit and taught and prophesied in the same as he did so.
I would love Todd to do something biblical and teach something biblical for once, and instead of faking it in the flesh and drawing attention to himself, or worse, minister in the real Holy Spirit leading to the real Jesus - far from going nuts as you proclaim, I would rejoice.
My question is, where is the REPENTANCE happening in this “revival”? Isn’t a revival supposed to be about people repenting and receiving salvation, and turning to God because they realize their fallen nature? This movement preaches salvation without repentance. I was a part of this movement for years and recently left. When the time came to offer people salvation, the message of the cross was nowhere to be found, it was always “Jesus can be your friend”. Yes, Jesus can be our friend, but where is the emphasis on Jesus as savior? Jesus died on the cross for our sins, to take our punishment for us if we will only accept it from Him! And also there is another thing they are using, they say you have a “spirit of rebellion” if you don’t submit to their authority.
Joel Sanders:
By the Bible’s criteria we test, or don’t you believe that old thing any more? If someone contradicts the Bible I will call them a false prophet - won’t you do the same?
Have you actually read up on what Bob Jones has said and done in the past, or do you just take his or other people’s word for it that he is accurate? He may be a prophet but he is surely a prophet of hell and not of God, that frequently misses the mark.
Also it is quite right to point out that if someone says the anointing heals fat and bald people of thier fat and their baldness, and they and are their colleagues are still fat and bald, there is a problem somewhere with their testimony….or don’t you see the obvious and glaring contradiction?
Wow Mr. endtimespropheticwords. You seem to have it all figured out so how many have you ministered healing to? How many demons have you cast out in Jesus name? How many have you brought to God through Jesus blood? Mark 16 says theses signs and others follow those that believe. Does the American Church believe or isn’t the whole Bible truth?
Todd Bentley uses the same staged tricks around the world. I am from Sabah, Malaysia and I have personally heard Todd Bentley said “I’ll perform more miracles!” It was never Jesus or the Holy Spirit. In private (and I was ‘priviledged’ to have served him refreshments so I witnessed it) he mocked the crowd out there, micmicing their cries and manisfestations. There are so many many more things about him that lead me and others to believe that this man is TOTALLY FALSE. If so, you ask, why does he command such big crowds? The answer is, most Christians are just following the leader, and the leader is this trend called revival. Even pastors and so-called men of God are falling for his tricks. I have informed my pastor but sadly he rebuked every observation I and some others have personally witnessed. That is the extend of our want to belief in man, not God.
One more thing. Todd has this trick on his team. He’d pass some foreign currency to a gullible worker in whichever country he’s preaching, and ask the guy to change it into US$ or whatever. The foreign currency would be in very small denomination (and in most 3rd world countries, their value so small that a thousand US$ equals to milions) so that it will take forever to count. He also capitalises on the Asian nice guy style of trusting and therefore not counting the $ when given, but just trusting that it is the amount these men of God say it is. At the $ changer, the worker will be told-Hallelujah!-that there’s monre $ than what he thought, so God worked a miracle! And then word will spread of Todd’s miracle and more will fall to his feet. Has anyone come across this trick by Toad and Team anywhere else??
Everything that the author of this post wrote about reminds me of Todd’s antics when he was here. Where people were rolling on the floor, his staff were laughing and mocking at them. The whole show was staged, using the same style everywhere he goes: calling sick people up, declaring they are healed without authentication-why be afraid of that if the healing is real and from God?-, prohpesying about certain people sitting in certain rows (”There! Lady in the 8th row from the back! I knew it, I;m right!”
and when no one comes up his fearsome staff will go and escort someone from the back who’s not even sitting in the 8th row from the back, to the stage. Most people once on the stage meekly agree with him that they are healed. Many times, he took the words right out of their mouths, before they can even speak up.
Another trick he did was to ask the audience to whick out thier mobile and call their sick dying loved ones. They were asked to hold out the phones towards him as he pray for their healing! What threatrics!
I am also not against his uncouth fat tatooed body. But there’s a discernment in me that this man is evil. And he’s laughing all the way to his banks, he and his tatooed father who sports an eagle on his arm that has a claw that clutches a clawful of naked bodies and he said the eagle is Jesus. What blasphemY!
The end of true Christianity is not threat from Islam or other things. It is these false prophets and teachings that blind even the so-called highly spiritual and well-learned leaders and pastors of churches.
Is Todd Bentley’s ultimate goal your salvation? I can tell you that just like all the other great evangelists who have since fallen/been outed, that the bottom line is this:POWER and MONEY.
Some of you people on this blog, look around at the world around you. People are living in fear for themselves and their loved ones because of what they see going on in the world. They feel pushed into a corner with no place to go and are hungry. I am talking of many Christians as well as non-Christians. They are fearful and burdened. What a perfect place for God to show up in a big way.
God wants to be worshipped for who He is. He wants to reveal Himself and pour out His Glory upon all flesh. Remember Moses and the children of Israel leaving Egypt. “Let my people go that they may worship me”. How sad that they chose not to worship but instead said Moses you go and tell us about it. 40 years stuck in the wilderness continuing their grumbling and complaining and ultimately dying there was the result. That was their fruit for not worshipping God when He desired it more than anything.
God is pouring out his Glory big time. Anyone read the book of Joel again lately? Read it!!
Nothing will turn the hearts of people to God more than being in His presence. The heart of the father is pleased and He is pouring out good gifts on His kids. People are getting saved, people are getting saved, people are getting saved…. YES!!
Jesus is glorified in the meetings, God the Father is glorified in the meetings, the Holy Spirit is glorified in the meetings. Jesus (and He only, not man) is being given all the praise for the healings. The body of Christ is coming together in unity and God is pouring out His spirit. It is all happening with an attitude of honor and love. We worship God but we honor and love our fellow man, people in authority etc. It is that atmosphere God chooses to move in.
I’ve watched on the internet, I’ve been there once, and I want to go back to soak in the presence of God. I did not see one thing that was unbiblical or prideful. I can tell God is pleased with what is going on and it will get bigger. God is large and in charge and Jesus is coming back!!! Get ready, get ready, get ready!!
Sad Christian:
You said:
One more thing. Todd has this trick on his team. He’d pass some foreign currency to a gullible worker in whichever country he’s preaching, and ask the guy to change it into US$ or whatever…
I’ve never done this before, but I feel compelled. You are a liar. Are you even a Christian? Anyone c