This evening I received this newsletter from the ministry of Andrew Strom; I’m not going to say too much about this, yet…at least not until I can check it out more fully tomorrow.. But the fact that this guy, Todd Bentley, is associated with Patrica (“Christians have wings and can fly”) King, already sends up HUGE red flags. Be sure to read Lynn Clark’s testimony below.
A FALSE HEALING REVIVAL?? -Florida
-Andrew Strom.
Many of you will have already heard about the “Healing Revival” that has purportedly broken out in Lakeland, Florida. Today Charisma Magazine put out a piece on it entitled ‘A Holy Ghost Outbreak in Florida’ “Charismatics are flocking to the sleepy town of Lakeland, Fla. to attend evangelist Todd Bentley’s unconventional revival services.” Is Charisma preparing to hype this one to the skies like they did with Toronto and Rodney Howard-Browne? It seems perhaps they are. (my note: Todd Bentley is part of The Elijah List)
But why am I opposed to this ‘Healing Revival’ so soon after it has been announced? -It is because I already know Todd Bentley’s ministry all too well, and this whole thing centers around him.
Todd Bentley actually has deep roots in the Prophetic movement, and he is one of the very few ministers that I have ever felt I had to publicly warn people about by name. -His ministry is that bad. False “angel” encounters of the weirdest kind, gold dust, guided visualizations of the “Third Heaven” that are straight out of the New Age, etc. And yet there is a “power” with it that makes it all the more dangerous.
Here is how Charisma describes his Florida meetings:
“His methods are far from polished. When he prayed for people in Lakeland, he usually began by laying his hand on their heads and then yelling, “Bam!” Often the people fell backward to the floor. After one elderly woman fell, Bentley told the audience: “She doesn’t know why she fell down.” The woman then laughed and said to him in the microphone: “Because you pushed me!” He prayed for her three more times that night, and she said she could hear better… During the past three weeks people have testified of being healed from heart conditions, skin rashes and back problems, and many said scars disappeared… Many charismatics are wondering if the protracted meetings will become a phenomenon similar to what happened in Rodney Howard-Browne’s meetings in Lakeland in 1993, at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church in Canada in 1994 and at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola in 1995…”
Sadly, the Charismatic movement is in such a sick state today that it would not surprise me at all if this happens. (-I say this as a strong Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking believer myself. I am by no means opposed to genuine miracles). Have we completely forgotten the warnings of “Lying signs and wonders” in the Last Days?
Below is a testimony by Lynn Clark who is a Moderator at our website ‘RevivalSchool.com’. This is what she wrote about her involvement with Todd Bentley’s ministry:
“I decided to check out Patricia King (my note: see Extreme and Dangerous Teachings) and Todd Bentley and, ignorant of their ‘third heaven’ guided visualizations, attended a five day conference of Patricia King and then two of Todd Bentley’s conferences and began to imagine third heaven visitations – guided visualization – still not realizing that these are actually spirits of darkness – the New Age calls them spirit guides – demons is what they are. And so I bought Todd Bentley’s teaching on third heaven visitations and brought it home to listen to.
“I was in my living room laying on the floor listening to the teaching on how to visualize the third heaven and what to say and was getting caught up into his teaching and all of a sudden I began to shake uncontrollably and jerk and groan, and no sooner had this taken place I became frozen stiff – I could not move any part of my body and I knew this was a demon trying to take hold of me, and so with all the effort I could muster I cried out, “God save me -Jesus help me” – and as soon as I cried out to the Lord my body went limp. God spared me that night and I will be forever grateful.
“I spent much of the night in tears asking God to forgive me – and renouncing all the hands layed on me and all the awful deception I had opened myself up to…”
I myself have heard the tapes of Todd Bentley’s “Third Heaven Visualization” teachings, and I want to tell you – they are straight out of the New Age handbook. -Terrible stuff. And yet so widely accepted by thousands of Christians today.
Do these kinds of practices (above) produce a genuine ‘Healing Revival’? -These are the kinds of questions that we need to be asking Charisma Magazine. I leave it for you to decide.
******
Sola Dei Gloria 
Never mind…i don’t need to check it out further.
I heard all i need to hear at the video link posted at the bottom of the post, ..
EGADS!
Foolish me, i was hoping this wasn’t another nut like Patrica King…but sadly it is.
[…] People are sheeple. Much to my consternation the masses fall for quackery. […]
Not here to defend anyone but Andrew’s letter had no proof of anything. It’s just flat out conjecture. His method of discerning this revival would also seem to alienate Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, and Stephen the martyr—for obvious reasons. All of them had very supernatural experiences.
Hi Rob..
First let me say, if you haven’t read other things i’ve posted in the last year, you may not know that i in no way discount that God still works in supernatural ways today. I know he does. The gifts of the Spirit are still in operation now, as they were 2000 years ago within the body of Christ.
Saying that, we still need to be careful in accepting ALL supernatural manifestations as being from God….we know satan can and does counterfeit signs and wonders.
I took Andrews warning pretty seriously. Why?
Because over the last 7 years i’ve come to know him through his ministry and newsletters: he’s always been honest, and is not one who needlessly tears down the body of Christ. .
Also, i know that Andrew as well, believes in the supernatural workings of the Spirit of God for today! So when i see him send out a warning like this, i kinda automatically take heed to it.
Lastly, Andrew has inside knowledge on many of these prophetic ‘movements’ today and those involved, because he too was involved with them at one time:
Read: “WHY I LEFT THE PROPHETIC MOVEMENT”
He appears to know Todd Bentley and his minister:
I honestly would have loved! to believe this healing revival was the ‘real deal’. But after watching the video which showed Bentley’s association with the spiritually dangerous Patrica King, i knew Andrew’s warning was merited.
Having been involved myself, many years ago, in some ‘fringe’ groups, the testimony by Lynn Clark was something I’ve seen it before and it is demonic.
Did a small search:
This is only a small portion, to read all go here; Angelic Hosts – Todd Bentley –
more at the link…
This revival is being shown on GOD TV. One of the Christians posted on a board who watched one segment which disturbed her greatly:
quote:
end quote.
Angels DO NOT enter people’s bodies. But demons do….
thats enough proof for me.
[…] A False Healing Revival? https://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/a-false-healing-revival/ […]
I suggest if you all are so concerned with what is going on then you need to pray and not pass judgement…also you should be careful to pass judgement on GOD’s anointed..even if YOU feel the person is anointed or NOT…
doesn’t ANYONE talk to HOLY SPIRIT? what does HE say about what is going on in Lakeland, or about Todd B and Patricia K?
one person stated I don’t have to look into it further I have heard enough..REALLY? hmm so what your saying is your talking the word of a “man” and saying that is the Truth? may I suggest NOW is the time we really should not throw the baby out with the bath water and take it to the FATHER and ask HIM to confirm what is of HIM and what is NOT
Who are the anointed?
You might like to read this Tecora;
These excerpts are taken from an excellent article at LET US REASON; Touch not my anointed. (full article well-worth reading)
God has given us his word AND the Holy Spirit my friend. Both will confirm or deny spiritual manifestations, if they be truly of God or not. We as Christians HAVE to use the God given gift of discernment which has been bestowed upon us in testing the true from the false: that is what has been done here.
Thats NOT throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves...Matthew 10
my thing is why is everyone discounting that this is NOT a move of GOD just because they do not agree with Todd or any speaker for that matter…
I know the enemy will do his best to deceive us but what if people are wrong in saying it is not a move of GOD is all I am saying…on the other hand people need to have discernment and to go GOD and ask HIM is this YOU LORD? because it may NOT be a move of GOD…I don’t think we should just jump into the pool because everyone else is because the pool may be empty…we need to ask HOLY SPIRIT and watch and let HIM show us ….don’t you think?
Tecora i believe that is what we’ve been trying to do here, in this thread: look at the evidence by comparing the ministry of the one who is leading it, Bentley, with God’s Word.
You’ve not commented on any of the things i posted concerning what this man teaches, so i will ask you about one thing in particular.
What do you believe God’s word says about this claim of his:
Do Angel’s of God enter human bodies my friend? Can you give scripture which backs up ANY instance when an Angel entered the body of a human, OTHER then the scripture which states;
Demons/unclean spirits/agents of satan are who ‘seek’ to enter bodies:
So if this man Todd Bentley was being truthful, WHAT was he really seeing entering peoples bodies?
As i stated earlier, knowing he is associated with the ministry of Patrica King, and with her extra-biblical teachings [which are absolutely outlandish], was enough for me to deeply question this revival.
But you have to make up your own mind….
God bless
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 not to be decieved. As a born again pastor for almost 30 years; I have seen this many times. I went to Bentley meeting in Lakeland not for myself but for my daughhter sake. She have gotten caught-up in this thing, and I knnew she would not take heed to my warning unless I attended one of the meeting. I have seen healing, and have been used by God on accasions to be an instrument of healing. I must say I did not see any healing the night that I was there. The only healing that toook place were those that he say had happened I did not see one person come in in a
wheel chair and left walking, nor did I see anyone come in with a seeing eye dog or cane, and left seeing. I hope that the people that was told thhat thhey havve been healed from cancer will go back to their doctors before they stop their treatment. My warning to all beware of false prophets
God do not put on shows for our entertainment
Frank Carpenter
pjmiller
I am not sure how to comment on what you said Todd said he saw…I see in the spirit to and for me if I was to see that for me it depended upon what the so called angel looked like….I have seen ones from Heaven and ones that have fallen I did not see what he saw so I don’t know what to say on that…
I know Todd has issues…but so did Moses, so did lots of prophets (lets take Jonah for example) in the bible …I am saying is lets us look to GOD for the answer and not the person on the pulpit…
my question is this if the person was not Todd and was someone everyone had no issues with…then would there be a question if this was a move of GOD? …my thing it could happen that a person who everyone accepted was in this position and the move was not GOD I believe everyone would run and accept it being also deceived…we really need to step back and watch and petition GOD and not judge Todd but pray for him espeically if he is in Error….I think as a body we go about things wrong and instead of judge we need to pray..one for Todd (GOD knows more than we do if Todd is in error or not) 2 to reveal if this is a move of GOD or if it is not 3 if it is NOT HIM then for those that are caught up into it for the Truth to be revealed…
remember JESUS said to do ALL things in LOVE…
I been to Elijah list … but for some reason Patricia King’s Prophecies… I never touched never read and always got a red flag in my spirit…Well, she tried too cold read me.. so I turned my back…this happened a while.. Then she entered the room again… I decided that No one at that conference spoke enough of the word… so I opened my bible… and guess what .. It turned too the story of the witch of endor… hmhm enough said.. life experience do say just as much as the Holy Spirit… but, that is what the blood of Jesus is for…. I pray that the Lord heals the body of Christ over this…
Correction/ I’ve
Amen Frank,….
Did you only attend the one time, and is your daughter still attending?
Thanks for posting….it was good to hear from a pastor who attended.
Tecora…those weren’t my words. Please read it again, ok? That was a quote from someone at Andrews board who has been watching it on GodTV.
You ask:
I have no knowledge of any issues with this person, never hearing of him before this revival. I have made a judgment based only on what he teaches [i posted part of it above] and, his claims of Angels of light entering peoples bodies [totally 100% un-biblical], plus his close association with the person and teachings of false prophetess Patrica King.
Read about her teachings HERE.
So to ask ‘if the person was not Todd Bentley’, etc etc…isn’t an issue.
What did Paul write?
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8, 9
That means anyone…me, you, Todd Bentley, your pastor, mine, etc. (even if they use to preach/teach the truth, and we’ve known and loved them for years)
Jesus is the truth my friend–and he is the Word. To be walking and abiding in the truth [Christ] means we place Him [and truth] first….above anyone or anything.
You are defending a man Tecora. We are called to defend the Truth. You know [if you know your bible] there is no example anywhere to be found in which Godly Angels enter peoples bodies. So what does that make what Bentley said?
a lie.
Either an outright lie, or the man is so deceived that he ‘sees’ demons and believes they are Angels.
You should be defending the Word of God….not the lie.
amen. And would it be love to tell you or anyone else i can accept this revival as a move of God, knowing that the man [who claims he was chosen to bring it about: Bentley) is perpetrating falsehoods? Thats not love…its compromising the truth.
I can’t do that. I love Jesus too much…
yes me too.
There is a serious danger in opening oneself up to just anything…even if others tell us its of God. Its why we need Godly Discernment AND the word of God.
thanks for commenting Lee2!
Since when does the enemy heal people and do miracles for the purpose of bringing Glory to Jesus?
In my experience, the enemy doesn’t go through so much trouble to bring people to repentance.
Maybe it’s revival, maybe it isn’t, but if it is and your wrong, then it is scriptural that you will be committing the one unpardonable sin by attacking it.
pjmiller…
FYI… The context of Todd saying he saw an angel enter a body was not for the purpose of possession but healing. He was not saying that the Angel was coming inside the person to live, but to simply touch the part of the body that was sick and then leave.
I personally have wrestled these questions recently. My church has been intently watching this movement for several weeks and my pastor has even gone for a few days. As I have watched, I have wanted to believe that Todd’s ministry is a Godly one and that this is a true move of God.
I am a true believer that Jesus’ presence and power is for now and He has made healings and miracles available to those that have faith and believe in accordance to his word and will. I have been in healing meetings where true & confirmed miracles have occurred and praise God for builing my faith in that way! Having said that – I am always cautious and praying for discernment from the Holy Spirit during services and these events.
I have learned that it is not enough to hear that scripture is being quoted – why? – Because satan quoted scripture when tempting Jesus!
As I mentioned, I have watched the revival and I can agree with many of the comments made here. My prayer is that this is a true move of God, yet Todd’s references to angels many times concerns me. Personally, I don’t recall another person that I have heard in a ministry role mention them as much as Todd —-ever.
I will continue to pray for discernment and clarity for all of us here discussing this important event and for those in Florida or returning.
Roy,
What are some of the activities of God’s angels relative to Christians?
How do you know that? How do you know it wasn’t for the purpose of possession? You don’t. And those who foolishly open themselves up to ANY spirit being, other then The Holy Spirit are not using wisdom or discernment.
If you can point me to one scripture which supports Angel’s of God entering into a human body, I’ll accept it as true. The only spirits which seek to enter a human [or animal] body are unclean spirits.
First Roy, what i have posted are links to articles written by those who are familiar with Bentley and/or this revival. You make up your own mind my friend.
Do i believe God still heals today? most certainly… the gifts are still in operation. But satan will and DOES counterfeit the things of God, including signs and wonders.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. Mt 24:24
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,… 2thess.2
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary correctly explains:
“After–according to the working [“energy’] of Satan, as opposed to the energy or working of the Holy Spirit in the Church. As Christ is related to God, so is Antichrist to Satan, his visible embodiment and manifestation; Satan works through him. (Re 13:2 …The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority) lying wonders–literally, “wonders” or “prodigies of falsehood.” His “power, signs, and wonders,” all have falsehood for their base, essence, and aim (John 8:44- “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.) In [Mt 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible.’]
Jesus implies that the miracles shall be real, though demonic; such mysterious effects of the powers of darkness as we read of in the case of the Egyptian sorcerers, not such as Jesus performed in their character, power, or aim; for they are against the revealed Word, and therefore not to be accepted as evidences of truth; nay, on the authority of that sure Word of prophecy to be known and rejected as wrought in support of falsehood. The same three Greek words occur for miracles of Jesus [Ac 2:22 “…Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him…] and [Heb 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles…]; showing that as the Egyptian magicians imitated Moses [2Ti 3:1-8 But mark this; There will be terrible times in the last days… They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth–men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.), so Antichrist will try to imitate Christ’s works as a “sign,” or proof of divinity.”
Satan can perform “real” supernatural miracles, signs, and wonders; for this is a specific warning given over and again as a hallmark of the End of the Age. link
Is repentance what is being preached by Bentley at this revival? I’ve watched a few clips and have not seen any repentance being preached…instead its been all about Angels.
Yes, satan will bring about a form of healing in certain cases. How and why?
First we know from scripture that there are some cases in which illness can be caused by demonic spirits: Jesus healed many by casting out these unclean spirits during his ministry years…
Why would satan appear to heal? it would be very simple for him to do this, if one of his ‘own’ [demon] is the cause of the affliction. He could do this for the purpose of lifting up a false prophet or teacher in the eyes of God’s people–so that in the long run they could be led away from truth and God. That is his goal my friend..to lead you and i away from God and truth.
One thing i’ve noticed is if its a true healing from God the person STAYS healed: in the case of a false [or satanically inspired] miracle it will not. I’m not saying there is scripture for that–its just been a personal observation over the last 28 years.
There is a true anointing of God, and, there is an unholy anointing as well, which our enemy can and does (and has in the past} bestow upon people who seek for signs and wonders.
I wrestled with this many years ago; Believing it was some unpardonable sin to question if some manifestation was truly from God. Its not…
It pleases our Farther to know his children seek truth Roy. We are to be discerning and compare every manifestation with the word of God–as well as any/all teachings; As good ‘Bereans’
Our Father knows we desire to witness HIS power, and its not a sin to discern if it is or not.
Its a grave mistake (and possibly a sin) if we just automatically accept every move or manifestation as being from God.
Tommy i think thats using Godly wisdom to be cautious, and praying for discernment.
There is a lot of false out there today, but as you said there is the real also.
I too was hoping this was a true God sent revival…it was only after reading many of the teachings by Bentley, that i began to question it. And you’re right, the man seems to be obsessed with Angels.
We are never to be focused upon Angels, but upon Christ.
PJ,
Praise God for your diligence here in presenting sound biblical doctrine with your replies.
Thanks Kurt..
pray for me, lol (im serious)
I have questioned is it of GOD or not and I believe it is…I also questioned things about Todd but we all are not perfect…after hearing leader after leader’s impartation to Todd and what the LORD has shown them…I beleive GOD is using Todd…
all I want is more of GOD…I want this move of GOD in my house, on my street, in my county , in my city and in my state and I want it all to be the FIRE of GOD…
so I am doing what Bob Jones said CONTEND FOR IT!
I am sorry if I came acorss a bit harsh but I was hearing so much against it and it all based on Todd…we have to becareful for couterfiet as well…
Tecora it has nothing to do with being perfect…we all who are in Christ in this world, only have our Lord and Savior to thank for any righteousness we have…for it is his to begin with. Christ is “being” formed in us, day by day. So no one has reached perfection yet.
We all do! We hunger for Christ and to witness his power being manifested in us, our homes, families, nation. But we cannot allow our zeal to cause us to accept anything which comes down the pike which ‘looks’ on the surface powerful, or spiritual. We still have to allow the gift of discernment to operate by the Holy Spirit within each of us.
Tecora have you ever studied any of the great revivals of the past? If not you should. its interesting.
Holiness and Godly repentance was at the center of every great move of God through church history.
I have a copy of something i’d ask you to read…will post it under this…
The year was 1906. Holiness evangelist Frank Bartleman was saturating the City of Los Angeles with Gospel tracts. The man of God even wrote Evan Roberts in Wales for advice on how to spark a move of God in the “City of Angels” that would echo the Great Welsh Revival of 1904-1905. As the story goes, Roberts wrote back, “Congregate the people who are willing to make a total surrender. Pray and wait. Believe God’s promises. Hold daily meetings. May God bless you is my earnest prayer.”
God did bless Bartleman, and many others. The following is Bartleman’s testimony from June 15, 1906 at 312 Azusa Street…,
“In the beginning in “Azusa” we had no musical instruments. In fact we felt no need of them. There was no place for them in our worship. All was spontaneous. We did not even sing from hymnbooks. All the old well-known hymns were sung from memory, quickened by the Spirit of God. “The Comforter Has Come,” was possibly the one most sung. We sang it from fresh, powerful heart experience.
Oh, how the power of God filled and thrilled us.
Then the “blood” songs were very popular. “The life is in the blood.” Sinai, Calvary, and Pentecost all had their rightful place in the “Azusa” work. But the “new song” was altogether different, not of human composition. It cannot be successfully counterfeited. The crow cannot imitate the dove.
Brother [William J.] Seymour was recognized as the nominal leader in charge. But we had no pope or hierarchy. We were “brethren.”
We had no human program. The Lord Himself was leading.
We had no priest class, nor priest craft. These things have come in later, with the apostatizing of the movement. We did not even have a platform or pulpit in the beginning. All were on a level.
The ministers were servants, according to the true meaning of the word. We did not honor men for their advantage, in means or education, but rather for their God-given gifts.
He set the members in the “Body.”
Now “a wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof” (Jeremiah 5:30-31). Also “As for my people, children are their oppressors (sometimes grown up ones) and women rule over them” (Isaiah 3:12).
Brother Seymour generally sat behind two empty shoeboxes, one on top of the other. He usually kept his head inside the top one during the meeting, in prayer.
There was no pride there.
The services ran almost continuously. Seeking souls could be found under the power almost any hour, night and day. The place was never closed nor empty.
The people came to meet God. He was always there. Hence a continuous meeting.
The meeting did not depend on the human leader.
God’s presence became more and more wonderful.
In that old building, with its low rafters and bare floors, God took strong men and women to pieces, and put them together again, for His glory. It was a tremendous overhauling process. Pride and self-assertion, self-importance and self-esteem, could not survive there. The religious ego preaches its own funeral sermon quickly.
No subjects or sermons were announced ahead of time, and no special speakers for such an hour. No one knew what might be coming, what God would do. All was spontaneous, ordered of the Spirit.
We wanted to hear from God, through whoever He might speak. We had no “respect of persons.”
The rich and educated were the same as the poor and ignorant, and found a much harder death to die. We only recognized God. All were equal. No flesh might glory in His presence. He could not use the self-only recognized and opinionated.
Those were Holy Ghost meetings, led of the Lord.
It had to start in the poor surroundings, God. All were equal. No flesh might glory in His presence. He could not use the self-only to keep out the selfish, human element. All came down in humility together, at His feet. They all looked alike, and had all things in common in that sense at least.
The rafters were low, the tall must come down.
By the time they got to Azusa they were humbled, ready for the blessing. The food was thus placed for the lambs, not for giraffes. All could reach it.
We were delivered right there from ecclesiastical hierarchism and abuse. We wanted God.
When we first reached the meeting we avoided as much as possible human contact and greeting. We wanted to meet God first. We got our head under some bench in the corner in prayer, and met men only in the Spirit, knowing them “after the flesh” no more.
The meetings started themselves, spontaneously, in testimony, praise and worship. The testimonies were never hurried by a call for “popcorn.” We had no prearranged programmed to be jammed through the time. Our time was the Lord’s. We had real testimonies from fresh heart-experience. Otherwise, the shorter the testimonies, the better.
A dozen might be on their feet at one time, trembling under the mighty power of God. We did not have to get our cure from some leader.
And we were free from lawlessness. We were shut up to God in prayer in the meetings, our minds on Him.
All obeyed God, in meekness and humility. In honor we “preferred one another.”
The Lord was liable to burst through any one. We prayed for this continually.
Someone would finally get up anointed for the message. All seemed to recognize this and gave way. It might be a child, a woman, or a man. It might be from the back seat, or from the front. It made no difference. We rejoiced that God was working.
No one wished to show himself. We thought only of obeying God.
In fact, there was an atmosphere of God there that forbade any one but a fool attempting to put himself forward without the real anointing. And such did not last long. The Spirit, from the throne, controlled the meetings.
Those were truly wonderful days. I often said that I would rather live six months at that time than 50 years of ordinary life. But God is just the same today. Only we have changed.
Some one might be speaking. Suddenly the Spirit would fall upon the congregation. God Himself would give the altar call. Men would fall all over the house, like the slain in battle, or rush for the altar en masse, to seek God. The scene often resembled a forest of fallen trees. Such a scene cannot be imitated. I never saw an altar call given in those early days. God Himself would call them. And the preacher knew when to quit. When He spoke we all obeyed. It seemed a fearful thing to hinder or grieve the Spirit.
The whole place was steeped in prayer, God was in His holy temple. It was for man to keep silent.
The shekinah glory rested there. In fact, some claim to have seen the glory by night over the building. I do not doubt it. I have stopped more than once within two blocks of the place and prayed for strength before I dared to go on. The presence of the Lord was so real.
Presumptuous men would sometimes come among us. Especially preachers who would try to spread themselves, in self-opinionating. But their effort was short-lived. The breath would be taken from them. Their minds would wander, their brains reel. Things would turn black before their eyes. They could not go on. I never saw one get by with it in those days. They were up against God. No one cut them off. We simply prayed. The Holy Spirit did the rest.
We wanted the Spirit to control. He wound them up in short order. They were carried out dead, spiritually speaking. They generally bit the dust in humility, going through the process we had all gone through. In other words they died out, came to see themselves in all their weakness, then in childlike humility and confession were taken up of God, transformed through the mighty “baptism” in the Spirit. The “old man” died with all his pride, arrogance and good works.
In my own case I came to abhor myself.
I begged the Lord to drop a curtain so close behind me on my past that it would hit my heels. He told me to forget every good deed as though it had never occurred, as soon as it was accomplished anything for Him, lest my good works become a snare to me.
We saw some wonderful things in those days.
Even very good men came to abhor themselves in the clearer light of God. The preachers died the hardest. But when God got through with them they gladly turned a new page and chapter. That was one reason they fought so hard. Death is not at all a pleasant experience. And strong men die hard.
*****
Frank Bartleman’s personal and eye-witness accounts of the events at the Azusa Revival is excerpted from his book How Pentecost Came to Los Angeles, now reprinted as Azusa Street, available online at http://www.thevoicebooks.com..
******
Thats revival. God reveals our sinfulness, flesh, and pride: we pray in Holy Spirit directed repentance for it ‘to die!’… God hears and answers the call of our broken hearts, by ‘nailing’ our flesh and all it compasses to the Cross. As the eye witness reported;
*A History of Christian Revivals
*The Revival Hymn Video
*The Welsh Revival
*audio, Revival On The Isle Of Lewis
*(this is very good) Jonathan Edwards: Theologian of Revival
*(outstanding!) John Sung and the Asian Awakening
*The Revival of 1859 that encompassed England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the USA.
God bless…
Good research, biblical premise for rejecting this Lakeland side show as another counterfeit revival origined in Hell. Thank you for your work.
What I would like to see in these “revivals” is doctors reports prior to healing and after healing. Wheaton College is full of the documentation of Kuhlman’s healings. That is what we need, documentation, to see from Hinn and any other joker who claims to operate in the gift of miracles. Not to mention a blameless, scriptural life that is replete with humility and sound doctrine.
we will know by its fruit…..
I read your post and still need to go thru all the links…but I see you have all the facts on past moves …to which I am sure there were some that protested it was not of GOD …
but tell me what is HOLY SPIRIT telling you about this one…I am curious…
When first hearing about it, i sensed the Holy Spirit issue a caution Tecora. That is the truth.
Afterwards i wanted to know why so did some research on the person leading this, Todd Bentley, and others involved in it, namely some of the past Kansas city Prophets/Elijah list Prophets (and Prophetess’ ) ….which sent up a red flag; but once i read the teachings of Bentley on Angels and his own ‘experiences’ with them, i knew why the Holy Spirit issued a warning in my spirit.
amen…i agree. By the way, i read a report from out the Lakeland revival today which stated they are expecting Benny Hinn to be not only attending himself soon, but “hopefully” (their word) ministering as well.
This is important i believe—to watch and see who lines themselves up behind this “revival”. It may say alot….
What will also say even more is who doesn’t (speaking of Christian leaders/ministers).
it will be interesting to watch…
oh… so you don’t believe BHinn is working for GOD?
Tecora,
I believe you mean well my brother/sister but you have to go to GOD and ask HIM if all what is happening re Bentley, Benny Hinn, etc. is of HIM and from HIM.
Don’t ask man, go to GOD and He will show you the Truth, for HE is the Truth.
HE alone is the One who died for you. Ask HIM, seek the Truth from HIM and you will find it from HIM.
God bless
PJMiller
May God continue to bless you and enlighten you with His Truth as you abide in HIM.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your post about Frank Bartleman. WOW when God is working, we WILL know it. Amen.
How I pray for God to send faithful labourers like Christmas Evans, Frank Bartleman, George Meuller.
I constantly pray for men after God’s own heart and not for those who are only there for what they can get out of people by gain, filthy lucre, etc. Send Your men dear LORD, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
God bless
Danni, the first time i read that eye-witness account by Frank Bartleman, i wept.
It still touches me today…
THAT IS revival!!
Danni
I have went to GOD….and I have received my confirmation on this…
it just seems to me that most people are putting all judgement on Todd etc ….
remember we are not to speak against GOD’s anointed…that is all I will say…
Be blessed all!
who are the anointed today?
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27)
“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God”. (2 Corinthians 1:21)
According to scripture the anointed are all who have received Jesus as Savior and Lord…and who are abiding in Him.
The scripture you referenced:
Psalms 105:15, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”
‘the Lord’s anointed’, is a reference to the kings of the nation of Israel (1Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11, 16,23; 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21; Psalm 20:6; Lam. 4:20). The mention of prophets, is a reference to the patriarchs (Psalm 105:8-15; 1Chron. 16:15-22). It is used exclusively in the Old Testament.- link
Many teachers/prophets use that scripture, pulled out of context, today to keep God’s people from questioning anything they teach or preach.
What if he (Todd Bentley, or any man behind a pulpit) also told you, that you and everyone else were to stand, strip off naked and engage in ‘acts’ with the one sitting next to you…or across the isle; Would you obey him because you believe he is anointed?
Hopefully not!
You wouldn’t do that because you know the Word of God speaks against such behavior.
So why would you or anyone else listen and believe everything he claims to have seen or experienced without checking it out by the word of God?
That’s called ‘judging righteously’ …..
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24
To judge; “to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.”
****
Who is Supposed to Judge?
We know from Scripture that God is the Judge of all (Genesis 18:25; Judges 11:27; I Samuel 2:10 Psalms 50:6; Psalms 96:13; Psalms 98:9; Isaiah 3:13; Isaiah 33:22; Jeremiah 11:20; Ezekiel 18:30; Ezekiel 33:20; Hebrews 12:23; I Peter 1:17; Matthew 12:27). God is set in position as our Judge because He is all-knowing, He is Truth. As such God’s judgements are righteous and true (John 8:26; Romans 11:33; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2).
Although God alone is the Judge, this does not mean that only God judges. In fact, the Word of God says that God enables man to judge, commands man to judge, and is pleased with those who seek to judge righteously.
Scriptures clearly show that throughout time God has imparted to man the authority to judge (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 16:18; Judges 2:16-19; II Chronicles 19:5; Ezra 7:25; Isaiah 1:17; Ezekiel 23:45; John 7:24; Romans 2:27; I Corinthians 2:15; I Corinthians 6:).
In Zechariah 3:7 God states that He gives those who obey Him the authority to judge, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.”
There are also additional references in Scripture to this process of judging that may not specifically use the word judge. For example, in the original languages, the words translated as judge in Scripture are also translated examine, search, discern, ask, question, contend, esteem, and determine. more here
Dear Tecora,
Every one who is a christian is anointed of God. We have all been sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the Day of Redemption. You have been anointed by God, I have been anointed by God, every man and woman, boy or girl, who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour is anointed by HIM and we are His witnesses.
We are to judge with righteous judgement and that means according to the Word of God. Whatever does not line up with the Word of God is not from God.
Before I truly came to know the Lord through His Word, I trusted men and what they were saying and how they must be from God, etc. but then God showed me the Truth, and when a man is preaching the Truth it will be based upon the Word of God.
Tecora pray that God will keep you from deception. When we are deceived we do not want to believe that we have been deceived – but we can be and the only way not to be deceived is to pray, watch and compare everything according the the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit it the Spirit of Truth, He will guide into all Truth. He will reveal Jesus to You.
Do not put your trust in a man based on what he says, test him and prove him according to God’s Word.
Take care and watch and pray that you do not fall into the tricks and wiles of the devil who loves it when you, Tecora, put your trust in a man instead of the Living God.
I will be praying for you brother/sister. God richly bless you Tecora and fill you with His wisdom from above and may His Holy Spirit guide you into all truth.
[…] A FALSE HEALING REVIVAL […]
I was there – It was great. Here is what makes it great…
No Religiousness, as shown in comments above of “Todd is unpolished”. The man came from the street, has tatoos and a peircing…yet God IS using him. And you know why? Because everytime someone make it “about Todd”…Todd makes it about the bride. Todd reinforced that the whole body is given power with salvation.
I have gotten calls from Long Island and Western Ma – with people I trust, stating they can feel the annointing coming thru the tv/internet. All Todd is saying is, “Come and get Some.”
I encourage you to take a flight and see for yourself.
I love what the Lord has done in Tornato and with Rodney…now is a fresh wind.
All I can say is…the Healing is not false for those who have been healed and Holy Spirit is NOT a gentleman (all the time).
Come and get some!
Blessings and wonder!
Becky W, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Becky, i respectfully disagree with you. The Holy Spirit is always a ‘gentleman’ in that he never forces anything upon us…The very fruit of the wonderful Holy Spirit speaks to this:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…. Gal.5
On the other hand the works of the flesh do not promote any of this fruit…especially self-control:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God
I cannot attribute the actions which i have seen coming from those leading this revival to the Holy Spirit for that reason alone. He is the Spirit of truth.
I’m not trying to judge one way or the other, but I had a couple of questions for Bentley’s skeptics, and moreover, skeptics of any evangelist, teacher, prophet, etc. that claims Jesus is the Son of God. If this has been covered in this discussion maybe you can tell me where to, but how does 1 John 4:1-6 fit in?
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God; and such is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already it is in the world.”
Doesn’t Bentley claim Jesus has come in the flesh? I don’t really know anything about Patricia King, but what would she say about Jesus?
Here is something to consider Kevin…Who else agrees that Jesus indeed came in the flesh? Just to pick 2…
Those who follow New Age teachings do…those who embrace Islam do also.
Even demons acknowledged Jesus, as God in the flesh. (see Luke 4:34)
But would we accept any teachings from these sources as coming from God? Of course not..
So knowing this, we should conclude John is most likely meaning Jesus, the son of God and His doctrine–truth etc. We know from those who are false teachers and prophets that they will gladly agree that Jesus came in the flesh…and will even agree he is the Son of God: but, do they agree with his doctrine, or do they teach/preach doctrines which are not found in the bible, thus following another Jesus…not the Jesus of the bible?
You might like this Exegetical Commentary on 1 John 4 by Nate Wilson.
I don’t really have any problem with that answer, but other than Bentley’s style, which I don’t necessarily have a problem with personally, but I can see how some people might, I don’t see that his beliefs on Jesus or the Bible are substantially are non-Christian.
Maybe some of the things Bentley talks about like being with angels, seeing the third heaven (whatever that is), having jewels appear, and that kind of thing sound strange, I don’t know know that much about them yet. I’ve read on here that those types of things are New Agey, but I’ve also heard it said that the devil can’t create anything. He can only provide a counterfeit., so the argument could be made that when New Agers experience such manifestations, it’s just a counterfeit of the true, divine manifestations from God in the form of gold dust or whatever.
In any case, I still haven’t made up my mind on these issues yet. I guess it’ll take more research.
pjmiller, on May 5th, 2008 at 7:36 pm Said: What if he (Todd Bentley, or any man behind a pulpit) also told you, that you and everyone else were to stand, strip off naked and engage in ‘acts’ with the one sitting next to you…or across the isle; Would you obey him because you believe he is anointed?
Now your getting stupid
Now let me get this. Ok, now God only uses people who meet my understanding of Scrptures, and agree with my interpetation of others interpretation of individuals. (like Todd) Hence this is not a God thing but who is being lifted in worship? Now if satan is leading this revival is it really a revival? Does he lead worship to the living God? Get beyond the BAM thing. Are these people healed or not. Well I’m thinking maybe they can’t be because Jesus healed all that were oppressed of the devil. Now we know that a house divided against its self cannot stand (Jesus words not mine) so if satan is heading this thing up then the only explination would be that they are all fakes. But if they’re all fakes then the needy would be suffering alot of disappointment and the crowds would have to be falling off. But what if thousands of people were in on the hoax ?(it must take thousands to keep the place full night after night) then I guess the world has been duped. The other option would be that the powers of darkness are promoting the worship of God and healing others to help God get things going. Now Fred, for me to believe this? Thats stupid. Know, I’ll just accept that in this mess of humanity God chooses to use the unlikely to achive his purposes because the “church” is to busy promoting ourselves and the box is to small for God to mve much. God bless Todd and the team that has sacrificed so much more than I ever have to do the work that we should had been doing all along.
All I can say is you have to be there. I have been in many “revivals” through the years where there was NOTHING aside from a man/woman claiming to be of God. Why you walk into the areas of Todd Bently there is no doubt in your mind that it is God working through him and him for God. While he is definatly unpolished he is one of the most anoited people I have crossed paths with in a very long time. I have personally seen miracles happen in his meetings that leave no doubt.
God Bless each and every one
Mandy
Florida
No Fred, im getting real…
Too many sheep today follow the ‘bellwether’ pastors, prophets, and those who claim to be anointed by God without question… never comparing what they say, teach, or claim to come from God with the scriptures.
Jesus said ‘follow me’ for a reason.
If you think my example was stupid, you’ve not been keeping up with whats been going on in some churches in recent years.