THE VATICAN AND THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DEAL?

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13).

The meetings between the Pope and various New Apostolic Reformation leaders in 2016 is contradictory in many ways, not least because both parties claim the exclusive right to apostolic authority.

The glaring contradiction between "inclusivism" and the Council of Trent. 

Protestantism teaches "exclusivism", namely the biblical view that salvation necessitates personal and explicit faith in Jesus Christ. The official doctrine adopted by the RCC since Vatican II is "inclusivism", the outrageous teaching that non-Christians can be saved by Jesus Christ without faith! (Hebrews 11:6). Confusingly, "inclusivism" stands in opposition to the RC profession that it is the "sole Church of Christ" i.e. "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church", as defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. ALL non-Catholics were anathematized by the Council of Trent during the Counter Reformation (1545-1563). {1} Since RC anathemas are immutable and can never be rescinded, all Protestants remain officially excommunicated. The ex cathedra position held by the RCC is that it continues to condemn as heresy the Protestant tenet of justification by faith alone (sola fide) apart from works, a position confirmed by Vatican I and II. {2} 

Apostolic succession is the assertion that RC bishops represent the only direct uninterrupted line of continuity from the original apostles:

"The principle underlying the Roman claim is contained in the idea of succession. "To succeed" is to be the successor of, especially to be the heir of, or to occupy an official position just after, as Victoria succeeded William IV. Now the Roman Pontiffs come immediately after, occupy the position, and perform the functions of  St. Peter; they are, therefore, his successors. We must prove that St. Peter came to Rome, and ended there his pontificate; that the Bishops of Rome who came after him held his official position in the Church." {3}

Problematically for the RCC, the claim that the apostle Peter had supremacy among the twelve apostles, and that he became the first bishop of Rome cannot be proved. No evidence exists that Peter ever went to Rome. As a consequence of this tenuous claim, the so called "separate churches" are officially judged by Trent to be entirely invalid. More than that, their own warped criteria necessitate that it is impossible for the NAR to have any claim to apostolic succession or prophetic authority. How is it conceivable that the Pope has acknowledged NAR "prophets" as genuine and given them his approbation? According to NAR "prophet" Kris Valloten, the Pope's opening comment at their 2016 meeting was: “We must invite the prophets back into the church and welcome them with open arms.” {4)

The NAR is a Protestant coalition consisting of neo Pentecostals and charismatics. NAR leaders claim that the second apostolic age is upon us on the authority of their now deceased "Presiding Apostle" C. Peter Wagner. Wagner announced the beginning of the "second apostolic age", claiming that the lost offices of prophet and apostle were restored in 2001. {5} The NAR is hyper-authoritarian and pyramidal in its hierarchical structure, with the guru "apostle" at the pinnacle.. very similar in fact to the structure of the RCC. NAR cults are the fastest growing sects of Christianity. An estimated 369 million people are a part of this movement worldwide. {6} The NAR have other things in common with the RCC, in particular ecumenism and their plan to infiltrate and dominate all sectors of society via their "seven mountain mandate". If we are to believe the Jesuit Extreme Oath, their aim is to do their uttermost to secretly infiltrate Protestant churches and to ".. extirpate the heretical Protestants or Liberals' doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, regal or otherwise." {7}

In reality, the New Apostolic Reformation aka Dominionism/Kingdom Now/Replacement Theology is a dangerous heretical movement consisting of proven false teachers such as Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Mike Bickle, Todd Bentley, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs, Rick Joyner, John and Carol Arnott and many more. {8} The NAR are very fuzzy on doctrine and rely heavily on extra-biblical revelations from their so called "prophets" and "apostles". These wolves have put themselves beyond accountability, since they make themselves the final authority. (Acts 17:10-11). According to the NAR, the church must submit to the authority of their own so called "apostles" in order for their dominionist objective to succeed i.e to transform nations for Christ in order to "establish the Kingdom of God on earth". {9} Wagner established the International Coalition of Apostlic Leaders (ICAL) and the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders whose mission it is to "..effectively accelerate the advancement of the Kingdom of God into every sphere of society." {10} The NAR dominionist agenda entirely contradicts the scriptures. Rather than Christians establishing dominion, the scriptures indicate the diametric opposite scenario of increasing godlessness and global hostility against Jesus Christ in the last days. (Revelation 19:19 cf. John 18:36; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

How does the Vatican square its claim to apostolic succession and the Pope's meeting with NAR "apostles" and "prophets" and vice versa? Surely there is a theological impasse, or are they closer than we are led to believe? Certainly Rick Joyner makes no secret of the fact that he is a Knight of Malta (Order of Malta), an RC lay religious order. {11} The bizarre "knighting ceremony" for graduates of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (Bethel Church Redding), apparently resonates with the Order of Malta ceremony. {12} Lou Engle, founder of The Call, who claims the "mantle" of ecumenist Billy Graham, actually participated in a sickening act of mutual prostration with RC leader Matteo Calisi in 2016 at LA event Asusa Now. {13} Calisi proposed a covenant between Engle and themselves stating: "..division is a diabolical sin.. Jesus doesn't care about our differences.. for our doctrines, for our traditions.." These statements from Calisi stand in direct contradiction to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the real apostles! The rejection of the scriptures concerning doctrine is the rejection of Christianity itself! (1 Timothy 4:3,16; Titus 2:1, 9). More up to date is the full Catholic Mass held by RCC clergy at the mega-ecumenical Hillsong Alpha Conference in February 2018. {14} Hillsong was founded on New Order of the Latter Rain (NOLR) principles and is also Kingdom Now/NAR.

NARWatchIsrael describe the NAR as a "cuckoo in the nest". They continue: "Years ago this movement set out to ‘infiltrate and pervert the course of the true Church, in order to plant a whole new understanding of God, the Holy Spirit, the Coming, the Endtimes – and almost everything else’, and it is very close to achieving that -worldwide. So much so, that one of its senior proponents boasted: ‘The NAR, in fact, is the 21st century's mainstream Christianity.’" {15} 

In 2000, the Assemblies of God (AG), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, issued a statement warning against Dominion theology, a warning that many individual Assemblies of God churches have wilfully ignored!

This statement was adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God on August 11, 2000:

"Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. The thought that God’s kingdom can come on earth with a little help from humankind is intriguing to those who advocate this approach to impacting society. Rather than scoffing at the promise of Christ’s imminent return (2 Peter 3:3,4), this errant theology says that Jesus will not return until the Church takes dominion of the earth back from Satan and his followers. By taking control, through whatever means possible, of political, ecclesiastical, educational, economic, and other structures, Christians supposedly can make the world a worthy place for Christ to return and rule over.6 This unscriptural triumphalism generates other related variant teachings." {16} 

The RCC And The NAR Claim To Apostolic Authority Is False!

The idea of "apostolic succession" is not found in the scriptures. Rather apostolic authority is passed on through the teaching of the original apostles, not through apostolic succession. The inerrant scriptures are the benchmark by which we test all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11). False apostles and prophets would have us abandon the authority of the Word of God in favour of their own unverifiable extra biblical revelations and feigned authority.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9).

No direct lineage between the RCC and any of the apostles can be established. Critically, deviation from the apostles foundational teaching automatically disqualifies the RCC as the "one true church" and "apostolic succession". The present Pope aka the "supreme Pontiff" has supremacy over the RC church as the "vicar of Christ "(Latin vicarious Christi) from vicarious, meaning...." acting or done for another". This title effectively identifies the succession of popes as antichrists. (1 John 2:18). Antichrist both opposes and stands in place of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:5, 24 cf. Matthew 23:9).

These days we should use the title "Apostle" with extreme caution. The term can be loosely applied to a church planter, a missionary or a pioneer, but nothing more. It is imperative that we understand that those who claim to be "apostles", do not have the authority of Jesus' original apostles and they cannot supersede the apostles teaching. (Acts 2:42). 

The RCC is full of contradictions, and is at odds not only with the scriptures, but also within itself and its previous catechisms. Similarly the NAR is a contradictory confusing movement, continually changing the goalposts, and claiming authority on the precepts of men. (Matthew 15:9). God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33).

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9).

{1} http://heritagebiblechurch.com/PDFs/Facts/Trent.pdf
{2} http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/YOF/Sacrosanctum-Concilium.pdf
{3} http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01641a.htm
{4) https://krisvallotton.com/pope-francis/
id=fVYgSOvy6HEC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=c+peter+wagner+office+of+apostle+restored+in+2001&source=bl&ots=hUi7zKaITy&sig=69OqEteZx805By1VcmSAOlZpX0E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRoPSQmq3aAhWMN8AKHfgVBZw4FBDoAQhAMAQ#v=onepage&q=c%20peter%20wagner%20office%20of%20apostle%20restored%20in%202001&f=false
{5} https://books.google.co.uk/books?
{6} https://forum.culteducation.com/read.php?12,136116
{7} http://www.reformation.org/jesuit-oath.html
{8} http://www.so4j.com/new-apostolic-reforma:tion-latter-rain
{9} https://www.icaleaders.com/about-ical/statement-of-faith
{10} https://www.icaleaders.com/about-ical/
{11} https://www.morningstarministries.org/about/questions-and-answers/knights-malta-rick-joyner#.WtS-s0xFzIU
{12} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEJ78_3ym4
{13} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOMY6jLNTw0
{14} https://emergentwatch.com/2018/02/15/hillsong-sponsoring-contemplative-alpha-allows-catholic-mass-at-conference/
{15} http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/NARWatchIsrael.pdf 

{16} https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/Revival-Endtime-Revival--Spirit-Led-and-Spirit-Controlled

BETHEL REDDING AGAIN: CHRISTALIGNMENT DESTINY READING CARDS!

Not satisfied with gravesucking and other abominations, Bethel Church Redding CA detestable practices have gone into overdrive as they are now endorsing Christalignment Destiny Reading Cards aka "Christian Tarot Cards".

Bethel's website praises the "ministry" of Christalignment leaders Ken and Jenny Hodge, stating: "..we have a value  for what they are seeking to accomplish..

..The Hodges are attempting to contextualize the Gospel and bring people to the realization that God is looking for them and loves them no matter where they are – just like the apostle Paul often did. In Acts 17:22-34, Paul spoke to a group of religious people who didn’t yet know God and lived in a city full of altars, idols, and various religions. In that moment, Paul referred to a single altar in their city that had an inscription to the “unknown god,” and he used this familiar object (something they understood and valued) as a starting point to connect them with the God of all creation. He wasn’t worried that they would get a wrong idea (like that God is merely one of many gods or that idols are appropriate) because he would soon be introducing them to the true God." {1}

When Paul referred to the alter with the inscription "To the unknown God", he immediately made known the gospel of Jesus Christ. He didn't undertake any occult practices or "readings", he simply preached the gospel, something that Bethel and their associates seem incapable of doing.

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:22-31).

From the Christalignment Website:

"Team members can be booked individually for deep consultations, healing, spiritual readings, & spirit cleansing.

We draw from the same divine energy of the Christ spirit , as ancient followers did and operate only out of the third heaven realm to gain insight and revelation.

Christalignment teams are trained in destiny reading, Presence therapy, trauma recovery, entity cleansing, relationship alignment and physical healing using divine energy. Dream interpretation is done using the Hebraic method which can facilitate deep spiritual alignment.

Christalignment encounters coming from the third heaven realm bring lasting life transformation and guidance.

The team are trained as intuitive readers .." {2}

Those churches that persist in continuing a relationship with the New Apostolic Reformation and Bill Johnson/Bethel will reap terrible consequences. (2 Peter 2:17).

ABOMINABLE PRACTICES:

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this. (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).

{1} http://www.bethel.com/about/christalignment/
{2} http://www.christalignment.org/

PAUL MANWARING GLOBAL LEGACY: WORLDWIDE REVIVAL, FATHER HEART CONFERENCE, SOZO?

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36).

Paul Manwaring is on the senior leadership team at Bethel church, Redding, CA, with specific responsibility for Global Legacy, a ministry of Bethel that promotes "worldwide revival".

"Global Legacy is a relational network that connects, encourages, and equips revival leaders worldwide. We expand God’s kingdom by helping to build relationships between revival leaders, ministries, and organizations around the globe, and to equip them to transform their spheres of influence.." {1}

Global Legacy was spawned out of Bethel Church as a result of a "prophetic word" from their Senior Pastor, the infamous NAR cult leader and alleged "apostle" Bill Johnson. Manwaring, who is British, returned to live in the UK in December 2016 in order to oversee the aims of Global Legacy in Europe. Global Legacy is cross denominational and has no doctrinal statement. Critically, Manwaring teaches that there should be no secular / sacred divide.

Manwaring: “My passion is that the church equips the Saints to do Kingdom. It’s time for reformation in every sphere, to erase the secular/sacred divide and marry the natural with the supernatural. ‘Awakening Europe’ is an incredible new movement.."  {2}

Manwaring refers of course to the false doctrine of Dominion theology aka Dominionism, Kingdom Now, Christian Reconstructionism, Theonomy which is based on a perversion of Genesis 1:28. Dominionists believe that before Christ physically returns to the earth, Christians must implement societal change and “take dominion” of the secular world in order to transform it into the Kingdom of God. Global Legacy is part of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and supports the "vision" to create cultural transformation via the seven mountain mandate: Media, Education, Economy, Government, Religion, Arts, and Family.

Dominion theology is NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
The mantra of dominionists is based on Matthew 6:10:
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Dominionists blatantly invert the scriptures. The world cannot be redeemed.. quite the reverse in fact. Jesus was very specific in teaching that His kingdom is NOT of this world. (John 18:36 cf. Colossians 3:2; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; John 15:18-21; Hebrews 11:16). The world will be in the grip of terrible rebellion and widespread religious deception when Jesus returns:

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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 24:3-14).

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Christians are not called to transform the systems of this world from within, but rather to bear witness and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). ..apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5). Christians do not belong to the world, they are those who are chosen out of the world. (John 15:19;17:6). The only way dominionists can justify their ungodly agenda is to deny the scriptures in favour of "direct revelation" from God through various false "apostles" and "prophets" whom they claim have superseded Jesus' original apostles. (Acts 2:42). Are these false teachers greater than Jesus Christ? (Luke 4:18). Bill Johnson's "off the map" approach denies the Reformation principle of sola scriptura and leaves his followers vulnerable to "every wind of doctrine". (Ephesians 4:14). These false apostles and prophets have dispossessed many believers of the precautionary mechanism to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1 cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Isaiah 9:16).

Dominionists are preterists/amillennialist.

A short explantion follows for the benefit of those not familiar with these terms:
Preterism is the view that all prophecy in the Bible has already been fulfilled in history.
Dominionists have decided that the book of Revelation is a symbolic picture of first-century conflicts. They therefore take the amillennial view, which is to reject the literal interpretation of Revelation 20:2-7 concerning the thousand year reign of Christ in order to set up "heavens government" themselves here on the earth.

"Also, Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton from Bethel Church in Redding, Ca. hold a dominion, preterist, post-millennial position as well and they use a book entitled "Victorious Eschatology" by Harold Eberly. These positions are all based on replacement theology. No matter how much these people say they love Israel and pray for Israel this position IS REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY!" {3}

A Sample of Paul Manwaring's Distorted Teaching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnA8bkGUmKo

Do not be deceived by Manwaring's personable style, he is a false NAR teacher and a vigorous promoter of Dominion Theology. (2 Corinthians 11:14; Proverbs 26:25).

Manwaring: "If His kingdom is going to come, it needs to be a kingdom that represents the King; a message that represents the King; a government structure that represents the King... we are  drafted in to bear and to carry the government of heaven.. The purpose of government is not to control wickedness.." (!!!) This statement blatantly contradicts the scriptures:

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:3-4 cf. Romans 13:2; 1 Peter 2:14).

Manwaring: Adam and Eve were removed from the garden for their protection so that they could not eat of the other tree.. they were not removed for punishment - they were removed so that they could be redeemed...." Actually the verse says that they were removed as a preventative measure so that they would not would not take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—  (Genesis 3:22). When Adam and Eve fell they became sinners and their disobedience brought about various curses and judgements. The serpent was cursed and the ground was cursed. (Genesis 3:14,17). Adam and Eve were condemned to suffer various temporal judgements/hardships. (Genesis 3:16-19). The definition of "curse" is "A solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something." {4} SIN invokes PENALTY! Certainly Adam and Eve (and their descendants) suffered various penalties for sin in this world. The long term plan of God was to send Jesus Christ to pay the ultimate penalty for the sins (plural) of the world in our place. (1 John 2:2; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:23-24). Nevertheless unbelievers will remain in their sins and their eternal punishment will therefore remain. (John 3:15; Matthew 25:46). Manwaring's deceptive mixture truth and error is lethal! (1 Corinthians 5:6; Matthew 24:24).

"While Christ did indeed reverse the curse of Adam's sin, the completion of his achievement on the cross is premillennial (Zechariah 14:4-9; Matthew 25:31-34). The kingdom will not be established until JESUS CHRIST (NOT THE CHURCH) sets up his millennial reign after the Great Tribulation (Revelation 19:11-20:4; 22:19). Jesus Christ did not commission the church to remodel society, the church was commissioned to preach the gospel to the whole world and to make disciples. (Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19-20)." {5}

Manwaring disdains the type of church government where various structures are put into place that require Christians to conform. He seems to teach a form of antinomianism (lawlessness). (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7). There is a balance of course; some churches have unnecessary excessive rules that bring people into bondage. Excesses aside however, church discipline is biblical. (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-12). The Law of Christ has not been abrogated! (1 Corinthians 9:21). Certain structures must apply in order for the church to keep in step with the Holy Spirit and to reflect the light of Christ. Worldly people are devoid of the Spirit (Jude 1:19). In other words, there must be a sacred / secular divide!

Manwaring continues on in his error. Astoundingly, he does not see a judgement day coming in the book of Revelation!!!  "Judgement day is not in my copy of Revelation- it is written in between the verses.." 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16). I can assure readers of this post that JUDGEMENT DAY MOST CERTAINLY IS COMING. Jesus Christ referred to it Himself a number of times (Matthew 7:22, 10:15, 11:24, 25:31-36, 40-43). The book of Revelation refers to the great white throne judgement following the millennial reign of Christ: ..and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. (Revelation 20:11). And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). Furthermore, God's wrath is released immediately prior to Jesus' second coming during the trumpet judgements in Revelation 8-11, culminating in the seven bowls of the wrath of God poured out upon the earth. (Revelation 16:1-17). This period of time is referred to in the scriptures as "the Day of the Lord" "the great day of their wrath" or simply "the day/that day":

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 ).

..for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? (Revelation 6:17).

The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:31, cited in Acts 2:20).

But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:7).

..then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.. (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.. (Matthew 12:36).

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering again unto him (The Rapture), That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

The phrase “the day of the Lord” appears nineteen times in the Old Testament: Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5, 30:3; Joel 1:15, 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18,20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7-15, 2:2; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi. 4:5), and five times in the New Testament: Acts 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10. It is also alluded to in other passages: Revelation 6:17; 16:14. The New Testament refers to "a day of wrath" "a day of visitation” and "the great day of God Almighty”. (Revelation 16:14). Further examples: Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:22, 1 Corinthians 1:8; Romans 2:5; 1 John 4:17; 2 Peter 2:9.

BEWARE! All that glitters is not gold at Bethel Church Redding:

Vile abominations proliferate at Bethel Church Redding. (Ezekiel 8:9). Bethel/Jesus Culture and their associates are utterly immersed in occult activities and demonic manifestations. Christians should run from unholy manifestations such as fake gold dust, diamonds, angel feathers, grave sucking, spiritual drunkenness, portals, visualisation, spirit-travel, fire-tunnels, angel-orbs, glory clouds, impartations and so on. ..an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. (Matthew 6:4; 12:39). Bill Johnson's wife, grave sucker and occult diviner, Beni, even claims to wake up angels with "prophetic toys". {6}

TRANSFORMATION:

The promise of "inner healing" so called, is a false inducement offered to those seeking freedom from bondage and a closer relationship with the Lord, the supposed aim being the unbiblical Dominionist concept of "transformation". The bible teaches the individual transformation of believers based on TRUTH. (John 6:58, 14:6). NAR false teachers reject the scriptures and operate from the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6). Inner Healing and spiritual growth come only from the TRUTH i.e. the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles:  ..you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:33). 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:12).

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

BEWARE! Paul Manwaring/Global Legacy may very well be coming to a town near you with a Father Heart Conference or an event linked with Sozo, Revival, Transformation etc. (2 Timothy 2:17). So far this year, Manwaring is scheduled to speak at various venues in the UK: Bearsden Baptist Church in Glasgow, The Hub in Wymondham, The Ridgeway Centre in Milton Keynes, Kings House in Bedford, New Life Church in Milton Keynes, St Newlyn East Village Hall in Saint Newlyn East, Cornwall, The HopeSpring Centre in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear. {7}

On the 5th and 6th of January 2018, All Nations Church Frog Island Leicester UK is hosting a Global Legacy Conference described as: "2018's gathering of leaders from across the UK and Europe." {8}

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18:4).

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

{1} http://www.globallegacy.com/about
{2} http://s620369274.websitehome.co.uk/news/events/laughing-at-the-lie-another-perspective-from-ela-2016/
{3} http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs069/1101702963972/archive/1109839625495.html
{4} https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/curse
{5} https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/bill-johnsons-leaven-beware-global.html?m=0
{6} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q25oPxQ7zH0
{7} http://www.paulmanwaring.com/events
{8} https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/global-legacy-2018-tickets-37270366670

abominations in the temple: the new apostolic reformation, bill johnson and jesus culture!

I am writing this post as a follow up to my two recent posts about Trinity Life Church in Leicester (Assemblies of God) whose pastor recommends Jesus Culture; and Elim who are hosting Bill Johnson "Senior Pastor" of Bethel Church Redding CA at their Leadership Conference in May.
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/david-hind-trinity-life-church.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/grave-sucker-bill-johnson-to-join.html

As I was writing these posts, I was reminded of a very powerful teaching I heard last year: Jacob Prasch - Ezekiel - Greater Abominations, which I think is very important for our understanding about what is happening in today's church.



Ezekiel is a major source for the book of Revelation where the judgements of God are replayed eschatalogically (as also are the judgements in the book of Exodus). Ezekiel depicts the destruction of Jerusalem as a judgement and a purificatory sacrifice upon the altar, made necessary by the various progressive "abominations" within the city and the temple, beginning with the image of jealousy i.e. the image which provokes the jealousy of the Lord (Ezekiel 8:3,5), through to the vile abominations engraved on the walls - creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel (Ezekiel 8:10), through to the women weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14), and finally, the priests in the inner temple practicing sun worship (Ezekiel 8:16). Jacob Prasch identifies several comparative "abominations" with Ezekiel which are progressively defiling the church in our time and which will culminate in the judgement of God. 

And the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”
(Ezekiel 9:4)

The "mark" (the seal of God) on the foreheads of those who are faithful to God is found in Exodus 13:9; Ezekiel 9:4-6 and Revelation 7:2-3. Jacob explains that the word rendered "mark" remarkably is the name of the Hebrew letter tau, which in its ancient form was a cross. In the Book of Revelation, the seal of the Lord and the mark of the beast are irreconcileable. 

EZEKIEL CHAPTER 8 

In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there. Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal. He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.
 

Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy. And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.”

And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall. Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance. And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.” So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up. Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’” He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.”

Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”

And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east. Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger? Behold, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” 

EZEKIEL CHAPTER 9

Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.” And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
 

Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. And the Lord said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” And to the others he said in my hearing, “Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity. Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the house. Then he said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out.” So they went out and struck in the city. And while they were striking, and I was left alone, I fell upon my face, and cried, “Ah, Lord God! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”

Then he said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see.’ As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads.”

And behold, the man clothed in linen, with the writing case at his waist, brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded me.”

grave sucker bill johnson bethel church redding to join rivercamp leadership conference - shame on elim!!!

RiverCamp and Elim Metropolitan Region are hosting their very first Leadership Conference at Ealing Christian Centre in London on Monday 18th – Tuesday 19th May. They are "excited"; I am horrified! RiverCamp will play host to some of the most dangerous heretics on the planet today including grave sucker Bill Johnson, John Arnott and Heidi Baker!

Johnson and his occult cronies are part of the hypercharismatic New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), also known as Word of Faith, Dominionism, Third Wave, Joel’s Army, Latter Rain, Modern day Prophets and Apostles and Manifest Sons of God. Their distinctive teaching is that the end-times church must be led by an elitist group of apostles and prophets in order to achieve dominion on the earth prior to Christ's return. In contradiction, Paul and other epistle writers give instructions about church government, referring to “overseers” and “deacons” not “apostles and prophets”. This demolishes the NAR claim that apostles and prophets must lead the end-times church. Furthermore, Revelation 19:11-21 makes it clear that JESUS CHRIST (NOT THE CHURCH) will achieve dominion on the earth (Revelation 22:19). The NAR promotes strategic-level spiritual warfare which contradicts Daniel 10 and Jude 9 which assigns spiritual warfare against territorial spirits to Michael and the angels not to human beings. The "apostolic unity" taught by the NAR is in fact personal submission to self-proclaimed apostles, it is not unity based on agreement on doctrine. 

Designated as an "Apostle" by false prophet C Peter Wagner, Bill Johnson is "Senior Pastor" of Bethel Church, Redding, California, which is famous for dubious "manifestations" of gold flakes, glory clouds, angel feathers, angel orbs, grave sucking, open heaven experiences and much, much more. Johnson's wife Beni uses tuning forks as a prophetic act, and also believes she is called to the "prophetic act of waking up angels"!

Grave sucking is supposedly the act of "sucking" the anointing of dead believers from their graves. This is sorcery/necromancy (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11; Leviticus 20:27). The Bible tells us that the gifts are given as they are distributed by Holy Spirit as God wills (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Hebrews 2:4). Christians have no need to travel around the world seeking the "anointing" of dead believers - this is to engage in witchcraft!

Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson grave sucking at the grave of CS Lewis in Oxford.

Bill Johnson at the grave of false teacher Smith Wigglesworth in Bradford.

Here is Beni again hugging the grave of false teacher Charles Finney.

 

Jesus Culture (a ministry of Bethel Church)

Bill Johnson teaches many false things, but at the root of it is his rejection of the scriptures as the inerrant Word of God. He openly disdains the study of the scriptures as mere intellectualism:

Johnson: “Those who feel safe because of their intellectual grasp of Scriptures enjoy a false sense of security. None of us has a full grasp of Scripture, but we all have the Holy Spirit. He is our common denominator who will always lead us into truth. But to follow Him, we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know”.

Biblically it is essential for leaders to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15); also believers are exhorted to test the spirits by the scriptures (1 John 4:1). In effect Johnson and his associate "super apostles" have no point of accountability or reference since they claim to have superceded the teachings of the original twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. This is nothing less than the spirit of antichrist who seeks to usurp the authority of the Word of God. Johnson is guilty of spiritual pride, the very thing he condemns in those who seek to understand the scriptures. Paul warned about the very first "super apostles" who sought to infiltrate the church in his absence (2 Corinthians 11:1-6). The definition of an "apostle of Christ" is one who was an "eyewitness" of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry, and one who received direct teaching from Jesus personally. The apostles wrote the scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21-22). The word of God is eternal, it can never be changed (Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89).

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)

Johnson and his fellow apostates arrogantly claim equality and even superiority to the original apostles, but they prophesy the delusions of their own minds (Jeremiah 23:26).

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)

The leaders of the NAR boast an "Elijah anointing" which elevates them to a superior class of believer.

Johnson: "We will carry the Elijah anointing in preparing for the return of the Lord in the same way that John the Baptist carried the Elijah anointing and prepared the people for the coming of the Lord" (When Heaven Invades Earth p184).

"I live for the revival that is unfolding and believe it will surpass all previous moves combined, bringing more than one billion souls into the Kingdom" (p23).

The Bible does not speak of a great end time revival, but rather a false revival orchestrated by the Antichrist and the False Prophet (Revelation 6:2). The Antichrist will be the ultimate deceiver and the false Christ! (Revelation 13:1-18)

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:3-51)

John and Carol Arnott with Pope Francis last year.

The teachings of  "The New Order of the Latter Rain" were condemned by the Assemblies of God (AOG) at their General Council in 1949. As far as I am aware, the AOG still adhere to that position (at least officially). Unfortunately, due to the lack of spiritual discernment of individual pastors and the autonomous nature of their churches, the false teachings of the NAR are now creeping into the AOG by stealth.

Shame on you Elim for giving a platform to these dangerous heretics.







Further reading:
http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/warning-bill-johnson-and-bethel-church
https://walthope.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/grave-sucking-bill-johnson/
http://www.cicministry.org/commentary/issue124.htm
http://ag.org/top/General_Superintendent/Ministers_Letter/2015_issue_01.pdf