Why the ‘alleged’ revival in Lakeland, Florida should invoke caution…
You may never hear about it, or it may become the next ‘big’ thing in Charismatic circles. Is it real? Is it fake? Is it revival?
First, let me say that at this time (5.7.08) what is taking place in Lakeland, Florida is not similiar to The First Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, The Welsh Revival, or even the Azusa Street Revival. All of these examples were characterized by a deep sense of repentence, great sorrow for sin and a powerful renewal of simple gospel truths. Even, Azusa, the beginning of the modern pentecostal movement in the U.S. had this element of repentence and deep sorrow for sin.
So far, this is not what is being reported concerning the ‘revival’ in Lakeland. Does that mean it is not a genuine move of God? The verdict is out on that one. The presence of ‘alleged’ healing miracles doesn’t by itself prove that what is going on in Lakeland is a revival, or even that it is from the Lord. Jesus said (21)
Please note that Jesus mentions some pretty heavy stuff - ‘prophesy, exocism and mighty works’. You would think that this would be somekind of ‘ironclad’ authentication, but no - it is only those who do the will of the Father. Notice that Jesus calls them ‘workers of lawlessness’ i.e. those who live in ways that are profoundly contrary to the word of God. They are not just weak, or immature - they are ‘workers of lawlessness.’ At the very least we have one very plain criteria for judging the legitimacy of ‘alleged’ wonders - whether that ‘ministry’ is backed up by godly character.
This brings me to raise a question about what is taking place in Lakeland - Why would Todd Bentley associate with a known scondrel like Paul Cain? I myself was duped by Cain’s incredible ability to call out details concerning peoples lives that were unknown to him in any ordinary way. I must say that the experience of observing this in action is quite terrifying and awe-inspiring. Yet simultaneously while ‘prophet’ Cain was teaching that God had taken away his desire for sex, and had called him to a life-time of singleness he was engaging in homosexual behavior. This was not a ’slip’ but a long-term concealed reality. Mr. Cain also concealed a long-term alcohol addiction, one so severe that he on more than one occassion was observed publically intoxicated. All of this was concealed from the likes of John Wimber, Mike Bickle, Jack Deere and a number of other nationally known Christian leaders.
I believe in grace, and I believe in restoration. But for repentance and restoration to be possible there needs to be a significant period of discipleship, counseling, and pastoral care to the fallen person. After Paul Cain was exposed (which he initially vehemently denied, and wrote on his web site that these allegations were totally false) he briefly received some ‘care’ to try and restore him. I know the gentleman that was tapped to provide the pastoral care and oversight, a wonderful man named Larry Alberts (a friend to Ray Nethery and the ARC). Paul Cain refused to continue in this path of restoration. As recently as last year, Jack Deere posted a note on his blog that Paul Cain had not be willing to allow for a process of restoration to take place.
Sins of the nature of homosexuality and alcoholism are chronic, life controlling problems. The develop over many years, and they highly habituated problems that typically require time (a good deal of time) to be reasonably ameliorated. Now, assuming several years of hard work, prayer, meditation, accountibility and so on had taken place (which it did not) - still that person may need to permanently remain out of public ministry. Now I don’t believe that applies to every one who fails in ministry and needs to be rehabilated. Some people fall, but that does not represent a life controlling issue for them, but a situational problem which has overtaken them. This is not the case with Paul Cain. He, in his 60’s was engaging in this behavior and had been for many years (always concealing it). I believe this is exactly who Jesus had in mind when he said - ‘depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Paul Cain’s great concern ought to be with his soul, not public ministry.
Todd Bentley, is aware of these issues with Paul Cain. Why, would he associate himself with Cain?
Second, Todd Bentley has publically stated that he is ‘reinstating’ the ministry of William Branham. That name may be unknown to many who are reading but follow this link to find out more. William Branham, a healing revivalist from the 40’s and 50’s taught the following (as just a few examples) - That he, Branham was ‘the’ messenger to the seventh church age. He taught that the doctrine of the Trinity came from Babylon and the Roman Catholic Church. He taught that Eve had sex with the serpent in the garden and conceived as a result. I could go on, but these are examples of what Branham actually taught, from his own mouth.
Todd Bentley claims to receive direction from the same ‘angel’ that directed William Branham - “I first saw the angel called Healing Revival on December 5 of 2000 in Grant’s Pass. The angel came to me again in Albany the next February. He stood in the church service with his body going through the ceiling of the church. Then the Lord told me the angel’s name and that he was the same angel I saw in Grant’s Pass earlier God also revealed to me that this was the same angel that was involved in the ministry of William Branham, John Lake and John Knox. This angel, the Lord said, is from the North West Healing Revival and is manifesting again as a sign that God is restoring the Voice of Healing revival and opening up the ancient wells.” Bentley claims that, whenever Branham’s angel shows up at one of his meetings, he gets…“a supernatural ability in his left hand to diagnose people’s sicknesses, and he also gets correct words of knowledge about details from their lives — just as Branham claimed…Bentley also talks about another troublesome “angel” named Emma”
Once again, William Branham is a well documented heretical teacher. He has a lengthy record of writings which propagate his errors. Branham may also have had an amazing gift for calling people’s secrets out in public meetings. I won’t contest the truth of that. But once again - the bible is much more concerned with love of the truth than it is with spiritual power in someone’s ministry. Don’t get me wrong - I love and believe in signs and wonders and desperately desire to see them flow in out church. But I don’t believe that conceding the truth by embracing wonder workers who deny things like the Trinity is any kind of a deal. I want real revival, not ‘power’ mixed heresy. Paul says in Gal. 5:9 ‘false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!’ Todd Bentley has gone out of his way to endorse Branham and to extol his ministry.
Finally, Todd Bentley appears to have a profound fascination with angels, and their role in his ministry. Andrew Strom writing about Bentley states - he is one of the very few ministers that I have ever felt I had to publicly warn people about by name. -His ministry is that bad. False “angel” encounters of the weirdest kind, gold dust, guided visualizations of the “Third Heaven” that are straight out of theNew Age, etc. And yet there is a “power” with it that makes it all the more dangerous. Click the following link to read more indepth information on Bentley’s angel fascination.
Let me conclude this by saying - I view myself as a person, whom God has gloriously awakened regarding the promise of a greater day for the church, and a great ingathering of prodigals and the lost. I consider myself a ‘revivalist,’ in the sense that I want, and committed to praying and believing God for a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit. I believe that this is desperately needed by the church in the United States and in Europe. I believe that we (American Christianity) are in terrible condition and have fallen away from ’simple devotion to Jesus Christ.’ I believe, with David Bryant, that the church is desperately in need of a ‘Christ-awakening.’ I am committed, for the rest of my life to pray, believe and work for it. I also, very much want to see signs and wonders that are remarkable and on the order of what the apostles did in their ministries. I don’t know if I will see them, but I pray every day that God will bring a anointing of healing, deliverance and power to the church in the U.S.
I believe, that the evidence is growing that what is taking place in Lakeland, Florida is at best a very mixed blessing (with lots of really serious problems and dangerous associations), and at worst possibly a lying wonder meant to deceive and take the church into catastrophe. Paul warned of this in 2 Thess - (9)The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, (10)and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (11)Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false…
Take this as the warning of your pastor, who loves LOG with a father’s heart - Todd Bentley, Paul Cain and the situation in Lakeland is to be treated with great caution, and prayerful word-centered consideration. I believe that if you wait and listen you will see this ‘alleged’ revival prove to be something with little or no value to the church.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Signs and wonders are NOT the revival.
Awakening to the supremacy of JESUS CHRIST is revival.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
When we talked about this last week, a couple scripture verses came to mind from 2 Timothy:
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” (2 Tim 4:3-4)
Hard words, perhaps, but accurate!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Here is an example of comments made by Todd Bentley regarding his visit to heaven - it begins with Bentley claiming that Paul the Apostle spoke this to him face to face in heaven: “Here is what he said to me. “Do you know why I know so much about Abraham?” [So much of Hebrews is based on other things that you just can’t pull from in other scriptures.] Paul said, “When I was in the third heaven, Abraham was with me like you are with me now. Abraham himself shared (information) with me and I simply wrote it” (in the Book of Hebrews). “The authorship isn’t clear because it was Abraham and I; Abraham shared the content with me.” [Much of Hebrews is about Abraham; i.e. Hebrews Chapter 11.]
He said (paraphrased): “Remember, when I was caught up into the third heaven, I heard inexpressible words. I actually spoke with Abraham, and Abraham shared details with me about what took place, about Melchizedek and all these things that only Abraham knew. I authored the book as the Holy Spirit moved on me, supernaturally. Some of what I wrote, I learned by talking to Abraham face to face when I visited him in heaven.” That’s what Paul told me!
Now contrast this with Paul’s words in scripture regarding his heavenly experience mentioned in 2 Cor. 12 - (4)and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. Bentley gives details that are so ridiculous that one can hardly even take them as anything other than a joke. But what makes them so seriously in error are Paul’s own words about his experience. If the writer of 2/3 of the N.T. is not allowed to reveal details about his own experience - how dare anyone lay claim to this kind of revelatory experience!
May 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Brothers and sisters,greetings to you and blessings in the name of Jesus.What is needed is discernment from the Lord in regards to what is happening in Lakeland Florida.We must test the spirirts to see if they are of the Lord or not.Do not be foolish to rush headlong into something if you do not know if it is of the Lord or not.Just beacuse someone says it is of the Lord and all kinds of weird and wonderful things are happening doesn’t mean it’s of the Lord.The enemy of our souls is clever and a lot more than we are and he knows us better than we know our selves and he knows how we can be so easily we can be deceived.Adam and Eve walked with the Lord and look at what happened there.We must therefore seek the Lord and ask him what is happening in Lakeland and is it a move of his spirit or demonic spirits.Remember what Jesus said in Matt. that many would come in his name saying that he is the Christ and would perform many miracles in his name to the point that even the elect might be deceived.I am not saying what is happening in Lakeland is of the Lord or not but we must use extreme caution and ask the Lord for a spirit of discernment.One thing I do see is that this goings on in Lakeland is causing a lot of christians to take sides,to argue with one another,to attack one another,to back bite and many other negative things.All of this brings division and that is not of the Lord.Once again I say use extreme caution and tread carefully but most of all prayerfully.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Here is some interesting comments on Paul Cain from Rick Joyner unless of course you have issues with Rick Joyner…quite frankly I have issues with many Christians I am glad that I have all the truth…Ha Ha….fyi
What about Paul Cain?
When Paul Cain appeared on the platform of the revival in Lakeland it caused quite a reaction, jamming my personal emails to the point where I thought for a while it might be impossible to answer them all. Some were disconcerted about Paul’s appearance, others by some of the things he said, and others were simply asking if Paul had been restored yet.
The reason why Paul was invited to the Lakeland revival was that he had prophesied that “the last-day ministry” would begin in Florida. I have personally heard Paul say this many times over the years and questioned him about it in depth. I believe it is a true prophecy, and when I heard that Paul was saying that what was happening in Lakeland was the fulfillment of this prophecy, I was very interested to hear what he would say about it.
I also felt that Todd Bentley was right to honor Paul by bringing him to that meeting and letting him share the vision he has carried for so long. As I have shared in the previous Special Bulletins, I think it may have begun with a devotion to honor the fathers as I was shown in a dream. As I was later shown, this was because it was by the dishonoring of fathers and fatherhood that a gate of hell was opened that released much of the evil which has taken a grip on the nation. I consider Paul Cain a spiritual father to us personally and to a number of the important works that have been raised up in these times for “the last-day ministry.”
The commandment to honor our fathers and mothers does not say they have to be “perfect” ones or there would be none to honor. We have all fallen short of His righteousness. Some of the greatest heroes of the faith in the Bible made some of the greatest mistakes. Paul Cain has had some serious failures in his life, but even when Mike Bickle, Jack Deere, and I were compelled to release some of these matters publicly for the protection of the church, I never ceased to consider Paul Cain a hero of the faith, and one who possessed one of the greatest prophetic gifts. Even so, we all knew that if Paul did not submit himself to a real restoration process, he would be a serious danger to himself and others. We could not be true shepherds or watchmen if we allowed that to happen without sounding the warning that we put out.
Later, Paul submitted himself to a restoration process and they declared him restored to ministry. When those who had led this process explained how they had accomplished this so fast, it set off more alarms in me. Some of the communication I had with them and with Paul only solidified my doubts. Even so, I had a great hope that I was wrong, or even if I was right about the validity of their restoration process, that the Lord would intervene some other way so that Paul could be delivered from the powerful strongholds that had taken such a grip on his life.
I kept that hope until Paul spoke in Lakeland about “the allegations” about him and his assertions of having lived a celibate life. That was pretty overwhelming evidence that he has still not repented of these serious transgressions. What Paul called “allegations” are abundant and overwhelming evidence, which Paul has admitted to. However, admitting something is not the same as repenting of it. As long as there is blame-shifting, an attempt to cover them up, or dilute the seriousness of them, the restoration process has at best fallen far short of its purpose.
As it has been reported that Todd would not let Paul come back on the platform after he asserted that he had lived a celibate life is a credit to the integrity that Todd is trying to maintain in his ministry. If Paul had even just said that he had made serious mistakes in his life and owned them just a little, it would have given me hope, but it seemed quite clear to me that not much has changed with Paul, and in fact, they are getting worse. Even so, I am resolved to not give up on Paul for as long as he is with us. I long for the day, as I know Jack and Mike do also, when we can assert that Paul is free of the serious strongholds in his life and should be restored to ministry. Presently, my concern for him grew considerably after his night in Lakeland.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Please see “A Call for Discernment” by going to http://www.justinpeters.org. Justin is an evangelist and in addition to expository preaching, also holds seminars on the “Word of Faith” movement. He has cerebral palsy and concurs with the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
To God be the glory!
Caron Strong
Los Angeles, CA
June 19th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Gary S. Grieg, a Christian theologian addresses the objections of the Lakeland Outpouring. A good read: http://www.box.net/shared/k851k65ko4