keeping a watchful eye on the wolves

A warning to sheep flocking to the Florida revival!

Here is a serious new warning from someone named Doug who has been tracking the Florida revival!

Todd Bentley – Lakeland, Florida – Is THIS a Move of God?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWG80y3SYzk

For those who are flocking to this revival, please watch this – what he says may surprise you.

This entry was posted on May 13, 2008 by . It was filed under angels, false prophets, miracles, religion, Todd Bentley, true revival .

3 responses

  1. Al

    Staying Within the Confines of the Word of God

    God has left us His Word and His Spirit to give us direction for our lives. Our lives are to be governed by the Word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit. (Psalm 119:105, John 16:13, Romans 8:14) When we go outside of the parameters of the Word of God we open the door to demonic deception. (Ephesians 4:27)

    There are 3 doctrines being taught in the church today that in my opinion are very harmful because they open the door to demonic power to manifest in the church. The first one is that if you are a prophet you can prophesy to anyone you want at will because you are a prophet. This doctrine violates the Word of God. The Word of God says in 1 Corinthians 12:11 the gifts of the Spirit operate as God wills, not as we will. 2 Peter 1:21 says that prophecy never comes by the will of man. Ironically if you get into verse one of chapter two he begins to warn the church about false prophets. When a person operates the gifts of the Spirit by his own will he opens the door to familiar spirits that are demonic to give him information. That person now becomes a Christian medium for demonic power. Even Jesus could not operate the gifts of the Spirit as He willed because He was operating as the son of man on the earth. He had put His mighty power and glory to the side and had to be anointed to function for God. (John 5:19, 20, 30, Philippians 2:7 TLB, Acts 10:38)

    The second doctrine that I also see that is damaging to the church is the doctrine of seeking angelic visitations and asking God to give you visions. No where in scripture do we see this. There is no biblical basis for this. The Bible says we walk by faith and not by site. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Again seeing into the spirit realm is done thru the gift of discerning of spirits which is one of the 9 gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. Again like prophecy this gift operates as the spirit wills. When you go outside of the Word of God you open yourself up for demonic deception and you will begin to have visions of angels and Jesus but it will be devils that transform themselves as angels of light to deceive people.(2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

    Colossians2:18-19(The Message Translation)Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God

    The third doctrine that is damaging to the body of Christ is that you can go to Heaven and visit any time you want to. They use Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:6 these doctrines are doctrines of devils devised in these last days to cause people to fall away. (1Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:1-5) When you start visualizing and doing some of the new age stuff they are teaching about this you will have supernatural experiences but they won’t be from Jehovah God but from the god of this world the devil.

    Hebrews 5:14 tells us that thru the use of the meat of the Word of God we train our senses to discern both good and evil. Let us judge things by the Word of God and the inward witness of the Holy Ghost.(1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, John 16:13, Romans 8:14,16, 1 John 4:1)

    We are offering some teachings this month that coincide with this article if you would like to learn more. See our special offer section.

    May 24, 2008 at 1:35 pm

    Reply
  2. Carlos

    The Hollow Revival
    By Pastor Carlos Molina
    Today we are witnessing a great commotion in the body of Christ. Healings, miracles and supernatural occurrences are taking over the Internet and certainly over many Christians. The news is spreading like one of the wild fires we could encounter in California or FLORIDA!

    Countless of believers are in motion towards Lakeland, Florida to receive the so called anointing that is being manifested and “imparted” by Todd Bentley and his team of revivalists, which, incidentally include some of the most controversial figures in the prophetic movement like Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Bobby Conners, Patricia King and a host of other names, some previously associated with failed prophecies, failed revivals and a host of other moral and spiritual incidents’ since the late 70’s.

    In the euphoria of what is happening and what is catching the senses and the minds of many, there are some important and relevant issues that are being “overlooked”, perhaps swept under the carpet or purposely ignored in the efforts that this revival do not become questioned or examined in light of Scripture.

    We are all aware of the many prophecies that have come forth in years past concerning the revival that would come in the last days before the return of the Lord. We have heard from such men of God as Brother Sumrall, Wigglesworth, Tommy Hicks, Brother Hagin and others. We have read and studied diligently about the visions and revelations given to many of our spiritual ancestors in the faith concerning the move of the Holy Spirit in the church in the last days.

    Don’t you think that as ministers of the gospel, we owe it to ourselves and to our generation to study, prove and test scripturally what is going on with Todd Bentley and the “revival” in Lakeland before we allow the body of Christ to drink of this concoction?

    Have we gotten so dense and our spiritual senses so dull that we can’t any longer distinguish between the genuine and the false?

    We’ll begin with the basics. The Bible admonishes us to: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”- 1John 4:1

    “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”- 1 Thes. 5:21

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. – Matthew 24:4-5

    “and we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; -1 Thes. 5:12

    The words “know” in this scripture not only imply that we recognize or honor them but that we become familiar with their track record. Who are they? Where they come from!

    In his book, “I Believe in Visions” Brother Hagin warns us that false prophets and miracles of satanic origin will deceive many in the last days. (I Believe in Visions – Chapter 2). Brother Sumrall also talks about an imitation revival of occult powers.
    If you have been paying close attention to this “revival” you will notice some things that are apparent and obvious. I will attempt to list some of what I consider to be the most extra biblical and outlandish statements that I have picked up so far.
    -extra biblical angelic visitations
    -the mention of female angels
    -the ability to travel to heaven at will
    -heavenly encounters with biblical characters and the extra biblical revelation they are giving Todd Bentley
    -the manifestation of stigmata, such as: oil, gold dust, diamond and sapphire dust,
    -vibrations, shaking the head, etc.
    – Continual visitations and visions (sometimes 10 or more a day)

    Bob Jones said publicly that if the head vibrations were clockwise were from God, if they were counter clockwise are from the devil. How do you know if you are vibrating clock or counter clockwise?

    As if that was not enough, we have the following doctrines being taught and promoted

    -promoting angelic contact, encounters and visitations
    -the assignment of a female angel named Emma, which according to Bob Jones and Todd Bentley is in charge of the prophetic realm
    -female angels carrying sacks containing gold, diamonds or sapphire dust
    -an angel in the form of a golden eagle named Swift that is said to accompany Bob Jones, Todd Bentley, Patricia king and Sharneal Wolverton
    -prophesying at will or manifesting any of the gifts at will
    -traveling to heaven at will

    The son of a pastor, who happens to be in college in that area, recently called and “rebuked” a minister friend for speaking against involvement in this “revival”. The young man have been assisting to the services and said to the fellow minister-“what God is doing with us in this generation is BEYOND the bible”. (They are teaching this to the people at Lakeland!)

    Several weeks ago during a session of prayer, the Lord impressed that a couple in my church was being seduced by a demonic spirit. At the time, I was unaware about the Lakeland revival. I began to see a weird manifestations take place in the woman. First, a lost look in her eyes. Second a continual claim of hearing the “spirit” talking to them. Chanting like sounds, without control on her part.

    As I attempted to talk to them in several occasions and took authority over the spirit, they immediately left the church. In a letter addressed to me, I was told that they had gone to “another level in the spirit and therefore I had nothing to impart or teach them”.

    Jesus said in Matthew 24:4-5 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

    The Lord drew my attention to the fact that in the last days many will come claiming to be “CHRIST”. The word Christ is the word “anointed”. In other words many will come in the last days claiming to have the anointing, being anointed or having a special anointing.

    The spirit of the antichrist is the spirit of a false anointing!

    Antichrist not only means against Christ, but also IN place of Christ. The idea is substitution, to take the place of.

    1Timothy 4:1- “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”

    T

    As I began to study and examine this move I immediately noticed several inconsistencies with the Word.
    1- The female angel named Emma in control of the prophetic realm- nowhere in scripture is taught that female angels exist. Second, the Bible tells us that prophecy comes by the Holy Spirit (2Peter 1:20-21 – Revelation 19:10 – 1 Corinthians 12) given by the Holy Spirit.

    I did a research on Emma and found the following information. Emma is an oriental deity worshipped and feared by Buddhists, Hindus and Japanese mythology. Emma and her brother are rulers of the underworld. Emma is an evil spirit that torture and judges the souls of people. We should not be open to receive any impartation of spiritual origin if it contradicts or denies the word of God. (Psalm 138:2, Hebrews 5:12-14) – [for more on Emma, look at Encyclopedia Britannica].

    2- The Bible warns us against seeking angelic visitations, praying to see angels or seek after visions.
    “Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They are completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.” Col.2: 18 (The Message)

    “Don’t be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires”- Col 2:18 – (Cont. Eng.)

    I will ask you to take the time and visit Todd Bentley’s Ministry web page and download his teaching on angels it will quickly show you what he believes and promotes.

    3- An angel in the form of a gold eagle named Swift. – When I heard this one I said to myself I wonder how many leaders in the Church will actually swallow this one. To my surprise I have not heard any of the senior voices of the church speak out yet! I was shocked that this could go on without anybody who is somebody in the church world challenge this false doctrine.

    I did some research on the Internet and found that “Swift” is indeed a gold eagle. A deity worship and revered by almost all Native American tribes. Swift is said to be a “spirit guide” that accompany chosen vessels of the “great spirit” to cross to the other side or to carry out an assignment. However the Word of God does not teach of any angel named Swift nor makes any mention of a gold eagle spirit sent by the Lord.

    4- Prophesying at will or moving in the anointing at will- the word is very clear to state that all of the gifts of the Spirit move or operate as the Spirit Himself wills. I can’t activate any of the gifts on my own. 1 Corinthians 12 implies that the property or ownership of the gift remains in the Holy Spirit and that only the manifestation is what is given to the vessel. That’s why they are called the gifts OF THE SPIRIT. Not only they come from Him, He is the owner of the gift.

    That’s why we should be careful with so called “impartations of gifts” I have seen firsthand in meetings some ministries “giving” away gifts to everybody. Some are given an apostolic or prophetic, others are given visions, prophecy, healings etc. Yet we know that divine gifts and callings are not “given” by man, as the Lord himself calls into office and the gifts manifest as the Spirit will.

    While I know there is a scriptural place for an impartation of the Spirit, I also know that many that are going out today with such impartations are “laying empty hands on empty heads”.

    Reinhardt Bonnke in his book (Might Manifestations) points out the fact that many are trying to “by faith” activate a gift without the Spirit. He stresses the point that the gifts are only to operate at the initiative of the Holy Spirit and our response- faith!

    5- Strange manifestations- some are reported to bark like dogs, cluck like chickens convulse violently etc.- Here is a link you can visit and view their description of these manifestations – http: http://www.etpv.org/2003/angho.html

    The Word is clear about people who prophesy (at will) out of their own heart- (Ezek. 13:16).

    We are to speak up! As I meditated and prayed about all of this, I began to ask the Lord what could be the reason for some of this things happening in the body of Christ. I believe his response was clear.
    1-Lack of solid doctrinal teaching in the church breeds excess and curiosity in the minds of people who are not solidly founded in the Word.
    2-A mystical hunger for the supernatural in some Christians is giving birth to the kind of gospel, teacher and manifestations they want.
    We can agree that besides the Lord Jesus himself, no one had the best interests of the church at hart better than Paul. When he wrote to Timothy, his charge was simple and powerful- Preach the Word in season and out of season.
    In his writings to Timothy, Paul stresses certain truths we need to pay attention.
    “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. “– 2 Tim 4:1-4
    Some of the words in this passage could be better understood from the Greek with a clearer meaning. For example, here the word endure , implies that people will get bored, turned off by the word. (I am no Greek expert, but have studied with some who are!) .
    We have in church today Christians that are not interested in the bible, they want experiences. The more extravagant and spectacular, the better! They want a teacher or a preacher that will come to them with a good story of sensational ordeals or exploits, but many are not interested in sitting down to a solid bible teaching. They run from convention to convention seeking the next high!
    Rick Renner in his book “Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Demons” clearly portrays what is happening today in Lakeland. I urge you to find a copy of this most remarkable book. You need to read it and read it. Its chock full of important bible doctrine and advise from a seasoned minister.
    Examine the track records of such men and women involved in it as Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Todd Bentley, Bobby Connors, Patricia King and others. I did! I traced it all the way back to the failed Kansas City Fellowship, later known as Kansas City Prophets. Later, they underwent another make over and became part of Vineyard Fellowship, then Metro Vineyard, then Latter Rain Movement, and now New Apostolic Reformation.

    I guess one of the things that have alarmed me the most is the fact that the leadership of the church has stayed quiet, disengaged and passive about this. Due to the great amount of manifestations, many are failing to examine the doctrines behind this “move”.
    Neither Paul nor Peter were quiet in their dealings with false prophets, teachers. I find Paul and Peter very active and verbal in confronting such disorders in the church. Many are more preoccupied with their budgets than with the people that are being deceived and carried away from the faith.
    I am convinced that the purpose of this fake revival is to damage and discredit the real one!
    We know that it will come!
    We know that a great move of God is on the horizon. Great signs and wonders will take place, but they will take place as a result of solid teaching of the Word. Miracles follow the Word. God Confirms His Word (Mark 16:20).
    Signs and wonders without the word = deception!
    Those of us who have been fortunately enough to travel outside into foreign fields know firsthand what demonic powers are capable of doing in the realm of the supernatural. Let us not be deceived into thinking that all supernatural must be from the Lord, because many times is not!
    Not every supernatural event or manifestation is of divine in origin!
    We have been taught about the three spirits that rule the spirit world; God, Satan and man! Any one of this spirits can exert influence in the physical. That’s why we need to test and try ANY manifestation.
    Norvel Hayes in his book (The Gift of the Discerning of Spirits) points out the fact that a genuine manifestation of this gift will help you discern between truth and error. It will help you know and identify the motives behind actions and will show you the truth concerning the spirit that motivates a person.
    We need to bring to our remembrance that during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the beginning of the 1900’s William Seymour faced turmoil when psychics, witches and spiritualist mediums were operating during the services. He called on Charles Pharman to come to his aid. When Charles Pharman got there, he was not received. The enemy tried to abort the true outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It took a lot of biblical teaching from a seasoned minister to save that move from being lost.
    We also need to remember that during the revivals that follow, such as the healing revival, many were operating under the influence of familiar spirits. We can recount the stories about how Gordon Lindsay and other ministers had to deal with some of the revivalists; because of the fact many open themselves up to demonic and familiar spirits.
    In the book by David Harrell, Jr – (All Things are Possible), he reminds us of some of the problems that occurred during the healing revival. The same thing happened during the late 70’s when the teaching ministry began to take prominence in the church and many false teachers began to come forward with outrageous and extra biblical teachings.
    Many, in the name of humility and unity, shy away from practicing sound biblical judging. In an almost “politically correct” approach, they wish to be as the old proverb says, “friend of all, enemy of none”. A famous saying among Hispanics goes something like this, “if you want an omelet, you’ll have to crack some eggs.” We can’t have the genuine as long as we tolerate the false.
    We are definitely in the last days as the scripture tells us, and while persecution, martyrdom and other methods were effective against the church of previous ages, I am convinced, that in our days a more subtle, stealth and sophisticated war is being waged against the church.
    The invasion and infiltration of false brethren, false apostles and teachers, unsound biblical doctrine, extreme and outrageous experiences and manifestations are birthing a counterfeit revival of enormous proportions in the effort to hinder, abort or discredit the genuine move of God of the last days.
    The battle cry of many, in these moves, is a distorted quote of scriptures such as Isaiah 42:9 / 43:19 / 48:6 “this is a new thing”,” it’s beyond the bible”. This will produce division in the church. Soon, sides will be taken and everything genuine and divine will be discredited. It becomes imperative that we counter attack such; with good, solid bible teaching that will prepare us to properly discern doctrine, manifestations and experiences.
    I hope I stir you enough to speak up. We as ministers cannot afford in this hour to shy away from confrontations such as this. We are commanded in scripture that when prophets speak, the others, (that’s us!) judge [1 Cor. 2:12 – 1 Cor.14: 29]. My intention is not to personally attack anyone, nor is it to assassinate anybody’s character or personality; is to sound an alarm, to encourage fellow ministers to engage, to pray and to move to action.
    I hope you catch my heart in this writing. I am a concerned pastor. I want to do that which is right in the sight of the Lord, in the fulfillment of my ministry, for the benefit of the church. I hope you do the same!

    Rev. Carlos F Molina
    Pastor Ministerio Mundial Vida Abundante
    Woodbridge, VA
    Web Page: www. mvabundante.org
    Email: mvabundante@yahoo.com

    Books I recommend: Seducing Spirits & Doctrines of Demons (Rick Renner), True and False: Judging Doctrine & Leadership (Guy Duinick), The Gift of the Discerning of Spirits (Norvel Hayes), The Charismatic Ministry (Gordon Lindsay)
    Demonology & Deliverance (Lester Sumrall), Witchcraft & Familiar Spirits (Hilton Sutton)

    Dr. Carlos F Molina is the senior pastor/ founder of Ministerio Mundial Vida Abundante in Woodbridge, Virginia and Woodbridge Christian University (an online bible university recognized by the Dept. of Higher Education of the State of Virginia Chartered in 2003 and accredited by the American Association of Theological Institutions, Member of the Association for the Theological Education of Hispanics).

    He is the author of 20 books (in Spanish). He holds several degrees in secular and religious fields. He has served as Vice President of Northwestern Theological Seminary. Dr. Molina holds Doctors degree in Religious Education as well as Doctors degree in Theology and Divinity. He has been awarded several Honorary Degrees by other institutions and has been recognized in his State as one of the most prominent Hispanic ministers. Twice has been honored by the Commission on Who’s Who in Religion among Hispanics.

    He is happily married and his wife and children are all in mini

    May 24, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Reply
  3. Kevin

    Dear Pastor,

    Here in Tulsa many are talking about Lakeland and the “Move of God” that is taking place. Once the angel doctrine began, I immediately became alarmed. Paul Tells us in Galatians that if I or an angel from Heaven preach any other gospel let him be cursed. When we begin to open ourselves up to these types of things we open the door to deception. Appreciate your thoughts and keep them coming.

    The only thing that saddens me is people are so hungry for God and his presence that they will hold on to anything that is supernatural. I have a friend that was almost destroyed by Brownsville and it took years to get over the false doctrine she received there.

    The body of Christ must become established on the Word, become familiar with the Holy Spirit and his work and understand the difference between the new and old covenant and how it applies to our daily lives today.

    I have always backed off from weird prophetic people who always have a word from God for you. They flat scare me with their supposed revelations for you from God.

    Teach the flock the truth of Gods word so they will not be deceived.

    Kevin

    June 9, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    Reply

Leave a reply to Carlos Cancel reply