Monday, 31 January 2022

EMMA STARK: REVELATION 11 DISTORTED ~ 2022 PROPHETIC WORD

2022 Prophetic Word - The Era of The Holy Spirit is Here - Emma Stark // The Terminal 2022 - YouTube

According to Emma Stark, previous "prophecies" concerning imminent breakthrough, success etc. being spouted for years by NAR "prophets" should be discounted because she says: "You don't see that model anywhere in scripture." If that is the case, then why were they spouting this nonsense in the first place? Emma Stark's answer: God was testing everyone so that we would know the difference between a "true prophet" and a "politically motivated prophet". Apparently, the exposing of error has given space for "the birthing of divinely authorized prophetic ministry". In other words, the charlatans who previously prophesied imminent breakthrough were "politically motivated prophets" aka false prophets. Emma Stark is now prophesying "imminent revival" (again), this time from a distorted dominionist interpretation of Revelation 11. 

Revelation 11 Prophetic Church 2022? 

Emma Stark prophesies "monumental changes for the entire church" this year:

"The spirit of the Lord says this: 'You will see in your lifetime a most mighty gift, a seeing and a receiving and a becoming for the first time in church history the Revelation 11 prophetic people..
The Lord is saying right now that we are entering a new day when we are going to become a prophetic church. That means that it is not just the prophets who are going to prophesy and hear God, but the entire church is going to become a church of revelation.. That means that you are about to hear God like you have never heard him before. That means that the veil between the natural and the spirit realm is about to so disintegrate that you have a clarity, open visions, encounters, seer sight gift..  that is going to come on mass from the youngest to the oldest into the house of God. It is going to change everything.. It is a church that is modelled on Moses and Elijah.. with fire in its mouth..  an emergence of prophets and people who can command the weather, who can speak plagues into being, who can devour enemies.."

Emma Stark goes on to instruct her audience to repeat: "I can hear the voice of God." She describes this as "a weapon of a decree in the spirit realm". She continues: "And the Spirit of the Lord says, 'I am about to dress the prophets in clean garments and they will rebuke Satan.'" The idea that Christians can rebuke Satan is a typical charismatic fallacy and is unbiblical. Scripturally, no one rebukes Satan except God Himself. (Jude 1:9; Zechariah 3:2).  

Emma Stark offers no exegesis for yet another absurd teaching in which she distorts every aspect of the text of Revelation 11:1-14. Biblically, the idea of a "Revelation 11 prophetic church" is a contradiction in terms. The timing of Revelation 11:1-14 occurs during the period known as the great tribulation in Matthew 24:21 cf. Daniel 12:1. Revelation 11:1-14 concerns two individuals i.e. two male prophets, not the entire church. The two witnesses are.. the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:4). Zechariah identifies them as.. the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.” (Zechariah 4:14). The two witnesses are sent by God from the throne room of heaven to perform their prophetic assignment from Jerusalem for a period of 1260 days (42 months). There is some debate about the identity of the two witnesses; some believe them to be Moses and Elijah or possibly Moses and Enoch. The two witnesses will minister during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel during the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21 cf. Daniel 9:24). After 1260 days the Antichrist will kill the two witnesses and God will raise them from the dead after three and a half days. Since the third temple has not been rebuilt and the Antichrist has not yet appeared on the world scene we can be sure that we are not in that timeframe. 

The Two Witnesses

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

The Witnesses Killed and Raised


When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified. For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them. But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly. 
(Revelation 11: 1-14).

Emma Stark is in real danger of eternal condemnation. I appeal to both Emma Stark and her followers to take heed of the severe warning not to alter the words of the book of Revelation and repent. (Revelation 21:8).

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it? Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out with fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly. I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:16-22 cf. 2 Peter 2:1).

Friday, 28 January 2022

EMMA STARK: VOMITING ANOINTING

Prophetic Word for 2022 - Interview with Emma Stark - YouTube

Encounter Today: "What is God saying about 2022? What does the church need to be ready for? Where does prophecy even come from? In this video, Pastor Alan DiDio interviews Emma Stark about what is coming in 2022 and how you can begin developing that prophetic gifting that is inside you. Sister Emma also shines a light on the religious spirit in the Pentecostal and charismatic church today, and how God is going to weaponize the church."

What exactly is Emma Stark's "vomiting anointing"? 

Emma Stark describes the "vomiting anointing" as a tool she utilizes in the form of a declaration/impartation that enables believers to resist or reject the sinful things in the world that are not of God. She specifically mentions the pornography culture, the drug culture, the drink culture, the LGBTQ+ culture and she also includes "old wine" within the church. 

Emma Stark: "God, help me taste what is not you and just spit it out.. Can I just be sick and repulsed by what is not your kingdom.. That doesn't just apply to sin in our society, it also applies to 'old wine', that which used to carry God and doesn't. I want to be sick when I taste 'old wine' in church. I want to be repulsed by it.. Jesus would you give to these dear precious listeners a vomiting anointing. I loose a vomiting anointing into your mouth right now..  May you be nauseous and sick when you taste the old stuff." (10:00 mark)

Christians do not need to receive an "anointing" from anyone professing to be a "prophet" in order to overcome sin or temptation in their lives. It is incumbent upon believers to abide in Jesus Christ and to avoid the sins of the flesh. (John 15:4; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 5:18). The subject of "vomiting" in the scriptures is often applied to the land "vomiting" out its wicked inhabitants. (Leviticus 20:22). The term is also found in Jesus Christ's warning to the church in Laodicea. (Revelation 3:16). The "old wine" referred to in the New Testament is the old covenant under the Mosaic Law which has been superseded by the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22 and Luke 5:33-39 cf. Hebrews 8:6). There are so many errors in Emma Stark's teaching that it is difficult to know where to begin. Her flair for superfluous reinvention and misapplication of the scriptures really is quite staggering!

According to Emma Stark the church has gone "..from shaking to dismantling to impending reformation in 2022. The entire church will be performing miracles signs and wonders." This is a time specific prophecy that Emma Stark has applied to the entire church for 2022 ~ it is not limited to the chosen few claiming to be "apostles" and "prophets". In effect, she gives gives the entire "church" free rein to follow her lead and speak utter nonsense and blasphemy.

The unbiblical "vomiting anointing" diverts attention from prayer and the pattern given by Jesus Christ: ..And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13). Throughout the Bible we repeatedly see God encouraging believers to ask in prayer, not to decree. There are various scriptures concerning how to resist the temptation to sin, but none of them concerns a declaration or an anointing that affords special protection to believers. The only time that anointing is mentioned in relation to believers is in 1 John 2:20. True believers have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7).

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:10-18).


See Also.. 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 5:8-11; Psalm 119:11..

.. for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13).

Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. (Psalm 40:4).

Tuesday, 18 January 2022

JAMES WHITE'S POSTMILLENNIAL FALLACY

Sermon: My Journey to Hope for the Future - YouTube

Last year, Reformed Baptist Pastor James White (director of Alpha and Omega Ministries) announced that after many years of being a "pan-millennial" (it will all pan out in the end), he has finally opted to support the postmillennial eschatological position. 

There are essentially four eschatological views: Historic Premillennialism, Dispensational Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism. The summary of each of these positions below is very brief and variations within them are not included. 

Historic premillennialism is so called because it was the view articulated by the early church fathers including Irenaeus, Papias, Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Hippolytus. Historic premillennialism (known in the early church as chiliasm) is the literal futuristic view that the second coming of Jesus Christ will occur prior to the thousand-year reign subsequent to the great apostasy. Historic premillennialists deny a pre-tribulation rapture and anticipate that the church will go through the great tribulation. (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 24:3-21).

Dispensational premillennialism is the view developed by John Nelson Darby and popularized by CI Scofield in the 19th century. This view supports a literal thousand year reign of Jesus Christ after an alleged "seven year tribulation". Dispensational premillennialists make a rigid distinction between Israel and the church, maintaining that God does not work with the Church and Israel at the same time. There are many exegetical problems associated with this view, not least, the popular, but problematic, pre-tribulation rapture theory.  

Amillennialism (non-millennial) is the view that the millennium and the book of Revelation are allegorical. 

Postmillennialism is the view that Jesus Christ will return at the end of an indefinite period of time (the millennium) after the majority of the world has been converted to Christianity. Reformed theologian, Kenneth L Gentry Jr gives a brief summary of modern Reformed postmillennialism below:

"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established his kingdom on earth in the first century through his preaching and redemptive work. Since then he has continued to equip his Church with the gospel, empower her by his Spirit, and charge her with the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ’s return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of men and of nations. After an extensive era of such conditions, the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously, to end history. Associated with his return will be the general resurrection and the final judgment after which the eternal order follows. Because of its worldwide historical implications, postmillennialism generates an holistic worldview touching on all areas of life.." {1}

The aim of this post is to critique the postmillennial view as articulated by James White in the above sermon livestreamed by Apologia Studios on the 14th February 2021.   

It doesn't take James White very long to dismiss what he refers to as "beasts in Revelation" and "obscure passages in Daniel". Like many of us, James White admits to having been negatively impacted by "Left Behind" pre-trib dispensational premillennialism as touted by Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye. While I agree that it is advisable to reject the eisegetical teachings of the pre-trib camp, it would be catastrophic to dismiss explicit eschatological material in the book of Revelation and related Old Testament passages. According to pre-trib scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum, there are over five hundred references to the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation: "Some of these references back to the Old Testament do speak of the very same thing as the Revelation. However, in others, the Revelation merely borrows a phrase or motif for the purpose of developing a new area. This distinction should be kept in mind in the study of those Old Testament references." {2} 

The Gnostic Roots of Postmillennialism

In common with Calvinism, the roots of postmillennialism go back to 4th century philosopher, Augustine of Hippo. Augustine infused Christian doctrine with Neoplatonism and was the primary catalyst that brought about a shift in thinking about the literal one thousand year view of the millennium in the west. Most historians agree that Augustine was amillennial, as was Jerome, his counterpart in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In Augustine's City of God, an earthly or physical millennial kingdom is repeatedly dismissed. {3}In the late 2nd century, a literal thousand years was challenged by Origen and Clement of Alexandria who favoured allegorical biblical interpretations.

The first person to articulate a definitive postmillennial view was Church of England minister, Daniel Whitby (1638-1726). 

Clarence Larkin: "... a new interpretation of the Millennial Reign of Christ was demanded. This interpretation was furnished by the Rev. Daniel Whitby (1638–1726), a clergyman of the Church of England, who claimed that in reading the promises made to the Jews in the Old Testament of their restoration as a nation, and the re-establishment of the Throne of David, he was led to see that these promises were spiritual and applied to the Church. This view he called a 'New Hypothesis.' 
His 'New Hypothesis' was that by the preaching of the Gospel Mohammedanism would be overthrown, the Jews converted, the Papal Church with the Pope (Antichrist) would be destroyed, and there would follow a 1000 years of righteousness and peace known as the Millennium; at the close of which there would be a short period of Apostasy, ending in the return of Christ." 
{4}

A postmillennial (allegorical) interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10 is highly problematic for at least four reasons.

1. Postmillennialism does not align with an exegetical reading of Revelation 20:1-10. There is no indication in the book of Revelation that the events described are allegorical. Revelation 1:1 describes "what must (dei - necessarily) soon come to pass". As such we must take the events literally in order to follow accepted principles of sound exegesis. 
2. The historic premillennial view was the predominant view of the early church fathers e.g. Irenaeus, Papias, Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Hippolytus. We therefore have early church tradition as a powerful witness attesting to historic premillennialism.  
3. Postmillennialism has its roots in Gnosticism.
4. The Enlightenment and the optimism of the 18th century "the golden age of theodicies". More information on this subject can be found at: FULL_TEXT.PDF (manchester.ac.uk)

Revelation discloses definitively what must literally soon (tachos - speedily) come to pass.

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3 cf. Daniel 12:1-13).

The book of Revelation gives a stern warning not to change (add or subtract) any part of its contents. (Revelation 22:19-20). I don't know what the consequences are for those who either allegorize or reject this book completely! 

Postmillennials have made a disastrous false assumption i.e. that the evangelization of the world leads progressively into the millennium and that the majority of people will be saved. However, the scriptures are clear that the evangelization of the world is a prerequisite to God's judgement on the wicked (the Day of the Lord), followed by Christ's physical return when His kingdom will be established on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10). And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14). The evangelization of the world is finally fulfilled by the first of the three angels in Revelation 14:6-9.

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.
And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7).

The worldwide proclamation of the gospel by the first angel is followed by a second proclamation, the impending doom of Babylon (second angel); and a third proclamation, the specific warning not to take the mark of the beast (third angel). (Revelation 14:9-11). In light of such explicit warnings, postmillennialism is left floundering. 

In this video James White concentrates the entirety of his efforts on Psalm 2, Psalm 110, Isaiah 42:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-27. These passages are eschatological, but they do not support postmillennialism. In common with the pre-trib rapture theory, not one verse of scripture supports the postmillennial view.

James White's worldly emotional appeal 
 
James White spends some time describing the current global situation as "..a rapid major movement of the entire globe toward a secular anti-Christian mindset and governmental system". He asks: "What is the intention of the church in light of advancing global secular totalitarianism?" I share his concerns about advancing global totalitarianism. However, current events align with the scriptures i.e. things will get worse and worse rather than better. There is no indication in the scriptures that the world will improve, rather the reverse is indicated. (Matthew 24:37; Luke 17: 22 -37; 2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 2:17). 

James White's concerns for our progeny (the future of our children and future generations) appears to be based on an emotional reaction based on human concerns rather than the concerns of God. (Mark 8:33). As believers, our optimism must be founded on the coming of Jesus Christ, our blessed hope, NOT on some unscriptural assumption that the world will eventually be evangelized and will improve. ..waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13). 

Look up - or wait for the world to improve? 

In order to be postmillennial you must reject the book of Revelation, Daniel and associated scriptures. You must also reject the explicit warnings of Jesus Christ concerning the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse. (Matthew 24:3). 

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak.(Matthew 24:15-18).

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.. (Luke 21:10-19).

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28 cf. 
Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; Acts 2:20; Revelation 6:12-13, Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:31).

For all of James White's protestations that he is scriptural, his soteriology (Calvinism) and eschatology (postmillennialism) are based on Gnosticism and do not reflect either the scriptures or early church tradition.

They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. (Titus 1:11).


1. Definition | Postmillennial Worldview
2. revelation.pdf (rebel13.nl)
3. De civitate Dei, 18.52-53; 20.7, 9, 19
4. Chapter 2. Pre-Millennalism - Dispensational Truth - Study Resources (blueletterbible.org)