Editor of Charisma Magazine, Lee Grady, published an article on a topic called "Can We Avoid a Charismatic Civil War?" Below are some large extracts from the article - with my comments at the end. Friends, this is a topic that truly concerns us all:
Lee Grady writes:
"Some leaders say the controversial Lakeland Revival is forcing us to choose sides. But I don't believe God wants to split our movement.
"It's been more than 10 years since charismatic prophet Rick Joyner
predicted in his popular book The Final Quest that believers would experience a Civil War in the church. Joyner's book, based on a series of visions he says God showed him, describes in graphic detail a turbulent conflict that redefines Christianity as we know it.
"Other charismatic leaders have echoed this theme since Joyner's book was published in 1996. They have predicted that our movement will be divided between "Blues" (those who constantly live in the supernatural realm of dreams, visions and miracles) and
"Grays" (those who rely more on their intellect), and that the Blues will win and usher in true revival as champions of the Holy Spirit's power.
"Even in early 2008, before the Lakeland Revival erupted in Florida
in April, some charismatic prophets were declaring that a great rift would divide those who believe in "the glory realm" and those who have a more conservative, left-brained approach to their faith.
When God TV began its nightly broadcasts of evangelist Todd Bentley's healing meetings in Lakeland, the Civil War prophecies reappeared overnight on hundreds of blogs and e-mail blasts.
"I'll admit I was not paying too much attention to these Civil War predictions 10 years ago. But I was jolted into reality in May after
I wrote an online column in which I raised honest questions about
some of Bentley's teachings and techniques. Even though I celebrated his passion and zeal, and praised God for the healings that were reported in Lakeland, I was immediately branded a revival critic and banished to the Gray camp.
"I became the bad guy because, by asking questions, I was 'relying on my intellect.' To those in the Blue camp, my skepticism made me an enemy of the Holy Spirit and all things supernatural - even though I believe that all the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today!
"I tried to laugh this off at first. Surely, I imagined, my Christian
brothers and sisters do not really think it is wrong for a Spirit-filled
believer to test the spirits (which we are instructed to do in 1 John 4:1), discern truth (see 2 Pet. 3:17) or evaluate prophecies and angelic encounters (see 1 Cor. 14:29, Gal. 1:6-8).
"But now I realize that some people really want a war. They want the charismatic movement to split right down the middle. They imply that all those who do not embrace 100 percent of the current movement in Lakeland are "old wineskins" that cannot be used by God in the coming revival.
"I can't even describe how much this hurts because I love people on both sides of this conflict. I love the Blues and the Grays, along with every other color in the body of Christ. I refuse to believe that God is trying to split us. Division is the devil's work.
"I want to plead with everyone in our movement to reconsider the whole Civil War scenario. Instead of rattling sabers and stockpiling gunpowder, maybe we need to take steps in the opposite direction:
1. Let's accept one another...
2. Let's admonish one another....
Because I embrace Todd Bentley as my brother in Christ, I must take a higher road even if I don't agree with his prayer methods or his claims regarding angels. Anything I say, even if it is corrective, must be said in love (see Eph. 4:15).
3. Let's pray for one another (see James 5:16). Jesus prayed that we would be one. There is no record of Him praying that we would split over doctrine. So why in the world would any of us hope for a Civil War?
"Please pray for Bentley - and for the leaders who are speaking into his life during this season. And pray that the church will not only experience genuine spiritual revival but also true unity. Let's work out our differences, support one another's ministries and focus all our efforts on one common goal: To tell a lost world about the love of Jesus." [Source: www.FireInMyBones.com]
Video Credit: FOTM1
More Info:
www.DeceptionBytes.com/NewAgeintheChurch
TAGS: Todd Bentley, FreshFire, Toronto Blessing, John Arnott, Healings, Miracles, Signs, Wonders End Times Visitation Wes Stacey Campbell Steve Shultz Elijah Dreams Last Days Evangelist Stacy Campbell Kundalini Teachers Prophets GodTV IgnitedChurch Knoxville Tennessee Paul Cain Elijah ElijahList.com Elijah List Bob Jones Sharnael Emma Angel Message Messenger Conference Andrew Strom
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this man is twisting things around. if you are not spirit filled and you judge the brethren then you are an accuser of the brethren. if one is for me who can be against me? christ said this. we need healing for the sick for these idiots to judge faith healers is anti christ. there is power in the blood its the holy spirit and Jesus Christ that heals people. i hate to see people bashing and twisting scripture to bash christians that are doing God's will. shame on you charisma magazine.
Freedomcall82 10 months ago
MATT10v7-9,new gosple is INVETED or new messages by churchers preachers,called healings,delivarance,faith,prosperity.people pay for these things to go for and be heal at seminars, crusades,Many will come in my name[jesus christ] meaning in his anointing, christ means antointed one,the antointing do the work but the VESSEL IS UNCLEAN watch out,matt7v21-22,
TheRevaldo 1 year ago
sorry brothers
god bless you !!!! ...wish you a go(o)d time over there
Dirk from germany
heardrock 2 years ago
peoples
Jesus made unspeakable sighns and wonders on the sabbath and HIS peoples start killing him because HI shoudnt do this...it whas AGAINST THE THORA!
but brothers...one question...W H O dit the wonders Jesus dit?
The father HIM SELF brothers...am i right?
its better somebodys heart is getting healt by the power of god than sitting there and judge peoples OF GOD
sorry man but someone had to say this
heardrock 2 years ago
It makes me sick to see men like this twist our Lords scripture for themselves. I feel very sorry for these men because their judgement is going to worse than everyone one elses. This is why I'll have nothing to do with churches. Folks, follow Christ our Lord and no MAN. Stay away from places like this! Be warned!!!!!
SOAMC33 2 years ago
Continued..... or be surprised and skeptical when He does. Of course we walk by faith, but isn't faith what is employed when we believe that a person's healing is a result of God's power when we pray for them, rather than relying on a human explanation?
fidelitydeer 3 years ago
"It's not an experiential walk of life" - talk about a contradiction in terms! I hear what you are saying, but at the same time the Bible is full of the descriptions of people's own experiences of walking with God, often miraculous. So should we now expect that God has stopped being supernatural? I agree that leaning too heavily on experience creates immaturity, nevertheless God is the same yesterday, today and forever so we shouldn't expect Him to have stopped moving supernaturally in our times
fidelitydeer 3 years ago
you need to open your ears
ihaveaverybadcold 3 years ago
What barkin? Not the ones I've been to, besides all I saw was people getting healed and delivered,,maybe you guys should go to one and be delivered from your religious spirit and swim into the "TRUE RIVER OF LIFE"
noemisministry 3 years ago
i agree
tsidkenu223 3 years ago