“I can tell you that the experience at Lakeland… … I felt a strong God like anointing but… now… It speaks for its self.. I was healed for about a 24 period and then it lifted and not in a good way… “
This blog is very insightful to what’s going on with Todd Bentley:
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/
Here’s an account of the Florida revival :
“I live in Clearwater. I am seeing first hand the fruits of this tree.
I responded to Andrew’s request to share what i’m witnessing down here from the members of the congregation that have attended. Mind you, I attend a very small congregation…about 70 people. It’s easy to observe in this context…and more than 1/2 are into this now.
I’ll give you just some examples of behaviours I’ve seen change from people who went:
They come back with this kind of childlike drunken stupor.
Descriptions of a burning sensation either in their veins, heads or stomachs.
Descriptions of being washed back and forth like the waves in the ocean
Dancing about like drunken fools in church.
Inappropriate yelling and screaming like they’re at a football game
Young men whistling over and over and holding their heads and claiming that they “feel the Holy Spirit about to split them in two”
One young man’s back two teeth turned completely to some metallic finish.
people with their eyes rolled in the back of their heads and weaving around like they’re lost.
People “speaking in tongues” but really just gibberish
Women just girating and pulsating like they’re being ravaged from behind from some unseen force. ( just made that connection as I wrote that…I believe that’s really what’s happening to them now)
Drunken uncontrollable laughter in the middle of a solemn prayer time (that doesn’t seem to bother anyone who’s been…but does to those who haven’t)
Normally gentle and docile women just immediately snap viciously if you suggest that the Lakeland revival may not be a good idea.
People who barely believed in gifts of prophecy now prophesying without hesitation some very self-serving messages.
People being “slain in the spirit”….just falling down and being unable to move. (like something’s holding them down.)
I’ve been nearly physically attacked by a woman I didn’t even know who overheard a conversation between myself and a brother at church because I said that the “revival” was a blasphemy. She ranted about how Todd Bentley was a man of god…i hadn’t even mentioned his name.
This has also happened at the church when I was lead to warn a couple of folks young in their walk with the Lord about not attending this. Again, I was jumped on by a bystander.
There was no love in that interaction, I can assure you.
*****
The perspective that the Lord has given me physically on this is that they are actually being pushed down and pushed from behind by these evil sprirts. They’re actually coming back with the people as they’re being imparted in Lakeland “
(taken from RS forum)
April 30, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I think the counterfeit elitist “prophets” run a very organized and secretly planned PR campaign concerning these false revivals. I don’t think they just happen by ‘chance’.
They are followed by demonic beings who take full advantage of these naive and gullible “leaders” and their pitiful brainwashed followers. Trying to get someone out of that would require the same deprogramming techniques a cult deprogrammer uses, because this is a cult. I personally know from being there that those people were slowly and insideously innoculated with ‘another jesus’ over a period of time. Now they raise their children up in it… and so it goes. I could never embrace their “jesus”, I hated him and was headed back into full backslidden rebellion when God opened my eyes to the lie I had been believing about Him.
Here’s the difference: You will either love and embrace the lies, or you will hate those lies and rebel against those things. My deception was in believing God was really like what I allowed them to lead me to believe. I hated a god I couldn’t respect or fear, he had no power to keep me. This made me open and for TRUTH. (GRACE)
Those who love and embrace lies will contentedly live out a lie.. because the love of truth is not in them. It is impossible to make them see.
Got on an tangent and went a little beyind the topic!
April 30, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I meant, “a” tangent. ha
April 30, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Re: “I think the counterfeit elitist “prophets” run a very organized and secretly planned PR campaign concerning these false revivals. I don’t think they just happen by ‘chance’.”
Interesting you should say that. There is a “club” or “fraternity” in those circles.
When the naive see the “brotherly love” that exists between the members of such an elite club, they mistake it for the true love of God, and also for true submission and humility.
e.g. It’s publicized that Bentley submits to Bob Jones as an elder prophet. Rick Joyner is also in the equation somewhere. The naive see the “fellowship” within this circle and misread it, thinking that their apparent “mutual submission” is a sign they are godly and accountable, and then they put their trust in them.
It is at a soulish level, or sentimental level, and the heart of it is personality idolatry. Like we have seen with the Chip Brogden episode.
May 1, 2008 at 6:59 am
Re: “When the naive see the “brotherly love” that exists between the members of such an elite club, they mistake it for the true love of God, and also for true submission and humility.”
…and then, on a sentimental level (and not in truth) put their confidence in them.
This is a danger right down to the local church level. Many just assume that the pastor is OK, when there is a peer group to whom he is submitted to. Like “safety in numbers” , or, “they can’t ALL be wrong”.
May 2, 2008 at 5:03 am
This woman is talking about her conversation with a false prophet. I thought it was interesting considering how the demon made her feel “love”. Copied from a blog somewhere..
“i challenged him to prove the truth in what he said and gave me an exercise to try. it’s a kind of meditation technique which he says he was taught on the mountain. it’s purpose is to open people up to the love in the world we inhabit. i tried it and i FELT it. it filled my body and spirit and moved me almost to tears. i’ve never felt anything like it. it affected my behaviour for days, in a very positive way. i felt love warmth and compassion towards everyone i met. how can loving the world put me in danger?
peace.”
May 2, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Yes. Only demons respond to techniques. The Holy Spirit never does.
May 2, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I posted this on Miriam Franklin’s blog:
Someone said, “The proof is in the miracles.”
What exactly do miracles prove?
TB has spoken about his talks in heaven with Paul the Apostle, and how Paul supposedly told him he got the Book of Hebrews from Abraham, among other things. We know that’s a lie, and therefore it’s PROVED that Bentley is a liar.
Then, those who know that Bentley is a liar have a choice : a values judgment to make, concerning who the Jesus of the Bible is.
That is, is the Jesus of the Bible chums with liars and con men? And, would He also approve if we approved of con men?
And, would the miracles continue if Bentley’s lies were publicly exposed in his meetings, and everyone there knew he was a liar?
No, the “power” would be turned off.
So, the only way for the power to keep flowing from Bentley is for the crowds to be ignorant of the fact that Bentley is indeed a liar.
Therefore, only thru ignorance and deception can Bentley’s power flow.
What do, even real, miracles prove? Nothing.
Mat 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will be raised up, and they will show GREAT signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
GREAT signs and wonders are not the healing of a runny nose, back pain, or making both legs of even length.
No. They would be the blind seeing, the lame walking etc.
So, and here’s the clincher, when the elect see these amazing miracles performed by liars, what are they gonna do?
Are they going to approve of them, or support them in anyway? No way, they will warn others.
May 2, 2008 at 6:01 pm
One more thing about “receiving” servants of God, or those of the devil.
Our Lord said that whoever receives Him, receives the One who sent Him.
The same applies, across the board, in the spiritual realm. If you receive a false prophet, you also “receive” his devil.
If you receive a true prophet, you “receive” the blessing of the true God.
Mat 10:40 “He that receives you receives Me, and he that receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
Mat 10:41 He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Mat 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
May 2, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Ian, good post.
Here’s the thing i’m wondering: why do supposed “believers” need to see these “miracles” anyway? Maybe it’s the word “need” that should be in quotation. Why are a bunch of “christians” seeking after outward signs from some man, when it is signs that are to FOLLOW ‘after’ them?
The bible tells us it is because they are wicked and adultrous. God even said NO sign (from Him) will be given them except the sign of Jonah. To me, this puts the focus on the person of Jesus; His death, burial, and resurrection. This is what gives those signs that ‘follow’ instead of outward signs given by man.. or demonic beings working through man.
A bunch of christians chasing signs is a bad sign.
May 2, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Besides, the power of God is naturally manifested in His own as a byproduct of right relationship with Him. People who do not have this will travel near and far to try to get it from man ..and unknowingly, from demons. They are trying to fill a inner void, outwardly.
May 2, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Jamie, you hit the nail on the head. In my life, I have been diagnosed as having several potentially deadly diseases. The first time was cancer. I had surgery, but was told that I would need follow up treatment. The Lord told me to “fear not”. I believed Him. I went for follow up treatment and was told by the doctor that I didn’t need it. He said he’d never seen such a dramatic healing. He couldn’t even see scar tissue from the surgery.
The second time was Hepatitis C. A doctor diagnosed me with it and told me I had to follow up with another appt. The Lord told me “fear not” again. I went for the appt. and the doctor said “inconclusive”. I was tested again. Negative.
I didn’t have to run here or there looking for someone to “heal me”. I have a relationship with HIM. He is my healer. I am not anyone “special” or more “anointed” than anyone else. And yet He healed me.
I almost hate to tell this but God healed my dog. Yes my dog. I know she is only a dog and it is not an issue of my dog’s soul, but I do love and feel compassion for my dog. She had received a heartworm shot 3 years ago (which has since been outlawed) and became so ill that she was vomiting blood and was releasing blood from her bowels for over one week. She couldn’t hold food or water. I was preparing myself to lose her, but petitioned the Father, that if He willed, He could heal my dog in the name of Jesus . When I said the name Jesus, my dog jumped up and licked my face, drank some water and took a nap afterward. She was perfectly fine from then on.
I don’t trumpet these things, but I do tell like minded saints who understand where I’m coming from, as well as people the Lord directs me to tell.
May 3, 2008 at 12:37 am
Thanks for that sisters and agreed.
Yet, with healing, we could add:
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call on the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
(Jam 5:14-15)
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I don’t know about you guys, but in my early years as a believer, if there was anything supernatural going on, anywhere close enough for me to get to it and check it out, i was there in a flash. I don’t know why, really. I loved the Lord, no doubt about it.
This in some way explains it:
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide (continue, remain) in My word, truly you are My disciples.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Being set free by knowing the truth, is ongoing, eh.
May 3, 2008 at 2:51 am
Someone wrote:
” I am not bitter, and would not stone anybody. But Truth IS Truth, and should be spoken, yes, in love, but still spoken. That is why I always say, if a lie is exposed on this forum, it should be countered with the corresponding Truth. If that Truth is considered a stone by some, so be it. It is still Truth.”
Amen sister. The TRUTH in Christ should be the center of our discussions, and not any person’s views. We are discussing the truth, not people. The problem arises when people can’t tell the difference, and think that they are the center of the discussion.
Someone wrote:
” It does grieve me, that these false teachers and ‘miracle workers’ go about, misleading people. I think that often, they begin a ministry with a good heart and intention, and then, they themselves, become deceived. Maybe it’s greed, maybe it’s lust for power, maybe it’s pride… I don’t know. ”
1 Tim. 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into MANY unwise and hurtful desires, which cause men to sink into destruction and eternal suffering.
10 The love of money is most certainly a root of much evil , which some stretching after were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Yep. They can start out right. Paul is speaking about Christians who have been “seduced from the faith”.
How? We can follow the progressive downward steps here, which Paul describes.
A desire to be rich, which then leads to many more unwise and hurtful desires – - pride, position, self-importance, etc…
May 3, 2008 at 4:24 am
Cheryl, your testimony blessed me! God has also proven to me that He is a healer; and I can believe that God heals animals! At our previous church they had Bill Johnson there for several nights; everybody would stand in little group circles during the meetings and pray for each others healing or whatever. I was going to those meetings because the arm that I had broken in a horse riding accident kept popping out of place. This was happening more and more frequently.
I told the lord I didn’t want to go back to the doctor and that I needed Him to heal me. Each night I went to church while Bill Johnson was there… yet nothing happened for me. My son and I had been to the last meeting and were pulling in the driveway at home when he says.. “race ya to the front door”. I turned off the engine and we both jumped out and hit the ground running.
When we got to the front steps I tripped and caught myself on the injured arm; I heard a popping sound and I knew right then my arm was ‘fixed’.
That’s the way God worked in my petition for healing.
I had been to those meetings every night with a big name signs and wonders preacher there “healing” people. Yet look how God healed me! I learned something from that. I do know that God can use others to pray for our healing also; maybe the difference is in who we are focused on and our faith is really in.
Ian..
“”I don’t know about you guys, but in my early years as a believer, if there was anything supernatural going on, anywhere close enough for me to get to it and check it out, i was there in a flash. I don’t know why, really. I loved the Lord, no doubt about it.”"
Me too, I wanted all of God I could get and didn’t want to miss anything He was doing. But it was about HIM only. In charismania things are centered around man. It took me awhile to see that because I was naive.
May 3, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I should have mentioned that I was prayed for and anointed with oil at the ladies fellowship I attended at the time I was diagnosed with cancer.
I definitely did my share of “sign and wonder” chasing. Until, praise God, He took the scales off my eyes while at one of these meetings. It was actually way before “Toronto” but some of the things happening were quite similar.
After a crazy, raucous worship hour with people doing cartwheels, and chicken dancing, the preacher got up and I couldn’t tell you what he was speaking about. When the preacher started speaking this very heavyset man got up and started ballet dancing all over the auditorium. The preacher said “pay no attention to that man, the Spirit of the Lord is upon him and he can’t help himself”. Well I couldn’t help myself either. This guy kept coming right over to where I was sitting and was very annoying. Right then I knew…this is NOT the fruit of the Spirit. I went to the ladies room and started seeking God about it. I prayed for the truth about these things, and through studying the Word, and listening to His still small voice, I was undeceived.
May 3, 2008 at 10:21 pm
and Jamie, isn’t it amazing how our Savior works to heal us in ways we least expect?
May 4, 2008 at 12:13 am
yes, sad about the folk chasing signs and being ministry groupies…
simply put we face choices…
our rights or His Reward
our goals or His Grace
our methods or His Mercy
our priority or His Purpose
love fulfills the law, not duty…
would we all have a teachable spirit so we can discern with His wisdom. blessings…martin
May 5, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Many that are chasing the TB’s and the extreme prophetic people; chasing after all those signs and wonders are doing it for the same reasons all of us were at one time – hunger for God. Many of those that are in those crowds are probably there because they are hungry for more of God and will go anywhere they think that He is showing up.
Then, of course, there are always those that just want God to touch them, to make them feel goosebumps, and lovely feelings, like a drug addict looking for a euphoric experience. Yet they do not want to live “for” God afterward; they just want Him to instantly make their lives better. It’s such a good thing that our God is kind even to the unthankful and the evil.
May 6, 2008 at 3:27 am
Yes, Amen Catrina.
There are different types of “hunger for God” , aren’t there ; the spurious one would be the hunger for self-indulgence only. Why would i want to be closer to God and know Him more? Just to get high? Maybe, it would be good for my “ministry” aka ego ?
July 26, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I have just stumbled upon your site by looking for material concerning Chip Brogden’s involvement in universalism.
I have been blessed to find more folk who are passionate about truth. I live in a small town in South Africa and it’s alarming to see how many Christians are running after the false teachers of today. Try to warn them and the first thing you get accused of is a lack of love and a critical spirit.
I told one of the Pastors here that I don’t care how much I am disliked I will continue to try and impart the truth about the false teachers. It’s scary to see how many people including Pastors are beginning to notice Todd Bently and before long they will be running off to the States to visit and bring that same evil spirit here in order to beguile even the elect. Bless you and continue the good work. Yours in Christ Rodney
July 27, 2008 at 2:32 am
Glad to meet you Rodney. You’re welcome to share whatever you want here.
July 28, 2008 at 2:50 am
“it’s alarming to see how many Christians are running after the false teachers of today. Try to warn them and the first thing you get accused of is a lack of love and a critical spirit.”
The calling to be a prophet is not for flowery people who haven’t counted the cost of taking up their cross and following Jesus to death. eh. It’s not for men-pleasers and merchandisers trying to get a slice of the Christian market.
Someone once said, “If ya can’t stand the heat, get outta the kitchen”.
Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Would to be that all God’s people were prophets and spoke the Word of God boldly!
1Cor 14:5 Now I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you should prophesy; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an unlearned person comes in, he is reproved by all, he is discerned by all.
1Co 14:25 And so the secrets of his heart become clear; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, reporting that God is truly among you!
July 28, 2008 at 2:56 am
What i’m saying is that if a false prophet-leader-pastor-teacher came into a true NT assembly you would probably have him running for the door in minutes as the Holy Spirit exposes him by a 9 yr old boy standing up with his Bible and saying “Excuse me sir, what you are saying contradicts Jesus Christ’s words and commands, the Word of God!”
Any of the big names today, a child should be able to Biblically refute them sand send them packing.
But in the system IC people just sit there like dummies.
November 10, 2009 at 6:09 pm
ha ha Ian, your last comment made me chuckle because we had a similar thing happen. Well the false teacher didn’t run out, but at a meeting a few months back my boys and I tried to listen to the preacher, but after about an hour we left. My ll year old walks out and says, “I didn’t like that. That guy said a bunch of stuff that’s not in the Bible.” I reminded my son, “Well, he never opened the Bible, did he?”
Uh, there’s a subtle red flag.