End Times Prophetic, Prophecy, Visions, Dreams, Revelation, Christian Blog

Christian prophecy for the church and for the nations from a servant of God called to speak God's word

IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT EVERY HEALING, MIRACLE AND REVIVAL IS FROM GOD?

“IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT EVERY HEALING, MIRACLE AND REVIVAL IS FROM GOD?

Some cautionary warnings from the Bible:
(Jesus) “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” – Mark Chapter 13 verses 22-23

(Jesus) “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in 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 Chapter 7 verses 21 to 23.

As we have seen, Jesus himself warned us that there would be counterfeits in the last days. Even to the extent that some people may even do miracles and cast out demons, yet Jesus will one day say to some of these workers of wonders: “Away from me, I never knew you”. He even calls them “evildoers”.

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 verses 9 to 12 says this: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Paul’s First Letter to Timothy, Chapter 4 verse 1 warns: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

Every Christian therefore needs to on their guard – to love the truth and avoid deception.

Based on what Jesus himself said, we can expect to see the deception in the guise of “true Christian works” and what appear to be genuine miracles and healings. Why? Well, if Satan came to us looking like his true self, none of us would ever fall for it. For example, who has ever counterfeited a £9 note? No-one! For precisely the reason that a counterfeit needs to look like the real thing. Consequently he will, as the Bible says, “come as an angel of light” to avoid detection. Remember, the Bible warns us that Satan is a liar, a deceiver and a murderer.

Even on close inspection it may look like the real thing. Bear in mind that when Moses went to Pharaoh on God’s behalf and did miracles before Pharaoh, many of God’s miracles performed by Moses were also duplicated by Pharaoh’s own spiritual leaders. Satan has no difficulty in doing miraculous works, healings and even calling down fire from the sky.

However, it may be that the healings that appear to be taking place are ocurring by genuine Holy Spirit power. Some have reported that Todd Bentley did receive from God a genuine gift of healing some years ago. The Bible does make clear, however, that “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans Chapter 11 verse 29). This is usually interpreted as meaning that, if God gives you a spiritual gift, he does not normally remove it from you at a later date. The ongoing presence of the gift in someone’s life, therefore, does not mean that all aspects of that person’s life and ministry are beyond reproach.

I recently recorded almost 3 hours of Lakeland broadcast on the God TV channel. The most frequently used words by Todd Bentley during that time were:

BAM!
FIRE
ANOINTING
IMPARTATION
MIRACLES
HEALING

During the 3 hour period he never opened a Bible, preached or mentioned any scripures whatsoever. The words HOLINESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, REPENTANCE, OBEDIENCE were never mentioned at any time during the broadcast At no time was any caution given about the importance of BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS, with a view to avoidance of deception.

Towards the latter part of the evening he mentioned SALVATION and invited non-Christians up to the platform “to receive Jesus”. He said: “you need to be born again. I’m going to pray for you to be saved. If you want Jesus, ask “come into my heart and forgive me my sins”. I’m not going to preach for 45 minutes for you to be saved. I’m going to pray for you to receive Jesus. He then prayed for, and laid hands on, each person who had come forward. All fell to the floor.

He never gave any of these unbelievers a chance to pray themselves. He never explained who Jesus was, or what he had done on the cross. He never explained what sin was, nor God’s view of sin. Repentance and its meaning was never mentioned. The whole section devoted to the lost lasted no more than 5 or 6 minutes, then he reverted to talking about “the anointing”, “impartation” and “miracles of healing”. CONCLUSION: At no point was the true, Biblical Gospel ever preached (See What Is The Gospel? for an explanation of the true Biblical Gospel).One other very worrying statement I heard him make that evening was this: “I used to feel the anointing in my hand; now I feel it in my spine.” His mention of the spine rang bells in my memory, so I did a search on Google and found that the KUNDALINI (demonic) snake/serpent spirit is acknowledged by KUNDALINI devotees as taking up residence in the spine. Given that the main emphasis of Todd’s ministry at Lakeland is the impartation of “the fire” to other countries, churches and ministries around the world, makes this “impartation” aspect one of great concern, lest another spirit is involved.”

Article by Brian Johnson,  founder of http://www.newchristian.org.uk

http://www.newchristian.org.uk/lakeland.html

May 16, 2008 - Posted by endtimespropheticwords | Evangelism and Missions, False Prophets and Teachers, Fresh Fire ministries, Gift Of Tongues, Gifts of the Spirit, Healing, Holy Laughter, Revival, Todd Bentley, Toronto Blessing, signs and wonders | , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

21 Comments »

  1. I saw Todd Bentley in Toronto. I walked out of the service as he was talking about being tired because his spirit was traveling the world all night healing people. He said people write him and tell him they have woken up and Todd’s spirit was healing them. Come on! I believe Todd loves the Lord, but this is total deception, unbiblical teaching, and wacky

    Comment by Nate Elarton | May 16, 2008

  2. I just returned from Florida and I happened across GOD TV and Bentley’s program was on. I only watched for about 15 minutes or so. All I saw/heard was folks coming up to Todd to be touched for a healing; people lying around on the floor with pink blankets thrown over them; and people offering testimony of their supposed healing.

    The thing that disturbed me the most was that everyone who gave testimony described a heat or warm feeling on some area of their body (I guess where they were ailing). I think some folks even mentioned that this warmth/heat was the Holy Spirit… which I find strange, since such a thing has never been attributed to the presence of the Holy Spirit by any of the apostles or at any point in the Holy Bible (as far as I know).

    And it was the first time I really got a good look at Bentley (outside of an online video)…and again I had to wonder. — Why do these people let him put his hands on their body without really knowing anything about him besides what he claims to see/hear and be able to do? If a strange man in the street claimed the same things, and had people with him on the street attesting to his abilities… would these same people still line up to be touched by him?

    And I have concluded… probably.

    Comment by lavrai | May 16, 2008

  3. Your blog is simply a wealth of information. I’m appreciating it so much. Keep up the good work!

    Just a few days ago, as I was praying and asking God what to believe about the apparent miracles wrought through Todd Bentley and others like him, I was led to read the very passages in Exodus that tell of Pharoah’s magicians and how they were able to duplicate many of the signs and wonders that God had given to Moses. I felt as though that is a good Scriptural example of how the miraculous CAN and DOES happen even when God, through the Holy Spirit, is not necessarily involved. Your post seems like additional confirmation to me, as you shared basically the same thought. Thanks.

    Comment by charismania | May 16, 2008

  4. hmmm. thats what I don’t like, when Salvation isn’t ‘revealed’ properly to people. Do these people know what they are saved from? saved into?
    Has Salvation become just a ‘magic little prayer’ that someone has to say for them to be eternally saved? If you get them to accept this little prayer you have said over them then does that mean you have done your job to bring people to Jesus?!
    That is not Salvation.
    What is necessary for Salvation? how does the Bible say we are saved?
    through grace alone, through faith alone (& faith is also a gift from God).
    To confess with our mouth “Jesus is Lord” & believe in our heart God raised him from the dead.
    To repent, to turn from sin & follow Jesus.

    whenever Jesus healed he told the person to “sin no more”. Is that being done?

    why do we need a conference or revival or anything to see people saved & operating in the power of God?
    why don’t we just get out there & follow God instead of being swept up in every new ‘move of God’ that comes along & seeking the next ’spiritual high’ to be empowered?

    Comment by bethany | May 16, 2008

  5. A question for those who have criticized the “Toronto Blessing”, Brownsville, and now Todd Bentley. Give us examples of a genuine move of God( according to your theology). I get annoyed when I read such criticism with
    no description(historical) of a true move of God. I wonder if during those movements they were criticized.

    Comment by John from Dallas | May 16, 2008

  6. So healing can come from many places. Your body can do its’ job naturally and heal itself. God can heal. Some satanic force can heal. The satanic healing must be a bit comical for God and reinforces the Word that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.

    Comment by hollyfawder | May 16, 2008

  7. http://www.obeyjesus.net/content/view/361/74/

    That vision Patrick received appears to be spot on. Please give it a look.

    Comment by Scott | May 16, 2008

  8. Hi Miriam,

    thanks for posting the above page from my website.

    I have added some more content and links to the above page, including a link to a statement from Todd describing how he met up with the angel EMMA.

    Comment by Brian Johnson | May 16, 2008

  9. Hi everybody, It’s really interesting to read your comments, you clearly know the Bible and care deeply about discernment. However, I’d like to point out my experience with charimatic Christians (very much like the ones you critise) when my friends who are ‘in the river’ or ‘in the glory’ pray for me and lay hands on me I can literally see the pure love of Jesus Christ pouring out from them. I have received much healing over the last year through just spending time with Christ and being a little child …laughing, crying, being still, dancing, waving a banner…whatever. I wont go on and on, but I would urge you not to despise the simple seemingly foolish things of those who are just excited about the Lord…We’re not lukewarm!! We do not deny Jesus or worship angels, we stand on the word of God. We have surrendered our cynicism and fear of error to God, the One who, with his perfect love, casts out all fear.

    Comment by Marion | May 16, 2008

  10. I could not agree with you more! It seems where ever you look some one is either seeing ‘Mary’ in the clouds or what have you.
    One cannot be too careful!

    Comment by happy4life | May 16, 2008

  11. Holly:

    > reinforces the Word that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.

    God uses all things – including SIN – to this end. It does not mean he approves of them or they are ‘from’ Him, obviously.

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | May 16, 2008

  12. John from Dallas -

    There have been many moves of God that have been genuine – including every time a soul comes into the kingdom. But Pentecost and the revival in the Hebrides in the 1950s are two of the big things I expect you want me to refer to.

    Just because there are naysayers – rightly or wrongly – during any ‘move’ in the church, does not mean that when someone speaks up now they are wrong, or even that those naysayers were wrong by default then – many were right to express their concerns (eg Jonathan Edwards during the Great Awakening). Look at what I and many others are actually saying about the huge scriptural problems with the Lakeland move and its associates. It is being run by false aposles and prophets.

    Don’t deflect attention from the points I make now just because of what some other people have rightly or wrongly said in the past! That is irrelevant! Are my points valid, that is the point NOW.

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | May 16, 2008

  13. Yes! It is true that we have to be careful and be on our guard all the time as a child of God, especially in these days and age. But to criticise Todd Bentley and his revival meetings like this is not fair. Whether he is true in spirit or he is a deception clothe in an angel’s wing, ask Jesus. If you are a child of God we can always ask Him, 24 hours hotline. The Lord is ever ready to answer our prayers. He is our guidance.

    So, my message to you Brian is that instead of wasting your time doubting and questioning, ask the Lord.( I believe you have Jesus as your best friend too!). And if what you wrote(about Todd) is what Jesus tells you, then say so.

    Plus what you missed is that to have Jesus in our heart and to accept him as our saviour, we dont need any qualifications, any degrees, or a sound knowledge of true biblical gospel. If it is so, then Jesus is only for the selected few in this world.

    May the Lord answer your prayer(s).

    Comment by Mapuii | May 16, 2008

  14. Nate:

    And while he does it he boasts of it (but not of the Lord)!

    Also, if it was his spirit travelling around (astral traval – what spirit was in him instead?), he should not have been tired…. just more self promotion and attention seeking. Dangerous and CORRUPT man.

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | May 16, 2008

  15. Not once did you try to answer my questions or e-mail me when I explained that I was in a lot of pain. Thanks for caring

    Comment by Ib | May 16, 2008

  16. LB: you were responded to in the past, in detail I may add, on another post?

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | May 16, 2008

  17. This is actually the 1st article on here that I can agree with, mostly. It was well written, had very little hate in it. A major improvement from the majority of the delusional people that post “ideas” on this board. The only thing I could really say bad about this post is again talking about the “end times” and the “false Christs and false prophets.” That applies only in the end times. Since there is no world peace, no one world government, unless you count mircosoft, Isreal , the jews, dont have their temple back, no stars are falling, Its not the end times. The Bible outlines the “end times” very well. People throw it around all the time without looking at the whole picture the Bible depicts.
    Also I liked how someone finaly addmitted Todd does do alter calls for people to acepted Jesus. This is the first step to becoming a “christian.” Asking Jesus in your life is important. According to most of the blogs on here the second step has to be pointing out what everyone else is doing wrong. From what I can gather on this website that is to cause enough discord through the christian community that it seperates the “wheat from the chaft.” I was always taught it was just gossip and things that satan uses to drive wedges into the christain church.
    I also like how the article points out the Todd didnt open a Bible once so therefore it couldnt be of God. I never new you had to open a Bible to preach the word. I guess I will have to go back and read it again to read the part that Jesus opened his up to preach from it. To the people that say there wasnt a Bible yet…. Think again were did the old testiment come from. Its what the Pharisees used to condem Jesus with, well that and the law. During those 3 hours I am sure Todd quoted scripture just like you did in the article. It funny how anyone can find scripture to prove their point if you use it out of context.
    I could use scripture to prove that the Lady,Miriam Franklin, that runs the board is a Heretic but it would be out of context of what the Bible is saying.
    Again If it is done in Jesus name and people get saved So what if the person leading it is off base. The person that got saved wont be punished because they were lead to christ by a person that others think his teaching are questionable at best.

    Comment by David | May 17, 2008

  18. While I like Brian’s article overall, I wish to correct the oft misquoted Romans 11:29. From the Adam Clarke Commentary:

    Verse 28. As concerning the Gospel
    The unbelieving Jews, with regard to the Gospel which they have rejected, are at present enemies to God, and aliens from his kingdom, under his Son Jesus Christ, on account of that extensive grace which has overturned their peculiarity, by admitting the Gentiles into his Church and family: but with regard to the original purpose of election, whereby they were chosen and separated from all the people of the earth to be the peculiar people of God, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake; he has still favour in store for them on account of their forefathers the patriarchs.

    Verse 29. For the gifts and calling of God, gifts which God has bestowed upon them, and the calling-the invitation, with which he has favoured them he will never revoke. In reference to this point there is no change of mind in him; and therefore the possibility and certainty of their restoration to their original privileges, of being the people of God, of enjoying every spiritual blessing with the fulness of the Gentiles, may be both reasonably and safely inferred.

    To get the full context here it’s best to go back to 11:25 and read through to 11:32. It is clear that Spiritual gifts are not being referenced here.

    Regarding the giving of Spiritual gifts — “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as he determines.” [1 Cor 12:11 NIV]

    Comment by Lee | May 17, 2008

  19. I have been reading this blog for several days, I have also watched the revival in Lakeland for over a month, and have since stopped because I simply CANNOT HANDLE watching the mockery of the Holy Spirit any longer. Please, someone correct me if I’m off base here, but never have I ever read in the Holy Bible ANYWHERE the Holy Spirit being referred to as the “sauce”, as David Tomberline did when he was describing how the “spirit” was moving on the platform, how he was doing “the best he could” to get through the announcements as he had already “had a couple rounds” and was “drunk” in the “spirit”. Was I the only person who heard those comments, and many others in that same vein, and was offended???? When I first began watching the revival I was so excited that the Lord was moving, I was a bit taken aback by Mr. Bentley’s tattoos etc., but I refuse to “judge a book by its cover” and instead began to LISTEN to what was being said…..the more I watched & listened, the more red flags I felt inside…. I won’t lie, at first I was overjoyed by the miracles and the few salvations that I witnessed, but I could’nt shake from my mind that, not only was the Word of God barely mentioned, let alone taught, but there was no mention of sin, repentance, the cross of Christ & the power of His shed blood…..the main focus is on “signs & wonders”. That concerns me greatly…..being born again is the most important thing he should be encouraging, pointing people to Jesus is more important than any “sign” or “wonder” in my opinion! And such a far-reaching platform God TV has given Bentley to lead the lost to Christ!!!But precious little is mentioned about that, sad to say. To hear the precious Holy Spirit talked about in the way that they do, making jokes about “drinking on the job”, all that makes Him sound like such a hoot! Come & get some!! LOL!!! It breaks my heart. I pray for all who attend the revival, watch it, and for those ministries, men & women, who are involved in it. Thank you for letting me speak my mind & heart on this serious issue…..and now, unfortunately, let the stoning of this opinion begin…just for the record, I am a born-again Spirit-filled lover of the Lord Jesus Christ. May His peace rest on those who know His voice….and may the Cross & His powerful shed blood bring salvation to those who are lost…..Maranatha!

    Comment by Theresa S. | May 17, 2008

  20. A true healing, yes. But there are many who get excited because they want to be healed and will “cast their crutches aside” in anticipation. Because the field is burdoned by commercial healers, there is much counterfeit healing. When another set of truly miraculous healings occur, you will know, because the series will be unmistakeable (ie. like Fatima).

    Comment by Healing the Body | May 19, 2008

  21. Fatima is not true!

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | May 19, 2008


Leave a comment

« Previous | Next »