EMMA STARK: JUNE 2022 FALSE PROPHETIC WORD

“Houses of Worship” Prophetic Word – Emma Stark – Global Prophetic Alliance (propheticscots.com)

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But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! (Galatians 1:8-9).  

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

The NAR is a toxic movement that is based on unbiblical dominionist theology. Their eschatology necessitates that in order for the Lord to return, the church will become all-powerful on the earth. This stands in stark contradiction to the scriptural description of the end times. (Matthew 24:9-12; Luke 18:8). A critical part of NAR strategy is the claim that God is restoring the alleged "lost offices" of "apostles and prophets" to church governance. These modern "apostles and prophets" seek to impose another foundation that is at variance with the original foundation laid by Jesus Christ and His chosen apostles. (Ephesians 2:20). The NAR does not claim a continuation of the gifts of the Spirit as is implied in the New Testament, rather they claim restoration of the gifts. It is a gross error to assume that a prophet, or someone who prophesies, necessarily holds a position of authority within the church. Paul refers to prophecy as a gift, not an office. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1; Romans 12: 6 cf. Acts 13:1). Interestingly the Old Testament prophets stood outside the hierarchical system of governance. (Jeremiah 1:6-7; Amos 1:1 etc.)  Three distinct criteria for the office of "apostle" are defined in the New Testament: An apostle must have been an eyewitness to the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1); he was chosen by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15); and he ministered miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 2 Corinthians 12:12). NAR leaders are a dishonest hierarchy of imposters who distort the scriptures and who seek to dislodge believers from the true foundation of Jesus Christ and the teaching of His authentic apostles. These imposters are referred to by Peter as those who bring the gospel into disrepute.. "blots and blemishes.. with hearts trained in greed". (2 Peter 2:2, 13-14).

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

The NAR movement puts an unbalanced emphasis on supernatural manifestations and extra-biblical revelation, putting an experiential relationship with God above the scriptures. These people always want to conjure up something in the present (examples include fire tunnels, fake glory clouds, gold dust and feathers). The scriptures are depreciated at the expense of extra-biblical spiritual experiences where spiritual discernment is abandoned and reason is suspended. The never-ending cycle of first-person "prophecies" and "the next move of God" that fail to materialize necessitates ever-increasing ramped-up dramatic proclamations and strategies in order to perpetuate the dubious agenda of these wolves.  

New versus old wineskins

The Introductory Notes to Emma Stark's latest "prophetic word" contains a number of concerning statements. Emma Stark urges people not to sow money into places that are "old wineskins". 

Emma Stark: "Finally, at the end, when Emma is commenting on the word she has given, she urges us to not sow into places that are old wineskins or partnered with the political spirit.. Please continue to support those faithful Levites who have prayed without ceasing for you, your family, your city and your nation!"

Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17 cf. Matthew 9:16-17; Luke 5:36).

The consensus amongst bible scholars is that the old wine, the old wineskins, and the old garment are symbols of Judaism and the Mosaic Law, whereas the new wine and the new garment are symbols of Christianity and grace. When Emma Stark and Simon Braker refer to "old wineskins" they refer to orthodox Christianity which they have rejected. According to the NAR, the "old wineskins" are churches that do not recognize the authority of self-appointed "prophets and apostles". These offices were originally promoted by archdeceiver C Peter Wagner, the founder of the NAR who anointed himself "Presiding Apostle". NAR "apostles and prophets" and their “new wineskin” churches are at odds with the biblical model of church governance. There is no example of a church in the New Testament that gives a single individual authority over a church or a group of churches. Paul and Barnabus appointed elders in every town. (Acts 14:23; Acts 15:6; Titus 1:5). Elders (overseers) held overall responsibility for the oversight of New Testament churches, not prophets, and certainly not fictitious "apostles". The "new wineskin" model turns the scriptural model of the church on its head and gives authority to usurpers who can say anything they like without being held accountable. (1 John 4:1).  

Diotrephes is an example of presumptuous individuals who reject the authority of the bona fide apostles:

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. (3 John 1:9-10).

Emma Stark compounds her error by referring to a new elite class of believers.. an international coalition of Levites.

Emma Stark: "And the Spirit of the Lord says, 'I am lassoing into place an international coalition of Levites who [will be] in every continent [so that] there will be houses of worship where I can sit.."

The Levitical priesthood is an Old Testament model. The priests of Israel were a separate group of men from within the tribe of the Levites who had responsibility for various aspects of tabernacle or temple worship. There is no elite group or special priestly class of believers within the New Testament church. The New Testament describes the priesthood of all believers. 

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:5-9).

Emma Stark: For I want to be Emmanuel, the God who is with my people... ..there will be houses of worship where I can sit.." 

The name Emmanuel (Immanuel) is a name for Jesus which appears four times in the scriptures. (Isaiah 7:14, 8:8,10). Immanuel is found only once in the New Testament: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:22-23). These interlinked prophecies were fulfilled by the physical birth of Jesus Christ. There is no sense in which God wants to be Immanuel, Jesus already is Immanuel (God with us). God sits on his holy throne in heaven. (Psalm 27:8 Isaiah 40:22). There is no scriptural evidence to suppose that God wants to "sit" anywhere on the earth at the present time. God is present amongst true believers by His Spirit: For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20 cf. Matthew 28:20). 

Worship Apostles?

Emma Stark: And I will put worship apostles back in the earth”, says the Lord. “It is the anointing of the ‘apostles of worship’..   You're going to have strategies of sound. You’re going to have building grace, because apostles have building grace. You're going to know what it is to build ‘sound mountains’ - ‘worship sound mountains’ in the earth. I don’t even know what that is but the Lord says that there are going to be ‘worship sound mountains’ in the earth that rise above all the other mountains. And the sound that comes from apostolic worship leaders will be a sign that many will flock to - to find Jesus.

Jesus charged the apostles with the "great commission". They were called to preach the gospel verbally and to make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-29; John 17:18). The specific instructions given to the apostles bears no resemblance to "sound mountains". 

..go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 cf. Acts 1:8).

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

Emma Stark's intention to set up "sound mountains" stands in contradiction to the biblical concept of ekklésia. Churches (ekklésias) are found in the scriptures, not "worship sound mountains" or "strategies of sound". Ekklesia predominantly applies to the local assembly of believers who profess faith in, and allegiance to, Jesus Christ. The idea of exclusive worship centres based on "sound"  is alien to the varieties of gifts and activities found in the New Testament Church. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). 

..in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9).

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24).

Emma Stark appears to backtrack in her Introductory Notes and I wonder if there has been an adverse reaction from competing NAR "houses of prayer" such as IHOP. 

Emma and David Stark: "So, for clarity: this word is NOT about not praying or in any way demeaning the importance of prayer and those places that are specifically called to pray. The focus of the word is very clearly on something else - houses of worship - and the new wine structures where, as the word goes on to say,  …from that place will come the words, the healings, the miracles, the deliverances, the community transformation. It is from the house of worship that I will birth the next move of what I am doing in the earth… Prayer will be fundamental in this, of course!"

Emma Stark: "The day of God's glory weight   --  3 Psalm 22:3 'Yet you are holy, you who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.'  Some translations of the Bible have this as God inhabiting or dwelling in the praises of Israel, His people. For clarity - yes, God already has a throne - Heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool (Is.66:1) The Son is already on the throne, seated at the right hand of the Father. His throne is eternal (see Ps 45:6; Heb 1:8; Ps 2:6; Lam 5:19 etc). This word is a strategy for hosting His glory in the midst of our gatherings" 

Emma Stark's current "prophetic word" is much the same as her previous "words". It is experience based and calls for a new thing that THEY have to establish rather than what God has already established. 

Emma Stark: “Kanye West is a small first fruit”. I assume she means things like Kayne West's appearance with Justin Beiber and Satanist Marilyn Manson at his creepy Haloween Sunday Service in 2021 in front of a watching world! {1}

1. Kanye West Invites Marilyn Manson to Latest Sunday Service (tmz.com)