-
TODD BENTLEY AND THE FLORIDA
REVIVAL EXPOSED
We are in the midst of a desperate hour. Many of you
have heard of the so-called “revival” that has broken out in Lakeland, Florida
under Todd Bentley. Perhaps some of you have even gone to it. Some of you are
open to it. Some are unsure. And some are against it.
Indeed, this is a revival all right –but not a
revival of holiness and righteousness and of the fear of God. It is a revival
of Babylonian arts and counterfeit signs and wonders sent to deceive those who
receive not the love of the truth.
Now before somebody misunderstands, let me make
some disclaimers:
First of all, I am not
calling every healing and miracle that takes place, “of the Devil”. I will admit
that I cannot see with my eyes all of the spirits at work here and therefore
can’t expressly identify them all. But what I am calling of the Devil is Todd
Bentley and this revival as a whole. Bentley is a false prophet, period, by
every standard of Scripture.
Secondly, let me state
as well that I personally believe in the modern day gifts and operations of the
Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and elsewhere in Scripture. I
believe in speaking in tongues, divine healing, and casting out demons, and
have seen these things in my own ministry. I am not against this revival simply
because miracles are taking place, as some try to accuse me of. However, we
need to be aware, that just because people are speaking in tongues and getting
healed, doesn’t necessarily mean the Spirit of God is at work, either. It may
or may not. This is not the test of truth, as proven both by Scripture and by
the numerous false religions of the world that practice both of these things
(including witch doctors here in Mexico!). We need to realize that as an angel
of light, Satan is a genius counterfeiter.
Thirdly, I am not so
‘religious’ that I believe God won’t use a man that rides a motorcycle or has
tattoos. I believe God has genuinely used men who fit this description
and can whenever He desires. I don’t believe a man has to wear a suit and tie
to be a preacher. And I don’t believe he has to be well mannered and
sophisticated and use eloquent language to be a revivalist. Preachers may or
may not do these things, and again, they are no test of truth. Whether he wears
a suit and tie, or a camel-skin coat, or whether he speaks properly, or in
broken slang (as long as it is morally appropriate), or whether he rides a
camel or a Harley, is no test of truth.
Fourthly, I believe
that what a man does prior to his conversion and prior to being born again does
not hinder him from ministering in the Kingdom of God. It has been
brought up that Todd Bentley did some really sick and heinous things before his
“conversion”, and people have tried to use this to discredit him. I disagree
with this tactic, and I will give Todd the benefit of the doubt and not dare
mention any dirt from his past prior to his testified “conversion”.
Now, let’s proceed. I am issuing a public
alarm and warning with no uncertain terms against this counterfeit revival.
The Lord Jesus said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for
wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there
be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or
figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil
fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them”. (Mat. 7:13-20).
Meditate on those words and let them sink deep
into your heart. The gate that leads to Hell is wide, and many go through it.
When a preacher makes the way to salvation wide and gives the impression that
many enter that gate, and when he refuses to preach obedience to the commands
of Jesus and the fear of God, and when his message tickles the ears and is
pleasing to unregenerate masses and confirms them in their compromised
lifestyles and friendship with the world, then there is a big problem. It is by
their fruits that we shall know them. What fruits is it talking about?
I believe there are three major ‘fruits’
that reveal Todd Bentley’s true identity as a false prophet, namely:
(1) the fruit of his life and conduct,
(2) the fruit of his doctrine and
(3) the fruit of the spirits he operates
under.
I want to examine these three ‘fruits’
very briefly in this urgent warning. Then I want to conclude with some serious
practical application. Let’s observe:
1. THE FRUIT OF TODD
BENTLEY’S LIFE AND CONDUCT
How
would the life of a true revivalist and man of God look like? What are some chief
characteristics that would describe his life? Would he, perhaps, be
characterized by habitual righteousness, by separation from the entertainments
of the world, by being salt and light, by setting a model and example for those
under his leadership to follow? Well, not so with Mr. Bentley.
According to his Myspace page (to which all
apparent evidence supports the idea that it really is his Myspace), his life
really looks a lot like the life of an unregenerate. What do I mean? Well, here
are a few examples:
A. Todd Bentley has a seriously unhealthy
attachment to Harley Davidson Motorcycles and seems to promote them more than
he does Jesus. This is not too harsh. He literally has dozens of pictures of
them and with him riding them, wears Harley logo shirts, and promotes them big
time at seemingly every turn.
B. Todd is a fan of Professional TV show-time
style Wrestling. This is a sick show that promotes sexual perversions,
idolatry, profanity, violence, riches, and the WORLD in general and is totally
wicked. Yet, Todd the “man of God” likes it so much he is actually going to the
live events. There are even pictures of when he went posted openly on his
Myspace for all to see.
C. Todd is a fan of Ultimate Fighting
Championship (UFC). For those of you who don’t know what this is, imagine WWF
wrestling, combined with deadly martial arts and karate, and with everything
actually being REAL fighting. Seriously, there are men who have died in this
Satanic game, and many more who have been wounded for life. Truly, is a true
saint going to take pleasure in seeing people be murdered? To watch a video of
what America’s Revivalist Bentley is watching, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiZ8ZVUUvAo
(WARNING: No kids should watch this! And only those who are covered and
protected by the blood of Jesus).
D. Todd plays
video games that involve boxing, showing again, that he likes violent sports.
E. Todd spends time at Disneyland.
F. Todd watches
wicked shows and movies on TV, such as the Oscars, Seinfeld, King of Queens,
American Chopper and CSI and Lord of the Rings, and other wicked movies that
promote witchcraft, violence, and perversion.
Now, if he was just doing one or two of these
things, like say he went to Disneyland, and rides a Harley Motorcycle, that
wouldn’t be reason to cut him off from Christian fellowship. However, it is all
of these things combined (especially the violent sports and UFC) that really
discredit him from being a true revivalist. Maybe it would be different if he
was a regular “Christian”, but since he is a worldwide leader in the Church and
is leading a massive ‘revival’ and instructing millions of souls as a so-called
five fold minister, there is a big problem. The scripture says:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1Jo 2:15).”Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God.” (Jam 4:4).
These standards in these scriptures apply
to ALL who profess to be Christians. Yet, even so, it must be admitted by
all, that the standards for preachers and teachers in the Church is even
higher! Yet, sadly, Todd fails to meet the standards of God’s Word.
Yet, this is not all…
The MUSIC that he
listens to is utterly abominable. It’s seriously wretched and straight from the
pits of Hell. The bands he apparently listens to are: Creed, Haste the Day, Nodes of the Ranavier, Mortification, Tourniquet, Eternal Decision, P.O.D, Jason Upton, Michael Larson, Kevin Prosch, Don Potter, Kathryn Scott, Alberto &; Kimberly Rivera, Immortal Souls, Living Sacrifice, Johnny Cash, He is Legend, Extol, Embodyment, Divine Fire, Demon Hunter, Day of Fire, U2, Coldplay, James Blunt, Scott Stapp.
Some should already recognize at least a name or
two in that list as being secular and led by Satanic musicians (such as U2 is a
famous one, see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyZYnBN37IM
-WARNING, BETTER BE COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS BY FAITH).
But what I want to point out is that a few of
those bands are truly as satanic as it can get. Such as the band called,
“Mortification”, a ‘death metal’ band. Todd is into this band. Here is one of
their videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmuxmtiK06o
(WARNING: again, very satanic, pray for protection before watching and plead
the blood of Jesus over your household and heart). You can find tons of other
videos of them by searching on youtube.com, and more about them by searching
online.
Now, as proof that Todd is into this band, I
have found that he actually has a tattoo of one of their major symbols on his
leg (this is Todd’s leg):
This picture
is called, “Crush hatred, love others”, and is a picture from the Mortification
band. It looks like a demon. But what would possess a man to be so into such
satanic music to actually open himself up to it to the point of tattooing it on
his skin?
What has shocked me further is that I did a
little research on this band, and found that they have a song titled,
“Necromancide”. This comes from the “necromancy”, which according to a
dictionary of dictionary.com means:
necromancy
1. the belief in magical spells that
harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the
world [syn: sorcery]
2. conjuring up the dead, especially for
prophesying
This is already alarming because Todd Bentley is
producing extremely “unnatural effects in the world” and openly claims to
communicate with the dead and prophesy thereby (see his teaching on entering
the third heaven here: http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Act=read&status=teaching&Id=189&pid=954&bid=955
- in it he claims to have seen Abraham, David and Paul, and had conversations
with the Apostle Paul over who wrote the book of Hebews and prophesies thereby
that Paul wrote it). Communication with the dead is forbidden in Scripture, it
is solely the practice of those who practice witchcraft and sorcery.
What is even further shocking is the
lyrics of that song. Here they are:
“Communication with the dead
Contact with those in the grave
Reaching out to whom they've lost
Morbid existence will count the cost
Divination they will use
A seance they will not refuse
Now be seated and concentrate
Then hold hands to seal your fate
Rotting corpses buried deep
Decomposing in a mangled heap
Unable to speak at all
Only demons answer their call
Necromanicide
Feel the violent surge of pain
Flowing through your body's frame
Demons of hell invading you
Left alone, what can you do
Rotting corpses buried deep
Decomposing in a mangled heap
Unable to speak at all
Only demons answer their call
Necromanicide
Necromanicide
I am no relation of yours but one spawned
From the depths of hades whose task is to deceive you
This foul practice must be stopped
Before your cadaver starts to rot
Fall prostrate before the cross
Bathe in the blood of the sacrifice…
(END QUOTE)
Remember, this is one of Todd’s
favorite bands, and he has their image stamped on his leg. Need I say more?
Saints, I believe Todd himself can echo the part, “I am no relation of yours
but one spawned from the depths of hell whose task is to deceive you”. Have you
been deceived?
Is this too heavy for you? Too shocking? THEN
WAKE UP!!! Jesus warned us about all this! “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or
there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.”
(Mat 24:23-25). Jesus said there would be great
SIGNS AND WONDERS shown by these FALSE PROPHETS that would be extremely
deceptive in nature in the last days (which we live in)! He has warned us
beforehand! Do you think that He possibly warned us so we could perhaps take
caution when signs and wonders occur?
2. THE FRUIT OF
TODD BENTLEY’S DOCTRINE
On this point I honestly don’t even know where
to start. We have already seen that his doctrine allows him to communicate with
and receive special revelation from dead saints. He also claims to communicate
regularly with angels.
Bentley’s doctrine and preaching centers
heavily on angels, signs and wonders. Indeed, it is almost ALL he talks about. There is no
sound scriptural teaching based on clear biblical exegesis or of rightly
dividing the Word of Truth. His doctrine is based more on strange spiritual
experiences and extra-scriptural revelations then it is from Scripture.
Including a female angel named “Emma”, although there is not a single record in
Scripture of a female angel.
Bentley is also in the damnable practice of
selling the “anointing” and his sermons and materials. And not only this, but
he preaches the modern day prosperity gospel which is nothing short of pure
heresy. Read his quote taken from one of his teachings on his ministry website:
Todd said: “Not only does God have many angels on
assignment, but there is an angelic realm in heaven devoted to finances. Why?
It’s because God oversees the wealth of this world and He has certain proven
strategies in place. After all, it’s His wealth, no matter whose hands it’s in.
His angels are on assignment to watch over your finances, to gather money, to
gather investments, to bring favor, and to bring power in your life so that you
can have favor and wealth. He wants to provide for you! One of His names is Jehovah Jireh, which means God our provider.
In this regard, on three occasions over the past couple of years I’ve had a visitation
from the Lord in which I’ve seen the angel of finance. Every time this happens
(in our meetings) there is an incredible financial breakthrough—something is
opened up in heaven, it invades the earth, and people respond by giving
generously. And afterward many testimonies come in to Fresh Fire reporting the
abundant blessings that people have received in return!
So let’s look at what happened in a meeting when I went into a trance-like
state and I saw, for the third time over the course of a few years, the angel
of finance. [A trance is simply a dream-like state but you are awake. For more
information on trances, refer to Acts Chapter 10.] In that trance I experienced
one of heaven’s realities and then that experience became a reality here on earth.
Here’s what happened. At first I saw heaven open, and as I ascended a ladder
into the heavens I saw full vibrant wings and feathers! These feathers were
white and as real as they would be in the natural realm; that’s how vivid it
was. Then I noticed wings that moved and there was an arm under one wing and
another arm under another wing! As the wings lifted I saw every precious gem
you could think of under those wings; and then I saw the angel standing, having
a body like a man with six wings. I knew it was the angel of finance.
Next, I saw a door called “treasure” and the door was open. Without thinking or
considering what to do, I found myself in a treasure room in heaven. The only
item in this room was gold coins, and I began stuffing those coins into my
pockets until they were falling out. Then, after filling up another pocket, I
opened my trousers and started filling my trousers with gold coins. After that,
I stuffed them into my suit jacket. I even opened my shirt and started stuffing
gold coins down my shirt!
Still in the trance, I asked the Lord, “What am I doing?” “You’re getting the
offering!” He said. Now we weren’t receiving the offering yet in the meeting,
but God said that I was getting the offering! Now, we don’t usually, if ever,
see it that way, yet God was saying this because the offering, the money, is
in heaven. After I heard that answer, I made a conscious decision (in this
experience) to get even more gold. Now I was collecting more, stuffing as much
as possible anywhere I could fit it, even my ears!
That encounter with the angel of
finance, and then the treasure room, is an excellent example of heaven’s
realities. And before I share how that reality manifested on earth—in other
words, how the offering that was “taken” in heaven manifested on earth in the
meeting, you need to know something unique that my associates make a practice
of doing.
If an anointed point is made by a minister of the gospel and an associate wants
that particular point activated in their life, they will immediately sow into
it. By that I mean, they will run up to the pulpit or the altar—“I want
that”—and sow into the anointing in that moment of glory, by placing an
offering there. Bam! Just whatever is said, they sow into it. Of course they
can’t buy the anointing, but on the other hand they can sow
into it. (END TODD BENTLEY QUOTE)
Isn’t that what Simon the
ex-sorcerer tried to do? Didn’t he try to offer Peter a seed-faith gift in
exchange for the anointing?
Let’s
read it:
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands
the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this
power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter
said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the
gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:18-20).
I find it utterly disgusting to suggest that
angels of God come down to give me a bunch of money, while so many poor
believers around the world suffer persecution and tribulation and trials and
are dirt poor. The Bible speaks no unclear words about those who suppose
“gain is godliness” and who serve Mammon. Todd Bentley’s experience and his
practice sounds a lot like what the true prophet said –though he claims to be a
leader, a prophet, a shepherd of the masses:
“For the leaders of my people-the
LORD'S watchmen, his shepherds-are blind to every danger. They are like silent
watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around,
sleeping and dreaming. And they are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied. They
are stupid shepherds, all following their own path, all of them intent on
personal gain. "Come," they say. "We will get some wine and have
a party. Let's all get drunk. Let this go on and on, and tomorrow will be even
better." (Isa. 56:10-12).
That is all these “revivals” are, parties with foolish
drunkenness, spiritual drunkenness and slumber.
The common appearance of angels does not prove that something is
from God. Satan himself is a fallen angel:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
It is no great marvel if angels appear and do many seemingly good
things, yet are total counterfeits sent to deceive. Such is the way that
Islam, Mormonism, and Jehovah Witness religions ALL started –by the appearance
of angels to a major “prophet”. And though Todd may appear to be a
“minister of righteousness”, just because he says “in the name of Jesus” every
now doesn’t mean he is of God! Which “Jesus” name is He invoking anyway? There
are many Jesus’s in the world. He is just as much a false prophet as Joseph
Smith and Muhammad because his life and doctrines contradicts the Word of God.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him”. (2
Cor. 11:4).
From fairy-tale-like spiritual experiences and “third heaven
visitations”, to selling the “anointing”, to refusing to preach and expound on
repentance and holiness of life, the doctrine of Todd Bentley seems to be
nothing short of a doctrine of demons. And we’ve only scratched the surface. We
could go much more in depth, but time and space fails us.
3. THE FRUIT OF THE
SPIRITS THAT TODD BENTLEY OPERATES UNDER
This video shows a pastor from Germany receiving
an impartation from Todd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX9xdw6aT9c&feature=related
This video shows the same man in his hotel room
talking about his visitation from an angel and his experience. A few minutes
in, he can’t finish talking, because he begins to get thrashed by an unseen
force. He proceeds to manifest and convulse on the floor shamefully after
hitting his head quite hard on the dresser. Here’s the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLOgb9ng2F4&feature=related
Are these the gifts and fruits of the
Holy Spirit? Where in Scripture do we see any saint of the Living and True God
manifest in such a way?
I must admit, I have seen these types of
manifestations in my own ministry –however, it was only when I or a brother
with me were commanding demon spirits to come out of someone in the name of
Jesus.
Todd Bentley constantly manifests his
“anointing” by shaking his head back and forth, and by his body physically
shaking. These manifestations also happen frequently in those who he imparts
to. He will even wave his arms over the audience, shouting, “Fire! Fire! Fire!”
and then people in the audience will start manifesting. Some appear to be
convulsing, and some even as if they are being thrashed by a spirit.
On top of this, he has been known to cause
people to act like animals (such as dogs and chickens) when imparting to them.
Other strange, unbiblical phenomena has been known to happen in his meetings,
such as “angel feathers”, gold dust, diamonds falling from the ceiling, oil appearing
out of nowhere, and more. None of these things are scriptural.
The masses running to this revival are seeking
an impartation of this “anointing” and are seeking the thrill of the miracles
as some sort of cheap high and thrill and buzz. It is nothing short of a circus
performed by angels of light, with a false prophet as the ringleader.
Todd Bentley is a part of a movement that
was corrupted from the beginning. He regularly fellowships with such false
prophets as Rick Joyner and Paul Cain and many others. A bad tree cannot bear
good fruit. God will not use a false prophet to bring a massive end time
revival.
SOME FURTHER SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE
THIS REVIVAL IS NOT OF GOD
(2Ti 4:2). Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering 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.
Preach the Word! That's what it says! It doesn't say, "Preach about
miracles, preach about angels, preach about extra-scriptural revelations,
preach about coming revivals, etc" -it says PREACH THE WORD OF GOD! Sharp,
plain, pure, preaching of the Word of God should be the primary mark of a true
revival! Then it says to reprove and rebuke. Where is the reproving and
rebuking in this "revival", of calling out sin and proclaiming the
judgment of God upon an apostate church? Where is the exhorting, the
spuring on to love and holiness, the sound scriptural exhortation with sound
doctrine and clear Biblical exegesis? It's not in Lakeland! Nor is it in
Todd's ministry!
The time has already come that the masses of professing Christians don't want
to hear or endure sound doctrine that pricks to the heart and strikes the heart
of man with the fear of the Living God, that preaches hard against sin and
calls for true and deep repentance, that exalts the risen Christ and expounds
and applies His commandments as neccesary for salvation. This revival is not a
revival of Scriptural doctrine or of practical holiness, it is a revival of
ear-tickling prophecies and false revelations purporting to be of God. The
people's ears are turned away from the sound truth of the Holy Scriptures and
are turned unto the fables of angelic experiences and slick stories these men
either delude themselves into believing or else just make up (such
as Todd's claim to have ascended into the Third Heaven and visited the
Apostle Paul's cabin and had a conversation with him over who wrote the book of
Hebews, or of a female angel that brings financial prosperity and manifests
gold dust!).
(2Co 11:4). For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom
we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not
received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear
with him.
The "Jesus" that Todd Bentley is preaching is not the Jesus of the
Bible. His "Jesus" doesn't preach and emphasize deep repentance,
denying self and carrying the cross, selling one's possesions to give to the
poor and needy, forsaking ALL to follow him, and freely bestows his
"anointing" on all who have heretical or bad doctrine and loose,
immoral lives.
The "spirit" that Todd Bentley is operating under is causing
manifestations that DO NOT APPEAR anywhere in the Bible. He has been known
to cause animal manifestations as well (clucking like chickens, barking like
dogs, etc.), all of which are manifestations that have long been associated
with pagan and heathen religions but are found nowhere in Scripture, except
with Nebechanezzar at the judgement of God.
The "gospel" that Todd preaches is a gospel of seeking after signs
and wonders. It's hocus pocus. Angel feathers, gold dust, diamonds falling,
seeing female angels, again, all of which are found nowhere in Scripture.
Seeking after miracles and not after the face and heart and burden of God is a
deadly delusion that will lead one straight into accepting "another
spirit". There are MANY spirits in the world, which is why we are called
both to test the spirits, and to test those who purport to be prophets and
teachers by their DOCTRINE. Their doctrine must be solid and sound, and Todd's
is more new age and hype than it is sound Bible doctrine.
(Mat 7:22-23). 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.
Note, just because somebody:
1. Calls Jesus "Lord"
2. Prophesies
3. Casts out demons
4. Does many *wonderful* works (which includes healing people)
Just because they do all these things DOES NOT mean they are of God! It's not a
few, but MANY, that do these things and do not belong to the true Jesus of the
Bible. The Catholic Church still does genuine excorcisms (casting out demons)
to this day but they are serious idolaters who preach 'another gospel'. Signs
and wonders is no proof of being genuine or not. The only way we can tell is
by:
1. The doctrine of the teacher (2 John)
2. The fruit of their life (Mat. 7)
3. Discerning of the spirit they operate under (1 Cor 12)
The prophet or teacher does not need to fail in
all three of these tests to be false; he just has to fail in one. And as we
have already examined these three things in the light of Todd Bentley and his
ministry, and seen that he cannot be of God, we are left with only one thing to
do:
COME OUT FROM THE MIDST OF THIS END TIME
DELUSION!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!
PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS FOR EVERYBODY
We are surely living in the end times. It has
been prophesied by the Apostles of the Lord that in the last days, a great
apostasy would occur, a falling away from the faith. This has never been
more evident than right now. These are days of great deception, of false
prophets, of signs and wonders, of angels of light and deceitful workers.
Though all of this is a fearful thing, the saints of the Living God have
nothing to fear, except for Him.
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20).
This is all occurring in order to fulfill all
that has been written and to usher in to the end of the age. Though it is
terribly sad and grieving to see such widespread deception, it should be
encouraging to the saints to know the time and the hour in which we are living,
and that the return of Jesus Christ our Lord is nearer than ever! His Kingdom
shall come, and to His dominion there shall be no end! There is an urgency in
this hour to draw close to the heart of God and seek His face and call upon His
name and to walk with Him and fellowship with Him as never before. This is the
time to frequent the closet of prayer. To be in fastings and afflictions of
soul before the Throne. To truly press in and to seek the depths of the counsel
of God for this late hour. To walk in robes of white, in blamelessness before
the Throne, in the full assurance of faith with a pure conscience and undefiled
conduct. As the Scripture says,
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb 10:22-25).
Let the remnant of God be much in exhorting one
another and praying for one another as we see the Day approaching.
I want to encourage all the saints to be much in
the Scriptures as well, diligently acquiring knowledge and wisdom through the
word of truth with a holy hunger. To study afresh the last days and the
prophecies thereof in the Scriptures. I know many souls discourage this,
saying it is too complicated, and too mystical, and that the normal saint can’t
understand Revelation or Daniel, but this thinking is erroneous, and these
things were written about the time of the end to instruct us and to keep us
from deception and keep us in fear and love of God and to know what to expect
and be watching in the last days. Be watching, and be on your guard! Behold He
comes quickly! Be much in the Scriptures and much in watching!
And I do truly want to
say to all that this is no hour to be compromising in. This is no time to be
playing the harlot with the things of this world, of living a lukewarm life or
of dabbling in to things with an unholy mixture. We are nearing the end of the
age of grace, and this is the time to find deep and true repentance and to live
by pure and simple faith.
The Spirit of God keeps
His saints from error and deception, and from apostasy. Let us abide in Christ,
who is the one and only True Vine, and dwell in the presence of His Holy
Spirit, and walk in the true anointing, which indeed, is the only thing that
keeps us from deception:
“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.”
(1Jo 2:27).
EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!!! GRACE AND PEACE TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE
HIS APPEARING!!!
I want to conclude
with a quote from an article that I wrote in January 2007, in which I warned
about false prophets and counterfeit revival:
[BEGIN QUOTE]
“They tell the seers, ‘Stop seeing visions!’
They tell the prophets, ‘Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell
us lies. Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about
your ‘Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 30:10-11 NLT). They do not want to hear
of holiness, righteousness and justice. They do not want to hear of a narrow
path that only few find. They do not want to hear the truth that cuts and
pierces to the heart. And the result is that God has sent strong delusion,
closed their eyes and their hearts, and has given them a spirit of slumber. “They have not
known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and
their hearts, that they cannot understand” (Isaiah 44:18)…
I have
stated all of this to say this: revival will not and cannot happen within the
apostate church system. I know we have many “pillow prophets” and “Disneyland
seers” who prophesy over and over again, “A great move of God is coming to
America! There is reformation coming to the churches! There will be great
revival! Signs and wonders will happen in every church! We’re seeing the
beginning of it happening right now!” and so on. Enough of that nonsensical and
unscriptural ear-tickling garbage! The only revival the apostate church in
America is going to get is a counterfeit revival with counterfeit signs and
wonders! Go see your gold dust, angel feathers, and flawless diamonds that fall
from the ceiling! Go yield yourselves to your animal demons and your epileptic
twitching fits! Go writhe like snakes! Go get hands laid on you and knocked
over by that preacher who’s addicted to Internet pornography! This is your
revival, apostate Babylon! And yet you all remain in sin, wickedness, and
compromise such as never before. The earth itself is groaning in pain under the
weight of your transgressions…
Don’t get sucked into Satan’s slick counterfeits.
Separate yourself from the workers of Satan who seek to deceive you. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Come out from among the deceived and
separate yourself unto the Lord in holiness and righteousness, walking
according to the commands of Jesus and working out your own salvation with fear
and trembling. It’s time to walk solemn and serious before your God in holy
fear and holiness of heart and life.
[END]
In Christ – Josef Urban