SAM STORMS + MICHAEL BROWN: WORTHLESS SHEPHERDS

Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman (youtube.com)

According to Sam Storms, a false teacher must deny some foundational truth. He went on to mention some "secondary issues" that he does not identify as false teaching i.e. "differences in eschatology, the mode of baptism, or the role of women in ministry". Storms parameters for false teachers are so broad that he does not identify Benny Hinn as a false teacher despite irrefutable evidence of Hinn's false prophesies, manipulative tactics, prosperity teaching etc. Storms claimed that he has never heard Hinn deny a foundational truth, and on that basis he accepts him as a believer "as far as I can tell". Justin Peters interjected with Hinn's heretical teaching on the nine-member godhead. Despite this Storms was still reluctant to call Hinn out as a false teacher. (22:23 mark) 

Storm's definition of a false teacher is scripturally inaccurate and shortsighted. If it were a black and white issue we would easily identify false teachers and we would not need discernment. (1 Corinthians 12:10). The challenging nature of discernment is to recognize that "lesser errors" bleed into the very gospel itself, and primary doctrines are indirectly attacked and diminished by so-called "secondary issues". (1 Corinthians 5:6). All false teaching is damaging and has repercussions on the gospel itself. For instance, irresistible grace (TULIP)) has massive implications for soteriology; the doctrine of baptismal regeneration misrepresents salvation; false eschatology such as dominionism and pretribulationism will have catastrophic consequences for those who have been mistaught. Eschatological error is likely to lead to catastrophic loss of confidence in Jesus Christ when severe persecution arises at the end of the age. (Matthew 24:10,21). Jesus' command to pay careful attention counters the sloppy attitude of many charismatics to the word of God. (Mark 4:24; Acts 17:11; Proverbs 19:27).

Storms noted that there are only eleven instances of the term "false prophet" in the New Testament and in each instance, the term always applies to non-believers. He neglected to mention that other terms and warnings also identify false teachers. For instance wolves, Acts 20:29; deceivers 2 John 1:7; evildoers and impostors 2 Timothy 3:13 etc. Storms objection that we have no business calling out false teachers to any significant degree because "we do not know their heart" is sentimental nonsense! The scriptures warn that there will be many false teachers/prophets at the end of the age and we are negligent if we do not take this warning seriously. (Matthew 24:5-11; Acts 20:29). The basis on which we are instructed to judge false teachers is to identify their fruit i.e. teaching and lifestyle. (1 Timothy 4:16). Since the scriptures condemn false teachers, we cannot doubt that they are on a calamitous course unless they repent. (2 Peter 2:17). The ultimate fate of false teachers is a matter for the Lord who knows the heart. (Acts 15:8). While we do not want to pick up on every little detail, we are required to be zealous regarding doctrine in order to keep the church pure and to purge evil from amongst ourselves. (1 Corinthians 5:13 cf. Deuteronomy 17:17). The lackadaisical attitude of many charismatics as evidenced by Storms, Brown and other leaders is responsible for the degenerate state of many congregations within that movement.  

The tragic irony is that when Storms had finished rebuking those of us who practice discernment, he went on to give a glowing report of Mike Bickle! (54:00 mark)

Justin Peters: "I believe that Mike Bickle has lied about a number of things, in fact, not the least of which he claims to have been to heaven at least twice. I don't believe that. I don't believe he has been to heaven." 

Storm's: You might not believe it, but how do you know he is lying?  I believe he has..  Everything you have said about Benny Hinn without knowing the man personally, Mike Bickle is probably my best friend in this world. I was in a small group with him and his wife for seven years, on his staff as his Senior Associate, on his staff at IHOP for an additional four years, eleven years. I know this man to the depth of his soul. I can't think of a more biblically orthodox, humble, Christ-exalting individual who lives an incredibly simple lifestyle.. If I hear people say that Mike Bickle is a false teacher it angers me.. because I know the individual. We are not talking about just watching ministry, I know the man personally and he is not NAR as has been claimed by so many..  the stories have been empirically verified.. Bob Jones had a remarkable gift.."

The false assumption that you have to know someone personally in order to critique their teaching is patently false. Clearly, it failed in this instance! Bickle's dubious association and experiences with false prophet Bob Jones has been widely exposed elsewhere. It is impossible to know what these two shady individuals cooked up between themselves, and in light of recent events, we should not believe any detail of Bickle's "prophetic" history. A group of former IHOPKC leaders known as "the Advocate Group" claim that Mike Bickle has been engaged in predatory sexual behavior and pathological misconduct spanning five decades.1 The Bickle debacle leaves Storms credibility and spiritual discernment in tatters!

As graphically demonstrated by Storms, we cannot base our approval for teachers on friendship, personal liking, or any other criteria; our approval must always be based on fruit. If Brown and Storms don't have the time or the inclination to research people like Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Benny Hinn, Todd White etc. then they are negligent and have no business in the ministry. The mandate for shepherds is to guard the flock, not to support an old boy network! Such appalling negligence is an insult to the Lord and breaks the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 cf. Deuteronomy 6:5). 

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Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28). 

NAR Charismatics have not only brought the gospel into disrepute, in many cases they have caused untold damage and ruin to the body of Christ. (2 Peter 2:2). Michael Brown's affinity for Sid Roth is based on the false foundation of personal friendship of almost forty years. Brown absolutely views Sid Roth as a brother and he pleads ignorance regarding his ungodly antics. He claims that he doesn't know because he has only seen "snippets" of Roth's programs. (1:47 mark) Apparently Brown is too busy providing fresh victims for the wolves "Jewish evangelism" that he doesn't have time to test the spirits and guard the flock! (1 John 4:1; Matthew 28:19). As a leader and teacher it is Brown's responsibility to be fully conversant with the antics of the ministries and teachers he defends. God will hold leaders like Brown and Storms accountable for the flock! (Ezekiel 34:4-10).

On the basis of Titus 10:1-14  Brown and Storms are disqualified as leaders: 

    

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced.. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth. (Titus 10:9).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13).

Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!” (Zechariah 11:17; cf Jeremiah 23:1). 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 17. - Woe to the idol shepherd! rather, woe to the worthless shepherd! literally, shepherd of vanity, or nothingness, as Job 13:4, "physicians of no value." The LXX., recognizing that no special shepherd is signified, renders, Ω οἱ ποιμαίνοντες τὰ μάταια, "Alas for those who tend vanities!" St. Jerome, expounding the verse of antichrist, "O pastor, et idolum!" That leaveth the flock. Thus Christ speaks of the hireling (John 10:12). The sword shall be upon his arm, etc. The punishment denounced is in accordance with the neglect of the shepherd's duties. The sword represents the instrument of punishment, whatever it he; the right eye, the severity of the retribution (1 Samuel 11:2). The arm that ought to have defended the flock shall be withered up as by catalepsy; the eye that should have watched for their safety shall be blinded. This is the judgment on the foolish shepherd."2

NAR charismatics and other false teachers should continue to be challenged and their deceptions exposed as commanded in the scriptures. (Ephesians 5:11). Reformed cessationists are not in the clear by any means. Calvinism has massive implications for soteriology and spiritual gifts. Peters and Osman's approval of Martin Luther is very telling and reveals that they are equally remiss. I have addressed the subject of Martin Luther's despicable behaviour and writings in a separate post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

1. I sadly admit I sinned’: IHOPKC founder repents, but denies ‘intense sexual activities’ (yahoo.com)
2. Zechariah 11:17 Commentaries: "Woe to the worthless shepherd Who leaves the flock! A sword will be on his arm And on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered And his right eye will be blind." (biblehub.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED

The Sins of Martin Luther - Chris Rosebrough (youtube.com)

Chris Rosebrough has posted this video in response to the points made by Michael Brown regarding Martin Luther during a recent roundtable discussion between Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman: (1: 26) Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman - YouTube Rosebrough's response massively downplays Luther's antisemitism: "Luther lashed back in a way that went beyond what was necessary and crossed into the line of sinfulness.."

Although I regard Brown as a false prophet and someone who facilitates NAR false teachers and prophets, his observations about Martin Luther were far from irrelevant. The double standards or "differing weights" employed by Lutherans and Calvinists are nowhere more evident than their reverence of this wicked man. (Proverbs 20:10).   

In his earlier period, until about 1537, Luther sought to convert Jews to Protestant Christianity. However, when they failed to convert he became hostile towards them. In his 65,000-word antisemitic treatise On the Jews and Their Lies he referred to the Jews in the vilest terms imaginable and urged their persecution. His influence upon Hitler's Nazi Germany is beyond doubt.

Rollins: "Martin Luther and Adolf Hitler are inseparably linked with their extreme anti-Semitism and nationalism. It is impossible to assume that Luther did not have any influence on Hitler and his views, for it cannot be mere coincidence that Hitler’s anti-Jewish sentiment of the 1930s and 1940s mirrors that of Luther’s anti-Semitism of the 1500s."1 

Excerpts from "On the Jews and Their Lies"

I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. But since I learned that these miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure to themselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that I might be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jews who warned the Christians to be on their guard against them. I would not have believed that a Christian could be duped by the Jews into taking their exile and wretchedness upon himself. However, the devil is the god of the world, and wherever God’s word is absent he has an easy task, not only with the weak but also with the strong. May God help us. Amen..

He did not call them Abraham’s children, but a “brood of vipers” [Matt. 3:7]. Oh, that was too insulting for the noble blood and race of Israel, and they declared, “He has a demon’ [Matt 11:18]. Our Lord also calls them a “brood of vipers”; furthermore, in John 8 [:39,44] he states: “If you were Abraham’s children ye would do what Abraham did.... You are of your father the devil. It was intolerable to them to hear that they were not Abraham’s but the devil’s children, nor can they bear to hear this today..

Therefore, the blind Jews are truly stupid fools...

Now just behold these miserable, blind, and senseless people ... their blindness and arrogance are as solid as an iron mountain.

Learn from this, dear Christian, what you are doing if you permit the blind Jews to mislead you. Then the saying will truly apply, “When a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit” [cf. Luke 6:39]. You cannot learn anything from them except how to misunderstand the divine commandments...

Therefore be on your guard against the Jews, knowing that wherever they have their synagogues, nothing is found but a den of devils in which sheer self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced most maliciously and veheming his eyes on them.

Moreover, they are nothing but thieves and robbers who daily eat no morsel and wear no thread of clothing which they have not stolen and pilfered from us by means of their accursed usury. Thus, they live from day to day, together with wife and child, by theft and robbery, as arch thieves and robbers, in the most impenitent security.

However, they have not acquired a perfect mastery of the art of lying; they lie so clumsily and ineptly that anyone who is just a little observant can easily detect it. But for us Christians they stand as a terrifying example of God’s wrath.

If I had to refute all the other articles of the Jewish faith, I should be obliged to write against them as much and for as long a time as they have used for inventing their lies­­ that is, longer than two thousand years.

...Christ and his word can hardly be recognized because of the great vermin of human ordinances. However, let this suffice for the time being on their lies against doctrine or faith.

Did I not tell you earlier that a Jew is such a noble, precious jewel that God and all the angels dance when he farts?

Alas, it cannot be anything but the terrible wrath of God which permits anyone to sink into such abysmal, devilish, hellish, insane baseness, envy, and arrogance. If I were to avenge myself on the devil himself I should be unable to wish him such evil and misfortune as God’s wrath inflicts on the Jews, compelling them to lie and to blaspheme so monstrously, in violation of their own conscience. Anyway, they have their reward for constantly giving God the lie.

No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

...but then eject them forever from this country. For, as we have heard, God’s anger with them is so intense that gentle mercy will only tend to make them worse and worse, while sharp mercy will reform them but little. Therefore, in any case, away with them!

Over and above that we let them get rich on our sweat and blood, while we remain poor and they such the marrow from our bones.

I brief, dear princes and lords, those of you who have Jews under your rule­­ if my counsel does not please your, find better advice, so that you and we all can be rid of the unbearable, devilish burden of the Jews, lest we become guilty sharers before God in the lies, blasphemy, the defamation, and the curses which the mad Jews indulge in so freely and wantonly against the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, this dear mother, all Christians, all authority, and ourselves. Do not grant them protection, safe-conduct, or communion with us.... With this faithful counsel and warning I wish to cleanse and exonerate my conscience.

Let the government deal with them in this respect, as I have suggested. But whether the government acts or not, let everyone at least be guided by his own conscience and form for himself a definition or image of a Jew.

However, we must avoid confirming them in their wanton lying, slandering, cursing, and defaming. Nor dare we make ourselves partners in their devilish ranting and raving by shielding and protecting them, by giving them food, drink, and shelter, or by other neighborly

Therefore, we Christians, in turn, are obliged not to tolerate their wanton and conscious blasphemy.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death.

What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct now that we are aware of their lying and reviling and blaspheming. If we do, we become sharers in their lies, cursing and blasphemy. Thus, we cannot extinguish the unquenchable fire of divine wrath, of which the prophets speak, nor can we convert the Jews. With prayer and the fear of God we must practice a sharp mercy to see whether we might save at least a few from the glowing flames. We dare not avenge ourselves. Vengeance a thousand times worse than we could wish them already has them by the throat. I shall give you my sincere advice:

First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians. For whatever we tolerated in the past unknowingly ­ and I myself was unaware of it ­ will be pardoned by God. But if we, now that we are informed, were to protect and shield such a house for the Jews, existing right before our very nose, in which they lie about, blaspheme, curse, vilify, and defame Christ and us (as was heard above), it would be the same as if we were doing all this and even worse ourselves, as we very well know.

Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies. This will bring home to them that they are not masters in our country, as they boast, but that they are living in exile and in captivity, as they incessantly wail and lament about us before God.

Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them. (remainder omitted)

Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb. For they have justly forfeited the right to such an office by holding the poor Jews captive with the saying of Moses (Deuteronomy 17 [:10 ff.]) in which he commands them to obey their teachers on penalty of death, although Moses clearly adds: “what they teach you in accord with the law of the Lord.” Those villains ignore that. They wantonly employ the poor people’s obedience contrary to the law of the Lord and infuse them with this poison, cursing, and blasphemy. In the same way the pope also held us captive with the declaration in Matthew 16 {:18], “You are Peter,” etc., inducing us to believe all the lies and deceptions that issued from his devilish mind. He did not teach in accord with the word of God, and therefore he forfeited the right to teach.

Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside, since they are not lords, officials, tradesmen, or the like. Let they stay at home. (...remainder omitted).

Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. The reason for such a measure is that, as said above, they have no other means of earning a livelihood than usury, and by it they have stolen and robbed from us all they possess. Such money should now be used in no other way than the following: Whenever a Jew is sincerely converted, he should be handed one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred florins, as personal circumstances may suggest. With this he could set himself up in some occupation for the support of his poor wife and children, and the maintenance of the old or feeble. For such evil gains are cursed if they are not put to use with God’s blessing in a good and worthy cause.

Seventh, I commend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, as was imposed on the children of Adam (Gen 3[:19]}. For it is not fitting that they should let us accursed Goyim toil in the sweat of our faces while they, the holy people, idle away their time behind the stove, feasting and farting, and on top of all, boasting blasphemously of their lordship over the Christians by means of our sweat. No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

But what will happen even if we do burn down the Jews’ synagogues and forbid them publicly to praise God, to pray, to teach, to utter God’s name? They will still keep doing it in secret. If we know that they are doing this in secret, it is the same as if they were doing it publicly. for our knowledge of their secret doings and our toleration of them implies that they are not secret after all and thus our conscience is encumbered with it before God.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:

First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulfur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire. That would demonstrate to God our serious resolve and be evidence to all the world that it was in ignorance that we tolerated such houses, in which the Jews have reviled God, our dear Creator and Father, and his Son most shamefully up till now but that we have now given them their due reward.

I wish and I ask that our rulers who have Jewish subjects exercise a sharp mercy toward these wretched people, as suggested above, to see whether this might not help (though it is doubtful). They must act like a good physician who, when gangrene has set in, proceeds without mercy to cut, saw, and burn flesh, veins, bone, and marrow. Such a procedure must also be followed in this instance. Burn down their synagogues, forbid all that I enumerated earlier, force them to work, and deal harshly with them, as Moses did in the wilderness, slaying three thousand lest the whole people perish. They surely do not know what they are doing; moreover, as people possessed, they do not wish to know it, hear it, or learn it. There it would be wrong to be merciful and confirm them in their conduct. If this does not help, we must drive them out like mad dogs, so that we do not become partakers of their abominable blasphemy and all their other vices and thus merit God’s wrath and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Now let everyone see to his. I am exonerated.
 
My essay, I hope, will furnish a Christian (who in any case has no desire to become a Jew) with enough material not only to defend himself against the blind, venomous Jews, but also to become the foe of the Jews’ malice, lying, and cursing, and to understand not only that their belief is false but that they are surely possessed by all devils. May Christ, our dear Lord, convert them mercifully and preserve us steadfastly and immovably in the knowledge of him, which is eternal life. Amen.2  

Rosebrough: "The Judaism of today and even the Judaism of the Medieval period is exactly the same false Judaism that the Pharisees had created, and was responsible primarily for the crucifixion of Christ. And so we recognize that unbelieving Jews today are not neutral as relates to Jesus Christ, instead, they are overt enemies of Christianity and the saving message that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the promise of the Old Testament, that he is the promised son of David, the promised Prophet that Moses prophesied about in Deuteronomy 18, and that we must listen to Him and that salvation is only in Him. Modern-day Jews oppose this gospel vehemently. Modern-day Judaism is an enemy of Christ and must be countered with sound reasoning as well as with love and temperance and respect."  Neither Luther nor Rosebrough have understood Romans 11, Zechariah 12 and other passages regarding the final salvation of the Jews. If Luther had been theologically sound he would not have dared savage them in such wicked terms! (Romans 11:18). Luther's diatribe against the Jews was eschatologically ignorant and was injected with hatred and theological error. Its source can only have been demonic.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

Luther and the Peasants Revolt 1524-25

I have addressed this subject in a previous post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: STEVE KOZAR + DANIEL LONG: ILLEGITIMATE BAPTISM (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Beginning in 1524 and ending in its suppression in 1525, the Peasants' Revolt began as a result of abuses cited by the peasants by the government and the church. Luther is often credited with the role of encouraging the Peasants' Revolt. However, he maintained allegiance to the German Princes against the violence of the rebels. Luther openly condemned the peasants and called for their brutal suppression, arguably inciting the demise of more than 100,000 peasants and facilitating further oppression of the lower classes."(German: Wider die Mordischen und Reubischen Rotten der Bawren) Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants typifies Luther's reaction to the Peasants' War, and alludes to Luther's concern that he might be seen to be responsible for their rebellion." 

Tract Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants, published in May 1525 

Therefore, let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that nothing can be more poisonous, hurtful, or devilish than a rebel. It is just as when one must kill a mad dog; if you do not strike him, he will strike you, and a whole land with you.

To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog! – If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs”[Erlangen Vol 24"

I have killed all the farmers in their rebellion; all their blood is on my neck..

Luther was massively obese and weighed a hefty 150kg (23st 8lb) at his death in 1546 at the age of 63. Luther was a glutton and a drunkard, and by his own admission, he indulged himself to excess. Apparently, he drank up to two litres of fortified wine with every meal in addition to large quantities of beer.

Luther's first German translation of the scriptures omitted 25 books (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (i.e., Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation. Luther referred to the Epistle of James as 'straw not worthy to be burned in my oven as tinder'. He referred to other books as 'Judaizing nonsense'.  

If Rosebrough is unable or unwilling to see that Luther was a vile person who was theologically ignorant and unqualified as a leader and teacher then he is in spiritual darkness. (Matthew 7:5).

1. "Luther and Hitler: A Linear Connection between Martin Luther and Adolf" by Daphne M. Olsen (rollins.edu)
2. Martin Luther - "The Jews & Their Lies" (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)

Further Links

On The Jews and Their Lies : Martin Luther : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
German Peasants' War - Wikipedia
'Slay the mad dogs': How Luther betrayed the peasants' revolt that he inspired (christiantoday.com)
Chris Rosebrough Calls Dr. Michael Brown - The Sins of Martin Luther (youtube.com)

ONE CHURCH LEICESTER: CLOSURE OF SIX DEGREES COFFEE HOUSE

One Church is an Assemblies of God (AG) Church in Leicester which has tangible links to the false teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) having close ties with false prophet Simon Braker and other "prophetic" influences.1  Like many NAR churches, their somewhat "cool" image conceals a much darker agenda.

The AG is the world's largest Pentecostal denomination representing 65 million people. The AG has published a number of papers officially rejecting several key NAR teachings. Despite this, many individual pastors and leaders, including the Hinds, regularly flout these guidelines and introduce all kinds of aberrant NAR doctrines into their churches.

AG: "The New Testament does not make provisions for establishing the prophet in a hierarchical governing structure of the church; in fact, the content of prophecy itself should always be tested by and responsible to the superior authority of Scripture. However, the church should long for authentic prophecy with a message, which is relevant to contemporary needs and subject to the authority of Scripture."2

ONE Church: "After 8 wonderful years, we are announcing that 6 Degrees will be closing their doors this Easter. The shop was set up in 2016 as a social enterprise to bring profits to Open Hands & bless the community around Leicestershire through their compassion ministries. Throughout this journey, 6 degrees has fulfilled these aims and been a huge blessing on London Road. Over this last season, 6 Degrees has continued to be a blessing but has faced challenges in turning a profit. It’s now time to gracefully conclude this chapter and celebrate the wonderful journey it has been. Our heartfelt gratitude and prayers go out to our dedicated staff and volunteers as they transition to new opportunities.."3  

Six Degrees Coffee House is one of the most macabre stories I have ever reported on! Six Degrees was opened in 2016 by Trinity Life Church Leicester (now ONE Church). The profits from Six Degrees apparently go to the work of Open Hands Trust which was founded on lottery money in 2006! Not only was TLC's application for lottery funding unbiblical, it also went specifically against Assemblies of God guidelines.4 The most infamous thing about 6 Degrees was its ungodly signage which sported the number 666 for a considerable period of time.

The latest in a long line of bad decisions undertaken by the Hinds is their acceptance of an alleged prophecy to find "a watchtower at a high place" in order to hear from God! (Matthew 18:20). The location they chose for this heathenish act was Holyhead Mountain on Anglesey with its strong Druidic connections. Mark and avoid these false teachers/prophets. (Romans 16:17).  their glory is in their shame.. (Philippians 3:19).

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

1. Prophetic Apostolic ministry | Legacy Ministries International
2. Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | Apostles and Prophets (Official A/G Position Paper) (ag.org)
3. Facebook
4. Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | A Biblical Perspective on Gambling (ag.org)

Further Links

Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | The Kingdom of God (ag.org)

The Assemblies of God and the NAR — Holly Pivec

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Trinity Life Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

MARK BILTZ: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE SORCERY

The total solar eclipse to cross North America on April 8, 2024 has given rise to negative speculations from various suspect bible teachers. According to NASA, "The Monday, April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean.."1 

False teacher and date setter Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries claims to be the first person to have discovered the blood moon phenomenon.2 These baseless speculations were promoted primarily by Mark Biltz, John Hagee, and Jonathan Cahn in 2014 and 2015. These three false teachers continue to speculate about the end times regardless of their past failures.

Wikipedia: "The prophecies stated that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—all total and coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse was the beginning of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel 2:32, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28 2015." 3

In his latest offering, Biltz refers to the 2024 total solar eclipse: "The first of Nisan has a huge biblical meaning. It’s the beginning. And just like it’s the beginning of the inauguration of the Tabernacle, I believe it’s going to be the beginning of judgment upon America."4

Paul Begley: "It is truly a prophetic sign in the heavens, no doubt about that.. "5

Alton B Don Billingsley: "In view of Prophetic Biblical teachings, connected with major disastrous events, now occurring, and projected to worsen on a national and international scale over the next few years, strongly implies Jesus Christ will be standing on this earth in the year-2029."6

Genesis 1 describes the creation of the heavenly bodies and God's practical purpose in separating the day from the night and establishing time and seasons. 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-19).

Amplified Bible: Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years;

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "8 signs, tokens of changes of weather & times Genesis 1:14 (P; of heavenly luminaries) אוֺתוֺת הַשָּׁמַיִם Jeremiah 10:2 (changes of the heavens as omens to frighten the nations) compare Psalm 65:9.7 

Genesis 1:14-19 is a powerful witness of God's attributes and allows no excuse for atheism: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20).

A stern warning was given to the ancient Israelites regarding replicating the superstitions of "the nations" or "the heathen" and their practice of foretelling portents in the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2-3 is an allusion to the condemned Babylonian practice of astrology which corresponds to sorcery. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. (Jeremiah 10:2). 

Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

I am no fan of John Calvin, but in this instance, he gives a good sense of Jeremiah 10:2 "..certain inquisitive persons abuse this passages to give color to their frivolous predictions: I call those men Chaldeans and fanatics, who divine everything from the aspects of the stars. (69) Because Moses declares that the sun and moon were appointed for signs, they think themselves entitled to elicit from them anything they please. But confutation is easy: for they are called signs of certain things, not signs to denote whatever is according to our fancy. What indeed does Moses assert to be signified by them, except things belonging to the order of nature? For the same God who here ordains signs testifies by Isaiah that he ‘will dissipate the signs of the diviners,’ (Isaiah 44:25;) and forbids us to be ‘dismayed at the signs of heaven,’ (Jeremiah 10:2.) But since it is manifest that Moses does not depart from the ordinary custom of men, I desist from a longer discussion. The word מועדים (moadim,) which they translate ‘certain times’, is variously understood among the Hebrews: for it signifies both time and place, and also assemblies of persons. The Rabbis commonly explain the passage as referring to their festivals. But I extend it further to mean, in the first place, the opportunities of time, which in French are called saisons, (seasons;) and then all fairs and forensic assemblies. (70) Finally, Moses commemorates the unbounded goodness of God in causing the sun and moon not only to enlighten us, but to afford us various other advantages for the daily use of life. It remains that we, purely enjoying the multiplied bounties of God, should learn not to profane such excellent gifts by our preposterous abuse of them. In the meantime, let us admire this wonderful Artificer, who has so beautifully arranged all things above and beneath, that they may respond to each other in most harmonious concert."8  

Geneva Study Bible: "God forbids his people to give credit or fear the constellations and conjunctions of stars and planets which have no power of themselves but are governed by him, and their secret motions and influences are not known to man and therefore there can be no certain judgment of it, De 18:9."9

Clarke: "Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed - The Chaldeans and Egyptians were notoriously addicated to astrology; and the Israelites here are cautioned against it."10

No astronomical signs are mentioned by Jesus concerning the end of the age until the sixth seal is broken. (Revelation 6:12-14). The signs that believers are specifically warned about in the Olivet Discourse are spiritual deception, wars and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes, persecution, apostasy, and the abomination of desolation. (Matthew 24: 4-15).

Extraordinary signs

Extraordinary signs relating directly to Jesus Christ:

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2).

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45).

The scriptures give information about specific extraordinary astronomical signs linked to end-times events. In particular, the sixth seal cosmic disturbances will be seen and experienced globally - they indicate the rapture and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. (Revelation 6:12-14 cf. Joel 2:10,3:15; Isaiah 13:10,34:4).    

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. (Revelation 16:17-20).

Speculation regarding the coming eclipse go specifically against God's command not to learn the way of the heathen or to be dismayed by events in the heavens. Biltz and other fearmongers are nothing less than sorcerers and astrologers and should be avoided. (Romans 16:17).

For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11-13).

1. 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA Science
2. 'Blood moon' brings prophecies of end times – but Nasa says not to worry | Religion | The Guardian
3. Blood moon prophecy - Wikipedia
4. https://www.wnd.com/2024/02/biblical-expert-solar-eclipse-mark-beginning-judgment-upon-america/
5. Breaking "7 Planets In Line During Solar Eclipse" (youtube.com)
6. Biltz: Judgment of USA begins with solar eclipse April 8, 2024; Billinglesy: Jesus will be on earth in 2029; COGwriter: Accept God’s criteria for a prophet - Church of God News
7. Strong's Hebrew: 226. אוֹת (oth) -- a sign (biblehub.com
8. Genesis 1:14 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org
9. Jeremiah 10:2 Commentaries: Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them; (biblehub.com)
10. Jeremiah 10 Clarke's Commentary (biblehub.com)

Further Links

False Teacher and Failed Date Setter Mark Biltz Makes a Most Dangerous Statement: 'We are safe and have another seven years' (alankurschner.com)
The Questionable Teachings of Mark Biltz | Creation Today