Seven Secrets To Activate A Powerful Anointing

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By Rick Becker  5 August 2020

Are you sick and tired of living an ordinary Christian life?  Do you struggle to hear from God, walk in the supernatural and bring heaven to earth? “Seven Secrets” is designed to take you from the mundane to the extraordinary, and catapult you from the natural into the supernatural! There are actually 14 secrets to activate a powerful anointing, but because this is such an essential revelation, we’ve decided to release the first seven secrets to the larger body of Christ for free. To receive the remaining seven secrets, sign up for our “Fourteen Essential Secrets Course.” This course includes 14 activations, downloadable worksheets, and bonus content. Don’t settle for a low grade anointing –  early bird registration will secure your place, ensure a $10 discount, and give you access to the 14 secrets!  Please keep reading….

If the title and introduction gave you goosebumps and a renewed expectation that you may finally experience something supernatural and unique by accessing secret knowledge, then I’m afraid you’ve probably been duped by the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) This is the kind of title and claim that would guarantee my appearance on the Sid Roth Show and increase my bank balance. Of course, it’s NONSENSE!!!! But nonsense sells in NAR circles – an experience driven movement with a penchant for the supernatural and special revelations. Many in this movement are false converts, and the spiritually malnourished believers caught up in this deception swallow whatever they’re spoon-fed. NAR “apostles” and “prophets” make themselves indispensable to their followers: “CHRIST-LIKE character can never be fully developed without serving under the anointing. Anointed ministry brings us into contact with the power needed for personal transformation.” – Bill Johnson. A Life of Miracles: 365-Day Guide to Prayer and Miracles. 

What gullible NAR followers are being fed, are stories and lies. As a result, they are on an endless quest to receive some form of supernatural blessing. This is good news to the charlatans who concoct new revelations at will, and teach for shameful gain.
The NAR make a big deal of the “anointing.”  It’s a coveted impartation or transference because without it, you can’t achieve much or be recognized by the role players higher up the NAR food chain: “it’s the person with the continual anointing that opens up many more opportunities for ministry.” – Bill Johnson. A Life of Miracles.
Before we examine the truth regarding the anointing, and who receives one, I’d like to point out two errors regarding the anointing that are taught or practiced in NAR circles:
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1. Anointings can be claimed, or transferred.

Bill Johnson: “There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.”
This hocus pocus is a product of Johnson’s imagination. For more on claiming mantles or double portions, please read this article.

Johnson views a transferable anointing as part of a spiritual “inheritance.”
“We see somebody that has a great anointing in healing and we ask them to pray for us, and from that point on, we begin to pray for people and we see things happen that we never saw happen before. That’s an inheritance.” – Bill Johnson. A Life of Miracles.

In order to claim this spiritual inheritance, followers pursue men and women, not God: “Pursue the men and women of God who carry an anointing in their lives for the miraculous. Such an anointing can be transferred to others through the laying on of hands.  Occasionally there are ministry times when such an individual is willing to pray for those who desire an increase of anointing.  I have traveled extensively in pursuit of MORE.” – Bill Johnson. When Heaven Invades Earth.
Do you see that – in some cases your increase in the anointing depends on the willingness of the speaker to pray for you. This is the fruit of a man centered movement that benefits those who have set themselves up as mediators between God and man, and purport to channel his power.

This pursuit of more has led deluded Bethelites to lay on the graves of the deceased in the hope of receiving a transference of anointing. It has led them to ask God for the mantles of the deceased – one chilling example is Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton asking God for the mantle of the occultist William Branham. Their pursuits have caused them to abandon the principles of God’s word. The consequence of their departure from scripture has led to self deception – to the extent that they view themselves as distributors of God’s presence: “WHEN we minister in the anointing, we actually give away the presence of God—we impart Him to others.” – Bill Johnson. A Life of Miracles.

2. Indirectly – anointings can be bought.

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19.

In the NAR, the anointing is inextricably linked to supernatural power.
“The anointing is what linked Jesus, the man, to the divine, enabling Him to destroy the works of the devil. These miraculous ways helped to set something in motion that mankind could inherit once we were redeemed. Heaven—that supernatural realm—was to become mankind’s daily bread.” – Bill Johnson. A Life of Miracles.

Bethel have cashed in on this link to the divine. NAR followers are consumers who spend huge amounts of cash in their search for an experience, an anointing, supernatural power, and secret knowledge. The Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) are merchandising the spiritual. Their products – spiritual gifts, supernatural power and anointings. The BSSM sales pitch: “Many Christians want to leave their mark on the world, yet struggle to see the power Jesus walked in fully actualized in their own life….we’ll equip you to walk in the gifts of the Spirit, prepare your noble character, and empower you to follow Jesus as He moves powerfully on the earth today.”
Learning to prophesy and operate in the gifts at the BSSM (a school of Simony) does not come cheap – the annual fee for BSSM is $5000. One of the methods BSSM utilize to obtain an anointing is the unbiblical practice of soaking: “Encountering the intimate presence of God is the gateway to the supernatural! When we soak in His presence, we are radically transformed into His likeness. We learn to hear His voice, we learn to see Him, and we are anointed to walk in miracles, signs, and wonders.“

Bethelites do have an encounter when they soak – with their own imagination or with a demon. That’s because they are NOT hearing or obeying God’s voice – which is recorded in scripture.

Now for the truth and good news!

Because the Holy Spirit is tied to the anointing, we need to firstly establish the whereabouts of the Holy Spirit in relation to the believer. I’m confident that most believers know the answer, but the NAR has brainwashed their followers into seeking what true believers have already been given. So to clarify – every believer has the indwelling Spirit of God.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:16-17.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

In fact, if you don’t have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you’re not a believer:
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
Romans 8:9.

The pursuit of the Holy Spirit or various anointings within NAR and certain Charismatic circles has led to the bizarre behaviour that characterize their meetings. They use Ephesians 5:18 to justify their drunken stupor: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit”
The NAR focus on an experience, or encounter, but being filled with the Spirit is to live under the influence of the Spirit. We are instructed to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18) and not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
Living under the Spirit’s influence is a state of being and manner of living, not a mystical experience. The result of being filled is made plain in the passage, and it has nothing to do with bizarre manifestations.
The verses preceding vs 18: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (15-17)

The verses following verse 18: “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (vs 19-21)

Since we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we should not be pursuing more of the Holy Spirit, but surrender more of ourselves and live under his influence. To be filled, is a command for all believers. It’s manifestation is a life submitted to Christ evidenced by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It’s not an experience reserved for those who have enough faith, are willing to take a risk, or allow some charlatan to blow on them.

Every believer has been anointed

Believers are not instructed to seek an anointing, they have already been anointed:
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
God has anointed every believer with the seal of the Holy Spirit.

“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge”
1 John 2:20.
The context of this verse is not our ability to walk in the miraculous, but the ability to discern who the deceivers are. To know the difference between the truth, and a lie. In other words, the anointing makes it possible for us to know that all these NAR apostles and prophets are not a part of us. Put simply, we are anointed because we know the anointed one – Jesus, and therefore we are able to identify those who don’t know Jesus and are anti – Jesus (antichrists) :

“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.  But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that he made to us – eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:18-26.

Verse 27 of the passage, ties up with what Jesus promised earlier.
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” – vs 27.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26.

The anointing means that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to us. That truth, is recorded in scripture. It’s the ones with a false anointing that offer secrets, higher knowledge, special revelations, and various anointings. It’s in the light of these deceivers, that John writes “you have no need that anyone should teach you.”
That does not mean we don’t need teaching because God has gifted the church with teachers. Their task is to rightly divide the word of God, not concoct new revelations and extra biblical teachings. The Holy Spirit illuminates the truth contained in scripture, he does not give contemporary teachers spiritual shortcuts or new revelations. The word of God and the indwelling Spirit enable us to resist the “many antichrists” that have come, and refute their false teachings.

Conclusion

Every believer has the indwelling Spirit of God. Every believer is commanded to be filled with the Spirit. Every believer has been anointed.
Under the new covenant, God has already supplied to every believer what they need:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 2 Peter 1:3.
What believers need is not some new anointing, but a greater surrender within, and live in a manner that does not grieve the Holy Spirit. What we need is not another anointing, but rather a realization of what Christ has supplied:
 “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” 
Ephesians 1:16-20.

 

 

OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS

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By Rick Becker   23 July 2020

Suffering – it’s never pleasant, and we do our best to avoid all forms of it, but suffering is inescapable in this fallen world. The biblical view is that believers should expect sufferings, not simply because they live in this fallen world, but because God uses various forms of afflictions to discipline us, test our faith, and cause us to have an eternal perspective. As a result of false teaching, many have the view that all suffering is a sign of deficiency at our end of the equation. What should be seen as a privilege (suffering that God permits us to endure) is seen as a curse. Suffering that God permits his children to endure, is not harmful, but beneficial. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”
Psalm 119:67
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Suffering is a sign that there’s something wrong in this world. What went wrong, is something called sin. Sin ruined creation, and one of the consequences is that suffering entered the world. Believers as well as unbelievers will share many of the same forms of suffering –  physical, mental or emotional pain, dreadful circumstances, physical death etc. These serve as a stark reminder that we are a fragile vapor, susceptible to the pangs of living in a temporary and fallen world. In the light of eternity, unless they repent, the suffering of unbelievers is a waste. This is not the case for believers as we shall see later. Let me clarify the following:
• suffering in itself is no guarantee that we will grow or learn from it.
• not all suffering is a result of God testing us or teaching us, but a result of sin and poor choices (1 Peter 4:15-16; Galatians 6:7-9)
While we can avoid suffering as a result of poor decisions and our sin, we will have to endure various forms of suffering: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19
In this article, I am referring to the suffering that God permits for our benefit – not the suffering we bring upon ourselves due to the reasons above.

As believers, we will have to endure sufferings that God permits for a time, perhaps even our whole earthly existence. In fact, the believer in one sense is guaranteed more suffering in this present world than unbelievers. Unbelievers are not in a struggle against sin (Hebrews 12:4) They do not need to deny self, resist the devil, and they certainly won’t have to endure the persecution believers are destined for. Reminder of the words of Jesus to his disciples: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20
Some believers are already in heaven, having given their lives for the sake of the gospel. Others are languishing in a prison, their crime – proclaiming the gospel or simply believing in the gospel. Others have suffered persecution for their faith in milder forms, but we should expect an increase in persecution during these last days.
The current state of this world, and the growing animosity towards those who stand for truth is an indication that the time of relative ease in this world experienced by many believers is drawing to a close. We should be prepared for the onslaught and persecution that will come our way, not just from the world, but from the wolves in the visible church –   “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  2 Timothy 3:12-13

Not many want to accept this “bad news,” and detest the thought that God permits and uses suffering in the lives of his people. As a result, they gravitate towards a comfortable theology that believes we can Christianize this world, restore paradise on earth, and eradicate evil and suffering. This is a denial of reality and of scripture. On the one hand they point to the early church as a blueprint for how the church should operate regarding signs and wonders. On the other, they ignore the pattern of sufferings endured by the disciples and the early church. They have twisted the scriptures which has resulted in…

                                               T H E  P E R V E R S I O N

False teachers and movements claim to have the solutions for our present sufferings. They tell us that all our sufferings are the result of ignorance, lack of faith, demonic attack, curses, failure to claim the promises of God, failure to use our authority, failure to tithe etc. They promise freedom which they cannot deliver, but they don’t care because they are profiteering from the pain of others. Movements like The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) have primed their followers into believing that Jesus is the model for believers as far as miracles are concerned. They avoid the Jesus that came to model humility, suffering, and complete surrender to the will of God. They want to be seated on a throne and exercise dominion, they avoid the suffering necessitated by taking up a cross. This has created a host of deluded followers attempting to bring heaven to earth and eradicate suffering. We know that one of the ways “churches” like Bethel and Hillsong lure people in is through their music. But I think there is an effective lure that transcends music – the promise to end our pain. The underlying principle is that we should not suffer because Christ’s sufferings have delivered us from all sources of pain. This perversion has brought about the health and wealth gospel, dominion theology, and word of faith heresy. This is the opposite of what scripture teaches – we will follow in our masters footsteps: “ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Philippians 1:29
The Expositor’s Greek Testament commentary on this verse points out the following –
“The prospect of suffering was apt to terrify them.But when they view suffering in its true light, they will discover that it is a gift of God’s grace (ἐχαρ.) instead of an evil.—τὸ ὑπὲρ κ.τ.λ. The Apostle intended to insert πάσχειν after Χρ., but for a moment he pauses. To emphasise the real value of suffering for Christ’s sake, he compares it with that which they all acknowledge as the crowning blessing of their lives, faith in Him.”

The perversion says the gospel is about gain in this world, the reality is it’s about loss:
“ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8
This is an example we must follow:
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:17-20

Even those of us who understand the perversion of the doctrine of suffering, may find that lurking within our minds, is the idea that God owes us something good in this present world. As a result, when afflictions come, we ask the question – why me? We have this idea that bad things shouldn’t happen to good people. Our assumption that we are good, is where we go wrong – no one is good except God. Our second error is to assume that the good, or deliverance from suffering we desire, will be realized in this present age.
Beware of any perversion that promises to alleviate all your suffering. By demonizing forms of suffering that God permits – such as sickness, disabilities, financial hardships and other afflictions, the perversion not only places condemnation on believers, it robs them of the benefits: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5

                                      T H E   P R E P A R A T I O N

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:1-2
Peter is preparing his readers for suffering, so that when it comes they should “..not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13

The incarnation of Christ is not a model of what we can accomplish by means of signs and wonders if we are in a right relationship with God. This is yet another perversion taught in the NAR. It was an example of the pattern we should follow, one of humility and self denial, which inevitably will lead to some form of suffering: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
You and I cannot avoid our own form a cross: “ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39

The Christian will suffer, the Christian must suffer. Now if that sounds absurd and negative to some, then it’s because they have fallen for the perversion we have discussed. Preparation to suffer is crucial because way we process our pain is crucial. It will cause us to trust in God and rely wholly on him, or cause us to have bitterness towards him. Our response to suffering is revealing. Have we placed our hope in a therapeutic gospel, or the true gospel?  Do we have a god that serves us and makes our dreams come true, or do we serve the true God who has promised us that in this world we will have tribulations? We should not find it strange that so many people fall away from the faith, and that the visible church consists largely of false converts. In many instances, these are people who were lured into an attractive gospel that promised to make their problems go away. They were not prepared, because they were not warned, and so the slightest bit of affliction causes them to walk away from what they never possessed in the first place – the truth. Jesus did not make the gospel appealing, he made sure people knew it might actually make their lives more difficult: “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62

More sobering words from Jesus: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.“ Matthew 10:34-37

The message of the disciples to believers included a warning to expect suffering: 
“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22.
Can you imagine a contemporary “apostle” or “prophet” teaching a message entitled “destined for affliction?” Of course not, because despite a godly veneer, they lust after power and satisfy their own passions. Paul however, knew that afflictions must come: “Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.  For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ” 1 Thess 3:1-4
Believers should expect, and prepare for suffering, anything contrary is a rejection of what scripture teaches on the subject.

T H E  P E R S P E C T I V E

What we need, is a heavenly perspective of our sufferings: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The perversion, has caused people to focus on the seen, on transient things. The perversion seeks reward in this life in the form of health, wealth, favor, status etc. The reality is we stand to gain something yet unseen, and eternal : “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
Those who pervert the doctrine of suffering don’t preach on Luke 16 – the story of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man. When the rich man was in torment in Hades, he begged Abraham to “send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” Abraham’s reply “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” Luke 16:24-25

The flesh seeks immediate relief and gratification, but an eternal perspective teaches us that a delay of what God has promised us is not a denial that his promises will be realized. Friends, we are in a race, we are in a battle. There are times of relief and ease along the way, but the full reward comes at the end. Once again, we look to Jesus as our example to endure, to look ahead: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Hebrews 12:1-4

.T H E  P E R P L E X I T Y

It’s in our nature to find a reason for everything, but our understanding on suffering is veiled. In Luke 13 we read about people who were looking for answers to a tragedy. Pilate had killed some Galileans, and it seems as if the people were drawing their own conclusions as to why the Galileans met their fate in that manner. What had they done to deserve such a death? Jesus did not give the reason, but answered: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:2-3
Jesus immediately dispels with the idea that the tragedy, or suffering, was proportionate to individual sin – something taught by those who pervert the doctrine of suffering. Jesus goes on to mention another incident – the tower of Siloam that fell and killed 18 people: “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”Luke 13:4-5

In another case it’s the disciples who were looking for a reason for suffering – in this case blindness. They immediately assumed that the blind man’s plight was a direct result of sin: ““As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.  And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3
In other words, the purposes of God take precedence and he does not owe us an explanation that will suit our finite minds.

Sometimes, we have an answer for our affliction, as in the case of Paul’s thorn in the flesh. I’m sure he was initially perplexed, but God in this case provides Paul with the reason: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” 2 Corinthians 12: 7
Paul’s response to his affliction was the complete opposite to what those who have perverted the doctrine of suffering teach. They would have attempted to speak to the thorn, bind the thorn, cast it out, and sought after some kind of breakthrough. Paul considered his affliction a privilege: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.

There are times when we simply have no words or explanations as to why some endure suffering. This was one of those perplexing incidents – I once met an elderly woman, a domestic worker, a believer. She told me about a horrific incident when she was gang raped. This woman had an elementary grasp of the scriptures. She had no knowledge of the creeds, God’s decrees, or many of the other difficult doctrines or arguments over semantics that keep some believers occupied for a lifetime. She did not need to. The simplicity of the gospel was sufficient, the grace of God was sufficient.  She radiated joy, contentment, she did not need to understand in order to love her saviour or be a fragrance that brings life. When it comes to some tragedies and forms of suffering, we have to be content with an element of mystery that won’t be resolved this side of eternity. 

T H E  P U R P O S E

There is no waste in God’s economy – while the reasons for some of our sufferings may not be clear, the purposes are. A few reasons for our sufferings:

1. Correction

Some forms of suffering are due to the fact that God in his mercy and love, is correcting us. It’s a sign that we are indeed his children: “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:5-8

2. Conforming us into his image

“ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.“ Roman 8:28-29

“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:9-11

3. Comforting others

“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”
2 cor 1:3-7

4. Causing us to rely on God

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” 2 Cor 1:8-9

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9

T H E  P R O M I S E

The eighth chapter of Romans is one of the most comforting chapters in scripture regarding our sufferings, we’ll examine a few portions of the chapter. We want to be done with suffering in this present time, but the scriptures exhort us to look forward to the day when they will end forever: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

The perversion, in the form of Latter Rain theology, the manifest sons of God movement, and the NAR teach that the glory revealed to us will be in this present age. They use verse 19 as a proof text: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”
The idea is that a new breed of Christian will walk in the authority and power of Christ, take dominion, and basically restore paradise on earth. Some even believe they will attain immortality. Their mission is to Christianize the world, bind the devil, eradicate poverty, racism, suffering and disease. But the futility and corruption of this world will only end when Christ returns. Until then, the groaning will continue: “we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (vs 22)
Verse 23 makes it clear that the deliverance we are waiting for is in the future, when our bodies will be glorified after the resurrection: “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Philippians 3:20-21 makes this future aspect of our redemption clear: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

So where does that leave us? It leaves us with hope: “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (vs 24)
This is what distinguishes the suffering of believers, from unbelievers – they have no meaningful hope. In fact, the terror that awaits those who do not repent, cannot be compared to any misery they experience on earth.
Apart from having no hope, unbelievers have no meaningful help. As believers, we have the Spirit of God interceding for us: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (vs 26-27)
The next verse in Romans reveals that our afflictions are not wasted: 
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (vs 28)
Not all things that happen to us will be good, but God in his infinite wisdom knows what will be good for us. During times of suffering we are usually unaware of the sanctification that is taking place within us, and in the middle of this passage in Romans, Paul reminds us that: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (vs 29)

Paul concludes the chapter with a reminder that despite any earthly loss, we can never lose the most important thing: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

While we are not separated from the love of God during our trials, there are times during afflictions and tragedies when the pain is overwhelming, and the tears flow. God’s peace and comfort does not mean we don’t experience pain, but the time is coming when that will end, so look ahead, and be encouraged –
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place  of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:2-4

I had a conversation with a friend this week who has been on the verge of death, undergone numerous operations – with more to follow. Her words to me regarding her suffering – “God does not owe me an explanation.”
She has an eternal perspective. She has been separated from her comfort, but not from the love of Christ. No doubt, some of you who are reading this are in the midst of an affliction. You may be perplexed, in deep despair, and feel hopeless. I want to remind you that even if no human ear can hear your cry, or human heart can understand your pain, God knows, God understands, and he is the one you should call upon.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Let us all be reminded that Christ – a man of sorrows, can sympathize with our weakness and our afflictions. The comfort we desire is not found in the absence of our afflictions, but in the presence of Christ and the hope we have been given.
No matter what our affliction or loss in this world, we can be assured that if all that remains is Christ – that is sufficient. 

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”
2 Corinthians 4: 16-17

 

Post New Apostolic Reformation Reflections

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By  Rick Becker  11 June 2020

When you are saved from the deception that captivated you, a process begins to unfold. It’s painful, confusing, it’s lonely at times. But as the scales are removed from your eyes, truths which were previously hidden from you will be illuminated. Some are uncomfortable, but essential in order to lay a foundation for a faith that doesn’t fall for the various comfortable winds of doctrine. Post New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) you can expect a shift (excuse the pun) in your understanding of scripture, and consequently of God and self. In this article I share various stages, or moments of awakening to certain truths that many experience after their exit from the NAR.

1. T H E  S H A K I N G

When God begins to open our eyes to the deception we have embraced, we will be shaken to the core. The reason for the shaking may be different for many:
• An incident exposes the manipulative and controlling leadership of our church.
• We read an article or watch a video that exposes the false teachings we have been subjected to, and never thought to question.
• We become uncomfortable with the manifestations we are witnessing, and are struggling to reconcile them with scripture.
• Our expectations have not been realized, tithing did not bring financial increase, our disease has not been healed, our difficult circumstances remain…the promised breakthrough never materializes.
• We are surrounded by passionate people but we simply cannot get onto their level. We don’t have the experiences or encounters they claim to have, and we begin to wonder why God has passed us by.
• The reaction we receive to our questions, makes us wonder why a simple question cannot be answered straightforwardly. Instead, the spotlight is on us, our attitude, our behavior, our reluctance to trust in our leaders words, our failure to buy into the vision of the church. We are accused of being quarrelsome, and that we are causing dissension. We are told we simply want to create controversy, and that we are guilty of slander.
If you are at this particular junction right now, I hope the following passage of scripture relieves you of false guilt:
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Note that It’s the ones who teach a different doctrine who are the problem. They project their characteristics onto you because they cannot defend their teachings from scripture – they are deprived of truth. By comparing their teachings to scripture, you have become a threat to their “ministry” and shameful gain, and as a result they need to silence you. Whatever the trigger, this is time that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions, and raises many questions. This shaking is never pleasant, but it’s necessary in order to be awakened to the deception we have fallen into. 

2. T H E  S E A R C H I N G

This is the time when we start looking for answers. This process is shortened if we can put aside our emotions, and turn to the only objective truth there is – the scriptures.
We should set aside the personalities of the leaders, set aside the good and bad experiences we have had, and test one thing – the teaching. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11.

The issue of course, is that fact that we were deceived by men and women who quoted scripture, but now we begin to discover one very important principle – context matters. Instead of verses being plucked out of context to suit a narrative, we apply the principles of exegesis to find the real meaning of a verse. Instead of asking – what does this verse mean to me? we begin to ask – what did the author mean, and what is the application? We learn to make the distinction between law and gospel, a prescriptive or descriptive text. The theology of the NAR is man centered, and as a result, man instead of Christ is elevated. It’s through this narcissistic tainted lens that the NAR interpret scripture. Post NAR, we learn that the bible is not a motivational manual, therapeutic thesis, or handbook for superpowers. By way of illustration, we learn that:
The story of Joseph is not about our promotion from pit to palace.
The story of David and Goliath is not about slaying our personal giants.
Jesus calming the storm is not about our authority over the elements.
To understand the scriptures, we look for Christ, instead of self:
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” Luke 24: 44-45

We realize that Bill Johnson is incorrect in saying that Jesus came to model miracles for us. Walking on water, changing water into wine, raising ourselves from the dead, calming a storm…..why should we emulate these? Jesus didn’t perform miracles to show us what we could do, but to show that he was one with the father, that he was God: “even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” John 10:38.
The purpose of scripture is belief in Christ, not self: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Post NAR, our delusions of grandeur are reduced to a pile of ashes. Our inaccurate perception of God and self, is corrected as we search the scriptures. We realize that we don’t possess the attributes of God. We cannot declare, decree or speak things into being because our words are not causative. We realize the error of Bill Johnson’s  statement – “God is in charge, but He is not in control. He has left us in control.” The gap between us and God becomes clear. The main discovery when we search the scriptures after leaving the NAR is that God…is God. We are not his partners or co-creators, we are his servants. He is not going to meet our demands or help us fulfill our desires. He’s not going to make all our dreams come true, he may not heal our chronic disease, he may not change our difficult circumstances. The gospel does not promise physical or financial well being in this world – it promises spiritual well being. 

We begin to realize that it’s not God who has disappointed us, but that our false expectations based on false teachings have deceived us. This is such a crucial distinction to make, failure to do so results in many folk rightly rejecting a false concept of God but never coming to knowledge of the truth. When we recognize the lies we have bought into, it’s inevitable that there can be no fellowship between light and darkness. For the sake of our spiritual well being, there needs to be a separation.

3. T H E  S E P A R A T I O N

 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17

Note that once again, the divisive ones are not those who ask questions, or compare teachings to scripture – the divisive ones are those who twist the scriptures. The timing and reasons for leaving a church under the spell of the NAR may differ, but the bottom line should be the realization that fellowship with those who distort the truth is impossible. By sitting under a pastor who twists the word of God, you are submitting yourself to someone God has disqualified, and is deceiving their followers. Your pastor should in fact be the one rebuking those who teach false doctrine. He “ must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it“  Titus 1:9
In this article, I address a number of invalid reasons for staying in a church that teaches false doctrine. I’ll simply mention the points here. The following reasons are not legitimate reasons to stay in a church that teaches false doctrine:

1.  I’ll simply ignore the bad teaching – eat the meat and spit out the bones.
2.  I’ll just stay and be a witness.
3.  I have family members in the church; if I leave I will offend them.
4.  I stand to lose too much.
5.  Despite some bad doctrine God still moves.
6.  I will be without a spiritual covering.
7.  I play a valuable role in the church.
8.   There is no alternative nearby.

Churches that have been infected with NAR teachings do not reach a plateau and remain mildly deceptive. Inherent in the movement is the necessity for new revelations, increasing manifestations and more outlandish testimonies. There really is no option but to leave the burgeoning cesspool of NAR deception.
“..while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom  you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God  may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

4. T H E  S I F T I N G

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ Hebrews 4:12

Matthew Henry, commenting on this verse writes: “It will discover to men their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends they act to.”  In the NAR, the “word of God” is not the word of God. Instead, we received the words of men, their private interpretations and portions of scripture from the diabolical Passion Translation. The word of God has been silenced in our lives, it cannot do it’s work.
But God.
God in his mercy has opened our eyes, and has allowed us to be sifted. A painful process, but the goal of sifting wheat is not to destroy it, but purify it. The shaking is the equivalent of our house falling down, the sifting is the stage where we examine our foundation to discover why it fell. During the searching phase, we examined the teachings that ensnared us. During the sifting process, we examine our own hearts. The primary question we probably all had, is why were we deceived in the first place?

An uncomfortable answer is found in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
We are quick to blame false teachers for deceiving us, but fail to recognize that the real problem was our itching ears and passions. It’s one thing to identify a deceptive teaching, it’s another to identify self deception. Self, is the main cause for all our miseries: “I have never met a man who has given me as much trouble as myself.” – Dwight Moody

I can think of three basic reasons why so many have been captivated by this insidious movement:
• to alleviate some form of pain.
• to obtain some form pleasure.
• to display some form of power.

The first reason, is the heartbreaking one. People desperate for physical healing, or relief from some form of mental anguish go to churches like Bethel for help. Not only do they receive a different gospel, but they are subjected to a different spirit. Their physical or mental troubles will be eclipsed by the spiritual delusion that will fall upon them in that environment. On the surface, the motivation and goals of the NAR seem godly. What believer would not hope for the eradication of sickness, crime, and all kinds of evil? What carnal individual would not like the spotlight on themselves as a result of their ministry? However, lurking beneath the godly veneer is a theology that has enthroned self, not Christ. Words such as destiny, legacy and influence are commonly used in the NAR, and the revealing factor is that they all refer to self. A classic example of the narcissism that characterizes this movement can be found in the words of Bethel’s false prophet, Kris Vallotton – “Your identity as a child of God is a non-negotiable. You’re powerful, glorious, and outright awesome.”

This sifting process gets to the heart of the matter. We begin to realize that we were not as powerful as we thought, and that the spiritual thrones we believed we occupied were an illusion. We begin to realize that the gospel is not means of gain or guarantee that life on earth will be blissful and pain free. If we fail to deal with our own hearts, and identify the sin or area of ignorance that led us into deception, we may find ourselves in another deceptive movement or group after leaving the NAR.

5. T H E  S U R R E N D E R

There is a hopelessness that is unbiblical and destructive. But I believe there is a hopelessness that is biblical, and necessary in order to grow and mature in the faith. It’s a hopelessness that initiates our surrender. For some, this surrender may be more of a calculated step as the word of God is illuminated, for others it’s the result of sheer exhaustion brought on by a relentless pursuit of what can only be described as vain imaginations. The sifting allows us to see that all was not well with our soul. The surrender is the awareness that we are powerless to fix it – and that some things will not be fixed this side of eternity. The beauty of surrender is that we have thrown ourselves at the feet of a sovereign God, who loves us, and promises us that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
There is a flurry of activity in NAR circles. It’s a continual and exhaustive operation, dependent on methodologies and spurred on by manifestations. It’s a man centered and works based theology, always reaching for the next level without the awareness or acknowledgement that the current level didn’t deliver what was promised. Once we are catapulted off the NAR hamster wheel, the stillness and rest may feel strange, and even make us feel guilty. We will look back at this time and realize what a gift it was, and realize that the guilt was a false guilt. The surrender basically means submission to God. The NAR is a movement that does not submit to God, they pervert his word, his character, and consider themselves as equals to God in many aspects. Even worse, in other aspects believe they can to outperform God. For the first time, we find our rightful place – in humility and submission to God. We have been dethroned, – our destiny, our legacy, our dreams, our desires, our ministry…are counted as rubbish.
Our throne is replaced with a cross: “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
 Matthew 16:24
We stop searching for what God has already revealed. We stop seeking after that which God has already given. We stop desiring that which God never promised. There is rest in submission. Now we begin to understand what trust and faith really mean.

6. T H E  S U F F I C I E N C Y

The cultish characteristics of the NAR ensure that followers remain dependent on the personalities and private interpretations of their leaders. By establishing themselves as mediators between God and the ordinary follower, leaders are able to manipulate and fleece their followers. Followers will find themselves in an endless quest to please their leaders, and in an endless quest to hear hear from God and experience some sort of spiritual encounter. In retrospect, we discover that it was never enough, and that is because it was a yoke from men that was placed on us.
Breaking free from the NAR is liberating because the emphasis is no longer on what we can or must do for God – but on what Christ has done for us. It’s a migration from self sufficiency, to sufficiency in Christ.

Gone are the fleshly and straining efforts to hear the voice of God. Gone are the efforts to change circumstances by the power of our words. Gone are the days we spent running after anointings and manifestations. Gone are the days of looking for omens – numbers, cloud formations, feathers, oily palms and gold dust. Gone are the days we chased after men and women, hoping to receive a touch or “prophetic” word from them. Gone are days we timed ourselves speaking in tongues in the hope that it would make us more spiritual. Gone are the days of pleading the blood over anything we could name. Gone are the days of binding things that don’t exist or cannot be bound by man. Gone are the days of claiming our healing.
The subjective means we relied on make way for the objective and infallible truth – the word of God. Our emotions, our experiences and our expectations, are no longer the driving force behind our Christianity. We trust in what Christ has already spoken (Hebrews 1:2) and realize that we have already been anointed  (1 John 2:20)  We learn that the Holy Spirit is given to all believers, and has given all believers certain gifts. We realize that we don’t need a new revelation or the latest word some NAR teacher has just “released” for the body of Christ. We trust in what has already been written in scripture, and know that it is sufficient: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

7. T H E  S U F F E R I N G

Beneath the layers of NAR doctrine is the fundamental idea that all forms of suffering must be done away with. There is no suffering in heaven, and that’s the goal of the NAR – to make earth look like heaven. Prosperous cities, cancer free zones, domination of the seven spheres of society, favor with all people, personal health and wealth, the ability to perform miracles greater than Christ – if these were all attained, where is the suffering? God is concerned with our character, not our comfort, and to this end he allows us experience hardships, discipline, and sufferings: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” Romans 5:3-4

There is no doubt that God ordains and uses suffering in the life of believers:
• “For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
• Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13
• “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” Psalm 119:67

One of the first ways you are going to feel the consequences of your decision to stand for truth, is your relationships. This is a form of suffering that affects us so deeply. Lifelong friends and family may abandon you. Like David, you may feel the sting of betrayal from those you love:
“For it is not an enemy who taunts me – then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me – then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng” Psalm 55:12-14

And sadly, the words of Jesus may become our reality: 
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39

Post NAR, we reject the propensity to speak into uncomfortable circumstances and bind everything that troubles us. We are reminded of Paul’s thorn in the flesh, and learn from his “encounter.” Paul did not speak to the thorn, bind the thorn, or cast out the spirit of thorn. Paul pleaded with God. But God did not remove something uncomfortable, God used something uncomfortable: “ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Our perspective changes, we were taught to believe that suffering was a sign that we had failed in some area, or that God was absent. Post NAR we understand that favorable circumstances, health, wealth, and miracles or manifestations are not a barometer to measure our spirituality. We learn to trust in the providence of God, and the presence of God in the midst of our suffering instead of viewing our suffering as the absence of God. We begin to understand that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me does not mean that I can achieve my personal goals, do all things I desire, or bring heaven to earth. Instead, we believe the plain reading of scripture in context – it means we are content in abundance or need.
“ I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13

8. T H E  S A N C T I F I C A T I O N

Justification is positional, we are justified by faith and declared righteous by God based on the work of Christ on the cross. Sanctification is progressive, we are gradually conformed into the image of Christ – a process that will only reach completion when we are resurrected from the dead. The NAR teach that Jesus lived as a man in a right relationship with God. That’s why they believe we can model the miracles of Jesus, and that’s why some NAR teachers believe we can be sinless on earth. We know that grace is not a licence to sin, but the struggle with our flesh will continue until we die. Furthermore, our awareness of our sin should increase, not decrease, as we grow in sanctification.

The NAR is a movement which by and large teach that unregenerate man is inherently good, awesome, and just needs God to unlock the potential within.
Bethel’s Eric Johnson believes “every government, every structure, every system, fundamentally and theologically must start with the concept and idea that people are good, and they mean to do good, even if they’re not saved.  We have to start from that premise.”

Eric Johnson is wrong, we have to start from the premise given in scripture: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3
The NAR is a movement that hardly recognizes the believers struggle with sin. Consider this statement from Kris Vallotton: “Those of us who know God are not in a war with our flesh, however, we do have a devious, evil enemy who is a sinner.”
Paul recognized the struggle within (Galatians 5:16-17) and mentioned the war with our flesh: “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
1 Peter 2:11.
The struggle is real: “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:2
The fact is: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10.
Matthew Henry comments on these verses “All who walk near to God, in holiness and righteousness, are sensible that their best days and duties are mixed with sin. God has given testimony to the sinfulness of the world, by providing a sufficient, effectual Sacrifice for sin, needed in all ages; and the sinfulness of believers themselves is shown, by requiring them continually to confess their sins, and to apply by faith to the blood of that Sacrifice.”

Upon conversion, few of us realized the magnitude of of our sin and the measure of grace God bestowed on us. This under realization will be amplified, or prolonged, in those who are caught up in the NAR. After coming out, it should not be strange when we actually experience an increasing awareness of sin. This means sanctification is at work. This greater awareness of sin, should lead to a greater awareness of God’s mercy and grace. Thomas Watson put it this way – “Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” –  Thomas Watson, “Doctrine of Repentance,” 1668.

The correct perception of God and man cause us to respond to God in awe and reverence. What we experienced in the NAR is a destructive familiarity because we were deluded regarding these perceptions. The consequences are a lack of the fear of God. The majesty and holiness of God are lost on NAR disciples who are in love with self, and blinded to their own sin. Their regular trips to heaven and “encounters” with God are nothing less than experiences with an imaginary god. This is why deluded Bethelites believe they can stand and video a “glory cloud.” If God did manifest himself in their presence, they would be on their faces in repentance. Consider Job’s encounter with God: “Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak;I will question you, and you make it known to me.’I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6

8. T H E  S O J O U R N I N G

The scriptures are clear regarding the trajectory of this present world. Paul describes the last days as “times of difficulty” due to the fact the people will be lovers of self, unholy, heartless and brutal (2 Timothy 3) The events unfolding in the world today should be a wake up call to the NAR that the “prince of the power of the air” is unfazed by their vain declarations. Their goal to transform the world has no biblical mandate. What is it then, that drives the NAR to make the world a better place? The root I believe, is in fact the love of this world. If not the pleasures of this world, the pride that comes with being part of a new breed that sanitizes the earth and enjoys godlike status. They have made this world their home, and want to improve its standard. The Christian cannot avoid being in this world, but the world must not be in the Christian. “The Separation” stage separated us from a false church, now as sojourners, we live as separate from the world.

Once we exit the NAR, and our eyes have been opened to the fact that earthly comfort and gain are not part of the gospel, the world and things that are passing away lose their attraction. Our perspective has changed, and as a result our priorities have changed. We realize that very often the promotions we sought, may actually hinder our progress: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” –  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

An eternal perspective takes a grip on our souls, and purges us of the idea that we have the right to experience the best of this world. It’s this eternal perspective that compels us to live as sojourners in this world: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ” 1 Peter 2:11

Like sojourners, we realize that the world is not our home. We are passing through, not to transform the cities of this world, but to point to a celestial city. Our mission is not to cure the ills of society or the body, but to cure the deadliest ill of all – spiritual death and separation from God.

 



Virtual Africa day prayer meeting – a NAR affair.

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By Rick Becker  29 May 2020

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) has poisoned many of the influential leaders in the visible church in South Africa, and sadly, one of the most significant voices in South Africa’s leadership – Chief Justice Mogoeng. The Chief Justice hosted a virtual prayer meeting on Monday, 25 May, with nearly 1000 leaders from across the continent. Instead of the gospel featuring, the meeting revolved around the goals and methodologies of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) Flattering prophetic words have been giving false hope to South Africans for decades, and hoodwinked a visible church desperate for good news. Many will no doubt be lured into believing a new day has (once again) dawned upon our continent.

The Chief Justice has been spearheading the “50-Days of Healing Campaign.” Leaders in the campaign have “acknowledged that poor leadership in the continent is partly a result of the Church’s failure to disciple nations by teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.”
The false premise for this thought is that God’s intention is to transform the nations of this world instead of saving sinners. The NAR makes no distinction between God’s covenant with the nation of Israel, and the new covenant, and that is why they refer to Old Testament scriptures to justify their notion of a prosperous and righteous nation under God. As we examine the following report in Gateway News (a publication that is virtually a NAR mouthpiece) you will note the absence of New Testament references. From the Gateway News (GN) article:

GN: “Apostle Linda Gobodo opened the meeting, sharing that it was based on prophetic words about South Africa over a number of years.”

Firstly, Linda Gobodo is NOT an apostle – the office of apostle is closed. Secondly, search the scriptures, you will not find any prophetic words about South Africa. This means we have to rely on self appointed “apostles and prophets” who cannot even rightly divide the scriptures, and are responsible (but never accountable) for a host of false prophecies to date. So how do these fraudulent prophets explain away their lying words? Simple – they blame it on the church.

GN: “She explained that despite the release of words that the Lord would change the face of Africa in 10 years, there had not been much change because the Church in South Africa was not ready. She said Monday’s meeting represented the awakening of the church in South Africa, which according to prophecy will lead the process of the restoration in the nations.”

Failed logic of the “apostles” words – releasing the words of the Lord had little effect, but this newly released word will initiate the transformation of nations. Ridiculous! All that she is releasing is hot air, that will serve to have one effect – further deception and false hope.

GN: “Mogoeng began his message by reminding attendees of Biblical accounts of Africa’s role in fulfilling God’s purposes. He shared how the patriarch of the nation of Israel, Abraham in a season of famine came to Africa; how Mary and Joseph fled to Africa when Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus; and how it took an African man, Simon of Cyrene, to help Jesus to carry the cross for the last mile. These examples are among many in Scripture that confirm that Africa is indeed part of God’s agenda despite its unfavourable reputation as “the dark continent”.

Did Jesus die for Africa, or sinners? Did he die to transform the hearts of sinners, or nations? The Chief Justice is making a desperate attempt to make Africa look special in God’s eyes by taking descriptive texts, and attaching some sort of continental significance to them. The tragic history of Africa cannot be healed by inserting false ideas into the reason for her existence. Nations exist as the result of what took place at the tower of Babel. This quest for finding pride and purpose in our national identities robs us of finding our purpose in Christ, and deceives us into believing the kingdom of God must be observable in the nations and governments of this world. As aliens and strangers in this world, our purpose is to tell the world there is only one citizenship that matters – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20.

GN: “He then shared a word he had received for the meeting, saying: “The time for the visitation of Africa has come. The time to remember Africa for good has come. The time for the rebirth of Africa has come. Africa is being born again today. What Africa had lost is being restored today.”  He declared that this day marked the restoration, the healing, the unity the revival of the lost hope that Africa needs to move forward under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. He then led the meeting in a prayer of repentance on behalf of the continent, calling on the Lord to show mercy to Africa.”

How is Africa being “born again” ? Clearly, the Chief Justice has fallen for the false teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation. I sympathize with his desire for a better Africa, but Jesus is not building Africa, he’s building his church – in poor nations where poverty, misery and injustice prevail, and in rich nations, where affluence and pleasures are easy to come by. 

GN: “Mogoeng said what the body of Christ and people of Africa needed to do in this season is to love God, and love one another from pure hearts. He challenged Africans to love their continent, and to marry the land because such a commitment to the continent would bring an end to self-serving leadership. He also spoke strongly against the spirit of toxic denominationalism and commercialisation of the Gospel, calling for the Church to be united, to seek the Kingdom of God, and to demonstrate selfless and ethical leadership.”

One must applaud his call against the commercialisation of the gospel, and at the same time question why he does not name those who do so. He has in fact met with some of the charlatans who masquerade as ministers of the gospel. Did he rebuke them? As for the call for unity – biblical unity means that the body of Christ will not fall for various doctrines that are contrary to scripture: “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4: 13-14. In other words, the true church should be unified in it’s condemnation of the teachings and false prophecies promoted at this virtual African day of prayer. The superficial unity in the NAR is unity based on false doctrines, and is a sign of a great falling away, not revival.

GN: “He also spoke about the importance of spiritually securing the four cardinal points and centre of every country and of the continent of Africa. He personally undertook to ensure that the centre of Africa is secured by raising an altar to the Lord”

This is another false teaching based on the unbiblical spiritual warfare teachings of the NAR. Where did any of the disciples, or early church leaders secure the cardinal points of a city or nation? Where is this concept taught in the New Testament? Why are altars necessary under the new covenant? What covenant has God made with Africa? Simple questions such as these should be sufficient to expose these nonsensical practices, but sadly they don’t, because rational thought and biblical precedence have been clouded by a spiritual delusion.

GN: “The next speaker, SA evangelist Angus Buchan, affirmed the beauty, the blessing and the abundance of the land of Africa. He said these qualities are compromised by greed which comes when the eyes of men move away from Jesus to themselves. He declared that Africa has been given one more chance to return to the Lord which will birth revival. He also brought repentance on behalf of men for violence against women.”

This nation was supposed to have been born again numerous times under Angus Buchan’s declarations and repentance on behalf of the nation. Buchan’s Mighty Men and It’s Time conferences have failed to have any impact on our wicked government, and the godless fabric of our society. Buchan, who somehow has been accepted by millions as God’s mouthpiece for the nation, expects us to believe that God has given Africa one last chance to repent to experience revival. The strange thing is that other NAR apostles and prophets in South Africa have been saying we are in a revival. As usual ,Buchan repented on behalf of others – yet another false teaching found in the NAR that will have zero effect on the perpetrators of violence.

GN: “Rev Christine Shimanya of Uganda shared a number of prophetic dreams and visions God gave her and a team of intercessors over a period of time, confirming that God’s hand was upon Africa and that Africa will be healed and restored.”

For centuries, private revelations have been used to form cults, lead people astray, and deceive naive believers into thinking that their fortunes are about to change for the better. This is no different. The “Rev” should be teaching from scripture, calling on sinners to repent, and warning nations that God’s judgement is coming upon the earth. She should be warning the church of apostasy, and that wickedness will only increase in this world. Instead she has chosen to follow the false prophets of old by delivering fake news: “Ah, Lord God, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.’” And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.” Jeremiah 14:13-14.

GN: “Pastor Laban Jjumba of Uganda challenged praying people to take up the responsibility of building the nation, because according to Isaiah 58:12 those who pray get to rebuild and restore. He attributed the lack of solutions in the nations of the world to the fact the Jesus has been “imprisoned” in the religious system. He is not known as the King who has practical solutions to the challenges faced by nations. He also said the church was meant to be modelled on communities like Abraham’s household living in their land, and not congregations as we currently.”

Isaiah 58:12 is a text that refers to the literal and spiritual restoration of Israel, not any African nation. The phrase Jesus has been “imprisoned” is actually a good example of the Jesus of the New Apostolic Reformation – a limited Jesus who is helpless to fulfill his plans and purposes on earth without his mortal partners. A frustrated Jesus who can only stand idly by and hope the church gets it’s act together before he can initiate something he never promised – the transformation of governments and society before he can return. Abraham is a model to the church in this sense – “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3. “Repent and believe” is the message this pastor should be preaching to the world, instead of placing his hope in an innovative Jesus that will woe the wicked through his impressive solutions to practical challenges on earth.

GN: “Apostle Naomi Sheneberger from Zambia shared that God was raising new apostolic order so that his promise of revival will begin. She said revival will begin with a shaking that will cause only that which is from the Lord to remain. She also shared that Africa was being repositioned to become a global economic stability for natural resources, with the Spirit of the Lord hovering and replenishing all that was stolen.”

An “apostolic order” is central to the teachings of the NAR. From a previous article I have written – “God apparently forgot to activate apostles and prophets for centuries, and only recently decided to restore the five fold ministry by reintroducing apostles and prophets. These are the men and women on the cutting edge of manifesting God’s kingdom on earth. Without them, the church cannot function or reach maturity. These self-appointed generals of the faith equip their minions to conquer the seven spheres of society, take dominion, bringing heaven to earth, and walk in signs and wonders. Unfortunately for them, the foundation has already been laid by true apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) and the office of apostle and prophet is closed.”

True revival, would mean that the false prophets and apostles of the NAR would be silenced, and that people would return to the word of God instead of believing the vain imaginations of these self appointed apostles.

GN: “Bishop Joshua Banda from Zambia shared that Africa cannot afford to go for secularism or become a values-free society that seeks to build without God. He spoke about the power of prayer that gives the Church access to the throne of God. In His presence the Church can receive actionable spiritual intelligence as well as biblically-grounded models for national transformation.”

What about rational intelligence – Africans should stop voting for corrupt leaders, and in our case, a corrupt, socialist and racist party. Would that not help create better South Africa?

GN: “Words spoken by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at an African Union prayer breakfast, that “the ultimate solution to Africa’s problems is Jesus Christ” were echoed at this continental meeting as Mogoeng referred to them as marching orders for the continent.”
The ultimate solution is Jesus Christ. It’s not a national or continental solution based on the methodologies and revelations of “apostles and prophets.” It’s not a solution that will transform a wicked world into some kind of Christian utopia. It’s a solution for those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ alone. It’s a solution that transforms the hearts of men and women, not their governments,society or continent.

Related articles:

Many of the words quoted from the Gateway News article are NAR buzzwords. This article – A GLOSSARY OF NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION TERMINOLOGY will identify those words and provide an explanation.

In their desperation to find hope, many are looking to the church for answers.  Unfortunately a false narrative is on offer, and is being propagated by various churches and ministries in South Africa. This article – Is there hope for South Africa explores some of the false teachings that are deceiving many South Africans in the visible church.

 

 

Things Paul Never Wrote

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By Rick Becker 14 May 2020

We identify false teachings by comparing them to what is clearly taught in scripture.  Sound exegesis of a text will separate truth from error, and expose the twisting of scripture. The reason false teachers have to ignore the context and distort the truth, is because what they teach is NOT taught in scripture.
If the teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and other heretical movements were true, then we should have a different bible. In this post, I speculate as to what Paul should have written in order for some of these false teachings to be true. It won’t take long for you to realize that what many in the visible church and the NAR in particular have accepted as truth, is not only a lie, but ludicrous.

 

Things Paul never wrote to the Romans.

• I’m not ashamed of the gospel, especially the gospel of the kingdom which is the power to transform the nations.
• How can we rejoice in our sufferings when there is no suffering in heaven, this ought not to be so!
• For I know that something good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.
• Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God, a special new breed that will usher in the kingdom of God on earth.
• If God was willing to give his son for us, will he not give us all things? Now by all things, I mean anything you desire – new fishing boats, a house on the banks of the Jordan etc.
• Don’t worry about tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword separating you from the love of God, because these misfortunes never happen to those who know their rights as believers.
• How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news – and leave out the part that all have sinned and are under the wrath of God unless they repent.

Things Paul never wrote to the Corinthians.

• Jews demand signs and we give them what they want, because everyone deserves an encounter with God.
• For consider your calling brothers, many of you were influential because God needs the powerful and strong to transform society.
• Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body brings judgement on themselves, but that is not why many of you are weak, ill, and have died – God never uses sickness to judge or discipline.
• There are varieties of gifts, they are apportioned by apostles or prophets and will be taught at supernatural schools of ministry.
• If the whole church speaks in tongues, unbelievers or outsiders might think you are out of your minds – ignore them, because decency and order puts God in a box.
• We were so afflicted and burdened we despaired of life itself, but don’t tell the others, it will give the impression that God ordains suffering.
• Although we are new creations in Christ and the old has passed away, we still need deliverance, inner healing based on visualization techniques, and the regular breaking of curses.
• The Macedonians, despite their afflictions and extreme poverty gave generously. I have sent them my teaching on the law of seed time and harvest, and instructed them to tithe regularly so that in future they may prosper.
• False apostles never disguise themselves and will never use scripture or claim to speak on behalf of Christ.
• Three times I was shipwrecked – because I failed to take a risk and model the miracle of Jesus when he rebuked the wind and spoke to the waves.
• I was often hungry, thirsty, and exposed to the elements, but that was before I started selling anointed handkerchiefs and my manuscripts.
•  If I must boast, I will, have I ever revealed to you the mysteries and revelations I received when I was caught up into the third heaven?
• I received a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan that harassed me. I knew this was not from God so I bound it and cast it out.

Things Paul never wrote to the Ephesians.

• God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing – except the ones that you will receive through impartations, upgrades, activations and soaking in his presence.
• And you were mildly affected by sin – you were still inherently good and worthy of redemption.
• The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, a foundation that will need to be laid again year after year.
• Unity of the faith and our maturity cause us to tolerate the different winds of crafty doctrine taught by some.
• Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness – unless your objective is to take dominion of that specific sphere of influence.
• Do not get drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit – even though the effects of both are the same – convulsions, incoherent babbling, bizarre behavior and incapacitation.
• Take up the whole armour of God in your struggle against evil forces – bind the devil, break curses, and shift the atmosphere wherever you go.

Things Paul never wrote to the Philippians

• I pray that your love may abound – without knowledge or discernment. 
• Writing from my comfortable residence has given the brothers assurance that they too, may prosper.
• Jesus took the form of a servant that we may live as kings, and fulfill our own ambitions and interests.
• Hold fast to your encounters with God, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud.
• Epaphroditus was near to death from illness, but his declarations based on the word spoken through the prophet Isaiah made him whole again.
• Enemies of the cross set their minds on earthly things, but the saints set their minds on the seven earthly spheres of society and will one day rule over them so that Christ may return.
• Knowing him and the power of his resurrection, will end all suffering as heaven invades earth.
• Do not be anxious about anything, but take dominion over what troubles you by speaking into the situation.
• There is no secret when facing hunger, because there is no hunger in heaven.
• We can do all things through him, so dream big and don’t allow negative talk to rob you of your goals.
• God supplies more than just our needs, he caters for our wants as well.

 Things Paul never wrote to Timothy

• An overseer must be the wife of one husband, and manage her household well.
• The Spirit expressly says that in later times, there will be a billion soul harvest.
• Until I come, devote yourself to signs and wonders.
• Your frequent ailments, mean the lack is at your end of the equation.
• If anyone teaches a different doctrine, embrace them don’t judge them.
• Godliness is a means of gain, don’t be content with just food and clothing.
• Follow the pattern of miracles that I have performed.
• Some have swerved from the truth, but I won’t mention their names.
• Understand this, that in the last days, times will be easier as godliness increases.
• I charge you: preach the word…but remember it’s a worthless exercise without a demonstration of God’s power.
• The time is coming when people will love sound teaching, they will die to their  passions as they listen to the truth.
• All scripture is breathed out by God, yet incomplete – God will give downloads and new revelations to apostles and prophets in the last days.

 



 

SBC prays into The Seven Centers of Influence

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By Rick Becker  4 May 2020

When you hear the term “seven mountain mandate” or “seven spheres of society” be assured you’re not dealing with a principle in the New Testament, but with the heresy of dominion theology as espoused by those caught up in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) The NAR are failing, and will continue to fail in their unbiblical quest to influence and transform society, but have achieved massive success in influencing churches. The reason for that is found in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” The latest denomination to be influenced by what can only be described as an agenda from the pit, is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

This mandate to influence the seven spheres or mountains of society is based on the belief that the church should take dominion of the kingdoms of this world before Christ can return. It’s a quest to get the earth to look like Eden again, and the teaching itself is known as Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. One way of understanding it is that Kingdom Now theology attempts to create what God has described as a future kingdom under his rule on a new earth, in this present dispensation. Perhaps it’s the appeal of a just and prosperous society on earth in this dispensation that has lured an increasingly woke SBC. While they may distance themselves from the bizarre manifestations, practices, and certain teachings of the NAR, the SBC has published a prayer guide that is based on the seven spheres/mountains of society identified by Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham.

Self appointed general in the faith, and false prophetess Cindy Jacobs describes the roots and strategy of the Seven Mountain Mandate as follows: “In 1975, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission (YWAM), developed a God-given, world-changing strategy. Their mandate: Bring Godly change to a nation by reaching its seven spheres, or mountains, of societal influence. They concluded that in order to truly transform any nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these seven facets of society must be reached: Religion, Family,Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment and Business.”

The SBC prayer for the 2020 theme is “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth into the Seven Centers of Influence in America for the National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2020”
The “Seven Centers” are nothing less that the New Apostolic Reformation’s “Seven Spheres.” The SBC has used the phrase “centers of influence” whereas the NAR typically refer to mountains or spheres of influence. Two other minor differences are that the SBC has made the “Military” a sphere on it’s own (whereas the NAR view the military as part of the governmental sphere) and exclude entertainment as they probably perceive it as being part of the “Arts” sphere. Comparison of the seven areas of influence below: 


The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee prayer guide:

On the surface, and to those unfamiliar with the NAR, the prayer may seem to have godly intentions based on scripture, but those familiar with the NAR know the power of a little leaven to leaven the whole lump. Once the insidious teachings of the NAR gain a foothold in a church or denomination, the result is always the same – incremental deception. Typical NAR phrases appear in some of the SBC prayer descriptions:

“..ask God for a great spiritual awakening in the United States…”

 “Pray for each person working in the media and arts professions to find new ways to use their talents and technology to fill the airwaves with the glory of God.”

“..and for financial blessing and prosperity to return. Pray for
supernatural understanding of what is needed for a safe return to
business.”

“Pray that the glory of God will fill churches across the nation in a new and
fresh way”

Believers within the SBC should be concerned, very concerned. The mere fact that this prayer guide based on the NAR seven spheres of influence was even published, is indicative of SBC leaders with little discernment. Hopefully (and shamefully) they are ignorant of what a wicked movement the NAR is.

For more information of the New Apostolic Reformation:

The Messed Up Church
Church Watch Central
Famine In The Land 

A GLOSSARY OF NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION TERMINOLOGY

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By Rick Becker   29 April 2020

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is one of the fastest growing and insidious movements in the visible church. One of the ways to identify leaders and their followers (NARites) in this movement, is by paying attention to the terminology or buzzwords they use. Some of the words in this list are biblical, but the meaning and application are far removed from what scripture actually teaches (biblical terminology to gives credence to their aberrant doctrines) Certain words used in the NAR appear to be sci-fi or computer buzzwords, and their applications originate in the minds of the false apostles and prophets that drive this movement. The words listed are not exclusive to the NAR, but occur in some Charismatic, Word of Faith and other movements.

 

1. Accelerate – some sort of divine acceleration process, which like everything else in this list is going to benefit you in a pleasant manner. For example, scripture teaches us that suffering is beneficial, but the NAR god will never accelerate your trials, tribulations and suffering, just your comfort and powers. It may be an acceleration of a gift, favourable circumstances, increased anointing or a financial increase.. 

2. Access – access to special knowledge, superpowers, or God’s presence is a big deal in the NAR. This access usually involves paying for their latest course, or attending one of their meetings. This could also mean that God has given the NARite access to the heavenly courtroom, and they have the privilege of obtaining new information that would benefit the church. Access to mysteries, secrets, and ways to experience encounters with God are a cash cow for NAR teachers. Believers should avoid these schemes as God has already given us the access we need – Heb 4:16; 2 Peter 1:3; Eph 2:6.

3. Activate your faith – God needs you (an oxymoron) to generate enough faith so that you can achieve some desired result. It might mean a miracle of sorts, or possibly another means to attain some kind of earthly gain.

4. Activation – this is usually in reference to some sort of gift or anointing, and the only way to be “activated” is to attend a meeting, supernatural school, or purchase an online course where “activation” is promised. Naturally the leaders don’t have the power to “activate” anything, though some actually believe they do. Practically speaking it means that you will have to step out in faith, take a risk, and begin practicing a particular gift such as a word of knowledge for someone. For example, ask your friend if they had a rubber duck named Bob when they were a child. Wrong? – try again. 

5. Alignment – an example of this would be to position yourself to understand what God is doing on earth, and be a part of it. You can get into alignment through various means – by changing the attitude of your heart, speaking the right words, and of course unconditional acceptance of what the NAR prophet has instructed you to do. Another application is to come into alignment with God’s promises, which in the NAR means the conflation of the old and new covenants, for example expecting financial blessing because you tithe. One form of alignment means an association with another ministry. Name dropping due to associations/alignments has benefits for up and coming NAR apostles and prophets. The alignments between NAR apostles and prophets do not mean they hold each other accountable to what scripture teaches – but rather “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”

6. Angels – angels obey God’s commands and are described as “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” Hebrews 1:14. In the NAR, certain leaders teach that believers can command angels, and even wake up sleeping angels. One of their arguments is that if Jesus taught that believers could bind demons (he didn’t – see binding & loosing) then surely we can loose angels. We supposedly loose them by our words as we declare scripture (out of context) You may hear the phrase “releasing angels” in NAR circles. This “release” or “activation” allows angels to complete a particular assignment. NAR leaders also claim to have met certain angels or name certain angels that don’t exist – such as the angel of: finance, government, transition, breakthrough, revival etc. One of the bizarre claims is that when angels have been present, they very often leave feathers behind. Naturally none of these feathers have been tested, and if they were the DNA would connect them to the donor – some kind of bird. Believers have no authority over angels, but make their supplications known to God.

7. Anointing – yet another blessing or condition you will have to chase after in the NAR. The connotation is that the anointing will enable you to perform great works, preach great messages, and generally live a cut above the average believer who has settled for less. In the NAR, only fools neglect to seek after a greater anointing, after all, a greater anointing will enable you to walk just like the ultimate anointed one – Jesus. Furthermore, if you are an anointed NAR apostle or prophet, you can manipulate your followers and skeptics by claiming that they “dare not touch the Lord’s anointed.” This ensures that the “anointed” apostle or prophet avoids scrutiny, so their teachings, visions, and prophetic words are accepted as truth. The truth is that all believers are anointed: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.” 1 John 2:18-20. 

8. Apostle & Prophet or Apostolic & Prophetic – the titles of apostle and prophet will give your ministry the necessary clout and admiration to climb the NAR food chain. God apparently forgot to activate apostles and prophets for centuries, and only recently decided to restore the five fold ministry by reintroducing apostles and prophets. These are the men and women on the cutting edge of manifesting God’s kingdom on earth. Without them, the church cannot function or reach maturity. These self-appointed generals of the faith equip their minions to conquer the seven spheres of society, take dominion, bringing heaven to earth, and walk in signs and wonders. Unfortunately for them, the foundation has already been laid by true apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) and the office of apostle and prophet is closed. (see point 30)

9. Assignment – God has given everyone a particular assignment, the problem with this word in NAR circles is that it could mean anything, as it’s totally subjective. It’s dependent upon hearing from God, a prophetic word from an NAR guru, or even an omen. What this leads to, is a departure from simple obedience to scripture, trust in God who is able to make all things work to the good for those who love him, and being content with where God has placed us in this world. The result of this departure from trust in God and the teaching of scripture, is confusion and even guilt because you have not heard from God what your individual assignment is.

10. Atmosphere – another word that has emerged in recent years. The atmosphere in a meeting plays a pivotal role by creating expectation and awakening the senses in order for those who are ministering to manipulate their followers. You may have heard comments such as “I sense the presence of God in this place”…which begs the question – where was he beforehand? Apart from physical stimulants in the form of lights, music, creative dancers, and live painting that create an atmosphere, NAR proponents go a step further by attempting to change the spiritual atmosphere wherever they go. In fact, you can take a course on “shifting atmospheres.” This course will help you discern the unseen, and release the kingdom of God into the environment…none of it biblical of course.

11. Attract – the law of attraction masquerades as biblical teaching in the visible church. Supposedly, believers in whom God already dwells, need to take further measures to “attract his presence.” In fact, if you play your cards right you can attract wealth, angels and all kinds of good things or spiritual experiences. Lets be clear, there is nothing attractive about us, and there is nothing we can do to attract any divine favors. This false teaching is the product of a works based philosophy and new age principles.

12. Awakening – similar to Revival (60).  If you need your passion reignited and want to discover your unique calling, then some kind of awakening meeting or movement is the answer. This is likely to feature the usual NAR celebrities with the usual hype and promises that a great awakening is taking place, which will transform you and the nation the meeting is being held in.  A familiar name from the Great Awakening in the 1700s was Jonathan Edwards. His sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” would be frowned upon by many NAR leaders who are repulsed by the fact that people are inherently sinful. If there was a sermon that defined the false claims of awakening or revival by NAR charlatans, it should read “Awesome People in the Hands of a Grateful Papa.”

13. Billion Soul Harvest – while scripture describes the last days as being a time of great deception, apostasy, and a rejection of sound doctrine (2 Thessalonians 2; 1 Timothy 4:1-5) the NAR believe the opposite. A billion soul harvest will supposedly be the result of a great end time revival. How do they know this – a prophecy of course! 

14. Binding and Loosing – NARites attempt to bind anything – poverty, diseases, territorial spirits, approaching storms but the most popular teaching is that we can bind Satan and demons. This is part of the NAR spiritual warfare methodology. It’s based on the words of Jesus found in three texts: 

Matthew 16:18-19: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Context – Jesus is addressing Peter, and later includes all the apostles. He is giving them the authority to bind and loose something. The words “bind” and “loose” in NAR and some Charismatic circles are thought to be some kind of authority available to all believers, to bind spiritual forces. But Jesus gave this specific authority to the twelve, and the terms “bind” and “loose” should be understood as forbidding something, or allowing something. You will not find a single example of an apostle “binding” Satan or a demon. So what did the apostles bind (forbid) and loose (allow) During this foundational phase of the church, the apostles had the authority to make decisions that were binding or loosing. Certain people were claiming that circumcision was necessary for salvation, but Peter loosed the Gentiles from obeying the law of Moses regarding circumcision:
“Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Acts 15:10-11
Then the words of James, who bound the Gentiles to obey certain practices: “ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.” Acts 15:19-21
This text has nothing to do our struggle with Satan or demons.

Matthew 18:18: “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Context – This passage describes the process of church discipline, and deals with the private offense of a believer sinning against a fellow believer – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault..” (vs 15)  The repentant believer is free to continue fellowship, if he continues in his unrepentant sin he is bound from fellowship. In other words, if this process of discipline is obeyed on earth, it is sanctioned from Heaven. It’s worth mentioning that verse 19 has also been taken out of context: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” This verse is referring to the subject at hand – church discipline, but has been twisted to imply that if two believers agree on anything in prayer, it will be done. A second erroneous belief based on this verse is that Jesus arrives if there are at least two or three in a prayer meeting.

Matthew 12:28-29: “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”
Context – Jesus heals a blind, mute and demon possessed man. The Pharisees believe he is using the Satanic power to perform the miracle. Jesus uses a metaphor to show them how ridiculous their theory is, as well as blasphemous. Jesus is stronger than the “strong man” – Satan, and Jesus has defeated the strong man, and plundered his kingdom: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:13-14. This was a metaphor that pointed to Christ’s power, it was not a method for believers to deal with the Devil..

15. Birthing – something new in the spirit is about to take place. This may involve spiritual warfare or intercession, in order for God to bring about his vision and purpose.
People may be “pregnant” with new revelations, mantles, and increased anointings.
The NAR thrive on activity, and there has to be something new happening to keep followers in a permanent state of expectation – to help them forget that the previous expectation failed to materialize. All that is really “birthing” in the NAR are the latest vain imaginations of false prophets and apostles.

16. Breakthrough – this particular word is used ad nauseam in NAR circles. Still struggling with sin, finances, health, lack of spiritual experiences? Well, the NAR solution is not repentance, discipline, studying God’s word, contentment in bad circumstances or enduring suffering in a fallen world. The solution lies in the fact that God has decided it’s a year or season of breakthrough. Why he allowed certain misfortunes or limited his presence and power for a time is unknown. Perhaps he changed his mood and is feeling benevolent. True believers don’t have to wait for the “prophets” to declare a breakthrough because “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3

17. Cultural architect – these are people who shape culture by the power of the Holy Spirit. They restore the cities, influence nations, and transform society. These cultural architects supposedly inspire collective reasoning that contributes to the creation of healthy and prosperous communities. Jesus called us to preach the gospel and make disciples, not create cultural architects who will create a Christian utopia on earth.

18. Culture – the great commission is to make disciples, but the NAR believes that influencing and redeeming culture is top priority. By creating a kingdom culture, or revival culture, the NAR hope to invade society which will lead to the transformation of the world. While the gospel is salt and light to a dying world, and will have positive effects on a community when embraced, there is no biblical mandate to transform culture. Another phrase you may hear is “culture of honour.” This is nothing less than the establishment of a hierarchy (apostles & prophets at the top) and a means to manipulate followers into blind submission. In other words, it creates untouchables who get away with false prophecies and false teachings. The anointing is filtered down through these super apostles, and to dare question them or expose their heresies means that you will be cut off from God himself. It’s a “culture” that has been cultured in the pit of hell, and enabled charlatans and deceivers to play god. It’s the very opposite of what is taught in scripture – mutual submission and accountability, testing all things, and not lording it over others.

19. Decree & Declare – this is a fruit of word of faith (WOF) theology, the idea being that our words carry some form of inherent power, and are causative. So instead of obeying scripture – “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6) NARites believe they need to exercise their faith, speak to their mountain, and enforce their dominion in a given situation. They attempt to “speak life” into the dead, dispel hurricanes, quench fires, and restore finances with their decrees and declarations. This “little god” behaviour fails every time, because only God can decree or declare. Another form of this is called “speaking into a situation.”

20. Destiny – every believer has a destiny – “to be conformed to the image of his Son” Romans 8:29. Biblically speaking, this destiny has nothing to do with the comforts of this world or superpowers. In the NAR world, your “destiny” usually comes with some form of greatness and great works – a man centered theology (NAR teachings) glorifies man. Some leaders in the NAR have the audacity to think that they have the power to release followers into their destiny. This destiny will naturally be an ear tickling future, full of excitement and adventures with papa God…nothing like to prospect of being crucified upside down or suffering the loss of all things.

21. Discipling the nations – Jesus instructed his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19. Previously, when Jesus sent his disciples out (Matthew 10:5) he instructed them to avoid the Gentiles.  In the great commission (Matthew 28) Jesus made it clear that the gospel is for all nations (Jews and Gentiles), and that people from all nations would be saved: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” Revelation 7:9. The NAR use the verse in Matthew to suit their narrative and claim that literal nations will be saved. They have progressed from “take your city for God” to make your nation a Christian nation. (see point 65)

22. Dominion – Dominion or Kingdom Now theology is the belief that earth is going to look like heaven, as the church takes dominion over the seven spheres/mountains of society. This is a teaching that has its roots in the Latter Rain, or Manifest Sons of God movement. A new breed of overcomers will supposedly ensure that Jesus returns to a unified and spotless church that has established his kingdom on earth. A product of this teaching is the belief that believers should regain the dominion that Adam lost during the fall. This includes dominion over the earth, in the sense that believers are able to exercise their authority over the elements. This is why you will see “prophets” who cannot even change the flight path of a mosquito with their utterances, attempt to change the direction of a hurricane by speaking to it. One only has to look at the state of the world to realize that this new breed have failed miserably. 

23. Double Portion – the miracle obsessed NAR want to be like Elisha, who asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9) The result was that during Elisha’s time in the prophetic office, scripture records twice as many miracles than during Elijah’s ministry. The NAR leave out the part that despite a double anointing, Elisha died from an illness. So, should believers seek after a double potion? The answer is no, every believer receives a gift from God, and spiritual gifts for believers are apportioned according the the will of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor12:11)

24. Downloads – another word for a revelation, or some sort of spiritual download. It’s really a fancy way of saying you received something from God, and will add weight to your story when you tell others about whatever you received. Every believer has the indwelling Spirit of God and the infallible scriptures, but that is not enough for those who entertain the lies of the NAR. These kinds of words are used because they imply that something has been received from God – something you have not received. Downloads are assets, and assets can be sold.

25. Drunk in the spirit – based on the assumption that the disciples were behaving like drunkards of the day of Pentecost.  Acts 2:15 is the text used to justify this: “For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day”  The text does not say that the disciples were drunk in the spirit, but that they were accused by some mockers as being drunk.  What had “bewildered” the multitudes?  The answer is in the text, the disciples were speaking in different languages (tongues) and those present heard their own “native language” being spoken.  The text does not say the disciples were staggering, incoherent, slurring their words, incapacitated, laughing or shrieking uncontrollably. This gift of speaking in foreign languages was a miracle, and having no explanation some accused them of being drunk. One of the effects of the Spirit’s outpouring was boldness (not drunkenness) to preach the Gospel.  Peter had previously denied Christ on three occasions, but now he is able to face a crowd, and boldly proclaim truth.  How could he have delivered his first sermon in a state of drunkenness? Self control is a fruit of the Spirit, drunkenness is not. Being filled with the Spirit does not look like drunkenness: “ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

26. Encounter – this is a must on your spiritual CV if you want any sort of recognition or acceptance in NAR circles. What it means is that you have had some sort of experience in this experience driven movement. It could mean you have a mind image, heat sensation, vision, angelic visitation, or simply goosebumps. In other words, anyone can claim to have had an encounter. Encounters have also become a necessary ingredient as far as NAR evangelistic endeavours are concerned. Because experiences are revered above the written word, believers supposedly owe the world an encounter with God. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, but NAR leaders believe the gospel without some sort of encounter gives unbelievers the right to disbelieve. (see point 67)

27. Expectation – similar to the law of attraction. NARites are taught to raise their level of expectation – as this will increase the chances of whatever they are expecting to actually happen. They are taught to live with an expectant faith, which sounds good, except that the majority of what they are believing God for is based on a false interpretation of scripture or some sort of revelation. At the core of the NAR version of expectation, lies the idea that God will do what we want him to do as long as we have reached the right level of expectation.

28. Favour – true believers have already received God’s ultimate favour in spite of themselves (Romans 5:8) This favour is based on God’s mercy and grace, not our works. The NAR version of receiving God’s favour may include a variety of conditions. It goes without saying that one of them will be sowing into the kingdom, which really means – give your money to your ear tickling prophet or apostle. Others may include – praying or fasting for a certain amount of time, taking risks (acting outside of scripture) unquestionable submission to your leaders or simply receive favour by faith. NAR favour looks like this – greater anointing, business opportunities, everybody will like you, increase on all fronts, greater influence, and possibly a trip to heaven.

29. Fire – fire is highly symbolic in scripture, it can represent God’s presence and glory, but is primarily symbolic of judgement.(Numbers 16:35; 2 Peter 3:10) The emphasis in the NAR is on some form of manifestation –  “fire tunnels” allow people walking through a human “tunnel” to receive an impartation of some kind, including the fire of God. The physical sensation of heat in the body is thought to be the Holy Spirit manifesting, but this is a sign of a Kundalini, or Chakra awakening, and yet another unbiblical manifestation in this movement. The disciples did on one occasion ask for fire from heaven, but that was to destroy the Samaritans who rejected Jesus (Luke 16:51-56)
There is no biblical mandate to seek or call down fire on believers. There is not even the suggestion in scripture that sensations of heat are due to operation of the Holy Spirit at work in a believer.

30. Fivefold ministry – this term is used to describe the five types of leaders God gifted his church: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” Ephesians 4:11-12. Apostles and prophets faded from the scene during the first century, and the NAR believe that God has restored the office of apostle and prophet – the restoration of the five fold ministry. Apostles and prophets according the the NAR are the most essential highest ranking leaders in the church. They govern the church, give direction, receive revelations, impart spiritual gifts, and need to be submitted to (come under their covering or else…) If it were true that God has only recently restored these offices and left the church without vital offices/leaders for 1900 years, it means that Jesus has failed his church. Naturally this is not the case – qualified elders and deacons lead the local churches. The apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, Christ being the cornerstone: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” Ephesians 2:19-20. That foundation is complete, and the words of the apostles and prophets still speak to us today through the scriptures, the office is closed!

31. Glory – NARites want to experience God’s glory, which they believe appears at times in various forms – glitter, smoke, gold dust etc. This artificial manifestation of glory results in inappropriate responses – watching particles float around and filming the “glory cloud” with your smartphone. If God’s glory really manifested in a meeting, people would be on their faces in repentance and trembling. Not content with viewing God’s glory, NARites believe they can morph into “glory carriers.” They think that the visible manifestation of the Spirit upon them enables them glow at times, and that deposits of gold dust on their bodies are a work of God. Carrying the glory has the added bonus of performing miracles, including supernatural weight loss and hair regrowth.These absurd manifestations and claims drive NAR adherents further into mysticism and self deception.

32. Heaven to Earth or Heaven Invading Earth – Jesus’ example of prayer included these words: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Sometimes the occult phrase The phrase “As above, so below” is used – that’s how the Message “bible” translates the verse: “Do what’s best— as above, so below.”
The NAR  use this verse to justify their quest to make earth look like heaven. The reasoning is as follows – there is no sickness in heaven, so there should be no sickness on earth etc. This ties in with the mandate of dominion theology – redeem the earth by taking back what was stolen in the garden of Eden. The logical conclusion of this faulty theology means that believers will achieve sinless perfection, and live forever. Furthermore, it ignores the very things that Jesus promised believers – sufferings, tribulations, persecution etc. When Jesus returns, it will be a time of judgement and wrath for the nations of this world and unbelievers (Revelation 19) Included in this judgement, will be a false church that has rejected the truth, and entertained false signs and wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12) Scripture does not paint a picture of a Christian Utopia on earth during the last days: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:1-4

33. Hosting the presence – apparently while God dwells in all believers, he does not rest upon all of them. The picture given is that of a dove resting on your shoulder – walk in a way that the dove does not fly away. Now while it’s true that we can quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 5:19) it’s not true that God only rests on certain people. It’s believed that by successfully hosting the presence, you will generate atmospheric shifts wherever you go, and receive more breakthroughs. This mystical and subjective theory with it’s accompanying benefits were conceived in the mind of a false apostle, not scripture.

34. Impartation – the idea that NAR apostles and prophets have the ability to impart some kind of spiritual power or gift to those who pitch up at their meetings. The NAR apostle or prophet may lay their hands on you, blow on you or in your general direction causing you fall backwards as a sign that God is really at work. NARites will cite Romans 1:11 to justify this act: “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you.” This was not a type of anointing to perform miracles, as the next verse indicates: “that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
A second verse used to justify an impartation, is 1 Timothy 4:14: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” Timothy’s gift was was given to him by the Holy Spirit, not the elders, they merely confirmed what God has given and the laying on of hands was symbolic, not a ritual that included the ability to impart gifts. Timothy’s gift is alluded to in the previous verse: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” – vs 13. The gifts the NAR pursue are usually related to the miraculous.

35. Increase – what a lovely word, I mean decrease is never a good thing right? John the Baptist knew that his purpose was to point people to Christ. When Christ came, John said “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John the Baptist pointed to Christ as someone greater. The NAR point to Christ as a model, almost an equal in some regards, and as far as signs and wonders are concerned Christ is lesser. So the new breed on NARites must desire increase as far as anointing and miracles are concerned. That’s not the only increase NARites desire. The prosperity gospel is part and parcel of NAR theology, so an increase in finances is expected. Paul knew that knowing Christ was not a means of increase in anything worldly : “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3:8. 

36. Influence – at the very core of NAR theology lies the fanciful notion that the church needs to influence and take control of the seven mountains or spheres of society. This is one of the reasons why NARites take great delight when they have the opportunity to prophesy over or advise world leaders. When people of influence in one of the spheres such as sports, politics, or entertainment claim to be saved, it is viewed as gaining territory in one of the areas the NAR hope to dominate. Believers are called to preach the gospel, not “influence” a world under the sway of the wicked one.

37. Intimacy with God – a broad subject often abused by romanticising our relationship with God, and promoting forms of mysticism.The criteria used to determine our level of intimacy with God becomes subjective. Do we feel close to him? Do we have goosebumps during our quiet times with him? Has he whispered in our ear lately?.. etc. One particularly absurd teaching is that God only shares his secrets with friends – those who are intimate with him. This teaching means that scripture is insufficient, and that only those who “press in” or have achieved a certain level of friendship with God will get to hear the good stuff.

38. Kairos – there are two words for time in Greek – Chronos (χρόνος) and Kairos (καιρός)  Chronos refers to the length/duration of time, while Kairos refers to an opportune or appointed time to take action – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2.  It’s a word and concept taught in scripture, but the NAR use it to push their agenda and make it sound as if what they are presenting is significant and should be acted upon….without question of course. Some NAR leaders speak of Kairos moments, these are times when God is doing something important, and if you are not aware of the season or “Kairos moment” you are going to miss out. NAR Kairos moments come with clues – strange occurrences, acceleration of things, and other supernatural activities. If you are aware of these Kairos moments and act on them, you become a Kairos Conductor.

39. Kingdom – a word found approximately 160 times in the new testament. Many of the Jews thought that Christ had come to seize political power and ease their burden under Roman rule, but Christ’s kingdom is not political, neither is it of this world. Jesus made this clear to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36. The error of NAR teachings is the belief that the church should take dominion of the kingdoms of this world before Christ can return. This is what motivates the seven mountain mandate idea, and the attempt to “influence culture.” It’s a quest to get the earth to look like Eden again, and the teaching itself is known as Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. The prophetic words concerning the apostasy and tribulation during the end times are deemed to have been fulfilled. One way of understanding it is that Kingdom Now theology attempts to create what God has described as a future kingdom under his rule on a new earth, in this present dispensation. This has led to the false teaching that there are two gospels – gospel of salvation and the gospel of the kingdom.

40. Legacy – a legacy is your story, your example. NAR leaders encourage their followers to live in such a way that they leave an amazing legacy. In the NAR you will supposedly  perform greater miracles than Jesus, so your legacy will be just as important as his, after all, you are just as glorius as he is. NARites boast of their exploits and miracles, Paul boasted in his weaknesses. If Paul left a legacy, it was that he counted all things rubbish that he might gain Christ. The NAR use Christ to gain all things, and believe their legacy will be determined by how they influenced culture, and modeled the miracles of Jesus. Sadly, many of them will hear these words:
“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:22-23.

41. Level – similar to upgrade (81). Believers should mature in their faith, but that is a far cry from the endless levels on offer in the NAR. Typically, a false apostle or prophet will claim that “God is taking us to the next level.” It may be a corporate or individual new level. It’s another attractive reward system or promise of something fresh in NAR land.

42. Manifestation – anything goes in this regard, they are signs that make you wonder, and you wonder because they are not biblical. These “supernatural manifestations” are supposedly a sign that God or angels are present. They could be objects such as feathers, gemstones or gold dust that are found, and it could be a physical response such as involuntary spasms, hysterical shrieking etc. Connected to this word, is the “manifest presence of God.” A biblical example of this is Moses and the burning bush, and the day of Pentecost – something spiritual taking place was observable. We know that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers (1 Cor 6:19) and there may be times when He is at work in us, prompting us, giving us a greater awareness of his presence etc, but the true working of the Holy Spirit will never result in the bizarre kind of manifestations witnessed in the NAR.

43. Mantle – Unless your name is Elisha and you lived in 800 BC you are wasting your time with this one. Mantle is another word for cloak, a covering some prophets in the old testament wore as a sign of their office. When the NAR speak of receiving someone’s mantle, they are using the same text as they do for a “double portion” as justification – 2 Kings 2. After Elijah was caught up into heaven, Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle/cloak, that had fallen to the ground, and began his ministry as God’s appointed successor. Now that the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, there is no need to ask God for the anointing or authority of people whose ministry we admired. But the NAR is a movement that elevates men and women, so it’s not surprising that they ask God for the mantle or anointing of the dead whose ministry they covet. It’s also not surprising they they covet the mantles of deceased false teachers who “operated in the supernatural.”

44. Miracle – NARites chase after miracles in an effort to do greater things based on a faulty interpretation of John 14:12. The greater things Jesus referred to was not individual miraculous works – who can raise a stinking corpse, walk on water, or change water into wine? Rather, it is referring to the preaching of the gospel throughout the world. God is the only being who can perform a miracle, and perform it according to his sovereign will and timing. For that reason, when you see a meeting advertised in advance with the claim that “miracles” will take place, you can be assured you are dealing with someone or a ministry that should be avoided. Claims of “miracles” in NAR circles are as common as flies around a dung heap. Hundreds have supposedly been raised from the dead – without a single death certificate made public. 

45. More – there’s always more to experience in the NAR, perhaps you have heard this phrase uttered by the speaker on stage or when someone is being prayed for: “more Lord, more, give them more” Typically the subject is receiving an impartation of sorts, and the person ministering is asking God to deposit more of whatever he is giving. If the subject falls over, jerks, or wails it’s considered that God has done his job. This contributes to the hype and expectation in the meeting. Claims of “more” coming your way, is a way for a teacher to keep his followers expectant and glued to his congregation.

46. New move – this happens every few weeks in NAR circles. While Jesus is building his church, the NAR are building their own little kingdom, and part of that process involves creating hype and expectation. Few take the little time available between new moves and the stadium events that ignite them, time to consider the claims and results of the previous move. This is a characteristic of the NAR – nothing is tested, and as a result nothing is found wanting. Each move seems to bring an increase of bizarre practices and outlandish stories, leading followers further into a deception that very few are saved from.

47. Open Heaven – based on Mark 1:10: “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.” Another text used to justify an open heaven is  Isaiah 64:1: “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down..”  An “open heaven” is a “sense of presence” or supposedly a geographical location where heaven is near to earth. Instead of reacting to the spirits, or evil in the area, believers who are aware of the open heaven and the presence of the Holy Spirit within, can actually alter the environment (change the atmosphere)

48. Portal – a kind of gateway into the heavenly realm, some NAR teachers will use the story of Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28) of angels ascending and descending a stairway between heaven and earth as an example of a portal. These portals supposedly allow people to access the heavenlies, and give the heavenly realm greater influence in the earthly region below. Believers don’t need portals to access God: “ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom..” Matthew 27:50-51.  The veil that separated us from the presence of God has been torn, and as a result every single believer has this privilege: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water”  Hebrews 10:19-22
Every believer has Christ dwelling within them, so why search for your nearest (non existent) portal?

49. Position yourself – similar to alignment (5) There are teachings on how to position yourself to: hear from God (which has nothing to do with reading scripture), receive a blessing, walk in the supernatural etc. The popular teaching of course is how to position yourself for financial increase, because this involves strict tithing which means the apostle or prophet is in the position to make more money.

50. Poverty spirit – both the rich and poor can apparently have a “poverty spirit” according to NAR teachings. But dig deep enough, and you’ll find that the ideal and desired state implies financial prosperity.
Some teachers focus exclusively on the material aspect, they teach that the spirit of poverty is one that prevents you from growing wealthy. This horrible spirit will crush your dreams, ambitions, and ability to make wealth – because Jesus dies to make you rich. They reassure their followers that there’s no guilt in accumulating wealth because: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” Proverbs 10:22. These teachers will never quote 1 Timothy 6:8-9: “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
The other aspect could be described as a poverty mindset – thoughts that you don’t deserve something, you will never succeed, you are too negative etc. Believers certainly can neglect their great salvation, and walk in ignorance concerning certain truths revealed in scripture to their own detriment. But the poverty spirit teaching espoused by the NAR promotes a man centered theology that instills confidence in the flesh, and misappropriates the promises of God.

51. Presence – the NAR place a great emphasis on the presence of God, because it’s one way to manipulate a crowd. By claiming that they sense God’s presence during their meetings,  the crowd is persuaded that something special is taking place. When “God shows up” encounters and miracles can take place. If God is “present” then followers are more likely to be caught up in their feelings, as well us unconditionally accept the teaching that follows. If you don’t sense or feel the proclaimed presence, then you must still be lacking in something. It’s this kind of subjective approach that can lead many into condemnation and disappointment because they are not feeling or experiencing the presence of God. In terms of personal guidance, Moses’ reply to God in Exodus 33:15: “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” has been used to justify a subjective means by which to make decisions.
God is omnipresent, and believers have the indwelling Spirit of God, whether believers feel or sense the presence of God does not alter the fact.

52. Promotion – this can refer to a secular promotion or some kind of spiritual promotion to the next level. The convenient aspect of false teaching, is that you can take a word like promotion, and concoct a thousand messages. Promotion for instance, could depend on: your hunger for God, your level of expectancy or intimacy with God, your ability to hear God, your unwavering dedication to your apostle or prophet etc.

53. Prophetic word – generally this means that a prophet, or someone with a prophetic gift has given an individual, a fellowship, or even the whole body of Christ a word from God. NARites thrive on prophetic words – because they are always about how awesome they are, and how great they will be (leave a legacy etc) NAR authors like to claim that they have a prophetic word for the body, this makes it sound like essential reading for every Christian – more book sales. Believers already have a prophetic word, it’s 100% accurate, and lengthy – 66 books long.

54. Prosper/Prosperity – Johns’s standard greeting of the day to Gaius – “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 2) is the go to text (wrestled out of context) to justify material prosperity. Spiritually speaking, Jesus promised us an abundant life, he also promised suffering, trials and tribulations and never promised wealth. Paul’s secret was not seven steps to prosperity, but that of contentment in all circumstances: “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Phil 4:12-13

55. Realm – Paul’s epistle to the of Ephesians uses the phrase “heavenly places” (some translations use the word “realms”) five times. That’s five times it’s mentioned in scripture, compared to over one hundred and ninety times it’s mentioned in the NAR perversion of scripture – The Passion translation, which is a complete abomination penned by false teacher Brian Simmons. It’s clearly a big deal to the NAR that thrive on subjective experiences and revel in various forms of mysticism. While Paul taught that God has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3) the NAR offer courses on how to access the heavenly realms. Many of the teachers in the NAR claim to have taken trips to heaven where they received some sort of revelation. Furthermore, they offer seer courses – enabling you to see into the spiritual realm, and courses in shifting atmospheres – where the spiritual realm invades the physical realm. Don’t fret about all the “realms” mentioned in NAR circles, they are simply a mystical distraction.

56. Receive – receive is usually employed by the person ministering, encouraging the recipient of the prayer to receive more of whatever impartation they are experiencing. Nobody really knows how to receive more during “ministry time,” perhaps it means stop resisting the hand that’s trying to push you over.

57. Release – a word used in similar context to decree and declare – the assumption is that we have the power to do what only God can do. Typically, the false teacher will release something over the crowd, it may be an anointing, specific healing or gift. There are literally no boundaries as to what NAR mini gods believe they can release – angels, finances, miracles, glory, your future spouse etc.

58. Religious spirit – in NAR circles this term is often used to describe those who question their false teachings and obsession with signs and wonders. NAR followers are taught to take risks – which really means operating outside of the confines of scripture in order to get a result of sorts, or experience some kind of encounter with God. Dare to question their methodologies or strange manifestations in their midst, and you will be accused of having a “religious spirit.” They may accuse you of “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:5) but they ignore the rest of the chapter which exposes their hypocrisy: “while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Tim 3:13-17)
It is also used by NARites to describe the more traditional type of churches – the “dead” ones that conduct their meetings decently and in order (as prescribed in 1 Cor 14:40)

59. Reset – with all the turmoil in the world today, some NAR prophets claim it’s a time for reset – a type of realignment. The only reset the visible church needs – is one that returns to the teachings of scripture. That’s not going to happen in the NAR, so any reset they speak of will simply be the regurgitation of their false teachings. You may hear NAR prophets speak of God pushing a reset button which will bring things back into alignment. The release of divine blueprints to give the church strategies to move forward in the new season will be available – courtesy of these prophets who claim to be infallible mouthpieces for God.

60. Revelation – the idea that God is giving new messages to the church…conveniently through selected mouthpieces. A teacher’s job is to exposit the scriptures and point to Christ. But false teachers love the acclaim (and money) they receive, and new “revelations” place the focus on themselves. They are the ones intimate with God and worthy of receiving messages from God. Now it’s true that God does open our eyes, or enlighten us to the truth that is in scripture. However, false teachers will claim that God gave them a new revelation for the whole body of Christ. This new revelation makes scripture incomplete, but false teachers would make less money if they did not come up with some new teaching. When they include the word “revelation”, or “God told me” in their teaching or book, they are luring the gullible who don’t want to miss out on what God is saying to the church.

61. Revival – one of the most overused words in the NAR, similar to awakening. I would argue that any revival, or awakening is characterized by at least two things – the preaching of God’s word and repentance. Neither of these are found in the NAR meetings. Revival, or some form of act of God as on the day of Pentecost, is exactly that – a sovereign act of God. What the NAR claim is a revival is simply a massive gathering led by self proclaimed apostles and prophets, twisting the word of God and manipulating the hordes of false converts and biblically ignorant followers in their audience.

62. Revivalist – linked to the above – an individual trained how to model the ministry of Jesus, operates in their sphere of influence (seven spheres of society) and brings revival.

63. School of Supernatural Ministry – in reality, it should be called the school of Simony because students pay to be trained in the supernatural. Impartations and activations deceive students into believing they have supernatural gifts. Students are “taught” how to heal the sick, prophesy, operate in words of knowledge, and are encouraged to take risks. In an attempt to model the ministry of Jesus, they attempt to raise the dead, walk through walls, and walk on water. These are the schools that churn out young revivalists steeped in mysticism and false doctrines.

64. Seer – NAR prophets believe this is the ability to see in the spirit. In the old testament a seer was a prophet who received visions. The NAR teach that people with a prophetic, or seer anointing, are able to discern things in the spirit and heavenly realms. This is a coveted “gift” in the NAR because if you can have visions and explain what is happening in the spiritual atmosphere, no one is going to question you.

65. Seven Mountain Mandate – this mandate stems from Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. It’s the erroneous belief that the church is called to transform the seven mountains or spheres of society: arts & culture, government, media, education, religion, family, and business. Apostles and Prophets will lead the church which will eventually transform society and establish God’s kingdom on the earth so that Christ can return to an earth that looks like heaven. This heresy is what fuels NARites to influence culture with the goal of dominating each sphere. The opposite will in fact happen according to scripture. The world will not “be saved” (2 Tim 3) but will continue it’s slide into wickedness, and at the same time hate true believers – not celebrate their position of dominance and influence in society: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

66. Shift – another popular word that is thrown around ad nauseam. It could mean that there’s a shift in culture because God is using his new breed to influence the world, or it could refer to a spiritual shift that has taken place. NARites depend on their apostles and prophets to inform them when the imaginary shift is taking place. The only “shift” believers should understand is the shift that took place on the cross – the shift from the law, to the gospel.

67. Signs & Wonders – one of the major attractions of the NAR is their claim that they operate in signs and wonders. Miracles are supposedly normative, and one of the favourite tricks of NAR faith healers is to grow the legs of gullible people. The “signs and wonders” that occur in this movement are usually unverifiable, manufactured, or demonic. What they don’t tell you -you could read the entire bible within a week. You would read many accounts of miracles, signs and wonders, and might think that they are normative. Anyone coming to that conclusion has failed to realize that:
The scriptures span a period of approximately 4000 years.
There were centuries that went by during this time, without any miracles.
The number of people who performed miracles could fit in a small church building.
The major reason for signs and wonders in the New Testament has been fulfilled – to authenticate the message and ministry of the apostles (2 Cor 12:12) and the ministry and identity of the messiah (John 10:36-39)
The “encounter gospel” of the NAR assumes that without signs and wonders, the gospel is reduced to words and will be ineffective. If that were the case, Paul preached a “reduced ” gospel : “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” Romans 1:16
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” 1 Cor 1:22-23
The story of the rich man and Lazarus makes it clear that miracles don’t generate repentance. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his family, Abraham’s response: “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” Luke 16:29-31

68. Slain in the spirit – supposedly a sign that the power of God has come upon an individual who has fallen over. This usually occurs during “ministry time” when the preacher “minsters” by touching people on the forehead, pushing them, or blowing on them. Once on the ground, some may begin to have various manifestations, some of which resemble seizures. There are a few reasons why people are “slain in the spirit” and none are biblical. Some fall over because they are simply too embarrassed to remain standing when the previous 30 in the queue went down. The power of suggestion and hype has affected the emotions of those desperate to encounter some form of God’s touch, and so they fall over. And we cannot discount the demonic as being one of the reasons for this manifestation.

69. Soaking – this form of contemplative spirituality leads to all forms of deception. Soaking prayer, or soaking in God’s presence is supposedly a time of intimacy with God, where “soakers” hear from God, encounter God, or where their spirit may interact with the 3rd heaven realm. Another form of “soaking” is grave soaking (also known as grave sucking) An individual will lie on the grave of a deceased person whom they believe had a great anointing and performed miracles. They believe it’s possible for a transference of the deceased’s anointing by means of soaking it up. This dangerous practice will lead adherents into further deception.

70. Sound – the NAR are heavily influenced by pagan and new age beliefs. For this reason, some NAR teachers believe that frequencies, vibrations, and sounds can bring healing or create a shift in the heavenlies. The blowing of a Shofar for example, can therefore not only be a prophetic act, but release something into the atmosphere.

71. Sow – It is biblical to give, or “sow” into the kingdom of God: “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully..” 2 Cor 9:6. It’s not biblical to teach the law of tithing, or to teach that if you give, God guarantees money back. It’s also not biblical to teach that if you don’t tithe, the rest of your income is cursed, and other areas of your life will be affected negatively. Another form of manipulation is to get followers to give during a certain month, or at a time that coincides with an old testament feast. A ploy to get the poor to give their last dime to a mammon loving preacher, is the teaching of “sowing during famine.” Unfortunate victims of this teaching give away money they should be using to feed their families, to the shameless charlatan who uses it support his lavish lifestyle.

72. Sozo –.sozo (σώζω) is the Greek word which is translated in scripture as save, heal or deliver. But there is nothing scriptural about the Sozo course – it’s an extremely dangerous form of inner healing that utilizes visualization and various unbiblical methodologies. Sozo is an insult to the work of Christ on the cross, the indwelling Spirit of God, and renders scripture insufficient. It’s simply another path into mysticism and doctrines of demons.

73. Spirit of _________   – fill in the blank with whatever your problem is. If you are poor, then rebuke the spirit of poverty, if you have a problem with your temper, rebuke the spirit of anger etc. This false teaching assumes that the cause of every ailment or problem is a demon that can be bound, and cast out. It ignores this struggle: “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:17

74. Spiritual Warfare – one of the areas riddled with error in the NAR. While our struggle against spiritual forces is real and not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:10-16) the solution offered by the NAR is far from biblical. Scripture lists the armour of God, and it does not include the methodology taught by the NAR. Unbiblical concepts such as spiritual mapping, binding Satan (see point 14) breaking generational curses, casting spirits out of believers, repenting on behalf of your nation or family line, engaging in prophetic acts, destroying Satan’s legal rights over a territory etc, are accepted as truth and practiced in the NAR. Believer’s don’t need to engage in these unbiblical methodologies, which could actually be referred to as doctrines of demons – see the irony? Instead, believers rely on the finished work of the cross, resist the devil, and stand on the truth of God’s word in their struggle against spiritual forces. 

75. Suddenly – similar to accelerate, but faster results. This has been a popular word in the NAR in the past few years. A season of “suddenlies” is one of pleasant surprises, never impending persecution or hardships. It can mean anything – from sudden material gain to some form of supernatural intervention. The word occurs 87 times in scripture, and the NAR concept of “suddenlies” occurring could be based on any number of texts. One example – “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2
Yet again, NARites depend on their prophets to inform them of the current season they are in.

76. Testimony – due to the fact the scripture plays a secondary role in the NAR, testimonies are vitally important. “Testimonies” in the NAR are often outlandish and not scriptural – such as taking trips to heaven, receiving new revelations, and raising the dead. Furthermore, some believe that when an individual gives a testimony of what God has done, power is released to repeat the miracle in the life of the hearers. The power of a testimony in the NAR is evidenced by the fact that people will say ‘I have to go to that place because I’ve heard what God is doing there.’ This is why folk will cross continents to experience something based on “testimonies” of what is taking place.

77. Transfer of wealth – linked to financial increase and the prosperity gospel, the idea being that in these last days there will be a transference of wealth into the kingdom of God to finance an end time harvest. Those who teach this usually live in sprawling mansions or ranches – the fruits of peddling God’s word for shameful gain. Examples are given of Israel’s prosperity under the old covenant (see Isaiah 60), and very often the second half of Proverbs 13:22 is quoted: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous”  The nice part about this teaching is that your business will have to be successful in order for you to sow back into the kingdom. You will be blessed, in order to be a blessing. It’s incorrect to assume that only the wealthy can contribute to the kingdom of God: “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Cor 8:1-2
Obviously, this great transfer of wealth is a sham, unless there are portions of scripture missing from the new testament.

78. transference of anointing – similar to impartation (34). The belief that the anointing can be transferred through not only the laying on of hands, but through proximity as well. In other words NARites are encouraged to “hang around” those who have a powerful anointing in the hopes that some of it may rub off on them. This is the same principle that motivates grave soaking – the anointing can be transferred through proximity by lying on the grave of the deceased. The consequence of this belief is that NARites pursue “anointed” apostles and prophets, who have become nothing less than mediums to their gullible followers.

79. Transformation – linked to the seven mountain mandate (65). Jesus did not come to transform the world, but save individuals and conform them into his image. It’s not the world that should be transformed, but the minds of believers – “ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Jesus is not returning to a transformed planet eagerly anticipating his return, but to a world as in the days of Noah. A world that has rejected his warnings, and does not expect an impending judgement. If the NAR existed in the days of Noah, they would have accused Noah of being a doom and gloom prophet who was failing to take the opportunity to transform society.

80. Unity – while the NAR has grown significantly, the “unity” they are experiencing as different streams/movements have merged, has been at the expense of truth. Biblical unity means that the body of Christ will not fall for various doctrines that are contrary to scripture: “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4: 13-14
The superficial unity in the NAR is unity based on false doctrines, and is a sign of a great falling away, not revival.

81. Unlock – similar to access (2) While believers have received all they need pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) in the NAR there is a continual search for the next mystery to be revealed, or next level of power to be attained. Scripture and the indwelling Spirit of God are insufficient for NARites who have to attend various events and take numerous courses in order to unlock what doesn’t exist.

82. Upgrade – because ‘downgrades’ sound bad, besides, no one wants to be disciplined or demoted in the NAR food chain. An upgrade in NAR circles means that you have attained a higher level in some area. You may have received a double portion of something, or now have access to new mysteries. Most “upgrades” come and go without anyone noticing or receiving anything, because….they don’t exist.

83. Vision – relatively easy to have one of these in the NAR world, let me show you how.  I’m going to write a word, read it and see if an image comes into your mind, the word is pizza. If you were part of the NAR you could now claim that you have had a vision. Having visions is another experience that NARites can use to their advantage. Visions carry just as much weight as scripture, and are used to verify teachings, or just show how spiritual you are and that the supernatural is active in your life. In a secondary sense, word vision can also refer to the the goals a leader may have for his church.

84. Visitation – used to describe a supernatural encounter with God, or an angel. Visitations from God and angels are common in the NAR. In fact, there are probably more claims of visitations in NAR movement in one month, than are recorded in scripture. A visitation is the ultimate “testimony” to gather attention and propel a NARite into the limelight.

Paganism Masquerading as Prophetic Paintings

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By Rick Becker  15 April 2020

Theresa Dedmon is the creative arts pastor at Bethel.  Dedmon claims that in 2002, she received a “prophetic word” that she would lead a “worldwide arts movement.” Dedmon believes “Anointing and healing flows through what we touch and create.” Dedmon’s latest endeavour is an auction of her paintings. The selling point has nothing to do with the quality of her paintings, but the fact that her art contains inherent power. Call it new age, paganism, mysticism – call it anything but Christianity.


In the clip below, Dedmon explains how God’s power inhabits her art:

Dedmon: “It’s when the artist gets to create in the presence of God and bring a word that they feel is going to continually speak to those that watch, and listen, and see it. There’s so much power when we create in the presence of God that it actually leaks into the art that we do”

Dedmon says that “my art needs to go into your home…because I want it to touch you.” Dedmon is holding an auction of her paintings “because this is something that will bless you beyond your wildest belief because then you can continually see what God is doing, on your walls, and let it speak to you.”

Dedmon’s final words of enticement: “Hope you take one of my paintings home, I will give you a great prophetic word with that as well.”
View the original video here.

A few of Dedmon’s paintings that will be on auction:

More on Theresa Dedmon:
Bethel’s Creative Renaissance – Idolatry
Bethelite couples vain declaration over Corona Virus

Kris Vallotton fails to release purple bubbles, wants to send coronavirus to Mars.

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By Rick Becker  14 March 2020

Two biblical signs of the last days are being fulfilled in our midst – the calamities in this world, and the proliferation of false prophets and false teachers. The former, being a threat to the latter – specifically the false prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation. These “prophets” for profit are failing miserably in their attempt to make earth look like heaven. They also fail miserably when it comes to foretelling the calamities they attempt to quench through their decrees and declarations. The declarations emanating from Bethel church failed to halt the devastating Carr fire in 2018, and most recently they failed to raise Olive Heiligenthal from the dead. The coronavirus presents a new opportunity for the atmosphere shifters and little gods of Bethel to wield their imaginary superpowers and fool their biblically illiterate followers. This would have been the ideal time for Kris Vallotton to release the ultimate weapon at his disposal against the virus – a purple bubble of protection. Obviously it does not exist, and the pompous prophet of Bethel has come up with a new strategy against the current virus – send it to Mars.

Firstly, a reminder of Vallotton’s purple bubble of protection, which really would have been perfect to stop this virus as it carried it’s own atmosphere. In December 2016, Vallotton released a teaching – Multi Generational Vision. During this message he also released purple bubbles. 

Sound bite of Vallotton’s imaginative purple bubble :

 

Transcript: I know this isn’t biblical but it’s not a non biblical, I have to say that now coz all these people write terrible things but, I see this purple bubble that I have prophesied over people that there’s this purple bubble and it’s kinda like the glory the lifter of my head and the Lord’s shield about me, I see the shield like a purple force field, like, kinda looks like an egg that God puts people in and it’s like impervious to biological things, like sickness and disease, and it’s impervious to bullets and bombs and uh things like uh, abductions, rapes, murders, and uh it’s impervious to, just it’s like it has it’s own atmosphere, so I just, I don’t know what that is, but I just release this purple bubble..it might be the New Testament hedge that was around Job…we just release this purple bubble over us, yes..

KV: I know this isn’t biblical but it’s not a non biblical.
In other words it isn’t biblical, just the vain imagination of a false prophet, speaking false words for which he will be held accountable one day.
KV: I have to say that now coz all these people write terrible things.
These people probably refers to people like myself and a host of other writers, who compare Vallotton’s terrible teachings to what scripture actually teaches. Bethel’s culture is one of avoiding any form of questioning or valid criticism. If anyone is in a bubble it’s the Bethelites who are impervious to the clear teachings of scripture.
KV: it’s like impervious to biological things, like sickness and disease
If that’s the case, why is Vallotton neglecting his ability to release purple bubbles?
KV: ..it might be the New Testament hedge that was around Job
Vallotton must have stopped reading at Job 1:10, because God gave Satan permission to afflict Job: “ And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” Job 1:12.
He lost servants, livestock and all his children. Later, Job endured his own form of a plague when God gave Satan permission to afflict Job physically:
“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.” Job 2:7-8
KV: ..but I just release this purple bubble
Well then you must be God. Only God can release things, decree and declare things into existence. 

Vallotton must have forgotten about his purple bubble lie, and has come up with an outlandish solution to the virus.

Sending the coronavirus to Mars – 

Vallotton: Lets just begin to speak against this virus, and lets use our faith to move this virus out of…lets say this..you..we can send it to Mars coz we don’t think there’s any Martians there, so why don’t we just altogether send this thing to Mars..wherever, wherever out of the universe..and lets just begin to believe God and lets fast, a forty day fast of negativity and fear and lets feast on chocolate…this is the fast I love, we will fast fear and we will eat chocolate..

In their quest to make earth look like heaven (which by the way should include the absence of physical death) Bethel has grown not only in desperation, but pure lunacy. They are optimistic about the future of this world, while Jesus was pessimistic. If God  rid the world of all calamities, he would be going against his own word. What we are experiencing pales in comparison to what must still come, these are merely the birth pangs: “Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” Luke 21:10-11


There is a greater chance of finding a Martian with sound theology, than expecting truth to come from the lips of Vallotton…unless he repents and is born again.

For more  resources on Bethel please click on the links below:

The Messed Up Church
Church Watch Central
Famine In The Land

 

 

 

 

 

Bethelite couples vain declaration over Corona Virus

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By Rick Becker    10 March 2020

Kevin and Theresa Dedmon are products of the Bethel cult. The couple believed their declarations had an effect on the Carr fire, and their delusion continues as they declared healing over people infected with the Coronavirus. Sitting with the couple are at least three people wearing glasses – one would think they would begin declaring healing over those sitting a few feet from them. If the Coronavirus cannot live in the presence of God, we must ask the question, which presence is the bespectacled Bill Johnson hosting?

 More about the dead wrong Dedmons:

Kevin Dedmon “taught revival Kingdom theology, Treasure Hunts and healing in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry for 13 years.  He was also on the leadership team of Bethel Church during that time, where he developed Treasure Hunts, Firestarters, HomeFire and activating church members in evangelism as well as training new believers and new members in a revival supernatural lifestyle…Kevin, along with his wife Theresa, spend their time speaking at conferences and churches, writing and developing curriculum in which people are equipped, empowered and activated in miracles, healing and prophetic as a normal lifestyle of the believer.” – kevindedmon.com

Theresa Dedmon creator of the infamous “Destiny” cards is part of Bethel’s pastoral staff, and oversees the creative arts department for the church and School of Supernatural Ministry. For $44.95 you can purchase a pair of “Stairway to Heaven” leggings from Dedmon’s catalog and “Go from yoga to dinner in our body hugging printed leggings!” Dedmon’s sales pitch: “My fashion designs embody the prophetic art they are created from. Wearing my art enhances your awareness of God’s presence, and helps you become a walking encounter of Heaven’s message to those around you.”

You can watch the video from Dedmon here, the clip below contains the declaration over the virus.

Transcript: “We want to release the kingdom of God and presence and power to all those in our Facebook communities. And so today I want to release miracles for people who have the Coronavirus, you know there’s absolutely no way that this thing can live in the presence of God, and we say that our declarations make a difference that we have the antidote, we have the answer to this virus, medical science doesn’t, but the presence and power of God can overcome this. And so we declare today that those that have it, those that think they’re going to get it, we declare no fear, and we declare healing in Jesus name, speedy and full recovery.”

And in case you missed it, the Sacramento Bee published an article today:
California mega-church cancels its ‘faith healing’ hospital visits, citing coronavirus

This foolishness is a product of Bill Johnson’s little god theology. For more information on Bethel, please read – SEDUCED BY BETHEL