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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@88momart please quote scripture in the Holy Bible that says tongues are not valid today. I believe in tongues, but I do not think the majority of people who call themselves christians are speaking in the same tongues as the Bible teaches about. Although you lay claim that the bible teaches tongues are not valid today; well I have studied the bible pretty good and I am calling you out to back up your statement. Guess what I know you can't do it. But the tongues we hear today are not the same.
spitfireknls 1 month ago
The caller claimed to believe in speaking in tongues, because it "happened to him" When will people understand---we are not to define our beliefs by our experiences, but by what God's Word says about it. A study of Scripture plainly teaches, "tongues" are not valid today...no matter what you've "experienced". Don't be deceived.
88momart 7 months ago
@denoinwa Still defending satan's pimps? Wow, how your mind distorts the Truth so you can defend these flakes is simply a scientific marvel............And you have the arrogance to quote Rom. 15:9 referring to PAUL, who was the complete OPPOSITE of these glory-sucking, money-grabbing bastards who sling demonic muck all over the Son of God.......you will surely share in their rewards.......
MarkGJudy1 7 months ago
@phoenixangel1120 You need to get out more.
denoinwa 8 months ago
@denoinwa if you want to learn more about the charismatic church,see john todd on the topic...thanks
phoenixangel1120 8 months ago
@phoenixangel1120 Romans 15:9 They (the gentiles) were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have FULLY presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.
The scripture you have quoted refers to people who demanded signs and wonders out of unbelief, not people like you who disdain signs and wonders out of unbelief.
denoinwa 8 months ago
Please I am so confused? I don't know it anymore... how is it all possbile that this happens in the name of Mighty JESUS..??
joellie2010 9 months ago
I do not believe all the "signs and wonders" churches are of God..
the occult has these kinds of signs and wonders..hinduism, buddism, all kinds of occult.. so this guy is right..
we need to stop thinking the Holy spirit is a toy...this is all to give the Lord's giftings a bad name.. we know the gifts of the spirit, GIFTS of healing, encouragement, prophecy, wisdom, etc..
use your God given wisdom and discernment..
it's deep within you...you know this is NOT of God..experience is NOT God .
Chey60 1 year ago
it is an evil and a perverse generation that asks for signs and wonders...
phoenixangel1120 1 year ago