I arrived last week in Brisbane, Australia. I’m always exceptionally tired after 35 straight hours of travel to get here not to mention that we’re 14 hours ahead of Eastern USA Time and it’s winter here. This time I was even more tired due to being sick three days leading up to my departure. As I wrote in a previous blog, I thought I might have to postpone the flight due to a fever. I was pretty sick so I started off tired and not only that, being in bed prevented me from getting some last minute work finished and that added to the stress levels. I knew what to do. I Emailed several close friends who intercede for me. Although the healing was not instant, it did come and know it was Jesus touching me. I was in a battle and it was spiritual. Somewhere deep in my spirit I knew this illness was an attempt of the devil to hinder what God wants to do during this trip. I am so thankful for friends who help me battle when these attacks come. I hope you’re being motivated to fight because any Christian worth his or her salt will face these battles when you make up your mind to be used of God to spread His awesome Kingdom. I also want to remind you that God always answers prayer even when it seems slow to us. We also need to always be available to reciprocate when our friends call on us for prayer and intercession.
Although my fever had finally broken, there were lingering effects of the sickness as I went through one airport after another. I was very uncomfortable. I would try to eat and then nearly get sick all over again. I was starving. I’m not writing to evoke sympathy. I’m so humbled when I read all that the Apostle Paul went through and then he said ‘these are but light afflictions’. I’m only trying to encourage you to press in hard to the Lord when the enemy raises his ugly head. Humble yourself and ask for prayer. We simply can’t do this alone.
Sometimes its the little things that God does for us that can so easily be overlooked. The flights from LAX to Australia are always crammed. This time however, I was sitting in the middle section of the 747 where there are four seats. God had arranged it so that there were two empty seats in my row and the only other person sitting my row graciously agreed to move to the other isle seat so I could lay across the empty seats. That NEVER happens on this flight! God is so good. I was able to lay down all the way to Australia. Unbelievable (except that we serve a God who has every hair on our head numbered). The other thing the Lord arranged for me was an office with a high speed Internet connection to help me get caught back up on the work I had missed due to being sick. So, I went to the church office with my good friend Pastor Delroy Hodson the same day I arrived in Australia. Normally, I would never be able to do that except I was able to lay down and sleep all the way down here! God will truly walk with us every step of the way when we’re ‘about our Father’s business’. He will never leave nor forsake us.
After getting settled in and sleeping very well the first night, I got up to go to the church office again with Delroy (who runs Strikeforce Bible College from Caboolture Christian Church). As we were driving away from the house, I saw two kangaroos, one sitting and one hopping, beside the car and I had to smile because I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit letting me know that the battle was worth it and I was at the right place at the right time. I preached Sunday morning at Redcliffe City Christian Church (Pastor Neil Grady) and by the grace of God, approximately 8 people responded for either salvation or rededication. The Sunday night service lasted approximately three and a half hours. The manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful and yet sweet. It’s so good to be back in the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit.
It’s amazing how much the culture and geography can change in five hours in this country. I’m sitting here in this massive airport looking at people from all over the country and world. As I recall, the first time I ever flew out of our local Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (surrounded by corn fields), I asked the nice lady who checked me in which gate I go to. With her pleasant Southern accent she said, “Honey, there ain’t but
one”. I’m a long way from home.
9:20 pm Pacific USA Time - Los Angeles International Airport
Remember the story of the man that was lowered through the roof to Jesus? Jesus said that it was the faith of his friends that healed him. Well, I’m sitting in Dulles International Airport waiting to board a flight to Los Angeles and then on to Brisbane, Australia for approximately two months of ministry. I probably would not be here if not for the prayer and faith of my friends. For the past three days I’ve been sick. Much of that time I have had a fever among other things. This trip was in question but I knew I had to call on my friends to help me fight. We won. Praise God and thank you friends! I’m still not 100% but just two days ago I was about 20%. My flight is on time and so am I. I’ll post another blog from Los Angeles.
In case you’re new to our ministry, I host a radio and television show. This week on my radio show, Revival Generation Worship, I’m featuring an interview with a missionary to China. What makes this interview especially meaningful to me is that I’ve known Abigail since she was a young girl. I have incredible memories of Abigail coming to Revival Generation Outpouring meetings and worshiping her little heart out. Although I would see Abigail regularly and would try to engage her in conversation, I never really spoke to her much because she was extremely shy. I knew she had a lot in her because she would Email me and write a fair bit. Her love for Jesus was and is inspiring. Then, one day, I heard from her (audibly). I couldn’t believe it! She was talking a lot! God had obviously done a great work in her. Abigail is now in China as a missionary. You’ll be very inspired when you hear the interview I did with her. You can listen to Revival Generation Worship online at bradradio.com.
Here’s this week’s playlist:
1. We Exalt Thee - Petra
2. Revival - Robin Mark
3. To You - Darlene Zschech
4. Awesome is the Lord Most High - Chris Tomlin
5. Faithful - Chris O’Brien
Interview with Abigail
6. I’ve Found Jesus - Delirious
Revival Generation Worship is broadcast in Virginia (USA) in 103.3 FM every Saturday at 9:00 PM and Sunday at noon and streams 24/7 at bradradio.com. There is also an archive of past radio shows.
In times of revival God often reminds the Church of neglected truths. When this happens, it is easy for extremes to develop. Some will reject the revival of a doctrine, while others in their zeal will go beyond the teaching of Scripture. Both extremes are harmful and bring reproach on the cause of Christ.
Unfortunately, some Pentecostals and charismatics have come to think of revival in terms of the number of people falling to the floor, shaking or laughing uncontrollably, or demonstrating a variety of other human responses reported in media favorable to the revival. The presence of such physical reactions is sometimes viewed as evidence of spirituality or of God’s choice of blessing a certain ministry with His presence. That may or may not be the case (1).
One deviant teaching that seems to surface from time to time is known as “The Latter Rain.” Often Latter Rain teachings are combined with heretical teachings such as the “Manifested Sons of God” heresy (MSoG). Latter Rain teachings today can trace their roots back to the mid 20th century, specifically a revival in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and also the teachings of a healing revivalist, William Branham. Latter Rain teachings include doctrines and practices such as impartation, Joel’s Army, the five-fold ministry with the office of the prophet and apostle, and an emphasis on predictive and personal prophecy.
“Impartation” places an unwarranted emphasis on the transference of spiritual power through the laying on of hands. This teaching is often preoccupied with “mantles” and “anointings.”
Joel’s Army and Kingdom Now describes those who believe that God’s Kingdom can come on earth with a little help from humankind. This errant theology says that Jesus will not return until the Church takes dominion of the earth back from Satan and his followers. Those who have caught the vision of the Kingdom Now are actively at work seeking to overcome the opposition and declaring Christians who hold a biblical understanding of Christ’s imminent return at any time to be cowardly for not joining the “anointed,” as they sometimes call themselves. Without question, the Old Testament Book of Joel includes many end time references. But the great and powerful army in Joel 2 is one of terrible locusts, an instrument of judgment on Israel.
Another aspect of the Joel’s Army teaching is the belief in a great end-times revival. The biblical viewpoint is that apostasy shall increase.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Matthew 24:12 (KJV) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
This of course does not rule out revival, but we must keep things in perspective.
William Branham, by most accounts, had a powerful healing ministry. However, he also taught an odd doctrine called the serpent seed doctrine and taught that the concept of the trinity was from the pit of hell. When he died his followers left him unburied for 45 days, believing he would be resurrected. He wasn’t.
Whereas classic Pentecostal prophecy is usually forth telling, prophecy in many churches is foretelling. These practices have led to control and manipulation in the church, and the accuracy rate is dismally low. It is worth noting that the New Testament government structure involves elders and deacons and does not mention the governing offices of apostles and prophets.
The most extreme versions of MSoG takes the position that Christians will attain immortality here on earth. In some flavors of MSoG, Jesus never returns, but the “body of Christ” somehow becomes “the Christ” (the “anointed”).
As mentioned in the May 28th blog, we can see many Latter Rainesque doctrines and practices in the movement some call the “extreme prophetic.” This movement includes healing revivalist Todd Bentley.
Bentley embraces the MSoG teachings of immortality. In a recent service at Lakeland he stated, “We do not have to age.” In his paper End Time Joel’s Army he declares, “In the ministry of Jesus, He healed every sickness and disease among the people.” It would be pure speculation to declare that everyone at the Pool of Bethesda was healed. Luke 5 tells us that people came to be healed, but Jesus often withdrew from the crowds. Regardless, no one alive during the time of Jesus is alive today.
To further his MSoG status, he also stated “I’m not a MAN when I’m under the anointing.”
Bentley has mentioned the appearance (to him) of William Branham’s personal angel “Healing Revival.” He talks frequently at the Lakeland meetings of angels, and indeed that is a topic for another time. Needless to say, his constant references to William Branham and his “mantle” make a strong association between him and Branham.
Another topic worth exploring in depth is the overuse of questionable prophecy and/or words of knowledge. During the healing times, he often claims either Jesus or the “Angel of the Lord” is whispering in his left ear, which he says means healing. Who can question him if Jesus is whispering in his ear? However, I’ve seen him mis-hear, or mis-read people, and have to make a quick recovery by either changing the subject or “BAM” slaying them in the spirit and quickly moving to the next person.
There are many variations to his theology, with new age and Gnostic beliefs thrown in. Some excuse him as uneducated, but he does consider himself a teacher, with over 300 teachings posted in his website. That’s a very brief overview of the “The Latter Rain” and how it relates to the current attention focused on those in the extreme prophetic movement. It is helpful to have some knowledge of history (2) so that we can learn from the mistakes of others, rather than through hardships we will bring on ourselves if we stray from the Word of God.
——————————————-
(1) The bulk of the background material presented here was adapted from the Assemblies of God position paper entitled “Endtime Revival: Spirit-Led and Spirit Controlled A Response to Resolution 16.” The first two paragraphs, which are verbatim from the report, sound as if they were written today. The report is 8 years old. This paper would be helpful to people of all persuasions in understanding the viewpoints expressed on this blog.
(2) A very good study book on the Latter Rain, “Anointing or Apostasy” by Charles S. Graves is available as a free pdf download at http://www.intotruth.org/res/latterrain.pdf.
A note from Brad: I would to thank William D. Fawcett for authoring this article. I don’t take for granted the countless hours he’s spent researching this matter (and many others that you will be reading about if you follow this blog).
I’ve had a lot of positive feedback on my post titled ‘…for I am the LORD that healeth thee.’ There is a tremendous need for healing in the Body Christ whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, or mental. Most of us need healing in several of these areas. Because so much attention is being given to Todd Bentley and the so-called healing revival in Lakeland, Florida, I’m concerned that history might repeat itself. Let me explain. Whenever extremes enter the Body of Christ, we can sometimes become so turned off to that extreme that we throw the baby out with the bathwater. We can become so disillusioned that we’re even tempted to rip out the pipes.
Don’t get me wrong. Jesus did some strange things. For example:
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Mark 7:33 (NIV)
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” Mark 8:23 (NIV)
Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. John 9:6 (NIV)
Jesus seems to have had a thing for spitting but I don’t think we should have a spitting revival. I fully realize that strange things can happen in Christian revival meetings. Strange things can indeed be of God. For instance, I was once ministering in a revival meeting in Australia and the power of God literally knocked a man backwards and chairs went flying. It was strange but it was real. That gentleman received a tremendous and needed touch of God that night. Here in the US, there was an instance where two people began to laugh so loudly that everyone was distracted so I quickly shut them up. Had they not shut up, I would have shown them the way more clearly (out the door). This is where discernment comes in. In my opinion, strange manifestions are the exception and not the rule. After all, Jesus did not spit on everyone He healed. Spitting was the exception, not the rule.
Supernatural healing is for today. The following video contains a testimony of God healing my ear drum. It also contains my Australian physician Dr. Danny Lean who reminds me of Luke. I pray this will encourage and increase your faith.
This video was taken from the full length sermon The Power of His Presence. You can watch the entire message at bradradio.com.
Normally I don’t hesitate to express how I feel about issues however, I’ve dreaded dealing with the issues surrounding the services in Florida led by Evangelist Todd Bentley. It’s not that I’m afraid. This topic has been unusually divisive and has the potential to bring hard feelings between close friends. Like anyone else, I don’t want to upset my friends however, I will always end up favoring the Authority of Scripture over feelings, including my own. I’ve delayed long enough so here goes.
First of all, let me say that I’m not against genuine revival. In fact, my television show is titled The Revival Generation Outpouring and my radio show is titled Revival Generation Worship. My issue has to do with the genuineness of this so-called ‘revival’. If you’ll look beneath the heading of this blog, you’ll see Seeking Genuine Renewal in Our Generation. That slogan was there long before the services began in Lakeland, Florida. Secondly, I would like to say that I believe in healing and the manifestation gifts which include prophecy.
Where do I begin? Well, I have a lot to say so this will be the first of many blogs evaluating what’s going on in Florida. I’ve had a lot of help researching this matter and I would like to thank Bill Fawcett for the many hours he’s poured into this. I’ll be going to great lengths to quote Todd Bentley directly and not just quote his critics. Here’s the short list of what I will be blogging about in the days to come:
The unbiblical teachings and the emphasis on angels, particularly one he calls ‘Emma’
Manifestations attributed to the Holy Spirit that are exceedingly strange and draw attention to self
Spirit travel
Using ‘healing’ as a gauge for verifying this as a true revival
The reemergence of the Latter Rain heresy
Todd Bentley’s close association with Paul Cain, Bob Jones, and others.
The use of prophecy and definition of Apostleship
These subjects will no doubt lead to others. In closing, I would like to point you to an article that accurately sums up how I feel. In my opinion, Charisma Magazine is usually a promoter of all things strange, but it appears that what is happening in Florida is even too much for them to stomach.
Beth and I have close friends whose five month old grandbaby has been struggling with a very serious health issue. The baby was readmitted today to the University of Virginia Medical Center. The news is not good. Today I also received news from a very close friend requesting prayer because he has a double ear infection accompanied by terrible ringing. While we appreciate doctors, our first response of course should be to consult the Great Physician. Dealing with illness can be very frustrating and depending on the severity, can even test our faith. I believe in healing. I’ve seen it and experienced it many times. I’ve also had friends and loved ones go to heaven after an illness and may we never ever think of heaven as a scary or bad place. When we get to heaven, our bodies will be made brand new. Now that’s an awesome healing! I believe that Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, still walks planet earth just as He did in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the book of Acts. We are now the extension of Jesus’ arms and when we or a loved one is faced with illness, we need to stand on the Promises of God. Here are just a few that Beth and I are praying over our friends today…
…for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26 KJV)
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20 NIV)
…and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 KJV)
At this, the man’s ears were opened, … (Mark 7:35 NIV)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, (Mark 10:14 NIV)
There’s an old hymn titled “Standing on the Promises”. I believe faith will rise up in you if you will read the following slowly and most importantly, put it into practice.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God
One way I believe we can stand on the Promises is to pray them. Let me give you a real life example using the prayer requests that we received today.
Father, in the powerful name of Jesus, I pray that You will send forth Your Word of healing to this baby as well as to our friend who has a double ear infection and ringing. We bring this child to you and ask that You rescue him. I thank you that You are alive and that you still open ears. Touch my friend and open his ears and remove every trace of infection and ringing. I stand against the curse of sickness in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. I thank You that by Your stripes this child and my friend are receiving healing. Holy Spirit, I am available to be interrupted by You at any time You want to prompt me to pray. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Don’t go on your emotions. Pray in faith. God is alive and still works miracles.
