Beware of Strange Fire

Are you willing, instead, to pay the price to obtain a Divine visitation of true, purifying Holy Ghost fire?

Clayt Sonmore

Table of Contents

An Intercessory Note from the Author

Foreword

Preface

Show the House to the House

The Todd Bentley/Lakeland Factor

The Dutch Sheets Factor

The Peter Wagner/Chuck Pierce Factor

An Update on Lakeland from Peter Wagner

The Rick Joyner/Bill Johnson Factor

A Timeline of Pertinent Events

Manifestation Excesses

Real Holy Ghost Fire

A Remnant

Cultitis

God’s Ultimate Intention

The Tabernacle of the Congregation Without the Camp

God’s Call to Overcomers

An Inaccurate Interpretation of Scripture

Man’s Order Replaced Divine Order

Notre Dame—1971 And 1972

A Wise Virgin

Future Shocks

The House Should Be Ashamed

A Strange Challenge

The Angel’s Message to Brother Branham

Supernatural

Called Out of Egypt 1954

Revelation 22

About The Author

An Intercessory Note from the Author

The only instruction to Joshua was to stand still until given further marching orders. This order to stand still has been bypassed by religious societies demanding that we must do something. Many today present their views of this gospel of the kingdom but are far short of true kingdom understanding, much less are evidencing a true “walk of the Spirit.” Dominion Theology seemingly pervades the very best of intentions. Kingdom Building, coupled with pride and mastery control, is omnipresent and is the very heart and soul of Dominion Theology, which on the surface looks and sounds authentic, but is little more than man’s efforts to ‘DO’ that which God ‘WILL DO’ when man finally lays aside all of his futile efforts. My prayer in this hour: “God help me stop any and all efforts of my own ‘doing.’”

Only through the change of heart of one who understands the true values of the Cross can one hope to “overcome” man’s order in this turbulent hour. We need to remember the message of denying oneself.

We had that from 1948 to 1956. It wasn’t without its bumps and deficiencies, but it produced a pure strain of people (multiplied millions) that knew how to walk in the Spirit. Their only goal was to hear daily, well done, good and faithful servant. Such knew the simplicity of faith; they had given up the art of doing for their lives were now one of being.

With Paul, I cry out on behalf of the worldwide body of Christ that (the church)… having been made known (yet only “in part”) the mystery of his will, will stop our religious game playing so that “…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you (us) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

I believe the world, but most specifically our nation, crossed over the edge of no way back coincidental with our election of November 11, 2008.

And I believe, coincidental with November 11, the Lord has begun the process of hugely fulfilling the scripture: “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural [first]; and afterward that which is spiritual.”

The “natural” judgment upon the world (and specifically upon our natural, calloused nation) is even now being paralleled by the dearth of direction within that which is spiritual (better denoted our corresponding religious) nation.

A couple of months ago, I contracted with Direct TV programming, primarily because they air a dozen or so Christian television networks. It was almost more than I could take; actually, I wept each time, for I watched the best this nation has to offer (different personalities each evening) who present little more than “Dominion Theology” and “self-promotion.” Just channeling through each of these every day for an hour for 60 days left me on each occasion significantly ill. I no longer watch it, nor can I bear to do so. Not in one single occasion did I find a thread of true anointing.

Hopefully, Beware of Strange Fire will only secondarily acquaint its reader with what God is not – as well as what He is – really “doing” in this hour…but will, rather, whet the appetite of all who desire to walk a true walk in the Spirit that no longer seeks their own will but only the will of the Father. All Scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

I am concerned that there is no misunderstanding of the intent of my amplification within verses. Brackets [ ] within scriptural quotations indicate the insertion of my own words. Such amplification is meant only to relay my own understanding or insight of that Scripture in the context of that which is written. This is done to help clarify meaning; and to save long and complicated explanation in subsequent paragraphs that would break the continuity of thought. It is entirely possible that the reader would prefer a different amplification or interpretation. Even so, I trust my thoughts will at least stimulate the reader to find greater meaning and understanding of the Word of God.

I have used italics, bolding and CAPS to reinforce thoughts, phrases or words – both in the general text and in Scripture quotations. These reinforcing emphases and amplifications within scriptural texts were added by me, and do not appear in the King James Bible. I also sincerely welcome corrections to the content of the text, if such reasoning is guided by Scripture and confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

Foreword

Clayt Sonmore’s book, Beware of Strange Fire, is more than a compilation of his best work; it is the heart of a father of the faith. From the very first page, the reader is drawn into an arena of true fire, exposing and enveloping all that is false and deceiving in the modern religious world. Sonmore rips off the covering of theological and religious practices and challenges his readers to boldness and true discernment. He calls for an end to the foolishness which has characterized the ekklesia of today.

Sonmore looks through the eyes of a prophet in this monumental text. Having chosen to take the “meat of his past volumes” and to incorporate it in a spiritual update, he grasps his understanding of social, political and religious indices like a brush, sweeping broad implications on the canvas of his work. Without a doubt, he causes his readers to gasp in astonishing recognition of God’s displeasure with the mounting evidence of charlatan devises being utilized in modern churchdom.

As a father seeking to convey the wisdom of years, he unfolds his view of history and what he deems the important milestones of spiritual change. He follows the path of a sage in this regard, whetting his reader’s own acumen while bringing it up to his level and making him or her as discerning as himself. Sonmore’s desire is simple, to make disciples of the same mind of Christ that he possesses. His is not a kingdom building spirit, but a Kingdom Spirit, jealous for God’s purity and holiness. He calls for repentance and brokenness while commandeering his initiates through the treacherous waters of charismatica.

His own experience in every major religious arena over a lifetime of dedication has afforded him the right to speak candidly and forthrightly about each of their contributions and comment on their decline. From a strictly historical perspective, a reader will be hard pressed to find, in one volume, the amount of data integration as is proffered in this book. Extraordinary pains have been taken to validate each entry and weave together events into a garment of understanding. The geopolitical religious roadmap through his third book, Masters of Deception, leads to one of the greatest exposés of the Charismatic Renewal that can be found. This daring portion of study incorporates the historic challenges of true faith and how they relate to modern deception. Roots of heresy run deep, but Sonmore takes the axe of the Spirit and severs their sources.

Uniquely, Sonmore balances his exposure of error in the ranks of the mighty, by correcting speculation and erroneous belief concerning one of his dearest friends, William Branham.

From a long association with this giant figure of the past, Sonmore shows both the reverence that needs to follow Branham and the correction to those who would worship him. Few books walk the tight wire across vast chasms of concern as the three volumes on the man who was dubbed by his contemporaries as the modern day Elijah.

Closure for such a book as Beware of Strange Fire is difficult because of the ongoing nature of the fray, but closure it is for Clayt Sonmore. He pulls the strings on this bag of truth with an alacrity few could muster. A quick read of the first and last chapters gives the reader a sense of having linked arms with not only a father of faith, but a humble servant desirous of “doing them good.”

Many accolades are sure to follow.

– Dr. Cosby R. Oliver

SOME WORDS FLOWING FROM OTHER REVIEWERS:

It has been often repeated, “Those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Therefore, it behooves us to not only learn what initiated great revivals in the past, but to understand what not to do in order not to lose the fires of revival when they are given.

As Frank Bartleman reveals those truths about the Azusa Street Revival, Clayt Sonmore, as the only living original trustee of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), reveals from his firsthand experiences and relationships truths about the revivals God initiated through William Branham, the Latter Rain Revival, and the FGBMFI Revival. Sonmore’s insights are invaluable to anyone wanting lasting revival today, and participation in the end-time revival that is soon to come.

– John Rothacker

A very timely message. Very much needed, sent of the Father to redeem all and any of His who still have a burden for His creation. I am very thankful that the Lord has kept our brother for such a time as this. Very thankful. It makes ongoing our cry for all who have a heart after His glorious city of Truth, Come Lord Jesus!!

– Jerry Gadwa

Preface

God’s people need to be reminded, especially as we come to the close of the ‘Church Age,’ that any person or activity that allows within their worship and/or directives a mixture of the precious with the vile (Jer. 15:19), automatically insures Satan’s rights to join his spirit to those directives or pursuits that are out of harmony with that which the Word and the Holy Spirit are saying.

In the Last Days, the Bible says that false prophets and false teachers will ‘abound,’ and that deception will become so great that …if possible, [they shall deceive] even the elect. (Matt. 24:24). It is vital that we get a grasp of what is at stake here. The false teachers and false prophets in Acts were rebuked very bluntly, and Paul even named names in some of his letters to the churches. Surely it is far more serious today – and requires an equal, if not more drastic, response? The desperate need in the body of Christ today is that which has been almost totally lost in this hour, discerning of spirits and a true prophetic word of the Lord.

At no other time during the past two millennia has the church been faced with the dual advent of satanic “strange fire” and, this, at the same time, that God visits His people with true, purifying Holy Ghost fire.

Beware of Strange Fire has its setting in the following two portions of Scripture: Exodus 32 and I Kings 18.

STRANGE FIRE

1 Kings 18, Elijah’s Message to Ahab (NKJ)

1 And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria. 3 And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly. 4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go into the land to all the springs of water and to all the brooks; perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive, so that we will not have to kill any livestock.” 6 So they divided the land between them to explore it; Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 7 Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your master, ‘Elijah is here’.” 9 So he said, “How have I sinned, that you are delivering your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to hunt for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,’ he took an oath from the kingdom or nation that they could not find you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your master, “Elijah is here”’! 12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD will carry you to a place I do not know; so when I go and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth. 13 Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid one hundred men of the LORD’s prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 14 “And now you say, ‘Go, tell your master, “Elijah is here.”’ He will kill me!” 15 Then Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

ELIJAH’S MOUNT CARMEL VICTORY

20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” 25 Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” 26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” 32 Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.

THE DROUGHT ENDS

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you’.” 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

HOLY GHOST FIRE

Exodus 32 (KJV)

1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mountain, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. 6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. 15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. 17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. 18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. 19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. 20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. 21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? 22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. 23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. 25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) 26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. 27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. 28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. 29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. 30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. 35 And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

NUMBERS 3:1-4 (KJV)

1. “These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spake with Moses in Mount Sinai.

2. And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Elazar, and Ithmar.

3. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priests office.

4. And Nadab and Abihu had died before the LORD, when they offered [strange fire] before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children…

EZEKIEL 43:10-11 (KJV)

“Thou son of man shew the house [as God meant it to be] to the house [that man built as a replacement for the true house] of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all they have done, show them the form of the [true] house…and write it in their sight that they may keep the whole form thereof and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.” [italics added].

SEGMENT 1:

STRANGE FIRE

CHAPTER 1

Show the House to the House

Like no other time in history, now is the time to “blow ye the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm” (Joel 2:1). As the return of the Glorious One – the Victorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – draws near, He is purifying His bride, making her ready for the great and terrible day of the Lord. And who can abide it? (Joel 2:11).

The bride of Christ has languished under the false robes of modern religion and the outer court of Pentecost. Instead of a beautiful garment of holiness and righteousness, she is gilded with the latest fashionable gown that man’s genius can contrive and paraded in front of “global (so-called Christian) television,” this to the delight of those whose agenda thrives on outward show, the masters of a “religious Hollywood.” Turn down the house lights, all hush as the spotlight scans the platform up and down for the next gaily clad show-man or show-woman to appeal to the crowd with their pleasing preachments and their soul-inspired (pseudo) prophecies.

In these past days of recent history, we are witnessing the deceiver’s final all-out push to deceive the masses (by those claiming to follow Christ) with an even greater smokescreen of trickery and debauchery. We are approaching the full-blown manifestation of “the Abomination of Desolation standing in [occupying] the Holy Place [of Pentecost].” Strange fire is everywhere, emanating from censers made of clay.

Just how serious is this delusion of the present moment? I venture to say it equals the pinnacles of deception described in Old Testament history, including the Tower of Babel, the Error of Balaam, and the downward succession of rebellious Israel until their exile into Babylonian captivity (just to mention a few). Equal are today’s mystic deceptions to the episodes in church history, again notwithstanding the holy remnant who have violently protested in every era and paid the ultimate price in many cases.

This book stands with the blazing sword of holy fire to draw the line between the living and the dead, “to separate the precious from the vile,” and to plead with those who have been darkened by the deceptions of a compromised “Court of Pentecost” to heed His call to “come out from her and be separate.” Only after compromisers have cried many days in this place of appeal awaiting His Beloved, saying “Spare your people oh Lord!” …then and only then, will the outpouring come forth – the promised last days “former and latter rain” anointing – like no other time in history.

In this volume, we seek to establish clear evidence that the present days are fully mired in this same deception, and that this spiritual declension has been on a downward slide continually since the Charismatic Renewal arena was invented on June 26, 1956.[1]

When citing specifics, we do not desire to malign any individual, but our purpose is to alert “whoever has an ear to hear what the Spirit is speaking to the churches,” primarily to explore the wide extent of the present revival hysteria and the influence (and therefore the great burden of responsibility) of highly acclaimed ministers/ministries that are revered as the leaders of the “present movement.” For this current revival hysteria is perceived by its so-called leaders (as well as by the masses of blind sheep following their shallow dynamic) to be the most glorious moment in the church’s history, perceived to be sitting on the very pinnacle of attaining “the Kingdom of God on earth.” The question begs: How can they attain this utopia while at the same time invariably near totally bypassing the Cross? Who, among God’s “kingdom builders” of today would be willing and able to say with Peter, ‘I am not worthy to be hung like Jesus on the Cross?’ Hang me up-side-down (a far more painful experience) …when they know little or nothing of denying oneself?

At this present hour, a scene of confusion has engulfed the Body of Christ, chiefly propagated by men and women who seek power, wealth and influence. The buzz word of the moment is “revival”; however, due to a major “blow-out” of the latest revival – “The Lakeland Outpouring” led by Todd Bentley (mid-March to early August 2008), and the ‘hyping’ of the phenomenon – these high profile leaders are now scrambling to do damage control. Bentley’s now openly revealed sins are known worldwide. In his wake are cast down untold numbers of wounded and disillusioned sheep who followed a wolf, cleverly disguised, that led them into some of the most radical abuses seen in the history of revivals.[2]

Principals to the gross error are Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Jon Arnott, Bill Johnson, Patricia King and Rick Joyner, although many other names could be added to a long list of current ministries who qualify for the warning label: “True flock of Jesus Christ beware!” These men and women are dealing in various ways to whitewash the core realities and defer the one and only solution – a moratorium on their superstructure and their various fast-tracking, money-making, mass-influencing ministries.

There is no better example that I can think of, in times past or present, to embody the truth written by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 1:5-6 who proclaims: “…the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

[1]   The Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal (C.E.R.)  was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Fourth FGBMFI Convention

[2]   “TRUE & FALSE REVIVAL: An Insider’s Warning” by Andrew Strom (subtitle: Are Todd Bentley & the Florida Healing Revival for real? What about Gold Dust & Laughing Revivals? How do we tell the false from the true? (see Strom’s web site: www.revivalschool.com).

CHAPTER 2

The Todd Bentley/Lakeland Factor

Why did Todd Bentley fail?

How did the whole thing happen in the first place? Was it truly a visitation of God as multimillions proclaimed? Was it birthed out of the same brokenness and weeping that characterized true revivals in the past, like the Great Awakening of the 1800s, The Welsh Revival of 1902, the 1906 Pentecostal Visitation as well as the 1948-1956 “Latter Rain” Great Awakening?

The answer lies in realizing the depths to which the Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal has gone, ever deeper into self-deception. Embracing the supernatural realm at all costs, it has become the purveyor of “the blessing realm” (prosperity plus signs and wonders). Today the illumined “spirit-mind” of “Bent-on-Having It All” will entice and seduce the “Bent-lys” of this world into willingly surrendering their all to obtain that place of “manifestation.” So it was with Lucifer. He wanted to have it all. It all sounded so high and lofty as he said “in [his] heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Todd Bentley was schooled and brought along by some of the most famous in “Prophetdom” today. Major culpability rests with Jon Arnott along with their inner-circle of Bob Jones, Rick Joyner and Paul Keith Davis and others. Think about this seriously as you read what Todd Bentley wrote over five years ago.

“LIVING IN THE SUPERNATURAL”

By Todd Bentley (posted on his freshfire.com web site May 2003)

[Note: Author’s discernment and comments are inserted in brackets in the context of Bentley’s writing.]

The Scripture clearly tells us that, as God’s children, we are to be a people of signs and wonders: “Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me. We are for signs and wonders in Israel” (Isaiah 8:18). The Amplified Bible states it even more strongly: “We are signs and wonders in Israel.” Just as Isaiah’s natural children had names of prophetic significance to Israel (they were signs and wonders), so God has a name of prophetic significance for each of us. The Lord has a prophetic name for you and your name has significance in the spirit realm. This name assigns your nature.

[The nature of Christ is to be our nature, and we must not embrace any other “Name” or nature than His, even though it sounds “heavenly,” significant or spiritual. Other natures from “the spirit realm” are not to become our identity. Beware of embracing a “new thing” from the soul realm of the human mind falsely anointed by angels of light.]

In an early biblical example, we see Adam in the garden naming the animals according to their nature. As an intimate friend, God gave Adam the authority to name the animals whatever he wanted. Whatever he called the animals is what they would be called “forever.”

So Adam began his task: “That’s a dog. That’s a sheep. You’re a goat and that’s a kitty cat. I’m going to call you a cat and you’re going to be a lion.” Each name reflected and released each creature’s nature. Those natures still stand today. He declared that the lion is the king of the jungle and for all these thousands of years the lion is still the king of the jungle because that’s what his name was way back in the garden. And so when the name came, that’s when his nature came. Their names came with authority and nature.

[Adam was called to walk with God, but not to “be God” as the serpent tempted Eve and Adam. Adam was to be the caretaker of God’s Garden and was not fully “enlightened,” thus the command to not eat of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Nor was it God’s intention for man to possess all the wisdom of God himself. That was and is reserved for Christ Jesus alone “in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9). Let us remember, with all the wisdom that God may bestow upon any one person, it is God alone who is wise: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17). Therefore, Adam didn’t decide what the nature of each animal was to be, he saw how God created them and he studied their nature. Adam’s naming the animals was a confirming of their God-given nature, not a declaring of the nature as though God did an inadequate job of giving the nature to the animals Himself. By allowing man to speak the name, God was showing Adam the partnership He desired to have with man in stewarding His creation (not in creating it)! Note the subtleties already arising in Todd’s thinking in this article.]

“PROPHETIC NAMES FROM GOD”

By Todd Bentley

Now we have a prophetic name and it’s like the white stones in the book of revelation upon which a name was written that nobody knew. Now I believe the Lord gives each of us a white stone and on that stone is written our prophetic name. He wants to release the nature that’s assigned to your prophetic name. That’s why it’s so important to step into the prophetic because you need to find out what your name is so you can fully step into your nature.

[Here is an excellent example of where the prophetic movement has gone off course. Search the scripture that Todd is referring to and see that the white stone mentioned in Rev. 2:17 is given ONLY To him that overcometh. The deep teaching of the ‘Overcomer’ is not understood or presently proclaimed in truth by the “modern-day school of the prophets.” The prophecies of this hour “proclaim” many things are readily ours to be seized (by name-it-and-claim-it techniques), whereas the scripture says there is a high price to pay to enter the kingdom of God. The Bible says we need to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.]

The Lord names you in the spirit. It may not even be your name in the natural – like Melanie or Tyler – but the name he has for you in the spirit releases a dimension of signs and wonders. When the Lord calls out your prophetic name through a prophetic voice, it actually releases you into your nature and into the dimension of signs and wonders.

As you continue to read this, I believe the Holy Spirit will begin to release your prophetic nature. Now, we must realize that we don’t just do signs and wonders; we are a sign and a wonder.

We’re talking about a prophetic life, a prophetic message. We can see by looking at Isaiah 8 what happens to the church if we don’t have signs and wonders. In verse 19, God’s people turn to mediums and wizards and they begin to seek the dead. People are crying out for revelation: “Give me illumination. I want an experience of the supernatural. I’m not seeing the signs and wonders in the church today, so I’ll call up the psychic hotline.” It’s what’s happening in the church today. When we don’t have signs and wonders, the world goes off and looks for it in another place. They look for it in the new age and the occult and the false expressions of genuine revelation. God wants us to have it in the church today so the world can know there’s revelation and understanding in the church. They should be saying, “I’m not even a Christian, but they knew something about my uncle and they knew something about the sickness in my body and they knew something about my younger brother and that tells me there’s a God.” Then you don’t even need to preach the gospel for now they know there’s a living God in heaven.

[Beware when a man proclaims himself to be God’s messenger and then says “you don’t…need to preach the gospel! Todd is subtly crafting another gospel, that of seeking signs and wonders. Many who have been swept up in the modern prophetic movement have unwittingly invited a spirit from the liar himself to propagate lies upon lies until they can no longer tell what the original gospel truth is. Todd is not preaching Christ, pointing to Christ, exhorting to seek Him with your whole heart, or of rending your heart and not your garment as the true prophets of old cried out to a wayward people. Now let the Sword of the Lord do the excising of such deception: “This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet” (Luke 11:29).]

[This next section takes prophecy-mania to a new level of meaning.]

“A PROPHETIC PARTY IN KOREA”

By Todd Bentley

When we were in South Korea, speaking to about 2000 people in a conference, I said, “God, I’m going to teach all these people how to hear God’s voice and they’re going to all prophesy one by one so they can learn. We’re going to do this huge prophetic activation party. I’m going to teach on the ways you speak and how to discern your voice. Everyone’s going to prophesy over everybody; we’re going to have a prophetic party. It’s going to be a great time!”

That’s what I’ve been brought up in being around Pat Cocking years ago. She once said to me, “Todd, I want you to come up here right now and you’re going to prophesy over everyone whose last names start from A to D. Todd, you’ve got ten minutes to prophesy over everybody.” I’m having coffee. I’m not even awake yet. I’m just following Pat around some place in B.C., just hanging out. I’m not even moving all that much in the ministry. I’m hearing God some and having visitations. So she gives me the microphone and says, “If you have the gift of prophecy according to the book of Romans, then prophesy in proportion to your faith. Do you have faith…you can prophesy over every one?” I said, “Yup!” Sure enough, I could prophesy over everyone. Paul said in Romans 14:31 that we can all learn. So there’s a place to practice and spread your wings.

When we did this in Korea I asked who wants to prophesy and everyone yells, “Me, me!” Later I asked, “Who can hear the voice of God? Who gave a prophecy?” Everyone says, “We did, we did!” So I said, “If it works in here, it works out there. So who’s ready to take it to the market with me?”

People weren’t quite as excited about that.

I said, “We’re going to the mall tomorrow and we’re going to hang up a sign in the food court that says ‘Free Spiritual Readings.’ We’ll set up eight prophetic tables (two people per table trained in the prophetic) and we’re going to tell people their destinies. Then we’ll go throughout the entire mall to bring people in.” About 500 people put their hands up and agreed to meet me in the mall the next day. So hundreds of people converged on a mall in downtown Seoul, Korea and I go into the food court and there they all are. Yeah, hundreds of people ready to evangelize! We prophesied over 200 unbelievers and after we were done telling them things about destiny I asked, “Who wants to give your life to Jesus?” Two hours later 176 people were saved. Saved!

[Such diatribe is so obviously nauseating that explanation isn’t even needed. Yet the several world-famed entities named on page 273 (and multiplied hundreds of similar “prophetic endowed” controlling ministries) have not only supported but with elation have lent their names as well as their (now deflated) reputations to this nonsense.]

“WINNING THE WORLD WITH POWER ENCOUNTERS”

By Todd Bentley

This is the dimension of living in the supernatural that is becoming every day Christianity. We win the world with power encounters! Not just miracles, signs and wonders but by demonstrations of how to move in the realm of revelation. That’s why some of you reading this need to pray about being part of what we are going to do in Las Vegas this summer.

There’s a cluster of ministries coming together – seven days to transform an entire city! We’ll hold a school on the extreme prophetic. And then we’ll launch radical outreaches – into the prisons, maybe even into nightclubs, casinos, coffee shops and even right out into the street. People trained in the prophetic ministry will be mobilized and stationed at dream interpretation booths all over the city. We’ll also be hosting a television show on the psychic network so we can give the lost a prophetic encounter right in the midst of the psychic world.

[“Dream interpretation booths?” “Giving the lost a prophetic encounter in the midst of the psychic world?” How far “we” have come from Christ’s words to go into the world and preach the gospel, making disciples, training them up in the words that Jesus taught, not slithering over into a compromised venue where no gospel is presented and a “psychic reading” is provided by “neo-Pagan Christian Psychics.”]

By raising up this radical team of people who want to hear God’s voice and take it into the market, we believe we’ll see the whole city transformed. And then we’re going to have an Open Heaven’s conference – John Paul Jackson, Larry Randolph and myself speaking. Each of the four nights there will be full blown miracle crusades. We’ll spread the word with billboards and TV commercials. Seven days to transform a city! Every time I hear about it I say, “Yes God, this is the gospel! Right in the heart of sin city.”

[And so we must ask, Todd, John Paul, Larry – was the whole city transformed?]

Yes, God’s children were created for signs and wonders and we are starting to live in the supernatural. Let’s look at Acts 2:17, a very common passage of scripture, but one you’ve probably never seen it like this: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and old men shall dream dreams.” I believe there is coming a day in the church when all flesh will come into a dimension of not just prophecy – commonplace prophetic words, still small voice and impressions, words of knowledge and exhortation or “thus says the Lord” words – but the dimension of visions and dreams.

“DREAMS AND VISIONS FOR ALL”

By Todd Bentley

There will be a day in the church when all flesh will have visions and dreams. Every believer will be having profound, detailed, accurate words of knowledge in the restaurant. Every believer should be having visions and every Christian should be having dreams. These experiences are available to all of us now. That’s how God speaks. If you’re a friend of God, that’s how God speaks to His friends.

[Todd is back to making “friendship with God” an easy thing, ignoring the words of Christ who says otherwise: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). If it’s all about this new thrill of everyone prophesying, having visions and dreams and conquering cities, etc., then what’s so important about obedience? The results of this error are high on “witchcraft” and low on “the character of Christ.”]

Now look at verse Acts 2:19 – I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapour of smoke. I believe that God is releasing a signs and wonders dimension in the church today to validate the visions and dreams of the prophets. He is bringing authority on the prophetic word in the midst of all the prophetic fluff. God is going to validate the dreams and visions that we have in the church today by confirming them with signs in the heavens above and wonders in the earth beneath. He is going to validate the prophetic word by bringing a sign in the natural that the vision and dream is true.

For example, I was recently in a meeting in Seattle, and I asked a woman to stand up. I said, “Woman, you’ve got hepatitis C in your body and you’ve got three brothers. As a sign to you the Lord will heal you tonight, I’m going to tell you the name of your husband. The name of your husband is Danny.” She just came undone and the whole crowd screamed. Then I said, “Don’t be impressed with the detail, receive your healing.” Yes, there’s a whole new dimension of healing ministry, in which we not only call out a person’s condition but, as a sign that the Lord is going to heal someone, we may even tell someone the name of his youngest daughter, the middle name of his wife and the number of children in his family.

And the signs and wonders ministry will even go beyond this dimension. For instance, you may hear a word like: “Revival is going to come to your city and as a confirmation a comet will pass over your house on December 14th and I’m going to give you the time.” You may still wonder whether that guy who gave you the prophecy in the parking lot is really from God. Then you’ll go home, look out your window and go “Aaah – there it is!” The signs and wonders are to validate the dreams and visions of those who are hearing God – that is going to start taking place in the church.

A man called William Branham was a forerunner of this type of signs and wonders ministry. In 1946, an angel visited him and ignited what we call “The voice of healing” revival. This revival really took off in the 50s and 60s with Oral Roberts, Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, R.T. Ritchie, Gordon Lindsay and “Voice of Healing” newsletter. Tent meetings of tens of thousands of people filled up all across America. It all started with this poor, uneducated, stuttering man who had an angelic visitation and received a healing anointing. But it wasn’t just a healing anointing – they called William Branham a prophet of notable signs and wonders. He moved in more accurate realms of revelation than almost anybody else that I know of, other than Jesus. Some say his gifting was 100 percent accurate.

When people would come on the platform to receive healing and brother Branham entered that realm, he would go into visions and tell everyone many details of their life. He did this only as a sign that the Lord would heal them. People would wait in healing lines for hours. They would have to get a card with a number to get into the healing line to even get prayer. He would wait for an angel to come and stand behind him on his left side. He would do nothing until the angel arrived. Then he would yell out “the angel is here!” [Editor Note: “He did not ‘yell out’.”] People would line up according to their number and brother Branham would begin to go into visions.

[Today we are witnessing a dramatic resurgence in a fascination with William Branham, not only by Bentley but by many others. Many are “seeking brother Branham’s anointing,” lining up to become the next brother Branham “wanna-be.” Cindy Jacobs[1] is proclaiming her calling to “re-dig the wells of William Branham.”]

Apply the following Scripture to your own heart so that you be not engulfed with the deluge of ‘false prophecies’ and ‘hype’ that are coming forth as a flood in these last days, this from the same Lucifer who propagated the rebellion in heaven eons ago:

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1) [italics added].

Let this Scripture alone resound in your mind as you reflect on Bentley’s article entitled “Living in the Supernatural,” and remember that the pure stream of the true move of God is all about holiness. In contrast, Revelation 17:4 says, “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” (Revelation 17:4).

[1]     Cindy Jacobs has been a key player in the prophetic movement, coming into recognition in the late 80s under the banner of “Generals of Intercession.”  She is part of the inner circle of prophets to whom Peter Wagner bends his ear and has been a speaker in many of his conferences along with Chuck Pierce and Dutch Sheets.  Her website, now under the new name of Generals International (www.generals.org) lists her purpose as “achieving societal transformation through intercession and the prophetic.”  (Notice the ‘New World Order’ agenda and the ‘Kingdom Now’ influence).  Her web bio says: “Cindy Jacobs is a respected prophet who travels the world ministering not only to crowds of people, but to heads of nations.  Perhaps her greatest ministry is to world influencers who seek her prophetic advice.”  Her latest posting states she is presently called to “redig the wells of William Branham.”  Redigging wells is an in-vogue concept used extensively by Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs, Chuck Pierce and others who want to go back to the past and resurrect the anointing someone else had and refit it to the present so we can have the “next new thing.”  It is a retooling of Genesis 26:18 where Isaac had to redig the wells Abraham had previously dug, that the  Philistines, who were in contention with him, had filled in with sand.  The typology here is that the enemy tries to stop or “plug up” the true anointing (wells) that God has provided for us to drink from; therefore, we must war to tear down each of his strategies against the “heir of promise.”

CHAPTER 3

The Dutch Sheets Factor

Why brilliant, expository repentance is not enough!

Key to understanding the current wound is an epic statement by Dutch Sheets sent out on August 21, 2008 entitled: “A Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland.” The effort by Sheets is monumental; I believe it to be a “magna carte” of sorts – to let the reader beware of how words can come so close to what sounds like the perfect act/statement of “repentance” and yet stops short due to a spirit of error that supersedes even the truth that utters from the mouth and is written by the pen.

“A STATEMENT AND APPEAL REGARDING LAKELAND”

Dutch Sheets (August 21, 2008)

[Note: Author’s comments are inserted in brackets in the context of Dutch Sheets’ writing.]

It has now been a couple of weeks since I heard about Todd Bentley’s plans for separation and divorce. Like everyone, I have had a variety of emotions including anger, sadness, and grief. Every time I see this scenario repeated, I grieve: for the husband and wife involved; for the family that will be scarred in so many ways; because of the incredible reproach it brings to Christ; and the distortion it gives concerning God’s heart and ways. I am praying for Todd and his family.

I was asked numerous times to write my position on Lakeland while it was happening, but always felt checked by the Lord – the waters were too muddy and emotions too high. I now feel strongly that the Lord wants me to do so. It will be arguably one of the greatest risks of my ministry to date, but one I feel must be taken. Fathers, when given the voice to do so, bear the responsibility of giving correction and wisdom. I hope mine qualifies for the latter. I assure you I have spent many hours praying and thinking through the situation. The risks are broad: with some of my dearest friends and co-laborers, I risk harming those relationships; with many in the charismatic body of Christ, I risk appearing to be an arrogant, “self-appointed” spokesperson for them; to the “I told you so” crowd, I risk the accusation of “spinning” the situation. (As far as the heresy hunters and revival police – not those who raised legitimate questions about Lakeland, but the attack dogs who make their living and build their ministries criticizing everyone else – I lost respect for them long ago and couldn’t care less what they think.)

My purpose and sincere prayer in writing this statement, however, is three-fold: to see healing begin for the body of Christ; to initiate a process that can remove the reproach brought to Christ and the Church; and to do these things while preserving and honoring my current relationships. I pray that these desires, along with my heart, come through loudly. And I hope I’m writing this with true humility – who among us clearly sees all hidden in our own hearts? Let me also preface this statement by saying that what needs to be said cannot be done quickly or carelessly. I do not want my heart to be missed and am not willing to run that risk for the sake of brevity, so please bear with the length. (Incidentally, I think it will be obvious no one involved in the Lakeland situation has asked me to write this; and for the sake of integrity on my part, none have been consulted concerning what I’m stating.)

MISTAKES AT LAKELAND

Did leaders handling the Lakeland situation make mistakes? Yes – huge mistakes. Beyond the obvious fruit of salvations and healings, can good come from Lakeland, as some have suggested, even with the recent revelations concerning Todd Bentley? Yes, but only if there is complete honesty and transparency, the removal of all attempts at self-preservation, and absolute humility from all sides.

Did I endorse the Lakeland meetings? No, I did not, nor did I condemn them. I acknowledged that healings were occurring and some were being saved, which I still believe and rejoice over. I realized and stated that the thousands of people attending were hungry and sincere, as were those involved leading the meetings. The worship was regularly good. But looking past some of the immediate and positive results, I, like many, also looked ahead to the possible fruit from questionable doctrine and experiences, exaggeration and hype, youthful pride, character issues and the frightening potential of a 32-year “young” man leading a movement that could shape the future of the Church.

These things were frightening, very frightening, to others and me. When something has the potential of setting precedent, birthing a movement and being reproduced as a prototype, we are no longer simply endorsing good brothers, good intentions and miracles. Doctrine and foundations will be built on these events. Teachings and paradigms for future ministries will be formed – in short, the next generation of the church and the move of God in the earth could be greatly impacted. This is why I stopped short of endorsing everything at Lakeland. Just as importantly, I could not ignore the “check.” the uneasiness, the sickening feeling deep in my spirit telling me something else was wrong – terribly wrong – in this situation. Like other leaders I tried to push past my uneasiness with the showmanship, the “bams,” the head butts and kneeing, along with certain experiences and doctrines, all in order to embrace the good. Like many of my friends I tried to be – and believe I was – gracious, accepting, ready to think “out of the box,” etc. But try as I may, the uneasiness in my spirit just wouldn’t leave.

Did I voice my concerns to the appropriate people? Yes, including stating my concerns for Todd’s marriage to the Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Team. Did they listen? Some did, some didn’t. But I want to state emphatically, this is not an “I told you so” statement. In fact, much of what I want to address goes back several years into our charismatic Christian history. And I assure you that concerning our present weaknesses in the charismatic church, there is plenty of blame to go around. Personally, I’ve been right at times with my discernment and decisions, wrong at others. It would be worse than hypocritical for me to point the finger of accusation – I have no stones of judgment to throw. Nonetheless, mistakes were made and must be acknowledged and learned from in order for us to heal, grow and move forward.

Some of my closest friends endorsed and participated in the Lakeland meetings. For them I have both criticism – all of us lose credibility at this point if we’re not completely honest – and affirmation. Should they have been more discerning and have listened to the warnings they received? Obviously. Should those who “aligned” Todd with spiritual fathers (which was a good thing and positioned him to receive help if he chooses to accept it) have realized to do so publicly was a mistake and could be interpreted by those watching in no other way than as a complete endorsement? Yes, they should have, especially when the event became a commissioning ceremony, complete with decrees and prophecies of going to higher levels, predictions of Todd’s increasing world-wide influence and leading a world-wide revival, emphatic and prolific endorsements of his character, etc. How could those watching believe the evening was anything but an aligning, endorsing and commissioning ceremony? It was. It really doesn’t matter who laid their hands on Todd – all share responsibility. This was unwise at best, naive at least and at its worst, foolish. And should the leaders involved have realized that movements – some even in alignment with them apostolically and as sons and daughters – would feel minimalized, if not betrayed, by the fact that they were in essence taking us onto the stage with them? Yes. These feelings were inevitable, especially when we had such uneasiness and asked them not to. Should there be an acknowledgment of these mistakes to the body of Christ for the sake of accountability and in order to rebuild trust? I believe so, and remain hopeful this will happen.

With such strong statements of disagreement, what is the affirmation toward my friends who led, participated in or endorsed this ceremony (and the meetings in general)? Simply stated, I know their hearts. It is not a contradiction of my criticisms toward some of their actions to, at the same time, defend and endorse their hearts and character. It is completely appropriate – when true – to defend a person’s heart and integrity while disagreeing with their actions.

I think the blunder of that night was huge and very damaging to the body of Christ, but I also realize that in their hearts, those involved honestly felt they were doing the right things. Again, while not defending the action taken, I would defend the character and integrity of Peter and Doris Wagner as vigorously as anyone I know, and do so with absolute confidence. There are no two people, and I mean that literally, who embody the qualities of humility, integrity, holiness (no compromise!), sacrifice, unselfish kingdom-thinking, the tireless giving of themselves to Christ’s cause and the body of Christ – and do I need to add risk-taking? – as much as Peter and Doris Wagner. It remains my great honor to be associated with them and call them a spiritual father and mother. And again, while not minimizing or “sweeping under the rug” any wrong decisions, I remain steadfast in my belief that similar affirmations could be made of others involved – either directly or indirectly – in the ceremony. And some of them still see their endorsing of Lakeland as an endorsement of revival generally, not of Todd personally.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It may come as a surprise, however, that my real purpose in writing this is not to only state the above, as important as I believe saying it is. My primary purpose, and I believe my assignment from the Lord, is to identificationally repent on behalf of the leadership of the charismatic body of Christ (see Nehemiah 1:4-7; Daniel 9:1-19). In doing so, I do not have a pompous, “no one else will, so I’ll do it” attitude, nor am I arrogant enough to think I have become the spokesperson for the charismatic church. But in the same way that I can identify with the racism of white predecessors and repent to blacks, Native Americans and other races, I can represent the leadership of the charismatic body of Christ and identificationally repent for our sins and weaknesses. I encourage leaders who find my statements true and appropriate to join me.

Beyond the simple fact of it being appropriate, I firmly believe it is the only way to begin the process of rebuilding trust with those asked to follow us in our spiritual directive as well as to help to remove the cynicism of the world we ask to listen to us. As you know, regaining credibility is much more difficult than attaining credibility. Concerning what I’m about to say, I don’t believe I have a critical spirit, nor do I want to diminish the sacrifices, faithfulness, and hard work done by so many in ministry. The fact remains, however, that we have failed the Lord and His people in many ways – not just with Lakeland but in countless other situations – and must repent if we are to be trusted in the future. And as you also know, no repentance is effective if watered down and couched in excuses, therefore, I intend to be brutally honest:

1) We, the leaders of the charismatic community, have operated in an extremely low level of discernment. Frankly, we often don’t even try to discern. We assume a person’s credibility based on gifts, charisma, the size of their ministry or church, whether they can prophesy or work a miracle, etc. (Miracles and signs are intended to validate God and His message, not the messenger; sometimes they validate the assignment of an individual, but never the person’s character, lifestyle or spiritual maturity.) We leaders in the Church have become no different than the world around us in our standards for measuring success and greatness. This has contributed to the body of Christ giving millions of dollars to undeserving individuals; it has allowed people living in sin to become influential leaders – even to lead movements, allowing them influence all the way to the White House. Through our lack of discernment we built their stages and gave them their platforms. We have been gullible beyond words – gullible leaders producing gullible sheep. When a spiritual leader we’re connected with violates trust, is exposed for immorality or falls below other accepted standards of behavior, it does not exonerate us simply to say we don’t condone such behavior. Those we lead trust us to let them know whom to trust. We have failed them miserably in this regard. For this lack of discernment, and for employing and passing on inappropriate standards of judgment, I repent to the Lord and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.

[Dutch Sheets’ above confession is weak because ‘Charismatica’ by its very nature (born out of compromise on June 26, 1956) has for more than five decades embraced Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal (C.E.R.), a dimension of low level religiosity, something that is little more than a tributary to God’s divine order. In essence, this whole C.E.R. arena is little more than a half-way house arena that has been a substitute for a true Holy Ghost Pentecostal scriptural “understanding”…or for that matter is a substitute for their near total void of having ‘a true walk of the Spirit.’] 1

Following the caption on the previous page, The Bigger Picture Dutch Sheets, proclaims his “Primary Purpose” – and “this as an assignment from the Lord” – “to identificationally repent on behalf of the leadership of the charismatic body of Christ.” In so doing Sheets hopes that such apology will not only wash away the immediate sin…but will move to the point where it will totally whitewash the half century of Charismatic excesses and shortcomings that produced a Todd Bentley wherein hundreds of so-called Wagner appointed apostles and prophets have produced a worldwide phenomenal as the REAL. And this while true prophetic voices by the thousands wept in silence as they surveyed the worldwide stampede within most of the religious media (along with God’s T.V.) to lead countless millions into utter despair when it all came crashing to the ground on August 11, 2008.

This “identificational apology” in behalf of the whole Charismatic Renewal must be totally rejected. It’s not scriptural. And it will (if not corrected) provide the whitewash that will for sure prevent the much needed analysis of the whole Apostolic, Prophetic and revival movements with its many excesses and deficiencies. And chief among its deficiencies is the total lack of scriptural insight, much more the great need to REPENT and cry out for God to RESTORE the total lack of “discerning of spirits” that is consistent within the whole revival movement.

2) We, the leaders of the charismatic church, spin our involvement and fail to acknowledge our responsibility when other leaders fall – all of which stems from our self-preservation and pride. Enough of the spin – we’re no different than Washington, DC. Every time another embarrassing and disgraceful situation is exposed, the dancing begins. It seems that no one bears any real responsibility except the man or woman who actually commits sin. Incredibly, we even blame “revival” itself – the pressures, attacks, weariness, the “revival is messy” argument, etc., saying it is responsible for the failures. This is disgusting. Those of us on boards of fallen leaders, those who helped give them a voice, put them on TV, published and endorsed their books (yes, I have), etc., are not exonerated simply by saying we don’t condone the wrong behavior or that we didn’t know. We’re supposed to know. I don’t believe anyone is expecting perfection from us – I know I’m not. We’re far too human for that. But we are expected to have enough humility to look the world and those who follow us in the eye when we miss it and say, “we were wrong and we are sorry.” Our careless accountability has caused the body of Christ to be spiritually raped and abused. It has produced disillusionment and brought immeasurable reproach to our God and cynicism to His message. Concerning Lakeland, what was called the “greatest revival since Azusa Street” has become possibly one of the greatest reproaches. We, the leaders of the charismatic church, are responsible. For not accepting and acknowledging our responsibility, for caring more about our own reputation than Christ’s, I repent to God and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.

[Yes, these men should be sidelined by all “who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is speaking to the Church in this hour,” and be required of the “hearers” to change their doctrines and repent of their careless and Nicolaitanized system of self-adulation. Furthermore, a requirement must be made to dismantle every one of their man-made structures, hierarchies, coalitions, councils, and manufactured religious towers of Babylon, including the entire apostle and prophet name badge wearing system propagated by Peter Wagner and all his partnership “aligning” ministries. It is time for them to stop heaping adulation one upon another and for their audiences to cease their detestable practices of public back-scratching and hyping the Big Name ministries. For as Sheets states above, this that has been hailed as “the greatest revival since Azusa Street” has truly as said “become one of the greatest reproaches.” And washing this “reproach” will not cure their terminal illness.]

3) Our procedures and standards of accountability are incredibly inadequate. We have provided camaraderie, not biblical accountability. For those on Todd Bentley’s board who had previous knowledge of his marriage problems and said nothing, it was more than a mistake – it was reckless, foolish, and irresponsible. For those on the stage the night of his aligning and commissioning who knew and said nothing – ditto. For those there who didn’t know, my question is, “why didn’t you?” You were trusted to know. That is one of the purposes of public commissioning and the purpose behind the concept of endorsement. I’m not trying to point the finger; I’m endeavoring to get us to be honest about our failures – we have serious credibility issues. Have I ever laid hands on, commissioned or endorsed anyone without adequately checking them out? Yes, but you better believe I’ll be more careful next time! And we must not single out Lakeland. We’re all guilty. What about the leader in my city who ran with some of the leading spiritual fathers in our nation – sincere and good men, I might add, and not all “charismatic” leaders – who sang his praises and helped build his stage – all while he was doing drugs and having sex with other men? But we shouldn’t blame only the high profile cases – what about those of us who unknowingly have had adulterers on our staffs or appointed elders that turned out to have compromise in their life? Sounding familiar yet? This is so epidemic that every member of the body of Christ stands guilty – what pastor or leader did you follow that turned out to have sin issues? What ministry did you support that was unworthy? There is plenty of blame to go around. The big question becomes not “who do we blame” but “how do we fix this mess?” Leaders can live in sin – adultery, homosexuality, financial wrongdoing, drugs, etc. – for years without it being realized. They can offer completely unacceptable lifestyles for the body of Christ to follow and still keep their TV programs and lavish lifestyles. In the name of grace, compassion and forgiveness we have lowered the standard so much that often there isn’t one. We have bought into the lie that true discipline is “shooting our wounded.” We have made a mockery of biblical restoration, making “ministry” – not healthy individuals, marriages and families – its ultimate goal. The fact is, integrity matters. No, we don’t need legalistic, pharisaical standards, but we must have standards. For this lack of biblical accountability, I repent to God and I ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.

4) We, the leaders of the charismatic church, have built on hype, sensation, innovation, programs, personality and charisma. This has produced: shallowness; false movements; novice leaders – gifted but immature and untested; a deficient understanding of God’s word; the building of man-centered rather than kingdom- centered churches and ministries; competition rather than cooperation; humanistic, self-centered Christians who don’t understand sacrifice and commitment; Christians without discernment; superstar leaders; a perverted and powerless gospel; prayerless and anemic Christians; a replacement of the fear of the Lord with the fear of man; and a young generation that is cynical of it all. We are responsible, not the devil; he takes what we give him.

[Can there be any greater self-incrimination by a leader of this movement than this? Surely repentance is worthy of merit, but going on with yet another promise to fix the mess, will Sheets and all the rest not finally see there is no fixing it? How is it possible that nearly 100% of today’s Charismatic/Pentecostal leadership have so little knowledge (or understanding) of that which the Word and the Holy Spirit have been so openly proclaiming? There must be an open acknowledgment and that accompanied with great true repentance, they openly declaring that there is little, if any, true “discerning of spirits” anywhere in their midst. And if “discerning of spirits” is near totally (if not totally) lacking in their midst, to what source can we attribute (other than guess work and/or demonic) their oft mentioned “words of knowledge” or “words of wisdom?” And that the current theory of an easy-out sneak rapture perpetuates their tolerance of “Dominion Theology” with its inherent “kingdom-now hype” while neglecting scripture’s well-defined presentation of the coming “overcomer… manchild company” that is about to come into being. Is there none among these ‘kingdom builders’ who has any true “understanding” of Jesus’ sure and near final words: “And this gospel of the Kingdom [not man’s kingdom building exercises] shall be preached in all the world…and then shall the end come.”] (Matthew 24:14)

For this compromise in the way we build, for giving the Church watered down wine, commercial Christianity, a flashy but weak Church and hype disguised as anointing, I repent to God and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ. Galatians 6:1-5 is an appropriate reference with which to end this statement: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken [caught] in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; considering [each one looking to] yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing [reason for boasting in regard to] in himself alone, and not in [regard to] another. For each one shall bear his own load.” NAS

My passionate prayer is that God honors this repentance – I believe He led me to do it and therefore, will – and uses it to begin a process of cleansing and healing for all of us. In order for the coming great awakening to bear maximum fruit we must have both, as well as a course correction that sets us on a path of wisdom leading to life. There is no doubt that past moves of God have been aborted, ended prematurely and contained error or heresy that have wounded, if not destroyed, many. The healing revival of the 40s and 50s, the charismatic movement, discipleship movement and Jesus movement are all examples. My heart is to help shape a movement, the fruit of which will last for decades – better yet, forever. And I have great expectations for us – I am not a cynic.

[Certainly the words above “cleansing, healing, course correction” and “shape a movement” are well stated. The implied whole of his article is one that is pointing to the “reshaping” of that whole Apostolic Prophetic Charismatic “false fire” that needs to be confessed, repented of and abandoned as a directive that knows not the way. Without such abandonment, true “discerning of spirits” will never return to their subsequent collective “alignment” projects.]

My passionate prayer is also that Todd Bentley’s marriage survives and thrives…that he turns his heart fully toward Christ and toward those with whom he is aligned, and allows them, as God leads, to put him on a path of complete restoration. I thank God for those who were touched by the Holy Spirit at Lakeland and while watching it on God TV and the web. May we all move forward into all God has planned for us in this awesome season of endless possibility.

REFLECTION ON DUTCH SHEETS’ APOLOGY

In reality, Sheets’ apology is anything but true repentance. Will apologies and “identificational repentance” ever be a substitute for real repentance that necessitates a radical 180 degree turn in direction, abandoning forever and turning from the corrupted place of error, and running forward to rectify the past while securing the bastion of truth?

Note one of Sheets’ favorite substitutions for the real thing, that of “identificational repentance.” In this setting, it lubricates the slide into further perpetuity of all the enclosed maladies. Chuck Pierce quickly responded in characteristic fashion to preserve his self-proclaimed unsoiled reputation as a prophet of impeccable accuracy. He sent his non-embarrassed, weak response to those on his e-mail list two days after Sheets’ apology. Rapid-fire damage control is one of Chuck Pierce’s magnum weapons to sidetrack the fact that true “discerning of spirits” seemingly rarely functions in the midst of his ministry or, for that matter, among those with whom he ministers.

Chuck Pierce stated, “Also, I love how the LORD uses us from different perspectives to get us into the order for the future. Dutch Sheets has written a wonderful, heartfelt cry for the Body [in] this hour. This is one of the best examples of repentance that I have read as we move forward in days ahead. We fully endorse and embrace Dutch Sheets’ apology on behalf of us all. Dutch walks the fine line between the pharisaical order that could hinder the present move of God that is manifesting and the Holiness that is needed for it to continue into the future. He walks it well, without falling off the tightrope into the old controlling structure of law and the present pit of Charismania, where anything goes. Further, he is very wise in the way that he calls us to repent but encourages the move of God to keep moving. Please read and pray the points outlined by Dutch and ask the Holy Spirit to deal with you accordingly. I (Pierce) have done so.”

So Pierce above is admitting that “an apology made by another person” for the whole raft of corruption listed in Sheets’ ‘Statement’ “is adequate FOR US ALL?” Furthermore, Pierce lumps any attack on the unscriptural, ungodly manifestations (listed in Sheets’ Statement) that may be a part of the Wagner enclave (that he is chief co-partner in) as coming from “the pharisaical order that could hinder the present move of God…?” So, Mr. Pierce, what in your opinion is the “tightrope” between law and anything goes? How far do you lean to the “anything goes” side of things? The answer is – just as far as it takes to get the agenda rolling “into the future” as you fondly love to say. So finally, if a man in the top leadership of an incredibly vast weekly (almost daily) readership, soaking up his every thought and directive, can dismiss the clarion call to true repentance offered by Sheets, then what are we to do? Why, O Lord, do men like Wagner, Pierce and Sheets totally bypass their (and their follower’s) real need…and that is to: “Let the true prophet-priests weep between the porch and the altar!”

The Dutch Sheets apology’s failure rests on words that are words alone and do not carry ultimatums and tough stands, or of insisting that NOW is the time to STOP the foolishness and sin that is ravaging the church in this hour. If there is a thread of the genuine apostolic in “Apostle Dutch Sheets” he should lead the charge for an all-out response and not allow those falsely anointed in “soft prophecies” a place to hide and perpetrate as well as to perpetuate the same deceptions through seductive craft. Sad to say, at the time of this writing, instead of producing repentance unto righteousness, these words are lying dormant and are fast becoming a “famous legal document of self-incrimination” upon which the Lord, the Almighty, the Judge of the Universe will hold in hand with the long list of distortions and deceptions perpetrated by the leaders and false prophets of this hour in history, to say: “This day is this false house coming down, and it’s kings and queens deposed!”

CHAPTER 4

The Peter Wagner/Chuck Pierce Factor

Stylized mind control through clever craft

Wagner’s first report is to his staff regarding the “commissioning service” he inaugurated for Todd Bentley on June 24, and the second one is his “damage control” about 30 days afterward. The second came as members of his ICA were tendering their resignations right and left, abandoning ship, after the Lakeland Outpouring was unraveling. It revealed that Wagner’s commissioning of Bentley on June 24, 2008, was obviously in total error and demonstrated the lack of true discerning of spirits in their midst.

PETER WAGNER’S “REPORT OF THE LAKELAND OUTPOURING”

[Note: Author’s comments are inserted in brackets in the context of Wagner’s first report.]

To: Global Harvest Ministries Staff & Board Date: June 25, 2008

Re: Personal Report of Lakeland Outpouring

I am writing from Lakeland where I have just sent a report of Doris’ and my experiences here to a group of apostles I have been working with, some in favor of Lakeland and some opposed. I wanted you to have this information as well.

To: Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Team: Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Lee Grady, Steve Strang, Ché Ahn, Jeff Beacham, David Cannistraci, Joseph Askins, Bill Johnson, John Arnott

Subject: Personal Report of Lakeland Outpouring

As all of you know, what I believe to be God-orchestrated circumstances over the past three weeks or so have brought me mainstream into the Lakeland Outpouring and the controversies surrounding it.

I am writing this from Lakeland. The night before last Doris and I attended the meeting in the tent along with 10,000 others, the largest crowd yet since meeting in the tent. It was the 82nd day of the Outpouring. Todd Bentley used his speaking time in giving the most detailed testimony so far of the “dark night of the soul” that he experienced for 18 months 2005-2007. It was a very remarkable and transparent confession of his pride during the ten years previously and details of the wilderness that God took him through to break the pride. He was very clear about his lack of discipline, his emotions out of control, his rejection of God, his dislike of reading scripture, public meltdown on the platform, memories of childhood rejection, loneliness, sexual abuse, his marriage on the brink of divorce, etc. He was so burnt out he cried 4 hours per day for 21 days straight.

When it was over, God restored everything related to his staff, his marriage, his ministry, and his newly-refined personal character. This was a very remarkable and touching presentation.

[This may have sounded remarkable, but a fuller investigation into Bentley’s REAL life would have revealed a currently failing marriage and a secret (or not-so-secret) love affair with a staff person. Bentley’s staff and “overseers” already knew what was going on, but today’s “apostles” fly above the ground level and, unlike biblical apostolicity of the early church where they visited the churches for more than a one night stand or a 3-day conference, these self-proclaimed leaders knew little of the man’s life.]

There was no hint of victimization or wanting a pity party. It was a confession of his own sin and the consequences he paid for disobedience. Doris and I were very touched by this, and we were thankful to God for a window on Todd’s character that we didn’t expect to be so wide open to us.

[So “wide open” it left Peter and Doris in the dark. How many other “apostolic relationships” are similarly flawed? Are there enough hours in one day for one “super apostle” like Peter Wagner to know enough to really do the job of an apostle? Or are we seeing the true colors of the superstructure with Wagner being only the tip of the iceberg? What about the entire platform of other leaders who went boldly prophesying into the night the greatness of the man Bentley and how great his character was being molded for future greatness, to take this revival all around the world. They all share in culpability because they followed-the-leader of the apostolic network into the fray, they being equipped with nothing but a shirtsleeve version of the man Bentley and his lack of integrity. Their great hoped-for revival leader collided with reality in a few short weeks, and they would now have to deal with their own blind pontificating or engineer another clever cover-up.]

Let me remind you that Doris and I have been very close to other similar outpourings, especially the John Wimber signs & wonders phenomenon of the late 70s and 80s as well as the Argentine Revival of the 80s and 90s. We believe we have paid our dues in terms of the ability to discern truth from error and also in receiving severe and often painful criticism for some of the judgments we made in supporting those two movements. As we observed and participated in the meeting in the tent, we became very nostalgic about Wimber and Argentina, even noting some physical resemblance between Todd and Wimber. His accuracy in words of knowledge reminded us of both John Wimber in the past and Robert Henderson in the present. The worship time was similar to the worship we experience in Freedom Church in Colorado Springs except on a larger and more exuberant scale. We saw or felt nothing that would cross the lines we have previously experienced in high-profile revival.

[All of the above talk about Wagner’s experience with revivals has the flavor of a touchy-feely soulish level of un-discernment, the trademark of someone who has made his name rubbing elbows with fellow seminary professors, and then pastors of well-known churches, and then other intellects who could also move with eloquence in the arena of the human mind, whose inputs at best were pseudo-spiritual, not having the type of walk in the Holy Spirit with the “discerning of spirits” being his ultimate calling-card.]

We have learned that God-driven revival is often messy, tending to pull some out of their religious comfort zones, but at the same time opening gates for new seasons of the movement of God.

[“Opening gates” is on the top of the new buzz word list for Wagner’s alliance, Chuck Pierce creating a manual for initiation into this new craft. Time and space do not allow for a full ripping away of the new word list cleverly crafted from pages of the Bible, but animated by demonic spirits to pull the hearer into the allurement of becoming a “power-broker of the new kingdom on earth” “uniting earth and heaven.”]

All this was in preparation for last night, June 23, when we held a ceremony of apostolic alignment for Todd Bentley. As you will see from the document I will attach, the gist was that Todd would be aligned with Ché Ahn, Bill Johnson and John Arnott, representing Revival Alliance, who would then commission him as the evangelist to lead the Lakeland Outpouring. A few of us met with Todd personally before the service, and we found him to be a wonderful individual. Doris and I had never met him before. I explained to him what the ceremony would be like, and he agreed. I thought that it was interesting when he wanted to change one thing I had written in this document, because I could then run a quiet test of his humility and his respect for authority. Keep in mind that this was Todd’s ministry and Todd’s meeting. However, he had delegated the leadership of the ceremony to me. I suggested that his change was not wise, and he immediately accepted my decision. We were on the same page! In fact, we like each other!

The scenario was that I took the podium and called around me Todd, Ché, Bill and John. I then called to the platform a number of apostles whom I had chosen to stand behind us: Stephen Strader of Lakeland FL, Karl Strader of Lakeland FL, Jeff Beacham of Sydney, Australia, Rick Joyner of Ft. Mill SC, Doris Wagner of Colorado Springs CO, Sharon Stone of Burton, England, Paco Garcia of Chiclana, Spain, Clarice Fluitt of Monroe LA, Richard Maiden of Scottsdale AZ, Michael Maiden of Phoenix AZ, Joshua Fowler of Orlando FL, Barry Boucher of Ottawa, Canada, and Wesley Campbell of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Unfortunately Bishop Bill Hamon had to cancel because of a travel problem. I then read the paper I am attaching and, despite several requests, I even desisted from telling a joke! When I finished, I handed the microphone to Ché and he was in charge.

Ché, Bill and John laid on hands and anointed Todd with a special new “Be Revived” oil that Chuck Pierce (who was in Africa) sent for the event. Todd went down under the power of the Spirit and the three prophesied over him, commissioning him as the evangelist to lead the Lakeland Outpouring. Then most of the backup apostles prayed and prophesied as well. The power of the Holy Spirit was so heavy on that event that you could almost have cut it with a knife!

[With the newest “fragrance of the month” wafting all over the platform, the spirits of the occult, further supercharged by the “heavenly” aroma of Chuck’s new “oil” how could they not have experienced (in their soulish minds) “a spirit” so heavy you could almost have cut it with a knife? Would to the Lord God Almighty a true Elijah would stand up with the sword of the Spirit (not a knife) and cut through the false prophets of Baal to reveal and judge the demonic realm as their source of soul-power!]

It was quite evident to those present that this was a groundbreaking event. A serious public problem had been growing in the body of Christ revolving around concerns about Lakeland from respected leaders. Even “schism” had been mentioned frequently. Because of the extensive media coverage through GOD TV, it was much more than a private or a trivial matter. Something was called for to set things in order, and this is the stated role of apostles. We are now in a place in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age that apostles can agree publicly to bring alignment.

[Now the self-proclaimed apostle of the world has issued a new papal edict – we are now in the second apostolic age! There is no cheap unity. There is no waving of the wand to establish something that has no substance. Yet this is the whole deception of PROCLAMATION that is rampant in this movement. They are on earth to make things happen. They come up with the words for the Lord that He wants them to speak into being here on earth. So now they proclaim that we are all one? That we are in alignment with apostles and that makes it all right?]

The seventeen apostles involved in this event represented three distinct apostolic streams: International Coalition of Apostles (ICA), (10 were ICA members), Revival Alliance, and Morningstar (Rick Joyner’s Camp-italicized words inserted for clarity). Even though we are not networked formally, we believe in and support each other and we stand together when a crisis such as this one comes along. I may be wrong, but I cannot recall an event of this nature in the recent history of the church.

There was a notable prophetic dimension accompanying the event. Around a month ago, Bob Jones prophesied that on June 22 the outpouring would increase so much that it would appear that the revival would really begin at that time. Of course no one knew that June 23, the day after June 22, would be the date of Todd’s apostolic alignment which could well be the event to release increased spiritual power. Parenthetically both June 22 and June 23 broke previous attendance records in the 10,000-seat tent.

[This statement shows the false assumptions trumpeted to the masses in the form of prophecies from major voices in the prophetic community, in this case Bob Jones. If the prophecy were true, and the increase had come then we could validate Bob Jones as truly speaking from God on this occasion; however, since it did not, we see a glaring example of false prophecy and what amounts to another wagon in the parade of the ongoing hyping of revival.]

There is a great deal more to say, but I will leave it as it is for the moment. My paper, “Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Alignment,” which I am sending you will fill in many details. Although I am writing this primarily to you who are mentioned above, I will also send it to some others to whom I feel responsible for a report of Todd’s alignment and commissioning.

– Blessings, C. Peter Wagner, President, Global Harvest Ministries

P.S. on June 25. Last night was Todd’s day off, so Ché Ahn took the service. Among other things, he used Chuck Pierce’s “Be Revived” anointing oil to personally anoint the 1,000 or so pastors as “carriers of fire” to their churches. Forty-seven nations were represented in the meeting. He admonished them to receive it here in Lakeland and then give it away!

[The following enclosure: “Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Alignment” although an elongation of the core of deception in Wagner’s fundamental ‘kingdom thinking,’ is greatly abbreviated to save time and space in this volume. The end of the commissioning ceremony by Peter Wagner went like this, his words being:]

I have a question for the three apostles: Do you perceive the grace of God given to Todd Bentley as an evangelist to lead the Lakeland Outpouring? {Answer: “I do.”}

I have a question for Todd Bentley: Do you recognize the apostolic authority of these three men in your life and ministry, and do you desire to establish an ‘apostolic alignment’ with them and with Revival Alliance? {Answer: “I do.”}

With this affirmation we will move to a formal commissioning, equivalent to “offering the right hand of fellowship” as the three apostles did to Paul in Jerusalem.

This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley:

- Your power will increase.

- Your authority will increase.

- Your favor will increase.

- Your influence will increase.

- Your revelation will increase.

- I also decree that:

- A new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry.

- A new life force will penetrate this move of God.

- A government will be established to set things in their proper order.

- God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error.

- New relationships will surface to open gates for the future.

{To Ché Ahn} Ché, you may now proceed.

[After this was an extended time of words to Todd by the assembled “apostolic contingency.” In the aftermath of the collapse of Bentley’s platform for ministry, a true test of these words would leave mostly ashes.]

CHAPTER 5

An Update on Lakeland from Peter Wagner

AUGUST 25, 2008

[Note: Author’s comments are inserted in brackets in the context of Wagner’s second report.]

[These are Wagner’s words as he washes his hands of the Lakeland affair. He explains that he should not be associated in any negative way with the failures of Bentley, and he defends his commissioning as from God. His words never contain an apology or personal repentance for the record, only a reason why he hearkened unto “the voice” he claims to have heard to do this thing, ordaining Bentley an evangelist underneath his mantle. Let the reader distill the truth from the rhetoric.]

I was in the San Francisco airport on my way to Singapore and Indonesia when the news of Todd Bentley’s separation from his wife became public on August 12. When I arrived back home last week, I found that Doris had received and replied to around 1,700 emails and the stack of correspondence on my desk was unbelievable. It took me the rest of the week to catch up!

During the week I was gone, a major watershed occurred regarding the Lakeland situation as most of you would know. We are now on a new playing field. Lakeland Outpouring I, in which Todd Bentley was the main figure, is now history. Lakeland Outpouring II, in which Stephen Strader of Ignited Church is the main figure, has begun. The Outpouring started in a local church, went to a tent, and now is back in the local church. My suggestion is that we no longer use the term “Lakeland Outpouring” but rather distinguish between Lakeland I and Lakeland II because they are very different.

Let me talk a bit about the present, then revisit the past, then project the future.

THE PRESENT

It will sound surprising to some, but Lakeland II in Ignited Church, which you will remember was the original host church, is going very well. The big crowds and GOD TV, of course, are gone. Ignited Church seats around 700 in the main sanctuary and Stephen Strader reports that on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings they have to use their overflow room. It is comfortably filled on week nights. The morning training sessions continue with a couple hundred every day, and teams continue to move daily into the streets of Lakeland spreading the gospel. Percentage-wise the dramatic miracles and healings occur nightly with probably a higher percentage of salvations on a daily basis. Support from local pastors is improving considerably. The most interesting report is that every night some 30 percent are first-time attenders, meaning that people are still coming to Lakeland from the outside to experience Outpouring II. A lady from our church with a severe chronic back problem went to Ignited Church and came home healed! Such a thing does not usually happen when a public figure suddenly goes down the tubes, so we need to take our hats off to the apostolic gifts and role that Stephen Strader is demonstrating for us.

[Here Wagner “tips his own hat” by attributing the continuation of that which is “real” in this revival to one man, Stephen Strader, the “role” he plays and his demonstration of apostolic gifts. Because God’s mercy prevails in the midst of man’s usurping of His glory and man’s distortion of the true anointing, yet His word remarkably proclaims: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). If God was truly bestowing His GENUINE manifestations during “Part I of Lakeland” then TO WHOM do we attribute any ongoing true visitation? – to a man?? To Strader? Not to God? But this is indeed the agenda of your “apostolic networks” at every level – praising MAN and EXALTING LEADERS while building up the SUPERSTRUCTURE of your “New Apostolic Reformation” Kingdom on earth. Please Dr. Wagner, get your scripture based on the true word, not on your many books’ retooling and giving a new paint job (and fragrance from your prophet Chuck Pierce) to embellish the modern version of the old wineskin of Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal.]

Speaking of the public figure going down the tubes, Todd Bentley now carries the label of a liar and a deceiver. I’m sorry to mention it, but I felt personally deceived in the same way when Ted Haggard’s sin was exposed and he was immediately removed from ministry. In the Lakeland I case, I am elated at the way things are turning out. The Revival Alliance with whom Todd was aligned on June 23 has kicked into action with a vengeance. Ché Ahn and Bill Johnson, like me, were overseas when things broke, but John Arnott stepped up to the plate and moved in apostolically. It has since become clear that Todd’s Fresh Fire Board could not have handled the situation, Stephen Strader and Ignited Church could not, nor could any of his other close friends. Only the Revival Alliance could.

[Here Wagner indicates that only he and his appointees can solve the dilemmas.]

I am delighted that they are not buying into typical charismatic soft morality, also called “greasy grace” or “don’t touch God’s anointed” or “mercy must triumph over judgment,” phrases that have been used on other similar occasions as convenient religious cop-out excuses. They’re proceeding in love, but it is tough love!

Since this is an update, I will share some of what I know about what is happening with Bentley, but not all because some things need more verification and it is up to ‘discernment’ of Revival Alliance what and when this will be revealed. Suffice it to say that there is more than I am going to mention. First of all, Todd has been removed from public ministry until further notice. He has resigned from the ministry he founded, Fresh Fire, so he is no longer a part of that board. It has become clear that he indulged in periodic drunkenness. He has no intention at the moment of reconciling with Shonna, nor does she with him. Their marriage has been torn for years by his emotional attachment with at least one other female whose physical contact went beyond hugging and kissing and holding hands.

Enough said – maybe more details will be revealed later – but it was clearly immoral. All of this was skillfully concealed by lying and by swearing close associates who had observed his behavior to secrecy. Stephen Strader, for example, knew nothing of this before June 23. Apparently some of his board members did, but they did not have the ability to deal with it.

THE PAST

I hope this is the last time I will have to address the past. It is now history. But as history is written, I feel that I have some responsibility of helping to have history be written accurately, especially since I have turned out to be a lightning rod for a number of severe criticisms.

Most of you know this, but let me reiterate to keep it on record. Previous to around the middle of June, my interest in Lakeland was about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. Then I got a call from Stephen Strader, the host pastor who was a member of ICA, which I lead, with a passionate appeal for apostolic intervention because chaos and confusion had begun to invade the Outpouring I. Toward the end of the hour we were talking, I received one of my infrequent direct words from God: “Alignment!” Just one word, but I knew I had a divine command and responsibility.

Once I knew that God had assigned me to initiate some sort of apostolic intervention at Stephen’s side, I began praying and consulting with close colleagues. In less than two days I discovered that Todd Bentley had no formal, established apostolic alignment. I asked God how I should proceed, especially since I had no inclination to attempt an apostle-evangelist approach and expect that Bentley would submit to or even listen to what I had to say if I made an appointment with him in Lakeland. I felt that proper apostolic protocol would be for me to deal with one or more peer-level apostles to whom Todd had aligned apostolically. Since as yet he had no such alignment, I began asking God how such an alignment might come about. He directed me to my close friend, Ché Ahn, who himself is apostolically aligned with me and who also had been close to Bentley for years. Ché agreed that the best apostolic protocol would be for Todd to align with the Revival Alliance if he were willing. Ché called him and Bentley agreed to submit publicly to the Revival Alliance.

At this point some disagreements arose. I have already mentioned that I was consulting with several apostolic colleagues whom I trusted and whom I know trusted me. It is very necessary for us to understand exactly what the disagreement was about. It was about the most appropriate apostolic protocol for the occasion. After prayerfully listening to the different points of view with careful consideration of what was being said, the decision had to be mine.

[The truth from the scripture is that the leading is to be by the Holy Spirit not by man! Here Peter Wagner shows what he truly believes about himself – he is the “head,” and that means one person is in charge and this is what he teaches throughout his writings on setting the modern church in order under succeeding levels of ‘ultimate authority,’ Here he shows his true colors and lack of “discerning of spirits,” because he is duped into hearing a voice that is not of God, and then he stonewalls his position by saying it was the voice of God no matter the outcome. Such is the way of man’s appointed leadership in this present man-made apostolic-prophetic movement.]

I believe that God’s word to me about “Alignment!” had to be directional. I concluded that the best protocol was to do the alignment first, then deal with the issues that had been raised. My other friends disagreed and urged me to deal with Todd’s problems first then do the alignment. I respected their point of view and I was very sorry that I had to follow God’s leading for me personally instead of taking their advice. It was not a comfortable decision.

Now let me address what was behind much of their disagreement with my apostolic protocol. They were concerned that if I appeared on the platform with GOD TV, many viewers would interpret it as my personal endorsement of everything that was going on in Lakeland I, and since they were so closely associated with me, they would be implicated as well. This was a legitimate concern, and one I seriously wrestled with as I made my decision. If I went to Lakeland and presided over the alignment, some might well take it as an endorsement. It was a risk, I knew.

Let me say personally that all my life I have been a risk-taker instead of a play-it-safe person, and I have taken many hits for it.

[Here comes the defense posturing. He could not say, “I was in error” or “I made a mistake.” No, only that “I took a risk, I’m a risk-taker, and I don’t care what other people think of me.”]

As an example going to the jungles of Bolivia as a career field missionary when I was 25 with my wife and a one-year-old baby girl was a serious risk. Both that daughter and another who was born in the jungle without medical attention came close to losing their lives during those five years. And we were criticized for our decision to take the risk by many, including parents!

Closer to the Lakeland I situation, I have a private list of no fewer than 18 high-profile Christian leaders starting from the 1970s until Bentley for whom I took risks. For each one of them I took serious criticisms and in some cases personal hits even much more serious than I have received in this current case because I endorsed or partnered with or provided alignment for them. Some were typified as “crazy!” However, I can pretty much discern winners, although not always. My track record for the 18 is 72% who emerged as real winners (you would know most of them), 17% ended up losers (including Bentley), and 11% indecisive. I’m sorry for the losers, but they prove I am not perfect. The point I am making is that I am no stranger to taking risks and living with the fallout.

[Here’s a wonderful self-confession for the record. The head apostle of the world is proving he has the ability to discern winners, and yet he is null and void at “discerning of spirits.” And what would the definition of “winner” be? No doubt “successful” in ministry as defined by man. Winners are successful. Losers would be like those who are rejects and not accepted by the mainstream, examples of which might be Hosea, Joel, and Amos to mention a few of the notorious outcasts whose ministries were rejected by their contemporaries (because the mainstream in Israel was in error) and yet their words WERE from God, the proof being in the Book.]

One fallout from Lakeland I is that several have resigned from ICA and other organizations that I lead because they no longer want to be identified with me. Others are still upset. Still, believe it or not, I think that everyone involved is still my friend. We just disagree.

I want it understood that I did not go to Lakeland on June 23 for Todd Bentley. I had never met him personally. I had no knowledge of and little interest in his ministry. I went because I received an apostolic plea to help bring order to the confusion and chaos that was sweeping through the body of Christ worldwide because of the television. I went strictly for the body of Christ at the invitation of the host pastor of the Outpouring. The final question is: Was it successful? Looking back, I praise God for using me and others to help bring order to confusion, which is one of the chief biblical tasks of an apostle. Stephen Strader, who has been keeping records, affirms that the evil that the prince of the power of the air had been subtly introducing into the Outpouring I started to be exposed and unraveled the day after the alignment, June 24! Spiritually, this is very understandable. Just about every leader I knew had discerned that Lakeland I was a mixture of the godly and the ungodly. We were praying in one accord that the evil would be separated from the good. My take is that God had decided to answer these prayers and in order to facilitate His will. He assigned me and the Revival Alliance leaders and others who were with us to align Todd Bentley apostolically for the first time in his life.

[So Todd Bentley was “out of order” all these years, not being “apostolically aligned”, and you knew that, and yet you ordained him as the evangelist-leader of the “most influential revival to come along in half a century”? What about his association with the camp of Rick Joyner, having been brought along by Joyner, Bob Jones and others? Could that indicate that Todd was a loose cannon all along and his unusual style of personalized freedom in ministry is typical of the new breed of ministries you are willing to ordain and propagate? So you encourage the likes of Todd Bentley, but your answer is to develop a papal succession of authority to keep everything in order – to get them all “aligned.”]

When we did this publicly, spiritual transactions took place in the invisible world that would not allow the enemy to maintain the veil of secrecy he had carefully placed over the Outpouring. The evil was exposed, Revival Alliance had the authority to deal with it, and the net result is that order is replacing chaos in the body of Christ.

In my section above on “The Present,” I gave you some details. Believe me, they are only the tip of the iceberg as I just learned from a new phone call even as I was writing this paper. The proper apostolic structure, happily, is in place at the time of crisis!

THE FUTURE

It is now important to recognize that from now on we have a different playing field. Two separate things are going on. (1) The Revival Alliance is dealing with Todd Bentley and the fallout from his sin that has been and continues to be exposed. (2) I have told you previously about a group of 11 apostles that I have formed into the Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Team. We no longer need to deal with Lakeland I and Bentley as such. However, we have a list of 24 serious issues that have emerged from that unpleasant experience which need to be thoroughly discussed with the conclusions circulated in the body of Christ. If you have seen Dutch Sheets’ recent “A Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland” you will get a glimpse of some of the things that we agree need to become standard operational beliefs and practices, particularly in our charismatically-inclined evangelical segment of the church.

It will take time, but our Apostolic Team will get to work on the 24 issues after some of this present dust settles, and we will be back to you!

Blessings,

Peter

REFLECTIONS ON WAGNER’S LETTERS

I believe Sheets’ apology and Wagner’s skillful hand-washing documents effectively nail the lid on the coffin of their commingled ministry of “works” and the “modernist movements” and “associations” they variously preside over, newest among which is the United States Apostolic Alliance (USAA)[1] If anything less than a total radical response is forth-coming from this bastion of ‘man’s order’… and the multiplied thousands of individuals and structured societies that are equally despicable, then the day will surely arrive (and soon) when the Lord “will roar out of Zion” and set the record straight in His own ripping apart of their “unholy mountains.” Now is the hour for the Lord’s purging and purifying fire to work through a complete sifting, a repentance touching every thread of the well-intentioned principles at their core, and a total radical reformation if they will humble themselves and be the leaders they were called to be. Imagine such a day! A leadership that models Christ, that is like Christ in total absence of self and self-agenda – a movement that is on fire with the consuming fire of the Son of God. And a movement that is devoid of hyperbole, professional ministry and Hollywood type showmanship, all this under the umbrella of a very evident kingdom building spirit!

As stated by Peter Wagner in the last paragraph of his update on Lakeland (8-25-08), “we have a list of 24 serious issues that have emerged from that unpleasant experience which need to be thoroughly discussed with the conclusions circulated in the body of Christ.” We, the body of Christ, eagerly await a cleansing fire to come forth from this council and sincerely hope it will not be another Edict from the High Powers that makes statements which are never addressed in real life. May it be a true fast and a crying unto the Lord.

[1]   “The United States Apostolic Alliance, USAA,” under the primary leadership of Dutch Sheets, exists to assist and enable the Body of Christ in bringing awakening and social transformation to America. The USAA was launched in March 2008 at the “Aligning the Nation” conference in Colorado Springs with over 1,000 people in attendance. It is the heir apparent or sibling to the ICA, International Coalition of Apostles that has been in existence since the late 1990s and was co-launched by Peter Wagner and John Kelly, later becoming the principal work of Wagner to support his personal ministry associations and monetary coffers. After the recent Lakeland Outpouring scandal, a goodly number of ICA members have abandoned ship, finally coming “out from among them” in this fledgling fashion. May the cover come off this and the other entangled enchantments of this movement, also known (by those who possess the true gift of “discerning of spirits”) to be “Mystery Babylon” in one of her many costumes, fragrances, and make-up! [As of December 30, 2008 inside reliable information has documented that more than 150 of Wagner’s 532 so-called apostles have resigned as a result of the bad publicity…hopefully a significant quantity of this number resigned because of a far more important reason, their eyes and spirit have been opened to this “strange fire!”]

CHAPTER 6

The Rick Joyner/Bill Johnson Factor

My kingdom at any price

THE JOYNER FACTOR

Chief among the so-called “fathers” of the Court of Pentecost is Rick Joyner, who gained popularity as a prophet/teacher in the late 1980s and whose Morning Star Prophetic Journal was one of the most read resources for teaching on the subject. Sad to say, in almost every case of modern ministry development, popularity leads to a subtle shift into the entrepreneurial spirit gaining the upper hand and the “business” of ‘kingdom building’ as its result. No one more aptly portrays this dynamic than Joyner who now enjoys perhaps the strongest business/kingdom stream of them all. He built his headquarters at the newly revived Heritage Center, the former domain of Jim and Tammy Fay Baker of PTL fame (or “infamy” as history sadly records). Truly Joyner has been riding the wave of the modern prophetic all the way to his multi-millions. Joyner was one of the many who on that fateful day, June 24, 2008, laid hands upon and prophesied the great worldwide developments to come from Bentley and the great Lakeland Divine visitation. To visit his web site is to enter an electronic smorgasbord with new options popping up before the viewer, directing them to the many delights on his menu. If you can’t visit the revival in person, his “Holy Spirit Breakout” (the catchy name for his “in-house” revival that has been running parallel with the Lakeland Revival) is available online for a monthly fee, allowing the viewer to tune in nightly in real time or to get the taped version weeks later at a lowered price.

Joyner has been studying revivals for 30 years and had a vested interest in the Lakeland Revival from its inception.

Rick Joyner, like Chuck Pierce and others, sends out a regular bulletin to his followers to keep them on track with his thinking. Within a month of the beginning of the Lakeland Revival Joyner began his nine part series called “The History and Future of the Present Revival.”

In Part 1, written April 30, 2008, Joyner says: “What is breaking out actually has the potential to go beyond revival. This could be the beginning of another ‘Great Awakening’ in America, a spiritual renewal of the country that has a radical impact on the entire nation. If we stay the course, it will result in America being positioned to help prepare the way for the coming kingdom of God. Without this awakening, we will not survive long as a great nation, but will be reduced to a shell of the superpower that we now are. It is that important.”

Two errors need to be pointed out from these comments:

We must ask what God’s will is for America. Is there scriptural evidence to presume that America factors into God’s end-time plan as a “preparer of the way” for the “kingdom of God”?

The money factor takes precedence in his thinking. The need to preserve America’s superpower status (and economy) overrides God’s judgment in order that wealthy ministry machines can continue to prosper and expand (their Dominion Theology dictating that God’s kingdom is dependent on powerful ministries affecting governments in order to accomplish His end-time purposes).

Further on in Part 1 comes more impassioned hyping of not only Lakeland, but Joyner’s now days-old revival in his own Heritage ministry. “What is breaking out at Lakeland and Heritage is just the beginning of a move of God that has the potential to impact every city and town in the United States and Canada and then arc over to Europe. Before this is over, it will have made the news in possibly every nation on earth, but even more importantly, it will have impacted the worldwide body of Christ and will actually give birth to new nations. It is the beginning of something that big.”

Again in response, two key errors:

Do revivals need to be in the news? Is that how the fire of God spreads? By man-made methods, by hyping it on the news, by showing people on God TV or on your webcasts how it is done? Leonard Ravenhill, a man who experienced true revival, knew the Biblical principles at the core of revival and spoke and wrote on them frequently, said: “You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire. Likewise, if your church is on fire, you will not have to advertise it. The community will already know it.”

Birthing new nations sounds exciting to the flesh, but it has absolutely no scriptural backing. There is one birthing that God is desiring, the Woman in Revelation 12 to bring forth the Manchild. Yet, in the modern version of the CER (Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal) of which Joyner is a principal player, there is no true revelation of the Day of the Lord, the Consummation of the Age, and the glorious return of the Son of Man in His Overcomer Company of saints.

In his last section under Part 1, Joyner discusses “Unnecessary Consequences” of revivals and we quote: “Even if the host church is seriously weakened by revival or even devastated, the revival is probably still worth it.”

NOTE: The question is not the church surviving as an institution, a building, or a pastor’s livelihood, but the question is what has happened to the individual souls who are affected by the abuses? In the case of Lakeland, the devastation of souls has been immeasurable. Does Joyner cry out for those hurting, deceived, and disillusioned sheep? Does he call for repentance by Bentley, Wagner, or those who ordained Todd on June 23, himself included? Does he admit to failure in this whole affair, or his singular role of being a key figure in the prophetic movement that molded Todd’s spiritual upbringing? Hear what his response is in Part 8 of “The History and Future of the Present Revival,” posted on 8-17-08, nine days after Joyner hosted Bentley as his guest revivalist at the Heritage Breakout Revival, just a couple of days prior to Bentley’s great moral fracture being exposed.

“We have seen more healings, miracles, and supernatural signs in the last sixteen weeks than we have in the last sixteen years—and we have experienced a lot in the past! We continually walk around in awe now, and this is without question a new level for us, but I also think it is just one more step back to what should be normal church life. This ‘new beginning’ is actually a return to the ‘ancient paths,’ the path of life that the church in the first century began to walk on before it was diverted from its course.”

NOTE: The ancient paths are not built on today’s interpretation of revival, they were the tried and true Words from God Himself that He established when He walked with His people in the Old Testament. We quote: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16 (and following) “Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up” (Jeremiah 18:15). If we seek the ancient paths, then we must radically turn away from burning incense unto modern gods of vanity who teach their adherents to follow prophetic whimsicalness without procuring the cutting edge discernment of the Word of God of every nuance of flesh and soul! “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

In another recently posted bulletin, Joyner addresses questions raised by his readers concerning the present revival(s), his and Lakeland’s. Time and space do not allow for an answer to many of his assertions that are in error, but the following is listed as a prime example of where Joyner is “off” on revivals.

QUESTION 5:

How do you keep from sensationalism during a revival?

Answer:

Joyner says: “. . .Revivals are sensational. Any touch from God is sensational, and people in their exuberance will be expressive about it.”

NOTE: The following is an example of misappropriating scripture to conjure up a smoke screen, a poor defense, and a distortion of understanding truth as Jesus’ life portrayed it. Joyner continues: “A good example is how the Lord told the woman at the well just one little detail about her life and she went running off telling the people in the city that He had told her ‘all the things that I have done’ (see John 4:29). This was a bit sensational I would say, but the Lord used it, and soon those who came out to see Him believed because of their own experience.”

NOTE: The reaction of the woman at the well was not due to emotional hype. She wasn’t slain in the spirit, she didn’t get on all fours and growl like a lion or shriek like a wild bird, nor perform gymnastic exercises and call it worship. No, she was touched so deeply by an encounter with the real Son of God (not by revival hype) that she was moved to perform a near death-defying approach to the very community who considered her a vile outcast. For her, to run into their midst with a burning revelation of the true Christ risked physical violence against one so familiar with evil. Yet, she did it. Why? Because Jesus had visited her at the core of her being by unlocking her from her life of self-illusion, 1) that she had a husband (Jesus standing before her was now the true husband calling out to her to receive Living Water to fill the aching void within her) and 2) that she knew something about worship (worship being at the core of every human being’s issues). The entire encounter of Jesus with the woman at the well is so profound, so deep, so key to understanding His way of releasing all of us from ourselves. So much more has transpired than one mere word of knowledge. By speaking to her religious deceptions (of worship) and revealing Himself as the Christ, Jesus has literally freed this woman from her past. She simply proclaims the truth of the Son of God. And the results? Incredible! The whole city comes out to meet Jesus. Furthermore, after their personal encounter (which scripture does not see fit to detail), they too have been transformed into wholehearted followers of the Messiah, the Promised One, the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

In Part 8 of Joyner’s “The History and Future of the Present Revival” under the heading “Todd Bentley’s Personal Problems,” Joyner defends Todd Bentley after Bentley’s extra-marital affair and planned divorce were uncovered. Joyner wrongly compares the infidelity of Old Testament Israel, the wife of Jehovah, and God’s subsequent reference to this as equivalent to our consideration of unfaithful ministers who get a divorce and should not be disqualified from further ministry. He states:

“So, should someone who is divorced be disqualified from ministry or from leadership in the church? How can we disqualify someone from ministry or leadership for something that would disqualify God? In Jeremiah 3, we are told that God gave Israel a certificate of divorce. God is divorced.”

NOTE: Here Joyner has thrown the Almighty into the same basket as fallen humanity, who cause their own divorces through corrupt character and sin. To whitewash the leprosy of sin in the camp promotes further abuses! Today we are witnessing an almost continuous string of fallen leaders who admit to immorality and who after a period of divorce and remarriage reenter the ministry with their new spouse as the restored and reinvigorated new thing to draw a new crowd or go right on with their old (now more fully deceived) flock. By his open excuses of Todd Bentley and his soft touch on correction, he is responsible for the propagation of this terrible disease within the church as much as anyone else.

Joyner pretends to have known nothing of Bentley’s marital problems, yet for months of documenting the Lakeland Revival, he has showered accolades on his premier new showman in the circus ring. It is obvious when Joyner runs one of the biggest shows on earth at the Heritage Complex, he has talked himself into an airtight alibi for all he has done as well.

In all fairness to Rick Joyner, he has a shepherd’s heart and compassionately expresses it in all of his writings. The prevailing sin in the man’s life is that underneath it all, he is still one who profits by managing the sheepfold. He pretends to care for the welfare of the sheep and then runs to his own profit-center while abandoning them to the epidemic of flakey prophetic and emotional abuses. Such was the character of the Welch Revival in its continuing function for several years after the glory had failed, this artfully documented by Jesse Penn Lewis in War on the Saints.

Joyner’s ministry ventures are fired up by “strange fire” kindled by spirits of light, operating under the surface. His association with the occult through membership in the Knights of Malta is well known, and yet he denies any negative overtones to it. This is a strong example of how those in power turn a blind eye to true “discerning of spirits” (at best only calling it “discernment,” a weak substitute) when a true statement of stating “discerning of spirits” may somehow interfere with their agenda! Their definition of “discernment” is something akin to human intuition, a far cry from the discerning of spirits so needed in their ministry.

Men of power and wealth can manipulate the agenda and frequently do so. Many descriptive self-descriptions abound in their circles such as “the Joseph company anointing…” “tithe to those within your apostolic alignment in order to obtain release of the wealth God wants you to have,” etc. The abuses in these areas are staggering and the craft and stealth of the promotional enticements are beyond imagination.

In conclusion, now, more than ever, we are in need of “Holy Ghost Fire” to expose and overturn “strange fire.” This era demands God’s true Jeremiah’s, Ezekiel’s, Hosea’s, Joel’s, Amos’s, Micah’s, Nahum’s and Malachi’s to trumpet the truth with boldness and fearlessness. Let these scriptures be your clarion call:

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:7&8)

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” (Joel 2:32)

Central to the downward spiritual spiral within the ‘Court of Pentecost’ was that of a wrong turn that took place on June 26, 1956, into a place of much compromise. Before the day was over, it was given a new name called The Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal, Charismatic to give new dignity, Ecumenical to hopefully bridge with others at a new compromised common denominator, and Renewal to hopefully (as stated that day) renew the church. Only the perceptive were reminded that day that scripture is plain: God does not renew old wineskins (Mark 2:22).

From day one to this hour , there has been a rapid escalation of a fleshly outgrowth of the six unrepented evils which God had clearly made known to be the accursed thing…a goodly Babylonian garment. These are:

(1) Pride

(2) Nicolaitanism

(3) Kingdom-building

(4) Babylonian trappings (organizational structuring)

(5) The Cult of Personality

(6) Keeping alive man’s harlot kingdoms, all of the above under the

heading of

(7) Manifolded compromises

A short chronological history of major Christian events provides much-needed understanding of the increasing great deception that has plagued the past half century…a deception that is nearly omnipresent in the ‘Court of Pentecost.’ Many could best be described as “strange fire.”

1948 was obviously a year of New Beginnings (positive and negative) for our nation, for the whole world, and especially for the whole worldwide body of Christ! During that year, Israel finally, after two millennia, again became a nation. The World Council of Churches came into existence. The ministries of Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, William Branham, and Tommy Hicks were launched. Here, I wish to delineate just a few of the many pertinent events (secular, religious and spiritual) that have taken place in our nation from 1948 to 2009.

CHAPTER 7

A Timeline of Pertinent Events

1. 1948 The Latter Rain Revival was started.

2. 1951 The Treaty of Rome was initiated: It was developed and initiated by a noted Roman Catholic named Jean Monet in Rome (and endorsed by the Vatican) in 1951. Its political religious plans for the future of Catholicism were well planned and developed.

3. 1952 The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship (FGBMF) was initiated by me in response to God’s call for me to be a full gospel business man for His glory.

4. 1956 The Charismatic/Ecumenical/Renewal was invented on July 26, 1956 at the third annual FGBMF convention.

Principals: David du Plessis, Oral Roberts, and Demos Shakarian.

5. On the following day (July 27), the FGBMF called an all men’s afternoon meeting. It was at this meeting of 2,000 men that Demos Shakarian presented a newly written constitution, this complete with a doctrinal statement and bylaws. The three writers of this document were Demos Shakarian, Jewel Rose and our FGBMF attorney, George Gardner. 1957 The 1951 Treaty of Rome (see item 2 above) was redeveloped in 1975.

It moved its entire burgeoning inner sanctum and headquarters to Brussels, this in 1957 in order to (in my opinion) hopefully lose its identification with Rome and Roman Catholicism. Also at this time, it took its initial preplanned final step, which since its birth in 1951 had been a planned deception now to be better accomplished by also changing its name to The European Economic Community (E.E.C.). By this time its former name, The Treaty of Rome, had been previously buried by Rome as well as by the world’s obedient media. Hence this new enlarged Treaty was able to be signed (as if it were an entirely new entity) by six newly appointed member nations. By 1980, this Treaty was expanded to ten nations. This political/religious entity soon developed a more common name: The European Common Market.

From 1957 forward this cunning natural pact was a near total parallel to the spiritual pact that had been developed only a year earlier, The Charismatic/Ecumenical/Renewal pact. And this Charismatic (C.E.R.) was as stated initiated on June 26, 1956 at the International FGBMF Convention in Minneapolis. [Every true prophetic voice within the FGBMI knew at that time (1957) that this new redeveloped Treaty of Rome, also known as the Common Market, was totally redeveloped as well as moved to Brussels in order to call less attention and centrality of its directives which were (and still are) centered in favor of Roman Catholicism.]

Every true prophetic voice within the FGBMF (including this author) clearly saw the subtle and dangerous intentions of Roman Catholicism…i.e., that it had been originated IN Rome, and that it was still controlled BY Romanism and FOR Romanism.

6. 1960s Jesus People Church Revival.

7. 1960s Hippie movement.

Morals, drugs, perversion, Haight Asbury, etc.

8. 1960s Christ For The Nations initiated.

a. Principal: Gordon Lindsay.

b. A very apparent kingdom-building spirit prevailed.

9. 1962 Kenneth Hagin Ministries launched.

a. Founded by Kenneth E. Hagin; went on national Christian radio with “Faith Seminar of the Air” in 1962; began ‘Word of Faith’ magazine in 1968, and launched Rhema Bible Training in 1974 in Tulsa. Approximately 6,000 students have graduated from the school and look to Hagin as their father in the faith. In the late 1970s, controversy began to whirl around Hagin and some of his distinctive doctrines that he preached, especially that of accusing Hagin of plagiarizing the works of Essek William Kenyon in some of his own books. Hagin’s teaching gained widespread popularity by being named the prosperity teaching and/or the Name it and claim it teaching. Hagin died at the age of 86 in September 2003. The ministry continues under the leadership of his son, Kenneth Hagin, Jr.

10. 1967 Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (C.C.R.S.):

a. Initiated in Ray Bullard’s home in South Bend.

b. Ray was my appointee as South Bend FGBMF President in 1957. [Mere coincidence?]

c. The C.C.R.S. quickly spread to Ann Arbor, MI.; then rapidly throughout the world…embracing multiplied tens of millions into its fold.

11. 1967 The Holy Spirit Teaching Mission

a. Founded by Eldon Purvis; gathered as well as located its ministry at Fort Lauderdale, Florida which included Derek Prince, Ern Baxter and Bob Mumford.

12. 1968 Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (C.C.R.S.) was formed.

a. Steve Clark, Ralph Martin, Bertolucci, Bert Ghezzi, Kevin Ranaghan, Killian McDonald, Michael Scanlon and Cardinal Suenens, etc. [I have met or sat under the deranged teaching of all of them at least once, including Cardinal Suenens’.]

13. 1970 The Fort Lauderdale Submission Move.

a. Derek Prince, Ern Baxter, Bob Mumford, Don Basham and Charles Simpson. After judging Eldon Purvis, the group took the course of discipleship that ended in the submission message.

14. 1971 First Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (C.C.R.S.) convention at Notre Dame.

a. Held at St. Mary’s College, attendance 5,000.

b. An imitation of the true ‘House of God’ by the spirit of religion.

15. 1972 Second C.C.R.S. convention.

a. Held on Notre Dame campus.

b. Attendance 16,000; principal Cardinal Suenens and 600 priests.

16. 1972 Lutheran Charismatic Conference.

a. Held at Minneapolis Auditorium; David du Plessis was principal speaker.

b. Attendance 12,000.

17. 1975 The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).

a. It was initiated in Helsinki, Finland in 1975, and was composed by the year 2000 of 55 Eastern and Western European nations.

b. Dangerous and constant recurring parallel developments that are near totally immersed with satanic maneuverings barely hide beneath the surface.

18. 1977 Three Streams, One River Launched in 1977 (See Vol. II, Appendix 21 in None Dare Call It Deception!).

Classical Pentecostal (denominational).

Charismatic Pentecostal (independent).

Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

19. 1977 Kansas City Charismatic Rally at Kansas City.

a. 50,000 attendance; uniting Protestant and Catholic Charismatics.

20. 1980 An Apostolic Council of World Leadership.

a. A national convention of Bill Britton Ministries in Springfield, Illinois; attendance 1,200. I was in attendance and that same year wrote a treatise, the title of it being the same as brother David du Plessis’ sermon, The World Needs an Apostolic Council of World Leadership.

21. 1982 Kansas City Prophets founded by Mike Bickle.

a. Principals include Mike Bickle, Bob Jones, John Paul Jackson, and Jim Goll.

22. 1982 Vineyard Christian Fellowship was founded and in 1983 it moved to Anaheim, California.

a. Principal: John Wimber.

b. Also in 1983 Wimber and C. Peter Wagner launch their controversial course, MC510 – The Miraculous and Church Growth at Fuller Seminary.

23. 1986 Charismatic Bible Ministries was formed.

a. Founder Oral Roberts with 73 founding fathers (see Vol. II, None Dare Call It Deception!, Appendix 8 and 8a).

b. This group holds annual conventions at Oral Roberts University each June. Its dues-paying membership includes thousands of national and international ministries.

24. 1986 North American Renewal Service Committee (NARSC) was formed.

a. Initiated with 45 trustees

b. The NARSC became an umbrella for:

25. 1987 First North American Congress on The Holy Spirit.

a. New Orleans; 50,000 in attendance; 51% Roman Catholic.

b. This same year they also formed their parent organization, The North American Renewal Service Committee (NARSC), whose plans had a strong directive worldwide.

c. The two shared directors of this congress and all future congresses were David Vinson Simpson (Pentecostal Holiness Church), their general superintendent and David Sklorenko, Sr., (a prominent Catholic official and priest).

26. 1987 The United States Economic Bubble Bursts (Major Recession).

a. The Dun and Bradstreet stock market dropped in two days from 1900 to under 1100 (almost a 50% drop), taking many years to recover.

27. 1988 Washington For Jesus Rally.

a. Attendance of 700,000.

28. 1990 Second North American Congress on the Holy Spirit.

a. Indianapolis; 35,000 attended (40% Catholics).

29. 1991 The Prophetic Alliance: Formed for the purpose of annually bringing together appointed national leaders who were known to have a reliable prophetic mantel which ended on a classic fiasco note. The first meeting was held in Minneapolis and the second one in Wisconsin. About 40 leaders were in attendance such as Mike Bickle, Rick Joyner and John Paul Jackson.

a. In my opinion, both of these first two conventions were undergirded by strong directives towards that of kingdom building, Nicolaitan control, pride and many typical compromises so germane to all such manmade endeavors. Following this 1991 meeting, the Prophetic Alliance survived by changing its name (not its game) to that of joining its spirit to The Kansas City Prophets.

30. 1991 and 1992: Kansas City Prophets. This is a report of the annual meetings of the Kansas City Prophets which started in 1982.

a. In both ’92 and ’93, Leonard Ravenhill was the primary speaker (speaking five times each year).

b. Ravenhill presented world shaking presentations at every one of these Kansas City meetings which led to thousands dropping to their knees in repentance.

c. The following year (’93), Ravenhill declined an invitation to speak in Kansas City, saying, in effect, that which William Branham said in 1956: If man desires an Ishmael God will allow them to build an Ishmael.

d. Moral problems within the Kansas City Prophets Assn. later brought severe division and problems…necessitating that of turning the leadership of the Kansas City Fellowship over to Vineyard and John Wimber in ’94.

e. This author was in attendance at all of that which is represented in items a, b, c and d.

31. 1992 Third North American Congress on the Holy Spirit.

a. San Antonio, TX; 8,000 attendance (roughly 10% Catholic).

32. 1994 Toronto Blessing breaks out at Toronto Vineyard Church.

a. Principal: John Arnott. This became a wellspring of many who followed: Rodney Howard Brown, Bill Johnson, Todd Bentley, etc. They were joined closely to Peter Wagner. And both Brown and Johnson rejected John Wimbers’ plea to shut down the Toronto ministry. Instead the Toronto Vineyard left the national Vineyard organization and half of the entire Vineyard Fellowship churches left the Vineyard (and may I call it what it was and is a) Denomination to join another denomination (which spirit controls much of Pentecost today) the Toronto Denomination!

33. 1995 The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

34. 1995 Fourth and last North American Congress on the Holy Spirit.

a. Orlando, FL (a total flop).

35. 1995 Pensacola Revival.

a. Principal: Kilpatrick.

36. 1999 Prophetic Round Table: Formed to be an International Round Table of Prophetic/Apostolic Elders. Though not advertised as such, this in essence was a direct descendant of the discredited and defunct Prophetic Association that had its original meeting in Minneapolis in 1991. And most of the promoters and members of the 1999 ‘Prophetic Movement’ were the same ones involved in the 1991 fiasco.

37. 2000 International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) was formed.

a. Principal and Chief World Apostle: Peter Wagner.

38. 2001 – ‘Wisdom 2001’ Convention – was convened in Minneapolis April 25-28, 2001.

a. I knew that this convention was going to be that long expected sign of God’s ongoing judgment by their having been progressively, and sinfully dignifying man’s order with its godless premises. This together with its corresponding refusal to enter the Jordan of separation rather than turning to God’s Divine order with its needed call to Tabernacle Truths.

b. This convention was a moment of great religious non-truth.

c. This convention had a speaker roster of 22 major Charismatic personalities, all who were singularly involved in the early 1960s with the launching of – and promotion of – the Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal movement.

39. 2001 World Trade Center, September 11, 2001

a. Not only did political/economic World War III commence that fateful black Tuesday, September 11, 2001, but the scripturally prophesied worldwide terminal religious war also commenced. And the final battle of fully separating the natal cord of Gods true sons from the woman Eli systems also began! God help us all to come free, and to have His breath of life breathed into us![1]

40. 2006 Pope John Paul II dies and Pope Gregory XVI takes the throne.

41. 2007 (June 27) Tony Blair officially resigned as Prime Minister of Great Britain and on the same date he was:

a. Appointed as Middle East envoy for the United Nations, European Union, United States and Russia to be the correlator to bring harmony in the Arab world, especially between Israel and Palestine.

b. In early 2008, Blair announced he had resigned as a member of the Anglican Church to become a Roman Catholic. Great Britain’s standing policy is one wherein all heads of state (his former post) must be Anglican.

c. Media has speculated that Blair is planning to become the first President of the European Council (often touted as the ‘President of the European Union’ or the “President of Europe”), a post created by the Treaty of Lisbon that would come into force in 2009, if successfully ratified.

42. 2008 (March) Lakeland, Florida Revival starts.

a. Principal; Todd Bentley. They were called “Fresh Fire” (an offshoot of the Toronto Blessing).

b. Media reports as of July 15, 2008 state average daily attendance at this revival [of old wineskins] at Lakeland was more than 8,000 for a period of more than three months.

43. 2008 (May 28) The new ‘Apostolic World Order’ was formed by Tony Blair.

a. The Reverend Rick Warren, Founder and Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church; he as author of the ‘Purpose Driven Church’ was added to Tony Blair’s Advisory Council. Of the ten, he is by far the most influential as well as famous. Worse, he without a doubt is one of the world’s most influential evangelicals.

b. Tony Blair’s Advisory Council: Truly a literal Religious Tower of Babble. The following ten are the names of those who are principals on Tony Blair’s Advisory Council.

c. The following ten are the names of those who are now the principals on ‘Tony Blair’s Advisory Council.’ For needed emphasis, we repeat, Rick Warren is by far the most influential figure on this newly appointed (religious?) board (of strange bedfellows) formed on May 28, 2008:

1. The Reverend Rick Warren, Founding and Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church; author of the ‘Purpose Driven Church.’

2. Dr. Ismail Khudr AL-Shatti, Advisor in Diwan of HH the Prime Minister of Kuwait and former President of the Gulf Institute for Futures and Strategic Studies.

3. Dr. Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

4. The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres, Lord Bishop of London.

5. The Reverend Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance.

6. Professor Jagtar Singh Grewal, former Chairman of the India Institute of Advanced Study and former Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University.

7. Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbot of the Upaya Zen Center.

8. Right Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Bishop of Kaduna.

9. Anantanand Rambachan, Professor and Chair of the Religion Department at St. Olaf College, Minnesota.

10. Rabbi David Rosen, Chairman of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations.

44. 2008 (May 31) The Global Reformation and P.E.A.C.E. Coalition was formed.

a. Three days following the May 28 formation of Tony Blair’s new ‘Apostolic World Order,’ Rick Warren announced that he had formed an organization called The Global Reformation and P.E.A.C.E. Coalition.

b. A recent article from ‘Apprising Ministries’ notes correctly that “Rick Warren wants to build bridges to Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. All those Huguenots who were butchered for clinging to Scripture alone should have known that building bridges to Rome would have been far less costly.”

e. I believe Rick Warren’s new Global Reformation and P.E.A.C.E. Coalition is little more than ‘New Age’ madness having run amok.

45. 2008 (June 24) Todd Bentley set apart as an evangelist.

a. Todd Bentley joins Peter Wagner and other previously appointed apostles to Wagner’s rapidly growing ‘Apostolic Federation’ called the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE). On June 24, millions around the world watched on TV as man’s order bestowed upon Todd Bentley the rite of soon becoming anointed as one of their Apostles. This was instituted by Peter Wagner along with Rick Joyner, Bill Johnson, Bill B. Miller, Patricia King, Che Ahn, Stephen Strader and many other notables who added prophetic substance to this rite of passageway.

[1]    “And she [the woman, the emancipated church] brought a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne [Gr.: authority]. And the woman fled into [an even more tragic place than the place of Pentecost where she had been wandering for two 1,000 year days] the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God [a place wherein this people are saved but not really and truly born again], that they [this ‘man child company] should lead her there a thousand two hundred and three score days [[This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him (John in 96 A.D.), to shew unto his servants [you and me] things which must shortly come to pass …” (Revelation 1:1 and 12:5-6)

CHAPTER 8

Manifestation Excesses

History shows that counterfeits and manifestation excesses have often flooded in towards the end of a true Revival, and this happens by the devil trying to completely destroy it if possible, or at the very least discredit it. This is precisely what happened to the 1904 Welsh Revival, the 1906, as well as the 1948 visitations.[1]

As many Christians know, Wales in 1904-1905 was truly aflame for God. This was one of the most powerful Revivals of all time. The bars and taverns were emptied, the judges were left with few (if any) criminal cases to try, and tens of thousands were converted in a matter of months. The Revival was being reported in newspapers around the world.

But the young leader, Evan Roberts, was suffering badly under the strain of it all. He was just 27 years old. Roberts apparently got the idea from somewhere that he was “stealing glory from God” by being so prominent in the Revival. He had already suffered several minor breakdowns under the pressure. This time he hid himself away for good – stating that he was giving his life over to prayer and seclusion.

In the months and years that followed, the devil flooded the whole thing with deceptions and false manifestations on such a scale that this revival probably had the “messiest” ending of any other spiritual visitation of historical record. It was to be the last Revival that Wales would ever have – right up to the present day. But at least one hundred thousand converts remained steadfast.

Several years later, Evan Roberts and Jesse Penn-Lewis co-authored a book called War on the Saints to warn against all the counterfeits and deceptions that they were seeing in the aftermath of the Revival. It is a disturbing book which probably places too much emphasis on the devil, but vividly describes many counterfeit manifestations and how to avoid being deceived by them.

The book makes some very wise observations about how deception enters in. Here is a typical extract: “…these demons hover round the soul, and make strange suggestions to the mind of something odd, or outlandish, or contrary to common sense or decent taste. They make these suggestions under the profession of being the Holy Ghost. They fan the emotions, and produce a strange, fictitious exhilaration, which is simply their bait to get into some faculty of the soul. One person said he felt like rolling on the floor, and groaning and pulling the chairs around, but he distinctly perceived that the impulse to do so had something wild in it; and a touch of self display contrary to the gentleness and sweetness of Jesus; and, as quick as he saw it was an attack of a false spirit, he was delivered. Another man had the same impulse, and fell down groaning and roaring, beating the floor with his hands and feet, and the demon entered into him as an angel of light getting him to think that his conduct was of the Holy Ghost, and these radical manifestations became a regular habit in these meetings. The effects of being influenced by this sort of demon were manifold and were plainly legible to a well-poised mind, they causing people to run off into things that were odd and foolish, unreasonable and indecent…”

Roberts and Penn-Lewis also make the following very crucial statement in the same book: “The false conception of ‘surrender’ as yielding the body to supernatural power – they having been taught to allow the mind to cease to act – this then became the highest subtlety of the enemy.” Charles Finney made very similar statements in his own day.

Now, as we have seen clearly in this chapter, there is absolutely NO WAY that true prophetic vessels such as Finney, Wesley, Bartleman, Evan Roberts, Tommy Hicks, William Branham, Leonard Ravenhill, etc. would have condoned any of the manifestation movements such as the ones we have seen in the last twenty years – with very little emphasis on repentance, sanctification, holiness and a contrite spirit, much less moving towards any (but a very few) coming to the knowledge of “walking in the spirit.” What we are seeing today, instead, is whole movements made up of the very things that they were trying to keep out of their own revivals! There should be no doubt, “counterfeits have taken over. I find it ridiculous in the extreme when modern writers try to prove the validity of these manifestations by pointing to past revivals and saying, “These things happened back then too.” Yes – they did! They happened when counterfeits and excesses were trying to flood in and ruin real moves of God. All the great revivalists would tell you so.

It seems that many similar deceptions are prevalent in the Prophetic as well as the more recent Apostolic movements, both being direct descendants of a Charismatic movement that has lost all semblance of the ‘Way’ (i.e., of Christ having become Lord and Master).

In the times we live in, it is essential for Christians to hone their discernment while at the same time paying the price of “denying oneself” necessary to step into that much higher value of true “discerning of spirits.” I myself certainly believe in the moving of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit and true signs and wonders from God. The emphasis in today’s manifestation movements is ‘revival.’ However, we do not need revival, which today has its roots in the reviving of old wineskins. What the whole world needs is a turn of the corner best called restoration; a need …to restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm my great [destroying] army which I have sent among you (Joel 2:25).

The Bible states that the Last Days are an age of deception. And in times like these, a true restoration can only come to pass, much less survive, if it is deeply grounded in truth and true discerning of spirits.

The Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal has been the centerpiece of the progressive attack upon holiness, sanctification, true repentance, etc., thus being responsible for birthing an arena of compromise that has been launched against true ‘Pentecost’ since 1956 to the present time.

The day is close at hand of the possible merging of the spirits of (1) Rick Warren’s Global Reformation and P.E.A.C.E. Coalition, melded together with the spirits underlying (2) the Todd Bentley type of ‘hype’ – which have joined spirits to (3) Peter Wagner’s rapidly growing Apostolic Federation. These streams of deception have behind them the same evil spirits, however each of these manifest themselves in different ways and appeal to different groups of people.

Further the stage is being set for that which God’s true prophets see as a rise of the scripturally prophesied revived Roman Empire.”

In closing, true discerning of spirits must return to the church if we are ever to fulfill God’s Ultimate Purpose for our being here on earth ...at such a time as this. With many travesties and tragedies having taken place over recent decades – like September 11, 2001 – the tremendous moral depravity in the nation – sodomy beyond belief becoming common place and accepted – the fierceness of Islamic terrorism in particular – earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. – the current economic and housing collapse together with the energy crisis – as well as tidal waves in the Far East – and the Near East problems in general – all of us ought to easily see by the Word that… we are living on extended time. We must ask the Lord for continued extended time to His timetable of coming judgment, and this because even God’s true church “outside the camp” is perilously depraved and is not ready or capable of enduring such impending judgment.

These judgments that have descended in rapid fire upon our nation and upon the world will soon descend upon the whole worldwide secularized church, for that matter upon the whole calloused self-satisfied world.

The call for a new Interfaith Tony Blair/Rick Warren World Order is central to Satan’s call to reactivate ‘a Revived Roman Empire.’ All of us need to watch for Europe to possibly link with this new Warren/Blair combination.

The call for Todd Bentley’s and Peter Wagner’s new Interfaith Charismatic Networking scheme parallels the same evil that Constantine invented in 325 A.D. (the Nicene Council) in order to bring into being a New World Order (The Roman Empire). The same networking scheme gave new life to the machine by Constantine finding commonality between Judaism, paganism and Christianity. This same evident mixture of the precious with the vile, together with their kingdom building challenge for religious supremacy, presents today’s need to see and understand the tremendous void of true Holy Ghost discerning of spirits in today’s church.

Millions throughout the world viewed on June 24, 2008 Peter Wagner – including such as Rick Joyner, Bill Johnson, Keith Miller, Patricia King and many other notables – bestow the calling of evangelist upon Todd Bentley, the beginning stage of bestowing upon him the great title of the world’s new “Apostle First Class.” The entire so-called worship was remindful of over embellished ecstasy of joy evidencing a final pinnacle of total arrival, almost no higher plateau to be gained. I could only, with remorse, wish they had practiced their gymnastics at a local gym instead of calling it a revived church order! As the TV cameras regularly zoomed in on scores of individuals, I never once saw a tear of repentance or an evidence of awareness to God’s corporate and individual coming judgment upon all of their mixture of the precious with the vile. This was little more than a brazen attempt to bypass the Cross. All I could envision throughout the episode during the near hysterical demonstration was that which Moses felt when he came down from the mountain with the two tablets and saw his people dancing around a golden calf (Exodus 32:19).

Leonard Ravenhill, author of Why Revival Tarries, expressed the urgency of the prophets preaching the whole counsel of God in these last days:

“Sodom-like sin must merit Sodom-like judgment. This was the iniquity of Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me (Ezek. 16:49-51). We need prophets for this day of doom! Neither Gideon nor anyone else gets into trouble for having visions. Let Gideon, however, slip out at midnight and cut down the groves of Baal – then hell releases all its fury. And believe me, the hour and minute hand is at midnight. Let the John the Baptists of this hour call the priests vipers, and rail at Herod’s adultery – and he signs his own death warrant.

At the trial of Luther, Archbishop Eck continued to press and malign Luther. Finally, he said: “I ask you, Martin – do you or do you not repudiate your books and the errors which they contain?” Luther replied: “...Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. Amen.”[2] Together with Luther, I, too, stand.

[1]     It is worthy to note here, the same “manifestation excesses” were a major part of the nullification and true glory lifting from both the 1906 as well as the 1948 to 1952 and the 1953 to 1956 visitations. And in all instances, the true prophetic and apostolic voices (brother Leonard Ravenhill is a most singular example) physically departed from the whole messy arrangement long before it finally would mire on the quick sand of nothingness.

[2]   From None Dare Call It Deception! (Volume 2) and Masters of Deception! (Volume 3), both a part of our six book Show The House To The House series.

SEGMENT 2:

PURIFYING HOLY GHOST FIRE

CHAPTER 9

Real Holy Ghost Fire

A Spirit of Repentance

While “strange fire” runs rampant among many Pentecostal circles, I have had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of some of God’s great saints. Apart from the uniqueness of brother Branham’s ministry, I value a certain portion of brother Ravenhill’s presentation as having been as uniquely exacting as anything that ever came forth from brother Branham.

Brother Ravenhill moved to Minneapolis not long following his ministry in the British Isles. He took residence at Bethany Fellowship as a base to work out from in public evangelism. Several times during this tenure he would, prior to daylight, knock on my door saying, “Let’s pray.” After the first time, I knew what to expect: heart-rending intercessory prayer that would last all day.

One of our great pleasures was our gathering of about 100 in our home to dedicate our last of four children to the Lord. At the age of three weeks, Timothy John Sonmore was dedicated to the Lord by brother Ravenhill. It was on the eve of Ravenhill’s having published his first of many famous books. This one, Why Revival Tarries, is a masterpiece and so very appropriate to this hour. His word to Tim was written in the front leaf – and this was the first copy prior to distribution of this book, one which he had specially bound in leather. What a keepsake!

Of all services I’ve ever attended ten of them are the most important. Leonard Ravenhill was the keynote speaker at the Kansas City Prophet Conventions in Kansas City in 1992 and again in 1993, five meetings in 1992 and five in 1993. When the typical three worship leaders were finished, Mike Bickle with pleasure each morning introduced brother Ravenhill.

Each of the ten times (five times each year) following being introduced, brother Ravenhill after a moment of silent prayer would totally disarm the whole directive of the meetings by saying let’s sing together: Jesus is the Sweetest Name I know…or O the Blood of Jesus…or some other simple chorus (such captivating choruses and songs rarely then (as now) ever a part of that which they erroneously call worship.

Brother Ravenhill would continue in his presentation of true holiness, a challenge of the great need to walk in the Spirit, a spirit of awe and great repentance followed. Of the ten services, brother Ravenhill never finished a single one of them. Long before he had finished his presentation, the altar and aisles were filled with people prostrated before the Lord in repentance. With no room in the aisles, the people fell on their knees throughout the whole auditorium. The audible weeping was of such volume that brother Ravenhill was not able to continue his dissertation…and he too would just drop to his knees with the rest of the thousands.

A REAL OUTPOURING

History shifted on the 12th day in February of 1948 when the water gushed forth from The Rock in unprecedented Holy Spirit Outpouring, this in response to a contrite group of young people speaking to [and crying out for more than 70 days] to that Rock [Jesus]. These 116 students had, even as most all of us evangelicals have so done, wandered in the wilderness of religion since that original outpouring that came according to His promise on that first Pentecost of Acts 2, 2000 years ago.

What an impact it was to witness firsthand the Real Thing in 1948, the pure virgin outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the fullness of time, which revolutionized hundreds of thousands which it touched, starting with the 116 freshmen students in North Battleford, Canada. These were ones who came under an unction of prayer, Fasting, Seeking TRUTH and setting themselves APART for 60 days, the directive being nothing more than to repent, cry out, and seek the face of the Lord!

Little did they know what awaited them. And little do we perceive today that which awaits those who will cry out in like manner, priests who will weep between the porch and the altar. It will take this same depth of desperate travail, accompanied with much needed repentance, to again bring into being such a worldwide shaking in this ungodly hour!

THE LATTER RAIN VISITATION (1948-1952)

In late November 1947, evangelist William Branham held a series of meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brother Branham had risen from seemingly nowhere and had burst upon the North American scene only a few months earlier. His ministry in Vancouver precipitated a visitation which began shortly thereafter in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on February 12, 1948. This visitation was initiated for the most part by praying students of a new Bible school in North Battleford, 116 first year students who had entered into more than two months of day and night intercession following their attendance of this brother Branham crusade in Vancouver in late November 1947.

Recipients of this Latter Rain visitation in North Battleford (and the multiplied thousands who came from all over the world to the scene of this visitation) believed this would be only a small token of a much greater visitation that was yet to come in, to – and through – the Lord’s final Overcomer Church. This 1948 outpouring of God’s undeserved grace – very pure in its initial months – would soon come to be widely known throughout the whole world of Pentecost as The Latter Rain Visitation.

As in all times of revival these seekers – though rapidly increasing to a quantity of tens of thousands during 1948 – still represented only a very small minority of the church. Its recipients began to move with signs following and gifts of the Spirit functioning so voluminously in both personal and corporate expressions that even they were baffled by its depth and scope.

Almost overnight, countless thousands had a first fruits taste of “The Feast of Tabernacles” with its higher values of fulness and overcoming, as well as that of a much higher level of worship. These saints began moving down the road to being changed into Gods image. This deeper spiritual dimension – including the gifts and fruit of the Spirit that were consistently evident in most of those who entered this move of God – was a dimension that very few are seeking today, and one that even fewer are willing to pay the price to enter into.

However, the gifts of the Spirit and signs following within these adherents to this move of God brought fear as well as envy to most Pentecostal churches that, for the most part, were having trouble holding their congregations together under their strong thumb of hierarchical denominational control. Further, this visitation’s followers were not embarrassed to often declare the Word: Come out from among them and be ye separate. They were also very open in their declarations: Therefore, let us join him outside the camp for here in the camp [of man’s order] we have no continuing city. As could be expected, because this move of God challenged denominational structures, as well as proclaimed a broad and effective scriptural cry for something more than the status-quo, the above mentioned come out of her my people theme, including the basic truths of this Latter Rain visitation, was bitterly fought by most Pentecostal denominations. At the forefront of rejection was the hierarchy of the Assemblies of God, by far the largest Pentecostal denomination.

This initially small remnant of God’s people, soon rapidly expanded to a huge quantity as latter rain values, directives, and gifts – pure and holy throughout all who entered in during its initial months – gave fresh hope and vitality to millions throughout the world. This had come about, and then through, those that had cried out in repentance. As they came into a prevailing understanding that almost all of the Christian church had embraced a form of Christian humanism and religious materialism, they began to cry out in repentance. God answered their cry almost from its inception.

Starting with the conclusion of the war in August 1945, the spirit of religious humanism/materialism, had the immediate effect of bringing the spirit of compromise into most all of structured church order and directives. Sadly, this began the process (1956 to 2009) of gradually infecting most of the worldwide so-called Christian church with the spirit of compromise. This spirit of compromise began to make its move to join to, then absorb then control this visitation, even during its very first months of February 1948.

A primary feature of this “visitation” was one of the deep calling unto the deep saying, set my people free. The Holy Spirit apprehended His intercessors to pray that the new-found freedom that had come to the secular world after the end of World War II in 1945 would have its spiritual parallel in the church. But that did not last very long. As in the secular world, the church only too rapidly would also use this new-found liberty as an excuse. And then other worldly values crept in to replace godly values. Soon the emphasis was on doing, not on being. Love of building (or rebuilding) undergirded everything. Pride was rampant. The spirit of the “age” was that of children and young men. Their exuberance to go just so far and no further left no room for fathers (natural or spiritual) to be heard (I John 2:13).

When this visitation hit Minneapolis in 1948, my life was totally and miraculously changed into that of another man, no longer dedicated to mere Moses style “Feast of Pentecost” wilderness wandering. I was forever nailed to the cross of an entirely different set of values and theological understanding of God’s scriptural truths and directives. And I’ve found over these past 60 years that these values – “Feast of Tabernacle” values – are the only means to a true walk of the Spirit.

My first experience of many such experiences came in a mansion on 26th and Portland in Minneapolis in mid-1948. When a close friend invited me to go and to bring my saxophone to play in their small orchestra, I was very happy to do so. He said this was a new group of people, some of which had been to North Battleford, Canada in 1948, at the “latter rain outpouring.”

From the beginning of the meeting, the solemnity, the worship, and the testimonies were baffling. I asked the Lord, “Can this I see, feel and hear be really true?” In time, they began to sing that which, since that day, has become Jeanne’s and my favorite chorus:

This is the promise of the coming latter rain. Look up, behold the ripening grain. Mighty signs and wonders in His precious name; Drink, oh drink, my people, for this is latter rain.

By the time they had sung this chorus the third time, I could not play another note because of the awe of God’s presence.

Then it happened. Within the walls of this hollowed out mansion holding about 100 worshipers, about fifteen of them began to dance in the spirit. I could hardly believe it. Being a very fervent Foursquare Pentecostal for six years, I had never seen nor even heard of such a thing called “dancing in the spirit.” But my awe quickly turned to extreme reverence, a feeling of deep respect and love for my only Master, this somehow also unleashing within me a dread of divine retribution. When the congregation began to sing this chorus the fourth time, I noticed that all of the fifteen, with hands and heads raised heavenward in worship, many twirling around like tops, were doing so with their eyes closed. Watching and feeling the glorious presence of the Lord was not only something beyond awesome but was one that left me speechless with disbelief of that which I was witnessing. Playing my instrument was now impossible for I could hardly breathe as I witnessed that which was taking place before me. If that was not sufficient to change my life forever, I became even more amazed at that which I viewed when the last note of the singing came to an unplanned end. Every single one of these who had danced up and down aisles, some twirling in circles, not a one of them ever falling or hitting against one another (all still with eyes closed), were at the same seat where they started, as if on cue when the last unplanned close came to the seventh or eighth time through this chorus of true understandable words to this chorus. They then sat down also as if on cue. No Hollywood production has ever staged anything to compare.

My life that day and since has cried out to be changed into His image. The jumping around today in many churches is little more than a substitute for calisthenics, really a demonstration best suited for a gymnasium while calling it “dancing in the spirit.” With sadness, I recognize through discerning of spirits the fallacy of such over embellished display, such gifts primarily used to promote their self-appointed leadership quality. And many of them use their position of leadership as a cover up for their obvious lack of substance. Most of this fleshly display in today’s religious market place is close to being near entirely of another spirit, at the least a Spirit of flesh and far too often of a demonic “strange spirit.”

My life was totally changed along with hundreds of thousands of Pentecostals during that year (1948), I being one of those who were changed into His image by the impact of witnessing countless thousands of God’s wilderness wandering ‘Pentecostals’ changed into ‘Tabernacle’ saints who now flowed freely in the three Revelation gifts.

Overnight, a huge majority of those attending these crusades were overwhelmed by the understanding that – coincidental with one’s baptism of the Holy Spirit – the Lord desired to divide to every man severally of these nine gifts of the Holy Spirit as He will, [not just to give them to a nicolaitanized clergy class of individuals]. Overnight, many local religious dwarfs were changed into spiritual giants moving in newfound power and anointing – with all of the gifts of the Spirit beginning to function in their lives. This phenomenon – God also distributing all nine of these “gifts of the spirit” to a lay class – shook our city of Minneapolis to its very self-satisfied religious (but not very godly) core. The glory of God broke forth because of the astounding ministry of brother Branham – this soon happening in nearly every city and hamlet throughout our country and Canada (soon throughout the whole world).

Millions embraced the truth that the Lord indeed was sending something new…a “first fruit,” true sample of a “Feast of Tabernacles…Latter Rain visitation.” And that something – a place ‘Beyond Pentecost’ – was already being capsulated into true body ministry.

Just as prophets of old, we now recognize our call to speak the truth in love by illuminating afresh the light of God’s truth, which alone can set today’s captives free. Many are called to be a part of what God desires to birth in this last hour, but few are chosen, and fewer hear the message by the spirit. And still fewer respond, these being ones who are willing to pay the price that always goes with fully embracing the Cross-Life…thus producing a small remnant that are building His ‘True Church’ in this hour.

CHAPTER 10

A Remnant

True Sanctification and Holiness

Daniel was told regarding mysteries: And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked [or children of compromise] shall understand; but the wise [at the time of the end] shall understand (Daniel 12:8-10).

“Lord,” I ask, “how can we qualify, even more so be wise enough to understand these mysteries?” And He replied: Buy the truth [pay the price], and sell it not; also [buy] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding (Proverbs 23:23). In essence, the Lord is saying: “Truth, as well as wisdom, instruction, and understanding, does not come without paying a price. If you want to learn truth and walk in truth, you must be willing to submit yourself to My correctional judgments.”

Isaiah 55:3 says: “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

It is those sure mercies that God is still offering in this hour – a covering of protection and a tabernacle of meeting with the Holy One of Israel. I pray that you, the reader, will be overwhelmed by the merciful nature of our God as you also see His Holiness that burns with Purifying Holy Ghost Fire.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw…one like unto the Son of man…and his eyes were as a flame of fire and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters…and he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last (excerpts from Rev. 1:12-17).

It is time to know the Lord as He has revealed Himself in His book called the Revelation of Jesus Christ – to know Him face to face, and now! And what will we behold as we look into His face? Eyes that burn with fire! Are we ready for that? Can we even stand to do that? And not be consumed? Yet He is beckoning us to know Him ever the more as we gaze deeply, most likely for the first time, into His face, into His eyes that are like fire. This is what must happen in order for one that is saved to be able to also say: Now I am born again!

There are two kinds of fire – “Strange Fire” versus “Holy Ghost Purifying Fire.” To one who desires the Purifying Fire of the Lord, be assured you will soon endure (along with every true Old and New Testament saint), a consuming of the “wood, hay, and stubble” (1 Cor. 3:12) that we have built in our lives, and that includes the false teachings and wayward manifestations of the flesh that we may have unwittingly taken into our souls. Dear ones, when you are truly born again, you will experience the true values of the two-edged sword that comes out of His mouth. This is His Word that pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).[1]

Throughout scripture, God used broken vessels to plead with His people to put on sackcloth and ashes and repent and seek the Lord, then do an about face. And in this closing down hour, this mandate of the Lord is specifically directed to the most recent prophetic, now centralized in the apostolic movement and appointments!

The purpose of revealing sin in the camp is not the primary purpose of this or any true prophetic “voice”…but to clear away the blinding cobwebs in order to shine the light of God’s truth which alone can set the captives free. Many are called to be a part of that which God desires to birth in the last hour, but few are chosen (or few hear the message and fewer yet respond). Thus a remnant is what is being built.

LOVE AND TRUST

I have seen many marvelous physical healings, but I have never seen a miracle to compare with the Holy Spirit controlled meetings between 1953 and 1956 among a body of believers whose mutual love and trust moved powerfully among a host of brethren. It was a true “baptism of love.” Unfortunately, as in that segment of the body of Christ mentioned above, we today have also lost the unifying quality in most Spirit filled circles. What has happened?

We must again find that place in the Spirit where we can support one another. We must stand together in “fear and trembling.” We must recognize our shortcomings and great need for a reversal of the trend, repent of our deficiencies, and determine to contend for the restoration of lost love and mutual trust. In addition, we must again contend for and live in anticipation of the double portion promised in the book of Joel!

The eklektoi (chosen ones) who are earnestly contending for God’s highest are a mere handful. Many recognize that in themselves they do not have the basic qualifications to teach a Sunday School class, much less to lead a whole world of lost or spiritually stunted humanity out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land.

It seems as if a true end time army moving in corporate unity, speaking the same words, is beyond the realm of possibility; we are separated by thousands of miles, denominational walls, diverse doctrines, and a myriad of humanistic religious forms of worship. Still, we must have a mutual love and trust that will rise above differences that are not foundational, allowing us to see beyond the veil of flesh into the realm of the Spirit. Finding that place of true love and trust, however, will come only to and through a people who have experienced a new revelation of the need for the Lordship of Jesus...of His love and ultimate (end-time) purpose for those who are His very own.

Trust has become an elusive quality, even among the people of God’s end-time army. Every consideration affecting Kingdom work must be weighed carefully as the eternity of thousands of souls hangs in the balance. We must move in the Spirit, making our central theme “the preferring of one another in true agape love.” Thus, all political maneuvering, which is of the flesh, must be eliminated. For the chosen ones, there will be no place for behind-the-scenes schemes. Instead, mutual trust will be the obvious outgrowth of a transparent vessel having poured out “unfeigned love from a pure soul.”

FIRST LOVE

In the message of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John – and to the Church – God shows His displeasure toward those believers who had left “their first love” (Rev. 2:4). Man is never void of love, whether it is the lower philadelphia type of “phileo-love,” or the “agape-love” of the Spirit. Those of Ephesus left the latter to embrace the former. They did not lose their first love; they left it. There is a great difference between losing or leaving your first love ... the latter being a product of willful disobedience. God said that they could determine to return to it, but if they did not, their place [as a candlestick] would be taken away!

God commended the Ephesians, however, for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans. They were deeds which Christ also hated. The word Nicolaitan comes from the Greek nikao (to conquer) and laos (the people). Their hatred was focused on those actions that conquered the people and brought them into bondage. The revelation which came to the Apostle John in 96 A.D. deals with an obvious danger of the present time – promotion of human leadership. The promotion of human leadership today, as in John’s day, takes it from God ordained leadership under the control of the Spirit and leads it into a sensual realm under the fleshly control of man.

It is amazing that the hated Nicolaitanism of Ephesus (Rev. 2:6) later became an acceptable doctrine in Pergamos (Rev. 2:15).[2] Pressure must have driven those in Pergamos to seek another security. When Christ ceases to be our security, we begin to lose our agape love and invariably turn our confidence toward “brotherhood” with its lesser form of philadelphia (phileo) love. By itself, such phileo love only produces bondage. To give life, it must be impregnated by the highest form of devotion, which is agape love. And this agape love is experienced only when Jesus is central and uppermost in all things. The lesser, phileo, must be controlled and influenced by the greater, agape (I John 4:9-11).

When believers forsake a walk in the Spirit in total communion with Him they soon forget the mutual blending within God’s agape love! The blessed experience of being one in Christ is soon replaced by phileo love. Pressure always comes from the Babylonian system around us; and within the eye of this storm, brethren invariably reverse God’s order, seeking refuge and security first in the fellowship and activity they have created, rather than finding it in Him. Then, when security in God alone is usurped by the security of the nucleus, vertical agape love (God’s love) is replaced by horizontal phileo love (man’s lesser love). What is left is merely a compromised substitute of what God intended.

We can be born into His body, baptized into His body, but we cannot join His body through membership. Membership as practiced in most churches cannot be backed by Scripture. Worse, membership lists may one day be required by a future totalitarian government. It’s possible that the Christians of our nation one day could be subjected to persecution, perhaps death, through computer generated roundup lists obtained by mandate by such a government.

The true Church cannot be used to bring fear to those unwilling to submit. The true Church is a worldwide “living organism” with God Himself as its common respirator (breath of life). These people have no organizational cohesiveness apart from “the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one” (I John 5:8). These have found foundational truths and are speaking the same thing. They speak the same thing, not because they have found agreement through some form of “submission” or “networking” mechanism, but because they are drinking from the same well of Living Waters. These have not agreed to agree.

To such people of agreement, anything that man might add is readily acknowledged as a substitute. This universal body of Christ is composed only of those who crown Him King and know the reality of a victorious walk beside their Saviour. They are being formed into His image, brought together in true love, and possessed with the love Jesus manifested: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This depth of fellowship in Christ produces people who adhere to the Word: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

This reads, “love one another,” not “love one from another.” This word “from” would imply a mutual love, one returned in kind to its sender. Jesus gave completely of Himself even though we rejected Him. He loved us and died for us even though we spurned His love. He loved us and died for us even though we have done nothing to deserve His love. This is not an “I will love you if you love me.” It is a “love one to another” that demands nothing in return.

[1]     This “dividing asunder of soul and spirit” – this “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” – is something far different than the current weak proclamations of today’s ‘kingdom builders’ that claim they have “discernment.” Today’s proclaimers are a far cry from the right scriptural “discerning of spirits.”

[2]     “Nicolaitanism (from nikao, “to conquer” and from laos, “the people” or “laity”). There is no ancient authority for a sect of the Nicolaitans. It refers to the earliest forms of notion to provide a “priestly order” or “clergy,” which later divided an equal brotherhood (Matt. 23:8) into “priests” and “laity.” What in Ephesus were “deeds” (Rev. 2:6) had become a “doctrine” in Pergamos (Rev. 2:15).

The preceding paragraph is quoted from the only Scofield version being published until about the early 1960s. From good authority, I was told that the Southern Baptist convention, at the time representing nearly 10 million members, demanded that this footnote be deleted in the present version or they would withdraw their support of the Scofield Bible. If this demand was given, it is obvious that the desire of a self-perpetuating hierarchical “clergy-class” of “controllers” to ensure its continuing control and the continuation of its finances and salaries had made its point and won. This overwhelming desire to hide this Nicolaitan invention is basic in Christendom’s declining walk. “It is needful to record that this very illuminating Scofield footnote has been eliminated from their editions for the past 30 years. Presumably the word,”. . . Nicolaitanism, which I [God] also hate” (Rev. 2:6) is felt in the contemporary church world to be unimportant.

CHAPTER 11

Cultitis

With kingdom building and personality cultitis rampant, the religious climate of today causes us to focus our primary attention upon one another instead of upon Christ. Where our treasure is, there our heart is also (Luke 12:34). We begin to treasure what God has done for us rather than what He wants to do in us! Soon, we come under bondage to the very things we have struggled to save . . . our security and reputation. Next, we become nothing more than cogs in the “philadelphia machine” that desires the approval of man more than God.

Paul Flemming, founder of New Tribes Missions, stated the single thing he feared most was “that New Tribes Missions, which was so bitterly opposed by organizations and individuals, would [someday] be accepted and recognized by men.” He said that his desire was to be approved by God even if he never heard the plaudits of men.

OVERCOMERS

Today, out of each church typified by those such as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, or present day Laodicea, Christ has promised to bring forth a company of overcomers. These are Christians who must overcome every contrary spirit and situation at hand, literally living in the reality of the greater overcoming the lesser. Theirs is true agape love! They love even though they are spoken against. They understand even though they are misunderstood. They bless even though they are cursed. “By the things they have suffered,” they have learned how to overcome evil with good.

My prayer for us in this day is this: O God, please make us wise to the subtle devices of Satan, and give us understanding to comprehend our human frailties! To You and to You alone can we cling, for we know that You, Lord – in Your great providence and according to Your Word – will fully perform Your eternal purposes for this hour! May we humbly be that people in whom You delight!

Can it be possible that God’s remnant, always so joyful in presenting itself as a fellowship and not as a denomination, has lost the true spirit of fellowship? Is the fellowship being subtly replaced by the spirit of denominationalism (or domination)? Are more and more people being dominated by a few as the time of the end draws near?

Centralized control is implemented primarily through two major deviations from God’s Word:

Seeking the counsel of others about decisions of personal responsibility rather than seeking God.

Falling prey to a spirit of Nicolaitanism (a controlling priesthood order).

First Corinthians 15:46 reveals dynamic overtones: Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The same progression applies also to that which is only religious. The spirit of the age is rapidly molding all humanity toward conformity of thought, therefore bringing about centralization of control. And the rush toward centralization of control in the secular (“that which is natural”) world is equaled by the centralization of control in the religious (“that which is spiritual”) world. Both are rooted in the pit of hell and will eventually bring all those who do not see or hear by the Spirit back to Rome and the coming World Church. The Lord must be saying, Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3).

Someone has said that God always starts with a man committed to Him in order to achieve His purpose. But if that man yields to a movement instead of yielding to God’s will only, the movement will soon lose its simplicity, and the man will lose his childlike faith and love. With love and faith compromised, the next step downward – becoming a machine – follows quickly and easily. Like Samson, who “knew not the Lord had departed from him” (Judges 16:20), the machine ultimately becomes nothing more than a monument. Paul stated in Second Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

E.M. Bounds in his book Preacher and Prayer wrote:

We are constantly on a stretch, if not a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. The trend of the day has been a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. Gods plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are Gods method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men … men of prayer.

In the final analysis, we must respect the right of each individual to be “led by the Spirit.” Paul says, “[We] have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love [not legalistic organizational regulations] serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). Jesus became Servant of all, not ruling or driving by force, but always leading with love.

The Lord Himself is saying to the contemporary Church: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev. 2:45).

Because of the disappearing love we see today, the first iniquity of Sodom – pride – has swelled in our ranks. We are guilty of oversatisfaction, of thinking we are God’s greatest gift to the Church. God wants us to take no comfort from statistics; statistics cannot be a qualification for spiritual success. We must not gauge successes by temporal achievements nor allow them to be a meter of growth in God.

To hear the voice of God and to know His leading in this last day, we must ask for spiritual understanding and wisdom. Our cry should be, “O God, give us true understanding in this godless hour that is so beset with a mixture of the precious and the vile (Jer. 15:14). And, Lord don’t let us miss the new wine of the Spirit that You are pouring out upon all who will receive. Lord, help us to qualify for that new wine that has been promised to come forth at ‘the fulness of time’.”

The apostle Paul admonished the Church that true understanding and wisdom can be found only in the revelation in the knowledge of Christ:

7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him

12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ...

17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints... (Eph. 1:7-10,12,17-18).

Joshua and Caleb were only interested in God’s perfection and were among the very few at the time who hungered for the mystery of this revelation. I firmly believe God sometimes tolerates mediocrity, but ultimately demands perfection. As a result of Joshua’s and Caleb’s refusal to compromise, God’s best became their inheritance! They alone of the multitude led out of Egypt were allowed to go into the Promised Land. Theirs was the Feast of Tabernacles while more than two million settled for God’s second best – the Feast of Pentecost.

WE NEED TO REPENT

During the 40-year period from 1948 through 1988, many organizations and denominations, including Pentecostals, grew from small numbers and humble circumstances to giant organizations numbering in the millions. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on buildings and programs, and those enmeshed in such activities often have had little or no comprehension of God’s voice in this last day move of the Spirit. Often they are so devoid of spiritual understanding that they now persecute the new revival in much the same way they were formerly persecuted. And certainly there are very few cries for much needed repentance and cleansing of the Church.

However, God is raising up many watchmen/prophets who are calling for repentance. He is demanding us as individuals and fellowships to run to our closets of prayer and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for our flimsy efforts to place Him in His rightful position. May He forgive us for lack of love without dissimulation, for lack of prayer, and failure to make Him central and supreme in all! We have incessantly elevated flesh with the descriptive words “greatest” and “biggest.” Increasingly, our decisions are made by the approval and endorsement of certain individuals, groups, churches, or organizations rather than by the Word with the Holy Ghost’s confirmation.

But the miracle of all miracles is coming to pass in our day! Our Lord Jesus is again, in loving mercy, awakening a remnant. These are Christians who have thoroughly repented of their contribution toward building a halfway house. They are now willing to pay a dear price to once again hear that a true expression of this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matt. 24:14). God intends these repentant individuals and loosely formed groups to be partakers in the first fruits company and to help others to also become manifested sons that will break forth in life and power in these last days. Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:18-19).

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

We can never escape our need to have a new encounter with Jesus, the One who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through His sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren... (Heb. 2:9-11)—even ...till we all [who know Him as Lord and Master] come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

Man and man’s machines can no longer control what is happening in this hour. God is breathing upon increasing numbers who are inhaling the fresh breath of life in the Spirit…life lived and led by His anointing. Scattered everywhere are individuals and little groups from various backgrounds who are entering into the fellowship of the Living Way, discovering the glorious secret of a life union with the Lord. They once lived upon past experiences, but now they know the joy of daily communion with Him. What a difference this has made in the outlook and ministry of those entering into the deeps, the life of flowing in the Spirit. There is an inexplicable groaning in my heart to share our understanding with those just entering this dimension and to, likewise, glean from their understanding.

I know that I still see “this Way” as through a glass darkly. But by faith, I know I shall soon see face to face! Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. Many are finding this ‘Living Way’ and are enjoying a whole new way of life. They are being brought unto glory by the Eternal Head and are finding something that the Church has lacked for so long – a place of walking in the Spirit – a place where they can truly say, Not my will, Oh God, but Thine be done. They realize they can’t live on yesterday’s blessings, for the blessings of yesterday are old order today. Nor can they live in anticipation of tomorrow’s blessings, for the walk of the Spirit precludes the future as well as the past and brings us into the ‘eternal now.’ Now is the day of salvation! For now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ...” Paul was also able to say, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God ... having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (Gal. 2:20 and I Tim. 4:8).

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? (Heb. 2:1-3).

Yes, our God has a whole salvation, for the whole man. He is concerned about the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. Further, He has promised to supply our every need according to His riches in glory whether our need be temporal or spiritual.

Jesus left His disciples with these words:

It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me [only, not things, man, or works of flesh]: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:7-8,13-14) [Yes, he shall impart] ...even this Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [And we have the promise that] all things that the Father hath are mine [for]... all mine are thine, and thine are mine (John 14:17; 17:10).

Christ further said that if we live in Him, and allow His Words to live in us, we shall be able to ask what we will and it shall be done unto us (John 15:7). And He shall teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoever He has said unto us (John 14:26).

Jesus, in the above verses, stated that when the Comforter is come, all these promises will come to pass. But the Comforter is come …He is here! He wants to lead us, all of us who will pay the price, into the glorious life in the Spirit …that place of total union with the Father!

UNION WITH THE FATHER

7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the [full] measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14, 15. That we ... may grow up into him [and His fulness] in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:7, 12-15).

It ought to be obvious to all of us that Paul could not write as perfectly as he did – nor live as we know he did – without having almost totally entered into a life in the Spirit through union with the Father. Thus, it would seem Paul (and others of his day) manifested a quality that presumably none of us have attained today. Yet we know that Pentecost was only first-fruits. Neither the early church nor Paul attained the [full] measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (v. 13).

In the early church, this wisdom, understanding, and power (though limited by its “age”) was nevertheless cradled in purity. Obviously, these men who turned the world upside down had something that is totally missing in the church today. Even so, they had only the early rain. The early and latter rain together has been reserved for these last days. They possessed not power alone, as generally is the desired highest goal today, but power bathed in purity. They experienced purity in their individual and corporate walk, this being walked out according to a true Word of the Lord within Divine order.

CHAPTER 12

God’s Ultimate Intention

Grow into Fathers

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one...” (1 John 2:12,14).

This gospel of the Kingdom will never be preached in all the world by little children nor by young men in the faith, but only by spiritual fathers. It is needful to say the difference between these three stages of development often has very little to do with one’s age.

LITTLE CHILDREN (GETTING)

John saw that the mere passing of time and the gaining of more knowledge and experience would not guarantee spiritual development. There must be a change in attitudes and conceptions. So John explained that newborn babes, or those remaining as little children in their spiritual development are, for the most part, conscious only that God is their Father, and that their sins are forgiven by His grace in response to their faith in Jesus Christ as their ONLY LORD AND MASTER. In this first level of growth, then, it is natural to rejoice in the new life that has been received and in all that is expected from a loving Father. In attitude, purpose, and conception, little children spiritually are blessing-centered, salvation-centered, self-centered, seeking to move God in orbit around their own tiny world of understanding. In this level of development it is easy for these – little children – to fall into the trap of becoming solely preoccupied with what can they get from the Lord. But how far short they are from the Father’s full stature! In essence we see here in those who continue as little children a people who have not only entered into their personal Feast of Passover, but who have not also paid the price to move to higher ground.

YOUNG MEN (DOING)

John further writes to those who have matured spiritually into young manhood that two things are predominant on this level of growth: Ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one (I John 2:14). This is a marked advance. No longer are these believers babes who need only milk, but young men who require the meat of the Word! Through experience, they have moved from the defensive to the offensive. Instead of running from the wicked one, they are now facing him and winning battles in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them. Yet it is easy for young men (naturally or spiritually) to become occupied with doing rather than with being. In this level of development, one becomes involved with much activity, often with few tangible lasting results. The young men need to learn through experience the great difference between their own plans and projects to help God and the ‘Ultimate Purpose’ of God to establish His Kingdom in the earth. In essence, those that are called young men have, in typology, entered into their personal Feast of Pentecost, but have not paid the price to move to higher ground …to that place Beyond Pentecost …the Feast of Tabernacles.

FATHERS (BEING)

John also described those who have become spiritual fathers. On this highest level of stature, we are suddenly awakened to something quite wonderful. As little children, we recognized God as our Father in a beginning relationship. As young men, we honored Him as our Father in a governing relationship. Now, as fathers, we are one with Him in God’s Fatherhood through an intimate identification. In this walk of oneness, there is a transference of the Father’s heart yearning to our heart. We come to share a union with His Spirit, purpose, desire, vision, dedication and walk.

Suddenly, we are gripped by the fact that His Fatherhood is the determining factor in all things! Since He is before, above, and beyond all else, and because we, too, are called to be fathers in Him, we are participators in the grand central theme of the universe. In this process of growth, God has ushered us into a fuller understanding of Himself.

As little children, we were occupied essentially with what we could get. All things were overshadowed by our calling, a calling primarily of dedication to the hope of reaching heaven and getting others there also.

As young men, we were confronted with bringing every facet of our lives under God’s authority and government. Yet in this conception, we saw Him merely as a God of action. In the scope of His wonderful activity, we became engrossed in what we could do for Him.

This natural assumption will never satisfy God. He must press us beyond a mere plane of activity, or of doing, in order that we might see Who He is and has been since the foundation of the world. As we press on into God’s fulness for the Church, our finite minds are astounded to realize that He has done nothing to become the Father. God has always been the Eternal Father, as Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son. So, it is not His doing, but rather His being that overshadows everything else.

As spiritual fathers, we are called to be a manifestation of our heavenly Father. We are not merely instruments in His hand, working for Him. Rather, we are allowing Him to live and manifest Himself through us, following the three stages of maturity that He desires for all His sons: (1) childhood, (2) young manhood, and (3) fatherhood.

As fathers, we can recognize the importance of the triune Son, Holy Spirit, and Father. All three are vested in the Eternal One ... and in His office and ministry, Jesus is both Christ and Lord. These titles are significant: Jesus means “Savior’; Christ means “Anointed One”; and Lord means “King” or “Master.”

Through being filled with the Holy Spirit, we become acquainted with Christ the Anointed One – the Anointer – in a deeper way. In this middle court position, we became intrigued with the feeling of this newfound power…the natural outgrowth being manifested by a preoccupation with doing. Many Spirit-filled believers are preoccupied with going, going, going – planning, planning, planning – intensely concerned with plans, choirs, activities and legislated calling programs. They seldom leave any room for just being. And the spirit of doing will invariably be our master when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are being used, tragically, to perpetuate our plans of mixture, rather than we allowing Him to fulfill His primary purpose: to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). On the other hand, when the Holy Spirit has been allowed to fulfill this purpose, a recipient of this majestic grace knows the Father through the Son, and knows also that the Son must be his only Lord and Master.

This life of being however is not the same as a life of doing nothing, for once a person has entered a Life in the Spirit, he will have a passion for souls and for a declining church. He will have a burden upon him for those trapped, this followed by God placing legs under him, making him capable of carrying out that burden. Some entering this dimension are under such compassion and intercession that the weight is almost too heavy for ordinary physical bodies to bear. Their entire ministry is given to prayer. Often God has closed their mouths temporarily to vocal witness. However, God’s Word will not return void, and neither will Spirit-controlled ministries of intercession.

There will be action, but now action as the Holy Spirit directs. No longer will there be an obligation to prove to himself, to God, or to any man his spiritual vitality nor to give witness that is premature, late, or lacking foundation bathed in intercession. As fathers and overcomers, the world will behold a man or a woman that moves mountains, one that deifies God only, changes cities, and changes history.

How similar is this making of other gods to that exercise happening today!

CHAPTER 13

The Tabernacle of the Congregation Without the Camp

And the Lord said to Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it ... And the Lord said unto Moses ... [this] is a stiff-necked people: Now therefore, let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them (Exod. 32:7-10).

Yet despite their flagrant rebellion, in His mercy and through the intercession and intervention of Moses, God gave them a way of escape through repentance! Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lords side? let him come unto me (Exod. 32:26). That day God slew all who were disobedient.

Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that everyone which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without [outside] the camp (Ex. 33:7).

In addition to the instructions given to Moses in the wilderness in Egypt (after 40 years) and in the Sinai mountain (after 40 days), there are many recordings in the Word which instruct God’s people to stand still in this denying-self message (Josh. 3:8). In addition to Joshua and the nation of Israel, this imperative was given to Jeremiah (stand before me), Ezekiel (shut thyself in thy house), Paul (shut away for two years), as well as to Jesus (after 40 days). There came a day when the Moabites and the Ammonites together with others in alliance came against Judah. And the Lord through His prophet, Jahaziel, prophesied. “…the battle is not yours but Gods. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: [but] set yourselves, STAND YE STILL, and see the salvation of the Lord with you ...” (II Chron. 20:17). There will always be a much needed death transition for one who covenants to move from doing to being. This death process will come to every Christian who covenants with the Lord to move forward into God until God makes a true Believer out of him.

We need to know that scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites will persecute us and won’t even try to understand; but then they didn’t understand Jesus either. Yet Jesus told us good news when he said, when this happens, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5). He also stated,

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt. 5:11-12).

Without being wounded unto death (sometimes wounded in the house of [our] friends) we will never fully understand the unexcelled life in the Spirit, the precious walk that moves us Beyond Pentecost into union with the Father. This God-ordained breaking will include crushing from the closest loved ones. But even in this furnace of affliction, let us not dodge the arena of misunderstanding nor attempt to justify ourselves. God has not called us to a life of constant justifying ... He is our Justifier.

In summary, as spiritual fathers, we are called to be a manifestation of God. We are no longer merely instruments in His hand, working for Him. In essence, we are His love slaves, totally absorbed by the desire to have Him live within us and manifest Himself through us. We have obtained this union with the Father only because we have apprehended Christ as our Lord, and He has purified us with the fire of His Spirit. We will have followed three stepping stones to maturity, walking first as children, second as young men and third as fathers.

However, being a true father does not give the right to be called father, nor should anyone call any mortal man father because of a religious appointment. Such reverence for man is an abomination to God. The scriptural term father refers to spiritual maturity only, not to a vocation or an office or a title (as stated in I John 2:13 and Matt. 23:9).

To those who have had a revelation of God’s ‘Ultimate Purpose’ for mankind, there is no compromise or turning back. They will be led by the Spirit to press on into Christ until they find out Who He really is. Only persistent seekers who count not the cost and who seek until they find this Lord of Glory in fulness will understand this mystery. When we unlock that door of the mystery of Who He really is, we then find another mystery ... Who He wants to be within His people. And this mystery is very soon to be revealed in a people ... His Kingdom people. These through whom God has chosen to reveal Himself are to be a people God calls “fathers.” In typology, these “fathers” will have paid the price to move beyond Pentecost. They have not been enemies of the Cross of Christ through compromise, but have allowed God to have His full way in their lives. These are, even now, beginning to enter into their personal Feast of Tabernacles.

THE TABERNACLE

But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building (Hebrews 9:11).

The Tabernacle made by Moses was only a symbol of another more perfect Tabernacle which is the residence of God in His people. The Tabernacle represents in perfect typology the ‘Ultimate Purpose’ of God, and that Purpose is that we come to know Jesus Christ as our only Lord and Master, thus qualified to being led and purified by the Holy Spirit so that we can live in union with God the Father.

16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

“…EVEN SO, LORD, SEND ME…” (Isaiah 6:8) GOD IS PREPARING A PROPHETIC COMPANY

1 In the year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2. Above it stood the seraphim…

3. And one cried unto another, and said, holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory....

5. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

6. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.

7. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged (Isaiah 6:1-7).

Isaiah lived during the reign of Uzziah, a righteous, God-fearing king. In startling contrast to preceding kings, we read that Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (II Chron. 26:4). Isaiah, in fact, had lifted up King Uzziah to a place higher than God ever meant for him to occupy. However, now Isaiah was allowing his vision to move from the horizontal area of good works and good men to that of a vertical relationship with One who filled the whole earth with His glory. The accomplishments of even a righteous king like Uzziah paled in comparison to what he began to see in the Lord of Hosts.

The Lord’s temple seen by Isaiah also represents the Church at the time of the end. Like Isaiah, I ALSO see the absolute necessity of the Lordship of Christ. Not only am I undone by His glory, I am ALSO guilty of placing my own “Uzziahs” in a co-equal position with the Lord. But we can have no other gods before him. The position of Adonai is significant here. In addition to Lord this Hebrew word also means Sovereign Head, Controller, Master, and Owner.

Isaiah was stricken with his own uncleanness. When we stand before the Lord of hosts, there is no place for self-righteousness. We must come to see that All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isa. 64:6).

It was not just Isaiah’s recognition of his own sin that caused him to weep. He wept because he ALSO saw the Lord of Hosts, high and lifted up. In the presence of that glorious One, Isaiah saw the terrible contrast of the Lord’s glory and righteousness with man’s unrighteousness. He could do nothing less than confess and repent. Oh, that the entire body of Christ might come to such awareness! May God help us to unfasten our eyes from our many Uzziahs and train them on Him alone.

God declares that if we confess and forsake uncleanness, He will direct His seraphim to take a live coal from the altar and lay it upon our lips to purge our iniquity. Only then will we be able to hear His voice asking, Whom shall I send, and who will go? Only then will we be able to answer as Isaiah, Here am I, send me.

CHAPTER 14

God’s Call to Overcomers

We have seen that a live coal has been taken from the altar by the seraphim again today. As overcoming sons respond to God’s call for watchmen over the house of Israel, the day of the Lord is approaching. Yet there is a price to pay It is paid on Calvary’s road, through the Cross, to the highway of holiness, and into the realm of Divine order on the other side. The cost is misunderstanding and pain at the hands of family and friends who are unwilling to conform to the way of the Word Lordship. There is no way to bypass the Cross and still know Christ as Lord and Master.

This road brings us to that day of the Lord described by so many of the writers of the Old and New Testaments, including such as Ezekiel and Joel, Paul and John, and countless watchmen today. This road also leads to the last visitation, a great rain (I Kings 18:45) – a singular, mighty Holy Ghost, apostolic, Divine visitation. This is not to be confused with renewal or revival. This is restoration. It is not renewal of the old Adam, as the C.E.R. calls for, but a restoration in the new Adam (the last Adam, the Head now perfectly joined to His body made whole).

The privilege of traveling this lonely road with Jesus will be reality only for those who have come out of Babylon. It is a road of death to the world, its systems, and the relentless power of the self-life. Our desires of the flesh must die on this road. The holy resurrection of Christ in us will then be evidence of the Word in Philippians: O, (1) that I might know Him (2) in the fellowship of His suffering and (3) in the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10).

Joel calls out from the past:

The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel. 2:11)

Jeremiah laments:

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow... (Lam. 1:12)

Amos perseveres:

Prepare to meet thy God. The day of the Lord is darkness and not light (Amos 5:18).

The declaration of the prophets did not come with soft speech and flattery, but with a thundering denial of the priesthood and the nation, as well as of the individual self-satisfied Israelites. Israel repeatedly reached a place where only a spiritual awakening could avert judgment upon her.

The same is true today. The time has come for a Divine visitation. We must have a Divine intervention in the ebbing life of the church that has lost the way!

Elijah prophesied during a time of apostasy in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Ahab, an unrighteous king, married Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon, a worshiper of the terrible Baal. Elijah was sent to challenge the Israelites to test the power of Baal against the power of Almighty God. Elijah’s ministry was one of confrontation to force the people to stop being neutral between two conflicting loyalties and to choose one of them exclusively.

Whom would the people serve, Baal or Jehovah? They were already serving Baal. Yet they did not want to appear apostate by breaking official connection to Jehovah.

Elijah prepared the sacrificial test. He laid one bullock on an altar of wood for the prophets of Baal and one for himself. He challenged them, telling them to call on the name of their gods while he called on the name of the Lord. The God who answered by fire would be God. The people agreed to this test. The prophets of Baal tried in vain to call down fire. Elijah mocked them.

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice [now hear this] that:

the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench ... And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal: let not one of them escape. And Elijah brought them ... and slew them (I Kings 18:36, 38, 40).

Elijah then spoke to Ahab and told him to get up and drink, for the sound of a great rain was coming.

In every age, apostasy and rebellion are careful not to identify themselves until they know which way the crowd will go. In Elijah’s day, these faithless ones followed the non-hearing, non-seeing crowd. Then, the verbal fire of judgment fell through the voice of Elijah. This was followed by the literal fire of judgment falling. When Elijah thought he alone served the true God, Elijah in reality found there were 100 prophets of God hidden in a cave and the Lord had to tell him that “There are more than 7,000 other Israelites who have not bowed their knee to Baal.”

The prophet Elijah saw that Israel was being ripened in sin. He saw the judgment that rested upon the leaders and systems controlling the minds of the people. Thus he directed his message to the leaders of the nation:

How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (I Kings 18:21).

Elijah was overwhelmed with the ever-present sin, compromise, and need for a remnant to return to their Lord. He openly decried that the religious Pied Pipers of that day, and their followers, were not of God, but in actuality were followers of Satan. His rightly calling it Baal worship was the beginning of the Judgment came on a set day as prophesied by the prophets. Judgment is coming soon, this judgment coming first upon the humanistic church (which judgment started on August 11, 2008) then secondly (something soon to come that will be far, far beyond 9/11/2001) upon the humanistic secular world, such judgment will be on a set day and that day is soon at hand.

Addressing that day, the Lord records in severe terms the result of man’s rejection of Him and His ways:

Because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you; Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me (Prov. 1:24-28).

God is bringing forth an overcomer company to prepare the way for the great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:11, 31). He is raising up in our age a corporate prophet who will confront the apostasy and unrighteousness in the church with the same challenge that Elijah gave to backslidden Israel. The ever-present neutrality that takes a position between the Word of the Lord and religious humanism is about to be severely judged.

Today a small cloud is arising out of the sea of nations and people. The latter day prophets of Baal will be destroyed and their Ahab and Jezebel leaders will be destroyed. At the same time, the sound of a great rain is about to fall. This great rain is a combination of the former and latter rain, the last great outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.

We are on the verge of this last visitation, a great rain (1 Kings 18:45) – a singular, mighty Holy Ghost, apostolic, Divine visitation.

AN UNSCRIPTURAL HIERARCHY OF LEADERSHIP

The words laymen or clergymen only serve to unscripturally divide God’s one people into two classes, a people who are through the baptism of the Holy Spirit meant to be a one class people.” In dividing God’s “one people” into two classes – clergy and laity – the sin of advocating and practicing Nicolaitanism is again given dignity, thereby giving opening and credence to the great mountains of additional sinful practices that stand in the way of any true visitation of restoration.

One of America’s most respected Pentecostal/Charismatic leaders addressed what he felt was the world’s most desperate need: a need to have, first at the local level, then at the national level, and finally at a world level, a universal and pyramidal submission to ministerial authority.

His well-prepared remarks – which were purported to be scriptural – dropped the climactic bombshell of the century: “The body of Christ desperately needs a universal eldership of chief brethren... An Apostolic Council of World Leadership.”

No one bothered to ask this convention speaker and world leader how his proposal for A New World [Religious] Order might vary from the fine-tuned Roman Catholic machine, with the Pope as its titular head. But if, for some reason, he might have felt that the Roman Catholic church’s pyramid structure didn’t fit his desired mold, it was not apparent in his dissertation. One thing was certain – he could just as well have said: the body of Christ desperately needs an Apostolic Council of World Leadership, of which (I might add) the Roman Church’s type of governmental structure obviously represents the ideal.

This catastrophic understanding of what is really being formed and the growing Protestant acceptance of it should make every one of us in Pentecost and the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement drop to our knees, plead with God for understanding. Without understanding of our corporate deficiency, there will be no worldwide repentance, and without repentance there will be no further God-implemented visitation.

This call for a universal eldership of chief brethren... an Apostolic Council of World Leadership was made by one of my close friends. He is a nationally known man whom practically every Charismatic Christian respects, being regarded as one of the top half-dozen most influential men in today’s C.E.R. He made the above statement to summarize his three-day presentation on the need for a local, national, and worldwide form of spiritual government based on the pyramid structure. According to his view, the worldwide body of Christ eventually will have – must have – a central ruling body – a body of government composed of a universal eldership of chief brethren...an Apostolic Council of World Leadership at the helm.

In all fairness, I must add that his presentation called for “this national and world body to mandatorily be under Christ.” But what if it isn’t under Christ? What if it were to start in the Spirit (even if it could, considering its unholy Nicolaitanized assignment) and then end in the flesh?

With significant confirmation, I asked permission to say something at the next meeting of this convention. Having been a speaker at this same gathering a year earlier, my request was granted.

In my rebuttal remarks I stated: “The call for a universal eldership of chief brethren is nothing new within the ranks of the C.E.R. movement. It has already been accepted and implemented by what polls indicate may be as many as 15 million Roman Catholic Charismatics in our nation, and a reported 80 million Roman Charismatics in the world. Since receiving this “tongues” experience, the submission to the Pope, the Cardinals, their Bishops and Priests have actually been significantly reinforced in most of these same 80 million! My plea to this speaker and body of people was, “Why start another universal eldership with another eventual Protestant clergy-style Curia and Pope when the world already has one with centuries of experience?” Actually, the call for a Universal World Leadership, a pyramid structure of worldwide political and religious governments, with the Pope at the head, is also the central plank of the Catholic C.E.R. movement. It takes little wisdom or discernment to recognize that this relatively new Protestant directive for a universal worldwide eldership will eventually converge with the well-oiled Charismatic Catholic directive, hence with the Catholic church itself.”

“Further,” I stated, “this Roman Catholic plank will never change. If it did change, it would no longer be Roman Catholic. Even so, considering the deepening commitment of the Catholic Charismatics to their Roman church’s pyramid structure, no one could ever suspect such change to be a remote possibility. Giving in on this major tradition – their commitment to their pyramid structure and their self-appointed right to rule the world – would destroy the Catholic church. This means, then, that the Catholic C.E.R. movement will also never change from this hierarchical demand for obedience to a universal eldership of chief brethren... an Apostolic Council of World Leadership.

What would be the result of such an over-whelming number of Catholic “tongue-talkers” who would continue to embrace doctrines, traditions, and pagan practices that defy the Word and the very basic plan of salvation that can be appropriated by faith alone?

Something deep within me feels those thoughts will soon become reality, with the Pope exhorting his one billion Catholics to plunge into the C.E.R. rapids – with the corresponding advocacy of tongues, miracles, and healings. Again, if this does become reality, I think we might see, as stated above, 200 to 400 million Roman Catholics jettisoned almost overnight into the C.E.R. jet stream. And Lord, if this scenario becomes real, “will the man to initiate the greatest deception of the New Testament era be Pope John Paul II or his replacement? Will such deception, involving signs and wonders (Matt. 24:24), start with, and be chiefly enhanced by a false duplication of that which so many of us have found to be our most precious prayer language... speaking in tongues?”

The great commonality of the C.E.R. and the Roman Catholic church is their commitment to the principle, “Stay in her, My people” and “get under the governmental covering of some denominational or organizational hierarchy.”

What we are really seeing, then, is nothing less than a Catholic C.E.R. demand for everyone to accept some form of Popery – with its corresponding demand to line up with the message of “submission.” Because of the negative reputation that the “submission message” and its teachers have justifiably suffered over the past 20 to 25 years, its adherents now use the words covenant relationship or networking or some other ascription as a substitute for the word submission. Often the words covenant relationship, networking, the ministry of the prophetic, a prophetic conference, even restoration, (and many more similar words) are invariably nothing more than code words annunciating a general call to build a halfway-house of submission unto man instead of submission unto God only.

Almost no one seems to understand the non-scriptural foolishness perpetrated by Nicolaitan-bent leaders is done in order to enhance their vocation by feathering their own comfortable nests. Even when “Christians” (we can’t call them “Believers”) do understand, they generally don’t care enough to do something about it. They say, “Love will cover it all.”

Israel rebelled against Theocracy (God’s rule) and desired a king like the other nations. In their persistence, the Lord let them have their way, but He warned them that they would regret it. Even so, the Lord is allowing man to prepare the way for his desire to have “a universal eldership of chief brethren…an Apostolic Council of World Leadership.”

CHAPTER 15

An Inaccurate Interpretation of Scripture

Fishing partners Simon Peter, James and John had just listened to Jesus ministering eternal life as He preached from Peter’s boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to these discouraged fishermen who had already washed their nets: “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Complaining, “We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: [Simon said] nevertheless [stranger] at thy word I will let down the net.”

6. And when they had thus done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees [meaning he had to forsake the ship, including the net and fish], saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord…[whereupon]

10. ...Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all [the man-made nets and boats as well as the fish], and followed him (Luke 5:6-8;10,11).

My heart began to greatly trouble me as a noted speaker at the Lutheran Charismatic Conference said he described the meaning to be taken from Luke 5:6-11. As he saw it, the lesson to be found in these two texts is: “There are Lutheran boats, Methodist boats, Baptist boats, Catholic boats, Episcopal boats, etc… and enough fish in the sea to keep us all busy.” He concluded with what he thought was the great revelatory understanding of both of these texts: “Division among Christians must be destroyed. Now is the time for us to pull our boats together, tie them together [ecumenical style] and fill our boats with this great draught of fish [men].” He concluded, “In the visitation to come there are enough fish [men] in this sea for all of us.”

In total opposition to the text – and to its real meaning, which is “they forsook all and followed him [Jesus]” – he solidified the oversimplistic ecumenical and networking bent of that hour – and of this day we are living in.

UPREACH AND OUTREACH

There are three groups of people in the church today. Those of the first group are saying, Above all else, we must be peacemakers. This good thought but narrow conclusion has become the slogan of the hour. Hence, nearly all reference to the word of the Lord to Come out from among them and be ye separate is ignored or played down. Those inclined not to follow that “road of compromise” are ignored or isolated as “doom and gloomers” and are castigated as “negative” or as “having a critical spirit.”

The second group has come to vehemently hate the systems of Babylon (and rightfully so). Unfortunately, all that many of these can see is “Come out of her, my people, and touch not the unclean thing”...and as a result have in the process lost their love for that part of creation that God loves – every man. In rightfully striving for upreach before outreach, they have often lost both. Generally, this dual loss comes because, while seeking God in “upreach,” they have failed to realize this must eventually also produce “outreach.”

There is a third group, however – a people who have moved beyond the “Feast of Pentecost.” These are no longer hiding behind sacrilegious positions or code words that are nothing more than new terms for old order Charismatic/Pentecostal positions. These contenders for a Feast of Tabernacles walk understand they must be peacemakers, but not peacemakers at the expense of truth. Their love for their fellow man shall never compromise their greater love for God’s truth. These are presenting that which is precious, but are also unafraid to address that which is vile even if it disturbs the omnipresent false peace and peacemakers and puts them through suffering and rejection in the house of their friends. Like Jeremiah, they know they have been called to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down [then afterward] to build, and to plant [just as John the Baptist] and then Jesus rooted out, pulled down, destroyed and threw down before Jesus could then build and plant on a new foundation (Jer. 1:10, 6:16; Mt. 11:28-30). Yes, these are true peacemakers, but not at the price of throwing away the sword!

MIXTURES OF TRUTH WITH ERROR

As in 1948 and the years following, there is tremendous stress being given to certain premises. First, there are those who teach that everyone, especially watchmen/prophets, must be peacemakers. Second, there is euphoric talk everywhere that very soon there is to be a great revival of the present churches with a corresponding great harvest. Many of these see from one to three billion coming into this new ‘gospel of the Kingdom’ in this new spiritual wave of the Lord, will be one wherein He will ‘do the new thing’ by sending a Divine visitation upon ‘the old wineskins’.” Such wishful thinking is heresy!

Through compromise and strong emphasis on the building of horizontal covenant relationships, false prophets proclaim the barriers will soon be removed in most cities that prevent true fellowship and the establishment of a true ecumenical “Church of the City” (all cities). Ecumenical heresy!

Seemingly everywhere there is a scramble to identify the leaders (local, national and worldwide) that the balance of the body of Christ (the “laymen”) are to submit to. In order to develop the cords of unity, great stress is placed on downplaying doctrine (even foundational doctrines) and the many “positions and practices that have erroneously (they say) separated the church of a city (or locality) into many churches and organizational strains.” Rapidly increasing is the underlying sentiment and projection that anyone “coming against” anything – or that anyone who presents the need to Come out of her, My people is only contributing to division, hence hindering the furtherance of this recently manufactured “net” that is going to catch an astounding quantity of fish. Much stress is being given to the need for, and the implementation of, “a single presbytery in any given city or locality.” These city-wide presbyteries are to be made up of pastors (the emphasis is on a clergy-class) from all backgrounds. The sheep are just expected to follow and pay the bills. Meanwhile, those serving in leadership in this new thing – the presbytery over a city or locality – must trust their discernment and remove those who are stumbling blocks.

This type of leadership and thinking is dangerous beyond comprehension. These self-appointed “removers” generally preach “do not judge,” identifying those that do as having a critical spirit. Yet they themselves judge, often times using their so-called discernment to judge maliciously. Such have, through network back-scratching, become rulers, kings and judges – all in one. Yet they allow no one to judge them!

What will this modern Sanhedrin do to those of us they have pronounced as being stumbling blocks that are hindering their purposes to institute their planned new ecumenical world order? Perhaps they are being readied by the enemy to be the current fulfillers of the Scriptures, which read:

29. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous...

31. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the [true] prophets…

33. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers…

34. Wherefore behold, I send unto you [true] prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues [your churches], and persecute them from city to city.

37. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the [true] prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together [unto me], even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not [let me be their only Lord. Rather, you stood in the way of these little ones from receiving My love and direction]!

38. Behold, your house [as man has built it] is left unto you desolate.

39. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matt. 23:29, 31, 33-34,37-39).

THE TIME OF HARVEST HAS COME!

“The time of harvest” has come. The time of separation has arrived. Even as false prophets – “lying prophets” – are bundling tares to their final end, to be burned, so, too, is God raising up true Gideons to gather the Lord’s Gideon type of a “300” company to help those who will pay the price to escape the fire.

Our response to such heretical teachings must be that we shall ...root out, pull down, destroy and throw down [such unscriptural premises], as well as to build and plant on a far different foundation than that being advocated therein. And this we do under strong mandate, neither fearing them nor their machinery...for their efforts are futile and will come to naught. What’s more, they are preaching another gospel.

These premises on the surface seem so great, so right to natural thinking, even occasionally so completely scriptural. But beneath the surface, there lies an insidious opening for the enemy to advance his final plan of the ages...thus attempting to subvert and compromise God’s final plan of the ages.

We are seeing the truth of the Scripture as set forth in the Book of Job, our end-time example as written above reenacted in this hour:

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them” (Job 1:6).

A HALFWAY HOUSE OF MIXTURE

The disobedience that precipitated the advent of the C.E.R. movement took place at the FGBMFI Third International Convention in Minneapolis on 26 June 1956, as partially detailed in the previous chapter. Just as I began to anticipate the moment was close to introducing the announced speaker of the morning, brother William Branham, he came to me and said, “Brother Clayt, it’s going to be what it’s supposed to be.” With that, he walked off the platform for what I thought was a momentary break. He never came back to the platform. I learned later that Brother Branham, prior to coming to the platform, had checked out of his hotel room. Following his leaving the platform (his bags already placed in security) he had them loaded into his automobile, then headed down the highway to his home in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

To add to all of this, just one half hour before Brother Branham’s above remark to me, another of God’s “prophetic voices” parted the curtains behind me on the platform. Tearfully, he asked for the keys to my room. When I returned to my room nearly three hours later this man, as a confirmation of the Lord, related every suffocating detail, as well as the names of the three personalities involved in the “bringing of the accursed thing into the midst of the camp” during the last two hours of the meeting. All of that which he related to me came by revelation, for he had not been in the meeting, but on his knees weeping in my room during the whole time.

Once the accursed thing [the seven sins of commission listed on page 8 of Chapter 4] had been accepted by the FGBMFI as being within God’s allowance, God said through brother Branham, “It [the court of Pentecost] is going to be what it’s supposed to be [whenever or wherever My Word and My ways are replaced by man’s word and man’s ways].” Even if brother Branham had not left the meeting, the real door of entrance would not have been open for him (or for God) that morning. Instead, the time was allocated to various strong appeals to the increasing fleshly motivations such as the following:

Kingdom-building and pride, along with presentations of how to renew the old wineskins of denominationalism’s old order, especially in established mainline churches.

Presenting and dignifying the need to bridge all doctrinal and denominational separation and division through advocating the merits of worldwide ecumenical activities as practiced in the World Council of Churches.

Welcoming a new entity to the scene which before that day was over was called:

THE CHARISMATIC-ECUMENICAL-RENEWAL (C.E.R.)

“What is Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal?” From that day to the present, I have been totally satisfied it is a rallying code word for a New (religious, ecumenical) World Order – the counterpart to the natural New World Order which is now, especially since our November 11, 2008 election, in its final stage of development.

We do not need the C.E.R. I don’t want to be filled with the halfway-house of glossolalia. I want to be filled with the Holy Ghost and fire. We need to pray that God will bring a people into a genuine love relationship with Himself and with one another... a place obtained beyond this veil of flesh, in the Holy of Holies. We need a perfect understanding of what the Word and the Spirit, which agree, are saying in this hour. We need to have the mind of Christ so we no longer fall for the enemy’s catchy code words that mean something entirely different than what they seem to indicate. These words are Satan’s tool to deceive God’s people into settling for something less than “the fullness of the Holy Ghost and fire.”

This is the hour for something far beyond the Upper Room. This is the time of the early rain and the latter rain together. Can you not hear it?

As early as 68 A.D. – only 35 years after the Pentecostal Upper Room outpouring – Jude was to write: “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints... Some saints had already lost it! They had dipped into something parallel to today’s glossolalic world of Charismatic Renewal instead of contending for the true baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Those saints were no doubt trying to gain some acceptance by the Sanhedrin of their day. They seemingly wanted no longer to be identified with offensive things we Pentecostals were identified with only three or four decades ago. Remember? In the early days, our evangelical brethren were absolutely sure we Pentecostals rolled in aisles (“holy rollers” we were called), handled snakes and foamed at the mouth. But these negative accusations were dropped as soon as we got glossolalia and became Charismatic on June 26, 1956! That day we entered the Park Avenue drawing room of respectability. We now had dignity and acceptance, but we paid the terrible price of exchanging acceptance for our holiness, anointing, power and separation. Compromise became the name of the game, and “the way and the truth and the life” were lost! Hence, we no longer presented a threat to “The Christian City”... which might better be called “The City of Religion.” Nor were we persecuted by them any longer. The “principalities and powers” that control “Christian City” now had us in their pockets.

But as respectability has increased, true anointing and true revelation have all but disappeared. Brokenness and repentance have become nearly nonexistent. The true nature and character of Christ is seldom manifested anymore. Holiness is ignored or scorned. The true message of the Cross has faded to mere traditional observance which might well be called ornamental symbolism. Discerning of spirits has almost evaporated. The Word of the Lord to “come out of her, My people” is no longer heard. People, having “itching ears,” gather unto themselves teachers of their own choosing to hear messages of prosperity, peace, power and self-fulfillment. The true anointing of the Holy Ghost is so minimal that an entire generation of Christians, including the whole world of Pentecost, doesn’t realize almost everything presented today is “leavened,” hence has become a product of a substitute self-anointing. The yokes of bondage remain unbroken. God’s watchmen/prophets declare that true anointing will not return except to those who dwell exclusively in Him and the Word. Only through the anointing will the yoke and lingering effects of this Babylonian garment and soulish disorder be broken.

The C.E.R. was a natural and fleshly outgrowth of the six unrepented evils which God had clearly made known to be the accursed thing... a goodly Babylonian garment. Again, we restate, these were:

Pride, the eulogizing and support of

Nicolaitanism, as well as

Kingdom-building, coupled with

Babylonian trappings of organization, along with

Helping to keep alive man’s harlot kingdoms, all this magnified by other compromises... as well as items 1-5 being under the heading of

Many other Compromises.

LEGALISM that later (when these came under the dark cloud of ecumenism) reverted to ‘license.’

ECUMENICAL NONSENSE

Another code word the enemy is using in this hour is the word ecumenical. Ecumenism places horizontal love and interaction above Divine, Holy Ghost, vertical, agape love. The Charismatic-ECUMENICAL-Renewal, with all its sentimentality, is merely another glove for the enemy’s hand. God is not lifting His blessing from the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal, as many are suggesting, for His blessing has never rested on the Charismatic Ecumenical interaction... even for one hour! Many of us can attest as personal eye-witnesses to the fact: it was born in the valley of compromise.

What the World Council of Churches hasn’t accomplished in bringing Christendom into a false ecumenical unity since 1948, the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal has done so, this having started in 1956.

RENEWAL NONSENSE

The code word renewal was borrowed from the spirit of the 1956 Charismatic Renewal, captured by Rome, and given impetus by Pope John XXIII in 1962. He built the bridge at the Second Vatican Council between Romanism and dying, spiritually blind Protestants, including the whole Pentecostal movement that had maintained God-ordained separation since its renewed inception in 1906. At this Council Pope John, in essence, said, “We this day open the windows of Rome and the Vatican to let the Holy Spirit in.” The Pope’s statement “... to let the Holy Spirit in (for the first time in 1,700 years) wasn’t really what Satan had in mind that day. Satan was opening the windows of Rome and the Vatican to let all the devils in hell out, thereby increasing by a hundredfold Rome’s subtle deceptive deeds, characteristic of Catholicism over the centuries.

With new authority and power, this deceptive plan was to take the premises of the 1637-year old 325 A.D. Nicene Council and refurbish them from 1962-1965 at what they would call Vatican II. But Vatican II ought better be called Nicene Council II, for it primarily reinstituted more than 1,600 years of Rome’s untiring, omnipresent drive to attempt to mix with, then join to, then imitate, then absorb, then control, and finally through compromise destroy every true believer.

This enticement to compromise has marked the way of this spirit from that opening-the-window day in 1962 (the inception of the Vatican Council) to this very hour. The “mother of harlots” often changes methods, but never the ultimate goal of world rule!

But God will have a people who will move beyond pentecost, beyond all the present-day renewal nonsense. The Lord said that at the end time He would send the former rain and the latter rain at the same time. In Joel 2:25, He was careful to state, I will restore to you [not renew – as in renewal – for you] the years that the locust, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar and the palmerworm hath eaten. In glossolalic language, renewing means to fix something that is broken. In contrast, restoring, as in Joel’s prophecy, means to bring into being again something that has been destroyed. Life that has been totally lost in the first Adam is to be restored in the last [or second] Adam. Man is constantly at work trying to revive (through revival) or renew (through renewal) the old Adam that never will be revived or renewed. The only hope for the world is that of restoring in and through the second Adam that which was totally lost in the first Adam.

The Head of that second Adam is complete in resurrection, and as such is at rest, “seated at the right hand of the Father.” But He is waiting for His body, this body that must either die physically or completely die to flesh in order to be totally restored to that promised place of completeness under His Headship. God hasn’t made those of us still in this body of flesh into robots. The choice is ours. He won’t be satisfied with something simply renewed. We have to “hold on to the horns of the altar” until the body of this second Adam – the body of Christ, the overcomers – is made complete with its Head and restored to its rightful inheritance. Some of us, having been touched in the hollow of our thigh – hence with our thigh, the place of our greatest self-strength now out of joint – are determined as we wrestle with him, to not let go except He bless us and change our name from Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (See Genesis 32:24-29).

CHAPTER 16

Man’s Order Replaced Divine Order

One afternoon, a business meeting was called, inviting all men desiring to attend to do so. Before the afternoon business meeting came to a close, Demos Shakdrian suggested the need for a constitution, bylaws, and a doctrinal statement. Satan, always obliging, had another of our directorate who just happened to have one fully prepared, as well as several thousand in a box that had been printed in case this convention would consider the need for what he perceived was the obvious: bylaws that would make us like the other nations (denomi…nations). It was a convenient pocket-size booklet and meticulously done. In fact, it was the same size, with essentially the same content, as used by the FGBMFI today.

That afternoon, in order to make a binding decision as to whether to institute this beautiful looking document, the suggestion was made that we vote on it by a raise of hands. It was quickly carried by majority vote. Most of the one thousand or more men did not remember (or did not want to remember) that God had previously and often warned us against using any substitute for the Word as our governing document. Nor did they remember (or want to remember) the many warnings to never institute man’s order of government called democracy. At the conclusion of the vote, the ones who had voted the majority opinion were ecstatic with the new escalation into seeming greater dignity and a more businesslike method of conducting affairs. But a few were able to see that on that day a constitution, bylaws and a doctrinal statement – coupled with a democratic vote to accomplish that end – became a replacement for the Word. These same few knew that that which had dipped into compromise in the morning session had now been totally immersed in hopeless compromise in the afternoon session.

God, through the three and one-half years since the inception of FGBMFI, had made us to know that the institution of Democracy (rule by man) is nothing more than a replacement for Theocracy (rule by God)... and the use of man’s order of government, rather than having the Word alone as our only directive, was “a Babylonian garment” we could not touch unless we wanted to suffer the fate of Achan.

For the first time in that organization, democracy replaced theocracy. From that day on, the Holy Ghost [no longer] separated His servants for the work of His ministry, but men separated (elected) their men for the work of their ministry. Man’s order reigned. Divine order was scrapped. No longer did the Lord speak to this body of people “mouth to mouth.” The open vision was to be no more. This is true wherever ‘democracy’ has replaced ‘theocracy,’ and constitutions and bylaws have become a substitute for or a supplement to the Word. Discerning of spirits had been as active in this group at every meeting as was prophecy, tongues or interpretation. But in the following eight years I served this organization I never saw this gift again operate corporately to expose or uncover sin as had been evident at every meeting I had ever attended prior to that day.

NEVER ORGANIZE – KEEP IT SIMPLE – BE MEN OF THE WORD

Prior to that day, the Word that the Lord had kept constantly before us for three years was “never to organize, keep it simple, be men of the Word, not just presenters of testimonies... for an overemphasis on testimonies invariably becomes prideful presentations of God and I.” Pride, one of the three major sins of Sodom, has continued to reign supreme in this organization... as it does in almost all segments of the whole body of Christ. Up to that day, the constant Word of the Lord was simply, “We are brethren.” “Love” and “honor preferring one another” didn’t have to be implemented through pep-talks, or practiced by plan. True agape love was a natural outflow of a corporate walk of the Spirit in a people walking in Divine Order. There was no allowance for democratic (man’s) rule, constitutions, bylaws, doctrinal statements, kingdom-building, Nicolaitan dignification, pride, personality cult or any of many other man-made substitutes for the Word. The Written Word – complemented by the Holy Spirit’s confirmations – was sufficient. Constantly the Word of the Lord reminded us of His demand that we walk in utter simplicity, with no pre-planned game, much less giving vent to the glorification of any man or his accomplishments.[1]

Brother Branham said that day – as he walked off the platform and from his speaking assignment just minutes before this body instituted many things pertaining to man’s order by saying to me: It’s going to be what it’s supposed to be. History has certainly acknowledged that sad day and what the events of that day produced – a day of infamy – for that day was the beginning of the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement.

I’m personally satisfied that this highly unusual and irregular interplay of events on June 26, 1956 was a sign to the whole body of Christ. From many personal conversations with Brother Branham during subsequent years, I know he, too, knew God led him to leave the platform and the convention itself as a sign – not just to the FGBMFI – but to the whole Court of Pentecost, and this so they may recognize that:

Another era of the Christian Church had just come to an end, and that as a result of sin and compromise, he underlining this travesty by the simple statement:

“IT’S GOING TO BE WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE.”

The turn of the century saw a great visitation by God in 1904 (the Welsh revival) and in 1906 (the Azusa Street visitation). In time, this two-pronged move of God was to become organized and gave rise to the mainline Pentecostal churches in the early 1920s. God waited for another generation, then began to move upon the earth (and in earthen vessels) in a Divine visitation in 1948.

This era had its forerunner in the ministry of William Branham. His ministry started in his Jeffersonville, Indiana, church in 1946. Then, in early 1948, it escalated to worldwide proportions virtually overnight following the first primary William Branham meeting which was held in Vancouver, Canada in late November 1947. This was almost immediately followed by great visitations in North Battleford, Canada; this again soon followed in Portland; Detroit; St. Louis; and hundreds of places around the world. This 1948 visitation brought great godly fear to all the Pentecostal denominations all over the world. Simultaneously, hundreds of previously obscure or new ministries became known worldwide. Voice of Healing (now known as “Christ for the Nations”), along with its magazine, was instituted by Gordon Lindsay primarily to cover the miraculous ministry of William Branham. It soon became the umbrella organization to assist, correlate, and report to the world the universal things that were happening in many circles in this unequaled visitation.

Other developments in 1948 are equally noteworthy: Billy Graham’s ministry was launched; the World Council of Churches was initiated; the United Nations was formed; natural Israel became a nation as the Word indicated would happen as a “sign of the end” (which was also a “sign” that pointed to the simultaneous birth of spiritual Israel). In the realm of the Holy Spirit, that 1948 move of God also alludes to spiritual Israel becoming a nation after more than 1900 years of wandering that began shortly after the Upper Room.

Yet this period of God’s fresh wave of His end-time Holy Spirit upon the earth terminated in 1956. This ended an era that many to this day feel contained the seeds of holiness, selflessness, humility, abandonment unto Him, and a true revelation of the Cross and the blood – a God-centered, end-time Latter Rain outpouring. This seed had produced life and an abundant stand of tall grain fields, “whitened unto harvest” …but the harvesting from 1956 to the present has produced mostly tares with little or nothing to show in the grain bins. Man has tried to pump air into this thing. But like a blown-out tire, its days are over. They have been over since 1956.

Almost everyone involved in this Pentecostal outpouring would agree that Brother Branham was the only major voice in both sides of this visitation. It follows, then, that brother Branham would be the logical vessel God would use as a sign to announce His displeasure at man’s disobedience that would bring a termination to both sides of this visitation as of June 26, 1956. Later, brother Branham decried this C.E.R. move of compromise and announced that an era of God’s pleasure and true anointing had come to an end. Further, because of this act of compromise, a new but unsavory era began – for the advent of the C.E.R. represented a level of deteriorating religion which brother Branham vehemently opposed until his homegoing in 1965.[2]

In a special sense, the same spirit that rested on Elijah, and later on John the Baptist, also rested on William Branham. All three came “short of the mark of the higher calling” – “the double portion” – that respectively was occupied by the ministry of Elisha typifying the anointing that would come upon Jesus. To God’s glory, this same anointing will soon accompany God’s emerging Kingdom of true overcomers.

Sadly, the true grain has been trampled down. Brother Branham was in error on a number of major but non-foundational doctrines. The doctrine of “serpent seed” that he accepted by listening to man rather than God was in my estimation in total error.[3] His position on water baptism fell short of God’s Word on the subject. His understanding of Thy Kingdom come in earth was obliterated by a false doctrine that allowed him to see no farther than a pretribulation rapture. Yet if I were to eliminate Brother Branham’s very needful and singular prophetic closing down role to the Church Age, I would have to also eliminate as meaningless the role of Elijah and John the Baptist.

In the natural, I can’t think of anyone whose doctrine (or understanding) on the efficacy and appointment of Christ to deliver all humanity fell farther short of reality than John the Baptist. In fact, he so lacked insight of the coming Age of the Church and of its initiator – Christ – that when he was sidelined by God’s allowance to a jail cell he sent word to his cousin, saying, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) Yet God would proclaim of this one whose insight of Christ and the coming Church Age was almost totally blurred, “No greater man was born among women than John the Baptist.” We can only attest, John’s blurred eyesight could only be by God’s allowance. As a personal and close friend of William Branham, I can openly say this man’s character and fruit of the Spirit was unexcelled. I believe God said the same of William Branham as he did of John the Baptist, “No greater man born among women than William Branham.” As much as I fear for those who have made a cult around William Branham, I fear for those who attack him, some even alluding to his giftings as a product of spiritism. Placing one’s hand against God’s anointed is a fearful occupation!

In the same context I, at first glance – based on his error of understanding – am embarrassed to be identified with John the Baptist (as portrayed by his lack of insight of Christ’s role and the coming Church Age as stated in one of the above paragraphs). So I, at first glance, could be identified as being embarrassed to be identified with William Branham because of this embracement of an obviously false doctrine. However, my embarrassment (if it ever did exist) pertaining to both of these men, John the Baptist and William Branham, does not in the least obviate my total embracement of their unusual (and very similar closing down) roles. John, the Baptist, was singularly used to close down the Age of Law... Brother Branham was singularly used of God to precipitate the beginning of the closing down of the Age of the Church. If you have too hastily rendered a wrong verdict on tainted or prejudiced evidence – and have wrongly put your hand against God’s anointed – it is not too late to change your preconceived verdict and seek forgiveness.

Even as there was (and still is) paramount truth to learn from God’s singular appointment of John the Baptist, so there is paramount truth to learn from God’s singular appointment of William Branham. In spite of the fact both of them were subject to error, such error purposefully allowed by God so that future humanity (such as you and me) might know that they unlike Jesus, and the soon coming corporate “manchild” company, were less than “PERFECT.” And though we look to Christ for our future directive – we lose some tremendous values if we do not look beneath the surface of their error (or lack of certain truths) to find their mutually singular appointment to God’s plan and the values they can give us. Having this understanding allows us to benefit from both of these closing down prophets, once we understand the singleness of their appointment. In essence, then, both of their voices are saying to us today, I must decrease that He might increase.

Brother Branham’s dramatic departure from the platform – from his speaking assignment and from the whole convention – was a signal to those who could hear by the Spirit that a period of Gods brooding upon His people in “a Latter Rain type of visitation” (1948-1956) had ceased. An era was over. Judgment of its compromises had fallen. This great eight-year move of God was that day replaced with man’s order, the C.E.R. And with the advent of the C.E.R., a new historic worldwide compromise and apostasy was initiated. From subsequent conversations with Brother Branham, I can report that this is exactly what the Holy Spirit was referring to when brother Branham said, “It’s going to be what it’s supposed to be.” These words – coupled with his actions of leaving the platform, his speaking assignment and even the whole 1956 convention – signaled to the whole world of Pentecost that everything that was originally of the Holy Spirit eight years earlier in this so-called “Latter Rain” visitation had now ended in the flesh.

[1]     From my letter to the officialdom of the FGBMFI on 5 March 1964, as now recorded in an expanded version called Beyond Pentecost (Volume 1).

[2]     Who Was William Branham??? – Volume 5 of the series Show The House To The House.

[3]     The “serpent seed” doctrine (as mentioned above) teaches that Cain was a product of a sexual union between Lucifer (a fallen angel) and Eve. In no way can angels (a totally different creature than man – fallen or otherwise) have relations with man and create a species of beings that are neither man nor angel (man or devil), but something in between. This is no more possible than man and animal cohabitating and reproducing. “And God created . . . every living creature that moveth [including man], which the water brought forth abundantly, AFTER THEIR KIND, and every winged fowl AFTER HIS KIND: and God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:21).  Neither Gabriel (or other unfallen angels) or Lucifer (and other fallen angels) are a species of being like man (for that matter they are spirits without body or soul). Angels do not reproduce; not having flesh, they hence have no life-sustaining blood as does man.

CHAPTER 17

Notre Dame—1971 And 1972

1. And it came to pass . . . as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord fell there upon me . . . .

7. And he brought me to the door of the court [of the temple over which these elders ruled]; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.

8. Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

9. And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.

10. So I went in and saw; and behold [I saw] every form of creeping things, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about. . . .

13. He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. (Ezekiel 8:1, 7-10, 13)

In 1971, the Holy Spirit led me to go to Notre Dame to what was heralded as a great new move of Catholics being baptized with the Holy Ghost. The occasion was the second Notre Dame National Charismatic Conference. Several from our local fellowship gathered in our home to hear a word of knowledge I had from God concerning a secret meeting at Notre Dame, one that the Lord made me to know I would find and then attend. Prophetic utterances had been given years earlier (and many times since) that God intended to use me as He had used His servant Ezekiel wherein He said: Son of man, dig a hole in the wall and see what they do in the so-called Holy Place that is no longer holy. That night these saints prayed for my Divine guidance and protection.

Within a few days, I did attend this 1971 National Convention, a gathering of about 5,000 people, primarily Roman Catholics. The convention was held at the College of St. Mary’s, a women’s companion college to Notre Dame. After attending all eight seminars, the Lord led me away from the campus to the basement of an apartment building some distance away. There, beyond the door of a large recreational room, I could hear the muffled voices of what turned out to be about 75 priests, nuns, and lay people talking about speaking in tongues, Charismatic Renewal, and the Ecumenical move. I entered the room and quickly sat down. Within 60 seconds I was again on the outside, removed by an usher who had asked, “Do you have a letter of invitation?” I was refused admittance for lack of a written invitation. Nevertheless, God provided a plan which worked miraculously. Suffice it to say that within a half hour I was back in the middle of that nucleus, and sat there for a day and a half as a “divinely invited” member.

Some of the most astonishing, demonic things imaginable were discussed by these priests, nuns and lay-leaders. Here, in an off-campus basement, a group of about 15 very select leaders from the Philippines, Africa, South Carolina, Texas, Seattle and other states and countries gathered. It was a trusted inner core. For one and a half days, the session continued as these Catholic diehard fanatics laid their plans to reverse Martin Luther’s protest, making all of God’s people once again one under Roman Catholicism.” They proclaimed:

The Charismatic-Ecumenical- Renewal – according to the Pope, the Curia and College of Cardinals and God – is the medium God is going to use to bring the separated brethren back into the true church.

These top leaders stated that the Pope, the Curia, and the College of Cardinals were extremely pleased with the direction of the Catholic C.E.R. and with the depth of ecumenical penetration into Protestant ranks. They affirmed that the Catholic C.E.R. was proceeding according to plan. Of special noteworthiness were their ecstatic statements that they knew God (their god) had informed them that primarily through the medium of the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement (that coupled with the World Ecumenical movement) all the separated brethren (Protestants) of the world would eventually return to the “mother church”!

Daughters from the Assemblies of God, Southern Baptists, Nazarenes, Methodists, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and Women’s Aglow (as well as all Protestants, which they call “derelict separated brethren”) are expected to eventually gladly return to their mother church through this mutual glossolalic adventure. In a way, this dream has already come to pass. Through compromise and accommodation, Protestant glossolalic adventurers have in the spirit realm returned to their mother ... the mother of harlots. But the word heard from Rome that we Protestants will soon gladly return to their fold (in the spirit realm or the natural realm) will never be accepted and followed by any who really know the God of Elijah. Jezebel may have been beautiful outwardly, but she was totally evil inwardly.

This so-called revelation from God showed them that the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement, as it would soon begin to mushroom into all denominations, would be the medium God would use to bring into being a new world ecumenical order and togetherness all centering in a renewed Roman Catholic church that finally would control it all. In essence, they also said, “As Charismatic Catholics we, for awhile,[1] will take the lead in encouraging all people of all denominations, including our own, to embrace all levels of Ecumenical Charismatic gatherings; but at the same time we will try to influence all Charismatics of all denominations and nondenominations to install a general policy instructing everyone to stay in his present church and denomination.” They continued, “let this Charismatic experience (I believe they should better call it a Charismatic experience-seeking dynamic) make you a better Catholic, a better Methodist, a better Lutheran, a better member of the Assemblies of God, etc...” Also stated by priests who were in attendance – and with a ring to their presentation that denoted great authority:

Our INTERIM PLAN is one of cooperation until – by sheer numbers, God-given final authority, and very carefully planned and regulated co-mingled ecumenical meetings – God brings all the separated brethren back together into the only one true church... the Roman Catholic Church.

This is still their course of action as seen by their current open policy.

At the meeting mentioned above, I heard multiple warnings to watch out for another Luther. Constantly these Catholic leaders expressed fear that “another Luther type,” either from within their Charismatic ranks or from outside, would gain too great a following, enunciating Come out of her, my people. In their many references to “come outers” it was easy to see both their disdain and fear of this dimension of thinking.

THE ONE-WORLD CHURCH OF LOVE

The caution toward Protestant leaders was relaxed with a definite but secret pledge to uphold the common cause of the one-world church of love. Central to their theology is the constantly repeated theme that all Christians – indeed all men – belong to the Roman Catholic church . . . and that the Pope is the supreme ruler and head over all men . . . politically and religiously!

“THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION IN THE HOLY PLACE” NOTRE DAME—1972

I was led to Notre Dame again the following year, in 1972. This time there were 11,500 Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and other Charismatics in attendance. I saw only four or five people who did not appear to embrace everything that transpired.

At this second Notre Dame convention, I moved in and out of the 27 workshops and 75 seminar sessions for three and a half days, prayerfully seeking God’s leading. I knew I was to find another secret meeting. God had sent me there, as people again gathered in our home as they had done a year earlier to pray for God’s direction and protection to find and then attend another secret meeting. On this fourth and last day of the convention I got into my car and drove off the campus to pray. Very discouraged, I continued to drive. “God, why am I here?” I asked. “Where is the secret meeting?”

Soon I found myself a couple of miles away on another campus, the College of St. Mary.

Standing at the same site where I had received my directive one year earlier, I again heard from the Lord. As directed, I walked into a darkened building, got into an elevator, and went to the third floor. As I walked down the hall, I heard voices. There, behind one of the doors, were about 100 Catholic prelates and priests . . . all hierarchy, no laity, as in the secret meeting of the previous year. I overheard talk of “tongues” and “glossolalia” and “Charismatic Renewal.” I said, “Oh Lord, this is the secret meeting!” They were dressed informally and because of the lack of air conditioning, they were in short sleeve shirts. I had on very dark blue pants – almost black – a dark blue, short-sleeved shirt, and a white tie. I took off the white tie and put it in my pocket, buttoned my collar, and walked in… now looking as much like a priest as any of them.

I came in just after they had reconvened following their lunch hour. I sat there in the back row with them for the afternoon. I was awed at finding myself among the very highest level of Catholic hierarchy. Their discourse was intellectually far beyond that of ordinary priests. The six or seven speakers (as well as that of at least a dozen respondents from the floor) all had an intellectual level and authority far surpassing ordinary Catholic priests. The speech of most of them was heavily accented English, making it rather easy to identify their nationalities, and by their intellectual level, I realized they were very high level clergymen, they having come from countries all over the world. I could easily see these were men of great worldwide authority who, as silent observers, had come to Notre Dame for the four-day conference. I’m totally satisfied that most of these were members of the College of Cardinals (who at that time numbered 116), with the exception of some who likely were high level Curial staff members. On this last day of the conference, under an obvious papal mandate, they had gathered two miles away at St. Mary’s for deliberations in what they presumed was absolute privacy. They had been meeting since early morning, breaking only for lunch. They were now setting forth previously worked out Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewist foundational guidelines. There was no doubt concerning their authority over this worldwide activity concerning all phases of the Catholic C.E.R. movement, the overall ecumenical movement, and all other facets of Roman Catholic governments. Their detailed planning effort was central to the plan of the Antichrist, coupled with his False Prophet’s ministry of giving life unto the image of the beast (Rev. 13:15). And as they openly declared, their avowed purpose of Catholic Charismatic activity was to bring the separated brethren back to the true church. Properly interpreted, this means “bringing her Protestant daughters back to the system of `the mother of harlots’!”

In their subtly planned, demonic intrusion into the Holy Place, they openly stated: God is going to use the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement as the primary means of reversing what that awful man started with his Wittenberg Theses in 1517. This was the foundational theme to the afternoon’s deliberation.

DECEPTION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER

Two days prior to this experience, I had been the first man David DuPlessis met as he came through the gate of the Notre Dame campus. I was also the last one whom he saw and bade goodbye as we again (seemingly coincidentally) met at the campus entrance gate.[2] He was on his way to Geneva, Switzerland, for major Ecumenical meetings with the World Council of Churches and then to Rome for a hoped-for meeting with the Pope. I was being led that very moment from the Notre Dame campus to St. Mary’s – and into the demonic session of high level Catholic hierarchy, a meeting of historic proportions as outlined above.

This secret meeting of 1972 was definitely a body of final authority planning the future of the whole Charismatic-Renewal and the whole Christian church with the following focal directives:

Their singular obsession was as presented in identical fashion the previous year: AN INTERIM PLAN ... instituted until, through sheer numbers and our God-given final authority, along with carefully planned commingled ecumenical meetings, God brings the separated brethren (Protestants) back together into the one true church, the Roman Catholic church, under the one true Vicar of Christ.

Specifically planning the demise of the Protestant church through absorption, this to be accomplished first spiritually, then physically. Its evil intentions were far broader than this singular goal.

Heralding the beginning of the all-inclusive World Church under Rome’s control by centering upon the use of a Catholic-Glossolalic- Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal of the church order format, “this format to be the chief vehicle to be used in order to provide a means for the separated brethren to return to the true church.”

While Daniel 11 might have other natural and spiritual fulfillments, I see a singular fulfillment of Scripture in the C.E.R. move: …They shall pollute therefore the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate [in the Holy Place (Matt. 24:15)] ... and they that understand among the people shall instruct many... and some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed... Thus shall he do in the most strongholds [of Pentecost?] with a strange god [with strange fire], whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over [influence and control] many [with this strange fire]...” (Dan. 11:31,33,35,39).

Those at this secret Notre Dame conference knew (or thought they did) that God’s blessing was on their move to captivate and then to become the supreme influence and ruler, first over all the Charismatic-Renewal, then finally over all of God’s heritage. This plan to eventually captivate and rule over all of God’s heritage, this initiated primarily through the avenue of Charismatic deception, has been imparted to them by the spirit of divination. Further, I’m satisfied this demonic impartation of knowledge of what to do and how to do it in this hour has been a central part of their planning for decades, possibly for centuries. Without doubt, this plan of how to “captivate and rule over all of God’s heritage” is a demonic impartation given to them through the spirit of witchcraft (detailed in the following chapter). What blasphemy!

In the following scriptural text we find that two of Aaron’s sons: Nadab and Abihu, died when they offered strange fire before the Lord. And those that were numbered of them [participated in this offering of strange fire] were twenty and three thousand… they [as a result of their sin] were not numbered among the children of Israel [they lost their birthright, i.e. their salvation], because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel (Num. 26:61-62).

Please reconsider your position if you are one of those, like Aaron’s two sons and their 23,000 followers, who are participating in or giving credence by your stance (vocal or by your silence) to Charismatic strange fire exercises. If your stance towards this C.E.R. ecumenical directive is because you want to be open, really liberal in your all-inclusive purposes, please rethink your position. If you think just because at one time God was your Father [your exclusive Father, no other god’s before Him] that you can join that which is liberal in its wide is the way approach, please rethink your position. Abihu means: God is my father. Nadab means: liberal. The joining of the two in compromise resulted in the death of both of them as well as 23,000 of their followers.

HOW TO WATCH FOR – AND ISOLATE – ALL COME-OUTERS

It seems that none of the Notre Dame 11,500 conventioneers, including the main leaders and speakers, knew about this secret meeting two miles away.

This assembly of high-level clerical hierarchy was absolutely petrified at the possibility that another Luther-type with broad influence within their ranks (whether he be Catholic or Protestant) might stand up and again cry out, Come out of her, my people. In this clerical assembly, much time was spent discussing ways of defeating anyone who might:

rise up again and, like Luther, lead some type of movement that would bring internal division, or

anyone with major influence becoming another Luther-type which might cause people to come out of the Catholic church.

As a result of their terror at such a prospect, I heard over and over again a predominant theme, the same theme as in the secret meeting the previous year:

How to watch out for, and effectively isolate any potential divisionary Luther.

How to watch out for, and isolate, ALL “come-outers”... whether such be Romanists or Protestants.

Evangelical and Pentecostal teaching in the 1948-1956 era was very clear in its understanding that eventually the Roman Catholic church would be the vehicle that would be central to the scriptural end-time deception. All seemed to realize that crucial to the enemy’s plan was the use of this Roman church to gather most Christians into a world religious order . . . even eventually into what will be called The World Church. Most of us were taught and believed that eventually the Roman Pope (as Antichrist) would be the limousine driver of this New World Order machine. But I knew of only one (William Branham) who even suspected (much less declared with a “Thus saith the Lord,” as he did) that Pentecostals of all stripes and Roman Catholics, both using the name “Charismatics,” would sit side-by-side in the front seat wearing the same driver’s uniform. William Branham warned us about this, including the Pentecostal/Charismatic participation, even before the Charismatic cult was formed in 1956.

Not only was brother Branham clear in his revelatory word that “the final Antichrist would be the Pope of Rome” – but from 26 June 1956 forward he was very specific in pinpointing that the corporate False Prophet would have as its dwelling place the Court of Pentecost, and that the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal would progressively advocate and dignify ALL of the ecumenical and compromising aspirations consistent with the aims and goals of Antichrist. He clearly saw – as do most true prophets today – that the very person of the False Prophet would be a highly influential ecumenical figure from within that body of people that would in subsequent years become well known as the Charismatic-Renewal.

Subsequent to the 1956 event, brother Branham addressed some of us privately concerning the circumstances and the roles certain Charismatic leaders would play in coming decades. As early as January of 1958, he, in a three-hour dialogue in Jamaica, outlined to Jeanne and me specific details of the roles that would be played by specific parties in the bringing forth and revealing of the corporate False Prophet. That dialogue covered scores of persons by name, as well as that of significant future events, he relating the details as if they were an already past historical happening.

We have since found brother Branham was perfectly accurate in every one of his many prophetic insights and in explicitly detailing the false prophet roles that would be played by many leading Charismatic/Pentecostal personalities. Many of these specifics (including the central position and the part certain men would play) did not reach center stage of man’s belligerence until (1986-1992). It’s fair to say that since 1958, but especially since 1986, almost all of the prophetic insights and warnings, including those herein named (and their roles), have now become perfectly fulfilled past history. Sometimes I almost wish I didn’t know the roles that some of my highly influential friends of another day will yet play on God’s stage if repentance is NOT to be their chosen path.

We have come to the day when the Scripture has finally been fulfilled:

15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him [pray to] understand) (Matt. 24:15).

Lord, give us, Your children, understanding!

I sat at the secret meeting in Notre Dame that without a doubt was composed of a significant number (if not the majority) of the cardinals of the world, a hierarchy who were obviously commissioned to lay the groundwork for the future demise of Protestantism!

The House knows not that by peace Satan shall deceive the very elect, if that were possible…

BY PEACE SHALL DESTROY MANY

24. And his power [the man of sin, together with his false prophet] shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

25. And through his policy [of strategy, networking, miracles, deception and false peace] also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and BY PEACE SHALL DESTROY MANY… (Dan. 8:24-25).

Never for one day should any of us forget this prophetic word, by peace shall destroy many. The Antichrist (the anti-anointing) realm and then the Antichrist himself will …seduce [deceive], if it were possible, even the very elect [by a false peace and safety] (Mk.13:22) in the final hours of this age.

Two colossal, earth-shaking “gatherings” are about to take place:

1. Rapidly, Satan is again gathering his human followers and spiritual forces for the final assembly at a natural Armageddon in the country of Israel.

2. God’s true people – His “overcomers,” His “man-child company” – are being gathered and speedily readied to assemble at their promised spiritual Armageddon.

Yes, unto Him [only] shall the gathering of the people [of the kingdom] be (Gen. 49:10).

In every spiritual battle, we must recognize that the enemy comes from “the north quarters” (Ezek. 38:15). This doesn’t refer to actual countries or direction, but signifies all things that are associated with Satan’s dwelling place. Likewise, our “Armageddon” isn’t a physical place, it represents a “spiritual” gathering place…unto Him. For we know God’s ‘Ultimate Plan’ for mankind – Armageddon – is a spiritual gathering place in Him. In this place the flesh is purged of all sin and compromise. “Israel” represents the true Israel of God, “the called and chosen and faithful.”

“Jerusalem” is that “city which is from above.” To His praise, this Jerusalem which is [from] above is free, which is the mother of us all (Gal. 4:26). Jesus’ first proclamation was made in Old Jerusalem. His second proclamation will be through an overcomer company that one day soon will inhabit the New Jerusalem. This proclamation will be pronounced by spiritual Israel to the whole world – from wherever the overcomers reside.

The final liberty – a “freedom” consummated corporately for the first time since the Garden of Eden – won’t be an accident of history. A people will, by faith generated through knowledge of the Word, enter behind the veil of our own flesh into true repentance. To them, the full significance of judgment must begin at the house of God (I Pet. 4:7) is very clear. Willingly, even joyfully, they will enter the court of self-judgment and be made clean (not waiting for the soon-coming universal, worldwide judgment).

The Book of Revelation describes a dramatic series of catastrophic events. These events precede the personal physical return of Jesus Christ to this earth to restore the government of God and bring world peace.

The sounding of seven prophetic trumpets is central to these events (Rev. 8-10). Each trumpet symbolizes God’s direct intervention into human affairs. The seventh and last of these trumpets announces the second coming of Jesus Christ (not the first going of the saints). He then establishes His rule on earth (Rev. 11:15; I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16).

The trumpets also initiate a series of divine punishments known as the “seven last plagues” upon a rebellious world (Rev. 15,16). These plagues, designed to bring humanity to repentance, are pictured symbolically as seven vials (vessels holding liquids). These vials are “poured out” upon a corrupted earth by seven angels. Tragically, mankind as a whole still refuses to repent of sin!

The sixth trumpet is also the sixth vial (plague). Revelation 16:12 introduces us to this natural gathering at a natural Armageddon: And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.[3]

[1]     For a better understanding of this statement, refer again to Cardinal Suenens’ dissertation in Ireland in 1978 under the subhead Planned Deception (Chapter 13, page 114).

[2]     David DuPlessis, who died in February of 1988, was the architect of many new directives concerning the Pentecostal court.  More than anyone else, he precipitated and gave substance (and even part of the name) to the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement.  His ministry became known worldwide in 1952 when he became the secretary to the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America.  Since the mid-1950s, he was widely called “Mr. Pentecost” and became one of the central initiators, as well as the prime architect, of the aspirations and directives of the C.E.R.

[3]     The Euphrates is 1,700 miles long. With headwaters in Turkey, it runs the entire length of Syria and Iraq, ultimately emptying into the Persian Gulf. Both Syria and Turkey are and will remain enemies of Iraq (in yet another war yet to come following our current dragonian conflict). Either nation could close Euphrates dams and cut off Iraq’s water supply. It is surprising this did not happen during the Gulf War of February 1991 or during the current Iraqi conflict.  However, on a rebellious day not far hence, the Euphrates River most surely will be stopped, heralding the scripturally-described war to end all wars. Turkey and Syria may find a basis of unity when Iraq again rises to provoke major threat. Not only will Iraq’s main water supply be cut off, she will be almost completely annihilated.

CHAPTER 18

A Wise Virgin

The judgments of God will not fall upon those who have entered the Holy of Holies. But there are ten virgins in Jesus’ parable (Mat 25:1-12). Both the “wise” as well as the “foolish” most certainly knew Jesus as their Savior. The fact that they were virgins confirms their betrothal to their bridegroom.

In typology, even if the “foolish” would have said, “Jesus [Savior], open up to us,” His reply, it would seem, would be “sorry, you are unqualified.” The bridal chamber didn’t have an outer court door, that place where knowing Jesus as Savior is sufficient. The virgins called Him “Lord.”

The foolish virgins had an insufficient theory of Lordship. They spoke the word “Lord,” but failed to turn their words into acts. They didn’t walk in the Spirit, so the door to the Kingdom was not opened to them.

The key to the door to the Kingdom is not just in saying “open, Lord,” but rather in knowing Him in reality as both Lord and Master. The “foolish” ones at “the time of the end” will mouth the words, “Lord, Lord.” They will be turned away from entering the Kingdom, however, because their words do not match their experience and walk, which we read of in the final verses of the final portion of Scripture concerning these virgins (Matt. 25:6-12):

6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps

8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil [true Holy Ghost oil]; for our lamps are gone out.

9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10. And while they [who were ‘neither hot nor cold,’ but lukewarm] went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut.

11. Afterward came also the other [truly born again] virgins, saying, Lord, Lord [Master or Controller], open to us.

12. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not [as your Master or Lord].”

We repeat, if the “foolish” had spoken, “Christ [Anointer], open up to us,” His reply would have been to still say; “you are unqualified to enter the Kingdom.” Their true oil of the Holy Spirit had been dissipated and now their lamps had gone out. They obviously no longer knew Christ as their Anointer. They had lost all of true Feast of Pentecost values. How tragic!

Take this parable even further. Many may be typed as “the foolish virgins” in today’s religious marketplace. They may truly know Christ (as their Anointer), but haven’t “trimmed their lamps” to qualify to enter the Kingdom. Trimming lamps is a typology of the ‘Feast of the Atonement’ (full repentance, a nearly lost act within the realm of Pentecost/Charismatica).

There are two reasons why the light in an oil-burning lamp will eventually go out: the lamp runs out of oil; or the wick has not been trimmed. We know that without regular trimming the wick becomes useless and the lamp goes out. Also, a wick raised too high temporarily gives a very bright light. Like humanity in pride, however, it rapidly becomes dead [carbonized and incapable of drawing out (much more) the burning of the oil (the Holy Spirit oil)].

Similarly, in the Court of Pentecost, the fire of the Holy Ghost once burned too high because man’s efforts were added to it. Today The Purified Fire of The Holy Ghost is no longer in sufficient, meaningful evidence in our midst. That which is mandatory in this crucial hour to light our path has all but completely gone out. Small wonder, for our vessels (our very natures) have been carbonized. Our once clean, clear lamps have become clogged with the religious humanism of an omnipresent Roman/Constantinian order within Protestantism that has lost its protest!

Ezekiel saw that the light (the Holy Spirit) never came back to the Middle Court…the Holy Place. All of our praying that God return in blessing and visitation to renew this court of Pentecost will never be answered. The only effectual prayers with eternal results will be prayers of repentance.

IT’S TIME TO TRIM OUR LAMPS

The wise virgins have known and have repented of “the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here” (Ezek. 8:6). And that place that speaks of ‘the abominations in the Holy Place’ is also identified in typology as the “Feast of Pentecost.” Yes, these wise virgins have trimmed their lamps. They have prayed the prayer of true repentance and have turned away from “the wicked abominations that they do here (in the Holy Place)” (vs. 9).

Dear brethren, have we really repented and ridden ourselves of the Ishmael we have created? Have we destroyed “The goodly Babylonish garment [we] have hidden in the earth in the midst of [our] tent?” (Josh. 7:21). If so, we will once and for all also “trim our lamps” of all the foolishness and the flesh-pleasing works that have been going on in our midst.

If we are to invoke God’s pleasure and blessing in this end-time hour of great conflagration, deception and compromise, we must press beyond Pentecost… beyond the plane of mere horizontal activity. We must seek and find, then capture as our very own the One who is the Lord of Glory! We need to press on into the full conception of the end-time body of Christ. In this Body, there will be no room for spiritually self-satisfied “young men” or “children,” but only for the “fathers” who lead others to Him (I John. 2:12-14).

The hope of the world is that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations, and then the end shall come.” The invitation to usher in “this gospel of the kingdom,” as well as to qualify to enter into marriage to our Lord – and hence into His Kingdom – is being extended only to “wise virgins – to those called overcomers.[1]

END-TIMES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States has truly enjoyed God’s protection. We have never (except for Pearl Harbor and ATTU Island) experienced being bombed by a foreign power. From its inception, the United States was formed and called (more than any other) to be the apple of God’s eye. Even before it became a nation, its territory was the greatest central haven for those who chose to be a part of “spiritual Israel.” In this sense, America has long been a God-fearing spiritual type of Israel. But even as His land, natural Israel, has been desecrated and defiled, so, too, we have been corrupted. More pointedly, we have almost totally lost the ideals of our God-ordained calling to be a holy light to the nations.

The United States is only deceiving herself if she thinks her liberty will remain forever without repentance. The day may come when she no longer can sing our national anthem with real meaning, whose last stanza reads:

Oh! thus be it ever when freeman shall stand

Between their loved home and the wars desolation,

Blest with victry and peace, may the Heavn-rescued land

Praise the Powr that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto, In God is our trust.

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Long ago our nation stripped all meaning from our national “motto”: In God We Trust. Neither in true honesty can our nation sing with anointing – and/or with Christ giving a listening ear: O say can you see. If we continue to tempt promised judgment for our disobedience, how much longer will we be able to sing about Old Glory flying Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave [brave enough to pay the supreme price needed to make Him ones only Lord]?

The United States has truly been a “Heaven Blessed” land, the only remaining world superpower. But another world spirit wants us to have only a minor role in its New World Order Plan. This spirit has established a parallel counterpart, a United States of Europe (Common Market, EEC). The real goal of this spirit is identical to the hidden objective of the Roman church – to as quickly as possible form an all powerful ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT.

This ‘New World Order’ will react to God’s true “spiritual” army in the same way that it reacts to “natural” Israel (the nation). Spiritual and natural Israel will continue to be attacked simultaneously, in both the spirit and in the physical. And the nations were angry, declares Revelation 11:18.

Men will not want to submit to God’s rule! They will move from within their Armageddon (the religious gathering places) against spiritual Jerusalem, trying to keep Jesus Christ from becoming Lord of their denominations and organizations (including all ‘systems’ of man’s making). They will try to destroy His army of overcomer … sons. They will regard these princes as the real enemy to what they think is a God- inspired, world religious and political peace.

Towards the end, the woman – the Confederated City of Religion – headed by the Roman Pope as Antichrist – will hold the reins of this “beast.” The “woman” holding the reins will look very holy and religious. Underneath her thin veneer of religion lies the most cunning and deceptive geo-political scheme and schemer ever foisted upon humanity. Her machine and its machinist, the last pope of human history, will sit as god in the temple of God (II Thess. 2:4).

This beast, along with all the forces of Babylon (religious, political and economic), will join forces to “make war with the Lamb” (Rev. 17:14). From the staging ground of a religious, ecumenical Armageddon, the world’s religious armies will move to confront Jesus Christ Himself (and His overcomer sons).

This appearance may be fulfilled by Jesus Christ coming in His own personal, glorified flesh. It may only pertain to His coming [first] in the flesh of a people – “the overcomers.” Does it really matter whether this fulfillment pertains to both appearances or only to His appearance in the saints? Certainly this is a flesh and blood spiritual army. It may also include the “gone on before” glorified army of witnesses of Hebrews 11. We know that those from the other side of the river will accompany the Lord upon His return.

WHERE WILL THE CLIMACTIC “NATURAL” BATTLE BE FOUGHT?*

The prophet Joel foretold of this ‘natural’ battle—this Armageddon—involving all nations (Joel 3:1-2,9-14). It will take place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, 55 miles to the south of the “gathering area.” This ‘valley’ or deep ravine starts at Jerusalem and extends to the southeast. It begins close to the base of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is also commonly known as the Valley of Kidron.

The world’s armies will converge on Jerusalem to engage in the most terrible battle of history. This confrontation is called in the Word, the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14). It is not called the “Battle of Armageddon” in the Bible.

Zechariah graphically describes this supernatural confrontation at Jerusalem with the world’s “natural” armies. (Zech.14:12-13). They will turn against each other in mistrust and fear as their very flesh decomposes and their eyes cease to see!’ And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord shall smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth (v. 12). This is what happened in Hiroshima. A natural battle using atomic, chemical and biological weapons is easy to envision. Obviously, this is the spiritual counterpart to neutron bombardment. This army has become nothing more than a fleshly substitute for the real thing. But what is this spiritual [or religious] army that loses its ability to stand – whose “[spiritual] eyes cease to see” and tongues cease to be real tongues of the Spirit?[2]

All of the inhabitants residing in natural Jerusalem (and all of natural Israel) – they also having fought against God’s spiritual Jerusalem – will come under the hand of the judgment of God Almighty.

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET

My insight and understanding regarding the pivotal roles of the Roman Church and its Pope as the Antichrist, the man of sin, continues to increase.[3] It is my conviction that the Spirit and the Word confirm these roles. I have an increasing awareness, however, that Rome and the Pope are also a vital part of the False Prophet. Rome will dominate the False Prophet company to a lesser degree than it will take on in its Antichrist role.

In times of travail and revelation, I resolutely picture Protestantism as eventually becoming central (as well as complete in itself) to the False Prophet role. However, because the religious “harlot mother” cannot be divorced from her “religious harlot daughters,” Protestantism and Romanism will probably initially take on a dual role as the False Prophet. The Roman church also occupies another type of dual role. For its prime role is that of Antichrist, and its secondarily but vital role is that of False Prophet.

Protestant churches – daughters of “the mother of harlots” – have spawned the False Prophet and at that time appointed will occupy the leading positions within this company. At this time, Rome has confidence that Protestantism (with help from the Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal) will support her religious causes and recognize her growing authority. Rome is now able to turn her primary attention to her global political aspirations and plans.

Rome’s role as the Antichrist beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is increasingly clear. Without shame, Pope John Paul II, this followed by Pope Benedict XVI, have been constantly meddling in the religious, economic and political affairs of the European Union, Africa, the Far East, South and Central America as well as throughout North America. Many believe that these two Pope’s extensive foreign travel borders on the obscene. Every word and action of this current Pope (prior to and since his coronation in 2007) has been projected toward fulfilling his (and his church’s) obsession to control both the religious and political arenas throughout the whole world. Frequent headline-producing travels are mainly for the purpose of meddling in the politics of nations. It is a well-known fact anyone (including all heads of state) who kiss the papal ring has to acknowledge the Pope’s authority as “Supreme Ruler and Vicar of Christ over the entire earth.”

Nearly all political statements of the Pope (which receives broad worldwide media coverage) promotes him as a friend and benefactor to all. Many intimate that he is somewhat of a Messiah, and certainly never as a political or religious enemy of anyone.

The day that this Antichrist/False Prophet chapter – By Peace Shall Destroy Many – was first drafted (1980), I learned of the Egyptian Premier’s (Sadat’s) assassination. Such events engender new meditation coupled with an inner quaking. Who, other than the Pope, commanded the world’s attention and acceptance in a mediatorial role as did Sadat.

Dear ones, watch closely for the papacy’s rapidly increasing world role. The Pope is being projected as the world’s best political and religious mitigator – even now (as again updated 2000 A.D., now again in January 2009) – as a miracle worker for the troubled Middle East (especially among Israelis and Arabs).

During the past 53 years (especially since June 26, 1956), the antichrist and false prophet spirits have worked their evil in tandem. The antichrist spirit (primarily centered in Catholicism) is concentrating primarily on taking over the economic/political natural realm. The false prophet spirit (primarily centered in Protestantism) is working primarily within the spiritual realm, both working in tandem to gain control of all Christian religious machinery first and foremost, this to be quickly followed by the complete control of the world’s political machinery. Hence, to come forth, a new political religious New World Order!

Roots of the European Economic Community (EEC, or Common Market) are in a pact originally called The Treaty of Rome promoted by a Roman Catholic Frenchman named Jean Monet. Invited to Rome by the Vatican, six charter nations signed a great compromise of their national sovereignty in 1952. After five years of planning this agreement, The Treaty of Rome, was finalized at the Vatican on March 25, 1957.

This cunning 1957 ecumenical renewal natural pact was a child of the earlier spiritual Protestant compromise on June 26-27, 1956.[4] In a great cover up of the fact that the Roman Church and its pope (Pius XII) initiated this Treaty of Rome, the original name with its tell-tale identification with Rome was soon discarded. Within five more years the European Economic Community (European Common Market, EEC) was born of this deception and moved to Brussels.

The stated goals of the EEC are: (1) to eliminate trade barriers, (2) increase mobility of capital and labor among member nations, and (3) to form an economic union with a common currency. But more than any of these aspirations, the stated ultimate goal is (4) to institute a European confederation of EEC’s making under Rome’s control. In March 1980, there were ten nations in the Common Market: Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg and Greece. Since then there have been changes in the number of nations, but not in the stated goals.

THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE

The concept of a United Europe (a United States of Europe) was birthed nearly a century ago. During the ensuing period this premise has often reared its ugly head. Bent on winning the peace, financially shrewd, far-sighted industrialists who had lost their fortunes, made European unity their cause. Their plan was rushed to President Eisenhower for approval. As a cleanser for war guilt, it proved to be a marvelously perfumed deodorant. Dwight Eisenhower bought it, and so did the U.S. Congress.

West German Chancellor Conrad Adenauer was always a strong apologist of Rome. In 1951, Adenauer declared, “The creation of a Europe which is politically and economically strong is the only path leading to the recovery of Germany’s eastern territories, which remains one of the essential goals of our activities.” On that day the Pope had planted the seeds that he was the one to spearhead (and eventually head) a United Europe, a steppingstone to him (or his successors) eventually heading a new world order and world government.

From 1951 forward, this plan was developed methodically. Finally, in 1957 it was formalized – IN Rome – BY Rome – and FOR Rome. That is why the pact that the six nations signed was called The Treaty of Rome. Six years later (1957), its headquarters was subtly and quietly moved to Brussels. The name of this political/religious structure was then changed to the European Economic Community. Its former name (and multi-faceted game) has been almost totally buried by Rome. The world media that usually obediently follows Rome’s lead and policy has helped in the burial.

On the surface, the highest announced aspirations of the EEC bears out the treaty’s primary stated goal… that is, the goal of being a political confederation.

Let us put this treaty in its proper perspective. To those who see by the Spirit, the Holy Spirit is clearly revealing Rome’s unstated goals. However, this is not just the European Common Market… To them this pact remains The Treaty of Rome – by Rome and for Rome.

Make no mistake concerning the conspiratorial and cover-up nature of this endeavor; for the underlying real goal is the complete integration of European dynamics. Without question, as stated, the EEC is not just another political confederation. Their real goals are even more subtle, but far reaching, than they have stated thus far.

This is a: RELIGIOUS/ECONOMIC POLITICAL CONFEDERATION with aspirations far beyond the European Community, with secret plans for a soon-to-be imposed world rule!

With the exceptions of Ireland and Denmark, the present Common Market nations were a part of the original Roman Empire. The lineup and number of nations may change. At the “time of the end,” however, the nations or forming units will likely be 10 in number. A forming unit (our own description) could be two or more nations forming a political, economic and religious alliance (creating one entity under one head). For instance, some (or all) of the North African nations might form a single trading block. This alliance of two or more nation/states could be called a state, a forming unit or even a nation. Another example: several Arab nations could unite politically and be called “The Arab Nation,” as many like to be known at this time. One day in the future, there will “likely” be exactly 10 nations or forming units. The number 10 speaks of “the (Mosaic) law” and the rule of natural political forces. The highest consideration, however, in the makeup of a political/religious confederation is not necessarily an exact number of countries (or even forming units). The prime consideration is: A Romanist-inspired conspiratorial alliance.

The Romanist machine will move into its scripturally-promised dictatorial authority. As this authority moves under legalistic law and threat (as the number 10 suggests), it will produce martyrs such as the world has never seen. The number of martyrs will be far beyond the 68 million documented believers “martyred” at Roman Catholic hands during the period of the Inquisition. Yes, a revived Inquisition is near at hand.

To eyes that can see by the Spirit, the EEC is merely an extension of ancient trade agreements. These economic pacts have held the old Holy Roman Empire together in spirit since the ninth century. Even after its political demise in the 19th Century, trading among its nations continued at a high pace.

A TWO LEVEL HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE

Few Bible scholars would question the idea that the present European Common Market, or some extension of it, is the biblical, end-time, 10-nation confederacy. This Common Market confederacy (in an expanded form to include Eastern Europe and other nations) – this confederacy better called a 10-system Vatican conspiracy – will be one side of a two-sided coin called the revived (or revised) Holy Roman Empire, as prophesied in Daniel 7:1-28.

Working to become a substantial world power, the Common Market had a population of 270 million as of 1992. It imported and exported 50 percent more than the United States. Its domestic production was as large as the United States. The EEC presently (2009) accounts for 25 percent of world production and 35 percent of world trade.

Formulated in the 1970s by David Rockefeller, the stated purpose of The Trilateral Commission is to regulate and unite the world economically. The Commission’s primary but more hidden purpose is not economic; it is political integration and regulation. Their underlying objective is to take control of the U. S. Federal bureaucracy, thereby controlling the United States both politically and economically. Most importantly, the ultimate goal of that other world spirit is spiritual (religious) control.

The EEC, the United States, and Japan comprise the three-part Trilateral Commission. It is no longer a secret that most political machinists within the Trilateral Commission have the same primary goal: a one-world government.[5] The United States and Japan are either acquiescent or encouraging the nations of the world to look toward a New World Order. Even if this trend were reversed, they could never stop the steamroller of the Roman Goliath (the EEC). This Goliath is supported by an even fiercer and more meddlesome alignment – The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the CSCE) initiated in Helsinki, Finland in 1975, was composed in the year 2000 of 55 East and West European nations.

BRITISH FREEDOM IMPERILED

The institutionalizing of The Treaty of Rome (commonly known as the EEC) – in one instant, on December 31, 1992 – nullified nearly one thousand years of progressive democratic history. The inestimable blessings of the Protestant Reformation, (the Magna Charta and many other advances) were in one sweep lost at that very moment.

For Great Britain, it meant the surrender of an elected, changeable and democratic House of Parliament for what will become a totalitarian, rigid, bureaucratic dictatorship. This autocracy will eventually give fearful powers to a handful of unelected tyrants. The fate of millions will hang upon the designs and caprice of a few power-hungry czars. Britain’s weighted votes will be only four out of a total of 21. The EEC might grow to as many as 50 national entities, but Britain will never again have a greater say in her internal affairs than 4 in 21, and it could finally be 4 out of 50. The possibility of hidden intrigue and double dealing are alarming.

Over 75% percent of Europe (East and West) is Roman Catholic. The Vatican has had unceasing hatred for the Protestant realm for the nearly 500 years since Luther. Britain later dared to challenge papal claims centuries ago, by sending the Bible around the world in over 1,000 languages. The Church of Rome has consistently tried to destroy her as a nation. The ratification of The Treaty of Rome (let’s call it by its original and more meaningful name) in its final form will bring total eclipse to what little is left of the British Empire. I predict that Great Britain will rue the day she joined the EEC.

Further, Great Britain’s fall will spell the beginning of the end for America. Enforcement of EEC rules will mark the end of capitalism and its capital formation. Economic and political freedom as we now know it in the ‘free’ world will be over.

The real goal behind the spirit that controls the precepts of this Treaty of Rome is this: destroy Protestantism and reverse all that Luther introduced in 1517. Emboldened by its steady advance of acceptance, this seven-headed “beast” has effectively worked to destroy the woman of Revelation 12.

This attempt to reverse and destroy all that Protestantism has advanced since Luther, however, is only a steppingstone to Rome’s real goal. Soon Rome’s vicious hatred will be turned upon the man child about to be birthed by this Protestant woman. Later, when this man child has been caught up to God, and to his [the Lords] throne and can’t be touched, Rome’s hatred will be focused on the woman, the regenerated church who gave birth to this “man child.” (Rev. 12:1-6).

THE COMMUNISM MENACE

Communism has made deep inroads within the EEC, especially in Italy, where the Vatican casts a long, dark shadow. Communist party membership is a greater percentage of the population in Italy than in Russia. Banners exhorting people to vote Communist hang from many Italian municipal buildings. France, the oldest daughter of the Roman church, is similarly afflicted. Communist cooperative societies, trade unions, and funerals which drape anti-God slogans are features of everyday life.

THE JUDICIARY

The EEC judicial system is of a type foreign to the British or American legal systems. The outmoded and unfair Continental System of jurisprudence was founded upon Byzantine Roman Law. Common English and American Law holds a person innocent until proven guilty – in Byzantine Law a person is guilty until proven innocent (only God can prove innocence).

POLICE STATE

A desire for EEC membership has been expressed by Spain, the country where the Roman Catholic Inquisition was initiated. To this day, Spain remains firmly entrenched with, and tied to, Rome and Romanism. Spain permits no franchise or independent trade union of any sort. The sinister tread of jackbooted soldiers and civil guards looms heavily upon its oppressed people. Thousands of Holy Scriptures were destroyed in Spain just a few years ago. Her people need our prayers. Dare we contemplate the day when Spain’s rulers are able to interfere in the internal affairs of all Treaty of Rome nations?

CENTRALIZED CONTROL UNDER THE BEAST

Sooner than we might like to think, the people of the entire world will know economic/political/religious fury. It will be leveled at all who won’t capitulate to the demands of an EEC that controls life from the Urals to the Atlantic. Already their manufacturing standards (ISO 9002) are imposed worldwide.

A PRESIDENT OVER ALL EUROPE

The Parliament of this new United States of Europe plans to computerize every European citizen’s records, using personal code numbers for identification. Only one number will be assigned to each person. By using that number all data, from birth onward, will be available instantly upon inquiry. Once a country joins the EEC, identification numbers can simply be made international (merged into the parallel computerization already being instituted within the ten worldwide global trading areas), as allocated by the European Parliament.

A European currency will soon replace the paper money of EEC nations. And Lord, how soon will the EURO bear the portrait of an all-European President? This change to a Euro economy, along with compelled use of personal identification numbers, would go far to fulfill the Apocalyptic prophecy of the mark and number of the beast (Rev. 13:16-17).

NO RETRACTION

No basis for retracting or seceding from the EEC is provided. In fact, bloodshed could and likely would ensue if a democratic realm (including Great Britain) attempted to withdraw after this seven-headed monster with 10 dictator kings (Rev. 13:1) has acquired total power. After December 31, 1992, never again would a Britisher sing that national anthem with meaning: Land of hope and glory, Mother of the free.

KEY ANTICHRIST PLAYERS

In partnership with the Trilateral Commission is the World Council on Foreign Affairs, which was formed in 1921. Like the Bilderbergers and other influential world organizations, this Council and its American offspring [The U.S. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)] have one main goal. Their objective is to systematically implant those who seek a New World Order into high national government, financial and religious offices and positions of influence – this closely followed by a One-World Government.

Many other bodies wielding world influence join in this goal. These include among many others: The United Nations, The International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Bilderbergers (elitist world bankers), The National Foreign Trade Council (international world financial and corporate multinationals), The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, primarily West European multinational bankers and multinational business concerns), The Club of Rome, The Illuminati and The Group of Ten, The World Council of Churches, The New Age movement, also The Masonic movement. These other-worlders are most often called one-worlders.

The common bond of all the above is to create a New [economic/political/religious] World Order. President Bush didn’t conjure up the idea for a New World Order on his own. Unfortunately, he played dominos with the wrong crowd, and his son (the current aspirant for the Presidential seat) is following in his footsteps.

The primarily political and economic entities usually play down their religious persuasions and intentions. They all know, however, that a “one world government” will never get off the ground unless the Roman Catholic Church (who despises protesters) and The World Council of Churches (who never protested) are brought into their fold as partners. Having nearly accomplished this, these political and economic world czars are presently finding they still cannot move forward unless they make Romanism and its Pope their most senior partner.

Most of these entities have but one primary (although hidden) agenda: induce the United States to surrender its sovereignty and national independence.

[1]     This book, Masters of Deception, was written during an intense period of intercession, hidden away in a sanctuary of God’s provision in Bogota, Colombia during January, February and March of 1980.

[2]     Revelation 19:11-21 further describes the climactic events to occur in that day.

[3]     Some of these concepts were first written in my Oct. 1979 letter to Hans Schnabel. For better understanding of this subject, please read (or reread) Chapters 13-17 in our Volume, None Dare Call It Deception.

[4]     This spiritual compromise is described in detail in our Book entitled None Dare Call It Deception, Volume 3 in our umbrella series, Show The House To The House.

[5]     Senator Goldwater, in With No Apologies: The Trilateral Commission, states this commission represents a skillful, coordinated effort to seize control of the four centers of world power – political, monetary, intellectual and ecclesiastical.

CHAPTER 19

Future Shocks

In the year 2000, the world is swiftly moving towards major realignments of power and economic blocks. America has been the dominate champion against such imperialism as pursued by communism and fascism, but in so doing has eliminated itself from most of the world. Meetings such as the 133 third world entities in Cuba in early 2000 are indications of that which will come forth soon. Their purpose was to (unashamedly) plan how to break the power of the United States in economic arenas.

Three world-dominating groups:

1. The Trilateral Commission,

2. The World Council on Foreign Affairs [with its American Offspring],

3. The United States National Council on Foreign Relations, and

4. The European Commission (EEC) (alias The Treaty of Rome)

will, with the help of many others, be primary participants within a growing ultra-liberal European neutralization. One day not far hence this will bring about the downfall of the U.S.A.

Further, I believe this analysis is in line with Bible prophecy. Prophecy places most of the end-time action—that which is “natural,” not that which is “spiritual”—in Europe, the Mideast and the Mediterranean areas.

UNITED STATES AND NATO DECLINE: THE “BEAST” RISES

During ’81 and ’82, in demonstrations and rallies across Europe, speakers demanded an end to the master-slave relationship with the United States. An “alternative security policy” was called for (meaning: a neutralized Europe beginning with a neutralized Germany). This marked the beginning of the end for NATO. Widespread unrest resulted from a proposal to upgrade NATO’s European forces with new US nuclear weapons. Underlying these demonstrations was a definite anti-American tone. The United States was portrayed as the principal threat to world peace.

In 1985, public opinion polls revealed startling perceptions among German youth. Of those between the ages of 16 to 29, 56 percent claimed they wanted to avoid war at all costs, even if it meant that the Soviet Union would take over the rest of Europe. Consider the implications! This lets just give up attitude is rapidly escalating. Growing acceptance of the European “better Red than dead” philosophy created a counter-theme that is growing rapidly in America: “Cut ungrateful Europe loose.”

“Accept the inevitable” counseled another Wall Street Journal article by an American businessman with Asian ties. He further pleads: “The time has come for the U.S. to sever its ties to NATO.” “Neither the conquest of Western Europe by the Soviets [after American troops were withdrawn] nor the `Finlandization’ of the continent would make much strategic difference to the U.S., but would only add to the Soviet burdens.” He suggested that we turn away from special European relationships and look to Asia, where “the vast Pacific basin lies at America’s other shore. Compared to the two billion (now three billion) people of the Pacific basin, Europe seems a puny affair.”

Arthur Burns, U.S. Ambassador to West Germany, said recently, “…the nuclear debate is becoming a battle for the soul of Europe… U.S. troops will not stay here if they are not welcome.” Mr. Burns also quoted Mike Mansfield, former U.S. senator, now U.S. envoy to Japan, as having said, “America’s future lies in the Pacific, not the Atlantic.”

William Phaaf, (American columnist living in Paris) wrote, “There is a growing U.S. unilateralism, feeding on European neutralism.” He further stated, “The collapse of the Alliance [NATO] is no longer unthinkable.” The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 15, 1981) editorialized about this crisis, “It is not a spasm. It is a tidal wave that will one day in the future sweep all before it, leaving NATO in ruins.” American columnist, Joseph Kraft wrote; “The alliance is at a turning point. Even NATO-firsters must now wonder whether it wouldn’t be better for the United States and Europe to drift apart.”

Today (updated 2009) the United States maintains 300,000 troops in Europe. They may soon be brought home rather than let them become “hostages” to the ever-decreasing European will to stand firm. The current President Bush – as was also true of President Clinton – both of them dedicated one-worlders – are deeply committed members of the three primary “New World Order” organizations.

How could our Presidents, our Congress, and nearly our whole nation be so completely blind to the blatant secular humanism, psychology and wishful thinking – much less the conspiracy – so prevalent in this downward spiral?

Those of us who “know by the Spirit” expect an expanded Common Market that eventually will cover all of Europe (East and West), part of the western Soviet Union, North Africa, and portions of the Middle East (this to be the two legs of the coming revived Roman Empire with the Pope, with the reigns in his hands doing the steering of this Roman machine). Rome and its Pope will, in finality, control it all, and as I firmly believe, will pave the way for—as well as will be—the very Antichrist. This is to be an absolute dictator over two levels of a revived and revised Holy Roman Empire.

A “SWEEPING DESIGN” FOR EUROPE

Like the Holy Roman Empire, Europe (according to biblical prophecy), will eventually become a Church/State hybrid. An almost unpublicized meeting at the Vatican in November 1981 gives insight into this matter. I believe that this tryst was purposefully kept quiet to prevent the significant media reporting normally accorded to similar meetings.

More than 200 participants from 20 East and West European countries gathered to consider their common Christian roots. The event was organized by Pope John Paul II’s old University of Lublin in Poland and the Lateran (Catholic) University in Rome. According to the London Times this was “the first attempt on an international scale to look at the weight to be attached to Eastern and Western Europe as a whole. From the Vatican’s point of view, the change is sweeping.”

Times reporter Peter Nichols wrote; “Pope Paul VI was inclined to see Europe as the West, the noncommunist countries. He regarded the East as mainly just a diplomatic problem. If the previous Pope (Paul VI) were alive today, he could joyously relate that his assessment that this is just a diplomatic problem has for the most part been remedied.”

Pope John Paul II’s design, noted Mr. Nichols, “is sweeping, perhaps romantic, yet felt with the extraordinary intensity of the first Pope in history that has come from the East. There is something Messianic in the expression of this Pope’s feelings about ‘how deeply fixed in the ground of history are the roots of his origin.’”

In the Pope’s view, East and West Europe should no longer be “appendages” (extensions) of the United States and Russia. Then we should ask: “Upon whom (with their history of their need for absolute dependency) will a reunited Europe depend?” Who else does he imply but Rome? Who else, according to John Paul II, could be depended upon to weld together the diverse political bases of Europe? Who could provide the means of rediscovering our common roots based on religion and culture?

Mr. Nichols had realized that “the Pope had seen Poland as an example for Europe.” If the Pope had been fully honest, he would have said: “A Roman-instituted political settlement in Poland makes it an example of how to prepare a country for complete Roman domination.”

Pope John Paul II and Gregory XVI in particular, and their Roman machine in general, see only three major spheres of world order – religious, economic, and political. They believe that only one must soon dominate if we are to escape first economic, and then atomic, chemical or bacterial suicide. These three major spheres are shared as well as dominated by:

Romanism (religious, reinforced by her obedient harlot daughter, Protestantism).

Capitalism, (economic) and

Communism/Socialism (political).

The current religious Pope walks a delicate tightrope between the economic and political spheres. He will play one against the other and move surreptitiously from within or from without either of them. But the present Pope (Gregory) and the spirit of Romanism is determined that there will be only one victor.

Will this Pope (Gregory XVI), with stated goal: Europe must rediscover its common roots, based on religion [that is, Catholicism] and culture [including present political culture], be able to bring into being his Messianic goal which he feels, is …deeply fixed in the ground of history through the roots of his personal origin?

Will Europe not far hence be no longer divided? Is some new secret agreement in the offing among the United States, Europe, the Soviet Union and Roman Catholicism? Does Rome have a plan to form a renewed, revived Holy Roman Empire? Could there be a secret agreement to expand the Common Market? Are plans already in place to establish spheres of influence relative to ten trading zones in Europe and this as a stepping stone to ten parallel worldwide trading zones? Such behind the scenes agreements could rescue Russia from otherwise assured economic catastrophe.

The Bible says that when Christ returns, the alignment of nations (antichrist forces) around Israel will generally be the same as it was at His first coming. The Treaty of Rome, instituted in the Vatican and specifically for the Vatican in 1957 (and as stated earlier) – is just another step toward a return to the New Testament European lineup. Rome and its pope (Pius XII, at that time) were merely fulfilling “end-time prophecy.”

JESUIT POWER

In another aspect of the (so-called) 1981 crisis in Poland, the Wall Street Journal states: “In addition to the military, the Jesuits are the only persons allowed to make broadcasts in Poland.” This is religious show business on an international scale. While the poor Catholic people are suffering, the big machine is setting the timing for the relatively new Pope to come forth to become the great man of peace to be adored and worshiped, not only in Poland but throughout the world.

The order of the Jesuits was organized during the Spanish Inquisition by a Spaniard named Ignatius De Loyola in 1540. Its first members, among the most merciless of countless terrorists sponsored by Roman Catholicism, were given the mandate to destroy the budding Protestant movement, an outgrowth of Luther’s Wittenburg proclamation only 23 years earlier. A secretive society, the Jesuits (Rome’s primary enforcers) are suspected of engineering the massacre of multiplied hundreds of thousands, including the St. Bartholomew incident in Paris in 1572. The Jesuits form the Vatican’s army, complete with officers and ‘enlisted’ men.

BEHIND THE SCENES

In every one of Rome’s religious/economic/political machinations, Satan has been behind the scenes as ‘the master planner.’ The Roman Catholic church will again, and soon, provide another grand masterpiece who will be a conduit for even greater deception! Yes, Satan has ‘a Roman masterpiece’ – a man of sin – who will “deceive [even] the very elect, if it were possible.”

No scriptures appear to predict a Russian-dominated Europe. On the other hand, much scripture seems to foretell Roman domination. Intense Russian maneuvering, under the guise of “peace” (we might add “peace and safety”), will soon help to neutralize all of Eastern as well as Western Europe.

I believe that the big “Roman Machine” took a gigantic leap forward in 1983, both in Poland and worldwide. The Pope was hailed as the great man of peace [which will soon be adored and then worshiped as a god-man].” Who would doubt that Pope John Paul II controlled “the 1983 show business” in Poland. Poland’s President Jeruzelski [and the Soviet Union leaders] were left trembling and neutralized, waiting for the Pope’s next power play.

For want of a better word I call the Roman ‘peace and safety’ ploy Euroneutralism. Europe’s future is compromised neutrality, leading either to Russian control or Roman Catholic domination (with final Russian acquiescence). Don’t forget, even a neutralized Western and Eastern European union does have powerful nuclear capability.

All of these things will work together to open the door to the rise of an expanded EEC, (with extension to most if not all of Eastern Europe)…. And then finally to a further expansion of Russia and former Soviet republics through The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). This will set the stage for the one world government and the entrance of the Antichrist. He will institute the ultimate in compromise, a deceptive peace.[1]

The Antichrist (centered in Rome and Romanism), with the help of his False Prophet (centered in Protestantism), will take control of the presently forming World Church. The Antichrist (the Pope?) will fulfill the foretold abomination of desolation (Dan. 12:11; Matt. 24:15). At that time, he will proclaim himself to be God and set up his image in the Holy Place. Those refusing to worship the image of the beast and the beast himself and beastial system will be killed. And yes, Rome will one day soon again reinstitute the Inquisition.

WHY?

Each of us has a right, even an obligation, to ask, “How can men and women in religious, economic or political leadership do this? How can they gladly sell the US birthright as a free nation for this mess of unitized pottage?” “How can they perform indiscriminate murder in the name of their political position or their religion?”

These leaders of compromise often appear to be good, well-intentioned people. Certainly they are usually thought of as good, law-abiding citizens in their respective countries. Most economic/political czars generally have more money than they could possibly ever use. But pride and control is the name of their game. Religious controllers, having a local (or even national) taste of control, have only whetted their appetites for further attempts to be a universal covering of God’s people that are meant to be free.

These are the liberals, the one-world religionists, mega-church Nicolaitinized leaders, congregations blended together by easy-believism. In addition, many of them are world socialists, multi-nationalists, world bankers and economic czars, one-worlders. Why then are they secretly and deceptively working toward a new religious/economic/political order for their world?

There can be no doubt. They want to assuage their personal lusts for: Power and Fear – fear that this world religious, economic and political order that they have helped to create (without God) will collapse, bringing them down with it. And yes, it will collapse, in spite of all the secular and religious props they are using to hold it together.

And it will! Yes, the thing that they fear the most will surely come upon them.

SUMMARY

The Western World is entering the scriptural time of great perplexity. (Luke 21:25). The Koine Greek word for “perplexity” implies a time of conflagration from which there is no way out. An expanded European Economic Community (EEC) is rapidly becoming the most viable launching platform for a future one-world government, with the Pope as its supreme head. This EEC (a.k.a. the Common Market of Europe (a.k.a. The Treaty of Rome) is central to this coming seven-headed, ten-horned kingdom.

The abomination of desolation resides not in a physical place but in a people – those whose identification is with the Holy Place of Pentecostalism/Charismaticism. Romanism is effectively using and will eventually control this middle court called Pentecost, which she expects to be one of her primary means of establishing her one world government.[2]

When you observe a great promotion of world peace through accommodation and compromise, mark the man and the institution who takes the lead. For when they shall all say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But YE, BRETHREN (true sons of God… overcomers) are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (I Thess. 5:3-4)

Praise God for His promises and hope for all true brethren.

The mystery of iniquity doth already work…And then shall that wicked be revealed (II Thess. 2:7,8)

The ‘Christian’ religious arena has become the domain of the False Prophet and Antichrist spirits. There is a fanatical determination within the False Prophet (antichrist) sphere to rule the world. This resolve to ‘control’ arises primarily out of fear and hatred of Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom.

Such fears are well founded, for Jesus shall surely reign as Lord. He will begin His reign through the soon-to-come-forth corporate “man-child.” Scripture makes it clear that the Antichrist has no argument with, or fear of, the emaciated, powerless “woman” who births the man-child. This woman is the so-called ‘Christian’ church who is destined to flee into the wilderness. In the deepest sense of the Word, she already is in this wilderness. It’s not a physical place, it’s a spiritual wilderness (Rev. 12:1-6; 13-17).

The Antichrist does, however, stand in terror of the coming ‘man-child.’ He will try unsuccessfully to abort him:

…and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns…stood [stands in the year 2000 A.D.] before the woman which was [is] ready to be delivered, for to devour her child [man child] as soon as it was [is] born (Rev. 12:3-4).[3]

In the very next verse

a man-child, who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron… was [is] caught up [in the Spirit] unto God, and to His throne [authority] (Rev 12:4).

Soon the rise in Europe of the religious/politico beast, the Antichrist, will become clear to many. The Roman Catholic Church, with help from its Protestant False Prophet daughters, is now giving life to this beast. The serious student of European order cannot (must not) dismiss the dominating influence of the present Polish Pope or his successor if such is to be the case. Even a slight understanding of “the mystery of iniquity” reveals the ever-present Roman intrigue and maniacal desire to control. Almost daily, newspapers report the fulfillment of scripture by Pope John Paul II, his Roman machine and his Protestant echoes.

The roots of modern religious Babylon and political Babylon are the same – they were well embedded in Rome’s soil when John wrote Revelation. When Constantine formalized ‘Christianity’ as the official Roman religion (c.324 AD), the lasting reign of this whore seemed assured. Her “head wound” by Luther (and others) seemed to cut short her whoredom; but a modern 21st Century Pentecostal/Charismatica company intervened to bring “healing,” starting in 1956. This chapter highlights the scenario and the players who are performing this great religious drama.

OMNIPRESENT POWER WITHOUT JESUS

For the nearly 1700 years since Constantine, Rome has remained the major player on the religious world scene. Even before that, she was the worldwide political power.

Indeed, her head was wounded AS THOUGH to death when Political Rome fell in 476 AD. Religious Rome was similarly wounded by Luther’s reformation again as though to death in 1517 AD. Today Rome is almost healed, very much alive and well (both religiously and politically). Thanks for Rome’s religious revival must go primarily to:

The World (Ecumenical) Council of Churches that (since 1948) has given Rome FALSE LIFE, and to the tragic shame of

The Charismatic (Ecumenical) Renewal (C.E.R.), that (since 1956) has given Rome FALSE POWER. [4]

[1]     The key word above is “expanded.” This refers to The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.  This concept is very central to the whole of the book Masters of Deception.

[2]     The expression ‘middle court’ is sometimes used synonymously with “The Holy Place” in the former Jerusalem Temple. Currently, its meaning describes the ‘Feast of Pentecost’ arena in contrast to the “outer court” (‘Feast of Passover’) and ‘Holy of Holies’ (‘Feast of Tabernacles’).

[3]     Brethren, hear this:  I fully believe that the ‘beast’ of Revelation 13:1-10 (the Antichrist) “…stands before this woman [the emaciated church]” and has her permission [cooperation] to help her and the ‘system’ to rid (abort) the unwanted “man-child” within her—the one who is giving her so much turbulence and pain.

[4]     Generally throughout the remainder of this treatise, I will use the abbreviation, C.E.R., when referring to the Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal.

CHAPTER 20

The House Should Be Ashamed

No wonder that Ezekiel said, Show The House To The House that they may be ASHAMED of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. “Let them” is used here in the same sense as when God said, “Let there be light.” God is not just “letting them”—but is demanding them (all of us) to “measure the pattern.”

God is commanding us to …measure [and re-measure] the pattern in this time of perplexity. If this is not true, then our intercession and writings will be little more than exercises in futility. Yes, the prayers and travail of many years (especially since the inception of the C.E.R. in 1956) will have been to no avail unless true Sons of Zadok loudly sound the alarm as to how far Christendom has strayed from our Pattern – Jesus Christ.

RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?

But we are not of this world. We will not join our spirits to those who follow the False Prophet. Neither will we fear those who are only preparing themselves for the natural Armageddon, a secular gathering for war. Nor will we any longer join our spirits to that (or to those) who have little future as they begin to enter their religious Armageddon. All religious Armageddons are merely man’s substitute for the real gathering …in [the] Jerusalem which is from above, the mother of us all. For we, as true sons of God, will be transformed into His image, and will no longer give [any] life to the image of the beast. We will have overcome. Hence, only the true, the spiritual Armageddon holds any allure for us! Praise His Holy Name!

CONSTANTINIAN HERESY

In 324 AD, Constantine ruled the world as supreme political and religious dictator. In reality, he should be considered the first Pope – many trace modern popery back to him. Constantine’s forced conversion of all Roman citizens to Christianity made a mockery of spiritual rebirth. The Council of Nicea established church order within a deeply dug trench designed to undergird their primary plank of Nicolaitanism. It also prepared a ‘Christian’ creed that all Roman citizens were required to affirm.

LUTHER WOUNDS THE HEAD

Europe languished under the iron hand of popery for 1200 years. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X needed funds to build a new basilica in Rome. He sent priests to the far reaches of Europe to sell indulgences. Any Roman Catholic who was guilty of sin or a crime, even murder, could buy indulgences. Roman indulgences bought forgiveness of sin, freedom from prison for the guilty and a (supposed) guarantee to enter heaven.

It was during this period that a young German Augustinian monk read these words in scripture; the just shall live by faith (Gal 3:11). He was astounded! He suddenly knew that it wasn’t membership in the Roman church, new birth by baptism, partaking of the sacraments, or blindly accepting Christ’s presence in the mass that would get him to heaven.

Heaven was available only through trust in God through Jesus Christ, i.e., personal salvation through faith alone in the Finished Work of the Cross. This was not by works, but by faith only. This verse changed his life, and soon the world would also be changed. The obscure monk was Martin Luther.

John Tetzel, a mastermind in the horrific inquisitions, went throughout Europe selling indulgences and Luther exploded in anger. Subsequently, Luther wrote a list of 95 arguments against indulgences and many other unscriptural Roman Catholic practices. When this “Wittenberg Thesis” was nailed to the church door, the religious world was shaken. For this insult and insolence, the pope set out to destroy Luther and his followers. The Holy Spirit moved upon many who followed after Luther as denominations and sects arose in their wake. God protected most from the wrath of Rome but some suffered cruel martyrdom. In spite of personal danger, many millions of Catholics left their church to join one of the new denominations. This movement, now called the “Protestant Reformation,” soon had inflicted a near lethal wound on Rome’s religious machine.

Protestant religious groups had become very strong in America by the time of the Revolutionary War. Catholics were nearly excluded from US political office for it rightfully was believed that their loyalty was to the Pope, not to the fledgling republic.

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE CURRENT C.E.R. MOVEMENT

What began as a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in Los Angeles in the early 1900s soon became institutionalized into many ‘Pentecostal’ denominations. Nearly a half century later, William Branham held a series of evangelistic meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia during the last week of November of 1947. One hundred and sixteen students from a Bible College 400 miles east of Vancouver came to this unusual meeting, a meeting accompanied by great signs and wonders. They returned to their Bible College, but most of the students began to enter into great intercession for a Divine visitation. Eight weeks later, on February 13, 1948, a divine visitation occurred at this Bible College in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Praying students had entered into more than two months of day and night intercession and fasting. Many expected this 1948 visitation to be only a small token of a much greater visitation soon to come. This visitation quickly came to be heralded around the world of as the initiation of the Latter Rain movement.

1948 WAS A FOCAL YEAR

Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948, and most of the surviving Jews began an exodus from the nations of Western Europe. Many Protestant ministries, who nearly overnight became well-known, got their start shortly after World War II. Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Rex Humbard, William Branham and Tommy Hicks were typical of hundreds who were thrust into significant ministries.

The World Council of Churches was formed and began its ecumenical efforts the same year. Although its memberships were confined mostly to European Protestant denominationals at first, it quickly grew to have world-wide influence. To expand its membership, the World Council of Churches took ‘liberal’ positions on most issues. Its theology is primarily atheistic secular humanism, to which we might lend some dignity by calling it by its rightful name ‘Christian humanism.’

A FELLOWSHIP OF MEN IS BORN

In the early 1950s laymen began to gather for breakfasts with Demos Shakarian on Saturdays at Clifton’s Cafeteria, a restaurant in Los Angeles. Our Lord began to move upon them in power as they shared their experiences in Him. Shakarian had a vision of men all over the world raising their hands to glorify God. From that vision a movement was born that soon became national in scope. As detailed in the first two volumes of our series, Show The House To The House, this author/scribe was one of fifteen original founding fathers of the FGBMF. The word that God’s glory rested upon us as a body quickly spread throughout this and most other nations. Though there were less than twenty city chapters in the nation by 1955, ten thousand came together from all over the world for the third International convention of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMF) held in Denver. The power of the Holy Spirit was much in evidence as the Lord, with singular anointing and significant signs following, descended upon us.

At the time there was no noticeable cry for ‘power’ in the FGBMF ranks, but there was a great cry for ‘purity.’ Ego and pride were supplanted by humility – doing for doing’s sake was overruled by being. Rather than building man’s kingdoms, these men established and carefully implemented efforts to work in and on His Kingdom.

THE FGBMF BIRTHS AN ISHMAEL

I was the Chairman of the fourth 1956 FGBMF International convention which was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to this convention our prayers to Jesus had always been: “Be Lord and Master of my life.” The FGBMF had been a spiritual organism within the Body of Christ, not a religious organization. We had neither a charter, a hierarchy with titles or rank, nor a creed. Nor did we have membership, for we were well aware that membership as practiced by all churches is an evil practice, one born by man’s secular order as well as man’s typical church order (a non-scriptural practice). The FGBMF relied solely on the Living Word within, seeking confirmation from the Written Word for every position taken and every decision made.

At that time nearly all of the men who gathered with us believed that the Roman Church and its pope were antichrist. Most of them also believed that the Antichrist himself would arise from within Romanism.

Everything changed on the fateful day of June 26, 1956. The Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal (C.E.R.) was born of a Nicolaitan spirit that arose in our convention.[1] This spirit sought to preserve the old order, to ‘renew’ the existing religious arenas rather than to forsake them. The scriptural command Come out of her, My people, was changed to Stay in her [your church order] My people. Rather than put our new wine into new wineskins, as Jesus commanded, the FGBMF sought to renew the old wineskins.

William Branham, scheduled to give the keynote address at that morning session, recognized that the Holy Spirit had left the convention hall and most of its participants. As Chairman of that convention and of that very meeting, he came to me and said: It’s going to be what it’s supposed to be and then left the platform. Our gathering that day decided to birth an Ishmael called the Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal (C.E.R.) without God’s direction.[2] That day human compromise satisfied the flesh but troubled the spirit of all who had “eyes to see” or “ears to hear.” This C.E.R. would soon and rapidly grow into a rebellious house that would soon influence nearly the whole worldwide middle court of Pentecost.

ROME SEES A NEW THREAT

Already severely wounded by Luther and the Reformation, the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal, with its emphasis on Holy Spirit gifts, posed a new challenge to Rome, so they developed a strategy. Continuing their “if you can’t lick em, join em philosophy,” the Catholics began to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit for themselves.

One day the Holy Spirit led me to enter a local Catholic Church (c. 1958) to pick up a magazine. The lead article suggested that Catholics should learn how to exercise the gifts, sing the emotional Pentecostal songs, pray spontaneously… to promote emotional religious activity. This well-documented article warned of the Church’s imminent demise if tongues and emotions were not integrated into Catholic traditions.

Although Rome and the whole C.E.R. court have never learned this lesson, “nothing ever starts in the flesh and ends in the Spirit.” Like Samson, C.E.R.’s creators didn’t know it when the Lord departed from their midst. (Judges 16:20) Samson’s great strength and sight were lost because he consorted with the wicked Philistine, Delilah. The C.E.R. soon also courted the harlot (Rome) and similarly lost its power to resist or even see its spiritual enemies.

THE C.E.R. GROWS AND ROME PLOTS ITS TAKEOVER

With the rapidly-growing FGBMFI as a prime mover, the Charismatic/Ecumenical/Renewal movement soon spread worldwide. Charismatic speakers were invited to churches and local rallies and FGBMFI chapters were started in city after city and in nation after nation. [Until my resignation in 1964, I was very active in establishing local chapters throughout the nation. In fact from 1954 until 1960, I started nearly a third of the chapters in the U.S., as well as all of the chapters in other countries. Although most of the national leadership blessed the stay in your churches chorus, I never championed that message.] During that period, several chose to come out of the FGBMF rather than stay in. William Branham was one that didn’t have to come out because he never went in.

William Branham resigned from his church in Jeffersonville, Indiana in 1960 and moved to Arizona because followers began to worship him rather than Jesus. He died in December of 1965, but he left a great legacy of spiritual truths and prophecies of coming events. Most of his prophecies have been already fulfilled to the letter. The very few that still await fulfillment are covered later in this book, and in other volumes.

By the early ’70s more than 1,000 local FGBMFI chapters had been organized throughout the U.S. and in many foreign nations. In major cities hundreds attended their gatherings. By 1987 (prior to the first major split) there were 3,500 chapters in over 100 countries. By then, most Pentecostal churches accepted this movement and most denominational leaders at least tolerated it. Many Catholics attended and some took positions as officers. Emphasis on Holy Spirit baptism and the exercise of His gifts helped to give the C.E.R. life, although great mixture and compromises were sanctioned.

Roman Catholic plans to take over the overall Charismatic Ecumenical Renewal were formulated in two secret meetings (‘71 & ‘72) at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. These meetings were attended by a select group of Catholic priests, cardinals, nuns and laymen who had been invited from many nations. Two years in a row, and by divine unction and divine intervention, I was led by the Spirit to both of these secret meetings of hierarchy, this to ‘spy out their conspirational land.’ During both of these sessions die-hard fanatic Catholics laid plans to reverse Luther’s 1517 A.D. burr under their saddle. Luther had seriously challenged their plan for world control of the City of Religion. Now they expected all of God’s people would one day not far hence again become “one under Roman Catholicism,” they openly proclaiming both years that:

The 1971 interim plan was to cooperate with the Protestants until by sheer force of numbers they (the Catholics) could take over the C.E.R. movement. Both years the attendees also were warned often to watch out for another “Luther” in their midst. Also, that if an influential Catholic Charismatic became a ‘come outer,’ this might foil their secret plans. No one was to be permitted to gain a position of influence within the C.E.R. (Protestant or Catholic) without commitment to a ‘covenant relationship with the Roman church. Their common cause: create a one-world church of love.

In 1972 the leaders of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal set up their fifth annual convention at Notre Dame University. Again I was led of the Lord to attend this conference, and again, as in the previous year, I heard about planned deception. Primary Catholic hierarchy had set up a secret meeting (the second year in a row) on another campus several miles from the conference at Notre Dame University. I was led by the Holy Spirit to this secret meeting in a third floor chapel in the administration building at St. Mary’s University. As I entered the room dressed in black trousers and dark blue short sleeve shirt, I looked as much like a priest as did the approximately 90 priests and cardinals in attendance. Nearly all dressed informally about the same as me.

These were leaders – seemingly all priests – from the highest Catholic levels. [I was convinced by their demeanor and exquisite fluency that most, if not all of them, were from the College of Cardinals, which at that time were 116 in number]. The foundational theme of their deliberations: “God is going to use the Catholic Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement as the primary means of reversing what that awful man (Luther) started with his Wittenberg Thesis in 1517.” Plans to oversee the demise of the Protestant churches, and to create an all-inclusive world church under Rome’s control were discussed in great detail. Charismatic Catholics were soon to be called back into the fold for a period of training. After the indoctrinated Catholics proved trustworthy, they would be sent back into the C.E.R. arena to take it over.

THE DUPLESSIS ENCOUNTER[3]

David DuPlessis, a man often called ‘Mr. Pentecost,’ had been a long-term friend. In 1972 David came to Minneapolis to be a principal speaker at a Lutheran Conference on the Holy Spirit. During the night, and just three hours before we shared breakfast, I had a dream in which I gave a message to David. At breakfast I gave David the same word I had given him in this dream:

Brother David, do not any longer be a part of the false prophet that gives life to the image of the beast.

The implications of this message were that a corporate False Prophet was then in existence, and so was the image of the beast. Like so many other C.E.R notables, David appeared shocked and concerned at such an admonition, but didn’t seem to take it to heart.

AN END TO GOD’S PATIENCE

In 1979 Hans Schnabel, a primary leader/writer within the Lutheran Charismatic communion, as well as many other watchmen became concerned that the Roman church seemed to be pulling away from C.E.R. activities. [In an October letter to Hans, I detailed the planned Catholic deception and other take over factors that I had heard being planned in two secret meetings, one in 1971 and the other in 1972 at Notre Dame University. This letter was later circulated to many friends of his as well as ours. I also explained that a 1978 Catholic Charismatic meeting in Ireland emphasized social action orientation, over ecumenical unity.]

At this time most C.E.R. proponents had abandoned the word of the true prophets who were proclaiming that the “Holy Spirit was revealing a need for repentance and Divine order. Although the Holy Spirit had enlivened many Protestant fellowships and organizations, most were echoing the Catholic mantra, all that God wants us to do is love one another. In truth, their sentimentality was not love at all, rather it was a call to demonic bondage.

C.E.R. adherents had created a false gospel void of cardinal truths. They were seeking power without purity in an almost Hitlerian fashion. The Holy Spirit was moving away from their meetings and “the sacrilege which makes desolate” that which was (and is) standing in His place.

THE TRIAD PROFANATION

During the year of 1987 the U.S. religious, economic and political arenas all suffered severe dislocation (see Chap. 2). The religious arena was jolted by the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World Evangelization, July 22-27. By then the corporate False Prophet was almost completely joined to the (political) image of the beast, giving it life in many of its meetings and proclamations. The economic and political dislocations which occurred later in the year brought to completion the preliminary fall of Babylon (economic, political and religious). [Reread of this on page 69 of our chapter, The Religious Arena.]

THE C.E.R. GOES POLITICAL

In 1980, the Lord had given me a message for Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). The gist of this message that I was directed to deliver to Robertson was that he should no longer allow Catholics and the liberal ecumenical church leaders to use his agencies. He should not advance their heretical plans for absorbing, then finally controlling the whole arena of Charismatica. Nor should he try to use them to advance his ministry or his future move into politics, which I foresaw by the Spirit would be the case in the future.

Although Pat had been a long-time friend, when I went to visit him with this message, he provided no opening to discuss its implications. And as so often in matters (and with personalities) of such import, I finally heard a word: He understands in theory, but will not place it into practice... Also I heard, do not any longer cast pearls before swine. On this occasion, I heard both of these profound words of termination.

Pat Robertson, years later, led a mass move into Caesar’s territory, culminating in his candidacy for the US presidency. Although his bid for the presidency failed, it brought many C.E.R. leaders into the political arena, and also brought nearly the whole of the so-called Christian camp to place their trust in democracy, the political arena and the political process, rather than trust in the Lord, in His leading within Theocracy. Primarily through Robertson’s bold thrust into Caesar’s domain, largely futile attempts to take over local, state, and federal offices has become an albatross to many who have changed their directives from trust in the Lord to that of trust in the ballot box.

The word is resolute: Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods (Mark 12:17). First, the C.E.R. had turned its back on God’s anointed prophets. Now, in an attempt to avoid God’s judgment, they were turning to the political realm for solutions to their spiritual problems. Pat Robertson made a convenient leader (king) for them to follow. “But what will they do in the end thereof? (Jer 5:32).

THE END THEREOF

I don’t claim to have a perfectly clear “thus saith the Lord” message relative to the end of our Age. But this much is very clear, the role of the False Prophet company has its base within both the Protestant and Roman Churches, and the spurious intent of this False Prophet company will become increasingly evident as they continue their ‘works’ on the world stage.

I firmly believe that the Roman church and the papacy will occupy the role of the first “beast” (Antichrist) as seen in Revelation 13. The second “beast” (the corporate False Prophet) will surely be revealed, and it will probably be a company which includes many Roman Catholics. However, this corporate False Prophet will certainly be primarily centered in Protestantism, and more specifically in a Charismatic realignment (organism or organization). This realignment will probably launch and finally focalize in one great world-renowned renewal expert who has lost all semblance of protest. This person will be determined to first ecumenicalize the whole Charismatic swirl, and eventually the rest of Protestantism. I believe this move will become central to the fulfillment of the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy Place.”

Has the C.E.R. movement already become so blinded that within their ranks nearly none dare call it deception? Would any of our television spell-binders, or the omnipresent kingdom-building Charismatic leaders, risk financial and spiritual bankruptcy? Apart from Divine intervention, it would seem that every one of them would lose most of their support if they became totally honest. It is fair to ask, who among professional clergymen – whose profession and meal ticket may be jeopardized by such action – are willing to stand up to the ‘middle court’ nonsense of this hour?”

Sadly, the people have been well taught that the false is true and the true is false. Even worse, they have been well taught to embrace (financially and otherwise) the false and to fight against the true. The false has been deeply ingrained into our nature for 2,000 years. It has been hugely magnified and eulogized as ‘real’ in recent decades. Short of great prayer and humble repentance, nothing is going to change the “Pied Piperitis” that inhabits and dominates the modern Pentecostal “middle court.”

The present mood in both pulpit and pew is to compromise, and the Scripture, they love to have it so, is so appropriate. Thank You, Lord, for the insight that you give us and for the certain knowledge that You will have a true people. Even now, you have a true people, a people who understand Satan’s devices. Yes, there will be a people who …follow the Lamb [only] whithersoever he goeth (Rev. 14:4) outside the camp of all this mixture, taking no thought for tomorrow, nor for the cost.

By faith, I believe that many will put their ministries, their jobs, their lives on the line – those who are willing to be a part of a surrendered remnant – these being a people who will count all these things but dung that they might win Christ (Phil. 3:8). Some national and international ministries will soon begin to desire Christ far more than the perpetuation of works that are well thought of by man. Yes, soon we will see divine interventions that will change the inner character of the despised remnant into the nature and image of Jesus.

[1]     Nicolaitanism:  The giving of undue credit to an unscriptural separation of God’s one people into two peoples, a clergy class and a laity class.

[2]     Ishmael, who was born of Hagar due to Abraham and Sarah’s rebellion, became the father of the Arab nations (Gen. 16).

[3]     Here, we make only brief mention of the unusual DuPlessis dream, and its far reaching implications.  This dream, which was fulfilled to the minutest detail within four hours of having received it, is the subject matter of Chapter 17 (page 147) in our book None Dare Call It Deception!

SEGMENT 3:

WILLIAM BRANHAM

CHAPTER 21

A Strange Challenge

The doors of the great municipal auditorium of the City of Portland, Oregon, were opened early that November evening of the year 1947. At six o’clock, many people had already stood in line for a long time awaiting opportunity to enter and secure a choice seat. When the caretaker at the appointed time went his rounds to unlock the doors, he was somewhat puzzled to find such a large crowd awaiting him. It was a little strange, he observed, for there had been no unusual advertising, and religious services, even when extensively advertised, as he remembered, rarely attracted enough people to fill more than a fraction of the auditorium.

The caretaker could have noticed also that the people did not follow the common custom in church services of filling up the center and rear pews first, but rather rushed forward to get the seats nearest the front. But soon these were gone, and those toward the rear and in the balconies were occupied also. Once more the caretaker had reason to take note, for firemen assigned to the routine duty of seeing that city ordinances regarding public safety were observed sent word to him that the building was full and that he must at once shut the doors and see that no one else entered.

Such a gathering of local and out-of-city ministers to a revival service was a rare occurrence in the city, and no doubt had never been witnessed on such a scale before.

What was the attraction that had brought together this large concourse of people? It was not the singing or the special music. For although both were excellent and inspiring, yet it was evident that the people were waiting with restrained impatience until the preliminaries would be concluded in anticipation of what was to follow.

The cause of this large gathering could be stated in few words. It had been told over the city that a man by the name of William Branham was coming to town and would speak in the Municipal Auditorium. Concerning this man, it was said that an angel had appeared to him in a special visitation, and gifts of healing were being manifest in his ministry.

The services of the first two nights aroused tremendous interest; and now on the third night the building was filled with people waiting again for the speaker to appear. The evangelist began his message, “All things are possible to him that believeth. There is nothing that can stand before faith in God, and if the people here tonight will believe God with me, we shall see that God will honor that faith and confirm it before the eyes of this entire congregation.”

As the audience listened with rapt attention to the slight little figure on the platform, perhaps only one anticipated the startling drama that was about to unfold. Certainly the director had no such intuition, and the interruption which was about to occur could not have been more unwelcome. For suddenly our attention was directed to a man far back in the building who was making rapid strides, apparently in the direction of the platform. At first, we supposed that some emergency had arisen; perhaps someone had fainted or had taken seriously ill in the auditorium. But as he drew near, we observed with no little misgiving that his countenance bore a demonic grin, as to suggest that the man was demented, or violently insane, and apparently had broken away from those who had him in their care. We were to learn later what indeed would have been more disturbing had we known it at the time, that the man was not insane, in that he did not know what he was doing, but was a notorious and vicious character who had previously run afoul of the love for disturbing and breaking up religious services. Jail sentences had not taught him a lesson, and now seeing his opportunity to cause a large commotion and again break up a service, he had come forward for that purpose.

Up the steps he strode without pausing. Now he was on the platform assuming a menacing attitude that by this time was attracting the attention of the entire congregation. Two sturdy policemen standing in the wings, becoming aware of the distraction, were about to come forward and lay hands on this disturber, but we could see that this would result in a scuffle and the excitement created could well ruin the service. Moreover, the evangelist had apparently put himself on the spot for he had just declared that all things were possible to him that believed, and that God would always back up His servants who put their trust in Him. Indeed, the meeting had reached such a high state of expectation, that reliance on the officers of the law, though perhaps entirely justifiable in the present instance, did not seem to be the Divine order. We knew nothing else to do but to hastily wave the officers back, and call attention to the evangelist as to what was taking place. But he himself was already conscious that something was wrong. Speaking quietly to the audience and requesting that the people unite with him in silent prayer, he turned to meet the strange challenge of this evil antagonist.

As he did so, the man with the evil gleam on his countenance, which reminded one of the hideous grins the heathen engrave on the faces of their idols, began to impudently accuse and curse the speaker, “you are of the devil, and deceiving the people,” he shouted, “an impostor, a snake in the grass, a fake, and I am going to show these people that you are!” It was a bold challenge and everyone in that audience could see that it was not an idle threat. As the intruder continued to revile the evangelist, hissing and spitting, he made motion to carry his threats into execution. To the audience, it appeared to be an evil moment for the little figure on the platform, and most of them must have felt exceedingly sorry for him. The officers attempted again to come to his aid but were waved away, and now, ill rejecting their assistance, the speaker had deliberately accepted the challenge of this wicked antagonist whose size and fierceness had convinced the audience that he was well able to carry out his boasts. No doubt, critics who had slipped into the auditorium out of curiosity expected a swift and pitiful conclusion to the unexpected drama that was now coming to a climax. Certainly they could see that there was no room for trickery. The man on the platform would have to have the goods or else take the consequences.

In the moment of suspense that followed, one could not help being reminded of the story of the challenge of long ago, when the bold Goliath cursed little David in the name of his gods, and boasted that he would tear him limb from limb. The startled congregation, as the hosts of Israel must have been in their day, looked on the scene with wonder and amazement, hardly knowing what to expect next, but fearing the worst. The gathering of ministers on the platform reviewed the situation with no little dismay, knowing that unless God did a very unusual thing and backed up the speaker in a supernatural manner, the evil intruder, who had successfully broken up religious services in the past, would now do so again. Some were much disturbed that the policemen had not been permitted to take charge of the situation and believed that this error of judgment would allow this demon-possessed man not only to ruin the meeting and thus bring reproach on the cause of Christ, but also might actually result in physical injury to the speaker.

The seconds passed, however, without the awaited climax happening. Presently it appeared that something was hindering the challenger from carrying out his evil designs. For some reason, he was not proceeding with the execution of his boasts of physical violence, but was rather contenting himself in hissing and spitting and uttering the most fearful imprecations. Softly but determinedly, the voice of the evangelist now could be heard rebuking the evil power that dominated the man. His words, spoken so quietly that they could be heard only a short distance, were saying, “Satan, because you have challenged the servant of God before this great congregation, you must bow before me. In the name of Jesus Christ, you shall fall at my feet.” The words were repeated several times. The challenger ceased to speak, and it was evident that it was now he who was laboring under a strain. Strong as he and the wicked forces were that controlled him, strengthened by every evil spirit in the building, apparently they were gradually succumbing to another Power that was greater than they, a Power that responded at the whisper of the Name of Jesus! Soon it was evident that the man realized he was being overcome, but nothing he could do apparently could reverse the situation. A tense battle of spiritual forces now summoned every bit of strength that he had in him. Beads of perspiration broke out on his face as he put forth a last desperate effort to prevail. But it was all to no avail. Suddenly he who a few minutes before had so brazenly defied the man of God with his fearful threats and accusations, gave an awful groan and slumped to the floor sobbing in an hysterical manner. For quite a while he lay there writhing in the dust, as the evangelist calmly proceeded with the service as if nothing had happened.

Needless to say, the great congregation was awed by the scene that had transpired before them, in which God so signally vindicated His servant, and loud praises to God filled the spacious auditorium. The policemen too, startled by what they had witnessed, openly acknowledged that God was in their midst. Need we record that in the healing service which followed, a wave of glory was manifest that will never be forgotten by those who were present. Many miracles of healing took place that night as a multitude of people were ministered to in the prayer line.

But who was this little man who spoke with such words of authority and whose ministry had been confirmed by such a remarkable demonstration of Divine power? His name was William Branham, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, and his ministry was to have wider and wider reverberations until the effect of it has now reached throughout the world. Many in the City of Portland that night glorified God, for they knew that He had again visited His people. Many ministers too, realized that God had come into their midst in special power. They believed that what they had witnessed was a token of greater things that God was preparing to do for His people. Some, indeed, had their ministry revolutionized. Among these was a young preacher, whose wife had witnessed the bold challenge of the demon-possessed man. She persuaded her husband to attend on the last night. As he sat and watched a little deaf-mute child’s ears opened so it could hear and repeat words, God spoke to him, and said, “This is the work that I have called you to do also.” The next day, the man turned the responsibilities of his church over to certain members of his congregation and locked himself in his room, determining to remain there until he was sure God’s will had been revealed to him. Out of a period of earnest soul-searching was born a ministry that was to result in the salvation of thousands of souls and was to be accompanied by a multitude of signs, wonders and miracles. This young man was Evangelist T. L. Osborn.

Strangely enough, as the campaign concluded, we heard that a few doubted. Why would God choose a man of such unpretentious background, who had such a limited knowledge of this world’s wisdom? Nor could they understand the principle which Paul spoke of in I Cor. 1:26-29, where he said, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.”

But by far, the majority believed and rejoiced. Although it was physically impossible for the evangelist to minister, other than in the briefest fashion, to the thousands of disease-ridden bodies who sought healing, yet it was remarkable the number of wonderful testimonies that came out of that meeting. And if those who allowed doubts to come into their minds did not profit to the extent that others did from the meeting, the many who did believe to this day point to that brief campaign in the City of Portland as an hour of visitation never to be forgotten.

But perhaps it is time for us to inquire further as to who this man, William Branham, is and from whence did he come? What was the manner of his special visitation from God and his commission to heal the sick? To the answer of these questions we shall now direct the reader’s attention.

PECULIAR BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

It was breaking dawn on a beautiful April morning in the year 1909 in the hill country of Kentucky not far from the place where Abraham Lincoln was born almost exactly one hundred years before. In a humble cabin the light began to creep through the window over a small crude bed, when a baby’s voice was heard. Two little hands of a five-pound infant were stroking the cheeks of its fifteen-year-old mother. Standing near the bed was the young father, Charles Branham, with his arms folded in the bib of his new overalls, dressed up a bit, for mountain folk for this special occasion. As the day dawned, the birds had already begun their singing, and it seemed to the father that the morning star shone a little brighter. The little one cried again as its tiny hand brushed against his mother’s face.

“We’ll call his name William,” said the father, as he gazed happily down on his newborn son. “That will be well,” said the mother, “for then he will go by the name of Billy.” Little did the mother know that the hands of this little child, that were touching her cheeks would be used of Almighty God for delivering His people from sickness and bondage. No one in that part of the country would ever have thought that this little humble-born mountain baby would carry the message of the Gospel over the world. Of all the mountain folk, the Branham family was the poorest of the poor. However, God’s ways are past finding out! How could these people have believed it, if someone had told them that God, through those hands someday would cause the demons to go out, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, cancers to vanish, and thousands upon thousands to fall prostrate at altars in tears of repentance? Nor could they have believed that airplanes crossing the continent at high speed would bring the sick to him. Or that trains and busses loaded with sick would be brought to him for deliverance. That they would come from the East and the West, the North and South, to hear him tell the story of Jesus Christ the Saviour in his simple, humble way.

As the neighbors gathered in to see the newborn baby, there seemed to be, so it is told, a strange feeling of awe in the room. Who can say that it was not the presence of the angel who, under the direction of God, has guided William Branham in many of the events of his life, and who later was to speak to him in person?

It was just two weeks later that the father and mother carried their baby down the creek to the Lone Star meeting house, a little old-fashioned Missionary-Baptist Church made of logs and clapboard shingles, with a dirt floor and seats made of boards lying across blocks of wood. It was little William Branham’s first visit to a church!

CHILD AND MOTHER PROVIDENTIALLY ESCAPE DEATH

Inasmuch as the father was a logger, it was necessary for him to be away from home much of the time, especially in the fall and winter months when the weather would be bad for travelling. During these times, the mother and the babe would be left alone. It was at one of these times that circumstances conspired to almost take the life of both the mother and son.

So it happened that at this time when the child was about six months of age, and the father was away from home, a terrible storm came, and the whole country was snowbound for days. There was little to eat in the cabin and soon the mother ran out of both food and wood. She wrapped her feet in burlap sacks, went into the woods, and chopped small saplings, then dragged them to the cabin, trying to keep fire. Finally, she grew weaker and weaker and had to give up. With no food or heat the mother took all the bed clothing, wrapped herself and the child in bed, and waited for the end. It was then that God sent His protecting angel and spared their lives.

A neighbor lived at some distance from them, though in sight of the Branham cabin. For some reason, he had a strange foreboding concerning the circumstances in that little humble home. Time after time, he would gaze away toward it, and each time he would become more disturbed, especially as he failed to see any smoke rising from the chimney. When several days had gone by, the conviction so deepened within him that something was wrong that he determined to make an investigation, though it meant wading through drifts for a considerable distance.

Arriving at the door, his fears were confirmed, for there was no response from those inside, although the tracks outside showed that no one had left the vicinity, and the door was barred from the inside. He decided to break into the cabin and when he did so, he was startled by the scene before him. Mother and child wrapped in their bed clothes were near death from starvation and cold. The kind-hearted neighbor quickly secured wood and started a blazing fire that soon warmed the cabin. Then he went back to his own house to secure food. His deed of mercy was accomplished just in time. The mother and child revived and soon were on their way to health again.

Not long after this, the family moved from Kentucky to Indiana, where the father went to work for a farmer near Utica, Indiana. Then a year later they moved again farther down in the valley near Jeffersonville, Indiana, a moderately sized city, which was to become William Branham’s hometown.

Several years passed, and the boy was about seven years of age, having just entered school in a rural section a few miles north of Jeffersonville. It was at this time that God first spoke to the lad. We will let Brother Branham tell the story of this peculiar visitation in his own words.

A STORY TOLD BY WILLIAM BRANHAM

I was on my way one afternoon to carry water to the house from the barn, which was about a city block away. About half-way between the house and the barn stood an old poplar tree. I had just gotten home from school and the other boys were going out to a pond to fish. I was crying to go but dad said that I had to pack water. I stopped under the tree to rest when all of a sudden I heard a sound as of the wind blowing the leaves. I knew that it wasn’t blowing any other place. It seemed to be a very still afternoon. I stepped back from the tree and noticed that in a certain place about the size of a barrel, the wind seemed to be blowing through the tree leaves. Then there came a voice saying: Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, for I have a work for you to do when you get older.

It frightened me so that I ran home, but at that time I never told anyone about it. Crying and running to the house, I fell into the arms of my mother, who thought I had been bitten by a snake. I told her I was just scared, so she put me to bed, and was going to call the doctor, thinking I was suffering from nervous shock. I never did go by that tree any more. I would detour down the other side of the garden to avoid it. I believe that the angel of God was in that tree, and in later years I was to meet him face to face and talk with him.

Because of God’s strange dealing with me, I could never drink or smoke. One day, I was going to the river with my dad and another man. They offered me a drink of whiskey, and because I wanted to find favor with the man so that he would let me use his boat, I started to take the drink. But as positively as I am speaking today, I heard that sound like the blowing of the leaves. Looking around, and seeing no sign of the wind blowing, I put the bottle to my lips again, when I heard the same noise, only louder. Fear swept over me as before. I dropped the bottle and ran away, while my own dad called me a “sissy.” O how that hurt! Later on, I was called a “sissy” by my youthful girlfriend when I told her I didn’t smoke. Angered by her mockery, I took the cigarette and was going to smoke it anyway, when I was arrested by that familiar sound causing me to throw down the cigarette and leave the scene crying because I could not be like other people, while the jeers of the crowd rang in my ears.

There was always that peculiar feeling, like someone standing near me, trying to say something to me, and especially when I was alone. No one seemed to understand me at all. The boys that I associated with would have nothing to do with me, because I wouldn’t drink and smoke, and all the girls went to dances, of which I wouldn’t partake either, so it seemed that all through my life I was just a black sheep knowing no one who understood me, and not even understanding myself. – William Branham

AN ANGEL FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The remarkable angelic visit received by Brother Branham has caused no little wonder among many of the people of God as well as the unsaved. While a few reject the ministry of the supernatural, even as some did in the days of Christ, the overwhelming majority of the people who attend the Branham meetings are fully convinced of the reality of the angelic visitation.

It so happens that God has chosen diverse and sometimes very mysterious ways in which to reveal Himself to His servants specially called for some important service. To Moses, deliverer of Israel, He appeared in the Burning Bush. To the Children of Israel, He was found in the Pillar of Fire by night and the Cloud by day. Samuel heard Him as a Voice calling in the night. To Elijah, He was the Still Small Voice. To Abraham, He appeared in the Theophany or in human form, and Paul saw Him in His resurrection glory as also did John, the Beloved. Perhaps, however, the most usual supernatural visitation in Biblical times was by an angelic visitor. Thus angels appeared to Abraham, to Moses, to Joshua, to Gideon, to David, to the prophets, to Zechariah, to Mary, to the shepherds, to the apostles, and others. In most cases, supernatural visitations were not mere visions, but were an actual appearing of an angelic being. Thus the story of the angel’s appearance to William Branham is not without full biblical precedent.

Indeed, the truth of angelic ministration to mortals is quite in line with the Word of God. It has been recognized generally that, at least to some extent, the gifts of the Spirit have been restored to the church. But what about the gift of discerning of spirits? Many have assumed that this gift includes only the discerning of evil spirits. Although the gift must certainly involve the detection of evil powers, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MORE GOOD SPIRITS THAN BAD.

What about the angels? In what realm do they minister? The answer is given in Heb. 1:14: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Though ordinarily we cannot see angels, it is evident from the Scriptures that they are in the company of the children of God much of the time. If we fully realized that there were heavenly persons in our vicinity who are daily watching our conduct and perhaps our thoughts, it would have a profound effect upon our lives (Matt. 18:10); also, Psalm 34:7 reads: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Why are angels not seen more often? Evidently we need a gift of the Spirit to enable our dull human senses to peer beyond the veil and perceive such highly refined beings as angels. Elisha apparently had this gift, and we have the record of his prayer in which he requested that his servant’s eyes might be opened that he, too, might be able to see the heavenly host of the Lord.

“And Elijah prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he might see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (II Kings 6:17).

There are numerous cases on record where people just before their passing from this world, have witnessed attending angels. According to Jesus, it is one of the duties of angelic beings to transport the human spirit when it leaves its crumbling tenement of clay into Paradise (Luke 16:22).

CHAPTER 22

The Angel’s Message to Brother Branham

The angel conversed with Brother Branham during the first visitation for perhaps half an hour. We are coming into Bible days again, and no doubt there will be more such supernatural revelations as time goes on. Concerning such visitations, there is one point that is fundamental. An angel of the Lord will never reveal anything but what agrees strictly with the Scriptures. Indeed we are enjoined to place the Word of God above the revelations of angels, as Satan has been known to appear as an angel of light. But a false spirit is quickly detected by the spiritually minded. Satan is the father of falsehood, a habitual liar, and he cannot long show himself without telling a lie or making statements that twist, distort, deny, take away or add to the Scriptures. His first conversation with a member of the human race, Eve, involved his telling an outright lie. However, the results of the angelic visitation to William Branham have been a steadily rising tide of revival that has sounded out throughout the world, and the end is not yet. We shall now let Brother Branham tell the story in his own words of how the angel met him, talked to him, and told him things concerning the work that God had called him to do.

WILLIAM BRANHAM TELLS HIS STORY

I must tell you of the angel and the coming of the gift. I shall never forget the time, May 7, 1946, a very beautiful season of the year in Indiana, where I was still working as a game warden. I had come home for lunch, and was just going around the house taking off my gun, when a very dear friend of mine Prod Wiseman, a brother to my piano player in the church, approached me and asked me to go to Madison with him that afternoon. I told him it was impossible as I had to patrol, and while walking around the house under a maple tree, it seemed that the whole top of the tree let loose. It seemed that something came down through that tree like a great rushing wind . . .they ran to me. …My wife came from the house frightened, and asked me what was wrong. Trying to get hold of myself, I sat down and told her that after all these twenty odd years of being conscious of this strange feeling, the time had come when I had to find out what it was all about. The crisis had come! I told her and my child good-bye, and warned her that if I did not come back in a few days, perhaps I might never return.

That afternoon, I went away to a secret place to pray and read the Bible. I became deep in prayer; it seemed that my whole soul would tear from me. I cried before God. …I laid my face to the ground. …I looked up to God and cried, “If you will forgive me for the way that I have done, I’ll try to do better. …I’m sorry that I’ve been so neglectful all these years in doing the work you wanted me to do. …Will you speak to me some way, God? If you don’t help me, I can’t go on.”

Then along in the night, at about the eleventh hour, I had quit praying and was sitting up when I noticed a light flickering in the room. Thinking someone was coming with a flashlight, I looked out of the window, but there was no one, and when I looked back, the light was spreading out on the floor, becoming wider. Now I know this seems very strange to you, as it did to me also. As the light was spreading, of course I became excited and started from the chair, but as I looked up, there hung that great star. However, it did not have five points like a star, but looked more like a ball of fire or light shining down upon the floor. Just then I heard someone walking across the floor, which startled me again, as I knew of no one who would be coming there besides myself. Now, coming through the light, I saw the feet of a man coming toward me, as naturally as you would walk to me. He appeared to be a man who, in human weight, would weigh about two hundred pounds, clothed in a white robe. He had a smooth face, no beard, dark hair down to his shoulders, rather dark-complexioned, with a very pleasant countenance, and coming closer, his eyes caught with mine. Seeing how fearful I was, he began to speak. “Fear not. I am sent from the presence of Almighty God to tell you that your peculiar life and your misunderstood ways have been to indicate that God has sent you to take a gift of divine healing to the peoples of the world. IF YOU WILL BE SINCERE, AND CAN GET THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE YOU, NOTHING SHALL STAND BEFORE YOUR PRAYER, NOT EVEN CANCER.” Words cannot express how I felt. He told me many things which I do not have space to record here. He told me how I would be able to detect diseases by vibrations on my hand. He went away, but I have seen him several times since then. He has appeared to me perhaps once or twice within the space of six months and has spoken with me. A few times he has appeared visibly in the presence of others. I do not know who he is. I only know that he is the messenger of God to me.

Needless to say, I started praying for the sick people. I do not claim to take the place of a doctor. . . . I know that doctors are able to assist nature, but they are only men. …God is Almighty. The great things which have taken place during these months are too innumerable to ever be recorded, but God has confirmed the angel’s words time after time. Deaf, dumb, blind, all manners of diseases have been healed, and thousands of testimonies are on record to date. I do not have any power of my own to do this. . . . I am a helpless human until I feel His presence. Many people who have attended these meetings know that their diseases and sins have been told them right from the platform. Dear reader, please do not misunderstand my poor, illiterate way of trying to convey all this to you. I say it that you might have a clearer understanding of how to take advantage of God’s gift. He told me to be sincere and get the people to believe, and that is what I am trying to do. God always has something or someone to work through, and I am only an instrument used by Him. No mortal can take credit for performing a miracle, and I am just a mortal. I do not know how much longer God will permit me to do this, but by His grace, I intend to serve him the best that I know how by serving His people as long as He allows me to live. – William Branham

There were some other things that the angel told Brother Branham during this remarkable visitation which have been related from time to time in his preaching. One of those things concerned the two signs that were to be given him. The first sign (given May 7, 1946) was not for healing, but was to be a gift in his left hand. By the power of God, with this gift he would discern or detect the diseases that the people had. This supernatural sign would result in the building up of the faith of the entire congregation. Then there was to be given a second sign, so that if they did not believe the first, they would believe the second. This reminds us of the story of Moses, who also was given two signs, so that if the people did not believe the first, they would believe the second (Exod. 4:1-8).

Now, this second sign, according to the angel, would be a gift that would allow brother Branham to “discern the thoughts and deeds in the past life of the individual.” Sometimes the revelation would come of some incident in the person’s life that only the individual himself knew about, and the revealing of which would greatly strengthen the person’s faith. We might add that any sin that is under the Blood is never revealed, but in case the thing was covered over and unconfessed, it would be brought to light through this gift, thus usually bringing the person to an immediate repentance.

In connection with this sign, the angel made this significant statement—that the thoughts of men speak louder in heaven than do their words on earth. How solemn an admonition this is, and how urgent it is that all of us be absolutely sincere before God, and live a sober, honest life in the fear of God.

Still another thing that the angel said was that Jesus was coming very soon, and that this commission was one of the signs of the nearness of His coming; that if Brother Branham would be faithful to this call, the results of it would reach out to the whole world and would shake the nations. Finally, the angel indicated that by these signs God was calling all His people together into the unity of the Spirit, that they should be with one heart and of one accord.

DRAMATIC EVENTS IN BROTHER BRANHAM’S MINISTRY AFTER THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANGEL

Mighty works of God began to follow the ministry of Brother Branham. In a space of three months so many things happened on the phenomenal side that the recounting of them would fill several books. How the matter became so widespread in so short a time is still hard to understand. Inside of six months, people were coming or writing from beyond national boundaries. Some saw him in a vision and came to Jeffersonville to inquire whether there was anyone by that name there. Townspeople would refer them to the tabernacle. Then those people who attended there with happy hearts would tell them the story. We shall narrate a few of these remarkable events which took place during the next few months.

RAISING THE DEAD

In the course of the summer, Brother Branham was invited to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to the Bible Hour Tabernacle, where Richard Reed is pastor. People had gathered to the little city from twenty-eight states and Mexico, and some 25,000 people, it was estimated, attended the meeting. They were living in tents, trucks, and trailers, and some were sleeping in their cars. It was said that for a distance of 50 miles about there were no hotel accommodations available. On the last night of the services, just as the evangelist came to the platform, with thousands packed in and around the tabernacle, an ambulance driver standing to the right yelled and motioned to attract his attention. He said, “Brother Branham, my patient has died; can’t you come to her?” Someone said: “There are approximately 2000 people standing between him and the reserved ambulance row; he cannot go.” Then four stout men stepped up, and as they started taking him out, it was a moving sight to see the people pushing, trying to get near him.

The evangelist was taken to the ambulance row, and inside one of the ambulances, he saw kneeling on the floor an old man, his overalls patched in many places. In his hands, he clutched an old torn hat sewn with twine cord, and he said, “Brother Branham, mother is gone.” The man of God walked close to the still form and took her by the hand. Her eyes were set and she lay still and breathless. Brother Branham, as he read the diagnosis, looked back at the husband and said, “She has cancer.” The man replied, “That is true,” and kneeling on the floor he started crying, “Oh God, give me back mother.” Then all was silent in the ambulance for a few moments.

Next the voice of Brother Branham was heard praying, “Almighty God, Author of eternal life, Giver of all good gifts, I beseech Thee in the Name of Thy dearly Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, give this woman her life again.” Suddenly the limp hand tightened on the hand of Brother Branham, and the taut skin across her forehead began to wrinkle. Then with a little assistance from Brother Branham, she sat up. The astonished husband saw what had taken place and threw his arms around her and cried, “Mother, thank God, you’re with me again.” Brother Branham slipped to the door of the ambulance to return to the platform. The driver of the ambulance said, “Sir, there are so many people standing against the door that it cannot be opened.” Then he let him out another way, at the same time holding his coat against the window so no one would see him leave.

THE BLIND GIRL WHO HAD LOST HER FATHER

When he arrived at the lot, it was packed full of people standing in a drizzling rain. He started pushing his way through the crowd. None of them paid him any heed, for they had never seen him before. Day and night the tabernacle was packed, and few left the building unless it was for sandwiches or some necessary reason. All of a sudden, he heard a pathetic cry, “Daddy, daddy,” someone was calling. Looking up, he saw a blind, colored girl pushing through the crowd. She had lost her father and no one was trying to help her find him. This pitiful sight touched the heart of the evangelist, and he stepped into her path so that she would have to touch him. “Excuse me please,” said the colored girl as she realized she had run into someone. “I am blind and have lost my father and I can’t find my way back to the bus.” “Where are you from?” asked Brother Branham. “From Memphis,” she said. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “I came to see the healah,” she replied. “How did you hear of him?” “This mornin’ I was listen-in’ on the radio and I heard people talkin’ that had been born deaf and dumb. I heard a man who said he was from Missouri; said he’d been drawin’ the blind pension for twelve years and now he could read the Bible. Sah, I’ve been blind since a little girl; cataracts blinded me. The doctuh says they’re wrapped aroun’ the optical nerve of my eye. If he should try to operate I would be worse off and my only hope is to get to the healah, and then God will heal me. I am told this is his last night heah. And they say I can’t ev’n get near the buildin’. And now I have lost my father in the crowd, will you please help me to get to the bus suh?”

Of course the girl being blind couldn’t see to whom she was talking and none of the people near her had seen him before either, and they were wondering who this man who was giving attention to this colored girl was. Then Brother Branham said to test her faith, “Do you believe those things that you have heard, especially when we have so many fine doctors today?” She replied, “Yes-suh, the doctors have failed to do anything for me. I believe the story of the angel that visited Brother Branham is true. If you will only help me where the man is, then I’ll be able to find my father.”

This was too much for Brother Branham. He dropped his head while tears rolled down his cheeks. Then, raising his head, he said, “Lady, perhaps I’m the one you’re looking for.” Then she grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. “Is you the healah?” she cried. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she begged, “Don’t pass me, suh. Have mercy upon me, a blind woman.”

But the evangelist responded, “I am not the healer, I am Brother Branham; Jesus Christ is your Healer.” Then after he asked the blind girl to bow her head, he began to pray:

“Lord, some 1900 years ago, an old Rugged Cross was dragging the streets of Jerusalem, dragging the bloody footprints of the Bearer. On the road to Calvary, His frail body fell under the load of the Cross. Then along came Simon of Cyrene, and helped Him bear it. Now, Lord, one of Simon’s children stands here staggering in the darkness. I’m sure you understand.”

At that moment the girl screamed. “I was once blind; now I can see.” The men who were coming for Brother Branham were drawing near. All the people under the floodlights then recognized this young man as Brother Branham. As they rushed toward him another heart moving thing happened. An old man with a twisted leg, leaning on a crutch, had been watching this drama, and he cried out, “Brother Branham, I know you; I’ve been standing in this rain for eight hours, have mercy on me!”

“Do you believe and accept me as God’s servant?” he was asked. “I do.” He answered, “Then in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you’re healed! You may throw away your crutches.” And immediately his crooked limb was made straight. His leaping and screaming drew the attention of the whole crowd and they began to press forward to touch his clothes.

Up until this time Brother Branham had received very little remuneration. Rarely had an offering been taken up for him in his own tabernacle. He had worked as a game warden to support his family. The old suit of clothes that he had worn that night was torn and patched. He had discovered that one of the pockets had been badly torn and his attempt to repair it was rather amateurish. So he held his right hand over the pocket, giving his left hand when meeting other ministers. But the people did not notice the ragged coat that night. They were crying and pushing and trying to touch that worn garment, and as they did they were healed. It reminded one of the days of Jesus, when faith was high and everyone who touched the hem of the garment of the Saviour was made whole.

STRANGE INCIDENT AT CAMDEN, ARKANSAS

A few days after this meeting, Brother Branham went to Camden, Arkansas, to conduct a meeting in the city auditorium. While he was explaining his calling and ministry to the people, a great bright light came into the building and settled over his head. A photographer who happened to be there took a picture of it, and lo, the light showed in the picture! Some might have supposed that the photograph had been retouched, had it not been that many hundreds of people present, witnessed the unusual phenomenon themselves. Many were healed and led to Christ in that meeting.

The following morning, while being taken by a group of men from the building to his car as hundreds were pressing forward to touch him, a voice was heard crying, “Have mercy upon me, thou man of God.” Standing off from the crowd was a blind man, accompanied by his wife. His hat was in his hand in reverence. Brother Branham stopped. “Take me to him,” he said. One of the men said, “Brother Branham, you are in the South; do not leave the white people to go to the colored.” Brother Branham replied that the Spirit of God was speaking to him to go to the man. As he drew near where the colored man was, the men drew a ring of arms around him so he could get through. The wife was saying, “De parson is comin’ toward you; be quiet.”

The colored man raised two feeble shaking arms, felt of Brother Branham’s face and said, “Is dis you, Parson Branham? I nevah heard of you before in all my life until last night. I had a good old Mammy that’s been gone many years. She had heart-felt religion too. Her nevah tole me a lie in her life, parson. Now I’se been blind many years, and las’ night it seemed she stood near my bed, parson, and said, ‘Honey-chile, you go to Camden, Arkansas; there you’ll find the Lawd’s servant; his name is Branham and you shall receive your sight.’ Parson, I immediately ‘rose and put on my clothes, caught the bus, and wife and I have come over a hundred miles.”

Brother Branham listened to the story, raised his eyes now filled with tears and said, “Father, I thank You for being merciful to the blind.” Then he touched his hands to the colored man’s eyes saying, “Open your eyes; Jesus Christ has healed you.” And lo, the colored man could see!

Many other things happened of the same nature. On occasions, the Spirit of God would speak to him about some sick person who had been on a bed of affliction for years. When this happened, invariably when he went to them they would be delivered. Many of these persons appear in his meetings from place to place, testifying now that they are well and strong.

On one occasion, while in Santa Rosa, California, a man came into the building, and seeking out Brother Branham, asked him to spell his name. When he had done this, the man held a piece of yellow paper in his hand and said, “That’s it, mother.” He said that he had come from a Pentecostal Church, and he claimed that 22 years ago, while he and his wife were praying, the Holy Ghost spoke through him saying, “My servant, William Branham, will come up this West coast bearing a gift of Divine healing in the latter times.” They believed that it was a prophecy that had been given. And when they had heard Brother Branham’s name they dug out that old prophecy and there it was written.

Thus is concluded the account as supplied from information given by those of Brother Branham’s congregation at Jeffersonville. We might also add that during those early months two young men by the names of O. L. Jaggers and Gayle Jackson attended a number of the services. Recently, at a special conference in Dallas, those two young men asked Brother Branham if he remembered them. He did, but was greatly surprised that these brethren, who since have been blessed with amazing success, and whose ministries have reached tens of thousands for Christ, and have been attended with mighty signs and wonders, were the same young men who had come to his meetings in his early campaigns.

The following chapter by Rev. Jack Moore, Co-Editor of THE VOICE OF HEALING, is an illuminating account of sketches and highlights in Brother Branham’s meetings during the next few months in the course of the narrative.

The following chapters herein are from Owen Jorgensen’s books 4 and 5 of his six book series

CHAPTER 23

Supernatural

The Life Of William Branham

Book Six:

The Evangelist and His Acclaim (1951-1954)

by Owen Jorgensen

A CHAPTER BY REV. JACK MOORE ON BROTHER BRANHAM

Although his symptoms vanished the day he was healed, William Branham could not go back to work immediately. His life-threatening struggle with amebas had left him weak and emaciated. It would take four more months before he would feel strong enough to resume his strenuous schedule of holding one faith-healing campaign after another.

In April 1952, Fred Bosworth called with a tempting proposal. “Brother Branham, in Baltimore they’re offering us this air-conditioned auditorium free for the entire month of July. The building seats 10,000 people. Five hundred ministers have signed up to sponsor the meetings: Methodists, Baptists, Full Gospel, you name it. Five hundred of them are willing to cooperate. You can’t beat that.”

“If God tells me to go there, then that’s where I want to go. But so far, I don’t feel led to go to Baltimore.”

A few days later, Ern Baxter called. “There are people all over the country wanting you to come. So many cities are asking for you: Hammond, Zion, Chicago, Battle Creek, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. I could easily fill your schedule for the rest of 1952. So what are you planning to do?”

“At this moment I have no leading at all.”

Baxter suggested, “Then let’s go into Chicago. They’ve got a large arena waiting for you there.”

“That sounds all right.” “Shall I secure it?”

Bill hesitated. “No, better wait awhile.”

That afternoon, Bill took his wife to a planetarium. As he watched the artificial night sky scroll across a domed ceiling, the Holy Spirit nudged him and said, Stay out of Chicago for now. Turn aside to Hammond and Zion. When Bill got home he phoned Ern Baxter, asking him to set up meetings in Hammond, Indiana, and Zion, Illinois.

Baxter said, “That takes care of July. Where do you want to go next?”

Bill said he had no leading beyond Zion. Ern Baxter sighed. “Brother Branham, we have to have specific dates in order to secure these large auditoriums. What about Battle Creek?”

“I think it will be all right. I have two places I’m considering after Zion: Battle Creek, Michigan, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’m leaning a little toward Battle Creek because I’ve been to Minneapolis before. But don’t make any long term commitments.”

Unknown to Bill, Ern Baxter promptly called his contact in Battle Creek and committed Bill to a campaign that would begin August 16 and last 14 consecutive nights.

Early next morning, Bill dreamed he saw a muddy wave heading for a beach house where his wife lay sleeping. Desperately, he rushed to Meda’s rescue, getting her out just moments before the giant wave smashed the beach house into fragments. Bill woke up sweating. He relaxed when he saw his wife sleeping peacefully beside him. He thought, “My, what an awful dream. I wonder if it means something.”

Then, abruptly, he was sitting in a boat floating on deep blue water. Like day and night are similar yet different, so is a vision similar yet different from a dream. Dreams are shadows of reality, coming to closed eyes in the dark of sleep, leaving fuzzy impressions that are difficult to remember. A vision comes to wide-open eyes, striking the senses like sunlight and leaving distinct images in the brain. As far as Bill could tell, he really was sitting in a boat on a lake so large that the shore looked like a thin line in the hazy distance. He heard a sound like a small motor coming closer- putt-putt-putt-putt. Looking back, he saw a shadowy shape moving beneath the surface. It came slowly toward the stern of the boat, but just before it rammed him, it turned left and darted away. Then it circled and came at the stern of his boat again, turning at the last moment and darting to its left. Bill leaned over the edge of the boat, hoping he could see what this strange object was. Instead, he saw a road under the water that came to “T” beneath his boat-one road going left and the other going right. Now he heard the angel of the Lord say, This is telling you to turn left.

Suddenly Bill was back in his bedroom, sitting up in bed, wide awake. He felt bewildered. What had happened? He had dreamed about his wife, and then had he fallen back to sleep and had a second dream? It seemed more vivid than a dream; the images sparkled with clarity, as though he were actually there sailing on a lake. But if it was a vision, what did it mean? It didn’t seem to make sense. He pondered the experience for a long time, trying to understand it; but finally he gave up.

After a seven-month hiatus, William Branham resumed his evangelistic ministry on July 13, 1952, starting with an ambitious eight-day faith-healing campaign in Hammond, Indiana. Praying for the sick in America was different than it had been in Africa, where seeing one miracle could inspire hundreds of people to believe Christ for their own healing. In Africa, his job had been easier, because the angel told him if he could get the people to believe him, then nothing would stand before his prayer, not even cancer. Using his gift was still as exhausting as running a marathon, but at least in Africa he felt like he was running on dry ground. Praying for the sick in Hammond was like trying to run through knee-deep water. The crowd in general seemed cool and reserved towards the supernatural discernment. Although many people had enough faith to be healed, Bill kept feeling skepticism oozing from the audience like slime from a stagnant bog. At the beginning of the prayer line, a woman came forward who looked healthy and strong. Bill said, “Because you are my first patient tonight, I want to talk to you just a moment. I believe we are strangers, aren’t we?”

“Yes.”

“You and I each have a human spirit. When this anointing comes on me, that is a Spirit too. That’s the angel of the Lord, which is a Messenger sent from God. It is a part of God, an attribute of God, a gift of God sent to bless you. If you have a spirit of unbelief, then It can’t bless you. If your spirit is willing, then It might tell you something and bless you.”

“Now, you’re conscious that something is going on. It’s His presence, the angel of the Lord who is standing just a few feet away from me right now. Yes, my sister, you’re suffering with headaches. Recently you were sitting in a chair reading, when one of these headaches came. In the vision, I see you rubbing your head. Oh, you were reading my book.[1] You thought, ‘If I go to the meetings and have him pray for me, maybe these headaches will cease.’ Your headaches are caused by a female trouble. I know you’ve been told other things, but that’s wrong. The doctor made an error. In order that you might know I’m God’s prophet, I’ll tell you something else: you belong to the church called Christian Science. I seen you in a Christian Science reading room. Is that right? If it is, raise your hand.”

As she raised her hand, Bill saw a flash of light surround her. He bowed his head and prayed, then opened his eyes and raised his head in time to see the light of the angel glide away from him, heading out over the audience.

“Excuse me, something’s going on. I’m watching a vision of someone holding their head the same way, but it’s a colored lady.” Bill pointed and spoke, even as the vision rolled before his open eyes. “It’s that woman with the yellow blouse on sitting right there. Don’t you have sinus headaches? If that’s right, stand up on your feet. Do you believe on God’s Son, Jesus Christ? In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask for God’s blessing upon you that those headaches leave you and never come again.”

Turning to the audience, Bill said, “Every skeptic in here ought to feel ashamed of himself.”

Skeptics continued disbelieving anyway. Later, Bill learned that another evangelist had recently preached in Hammond, and this man’s version of Divine healing had soured these people to the idea. Many in the crowd suspected that the discernment was nothing more than a trick connected with the prayer cards. On Tuesday night Billy Paul passed out 100 prayer cards. But when the Spirit descended, It urged Bill to ignore these cards and ask instead for those sick people without prayer cards to raise their hands. Identifying several rows of people without prayer cards, he asked these men and women to form a prayer line to his right.

First in line, an elderly woman shuffled up the steps to the platform. Bill said, “You don’t have a prayer card. You just came in here tonight and sat down and are kind of surprised I called you. I’m just your brother. I said ‘brother’ because you are a Christian. I know that because I feel the welcome of your spirit. I’m talking to you like our Master did with the woman at the well, when He said ‘bring Me a drink. ‘He wanted to start a conversation with her so he could catch her spirit. When I catch your spirit, the vision moves in. Then I can only say what I see. But if I am able to know what is wrong with you, will you believe me to be His prophet?

“I see you’ve been shook up lately. Something has happened that has given you a real hard shaking. You’ve got several things wrong with you: You’re anemic, you have female trouble, and you’ve been nervous for a long time. But what you really fear is that cancer. You’re afraid it’s going to take your life... which it is going to take your life if God doesn’t give you mercy. If that is right, raise your hand to the people.”

She raised her hand. Again Bill confronted the skeptics. “To you who thought I was an impostor, thinking it was mental telepathy, me reading these things off of a prayer card, aren’t you ashamed of yourself? God will deal with you for that. God be merciful to your sinful soul.” He turned back to the woman, bowed his head, and prayed for her healing in the Name of Jesus Christ. “Now, my sister, go on home and forget all about that cancer condition; you’re going to be well.”

From that point on, skepticism in the audience evaporated into the hot July night. For the rest of the week, God’s Spirit moved freely in Hammond. Bill was so impressed with the improvement of faith in the audience that during one service he tried an experiment to see how many people he could pray for in one night. He was hoping that he could pray for a hundred or more, and that their faith would be high enough that they wouldn’t pull him into visions. Yet, enough visions came anyway, that after 78 people had passed through the prayer line, Bill collapsed in exhaustion.

The next morning, he felt strong enough to continue the campaign, but he knew better than to try that very often, because his body could not stand the strain. Visions appeared unbidden. He could neither coax them on, nor shut them off. When enough faith pulled on his gift, the discernment flowed. His body could endure this for about a half-hour each night, no more. Too much time spent in that other dimension could kill him, just like it almost did in 1948. Still, he was glad he had tried his experiment last night. Now he knew he must continue to use prayer cards to limit the number of people he prayed for during each service. If the audience could not believe after watching the supernatural discernment in the prayer line, then there was nothing more Bill could do for them.

In August, William Branham began his campaign in Battle Creek, Michigan, a small city of 40,000 people on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. After a few meetings, he felt perplexed. The gift of God was operating perfectly, but just like in Hammond, the Christians in Battle Creek did not seem to be grasping its significance, so their faith remained flat. But unlike Hammond, here in Battle Creek Bill could not put his finger on the problem. Perhaps he was just spoiled by the enthusiasm he had seen in South Africa. He told Ern Baxter, “There’s something wrong. I don’t know what it is, but I want to find out. Tomorrow afternoon I’m going out in the woods to pray about it until I know.”

The next morning, he drove out to a secluded spot by a lake where he could pray undisturbed. Kneeling among wild grape vines beneath a majestic oak tree, he soon lost himself in prayer. Suddenly he was out on the lake in a little motorboat. Its engine went putt-putt-putt as it headed north parallel to the eastern bank. Then the boat turned left toward the western shore of the lake. The angel of the Lord appeared beside him and said, Close your meetings in Battle Creek and turn aside to Minneapolis at once. The angel vanished, and a moment later Bill was back on shore, kneeling beneath that shady oak.

Now Bill understood the vision he had seen at home in April. Then he had been praying about whether he should visit Battle Creek, Michigan, or Minneapolis, Minnesota. The clear blue waters of his earlier vision represented Lake Michigan. If he had held up a map of the area, Battle Creek lay to the right of Lake Michigan; Minneapolis lay to the left. All along God had wanted him to turn left, but for some reason he had not understood. Now he was in Battle Creek, contrary to the will of the Lord. Worst of all, his manager had arranged a two-week campaign, and there were still eight days left to go. Extracting himself from this commitment was going to be painful.

As soon as Bill got back to the hotel, he told his manager what he had to do. At first, Ern Baxter thought he was joking. When he finally realized Bill was serious, Baxter called for a conference with Reverend Floyd, the local minister who was coordinating the Battle Creek campaign. Bill explained his vision and what he must do.

Understandably, Reverend Floyd was troubled. “Brother Branham, I believe God wanted us to set up these meetings in Battle Creek.”

“I’m not disputing you there. I don’t know why I didn’t recognize that for a vision back in April when I was still home, but now I do; and now I must obey what God wants me to do.”

“Brother Branham,” said Ern Baxter, “we have fourteen churches combined in this campaign. We have to consider all of the cooperating ministers here.”

“That’s right, we have to consider…” Bill stopped. He felt the angel of the Lord nearby. Suddenly he realized this was a test. God had allowed him to be confused about the vision so he would end up in this predicament, which was similar to the one he had faced in South Africa: the ministers wanted consideration, and his manager sympathized with the ministerial group. But God had told him to do something else. “Brethren,” he said, “I love you. But the Holy Spirit tells me to go yonder to the other side of the lake, and I’m going. I won’t make the same mistake I made in South Africa by waiting until something happens. I must be obedient to God.”

“Brother Branham,” snapped one frustrated minister at the table, “you claim to be a fundamentalist. Where would you ever find something like that in the Scriptures?”

“It’s there,” Bill answered calmly. “Philip was having a revival in Samaria, and the Holy Ghost called him away from it and sent him out in the desert to one man. That one man took the Gospel back to Ethiopia.”[2]

Reverend Floyd frowned. “I don’t understand why God would make it possible for us to arrange these meetings, and then send you away after you got here.”

“Brother Floyd, what Battle Creek needs is a good, old fashioned Holy Ghost revival, not a healing campaign. A revival would get the people back on a spiritual line. Since the meetings are all set, why don’t you have a revivalist step into my place.”

Floyd shrugged. “Well, the Christians might understand, but I don’t know about everybody else.”

The room was quiet for a moment. Just then, Bill saw that supernatural light blazing above Floyd’s head. He said, “Brother Floyd, right now you ‘re thinking about the time when the prophet Isaiah went up to King Hezekiah and told him God had heard his prayer.”[3]

Floyd raised his eyebrows. “Brother Branham, that’s right.”

“Confirmation,” said Bill. “The Holy Spirit is here to prove this is the right thing to do.”

“But how could you know what I was thinking?”

“Remember the Bible said Jesus perceived their thoughts.[4] It’s the same Holy Spirit.”

Reluctantly, these ministers agreed to bring in a revivalist to preach the remainder of the campaign. As difficult as it was to disappoint his sponsors, Bill felt good that he was obeying his Lord. South Africa was a lesson he would never forget.

That night, after Bill explained to his audience in Battle Creek why he was leaving the campaign early, he said, “You might not understand this, but I love you with undying Christian love; and God knows that is the truth. If I knew it was His Divine will, I would stay here in this city for the next six weeks until a revival would sweep the whole city. I am willing, but I must be flexible in His hands and do exactly what He tells me to do.”

[1]     He is referring here to the book William Branham, A Man Sent From God written in 1950 by Gordon Lindsay.

[2]     Acts 8:26-39

[3]     I Kings 20:4-6

[4]     Luke 5:22

CHAPTER 24

Called Out of Egypt 1954

William Branham was planning to go overseas again on February 23, 1954. However, by the first of January, his managers had still not secured his itinerary. Campaigns in Israel and India looked certain, but South Africa remained questionable. Some members of the National Committee seemed to be dragging their feet. Then in January something startling happened that made Bill change his plans.

One day a carload of people showed up at his house wanting prayer. He settled them in the living room, then went to get something and saw another man standing in the doorway. At first he assumed it was someone from this same group, someone who had just been slower in getting out of the car. What puzzled him was the peculiar way this man was dressed. He looked like the East Indian Sikhs Bill had seen in Durban, South Africa. His black hair and dark complexion contrasted sharply with the white turban wrapped around his head.

The man was standing in the doorway with his head bowed. Bill walked over and greeted him cordially, “How do you do, sir.”

Raising his head, the East Indian said, “Brother Branham, don’t go overseas until September.”

That was an unexpected response. Bill didn’t know what to say. He turned and motioned with his hand, saying, “Won’t you come in?” When he looked back, the man was gone. He had simply vanished! Bill stood in the doorway, stunned.

More cars followed the first, and it was midnight before he finished praying for people that day. He went to bed around one o’clock, but a few hours later he awoke, having dreamed that he should not go to India until September. He roused Meda and told her his dream; then he went back to sleep and dreamed the same thing again. The next morning he called one of his managers and told him to reschedule his foreign campaigns for September in accordance with the vision and the dreams.

Since his trips to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia were now postponed, his managers proceeded to fill his schedule with campaigns across North America. In the first three months of 1954, Bill held meetings in Wood River, Illinois; Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Shreveport, Louisiana. After these, he held an eight-day campaign in Phoenix, Arizona. Then he moved on to Carlsbad, New Mexico, before returning east to Columbus, Ohio, where he held a huge meeting at the coliseum (a meeting that included the cooperation of 400 ministers and their congregations.) At the end of March, he returned home to hold meetings in Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana.

In April, Bill took some time off from his work, but as usual that didn’t guarantee him any rest. Sick and needy people sought him out at all hours of the day. One busy Saturday afternoon, when the number of visitors thinned to just a few, Bill said to Meda, “If anybody else calls, tell them to just go to church in the morning and I’ll pray for them there. I’m getting so tired, honey, I can’t hold myself together.”

After the remaining visitors left, Bill took Meda for a drive in the car. He had no destination in mind; he just wanted to get away from the house so he could relax for awhile. He drove south of New Albany along a scenic highway that wound around and over the top of some hills. The modest elevation provided a pleasant view of the surrounding countryside, showing a mix between cornfields and woodlands. Eventually, they came to a place where the road curved along the edge of a cliff.

As he maneuvered his car into the first turn, he saw the angel of the Lord like a white fog before his eyes. The windshield turned completely white. For three or four miles, he blindly guided his car around every turn while his eyes watched something happen 8,000 miles away, literally. Meda kept talking to him as she watched the beautiful scenery beyond the cliffs. After five minutes, she glance at her husband to see why he wasn’t answering her. The instant she saw his glassy stare, she knew he was lost in a vision. “Bill!” she gasped.

Snapping back to consciousness, Bill brought his car to a stop on the side of the road. “Sweetheart, I have to pray for Brother Bosworth right now. I saw him get off a train in South Africa and collapse. I saw them pick him up and put him on a stretcher. He’s in a hospital now, seriously ill. I must pray for him at once.” Walking a short distance up the wooded hillside, he knelt and prayed.

The next night after church, one of the four phones in his house rang. Bill answered. A Louisville operator for Western Union said, “Mr. Branham, I have a telegram for you from Durban, South Africa. It’s from Dr. Yeager. He says, ‘Pray for Reverend Bosworth at once. Stricken after stepping off train. Hospitalized. Expected to die.”

By the time Bill got a telephone call through to Durban on Monday, Fred Bosworth was not only healed, he had already left the hospital to continue his work.

For over a month, Bosworth had been traveling through South Africa, trying to arrange more Branham campaigns in the country. So far, it was like trying to put a scratch in a diamond. Most Christians in South Africa wanted William Branham to return and hold more healing campaigns, but many of the church leaders did not. The National Committee of South African Churches had the final say on the matter. Certain powerful members of the National Committee argued that Branham’s high-profile ministry undermined the influence of poor local pastors. To an old veteran evangelist like Bosworth, this smelled like a rotten excuse used to hide their jealousy.

After weeks of debate, the National Committee finally denied William Branham‘s request for a visa. Once again his ministry was hampered by church politics. Nor would it be the last time.

In September 1954, William Branham began his third trip overseas by flying from New York City to Lisbon, Portugal, where Baron Yon Blomberg was waiting for him. Baron Yon Blomberg was a German aristocrat, well educated, and well-traveled (he spoke seven languages). In 1950 Yon Blomberg met Bill in Finland and was impressed by the supernatural power of Christ so visibly displayed in Bill’s ministry. Since the Baron had connections all over the world, including monarchs and other political leaders, Yon Blomberg offered to set up Bill’s itinerary on this trip. After Portugal, Bill was scheduled to visit Italy, Egypt, and Israel; then he would fly to Arabia, and finally, India.

In Lisbon, Yon Blomberg had arranged for Bill to dine with the President and members of his cabinet. Beyond this, the Baron had not been able to arrange a campaign in Portugal, because the Roman Catholic Church used its political clout to prevent him from securing any large auditoriums. Bill had to settle for two meetings at a Pentecostal church in the foothills on the edge of the city. But those two meetings glowed with miracles, setting the tone for the rest of this foreign tour.

Leaving Portugal, Bill, Billy Paul, and Baron Yon Blomberg flew on to Italy. While in Rome, Bill visited the underground dungeon where the apostle Paul had been imprisoned for his faith. Gazing into a cold, dismal prison cell, Bill’s heart swelled with love for Paul, that gallant messenger who took the Gospel to the Gentiles. Rejected by the world, even misunderstood by many Christians of his day, yet through all his years of struggle, he never faltered or turned away from his commission. Paul knew he was carrying the greatest treasure on earth: the good news that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to give eternal life to all those who would believe in Him, both Jews and Gentiles. Because Paul stood firm in his calling, every Christian down through the centuries had benefitted. That struck Bill as a powerful lesson he could apply in his own ministry.

On his second day in Rome, he was scheduled to meet the Pope at three o’clock in the afternoon. Baron Yon Blomberg told him how he must act—how he must kneel on one knee; then the Pope would extend his hand, and Bill must kiss the Pope’s ring and address him as “His Holiness” or “Holy Father.”

Bill shook his head. “That’s out. Cancel the audience. I’ll call any man Reverend, or Doctor or any other title he wants, but not Holy Father. Jesus said, ‘Call no man Father but God.’[1] When it comes to worship, there is only one man I will worship and that is Jesus Christ.”

So instead of seeing the Pope, Bill toured the Pope’s home. Vatican City is a unique independent state situated in the heart of Rome. Although it occupies only 0.15 square miles, it is the center of government for the Roman Catholic Church, and its influence touches every country on earth. Bill was amazed at the rich splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Gardens, and the Palace of His Holy Office. The wealth contained in these buildings was astonishing. Visiting the Vatican museum, he saw a magnificent triple-decked crown, representing the Pope’s jurisdiction over heaven, purgatory, and hell. A Latin inscription read VICARIUS FILII DEI, meaning Vicar of Christ, or in place of the Son of God. What a contrast between the riches of Vatican City and the dingy prison cell not far away where Paul the apostle spent the last years of his life. It was a striking lesson that wealth did not mean truth. Bill thought, “The Gospel doesn’t glitter, it glows.”

In a park not far from the Vatican City, a Christian evangelist was holding revival meetings in a large tent. Bill wandered over to see what was going on. After Bill introduced himself, the local evangelist graciously stepped aside, turning his service over to the world-famous American. There in the shadow of Vatican City, Bill preached the Word of God and prayed for the sick. God supplied the miracles.

From Rome, Bill flew to Cairo, Egypt, where he spent one day sightseeing, visiting the Sphinx and the pyramids, and seeing for himself that the Great Pyramid was missing its capstone. To him this seemed symbolic because the Bible spoke of Jesus Christ being the Capstone, or as the King James Version put it, ‘the head of the corner.’[2] There is only one structure where the cornerstone and the headstone are both the same shape, and that is a pyramid. Bill believed that sometime in the mist of ancient history, God had allowed this massive structure to be built as a testimony to His great plan, and that soon the real Headstone would set Himself at long last in His proper place.

That evening, he dined with Egypt’s King Farouk. The next morning, as Bill waited in Cairo’s international airport for the plane that would take him to Jerusalem, his excitement grew stronger. Soon he would be standing in Israel, land of the Bible prophets, birthplace of Jesus, home of the blinded Jews, many of whom were still looking for their Messiah. A meeting was scheduled in Jerusalem for that very afternoon. Although most Jews discounted Christianity as false, because of the unusual nature of Bill’s ministry, Lewi Pethrus still expected around 5,000 Israelis to attend. Advertisements posted around Jerusalem suggested a connection between his “gift of discernment” and the “sign of their Messiah.”

Bill believed it was the perfect environment for his ministry. Devout Jews reverenced their prophets. Imbedded in the Mosaic laws were the two qualifications of a true prophet: first, he would see visions; and second, his accuracy would be 100%.[3] Bill imagined what it would be like when he called a prayer line in Jerusalem and the discernment began. Surely those Jews would recognize the sign of their own Messiah? He imagined the whole audience receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, just like those 120 disciples did on the day of Pentecost.[4] If that did happen, the Gentile age would be over. Jesus said, Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.[5] As soon as Israel as a nation accepts the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gentile bride of Christ will be caught away with her Bridegroom, while the rest of the world plunges into the agony of a great tribulation. The Jews will then have 3½ years to preach the Gospel of Christ before the last great battle. According to the book of Revelation, when the dust settles on the battlefield of Armageddon, the sun will rise on a millennium of peace and perfection.[6] Bill could scarcely contain his excitement. This afternoon he might be preaching the most important sermon of his life.

The plane had landed, but he still had thirty minutes until it was time to board, so he walked over to a gift shop. Picking up a small elephant carved out of ebony with real ivory tusks, he was considering buying it for Doctor Adair, when he heard someone say, “Don’t go.”

He looked around, but no one was paying any attention to him. “Maybe I imagined it,” he thought, and he started for the purchase counter. Then he heard it again distinctly, “Don’t go. This is not the hour.”

There could be no mistaking the angel’s voice, but he could hardly believe what he was hearing. The meetings were set. The plane was waiting. What did it mean? Leaving the crowded passenger terminal, he walked behind an airplane hangar so he could be alone. There he prayed, “Heavenly Father, in just a few more hours I’ll be in Palestine standing in front of your blinded children. I’ll challenge those Jews to believe the sign of their Messiah. When they recognize that it is You doing the discerning, they will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit just as sure as anything. Isn’t that what you want?”

The angel of the Lord appeared, suspended in the desert air like a spot of bright, white fog. Bill shrank back against the hangar. The Holy Spirit said, “Stay out of Palestine. This is not your place. This is not the hour. The cup of iniquity of the Gentiles is not yet full. There is still more gleaning to do.”

That spot of bright fog evaporated into the stifling desert heat, leaving Bill gasping. What should he do now? It would not be easy to cancel his campaign in Israel on such short notice. He might even kindle some bitter feelings among those who had worked so hard to get him into Palestine. But his painful lesson in South Africa could not be forgotten. He was determined to do whatever the Holy Spirit told him to do, regardless of the consequences.

Returning to the terminal, he changed his ticket from Jerusalem, Israel, to Athens, Greece. That left Baron Von Blomberg saddled with the unpleasant task of flying on to Jerusalem and canceling today’s meeting. The Baron would link back up with him in Saudi Arabia, where Bill was scheduled to dine with the king of Arabia.

In Greece, Bill visited the ruined temple of Ares, Greek god of thunder and war (known to the Romans as Mars), where Paul the apostle had preached the Gospel to those ancient Athenians.[7] That night in his hotel room, Bill studied his Bible, trying to make sense out of what the Lord had told him in Egypt. He thought he had understood his ministry before this. Apparently he had missed something. But what had he missed?

The Holy Spirit said, Stay out of Palestine. This is not your place.” So he had been wrong to think he could show modern Israel the sign of their Messiah. It was an honest mistake. In 1933, the Lord told him, As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ, so are you sent with a message to forerun His second coming. John the Baptist introduced Jesus to the Jews. Then Jesus vindicated Himself by producing the sign of the Messiah: knowing the past (and future) of people he had never met before, and revealing their secret thoughts.[8]

For the past five years, Bill had been demonstrating the sign of the Messiah in his meetings. When the anointing came down and the visions occurred, he could discern the past, the future, and the secret thoughts in the minds of people. This discernment was always perfect because he wasn’t doing it; Jesus Christ gave each vision and did every miracle. Bill was like a microphone plugged into an electric amplifier. A microphone is silent until somebody speaks into it. God was speaking, and His Holy Spirit was amplifying this gift of discernment until Christians could hear it all around the world. Because the Lord had told Bill that his ministry would parallel John the Baptist’s ministry, it had seemed only logical that he should go to Israel and demonstrate this sign of the Messiah to the Jews.

Now Bill could see he had overlooked one simple fact: The Bible doesn’t talk about two comings of Jesus Christ; It talks about three. The first coming happened nearly 2,000 years ago. Around the year AD 30, John the Baptist introduced Jesus to the Jews as their Messiah, their Savior. When Israel rejected Jesus and crucified Him, that gave the rest of the world (the Gentiles) an opportunity to be saved.[9] Jesus promised He would come again, this time to the Gentile church, revealing Himself and catching up His Gentile Bride in what is known among Christians as the Rapture.[10] The Bible says Jesus will come this second time like a thief in the night.[11] When it happens, no one will know about it except His Bride. After this, Jesus will return once more to the Jews. His third coming will startle the world, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.[12] This time the Jews will receive Jesus as their Messiah.

So, if it wasn’t Bill’s place to introduce the Messiah to modern Israel, where was his place? He searched the Scriptures for an answer. The key seemed to be in Luke 1:17, in the fact that Elijah’s spirit motivated John the Baptist. The “spirit of Elijah” was really the Holy Spirit acting through a personality like Elijah’s. God needed John to have the spirit of Elijah in order for John to accomplish the difficult tasks his ministry required of him. Bill turned back to I Kings 17 and read again about Elijah, so he could compare Elijah’s life and ministry with that of John’s.

In II Kings 2, he read the story about Elijah’s last day on earth. God appeared as a burning fire and caught Elijah away in a whirlwind while Elisha, who was Elijah’s apprentice, watched. At that moment, a double portion of Elijah’s spirit fell on Elisha, who promptly picked up Elijah’s cloak, struck it on the Jordan River, and cried out, “Where is the God of Elijah?” The river separated and Elisha walked to the other side on dry ground. Right there, God showed mankind that the spirit which inspired Elijah could be transferred to another prophet. In Elisha’s lifetime, he performed exactly twice the number of miracles that Elijah did, proving that he did indeed have a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha could even discern by vision, which he demonstrated when he told the king of Israel what the king of Syria said in his bedroom.[13]

Turning to Malachi 4, the last chapter in the Old Testament, Bill read, For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch… Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Many Bible scholars taught that Malachi 4:5 referred to John the Baptist, because the angel Gabriel said that John would have the spirit of Elijah, and Jesus indicated that John was Elijah.[14] But these teachers stopped short of the full truth. It was wrong to assume that Malachi 4:5 referred only to John the Baptist. When the Jews asked John if he was Elijah, John said flatly that he was not.[15] Instead he identified himself with Isaiah 40:3 – The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD…[16] Jesus identified John with Malachi 3:1, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.[17]

Who then was Malachi referring to when he prophesied, Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD? This had to be one of those scriptural passages that had more than one meaning—like Hosea 11:1, which said, When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Hosea was referring to the time when God sent Moses to Egypt to rescue the children of Israel from slavery. But Matthew said Hosea 11:1 was also a prophecy which was fulfilled when Joseph and Mary, who had fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, brought the child Jesus out of Egypt and back to Israel after Herod died.[18]

Malachi 4:5 had to have a compound meaning also, speaking of more than one coming of Elijah. In Matthew 17, the disciples asked Jesus, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. When Jesus said this, John the Baptist was already dead. So when Jesus said, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things, He was speaking of a future event.

Since there would be three comings of Christ, and since the first coming of Christ was preceded by a prophet-messenger with the spirit of Elijah, it followed logically that the second and third comings of Christ would each be preceded by a prophet with the spirit of Elijah. In all, there would be five comings of Elijah’s spirit: the first time in Elijah, the second time in Elisha, the third time in John the Baptist, the fourth time in a prophet-messenger to the Gentiles at the end of the Gentile age, and the fifth time in a prophet to modern Israel.

Why was the spirit of Elijah so special that God chose to use it repeatedly in His great plan? When Bill compared the lives of Elijah and John the Baptist, he found many remarkable similarities. Both men were rugged individuals who loved the wilderness and knew how to endure hardships. Both men had the courage to speak against the spiritual corruption around them. Elijah looked into King Ahab’s face and said, “Thou and thy father’s house has troubled Israel in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and have followed Baalim. Now therefore gather all Israel, and the 450 prophets of Baal, and the 400 prophets of Jezebel’s groves, gather them unto Mount Carmel for a showdown.”[19] John looked at the Pharisees and Sadducees and said, Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…[20] Neither Elijah nor John was tempted by money, power, fame, or women. Both men denounced immorality: Elijah condemned Queen Jezebel’s idolatry,[21] and John rebuked King Herod for living in adultery with his brother’s wife.[22]

Both Elijah and John the Baptist had their shortcomings too. After Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel, he fled from Jezebel’s wrath and hid in the wilderness. During his journey he got so depressed that he asked God to kill him.[23] John also went through moody periods. When he was in prison he got so despondent, he sent a message to Jesus and asked, “Are you the one that should come, or do we look for another?”[24] Noticing these faults encouraged Bill. It showed him that everything Elijah, Elisha, and John the Baptist accomplished was the result of God working through them. They couldn’t rely on their own strength. It reminded him of how the Lord told Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.[25]

Although Elijah and John were both prophets, they were rejected by most religious leaders of their time. No doubt these leaders were jealous of Elijah and John because neither man came through established religious channels. Elijah, Elisha, and John were not connected with any organization. That gave them the freedom to preach their messages without having to worry about what anyone else thought. And all three men preached the Word of God fearlessly, without compromise. That was the kind of spirit God wanted in his prophets, especially those three men ordained to forerun the comings of Christ. Only the spirit of Elijah was rugged enough to withstand the intense pressures of opposition and to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.

Behind that Egyptian airplane hangar, the Holy Spirit said to him, This is not your place. This is not the hour. The cup of iniquity of the Gentiles is not yet full. There is still more gleaning to do. But Israel’s hour must come, just as surely as the sun rises in the morning to scatter darkness. After warning Israel about the great end-time destruction, Malachi 4:2 said, But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. Revelation 1:7 said about Jesus Christ, Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him... (“They” meaning the Jews.) Zechariah 12:9-11 prophesied of it. The apostle Paul spoke of it in Romans 11:25-27. The Jews will finally receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, and it will be a prophet with the spirit of Elijah who will introduce the Messiah again to Israel. Bill felt that this fifth and final Elijah would be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-11, because one of these witnesses had the power to prevent it from raining, and the only other prophet in the Bible who had the power to cause a drought was Elijah.[26]

When the Jews finally do receive their Messiah, the Gentile age will end. Then the wrath of God will be poured out on the Gentiles who rejected Christ.[27] As dreadful as that might sound, it must happen before Jesus Christ can rule in a peaceful and perfect kingdom.

Bill didn’t know when this would happen, but he did know God was waiting for two things. First, He was waiting for the sins of the Gentiles to accumulate to a certain level. The Holy Spirit said, The cup of iniquity of the Gentiles is not yet full. Jesus said that, Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.[28] God had once said something similar to Abraham about his enemies, the Amorites. He said He would not judge the Amorites until their iniquity was full.[29] Back then the Amorites ruled much of Canaan (Palestine). Even in Abraham’s day the Amorites were a sinful, amoral culture. By the time God destroyed them, the Amorites’ polytheistic religion had degenerated beyond simple idolatry and had embraced divination, religious prostitution, and child sacrifice. Bill could see the modern Gentile world heading that direction also, even to the point of child sacrifice. Wasn’t abortion a form of child sacrifice? Could modern governments become so amoral as to legalize the slaughter of unborn children?

The second thing God was waiting for was the salvation of all His children. When His last son or daughter receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, at that moment the Gentile church will be raptured, that is caught up into a higher dimension. Then the door of salvation will close to the Gentiles; then Revelation 22: 11 will be fulfilled: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Bill closed his Bible, satisfied that now he better understood the scriptural position of his own ministry in relation to Israel. Previously he had assumed there would be four comings of Elijah’s spirit; now he could see there must be five. His own ministry had nothing to do with Israel. He was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, and that is what he would continue to do: praying for the sick, preaching salvation in Jesus’ Name, finding one here and one there who would listen – gleaning, always gleaning; gathering up souls like grain for the Master; making a people prepared for the Lord.

WILLIAM BRANHAM, GODS UNIQUE VESSEL, UNDER ATTACK

And if they be ASHAMED of all they have done [and made], shew them the form of the [real] house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and DO THEM (Ezek. 43:11-12).

Brother Branham said in 1958 and then again often in 1960 – often thereafter until his homegoing in December 1965 – Brother Clayt, I am going to be taken home one day, because Gods people are making a god out of me. In 1966, following his death in late December 1965, three ministers said, God took brother Branham home because he was in false doctrine. That was a false and demonically inspired word. And I’m afraid its perpetrators, highly respected ministers, have not lost their salvation but their future rewards in heaven. How tragic!

These three notables have all passed off the scene, decades ago. Sadly, it is not know that any of the three recanted or repented of their false revelation and widely propagated evil statement. Lord Jesus forgive, if they will repent, the millions who have heard and then spread throughout the whole world such malicious and unworthy trash! William Branham, as a type and shadow of Elijah and John the Baptist, was truly the one to fulfill the prophetic Word: Behold, I will send you [one with the spirit of] Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and [as well as] dreadful days of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). It is sad that so many in their haste to try to disprove all of the aspirations and directives of the “latter rain” move have felt qualified to blindly attack brother Branham’s prophetic appointment. It is equally sad that those who have obviously built a cult around him have carried the importance of Branham’s appointment and words to the status of a god.

Jeremiah 1:9-10 states, “Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”

Like Jeremiah, I too, of necessity, have weathered persecutions and rejections because of this rooting out, pulling down, destroying, and throwing down (Jeremiah 1:9-10). Would it not have been for His incessant grace and mercies, I would have given up and called it a day long ago. But burning through it all is the trumpet blast, the waking up electric shock wave that energizes all the writing, all the weeping, and all the waiting for the true Church to respond to that last end-time call. And that call now in progress is the blessed hope of the glorious return of Jesus Christ the King of Kings in, for, and with His “Overcomer -Manchild First-fruit” Company, His “Gideon’s 300,” His Joseph the Dreamer–Deliverer, all of this leading to the day of His glorious return and culminating in His final “Feast of Tabernacles.” Thus, the greatest burden for us in these last days is to function on behalf of the awakening Bride, primarily in the role of building and planting. It is the Word of God that causes man to grow up and bear fruit!

[1]     Matthew 23:9

[2]     Psalms 118:22, Matthew 21:42, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, I Peter 2:7

[3]     Numbers 12:6 and Deuteronomy 18:15-22

[4]     Acts 2

[5]     Luke 21:24

[6]     Revelation 16:16; 20:1-3

[7]     Acts 17:22

[8]     Matthew 12:25, 21:1-7; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 2:34-35, 6:8; John 1:5, 2:24-25, 5:19, 10:37; Hebrews 13:8.

[9]     Romans 11:11,15,25,3

[10]     I Corinthians 15:51-54; I Thessalonians 4:15-17

[11]     Matthew 24:42-44; I Thessalonians 5:2; II Peter 3:9-10

[12]     Revelation 1:7

[13]   II Kings 6:12

[14]    Matthew 17:12-13; Luke 1:17

[15]     John 1:12

[16]     Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; John 1:23

[17]     Matthew 11:7-14; Mark 1:1-2; Luke 7:24-28

[18]     18 Matthew 2:12-15

[19]     I Kings 18:18-19

[20]     Matthew 3:7-10 (NKJV)

[21]    I Kings 21:17-23; II Kings 9:36

[22]    Matthew 145:3-4

[23]    I Kings 19:1-4

[24]    Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19

[25]     II Corinthians 12:9-10

[26]     I Kings 17:1

[27]     Malachi 4:1; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22, 7:14

[28]     Luke 21:24

[29]     30 Genesis 15:13-16

SEGMENT 4:

GOD’S PURE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE

CHAPTER 25

Revelation 22

Only in that pure river of water of life do we find the TRUE and FULL anointing of the Lord and the FULL unity of His body of overcomers

1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life . . .

3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne [authority] of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants [bond-slaves] shall serve him [only]:

4. And they shall see his face; and his name [888... complete new beginnings] shall be in their foreheads [to replace 666... complete flesh]. (REV 22:1-4)

AN ANOINTING WITHOUT MEASURE

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world . . . in fulness . . . not in measure.

Like Jude, we need again to cry aloud, “Oh, that we might earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” The hodgepodge of today bears no comparison to the glory that descended only a little more than 60 years ago in 1948, and again in 1953. Yet even the glory evidenced in the early days of that two-pronged visitation was but a shadow of the Upper Room and the ‘Early Church’ visitation.

However, even the Early Church visitation was only a product of the Feast of Pentecost. So, too, were the visitations of 1904 and 1906. So also was the 1948-1956 double-pronged visitation that started its descent on the rocky beach of Nicolaitanism and ended this descent in the careless cove of Laodiceanism, this coincidental with the inception of the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal movement in 1956. From Scripture it ought to be easy for all to see that the anointing and measure attained in the Early Church was only a shadow of that which is beginning to be apprehended by today’s sons of Zadok. There is beginning to be a growing “few” of God’s end-time overcomers who are truly entering into the Feast of Tabernacles.

Lord, help us, we pray! Help the true body of Christ as it struggles to leave the place of ordinances (Passover) and the place of leaven (Pentecost) in order to “join You outside the camp, bearing Your reproach”... in the place of Your Presence (Tabernacles).

John the Baptist, addressing those asking questions about Jesus, had this to say:

34. For he whom God hath sent [and is soon to be sent forth in fulness] speaketh the words of God: for God giveth NOT THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE unto him [unto Jesus Christ or to His overcomer... sons, but God giveth to them without measure or limitation] (John 3:34).

With few exceptions over two millennia man has had no more than the single portion anointing. The promised double portion is essentially a short-term steppingstone that the Lord inserts momentarily at the conclusion of the Church Age as a transitional step into fulness – into that realm of anointing wherein God giveth NOT the spirit by measure – but without measure or limitation. In that day a few will move almost immediately following the giving of the double portion into what the Word proclaims is a still higher anointing than the “double portion”... one that has been reserved for 6,000 years. This “double portion” anointing is the beginning – but only the beginning – of God’s third wave. This “double portion” (early and latter rain together) will be quickly followed by a short work [that the Lord] will... make upon the earth (Rom. 9:28), a work which Scripture calls the coming forth of an anointing without measure.

God gave to Jesus Christ – the firstborn among many brethren – His Spirit; but not the Spirit by MEASURE... (John 3:34) At the time of the end, God again will give to the “many brethren” the same without measure Spirit that He gave to His firstborn son.

That which was given to Aaron and David was composed of an exact measure. That which God is about to give to His overcomer sons will be without measure! Coincidental with such an outpouring of the Holy Ghost will be the ushering in of this gospel of the kingdom... in fulness.

23. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately [during the past two millennia, as in the Upper Room, in 1906, in 1948 and in 1953], and [but] he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain [together; i.e., the double portion rain] in the first month of [Gods end-time Tabernacle visitation].

24. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25. And I will RESTORE to you the years [6,000 years] that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I [have progressively over that time] sent among you.

26. And ye shall eat in plenty [in that hour, the great and terrible day of the Lord], and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt WONDEROUSLY with you: and MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER [again] BE ASHAMED!

27. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel [the true Israel of God], and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never [again] be ashamed (Joel 2:23-27).

You see, the anointing that we are beginning – just beginning – to enter into in our day concerns the central Ultimate Purpose God has in store for mankind. He is beginning to do something new, even beyond that given to Aaron and David. Isaiah speaks of this “new” day saying: “Behold, I will do a NEW thing, now it shall spring forth” (Isaiah 43:18). He is now about to give those who overcome something even more than the promised end-time double portion. For those exampled by the 7,000 prophets who would not bow their knee to Baal – also the five wise virgins, and many other types and shadows – there will come an even greater extension of the Anointed One inhabiting His overcomers…an anointing... without measure. These wise virgins are the true body of Christ, a body that is a full extension of the Head, sharing fully of all He is and all He has.

When man’s desire for mixture circumvented God’s purpose for fulness, God progressively put the cork on the anointing bottle (doubly true since that tragic day in 1956). Not only was (1) the two-gallon anointing taken away, but (2) the “double portion” (the four-gallon anointing) as well as (3) the unlimited supply of fulness was set aside for a later day, the time of the end. But now is the time of the end!

As I see the situation today, we have very little anointing left. However, coming soon there is to be “a quick work of righteousness.” When this happens (whether in a matter of seconds or spread over several months), I see overcomers moving rapidly into the two-gallon anointing... from there to the four-gallon anointing... and then further and quickly to the unlimited anointing that is without measure. All this could happen to one fully apprehended by the Cross. One thing for sure, the Cross has not been sufficiently worked into us to adequately prepare us for that moment in history that lies just before us. Hopefully, all who are reading this treatise will be able to say in that climactic hour concerning the work of the Cross: It is finished. That moment will be when His overcomer... sons are caught up to God and his throne.

Man has rarely seen “the double portion anointing”... and except within Jesus, we have never seen the unlimited anointing. And in that hour all the world will be in awe: For he will finish the work [the Church Age], and cut it short in righteousness: because a short [or quick] work will the Lord make upon the earth (Rom. 9:28). I firmly believe that “short” [or quick] work will likely be for no more than three and one-half years in its duration, this to coincide with the last three and one-half years of tribulation such as the world has never seen. So severe shall be this terror that: “Except those days should be shortened, there should be no flesh saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:22).

They followed Christ as He rode into Jerusalem as long as they believed that He had come to bring to them a bread-and-butter kingdom, a “broad way.” This great multitude of Jerusalem welcomers (perhaps as many as a million or more) was the highest level of the prosperity message the world had ever seen – perhaps before or since that day – even more flamboyant than the prosperity message of today with its lust for temporal values. It was a broad way, but they remembered not Christ’s earlier words: …and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat (Matt 7:13). They marveled at His overturning of the money changers on the temple steps. They thought He would say the word and kill all those in the Sanhedrin, as well as Herod, Caesar and 30,000 Roman soldiers that were keeping them in slavery. In a sense, they were looking for someone who could speak the Word and commit murder, by murdering their adversaries. They couldn’t see that He came to bring life, not death; that He came to introduce a spiritual Kingdom, not a natural kingdom – to loose them from religious slavery, not from natural slavery that had been imposed upon them because of their sins. This same blindness and desire for a natural kingdom has so increased today until almost all of Pentecost/Charismatica has lost its way in its zeal to build a natural kingdom, and to satisfy the lust and greed that flesh has for natural things.

But when Jesus turned away from reconstituting the natural temple, the people would follow Him no longer. When He, by example, showed them, then further told them: My Kingdom is not of this world... but is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, they were not willing to follow further. For three and a half years He had been showing them how to live. As vital as this is, it is only one side of the coin. Now in one week He would show them how to die. They looked from afar at Gethsemane and its agony and they quickly withdrew. The few that followed into Gethsemane would include a traitor (Judas), and Peter, a would-be murderer. On this occasion, even Peter would attempt to murder the Roman soldiers at Gethsemane. All of them would be asleep to the momentous privilege and occasion. Even these few fell to the wayside when they began to see the nature and shape and reality of Golgotha. When they observed the agony and price that accompanies the Way of the Cross, “outside the camp,” they chose to go back to fishing. They chose the broad way inside the camp that allows for self-life and negates the only real life, a life found only through death in the Cross... outside the camp.

Today, most of Pentecost/Charismatica is calling this “broad way that leadeth to destruction” a revival, a renewal, an ecumenical happening, a networking miracle, or the decade of the prophetic. Scripture and historical precedent is plain in relating the next thing that will happen to those willing to go all the way, those willing to fully identify with Jesus in crucifixion and resurrection. As in that day following their apprehending the Cross in the Upper Room (limited though it was by leaven), both the secular and the religious world moved with murderous vehemence (as they will again today) to rapidly try to destroy those anointed ones – even as they did Jesus and all who went through the Cross of death.

Dear ones: Have you counted this cost? Have you seen that most everyone in Pentecost today has perverted the Scripture to mean: “wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth unto life and many there be that find it”? But the Lord is actually saying of this day:

13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat;

14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto [true Kingdom] life, and FEW there be that find it (Matt. 7:13-14).

“BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT DOWN, AND WEPT”

Ask those who entered the pure but narrow river during that period from 1948 to 1956 (some of us are still here), and you’ll hear testimony of a quality that was briefly poured out as just a sampler of what God is preserving for “the [soon-coming] day of the Lord.” Ask only those who really believe in holiness, in sanctification (separation), in a contrite spirit – those who still have a desire to walk perfectly according to the Word even if they lose everything... including their reputations. Then, as they reflect on a better day, have them ask if they, too, aren’t terribly troubled by the comparison of these two rivers... the pure but “narrow” walk (which “few” find) in comparison to a “broad stream that leadeth to destruction [in which] many there be which go in thereat” (Matt. 7:13).

Ask why most of those who entered the waters of 1948-1956 have long ago lost their song, joy and peace. If they are truly honest, they will tell you that they have returned to the rivers of Babylon and that there:

1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we [in discouragement finally] sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion [that better day].

2. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion (Psalms 137:1-3).

This past visitation of restoration – this time of new beginnings from 1948-1956 – started with multitudes who entered this pure river of water of life. Sadly, almost overnight many of these, because of the price, crossed back over to the “broad” river they originally left. At first, this backsliding happened in small numbers, but in the end multiplied thousands lost their way and returned to Marah, even as a dog to its own vomit. There are millions in that broad river that increases hourly its consumption of those taking the easy way. Most don’t even realize why this wide river, “the broad way that leadeth to destruction,” is muddy. It is because it flows from a bitter poisonous source... the waters of Marah.

Many of these precious, desperate followers of this “broad” river are not fully responsible. Many have not been told of the parallel “narrow way [the narrow river of life] that leadeth to eternal life.” Though they were part of a feeble “remnant,” even they did not have the anointing and understanding that is freely available today. It was not quite God’s hour of great and complete deliverance, this full deliverance reserved for an age that is only now in its early days of conception! Yet each of them gladly paid a significant price to start the portage into this other pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Fortunately, there is a growing remnant of God’s people who can attest to the accuracy of our historical perspective, because they have entered behind the veil, even gaining victory over all the spirits of the flesh and of the soul realm that demands they compromise. Further, I could list hundreds of such giants (most of them little people in the eyes of man) who are still living who haven’t turned back to Babylon. I’m referring to that motley band whose calling and cry identifies them as ... a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage (Ezra 9:8). There are still a few living who left the “broad way,” the “broad stream,” during (or since) the 1948-1956 visitation and have climbed the mountain of deliverance. They recognized immediately that the advent of the Charismatic movement in 1956 wasn’t another milestone that would lead to greater heights, but was rather a consummation to that which had already lost its way. Though their hair is now gray and their physical strength has lessened, their spiritual strength and aptitude has significantly broadened. These are they who never turned their backs on the place of this revelation of Gods ultimate purpose for His overcomer people. Neither did they lose the joy of this walk and revelation since they began to ascend to the higher and narrower river just ahead... the River of God.

This Charismatic ecumenized river has always been huge and flamboyant, but I’m seeing another river – a small river called A pure river of water of life, as clear as crystal (Rev 22:1). This small river didn’t really have its source in 1948 – or in 1953 – nor even in the Upper Room – but at Golgotha. In contrast, this large Charismatic stream does not have (and never did have since its inception) its source in the Cross or in the message of the Cross... death, burial and resurrection in Him. If its source is only in the Upper Room – in the Feast of Pentecost or in the Charismatic Renewal – rather than in the Cross and the blood and death to self, i.e., in the Feast of Tabernacles, it will never fulfill God’s true purposes in and through an end-time “man child” company. As a consequence of its being, at the most, only parallel to the true river of life, this large stream will never end in the right place, nor will it ever merge with the much smaller pure river of water of life.

Many of those who tasted of that better day – those who remember the glories of 1948-1956 – are presently hearing His voice again: “Take your harps down from off the willow: weep no longer.” These long to once again join in anthem, singing songs such as “This Is the Promise of the Coming Latter Rain.” When posed with their request, or demand, to sing in their Babylonian habitat one of the songs of Zion, these who are crying between the porch and the altar will surely answer them, How shall we sing the Lords song in a strange land? They will also say, If I forget thee, O Jerusalem [for once again we have found the One who is the Source of this pure stream; but if somehow I do forget], let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not [the stream from] Jerusalem above my chief joy (Psalms 137:4-6).

Yes, praise God, a company is arising today that is beginning to see and hear by the Spirit. And they are asking: “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness saying, Arise, my love, my fair one, come away?” (Song of Sol. 2:13). These who are called to “come away... unto Him [only]” are desperate to be clothed with His nature. They weep in recognition of their unworthiness when they are privileged to enter into His presence.

The seeds of early 1948 blossomed into the great tree of 1948-1956. The great cry during that period was for God’s help to move us beyond Pentecost. Yet the general cry today is no longer how to move beyond Pentecost but is rather how to back off from the price of Pentecost (a price which has become very minimal) and still “make it in.”

In spite of all the mixture and corruption, we can call this 1948-1956 tree a great tree because it was of God’s making. “I am [He is] the Vine, and ye are [we Pentecostals were] the branches.” As long as we branches abode in Him, we brought forth much lasting fruit, for without Him we can do nothing. When we abided not in Him, He cast us forth as a branch, and we [and this whole 1948 movement finally] withered [and were completely cast out by 1956].

Anything or anyone that starts in the flesh is never going to end in the Spirit. And anything or anyone that was a protege of 1956 (of the Charismatic-Ecumenical-Renewal) – or, if you prefer, of a visitation that has been misstated as having its origin in 1959 – will never taste the fruit of that Tree as long as you remain there, for it never was a fruit-bearing tree. In this realm of compromised fruit there possibly may come some good fruit, but it will never be perfect fruit. Further, good fruit may well be the initial product but, leavened as it is, it will finally bring disaster. Repentance and abandonment of everything not of the Father’s making is now mandated. Anything and everything short of that will soon be subjected to severe worldwide judgment!

To those who have pledged their spirits and souls to the Charismatic/Ecumenical movement, I hear the Holy Spirit sharply proclaiming: “The hope of the world, as well as the church, doesn’t lie in reforming or enlarging the system, ecumenical style.” Most of what we see today is only the death throes of a religious Sanhedrin that has almost totally lost its way. The die has been cast. Our hope lies only in God’s people fleeing to the mountain outside the camp – and He is that Mountain. Only in Him will there be safe conduct (with much promised tribulation) to that pure stream on the other side, a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Entering the narrow river is opposite of basic salvation in one vital respect. Salvation is freely given. In contrast, there is a great price to pay in order to enter this River of Life. It carries the price of complete death to self. It is totally opposed to and opposite of popular “kingdom teaching” today. This walk of the Spirit will cost the traveler of this way everything. Absolutely no one shall eat of this fruit or will enter into this river of life until he has been thoroughly purged by repentance and change. Repentance and repudiation are absolutely mandatory for one to enter the door of restoration – “restoring of that which the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm have eaten [totally destroyed]” Joel 2:25.

“AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM [WITHOUT ALL THESE COMPROMISES] SHALL BE PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS”

It is time the Church hears by the Spirit one of Jesus’ concluding and most important edicts: “And THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matt. 24:14). We’ve had the gospel of kingdom-building, the gospel of healing, the gospel of salvation, and the gospel of Charismatic-Renewal, the ecumenical gospel, as well as many other gospels; but only Jesus preached and fully lived out This gospel of the kingdom.

Paul, Peter, James or John knew not this fulness of the gospel of the Kingdom, except as they wrote the Scriptures under a perfect anointing. Their anointing – except when writing perfectly that which we call the Word – was limited to what that very Age had to offer – the Feast of Pentecost. So when they wrote the Word we call the New Testament, they wrote far beyond the depth of their comprehension because they experienced a measure of the perfect Lordship of Christ. Except when writing that which we call the Word – this under a Tabernacle... unlimited anointing – they experienced only the “early rain.” That “double portion” rain – the early and also the latter rain together – has been reserved for an end-time ministry and an end-time people who will move beyond Pentecost (the Holy Place) into the Feast of Tabernacles (the Holy of Holies). We must intercede before the throne until we push through that tissue-paper-thin veil (flesh within us and flesh without) that keeps us from moving into “this [true] gospel of the Kingdom.” I desperately desire “the double portion.” By God’s grace, I determine to obtain that double portion... “the early and latter rain together.”

Today’s religious masquerade, even in Full Gospel, Pentecostal or Charismatic realms, has, for the most part, deteriorated to that of another gospel. It is not the gospel suggested by Jesus. But His true gospel will come forth, and further: [This] gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matt. 24:14). The Word of the Lord to His people is a call to renounce and repent of our contribution to the present masquerade and to return to due order wherein lies this true gospel of the Kingdom:

13. For because ye did it not at the first [1948-1956], the Lord our God made a breach upon us [on 26 June 1956], for that we sought him not after the due order (I Chron. 15:13).

To summarize: The final breach came first to the Nicolaitan wing of this 1948 to 1952 visitation in 1952 and second to the 1953 to 1956 Laodicean portion in June 1956. The Court of Pentecost must stop its habitual game-playing long enough to seek God according to due order. This is not a rebuke to a single segment of the body of Christ, but a “thus saith the Lord” to the whole of God’s people everywhere.

In sharp contrast to this quest for power, there is a body of people who are repulsed by what they see within themselves as well as those around them. These, instead of desiring power as their priority, are desiring purity at any price. God is building a glorious spiritual body like His own natural body in the earth today. This pure body will be like The Son [the firstborn among many brethren who] can do nothing of himself, but [only] what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son [and sons] likewise (John 5:19).

Man’s order has produced its natural order as evidenced in all facets of this middle court. God’s order, in contrast, will produce His spiritual order: His purity and presence, available only to those who have died to self, ones who are willing to pay the price.

For the Lord is again passing this way and is saying, It is still not too late to obtain this purity and presence. But it is available only to those willing to confess, and repent, and to change from ‘man’s order’ to ‘God’s order’.

Just a few days following Jesus’ triumphal ride into Jerusalem, as the multitude narrowed to a handful, with the Cross upon His back, Jesus said to the few willing to follow Him: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. (Luke 23:28) We who live today are their children afar off, and we need to weep concerning our condition. According to Luke’s account, these are the last words of Jesus prior to mounting that “Tree” that would for all time – if the full essence of that Tree is accepted – purify any and every water pool coming from Marah, the place where the water has degenerated to a contaminated mixture.

The last thing that happened was:

46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,

48. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

49. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things (Luke 23:46,48-49).

Lord, help us all to enter into that small river, to no longer be satisfied to return (v. 48) to the old order (the old paths) or to stand afar off. (v. 49) Lord, help every one of us to enter into You... even into that pure river of water of life where we can ever more “abide in the vine!”

1. [Jesus said] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3. NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD which I have spoken unto you.

4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:1-5).

It is here in “The Vine” – “The Anointed One” – that we branches are finding, not only complete unity with the Vine, but complete unity with His other true branches. And now the unlimited unity and the anointing of our Maker is flowing down from the Head, not only “to the skirts of our garments,” but upon every part of His [being made] whole body. This body, now being made whole, is a people not just called and chosen – this is no longer sufficient – but they are also faithful (Rev. 17:14). He is not just making them one, but making them “one in Him” – …for unto Him [only] shall the gathering of the people be. (Gen. 49:10). [This people He has “sanctified and cleansed] with the washing of water by the word.” [These are a people who are finding that pure river of water of life as clear as crystal. He wants to] present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:26-27).

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God, [who grants the Spirit in unlimited measure] (John 3:34, Berkeley).

Those believers who came out of the Upper Room needed no props because they were “one with the Master” and “one in the Spirit.” They experienced the reality along with David: “Behold unity... is like precious ointment” (Psalms 133:1-2); and when you have true anointing (the “precious ointment”... Christ in fulness) you have unity. Let the “agape anointing” put you together with whom He wills and hold you together, as in the Upper Room. Further, this oneness of the Upper Room, or such oneness as David and Jonathan had, was earned at great price, but not at the price of truth. This is still true. There was one other necessary soldier God invited to join Gideon’s army of 300. This is He who is typified by Gideon... the Lord Jesus Christ. These who will not bow to Baal are known fully by the One who contains all truth!

The “120” of the Upper Room (including the apostles) – with only a two-gallon anointing (“the early rain” anointing) – “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). As an example, the “… women received their dead raised to life again…” (Heb. 11:35). “All they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10).

Today, what most Charismatics and Pentecostals of all backgrounds, denominations and organizations call “great” – and what many others who suggest they walk in higher values also call “great” – is a mere trickle compared to the two-gallon anointing of David, Aaron or the Upper Room. Yet what David, Aaron and those of the Upper Room received is typed by only the two-gallon anointing. God reserved the door-opener – the double portion – this to be followed quickly thereafter by the anointing without measure for only two entities or occasions – for His Son, Jesus, and for His end-time overcomer sons to enter behind the veil of flesh, compromise, and beyond the Feast of Pentecost for three and one-half years at the time of the end.”

Knowing, then, that our present best is only a trickle, just think what God has in store for those who “overcome.” This great river of life is reserved for only those who move Beyond Pentecost… beyond the two-gallon anointing… beyond the four-gallon anointing (the “double portion” anointing)… into that anointing without measure… that realm called fulness. This is to be a combined (“early and latter rain [together]”) anointing in the first month. And [at that time] I will RESTORE to you the years [the lost 6,000 years] that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you [to teach you My ways]” (Joel 2:25).

This is the place of an endless …pure river of water of life, clear as crystal (Rev. 22:1-4).

1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne [authority] of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants [bond-slaves] shall serve him [only]:

4. And they shall see his face; and his name [888... complete new beginnings] shall be in their foreheads [to replace 666... complete flesh].

5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done (Rev. 22:1-6).

Today, a “few” of God’s builders – very few – are reassessing the only real blueprint (the Word) and are perceiving the Pattern with new understanding. For He is that perfect Pattern. And that Pattern (or blueprint) will lead us to – and then into – that which is perfect [Christ as our only Lord and Master],” after He has led us out of that which is [only] in part.

My dear brother, sister, all who have read this treatise: Are you willing to confess that for the most part you have been building only scaffolding rather than His Building? Are you ready to repent of building, at best, a substitute house?

Are you willing to confess . . . repent . . . and change?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Lord is now saying: “Ask every reader to stop here, close this book and pray that God will enable you to give yourself fully to Christ – to allow Him to be your only Lord – even to the degree of releasing you from any horizontal man-made relationships, networking schemes or organizational or denominational avenues of submission that have stood in the way of your making Him your only Lord and Master. Ask the Lord to set you free – NOW – to open your eyes, to give you understanding, and to help you to be willing to pay the price to move Beyond Pentecost” (Jer. 1:10).[1]

[1]     The Lord has directed the writing of this volume Beware of Strange Fire in such a way as to provide a balance between oil and sword.  Beyond Pentecost (Volume 1) is heavier on the healing oil.  None Dare Call It Deception (Volume 2) is heavier on the sword.  Both the sword and the oil are necessary ingredients to bring purification and healing to the church.

About The Author

Clayt Sonmore describes himself as a watchman/historian/author.  A very close friend, Erskine Holt (whom Sonmore calls a primary teacher-prophet of the great “latter rain” visitation during the middle of the past century) said some years ago: “Clayt and Jeanne have had many broad and unusual experiences in many Pentecostal streams, including much involvement with the ‘latter rain visitation’ which commenced in Canada in 1948.  Hence, his books and other writings are an invaluable and valid record, as well as an accurate historical resource describing the ‘latter rain visitation’ that shook the whole world of Pentecost during the middle of this past century.”

Together with Demos Shakarian and 15 others, including Tommy Hicks and William Branham, Sonmore was one of the early founders of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, pioneered in 1952 and 1953. He was appointed Vice President of that body in 1956 and served as chairman of three of its five committees until his amiable resignation in 1964.  Of the original 15 foundational fathers of the FGBMF, only Sonmore remains alive  to tell the story of FGBMF’s ‘Paradise Found’ – (‘this gospel of the kingdom’, 1952 to 1956) – and of (from 1956 to date) ‘Paradise Lost.’

Beware of Strange Fire – Clayt Sonmore

Copyright © 2009

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

First edition published 2013

Paperback ISBN: 978-1494752811

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This book is available from www.amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and your local Christian bookstore

Table of Contents

An Intercessory Note from the Author

Foreword

Preface

Show the House to the House

The Todd Bentley/Lakeland Factor

The Dutch Sheets Factor

The Peter Wagner/Chuck Pierce Factor

An Update on Lakeland from Peter Wagner

The Rick Joyner/Bill Johnson Factor

A Timeline of Pertinent Events

Manifestation Excesses

Real Holy Ghost Fire

A Remnant

Cultitis

God’s Ultimate Intention

The Tabernacle of the Congregation Without the Camp

God’s Call to Overcomers

An Inaccurate Interpretation of Scripture

Man’s Order Replaced Divine Order

Notre Dame—1971 And 1972

A Wise Virgin

Future Shocks

The House Should Be Ashamed

A Strange Challenge

The Angel’s Message to Brother Branham

Supernatural

Called Out of Egypt 1954

Revelation 22

About The Author