EMMA STARK: PROPHETIC TOURETTE'S!

Emma Stark: Was end of Corona prophesied? (premierchristianradio.com)

Premier Christian Radio: "What should we make of preachers who are declaring that God has told them a date by which the coronavirus will end? EMMA STARK of the Glasgow Prophetic Centre heads up the British Isles Council of Prophets, she shared her thoughts with Premier’s Maria Rodrigues."

In this short clip, Emma Stark puts forward her own take on the failure of the false Coronavirus prophets. Incredibly she says that the so called prophets have a case of "prophetic Tourette's" and that they are operating in the flesh, speaking human and soulish words. Well there we have it from the horses mouth! Her excuse is that the restoration of the prophetic movement is in its infancy, it is only about 25-30 years old, and that the so called prophets are "feeling their way through". We need no further proof that the so called "prophetic movement" is a complete sham.

Interestingly, Maria Rodrigues refers back to the Old Testament prophets and asks: "There were prophets risen up in certain seasons to be able to speak into difficult situations. Do you think maybe in the 21st century, our churches are struggling to know how to hold the prophetic voices in our communities?"

This is a polite way of pointing out that there is no correlation between so called modern "prophets" and the 100% accuracy of the Old Testament prophets. 

A good example of "prophetic Tourette's" is Hananiah, who died within a year of making his infamous false prophecy. False prophets who spoke presumptuously were put to death in the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Though Emma Stark and others make excuses and try to brush aside their prophetic failures, the greed and presumption of modern false prophets is no less serious in our time. (2 Peter 2:1-3). Believers are instructed to turn away from false teachers/false prophets who blaspheme the way of truth. (Romans 16:17-18).

Hananiah the False Prophet

In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon, declares the LORD, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.” 

Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the LORD do so; may the LORD make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the LORD, and all the exiles. Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet.” 

Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke-bars from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke them. And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years.” But Jeremiah the prophet went his way. 

Sometime after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke-bars from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Go, tell Hananiah, ‘Thus says the LORD: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put upon the neck of all these nations an iron yoke to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they shall serve him, for I have given to him even the beasts of the field.’” And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.’” 

In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died. (Jeremiah 28:1-17).

In answer to Emma Starke's hypothetical questions from the church: "Can we trust you, do we like you, are you a credible voice?"

THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING NO!

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” For among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly. “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds. (Jeremiah 23:16-22).

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

JOE SCHIMMEL: TERTULLIAN VICTORINUS AND TRIBULATION

 (5) Rev Series: What, When and How Long is the Day of the Lord?- Part 2 - YouTube

Below are some further thoughts on Joe's sermon on The Day of the Lord.

Joe Schimmel really should give up the habit of quoting certain unreliable Church Fathers in order to promote the post-trib rapture. The early Church Fathers are a very useful source in order to prove that the church will face the Antichrist, but they do not specify when precisely the rapture will occur. Joe's view that the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl are simultaneous events is pure eisegesis. There is no evidence whatsoever that this is the case. Joe's attempt to prove that the early Church Fathers believed in what he refers to as the "classical historical premillennial rapture view" (i.e. post-trib), is problematic. Like the mid-trib view, post-trib is fast becoming obsolete due to the research of modern prewrath scholars whose questions post-trib teachers are unable to answer. Those of us who are interested in communicating in truths do not need to resort to ancient unreliable sources in order to demonstrate the prewrath position. (2 Timothy 3:16). I will apply the common criticism that is usually levelled against the pre-trib camp: There is not one single verse of scripture that supports the post-trib view.

Why does Joe quote Victorinus, a very confused so called "Church Father" who no-one of any note regards as reliable? In this particular video, Joe quotes Tertullian's reference to "the last day". We might assume that compared with Victorinus, Tertullian was sound in his faith. The answer is yes and no. Tertullian practiced extreme asceticism and some time before 210 AD he became a Montanist. In my view, his writings are protracted and tedious, and there are some issues with his theology. 

Tertullian's Skewed Rapture View (?)

Tertullian: "..before we put off the garment of the flesh, we wish to be clothed with the celestial glory of immortality. Now the privilege of this favour awaits those who shall at the coming of the Lord be found in the flesh, and who shall, owing to the oppressions of the time of Antichrist, deserve by an instantaneous death, which is accomplished by a sudden change, to become qualified to join the rising saints; as he writes to the Thessalonians: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we too shall ourselves be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." {1}  

If I have understood Tertullian correctly, he taught that those Christians who are alive at the Parousia will die instantaneously in order to qualify to meet the Lord in the air. If this is correct then he contradicts 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51. 

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

What did Tertullian mean by "the last day"?   

Tertullian:  "..our prayers are directed towards the end of this world, to the passing away thereof at the great day of the Lord — of His wrath and vengeance — the last day, which is hidden (from all), and known to none but the Father, although announced beforehand by signs and wonders, and the dissolution of the elements, and the conflicts of nations."  {1}

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40, 44, 54 cf. John 11:24). 

The phrase "the last day" only occurs in John. Elsewhere it is called "the day of the Lord", "the great day", "the day of the Lord's wrath &c. These slightly different nuances used by different authors all describe "the day of the Lord" in some sense.

Post-trib writers define the tribulation period in a generic sense as the entire present age, or more specifically all the events leading up to Armageddon. However the scriptures make a definite distinction between tribulation and wrath. (Matthew 24:29). Joe's mindset that "the day of the Lord's wrath" must be a literal twenty-four hour period of time is an assumption. The prewrath position is that the church age comes to an end on "the last day" i.e. the rapture. ..concerning that day and hour no one knows (Matthew 24:26-34). On the last day a shift occurs and events move from tribulation ~ to resurrection (rapture) ~ to the onset of God's wrath. In other words, "the day of God's wrath" is an ongoing event. It appears that "the day of the Lord" continues in some sense throughout the millennial period. 

Joe's persistence in continuing to refer to the entire 70th week of Daniel as "the tribulation" is unacceptable. In my view this is the thin end of the wedge. Be careful! This is how error and false teaching creeps in. We don't need to be especially "technical" to divide the 70th week into the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:8), and the tribulation, we simply need to be scriptural! The tribulation is always associated with the abomination of desolation event at the mid point of Daniel's 70th week. (Matthew 24:15-28; Daniel 9:27).

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (Matthew 24:9,21 cf. Daniel 9:27).

Joe makes much of "rightly dividing the Word of truth" in this video. (2 Timothy 2:15). This is something we all need to take to heart.

1.  CHURCH FATHERS: On the Resurrection of the Flesh (Tertullian) (newadvent.org)

Further Links

Montanism - New World Encyclopedia

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOE SCHIMMEL BLESSED HOPE CHAPEL: VICTORINUS IS UNRELIABLE (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

JOE SCHIMMEL: THE DAY OF THE LORD?

Wednesday Night BIble Study - YouTube

How long is the Day of the Lord? 

Joe Schimmel has postponed his prewrath/post-trib rapture comparison. I think this is a good thing because (hopefully) it will give him time to consider the subject in more depth.

Joe qualifies the post-trib view by calling it "the classical historical premillennial view". This is an assumption. There is no evidence that early church specified the rapture in "classical" post-trib terms. I don't want to be ungracious to Joe, but I feel that giving credit to Victorinus' recapitulation view of the bowl judgements is disingenuous. Victorinus was an utterly unreliable and confused third century church father. I have expanded my original post on this subject. {1} 

I do not consider the differences between prewrath and post-trib to be a salvation issue per se. However, the subject is critical because damage and confusion arises from wrong teaching, and this in turn gives ammunition to the pre-trib camp and other false views. In my experience one error inevitably leads to further errors.

Joe Schimmel: "Our prewrath brethren believe that the tribulation ends with the sixth seal.. they believe that the trumpets and the bowls are not really part of the tribulation period but God's wrath, and that we are out right before that... What they are calling the day of the Lord is the tribulation still.. prewrath is not truly post-trib because what they call the day of the Lord is the tribulation period." {2} 

Above: Joe teaches that the tribulation will continue right up until the battle of Armageddon when Jesus returns to earth with the saints. However the evidence that the tribulation will end before the wrath of God is poured out, is, in my view, overwhelming. 

According to Joe, the sixth seal in Revelation 6:15-17 is a picture of the very end. He also equates Matthew 24:39-30 with Armageddon (Revelation 19). Apart from the fact that Matthew 24 does not describe the battle scene of Revelation 19, we have to ignore the stated chronology of the trumpets and bowls that indicate a clear sequence of events. 

Revelation 6:12-14 draws from the celestial portents described in Joel 2:31.  

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).

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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 the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

The great tribulation is cut short and is followed by the gathering of the elect (the rapture). (Matthew 24:22,31). 

The Day of the Lord.. one literal day?

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40, 44, 54 cf. John 11:24). The phrase "the last day" only occurs in John. Elsewhere it is called "the day of the Lord", "the great day" &c.

Clearly "the last day" is resurrection language and refers to the rapture. The prewrath position is that the church age comes to an end on "the last day" i.e. the rapture. Subsequently a shift occurs and events move from tribulation ~ to resurrection ~ to the onset of God's wrath. In other words, "the day of the Lord" is an ongoing event, it does not suddenly end at the rapture. As Joe says, there is evidence that the day of the Lord continues through the millennial period. 

We need to be wary about translating "yom" out of context as a single day. Rodney Whitefield: "Yom relates to the concept of time. Yom is not just for day, days, but for time in general. How yom is translated depends on the context of its use with other words in the sentence around it, using hermeneutics." {3} 

The following video from Alan Kurschner is important for post-trib believers to consider:

(3) The Bride Comes with the New Jerusalem BEFORE the Millennium - YouTube

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOE SCHIMMEL BLESSED HOPE CHAPEL: VICTORINUS IS UNRELIABLE (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. (2) Wednesday Night Bible Study - YouTube
3. Untitled-2 (godandscience.org)

EMMA STARK AND TRACY COOKE WITH SID ROTH: CORONAVIRUS AND THE END TIMES

 (6) CORONAVIRUS & THE END TIMES | Sid Roth - YouTube

Emma Stark and Tracy Cooke on Sid Roth 'It's Supernatural' re Coronavirus (20th March 2020).

In this programme, Emma Stark appears in tandem with false prophet Tracy Cooke. Cooke wasted no time in announcing that during a two hour dream, God revealed to him that the coronavirus would diminish on Passover 2020 (15th and 16th April 2020). Cooke (along with Chuck Pierce) claimed that by April 16, “the blood of Jesus” would cause the "plague to pass over". Both Cooke and Pierce qualified their predictions by referencing Amos 3:7: For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. Cooke often reminds his hearers that he is a "prophet". However, all the evidence suggests the diametric opposite. Cooke also claimed that God told him three times that President Trump would be re-elected, and also that there would be two assassination plots against Trump. Well, here we are at the end of August 2021, and not one of those "prophecies" have materialized! If people still persist in following these wolves, then what chance will they stand when the Antichrist and the false prophet arrive on the scene? (Revelation 13:13-15).

...when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22).

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).

Emma Stark: "We are going to release an impartation of freedom and of courage and of hope and of strength to you... The angels are about to be dispatched as we make decrees over the nations at this table, and the angels are going to go and be a support and a ministry right across the face of the world for the setting free of many people, and for the healing of many people, and for the blessing of the medical profession. It is the day of the release of an angelic army across the earth."  

Christians are not authorized to dispatch angels through decrees.. Only God commands the angels. 

Genuine declarations or decrees consist of statements of truth revealed in the scriptures e.g. John 3:16; 1 John 1:5 etc. The apostles and the early church did not make declarations or decrees in relation to future events, and they did not release impartations in order to facilitate the dispatch of angels. Even Jesus Christ Himself did not directly command angels during His earthly ministry: Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53). 

These wolves substitute prayer and supplication with declarations, decrees, impartations and false anointings. 

..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Luke 18:1; Philippians 4:6 cf. Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1).

In the Old Testament, a clear example is given in Daniel 10 when an angel was dispatched after Daniel had humbled himself and fasted and prayed.

Then he (an angel) said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” (Daniel 10:12-14).

The false teachings of the "declare and decree" camp is scripturally unsound. They bring various "proof texts" that are completely out of sync with the scriptures. For instance Job 22:28, Romans 4:17 and Mark 11:23.

The words spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's "comforters" who was later rebuked by the Lord: 

* You will decide (decree) on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. (Job 22:28). (KJV = decree)
..the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. (Job 42:7).

* ..as it is written, “I have made you (Abraham) the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Romans 4:17).

It is an attribute of God alone to call into existence things that do not exist. Abraham did not declare or decree anything.. he simply believed God. (Romans 4:3).

* Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:23-24).

Many false teachers evade the context of Mark 11:20-25 and teach a superficial understanding of verse 23 in isolation. However verse 24 tells us first that we must ask. Sometimes God refuses our requests for reasons we cannot fathom. The apostle Paul prayed three times to have a thorn in his flesh removed, and each time God rejected his request. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Paul had the divine ability to heal others. (Acts 28:9). However, it appears that he was unable to heal either Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25ff) or Trophimus. (2 Timothy 4:20). 

Cherry picking verses out of context is bad theology and leads to the sin of presumption. Challenging passages should always be interpreted in light of other clear statements in the scriptures. (Acts 20:27). When the whole counsel of God is taken into consideration, it is obvious that there are specific conditions placed on God’s promise to answer prayer: 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7).

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3).
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14).

Emma Stark: "I saw God on His hands and his knees.." (22:00 mark)

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (1 John 1:18 cf. 1 John 4:12).

...he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. (1 Timothy 15-16).

In a previous post I referred to Emma Stark's alleged encounter with a six-winged "seraphim" that appeared to her as an eighteen year old student. {1}

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.. (Colossians 2:18).

NAR charismaniacs are practicing witchcraft!

The scriptures define the sin of rebellion as witchcraft, and presumption as iniquity and idolatry! (1 Samuel 15:23). The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul because he operated in half truths and only partially obeyed the word of the Lord. Saul ended his life in full blown rebellion when he sought out the witch at Endor. (1 Samuel 28:7-14).

And the LORD sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” And Samuel said,“ Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:18-23).
Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” (1 Samuel 28:7).

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? (Galatians 3:1).   

Witchcraft is not necessarily overtly satanic. The enemy also works deceptively in the guise of Christianity and operates in manipulation, coercion and scripture twisting. (2 Corinthians 11:14). The decrees and declarations of false prophets are nothing less than occult incantations. Their spell casting and invocations consist of sets of words, a formula or verse, a ritual action (or any combination of these things), in order to push an unbiblical agenda. These "prophets" employ half truths and are operating under a different spirit. (1 John 4:6). They are self-appointed and in their pride they have given themselves authority to supersede the scriptures. However, the scriptures warn: "Do not go beyond what is written.." (1 Corinthians 4:6 cf. Proverbs 30:6). They have closed the door on sound teaching and have outlawed spiritual discernment by ensuring that the people have no way of testing what they say. (1 John 4:1). 

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4).

How does this prophecy of a billion soul harvest compare with the words of Jesus Christ and the apostles?

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14).

Godlessness in the last days

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 cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Jude 1:18)).

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21).

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. (Revelation 16:8-11).

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: EMMA STARK: ANGEL ENCOUNTERS? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

JOEL RICHARDSON ENDORSES PAUL CAIN # CHARISMANIA!

(33) AFGHANISTAN IN PROPHECY: The Taliban, Biblical Prophecy, and the Great Harvest - YouTub

The recent concerning events in Afghanistan have prompted Joel Richardson to give a heads up to charismania, and in particular false prophet Paul Cain. This shouldn't surprise anyone since he regularly appears with various false teachers on CNN and TBN, many of whom are ecumenical and apostate.

In common with many believers, Richardson admits that he has been "burnt" over the years by charismania. As such you would think that he would have learned his lesson. Richardson is very good at doublespeak. Whilst avoiding any discussion about the false teachings and immoral lifestyle of Paul Cain (1929-2019), Richardson openly endorses this arch deceivers so called "prophetic ministry". Joel Richardson on the subject of Paul Cain's history as a drunkard, a homosexual, a false teacher and a liar: "I don't know, I don't track with it and I don't care.. it is none of my business."  As a Christian teacher and broadcaster, it is Richardson's responsibility to make it his business!  Teachers have a tremendous responsibility to protect the body of Christ from false teachers. (1 Peter 5:2-12).  

Like Richardson. I also believe that the Lord speaks today. However I absolutely reject the claims of neo-charismatic/Pentecostal NAR "apostles and prophets". I have no hesitation in marking them out as dangerous deceivers who are a blight on the Body of Christ. (2 Peter 2:13).

The false teachings and predictions of neo-charismatic "prophets" such as Rick Joyner, Benny Hinn, Bob Jones, John Paul Jackson, Paul Cain, Todd Bentley etc. have been thoroughly documented and exposed. I will not repeat the shameful antics of these wolves here. (See further links). After all the evidence of their lies and deception we should not consider or weigh anything they have to say! The scriptures teach unequivocally that we must mark and avoid such people: I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).

Paul Cain was not a genuine prophet of God. 

Despite the real and present danger of leading believers into the devastating errors of charismania, in true hireling style, Richardson proceeds to relate a "prophecy" made by Paul Cain in June 1988. (John 10:13).

Richardson: "Paul did move in a profound anointing for words of knowledge and prophecy during his lifetime. In fact he actually shared a few prophetic words with me personally. They were things that no man in the world could know.. in a gathering of tens of thousands of people, he calls me out by name, calls out my wife's name, speaks specifically to the prayers that I was praying on the way there and the week before etc. etc. There were seasons during his ministry where he moved in a very legitimate word of knowledge and also prophecy. I believe he had a genuine gift."

Please forgive my skepticism if you are a follower of Joel Richardson, but we have seen this kind of thing before. Richardson's story reminded me of the Peter Popoff scams. Popoff revealed personal information about individuals during revival meetings, supposedly conveyed to him by God. Actually the information relayed to him by his wife by way of a hidden radio transmitter. {1} Another example is cold-reading false prophet Shawn "Smart Phone" Bolz. {2} Who knows where these "prophets" obtain their information and what they get up to! They think nothing of employing Popoff style scams or making things up out of their own imagination. (Ezekiel 13:17). In some instances false prophets have a connection with unclean spirits, and it is my view that Paul Cain fell into this category. Like any diviner or spiritualist, information gained from this source can be unnervingly accurate. (Acts 16:16). In Paul Cain's case, there appears to have been a definite demonic connection. According to David Pytches: “Paul's mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had all been born with the gift of 'seeing.' His great-grandmother would sometimes see things in broad daylight and ask her friends or family if they could see them too. If they said they could not, she would occasionally lay her hand upon them and they would immediately see the identical vision. …Cain inherited this gift passed on from generations believing it is from the Lord where 'He could see when a person was going to be healed and live and also knew when someone was going to die.' (David Pytches in Some Said it Thundered Some Said it Thundered p.24-25)." {3}

Richardson goes on to endorse Paul Cain's 1988 "three part prophecy" beginning with the 1988 Bush/Quayle presidential election.  

1. “George Bush is not fishing, he is hunting for quail right now. But quail will be behind the bush..”

On the 16th of August 1988 George HW Bush selected little-known 41-year-old Senator Dan Quayle as his running mate.

2. "Within one year after George H Bush is in office I am going to deal a death blow.. I am going to knock the wind out of communism.' 

3. 'I am going to raise up the residue or the remnants of communism and it is going to marry/join/mix with the spirit of Islam.. Together this will form an empire that will be led by the Antichrist. It will have tremendous power in Europe, but the church in Europe, particularly in London and Berlin will rise up and stand against this thing and do great exploits."

The full narrative can be found on: Mike Bickle in Nürnberg Sept 6th 1992 (kingdomimpact.org)

Richardson freely admits that scripture does not seem to point to a coalition between Communism and Islam, and he affirms that they have no ideological connection. Nevertheless, having set the scene, in typical Richardson double speak, he essentially props up his own theories with Cain's prophecy and a further "prophecy" from a unspecified Pentecostal minister: "The events in Afghanistan probably is the beginning of this marriage in the spirit between communism and radical Islam."    

It is true that both both China and Russia are seeking to befriend the Taliban at the present time, and they may well form a coalition. However, we need to be very cautious about how end time prophecy will play out. Anyone giving credit to someone of Paul Cain's dubious reputation is very foolish. Where the scriptures are silent, we should be silent. Even if Paul Cain's information is correct, we know that Satan is a liar and cannot ultimately be trusted. (John 8:44).

Richardson continues and quotes an unnamed Pentecostal minister who had a dream that seemingly confirms the third part of Paul Cain's prophecy. (25:00 mark)

"He shared a dream where he saw a wheat field.. at night.. Above the wheat field was a crescent red moon with a star above it, and it was red. It was a bright crescent red moon with a star, and then it went down, and then he saw the harvest taking place, and then as it rose back up, this bright red crescent with the star, the harvest continued. ..it looked like the former soviet red flag with the hammer and sickle.. and also resembles the Chinese flag and then of course the Turkish flag which is red with the white crescent moon and star with five points. In his dream the star actually had six points. His impression, what the crescent represented was a merger between Islam and communism. It dovetailed with the word that was shared by Paul Cain in the 80's.."

I will not comment on an anonymous "prophecy" or a "prophet" that Richardson refuses to name. Why hasn't this "prophet" gone public if his dream is truly from the Lord? 

Scripture always trumps prophecy!

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).

Paul Cain endorsed false teacher Joseph Prince in 1992. {4} He also endorsed and transferred his "anointing" to Todd Bentley. {5} Paul Cain also claimed to have had a dream in which he saw God put His Spirit upon President Clinton and change him into another man in an identical manner to King Saul in 1 Samuel 10. {6} 

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

Paul Cain and his protégé Todd Bentley are both doctrinally and morally bankrupt ~ they have neither sound morals or sound teaching! These charlatans have absolutely nothing to offer that any true Christian would benefit from, on the contrary. 

Joel Richardson's concerns for the Christians in Afghanistan might be more convincing if sound doctrine and the spiritual wellbeing of the Body of Christ was on his agenda! 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1).

1. Preacher sells debt removal through prayer | ABC7 Los Angeles | abc7.com - ABC7 Los Angeles

2. Facebook
3. (6) Shawn "Smart Phone" Bolz: Cold-Reading False Prophet! - YouTube

4. (33) Paul Cain Prophecy on Pastor Joseph Prince (1992) - YouTube
5. (33) Paul Cain transfers His "Anointing" to Todd Bentely - YouTube
6. thebereancall.org

Further Links:

Prophet Paul Cain (letusreason.org)
Apologetics research resources on religious cults and sects - About Paul Cain (apologeticsindex.org)

JOE SCHIMMEL: PREWRATH VERSUS POST-TRIB RAPTURE VIEWS

(2) Wednesday Night Bible Study - YouTube

Next Wednesday Joe Schimmel will contrast the prewrath and post-trib rapture views in 'The Day of the Lord - Part 2'. 

Joe Schimmel: "Our prewrath brethren believe that the tribulation ends with the sixth seal.. they believe that the trumpets and the bowls are not really part of the tribulation period but God's wrath, and that we are out right before that... What they are calling the day of the Lord is the tribulation still.. prewrath is not truly post-trib because what they call the day of the Lord is the tribulation period."

It will be interesting to see how Joe Schimmel will reconcile his views with Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-17. Matthew 24:29 specifically states that the sixth seal cosmic disturbances occur immediately after the tribulation. I think next weeks video will be important for believers to consider. 

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. 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 the heavens 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. Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

EMMA STARK: ANGEL ENCOUNTERS?

(30) A Six-Winged Seraphim Angel Appears in Her Room | Emma Stark - YouTube

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are Angel Encounters Biblically Normative?

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

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

Luke 1:11-20, 26-38 - An angel appeared to Zacharias regarding John the Baptist. 
Luke 1:26-38 - Gabriel appeared to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-20, 2:12 - 13, 19 - 21 - An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in three separate dreams.

Luke 2:9-15 - Angels appeared to the shepherds.

Matthew 4:11 - Angels ministered to Jesus Christ.
John 5:1-4 - An angel stirred the waters in the pool of Bethesda. (probably non-physical).
Luke 22:43 - An angel appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him.
Matthew 28:1-2, 5 - 6, Mark 16:5 - 6 - An angel appeared twice near Jesus' tomb declaring to Mary, Mary Magdalene and others that the Lord had risen from the dead.
Acts 1:10-11 - Two angels appeared to the disciples following Jesus ascension to heaven.
Acts 5:17-21 - An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and released the apostles from prison.
Acts 8:26-38 - An angel appeared to Philip.
Acts 10:3-7, 30 - 32 - An angelic being appeared to Cornelius, in a vision instructing him to seek out the Apostle Peter. 
Acts 12:1-10 - God sent an angel to release Peter from prison.
Acts 27:23 - 24 - An angel appeared to Paul in a dream.

Revelation 1:1-2 - An angel was sent to the Apostle John on Patmos.

Revelation 7:2;  9:14; 10:8-9; 11:1-2; Revelation 17; Revelation 22:6-11 - John's vision on the Isle of Patmos.

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

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

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

Zechariah 3:4. The angel of the Lord takes away the sin of the high priest Joshua. {2} 

Emma Stark upstages the prophet Isaiah!    

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

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

The Holy Spirit

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

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

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

British Isles Council of Prophets

Emma Stark administers the British Isles Council of Prophets.

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

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

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

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

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

(30) Prophetic Dateline | 21May2020 | Cindy Jacobs with Emma Stark - YouTube

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

Above: The infamous Cindy Jacobs names three NAR "prophets" from Great Britain. 

*I have previously written a number of posts about Simon Braker who is based in Leicester. {4} 

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

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

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