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Wednesday 18 August 2021

EMMA STARK: ANGEL ENCOUNTERS?



It is quite hard to know where to begin with Emma Stark she has so many tall stories. Having viewed a few of her videos, I have opted to critique her alleged encounter with a six-winged "seraphim" in her room as an eighteen year old student. Actually the term seraphim ˈsɛrəfɪm  is the plural of seraph ˈsɛrəf, so whatever it was that Emma Stark saw (or claims to have seen), should be described in the singular ~ seraph. The only time seraphim are mentioned in the scriptures is in Isaiah 6:1-7. We therefore have very little information with which to base an accurate assessment of them. Seraphim are burning/fiery ones. They are described as celestial creatures positioned above the throne of God having six wings, two of which are for flying, while the remainder cover their heads and feet:

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! ”And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts! ”Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:1-7).

A possible equivalent of seraphim is found in Revelation 4. This passage describes four living creatures constantly giving praise to God around His throne:

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:4-8).

The same word (has·se·ra·fim) describes the fiery serpents sent by the Lord to execute judgement on the Israelites after they spoke against God and Moses:

Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. (Numbers 21:6 cf. Isaiah 14:29).

Seraphim are also mentioned in 2 Enoch (in conjunction with cherubim) as the heavenly creatures standing nearest to the throne of God.

Various extra-biblical texts describe the seraphim located in the throne room in close proximity to God Himself. In Jewish theology seraphim are connected with cherubim and ophanim as the three highest orders of attendants on Yahweh. These beings are superior to the angels who are messengers sent on various errands. {1}

Given the available information, it seems highly unlikely that one of the four seraphim constantly giving praise to God would leave the throne room to visit Emma Stark!

Are Angel Encounters Biblically Normative?

Emma Stark claims that it is "biblically normal" to have angelic encounters, and that there is "a new paradigm" of believers partnering with angels today. Emma Stark: "Angels are in scripture 300 times, so they are quite common; but 104 of those times they are interacting, talking, to people." This is a gross exaggeration. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the scriptures. I have counted approximately 30 occurrences of angels directly interacting with humans.

In the New Testament there are about 20 interactions between humans and angels. However some of these encounters occur in dreams and visons and are not direct physical manifestations. 

Luke 1:11-20, 26-38 - An angel appeared to Zacharias regarding John the Baptist. 
Luke 1:26-38 - Gabriel appeared to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-20, 2:12 - 13, 19 - 21 - An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in three separate dreams.
Luke 2:9-15 - Angels appeared to the shepherds.
Matthew 4:11 - Angels ministered to Jesus Christ.
John 5:1-4 - An angel stirred the waters in the pool of Bethesda. (probably non-physical).
Luke 22:43 - An angel appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him.
Matthew 28:1-2, 5 - 6, Mark 16:5 - 6 - An angel appeared twice near Jesus' tomb declaring to Mary, Mary Magdalene and others that the Lord had risen from the dead.
Acts 1:10-11 - Two angels appeared to the disciples following Jesus ascension to heaven.
Acts 5:17-21 - An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and released the apostles from prison.
Acts 8:26-38 - An angel appeared to Philip.
Acts 10:3-7, 30 - 32 - An angelic being appeared to Cornelius, in a vision instructing him to seek out the Apostle Peter. 
Acts 12:1-10 - God sent an angel to release Peter from prison.
Acts 27:23 - 24 - An angel appeared to Paul in a dream.
Revelation 1:1-2 - An angel was sent to the Apostle John on Patmos.
Revelation 7:2;  9:14; 10:8-9; 11:1-2; Revelation 17; Revelation 22:6-11 - John's vision on the Isle of Patmos.

I mention these appearances to make the point that direct physical encounters with angels in the NT overwhelmingly concern Jesus Christ directly i.e. His birth, various events during His childhood and His earthly ministry, His resurrection and His second coming. The rare occurrences of angel encounters in the book of Acts appear to facilitate the calling of the apostles in order to spread the gospel. 

In the Old Testament, direct physical encounters with angels often occur in the form of a theophany i.e. the angel of the Lord

Genesis 16:7–14. The angel of the Lord appears to Hagar. The angel speaks as God himself in the first person, and in verse 13 Hagar identifies "the LORD that spake unto her" as "Thou God seest me".
Genesis 22:11–15. The angel of the Lord appears to Abraham and refers to himself as God in the first person.
Exodus 3:2–4. The angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame in verse 2, and God speaks to Moses from the flame in verse 4, both instances referring to himself in the first person.
Numbers 22:22–38. The angel of the Lord meets the prophet Balaam on the road. In verse 38, Balaam identifies the angel who spoke to him as delivering the word of God.
Judges 2:1–3. An angel of the Lord appears to Israel.
Judges 6:11–23. An angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, and in verse 22 Gideon fears for his life because he has seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
Judges 13:3–22. The angel of the Lord appears to Manoah and his wife and, in verse 16, tells them to offer to the LORD if they are to make an offering ("And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah [...] if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD."). Later Manoah thought he and his wife will die for they "have seen God"
Zechariah 1:12. The angel of the Lord pleads with the Lord to have mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah.
Zechariah 3:4. The angel of the Lord takes away the sin of the high priest Joshua. {2} 

Emma Stark upstages the prophet Isaiah!    

Emma Stark: "He (the seraph) was terrifying. They are many winged, in fact they are six winged. And this angel said 'The Lord has heard your prayers', and he physically put the coal to my lips and my entire mouth went totally ulcerated and I started to bleed.. I was in pain.. I had met physically, not just spiritually, with the power and the purification of the Lord. I was terrified and I went straight to my minister.. And he just got some water and blessed it and said 'drink it', and as quickly as the burning had come, it went."  

Are we to seriously believe that Emma Stark had a comparable event to the prophet Isaiah, and that her sins were taken away? There is only one way that our sins are taken away: the blood of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Apart from this major problem, there is never an instance of an angel harming a true believer in the scriptures.

The Holy Spirit

Paul describes angels as: ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14). I have no doubt that angels are active in carrying out Gods Word. (Psalm 103:20; 1 Peter 3:22). Angels have appeared to humans on rare occasions, but these appearances should not be expected or construed as "normal". Emma Stark quotes Hebrews 13:2 regarding "entertaining angels". This verse demonstrates that we may unknowingly come into contact with angels, but that they are not recognizable as such. Those who continually promote angelic encounters, are, in my view, deceivers. These supposed "angelic encounters" are either blatant falsehoods or demonic manifestations. They should be rejected along with all the other associated blasphemous antics of New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) false prophets as demonstrated by their constant flow of false prophecies, manufactured signs and fake healings. (Matthew 12:39)

...in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:2).

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

British Isles Council of Prophets

Emma Stark administers the British Isles Council of Prophets.

BICP: "We recognise that there are at least five areas of prophetic responsibility for a nation:
1. To speak to the destiny of that nation – calling its heavenly future to be established.
2. To raise up an army to pray, fight and engage – calling the people into place.
3. To open the gates of a nation, that the reign of Jesus Christ may come in – welcoming what God wants now (explaining the present).
4. To identify and confront spiritual strongholds – setting the nation free of its past.
5. To expose hidden demonic strategies – setting the nation free in its future." 
{3}

This is the usual unbiblical dominionist post-millenial claptrap emanating from the NAR. The scriptures inform us that the Antichrist, not the church, will dominate the whole world for a period of 3.5 years prior to the return of Jesus Christ. 

He (the Antichrist) shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25).

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. (Revelation 13:3).

Also it (the beast/Antichrist) was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.. (Revelation 13:7).


"A special international version of Prophetic Dateline hosted by Mike & Cindy Jacobs. "Moving into 'The Pentecost of Pentecosts season', we need to hear God’s voice for this hour. We have chosen three prophets from Great Britain for the accuracy of their prophetic Words, and the fresh insight they have for you in this tumultuous season." Emma Stark: Co-Founder of Glasgow Prophetic Centre an International Apostolic hub, a global network of prophetic ministers and one of Scotland’s fastest growing churches. Dr. Sharon Stone: Apostle of Christian International Europe, Managing Director at PropheticVoicetv, International Prophet and Pastor at My Church Windsor Simon Braker: Co-Founders of Legacy Ministries International and Founder of The School of the Spirit."

Above: The infamous Cindy Jacobs names three NAR "prophets" from Great Britain. 
*I have previously written a number of posts about Simon Braker who is based in Leicester. {4} 

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (Acts 20:29 cf. Matthew 7:15).

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

1. What Are Seraphim? Are They Angels? (biblestudytools.com)
2. Angel of the Lord - Wikipedia
3. British Isles Council of Prophets | The official website for the British Isles Council of Prophets (BICP). Fostering relationships, aiding communication and encouraging the prophetic voice in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland
* 4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Simon Braker (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com) 

4 comments:

  1. Thank you Treena for this well written article!! So important people see the false teachings of NAR compared to Biblical Truth, also how wide spread this is and the links between those who falsely teach a "Second Apostolic Age"!! Clearly Stark is heading up the NAR tree also being promoted by Jacobs. Very important too that you included clear Biblical teaching about angels. Indeed if people research both where NAR came from with its "restorationism" and for example, the takeover tactics as highlighted on the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders website (horizontal apostles, convening apostles etc) then we can see the alarm needs to be sounded more and more!! God bless, Angela

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  2. It is vital that believers turn to the scriptures in these critical times. Many are being deceived! God bless you Angela.

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  3. Good article on this truly bizarre false prophetess who unaccountably has legions of followers. I had to laugh at your opening comment that it is hard to know where to begin. She has a smorgasboard of putrid teaching including the doctrine that God hacked Adam in half to make Eve and that "helpmeet" in Hebrew means 'warrior, protector'(!?)
    There was not too much of that going on at the tree during her chat with Satan....
    My best to you, Mike

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    1. She has some very serious problems Mike. I am tempted to say "you couldn't make it up".. but obviously she does - unless it is demonic! God bless.

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