By Rick Becker 20 October 2020
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a movement that denies the sufficiency of scripture. It comes as no surprise then, that adherents need extra-biblical signs to justify their actions or create the impression that God is guiding or speaking to them through something. In the NAR world, God apparently speaks and communicates messages through double egg yolks, a praying mantis, cloud formations, road runners, number plates, odometer readings, and in Feucht’s case hotel room numbers. It’s ironic that a movement littered with “prophets” and merchandising teachings on how to hear the voice of God, needs omens to guide them.
Who is Sean Feucht?
Feucht: “God showed up in crazy ways…and we ended in a party”
Sean Feucht seems like a nice guy, a family man, passionate, devoted to his cause, and sincere. But, sincerely wrong in his theology and methodology. Feucht describes himself as “a missionary, artist, speaker, author, activist, and the founder of multiple worldwide movements.” These movements include Burn 24-7, Light A Candle, and Hold The Line. Feucht is currently on his “Let Us Worship” tour, hosting various worship gatherings in US cities. Isn’t that a good thing you may ask? Well, no, because when we worship God, it must be in spirit and truth (John 4:23)
While there are true believers who sadly are being caught up in this movement, it cannot justify Feucht’s “worship” gatherings. The hype, the manipulation of crowds by personalities, and the false expectations that accompany these worship gatherings are carnal, not spiritual. Then, of course, there’s the aspect of truth. Feucht is aligned with Bethel Church and Bethel music. This alone is sufficient to place him in the mark and avoid category. And while Bethel denies that they’re involved in the occultic practice of grave soaking, the evidence suggests otherwise.
This was not just a visit to Finney’s grave. Read Feucht’s words!
Feucht has also “ministered” alongside false teachers such as Shawn Bolz, Cindy Jacobs, Lou Engle, Kris Vallotton, and Mike Bickle. He refers to heretic Brian Houston as “THE BOSS THE EAGLE THE LEGEND” and is “grateful” for the heretical Hillsong movement.
Feucht & Vallotton Feucht & Brian Houston
Feucht with Eric Johnson & Bill Johnson Feucht & Shawn Bolz
Feuchts’s passion for the “governmental realm of cultural influence” finds its roots in the seven mountain mandate of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Furthermore, his claim that “REVIVAL IS UPON US” is typical of NAR theology – a great end-time revival instead of what scripture teaches (a falling away and deception in the visible church)
Burn 24-7 includes burn “furnaces” which are described as: “sessions of unending worship, prayer, and adoration that can last from 12 hours up to 100 hours non-stop. Worship teams, representing churches across the city, take 2-hour shifts to worship, pray and to contend for revival in the church and transformation of cities and nations” – NAR teaching.
Feucht’s description of his Burn 24-7 movement is revealing:
“PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
These campus worship nights became a city-wide movement within a year. In the years following it catalyzed in over 300 “burn furnaces” (local expressions) across the globe. Burn 24-7 is a direct biblical fulfillment of the promise to restore “David’s Fallen Tent” (Amos 9:11 & Acts 15:16). This passionate pursuit for the presence of God has fueled worship and prayer movements all over the earth.”
Why would any believer pursue the presence of God when God dwells within them?
(1 Cor 3:16) Feucht has likely been influenced by his “friend and hero” – Mike Bickle (false teacher and founder of International House of Prayer – IHOP)
What made Bickle start his International House of Prayer? The same thing that started most cults – “God told me.” In this article, Bob DeWaay writes: “Bickle’s movement is based on allegorized scripture, deeper life pietism, and mysticism, representing a slightly modified version of the heretical Latter Rain movement of the 1940s. Bickle claims that he began his ministry through the hearing of an audible voice of God in 1983 that told him to start 24-hour prayer in the spirit of the tabernacle of David.“
Bickle is a proponent of the global prayer and worship move, and twists Amos 9:11 & Acts 15:16 to fit his narrative: “We affirm that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating a global worship and prayer movement that will operate in great authority (Mt. 21:13; Lk. 18:7–8; Rev. 5:8, 8:3–5, 22:17; cf. Isa. 62:6–7; Joel 2:12–17, 32). This prayer movement will operate in the spirit of the tabernacle of David. We deny that the restoration of the tabernacle of David is the same as the end-time prayer movement.” – IHOP Press Center
So Bickle denies a literal fulfillment but attributes significance to a spiritual interpretation – one the bible failed to mention. From the same IHOP press release: “This restoration will, of course, include David’s heart for worship and prayer. Though Amos 9:11 is not prophesying primarily about 24/7 intercessory worship, this kind of worship-based prayer will be a foundational reality in the release of Jesus’ worldwide rule over the nations. The prophetic word given to Mike Bickle in May 1983 was that “God would release 24-hour-a-day prayer in the spirit of the tabernacle of David;” in other words, it would involve prophetic singers and musicians. The practice of worship and intercession is not, in itself, the actual restoration of David’s tabernacle.”
What Bickle and Feucht are promoting, is known as “Davidic” warfare, or worship.
(Like the New Apostolic Reformation, “Davidic” worship can be traced back to the Latter Rain movement)
Feucht’s mention of Davidic Worshippers:
Feucht:
“I felt this SO STRONG yesterday. The Davidic worshippers were playing (aka “glory strings”?) and you could literally feel fear, heaviness and oppression falling off people in that moment!
I’ve never received more testimonies in my life about a worship set than yesterday morning (and I’ve been a part of quite a few?).
Could this be the hour the worshippers and musicians were born for? Is this our hour to write, play, sing and create sounds like David did that changed the atmosphere over Saul? I SAY ITS ON! ????”
(Changing the “atmosphere” – more NAR terminology, see point 10 in this article.)
A reader alerted us to this article – “THE RESTORATION OF DAVIDIC WARFARE/WORSHIP” by Orrel Steinkamp. The article explains why 9:11 & Acts 15:16 cannot be referring to a new form of worship or a restoration of 24/7 worship.
Excerpt: “There is a teaching in some charismatic circles which goes beyond the so-called worship wars. Worship is taught as something which actually accomplishes something in the spirit world and is linked to prophetic revelation and spiritual warfare. More and more believers look to music as the primary source of spiritual fulfillment. New generations of charismatics are proclaiming that God is restoring to the overcoming end-time church forms of worship that purportedly occurred in David’s tabernacle. This special restoration is touted as a crucial element in God’s plan to restore His glory to the final church as a prelude to the Second Coming of Christ.“
Steinkamp concludes: “Beyond the fact that “Tabernacle of David’ teaching is simply wrong and an example of illegitimate restoration teaching, there are pastoral and practical concerns. Rather than worship directed to God, simply to express praise, Davidic worship/warfare is practiced in order to produce a so-called spiritual effect. It hints at a kind of spiritual formula or recipe. The teaching that restored Davidic worship somehow allows or even attracts the physical manifestations of God’s presence seems to border on spiritual magic.”
Steinkamp is correct in his assessment, this “restored” form of worship is viewed as a tool to attract God’s presence, which will result in transformation. The idea is that 24/7 worship attracts the presence of God, and this presence not only transforms the worshipers, but their communities, cities, and nation. As we shall see, Feucht believes that worship is the key (formula) to revival.
FEUCHT’S OBSESSION WITH OMENS
Example 1
Feucht:
“Then I saw the hotel number on the door and just ???????.
This has been MY NUMBER since high school and lately I have been seeing it NONSTOP!!! “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Isaiah 22:22
I felt the HOLY SPIRIT whisper to me through the weariness: “KEEP GOING! WORSHIP IS THE KEY TO UNLOCK REVIVAL IN AMERICA!”
This is why we worshipped our hearts out on the streets of LA last night. This is why we’re gonna do it again in Charlotte tonight, Atlanta tomorrow and Nashville on Sunday. This is why we are storming Washington DC and filling The Mall with wild adoration and praise on October 25th!
WORSHIP IS THE KEY OF DAVID TO UNLOCK EVERY DOOR OF BREAKTHROUGH!!!”
The number 222 could apply to any verse you like. It’s disingenuous for Feucht to add a 2 in order to link his “number” to a verse in Isaiah (probably difficult to find a hotel in that area with room 2222) Feucht is also ignoring the fact that rough chapter divisions were only added to the bible in the fourth century. Verses were added in the sixteenth century – they are not inspired, and have no meaning! Feucht is looking to omens and scripture out of context for guidance or confirmation. This new revelation that worship is the key to unlock revival is exclusive to the USA, and based on Feucht’s imagination or deceiving spirits. I guess revivalists in other nations will have to wait for specific omens and God’s whisper to inform them what the key is for revival in their nation. Isaiah 22:22 applied specifically to Eliakim, not Feucht or his new revelation:
“ In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Isaiah 22:20-22
ANY other application can only be a type of Christ, not worship or Feucht: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” Revelation 3:7
Example 2
Feucht:
“TRYING TO TELL YA’LL ?????
This number is FOLLOWING ME! ??
Just landed in Kansas City and this is my room number tonight…AGAIN!
Been stressing all day about planning, 30k bills ?, schedule, pushback BUT GOD IS SO KIND TO KEEP US ON TRACK!
ITS ALL ABOUT WORSHIP FRIENDS!!! THE BATTLE IS ALWAYS OVER WHO WILL BE WORSHIPPED!
Ignore the hater’s everyone!!! Keep your hands raised high!!
“I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Isaiah 22:22
It’s gonna go OFFFFF tomorrow in KC then Pittsburgh then the NATIONAL MALL!!
GOD HAS GIVEN US THE KEYS!!! ?????”
Binding of the “spirit of heaviness” and the “declarations” being made over the cities at these gatherings are NAR methodology, and not found in scripture. In some gatherings 2 Chronicles 7:14 was misappropriated, and once again this is typical of the NAR – the hope that God will heal the land, and transform a city or nation. In Pittsburgh, Feucht declared that there was an “anointing on Pennsylvania for worship,” few would have bothered to ask the question – how can this be? Where is this taught in scripture?
The only Key Feucht has is his room key, and the only door it will open is the door to the room in his hotel. I could come up with more accurate verses that 222 may represent:
Isaiah 2:22: “Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?
2 Peter 2:2: “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
Jeremiah 2:22: “Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God.”
Proverbs 2:22: “but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.”
Example 3
Feucht:
“YEAR OF THE KINGDOM COMEBACK ?2️⃣2️⃣2️⃣
I posted this right after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl earlier this year ON 2/2/2020 – it was coach Andy Reid’s 222nd career win!! ????
I declared this would be a year of the “Kingdom Comeback” and that maybe this was the first of many signs.”
What Feucht is doing, is interpreting omens, something forbidden in scripture:
“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead..” Deuteronomy 18:10-11
Feucht may as well turn to any occult or new age website and find out what the “angel number 222” means. On these sites, he will find that 222 means harmony, unity, divine blessing, doors of opportunity, etc. Feucht says he’s “Been stressing all day about planning, 30k bills.” According to one explanation of the angel number 222, Feucht need not worry because 222 means “debts will be wiped clean, bills will be paid”
(after his hint, Feucht confirmed that the full 30k was paid) Seeing number sequences according to some new age/Gnostic teachings is the way the universe communicates with us and guides us. Angels are supposedly involved – “guardian angels” will send these messages by allowing us to see number sequences. Feucht says “This (222) has been MY NUMBER since high school and lately I have been seeing it NONSTOP!!!”
Feucht is interpreting an omen as some sort of a sign or confirmation from God.
So which angel is sending Feucht these messages, it can only be a coincidence, or an “angel of light.”
“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
2 Corinthians 11:12-14
But don’t numbers have meaning in scripture?
Numbers in the scripture are significant because of their symbolism. One example GotQuestions points out: “The number 40 is often understood as the “number of probation or trial.” For example, the Israelites wandered for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5); Moses was on the mount for 40 days (Exodus 24:18); 40 days were involved in the story of Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); Jesus was tempted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2); there were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).”
It’s clear that God is the one who orchestrated these events, and while certain numbers can point to a principle, they are not the method God uses to guide believers. We are instructed to search the scriptures, to rightly divide (interpret) the word of truth – not numbers. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth by illuminating the word of God – not numbers. This penchant for codes, mysteries, new revelations, and signs to guide us is indicative of the deception that has captured those who are discontent with what has been revealed in scripture.
There’s no need to interpret hotel room numbers or attach any significance to them. God guides us and speaks to us through Christ, through his word: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2.
“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 3:14-17
What about guidance?
In the new testament, God did at times use supernatural methods (visions, angelic intervention) to communicate with and guide the apostles during that unique phase of church history. However, given the period these extraordinary directives encompassed, they were infrequent compared to the many other decisions the apostles had to make based on their own judgement. There was no straining to “hear his voice,” or the need to have a quiet time and wait to hear from God what to do next. When God wanted to communicate a message, he did, he never failed, and he never whispered after the recurrence of numbers. Examples of some of the “ordinary” ways the apostles made decisions, based on circumstances and their own judgement:
“When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.” Titus 3:12
“You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first” Galatians 4:13
“When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.” Acts 14:5-7
“ But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality” Acts 21:25
Conclusion
Some may argue that I’m nitpicking on one tiny “mistake” that Feucht is making, and I need to consider the big picture. Look at the positives they may say – people are coming together in unity, a far cry from the protests and lawlessness that have swamped the US recently. This contrast is surely a testimony, and there are folk who have been saved, baptized, and even healed.
Interpreting omens is not a “mistake,” it’s called divination. It’s because I am considering the big picture, that I’m warning those who believe this is a “move of God.” Any adherents of a cult or false religion who have an appearance of godliness could have the same kind of peaceful or religious gatherings. Secondly, saying the sinner’s prayer and being baptized does not make one a believer. There will be many false converts as a result of these gatherings. In his mercy, God may save some at these gatherings, but that does not justify the gathering – it is instead a testimony to the grace and mercy of God alone who saves. We don’t test a movement by the numbers of converts, baptisms, or healings. Instead, we must ask: what is the message that is being preached? What is not being preached that should be preached? What are the fruits of followers or converts in these movements after a few months or years?
Feucht may well say repent and believe the gospel, but is he declaring the full gospel? Are people repenting due to remorse for their sin, or because they are caught up in the hype? Is he mixing patriotism with the gospel? Is he mixing paganism with the gospel? Did Jesus come to make America great again, bring peace on earth and Christianize the world? What teachings will his converts be exposed to in churches that support this movement?
Believers who have come out of deception such as the New Apostolic Reformation, or other false movements will know exactly what awaits those who may have been saved or deceived during these gatherings. There will have to come a time when their eyes are opened to the false teachings they have been subjected to. The longer they remain under the influence of the leaders of this movement, or fellowship at churches under the influence of the NAR, the more difficult their exit. They will need to go through a kind of spiritual detox, an “unlearning,” and as many will testify they will experience a kind of post traumatic stress and times of grief and confusion.
This is not a revival or new Jesus movement as Feucht claims. It’s simply a perpetuation of spiritual deception. Those defending Feucht and his movement will classify those who question it, or point out the error as “haters.” Paul must have been familiar with this label: “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
Exposing error does not mean someone is a “hater” but rather someone who is concerned for those caught up in deception. Believers are to be guided by the word of God, not the feelings, whispers, or omens of a celebrity worship leader. Pray that Feucht’s eyes may be opened to the deception he has embraced and repent. Pray for those caught up in this movement. Warn those who are caught up in this movement.
“He that is not zealous against error is not likely to be zealous for the truth.”
JC Ryle
If we aren’t to hear from God do you also discount the many missionaries who sought the voice of God for a strategy to reach a group. There are no miracles other than salvation? For sure the greatest miracle is salvation but Jesus is alive. If He invites us into relationship with Him, of course the Holy Spirit Will highlight certain scriptures to us personally.
Hi Emily, the context of the article is the way the NAR claim to be led by God – omens, “God told me” etc. The term you use in your sentence – “the voice of God” is a term that can be confusing, especially to new believers who think they need to “hear God’s voice.” To use your example of missionaries, I’m sure many have prayed and asked God for guidance, and there are many ways that God in his providence can answer and supply wisdom, without the claim of “we heard God’s voice.” Paul was “compelled by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem, on another occasion he said “my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.” So there are many “supernatural” ways God leads us without us having to say “God told me” or “I heard his voice.” Yes, the Holy Spirit will highlight verses as well, but not apart from the context they are written in. We can rest in the fact that God is involved in the tiny details of our lives, will lead and guide us.
“The longer they remain under the influence of the leaders of this movement, or fellowship at churches under the influence of the NAR, the more difficult their exit. They will need to go through a kind of spiritual detox, an “unlearning,” and as many will testify they will experience a kind of post traumatic stress and times of grief and confusion”
This is true, as someone who is going through that spiritual detox I can attest to the pain and confusion that comes from being pulled into the NAR. Its one thing to think God encourages and leads us but another entirely to look for omens everywhere. I still struggle with that and have to keep returning to the Bible for assurance and be reminded I no longer have to look all over the place for God, that He is with me and His Holy Spirit indwells me. The NAR teaching are so heavy and they leave one feeling as is everyday faithfulness in the day to day is never enough. I’m thankful to be breaking free of this and thankful for blogs like this that are contending for the truth delivered to the saints. Thank you!
Grateful you have come out of this deception Tara, in case you have not read it – https://fitl.co.za/2020/06/11/post-new-apostolic-reformation-reflections/
Wow! I’ve felt for some time that Sean Feucht’s activities and presence needed to be addressed. Excellent work Rick. May the Body of Christ be exposed to it and truth therein. Words fail me, to express my delight with this work, the message, the truth that will set those who heed it free! Thank-you Rick, Well done. God bless, Daryl
Thanks Daryl, keep up the good work on your site.
I graduated from a solid and well-known evangelical Bible college, but I am ashamed to say that I still got sucked in to NAR teaching. I connected with The International House of Prayer (Mike Bickle) because this ministry at least tries to back up its beliefs with what appears on the surface to be a rigorous study of the Scriptures. Bickle preaches a lot of truth about Christianity that is often neglected in the church (true repentance, the Sermon on the Mount, prayer, etc.) and this appealed to me. However, there were always aspects of his teaching I was never quite comfortable with because they were based entirely on obscure scriptures. In hindsight, these passages were taken completely out of context. Examples include a “victorious end-times church” that will practice “stadium Christianity” – meaning huge stadium events with non-stop ecstatic worship music and everyone performing miracles and healings greater than the apostles and Jesus Himself. Another example is the massively over-emphasized and embellished “bridal paradigm” that allegorizes the Song of Solomon and many other Scriptures to represent our “bridal” relationship with Jesus. The combination of worship music and prayer in their “harp and bowl” model does admittedly engage the emotions and incorporates Scripture directly into singing and praying. However, the endless repetition of phrases and the esoteric scripture interpretations are problematic in hindsight.
For two years I continually pushed down my doubts and told myself that the good things far outweighed what I wasn’t sure about. While I was on staff at IHOP, I “worked” 60-70 hours per week with my prayer room and administrative support job requirements and I was told that I was very blessed to be receiving a $500/month stipend. The rest of my living expenses came from my own savings and the little financial support I was able to raise as an IHOP “Intercessory Missionary.” That’s the fancy title they gave all of us. Although IHOP preaches about a “glad” God who rejoices over us and genuinely likes us, they paradoxically preach a continuous message of “raising the bar” spiritually. This means ever-increasing hours of prayer, fasting, serving, etc. The next great revival, miracle, outpouring, political shift, change in the atmosphere, etc., was dependent on me doing enough bar-raising through these spiritual works.
The longer I was there, the more I observed absolutely horrendous pastoral care and the emotional and spiritual wounding this caused. The behavior of the vaunted leaders didn’t look so great when I was close enough to really see it. The ministry is also addicted to prematurely launching young adults in their early 20s into leadership roles without the biblically-required maturity, theological training, or accountability. This recipe ensures maximal relational and spiritual damage to many while puffing up the worst kinds of leaders with pride. I witnessed forever life-altering damage done to many young people. I will never forget the mishandling of a friend who had a serious yet-to-be-diagnosed mental illness. The gross mishandling of Bethany Deaton’s suicide and the damage done to Micah Moore and many others is another disaster (you can easily google this).
Eventually, despite my best attempts to live an impoverished lifestyle, I ran out of my savings and I couldn’t afford to stay on staff. It was the best thing that could have happened to me because it forced me to go back to school and get training in a viable career. However, the emotional and spiritual damage is real. Even 12 years after leaving, I still have a difficult time even reading the Bible or praying. It feels like whatever amount of these activities I do, it could never compare to the hours and hours that I did at IHOP, so why even try? I am trying to find a healthy way forward in a small local church with my family. I can only warn young people to skip being damaged at IHOP, Bethel, or any other similar NAR-flavored ministry. It may initially look shiny and exciting, but you will likely regret it later.
Andy, thank you for sharing this, I hope others read it!
The article has got nothing to do with the pandemic, as for Hillsong, it’s a business, not a church. Whatever Houston’s views on Feucht’s large gatherings are, they are irrelevant. He should be more concerned with his false church and twisted doctrines.