|
Strange Fire and False Anointing
by Jeannette Haley
If someone were to ask you how to determine if we are
in the last days, you might well answer, "The Bible tells us there
will be wars and rumors of wars; earthquakes in different places; famines;
diseases and plagues; divorce and remarriage; lawlessness and hideous
crimes." All of these things are true. No one can deny we are
most assuredly living in such times.
However, there is one vital sign of the end of the age missing
in the above statement; that is, false prophets. Of all the topics Jesus
warned His disciples about, this one thing, false prophets, was repeated
three times in one discourse. (Matthew 24:4, 5; 11; 24.) Why do you suppose
Jesus, Peter, John, Jude and Paul placed such a great emphasis on end-time
deceivers?
The answer lies in the fact that Jesus and the apostles knew nothing
could deceive, devastate and destroy the Body of Christ like the workings
of false prophets. "Well, Jeannette," you may say, "there
certainly are no false prophets in my church or circle of friends or life.
Besides, I'd know one if I saw one." Are you sure about that?
Jesus said in Matthew 24:24: "if possible, they shall deceive the
very elect." "If" in the Greek language in this context
is used to speak of things not merely probable but, rather certain and
dependent on no condition (See Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study
Dictionary, AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN, page 504).
Volumes could be written about false prophets but at this time
I feel strongly led to zero in on the Manifest Sons of God movement. Many
of you have asked us about the Manifest Sons of God, so in this brief
space, we will attempt to give you an overview of this occult presence
in the church today.
The MSG originated from the Latter Rain Movement of the 40's and
50's. In 1946 a major fasting and prayer daily revival center was established
in San Diego, California under the leadership of Franklin Hall. Hall believed
that the prayers of Christians would be hindered if they did not fast,
and the prayers of pagans would be answered when they fasted. His insistence
on fasting was not for the purpose of coming into God's presence in order
to determine the will of God, but rather for the purpose of getting his
way with God--a fanatical zeal for power.
Hall believed in "Christian astrology." He also taught
that all those who applied his teachings would become immortal while living
in their present flesh-and-blood bodies. He claimed there was such a thing
as an "immortal substance" which was seen on those who attended
his meetings as a fine gold or silver, sparkling material. He claimed
this phenomena was "Immortal Heavenly Objects" (IHO's), "Unusual
Heavenly Objects" (UHO's), and "Unidentified Flying Objects"
(UFO's). At this point, some of you may say, "Hey, this sounds familiar!
Glory dust from heaven!" Really?
Nowhere in scripture do we find such a "manifestation."
However, if you were to become involved in the occult, things such as
"glory dust" would be no big deal. Think about it. Is Jesus
being lifted up? Are people being convicted of their sin and born again?
Can Satan really produce visible, material "miracles?" You better
believe it! Who do you think is the power behind lying signs and wonders?
But rather than discuss this further, we need to learn about another "founding
father" of the MSG.
William Branham was greatly influenced by Hall's teachings. Branham
taught what he called "God's Seventh Church Age." Branham literally
believed that he was the "angel" referred to in Revelation 3:14
and 10:7, the prophet to the Laodicean Age, the final era of time. Branham
and his followers believed that the true evidence of possessing the Holy
Spirit was whether or not you followed "God's prophet," which
was Branham.
This false prophet brought forth many heretical beliefs including
his "serpent's seed doctrine" that claimed that Cain was born
of an adulterous affair between Satan and Eve. He denied the Trinity and
taught that the Word of God was given in three different forms: the Zodiac,
the Egyptian pyramids, and the written scriptures. He claimed that his
gift of healing was done by "his angel (and not the Holy Spirit).
To quote from Roger Oakland's excellent little book, NEW WINE OR
OLD DECEPTION, "A good indicator that a false doctrine in the
church is underway is when a teaching projects that man can be big and
powerful while God can be manipulated and made subject to man's plans
and schemes. Clearly the 'Manifested Sons of God' idea fits into this
category." "The Manifest Sons of God emphasize a 'Kingdom
Message' by proclaiming:
- The offices of prophet and apostle will be restored in the latter
days.
- The prophets will call the Church to holiness and rejection of
the world's influences found in the denominational churches. True
sonship with God will come through stages of perfection: servant,
friend, son, and, ultimately, godhood itself.
- The apostles will rule the Church through the establishment of
independent churches, unaffiliated with the corrupt denominations.
The exception would be the denominational churches that leave their
covering and join the movement.
- Through signs and wonders wrought by the apostles and prophets,
a world-wide revival will break out, and a majority of the world will
be won to Christ. The signs and wonders will include blessings upon
those whom the apostles and prophets bless, and curses upon whom they
curse.
- The revival will come as the result of the Church defeating demonic
spirits through prayer, fasting and spiritual warfare, conducted through
intense worship and praise, and by rebuking demonic powers and territorial
spirits. The restoration of praise and worship is known as the Tabernacle
of David, and includes dancing, singing, and exuberant praise in tongues.
- Those who achieve a certain degree of holiness under the direction
of the apostles and prophets will overcome all enemies, including
death, and will become immortal. They will complete the conquest of
the nations before Christ returns. The conquering is done as Joel's
army--an army of immortal beings--bringing judgment upon the ungodly
and all who will not accept the authority of the apostles and prophets.
- Some believe that the second coming of Jesus is in and through
the Church. The Church will become the Christ on earth and rule the
nations with a rod of iron. Others believe that after the Church has
taken dominion over the nations, the Church, glorious and triumphant,
will call Jesus back to the earth and hand the nations over to Him."
"It is obvious that the majority of 'Latter Rain' theology cannot
be supported by sound Biblical exegesis, and instead lines up with occultic
ideas and methodology. It is a noble idea to live a sinless life without
'spot and wrinkle' but, every Bible believer who has an understanding
of the grace of God, knows that our hope lies totally in the finished
work of the cross and not in any goodness of ourselves."
"This teaching seems to appeal to the human weakness of spiritual
pride and the lust for power, which has always opened the door for false
teachings connected with the occult."
Now, for your soul's sake, I am going to stick my neck out and name a scant
few of the popular "apostles," "prophets;" and others
who have their roots, and beliefs, in the "Latter Rain Movement"
as well as other demonic end-time "movements." Here goes:
- Paul Cain
- Mike Bickle
- Rick Joyner
- The late John Wimber
- Bob Jones
- The Kansas City Prophets
- Earl Paulk
- Kenneth Hagin
- Kenneth Copeland
- Benny Hinn
- Royal Cronquist
- Oral Roberts
- Hunters
- Rodney Howard-Browne
- John Arnott
- Wallace Hickey
- Morris Cerullo
- The Crouchs
and nearly every entertainer on the TBN Network.
(If you want more information please order the book, VENGEANCE IS OURS,
(276 pages), by Albert James Dager, P.O Box 290, Redmond, WA 98073-0290).
It is well worth $10.
Some of the more familiar terms the MSG frequently uses are as follows:
- Bride Company
- Christ principle
- people
- Dominion
- Elijah Company
- Feast of Tabernacles
- Five-fold ministries
- Jezebel spirit
- Kingdom principles
- Kingdom theology
- Many-membered man child
- New breed
- New Covenant
- New order
- New Wine
- New Zion
- Overcomers
- Reconstruction
- Restoration
- Serpent's seed
- Sings and wonders
- Sonship
- Spoken word
- Tabernacle of David
- Unity in diversity.
This heretical theology now being proclaimed in thousands of churches
throughout the world today, concerning a great outpouring of power in the
last days upon an elite group of believers, has no foundation in Scripture.
Jesus told us that the gospel would be proclaimed as a witness to
all the nations and then the end would come. But nowhere in scripture does
it declare that there shall be a great revival over the majority of the
world with people coming to Christ as their Savior. Rather, the Word of
God warns us that there shall come a "great falling away." We
are definitely living in that time.
A "falling away" doesn't mean a departure from religion,
but rather, a departure from the truth. That means a departure from the
real Jesus (who is the Truth) and from the revealed, written Word of God.
Remember that there will be a one-world religion, as prophesied in God's
Word, but it will not be true Christianity.
Everywhere we turn we encounter the heretical teachings of the MSG.
And what's even more tragic, we see multitudes of people within the Christian
ranks swallow this poisonous heresy hook, line and sinker. Many even fiercely
defend it against clear Biblical instruction indicating they have been thoroughly
brainwashed. The MSG is lacking in the fruit of the Spirit. Love is not
a priority, neither is care for the poor and needy or giving to missions.
Their goal is world domination at any cost.
The question is, how can a Christian be deceived? Answer: First of
all, by not studying, knowing, understanding and memorizing the Word of
God (See 2 Tim. 2:15). Christians need to be diligent, discerning and not
leave it up to others to teach them everything they believe. Like the Bereans,
they need to check everything they see, read and hear from Scripture (Acts
17:11, Heb. 5:14).
We continually see believers falling into deception because they
do not know the character of God! Rather, they usually define God according
to their own frame of reference. This is the result of the shameful failure
of the church to disciple new believers! People are left to flounder in
the dark and figure everything out on their own. That's one reason why we
must never assume that just because a person attends church or says they
are a Christian that they understand what true Christianity is!
Christians need to know what a wolf looks like--a sheep! (Matt. 7:15).
A wolf appears to be a minister of righteousness! (2 Cor. 11:15). A wolf
also "talks" like a sheep (Ro. 16:18).
Christian beware--pride, arrogance, self-importance and a feeling
of infallibility opens the door for major delusion.
Believers must have an intimate personal relationship with God the
Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This not only comes through
a personal study of the Word, but through prayer. Most believers, sad to
say, do not have an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit is a Person, not a "force" or an "it". He is
not here to grant our every wish and whim, but rather to lift up Jesus,
convict of sin, guide us to all truth and lead us to righteousness (John
16:8-11).
Learn how to test the spirit and the fruit. Who is being lifted up?
Is it Jesus, or is it a person or doctrine, etc.? Is there liberty or bondage?
Are you drawn closer to Jesus with a greater desire to live for Him and
Him alone? Do you experience fear, uneasiness or confusion? Ask the Lord
to show you why.
Learn how to recognize a leader's ultimate goal. Is it to acquire
a following? Gain income? Or is their goal to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ
alone? Some of the signs of a true prophet are as follows:
- Their prophecies come to pass (John 1:29).
- They lift up Jesus (John 1:7).
- They do not encourage a following (John 3:30).
- They make a straight way for the Lord, bearing witness that Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:23).
Is the leader humble? True humility is one of the greatest tests of a
true servant of God. Arrogance, vanity and pride reveals a carnal, unregenerated
heart.
Stick with "winners." If you find a church that still stands
on the unadulterated Word of God, where the leaders love the truth and are
teachable, stay with it. If you know of "good, old saints" who
stand on the faith "once delivered to the saints," fellowship
with them. Learn from their example. Toss out questionable books and treasure
the "classics" such as those by Oswald Chambers, A.W. Tozer, C.H.
Spurgeon John Bunyon and others. Purge your music collection of all hypnotic,
repetitious choruses and words that do not line up with scripture. Study
the lives of the old hymn writers and study the hymns themselves. They were
bought with a price!
Finally, ask the Lord to give you a love for the truth. Ask Him to
give you a fixed heart. And pray you never, ever fall prey to any kind of
delusion.
|
