Todd Bentley “Meet The New Thing – Same As The Old Thing”
by Mike Oppenheimer
Let Us Reason Ministries
“Will We get Fooled Again?”
The newest wandering star breaking forth on the on the Signs and wonders scene is–Todd Bentley a Canadian evangelist from Abbotsford, BC, Canada. He and his team hold crusades in over 55 nations where they say, “Thousands have been saved, healed and delivered.”
“In his late teens, Todd had a dramatic encounter with the saving and delivering power of God. This experience brought Todd out of a lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction without cravings or withdrawal symptoms. He was also delivered from a lifestyle involving criminal activity, youth prisons, drugs, sex, satanic music and bondage. ‚ Todd’s miraculous conversion to Jesus was much like the Apostle Paul’s on the Damascus road. Todd was instantly transformed into a radical disciple and soul winning evangelist for Jesus.” (Website– About Us Todd Bentley’s Personal Profile).
“Saved” at 17, shortly after he began preaching and He also began prophesying during this time.
In his Bio– God has drawn Todd into deep and intimate places of prayer. ‚ These extended times in God’s presence has released a fresh prophetic and miracle-healing anointing.
He wants to “see others set free through the anointing of the Holy Spirit and to see others come into the reality of intimate relationship with Jesus. This we are told is done as “He ministers prophetically, corporately and personally as well as brings forth the word of God with the power and demonstration of the Spirit — God confirming His word with signs and wonders following. ‚ God has released an increase of the healing anointing into Todd’s life to the point where the blind see, the deaf hear & growths dissolve as Jesus still heals every sickness and disease.”
Wow, these are just a few impressive marketing phrases that do not compare to the supernatural stories that surround him. His ministry is called, “Fresh Fire ministries International: Apostolic Network.” After a short visit to Ignited last year Bentley was invited by Strader to return. He has been conducting “healing meetings” (twice daily) in Lakeland since April 2. 2008. The 700-seat sanctuary of host pastor Stephen Strader’s Ignited Church is filled up as people have been waiting for hours for the doors to open. It has now been attended by more than 20,000. Steven Strader is the son of Karl Strader former pastor of Carpenter’s Home Church that launched Rodney Howard Browne’s ministry in the US. The TBN broadcasts carried its services and the church was influenced to believe this kind of preaching and behavior is what revival is about.
Like previous revivals people from all over are willing to fly to Lakeland to catch the revival fire and bring it back to wherever they live, not knowing that if it is God, you are unable to capture Him (or His anointing) and distribute him (or it) to others. Instead of people getting saved they are getting people lost- by listening to a mans experiences of the supernatural that are both unbiblical and untrue.
This revival has all the spiritual sensations and activities of the other revivals combined: roaring, groaning, burning sensations in the body- head and stomach, shaking, jerking, spiritual drunkenness and uncontrollable laughter and then some new manifestations. People have their eyes rolled in the back of their heads. Reports of women gyrating and pulsating like they’re being ravaged from behind by some unseen force. Holy or un-holy may still debated by some but to those of us that are knowledgeable on the previous revivals and the power of the occult, the jury is in- Maximum unholiness, the source is not the God of he Bible. This may disturb some, but if they will use their Bible, pray and think it through, they will gain discernment and spiritual understanding.
The shakes, jerks, twitching, frozen stillness, laughter and falling to the floor have all been standard in revivals since Hinn passed “it” on to to Rodney Howard Browne which came through Randy Clark and filled many of the Vineyard churches. It continues today, the only difference, this time the conductor of this orchestrated supernatural hodgepodge is Todd Bentley. When it comes right down to it Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring is just another chapter added to the various “false revivals” of our time. This revival is a continuation of Pensacola, that came from Toronto that came from Rodney Browne that came from Benny Hinn, etc, etc.
I’m able to say this because I have studied these revivals from when the Kansas City prophets came into the Vineyard churches, which began in the 80’s ” ¦ and now this.
Bentley has been doing the miracle ministry for over 8 years:
“It wasn’t long and he began to pray for people who needed fillings. Seven people received Gold teeth last night. ..One lady was standing at the front and while waiting to be prayed for received five gold teeth in a row. Not just filled, but buldging with Gold. People were being healed in there seats, others heard the instruments prophesy in an audible voice, over the two nights there were salvations and more healings (Source: Message posted on the pro-Toronto Blessing New Wine mailing list (item on file), March 22, 1999) -underline mine-
“Diamond dust manifestations of God’s presence have appeared in meetings led by Evangelists Todd Bentley in Canada and Ian Turton in Australia. There have been other places where they have appeared also, but it seems that they are not as commonplace as the gold dust and gold dental miracles. According to Todd, they look like fine sparkly ” ground glass” , reflecting light in beautiful colors” . (Message posted on the pro-Toronto Blessing New Wine mailing list (item on file), Feb. 16, 2000).
Once we identify the people todd Bentley associates with, the angels that work among him (which he claims to have constant experiences with) ‚ we can then understand exactly what this is all about.
Bentley: “has shown no sign of leaving since an angel, he said, visited him the day after he arrived.
Prophetic minister Bob Jones told Bentley he believed the angel’s name was “Winds of Change” –the same angel, Jones said, that visited healing evangelist William Branham in the 1940s.” ‚ (Paul Steven Ghiringhelli in Lakeland, Fla. Asst News Editor, Charisma) http://www.charismamag.com/news/archives/042208d.html
” ¦the second night of the Lakeland meetings” ¦he said he saw an angel he described as carrying the “Winds of Change.” “Asking him to describe this angel, Bentley replied that those familiar with the life of William Branham would recognize the angel from being a relevant factor in his healing ministry. He felt that this angel’s appearance signaled a “shift in the atmosphere” for the meetings and felt that an openness for revival had been ushered in.” (Teresa Neumann, Reports of Revival Breaking Out in Lakeland, Florida
http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Act=read&status=revival&Id=132&pid=954&bid=923
“He has prepared you for such a time as this … there is a Branham anointing on you and a double portion of it!” Che Ahn to Todd Bentley (Lakeland Revival -April 24 2008 – from God TV).
Bentley is well read up on Branham- he describes how he conducted his services in detail in his article ” ˜Living in the Supernatural” May 25, 2003. “When people would come on the platform to receive healing and Branham entered that realm, he would go into visions and tell everyone many details of their life. He did this only as a sign that the Lord would heal them. People would wait in healing lines for hours. They would have to get a card with a number to get into the healing line to even get prayer. He would wait for an angel to come and stand behind him on his left side. He would do nothing until the angel arrived.”
The ‚ beginning of the prophetic movement goes back to the 40’s where there began what certain Pentecostals call the “Healing Revival.” It continued from 1947 to 1957, led by Oral Roberts, T.L. Osborn, Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, and O.L. Jaggers. Gordon Lindsay’s Voice of Healing magazine recorded many of their astonishing stories. And there was also William Branham who stood out among them all as “the healer and prophet.” The Pentecostal Healing Movement was transformed by a number of new teachings he introduced. It was called the Latter-Rain, which began in Canada from Branham who laid hands on the leaders.
From the beginning Branham had unusual manifestations which he attributed to his angel. “The power invested me by my commission given by Almighty God and ministered to me by an Angel, a Pillar of Light” (The Revelation of the Seven Seals p.112-113). Branham admits the angel is a pillar of light (this will become important as we look at Todd Bentleys experiences with angels and light). The angel that William Branham had was actually a powerful angel of light- a demonic entity that masqueraded as the angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit of God. This entity appeared throughout Branham’s life from early childhood and eventually led him into all kinds of “serious error.” It is crucial to understand what Bentley is claiming, by renewing the call of William Branham. Bentley’s acknowledgement of his angel as Branham’s angel via Bob Jones (notwithstanding the many other angels that constantly visit him) puts his imprimatur on Branham being used of God. This is not that unusual, many charismatics endorse Branham, the difference is that he is saying this angel is an influence or power in his ministry.
If one examines the beliefs of William Branham that were taught by this angel there is no other conclusion but it being heresy. Branham was guided by this angel his whole life, he claimed the angel was with him night and day. He stated that he was unable to minister unless the angel was at his side (Occult Bondage and Deliverance, Kurt Koch pp. 49, 50). “I’m convinced that It’s the Angel of the Lord” ¦ I’m convinced that, right now, that This is what I’m looking at, this Circle of Light before me, I’m convinced that’s the Holy Spirit! (“Convinced than Concerned” , June 10, 1962). Ironically, Bentley is also Convinced than Concerned.
The healings and prophecies purportedly came through an angel that was always with Branham on stage and continually gave him counsel and revelations (William Branham: His Life and Teachings, Kathie Adler; Narrow Way Ministries, Holbrook, N.Y., 1986; pp. 3-5).
Branham claimed that he was the angel in Rev 3:14 and 10:7, from a supernatural experience he believed that he was Elijah, who would precede Christ’s return before the 2nd coming. Branham taught that the angels to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation were men who appeared at various times throughout Church history bringing new revelation, that he was the messenger of the last Church age, Laodicea. From his angelic influence, he denied the Trinity and called it a satanic doctrine: “Thus saith the Lord,” trinitarianism is of the Devil” (Footprints, p. 606). He taught the oneness doctrine of the godhead “Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the self same person, only in a different form It’s three manifestations of the same Person, or you might call it three offices…. (The Revelation of the Seven Seals, pp.156-157). He at times denied the Son of God was the eternal God. In referring to Jn.1 “Now, in the beginning was the word. A word is thought expressed. In the beginning He wasn’t even God” (The Mighty God Unveiled Before Us, p.11).
Branham taught numerous other strange and heretical doctrines. That God in all ages had skin on him – even before the incarnation. That Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) was sexual sin with the serpent ‚ and that Cain was the offspring (known as the serpent seed doctrine). ‚ Branham believed in three Bibles; the Scripture, the Zodiac and the pyramids were other revelations of God. He taught that denominations were abominations, belonging to any denomination meant you had taken “the mark of the beast.” There are many others too numerous to list here. Those who endorse Branham as genuine, only implicate themselves as being ignorant and immature in the word of God. (see- Branham).
From the Latter Rain of this time period we hear the same “the next great outpouring is going to be marked by all these other truths plus such a demonstration of the nine gifts of the Spirit as the world, not even the Apostolic world, has ever witnessed before. This revival will be short and will be the last before the Rapture of the Church” (Richard Riss, Latter Rain, Honeycomb Visual Productions, pg. 56-57).
Today we hear: “On New Year’s Eve, for 2008, God told Bob Jones that “the third wave was coming.” Todd asked Bob what the third wave was. He said that Toronto was wave #1, Pensacola was wave #2, and the third wave is the “Winds of Change”–this move of God. This move will be a global move, traveling with signs and wonders all over the world! The third wave is here!” http://www.openheaven.com/
The third wave a clich ƒ © coined through Peter Wagner who heads up the apostle/ prophet movement where many of the Kansas city prophets have come under his leadership.
From what I have read and watched in video, when you go to one of these meetings your senses will be assaulted by the enthusiasm of the crowd and Todd Bentleys supermarket of supernatural ideas and revelation experiences that exceed any apostle. As he tells his stories he acts out his induction by psychological and spiritual manipulation in an entertaining package. A servant of God do not speak nor act in this manner. Bentley can manifest the “anointing” by shaking his head back and forth, with his body physically shaking. He will even wave his arms over the audience, shouting, “Fire! Fire! Fire. This is nearly identical to Toronto and Pensacola. And his own ID, shouting “BAM!”
We will examine the subjective, the experiences and revelations he is bringing others into and the objective i.e. the teaching, the new revelation from angels and the inconsistency in his stories with the Bible and within themselves at times.
First: in his ministries Statement of Faith the majority is in agreement with Christian teaching, however there are few points that need to be focused on:
-We Believe in…
Number 1. THE WORD OF GOD–We hold the Bible to be trustworthy, the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Scripture is our source of revelation of God, ” ¦it is the final Court of Appeal on all points of doctrine, life and godliness. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12).
Number 12. FURTHER REVELATION – We recognize that God is continually restoring truth and light to His Church. Therefore, we place no limit on further revelation; however, each must be substantiated according to the Scriptures. http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Id=106
That is exactly what we will do-look to see if what Bentley teaches and practices is substantiated according to the Scriptures when they are read correctly and in context of the authors intent.
This last statement of faith in itself is an oxymoron since God has already finished his revelation and does not continue giving more and more. Instead, we are to learn and understand what is already given. This means we have an open Bible. This has become the modus operandi of Bentley’s ministry and lifestyle.
I personally believe (and have experienced) the power of God and genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit which are given to empower our ministries and lives. Some think that we should just have an attitude of rejoicing for the good reports coming from Lakeland and not concentrate on any flaws. These people often make excuses for anything that does not line up with Bible doctrine because they want to believe and not be critical of someone in ministry. They are willing to accept anything, even when error stares them straight in the face. But a mature believer will not blush and run from an examination, nor fear what man may say but only what God says. We want to be sober minded, on guard, discerning, knowing we are at the end of the age which Jesus warned there would be great signs and wonders to deceive the elect (us). This is what God says, and it is not to be ignored.
Some people have wondered if this is the new age inside the church- well, its operatives have been working inside since the late 80- early 90’s so we should be surprised at the escalation of power in counterfeit miracles and experiences. Because the masses are attracted to SEE a miracle they have become unable to hear, they become deaf to the word of God. In the vacuum of true Bible exposition which they are supposed to grow in they are seeking supernatural experiences that are being promoted by Bentley’s gatherings. Bentely has openly promoted angelic encounters, transportation to heaven and Jesus appearing for years. He is preaching what is not in the Bible and it does not make one hungry for the word but instead desiring for a supernatural experience. Some may ask, why is this wrong? I will hold off on answering this immediately and let you decide after you have read of the experiences and the refutations by the word of God that is living and active- sharper than any two edged sword. What we need is to be in prayer for the many young people that are attending his meetings, that they are not led astray or damaged by what is encouraged for them to do.
The book of Leviticus speaks about piercing and tattoos – that we are not to follow the trends of the world, we are to be sanctified. It is in the last several years that Bentley has thoroughly decorated himself for his ministry. On this site it gives pictures of his tattoos: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2909690/AN-ANGEL-CALLED-EMMA
Putting aside his abundance of tattoos and body piercing it is far more important to examine the teaching and concepts he is putting forth to know whether the source of the supernatural that is taking place is of God or is from another source. How does a sign and wonder deceive? When they are delivered by someone who does not know or teach the word correctly. This is not about someone’s quirky personality but what they believe -teach and practice apart from sound doctrine. You can also know what people believe by the people they associate with; Bentley’s associations should be the first red flag for anyone familiar with the prophetic movement and the Latter Rain proponents. Bob Jones, Rick Joyner, Paul Cain, Randy Clarke, John Arnott (Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship), Patricia King and a host of unknowns that also hold to Latter Rain teachings.
Bentley is a part of “Elijah’s List,” a loose group of false prophets (nearly all) who have intentionally divorced themselves from the word of God in their interpretation and operation of spiritual gifts. They now have an influential internet forum to sell their books, DVD’S and post their prophetic promptings. They daily post every wacky nonsensical prophecy possible, nothing seems to be prohibited. If you think you have heard it all, you have not until read their daily posts.
Lets read just a few teachings from the Elijah list website:
Q: Do psychics have a prophetic gift from God?
A: While there is no verse in the Bible that says that psychics have a prophetic gift from God, there are numerous passages in the Bible that, if taken together, paint a picture of a loving Heavenly Father who gives gifts to every single person from the time of his or her conception. Some of these passages include : scripture references given for brevity- Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13,16 ; James 1:17; Romans 11:29.
(submitted by a reader of our website- Prophetic.TV is a production of Elijah List ministries http://www.prophetic.tv/faqs.php)
Sorry, there are no Scriptures to justify this. All the Scriptures he cited have no explanation of everyone born with spiritual gifts. God gives us natural gifts, not supernatural gifts. Natural gifts are for the natural man. The spiritual gifts only come through the possession of the Holy Spirit, which are to those who believe the gospel, not to everyone born. Yet Shultz says these, “were born with a prophetic gifting from God” they can “use their gifts for their own selfish, and even demonic, purposes If they can’t get this right how trustworthy are they to discern the truth form error? They’re not. This is beyond absurd and scary. It shows us how bankrupt they are in understanding the gospel and the Holy Spirit that works “charisma” in believers only.
In another the article “Debugging the prophetic by Steve Shultz who heads up the Elijah list answers a question- “How and where do you find accountability for the accuracy and fulfillment of prophetic words delivered by the prophets today? Who can I rely on?”
Answer-“When we post any word at all on The Elijah List website– ANY word some think it’s from God and some think it’s NOT from God. So, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Over time, you will decide literally for yourself which words you feel are trustworthy for YOU and/or which prophets you feel have the least or best credibility.
He goes on to say after making a case for prophetic accuracy with Katrina “So, the bottom line is this: just work to decide for yourself which prophet/prophetess you most trust and which you don’t and leave it at that. I believe this is the wisest course.”
Is this how we decide? It is up to an individuals feelings to determine what is true or not. This is not wise nor biblical. We are not to lean on our own understanding, we are to trust in his delivered word. Our trust is not to be in men that prophesy but the God of prophecy. This is a “every man does what is right in his own eyes” philosophy. It is promoting a prophetic free-for-all. When Israel did this they were misled by the false prophets. And what were the false prophets saying? Through their dreams and visions they were telling the people of Israel’s future.
Lets look at who Bentley attributes his influence from- ANGEL[S}
“Now let me talk about an angelic experience with Emma. Twice Bob Jones asked me about this angel that was in Kansas City in 1980: “Todd, have you ever seen the angel by the name of Emma?” He asked me as if he expected that this angel was appearing to me. Surprised, I said, “Bob, who is Emma?” He told me that Emma was the angel that helped birth and start the whole prophetic movement in Kansas City in the 1980s. She was a mothering-type angel that helped nurture the prophetic as it broke out.” http://www.etpv.org/2003/angho.html
A “female” angel ” “there are none mentioned in the Bible, not once. Everytime an angel appears they look like men. They are called sons of God, not sons and daughters of God.
It is crucial to understand the roots of this whole movement that first went through the Vineyard churches through John Wimber spread to the body of Christ. To befriend Bob Jones (who is one among many sordid characters he hangs with) is not good. Bob Jones telling Bentley the prophetic movement was started by a female angel may be more revealing than one would first think.
Bentley has a view of the supernatural that has crippled him from understanding the simple truth from the word. So he has replaced it with his own revelations and supernatural experiences that exceed even the apostles.
Bentley’s whole ministry is focused on angels and false revelatory visions and visitations- from this come the healings.
Bob Jones, was a Vineyard minister (one of the original Kansas City Prophets). Bob Jones was removed from The Vineyard for sexual impropriety? He had women strip so they could ’stand naked before the Lord.” Two women came forward in 1991 and told Vineyard leaders that Jones had used his prophetic authority to touch and fondle them sexually. (Roy Rivenburg, “A Question of Faith,” Los Angeles Times, 28 January 1992, sec. El, P. 8) Jones admitted it and was removed from ministry.
While Jones is repentant, at the same time period he was prophesying that Jesus told him that a certain portion of the end-time church will be an immortal end times army.
Bentley says of Jones “My friend” ¦.Bob Jones (is) a gifted, mature seer-prophet..” Jones has been instrumental in his influence on Bentley and even this so called miracle revival. in Lakeland.
On Bob Jones website we read of him being sick. ‚ (April 12, 2008 Update on Bob Jones)
“We still need to have a fistula placed in his arm in the event he should need dialysis in the future. However, we believe the Lord gave us a miracle and will continue to heal the kidneys and totally restore his health. He is gaining strength daily. We must be good stewards of the miracle He gave us.
There were many long and exhausting days due to effects of the chemicals used to cleanse the bloodstream. Many times Bob was ill and very weak after dialysis. In the process of healing, he lost about 55 pounds, however ‚ his lungs are clear and his vitals are normal.”
They ask ” to pray for his kidney function to increase”
The most recent report “Our last visit to the kidney doctor was a great success. Bob’s kidney function continues to improve; the creatinine level dropped to 3.1 so the doctor removed the perm-cath from his chest last Wednesday” (May, 6 2008).
Why didn’t Bob go to Todd Bentley and be instantly, miraculously healed as we hear others are? Isn’t this what is taking place at the Lakeland meetings? The answer should be obvious ” “ just like the faith healers, when they are sick (and this is serious) they go to a doctor, not to their fellow gifted healers- they know better.
What does Bob Jones believe and teach? These are just a few examples–
He had this to say about Joel’s army, “They will move into things of the supernatural that no one has ever moved in before. Every miracle, sign and wonder that has ever been in the Bible – they’ll move in it consistently. They’ll move in the power that Christ did. Every sign and wonder that’s ever been will be many times in the last days. They themselves will be that generation that raised up to put death itself underneath their feet and to glorify Christ in every way. . .and the Church that is raising up in the government will be the head and the covering for them. So that that glorious church might be revealed in the last days because the Lord Jesus is worthy to be lifted up by a church that has reached the full maturity of the god-man!” (Visions & Revelations, fall 1988.)
Jones describes his hands turn blue, and then they turn purple. And when that happens that means you’ve got some incense that’s gone up. You’ve got some intercession that’s gone up that Papa’s saying yes to.
Jones also states that his alleged healing power came upon him when he was struck by lightning:
“It was about 76. A bolt of lightning. I was inside I didn’t have my wires grounded in the basement down there, and I grabbed ahold of the refrigerator, and lightning hit the wires outside, and a great blue flame came in. And a ball of fire danced all over that basement, and didn’t hurt me. But from that time forth my hands worked funny” ¦. Anytime God is going to start a fire, he starts it with lightning. And you can take a little of that fire and impart it wherever it is needed. And it will start a God’s fire” (Bob Jones, Visions and Revelations, 1988.)
“Bob Jones was told that the general level of prophetic revelation in the church was about 65% accurate at this time. Some are only about 10% accurate, a very few of the most mature prophets are approaching 85% to 95% accuracy. Prophecy is increasing in purity, but there is a still a long way to go for those who walk in this ministry. This is actually grace for the church now, because 100% accuracy in this ministry would bring a level of accountability to the church which she is too immature to bear at this time. (‘The Prophetic Ministry.” Rick Joyner. Morningstar Prophetic Newsletter. Vol. 3, No. 2, Page 2).
This is probably the most dangerous of his statements. In other words God gives us false prophecy because we are immature, unable to be accountable. Just like the Devil to turn the truth on its head. What about the Old Testament prophets, did they not have 100% accuracy in prophecy? And so when these prophets miss it (even 10%, its far more) his excuse is that it’s God’s fault, not ours.
Mike Bickle and Bob Jones relate the story of an angel revealing that God would appear to Bickle in the form of another person named “Don” in a vision or in a dream. Bickle said the vision eventually took place, and part of its message was to show him that “Jesus appears in thousands of different faces to portray something,” Bickle said. “He was trying to say, ‘I’m your friend, I am your familiar friend and I’m going to show you all things so you can move in the power of the Spirit’” (Mike Bickle with Bob Jones, Visions and Revelations, transcript, series of five tapes from the fall of 1988 p.53-60.)
I am your familiar friend may be more like a familiar spirit considering the teachings that have come forth and the activity that took place.
This next statement is proof that this whole revival is orchestrated by the same men who brought it to the church over 20 years ago through the Vineyard:
” And now my government is in place, and in a time of great stress I shall bring forth my next step, for Toronto was a step, Brownsville was another step; My next step will be my glory, and signs like you have never seen before…“ (The Remnant Seed”, a prophecy by Bob Jones at Hamilton, Ontario, March 1998).
Can a revival be genuine when you have the same players that are involved in continual false prophecies, false teaching and other false revivals? I think not.
Florida Outpouring on May 5, 2008-“Paul Cain received numerous, recurring visions and words about the coming faceless generation healing revival. Todd flew Paul Cain in specifically to release that prophecy again and bless the revival. Jim Goll also spoke over the revival as well. It was a powerful night”
So they are trying to make a connection to Paul Cain’s prophecy that has recurred for over 30 years. Certainly he is not a good source and it shows the discernment of the people involved who honored his false vision which is all about the Latter Rain. Incidentally, Bob Jones called Cain “the most anointed prophet that’s in the world today.”
The Holy Spirit will always show what is false to a believer walking in the light, He will not bear witness to the false. But it can take effort and perseverance for one to get through the trappings of the shadows to the light. Paul Cain, was a prophet above prophets among his association of fellow prophets who had elevated him to a super prophet status, www.letusreason.org/Latrain5.htm.
He is one of the few that knew William Branham personally and participated in the Latter Rain of the 50’s. Paul Cain considered William Branham the greatest prophet in the 20th century. Several years ago it was revealed that he was an alcoholic and a practicing homosexual. This was by his own friends the prophets who did not know this for years when it was with them, right under their own noses.
Much like his discipler Branham, “the Angel of the Lord” visited Cain for the first time when he was 8, and then years later Jesus materialized in his car and said he was jealous of his fianc ƒ © and told him not to marry.
His theology is Latter Rain/ Manifest Sons of God/ dominionism. His most important teaching of all Joel’s Army. Cain said “Many years ago,.. I have came to the crossroads of life and I saw a vision of an illuminated billboard on which was written: Joel’s army in training.” This became his message. In 1987 Cain met with the leadership of Kansas City Fellowship and they received him as a father, a prophet over prophets. It was at this time he also met John Wimber and the Kansas city prophets became accepted into the Vineyard movement.
At a meeting in Lakeland Paul Cain was given a place on the platform, it is reported that he publicly said that there were “false rumors” about him and that he had lived a “chaste life.”
Bentley did not correct Paul Cain who basically lied about his indiscretions. (see www.letusreason.org/Latrain25.htm)
The teaching of Joel’s army from both Jones and Paul Cain (and others) also finds itself in Bentleys ministry
(from freshfire website) BECOME A JOEL’S ARMY INTERN!
Under the Leadership of Revivalist/Evangelist, Todd Bentley
“Impartation and prayer time with Todd Bentley Question and answer times”
*Impartation is from the Latter Rain teaching
“Servant hood Weekly soaking, evangelism/outreach”
*(Soaking is an unbiblical way to receive the Holy Spirit that was done in the Vineyard)
September: Miracles Signs and Wonders Conference
“Discipleship
From time to time Todd will have weekly associate ministries and friends blast you in the Holy Ghost
Interns will sit in on Supernatural Training Centre classes once a week”
*Blast you with the Holy Ghost! ” “ it is doubtful this can be the Holy Spirit who is called the comforter. One cannot be trained to learn to impart the Holy Spirit or enter the supernatural, this is all far removed from the teachings of the Apostles in the Bible. (underlines mine)
Spiritual Manipulations and Manifestations
Last year God asked me an unusual question: “Todd, are you ready to pray for people to receive a double portion?” Then, as I sought the Lord for direction in 2008, He brought that question to my remembrance as He said: “2008 is the year of the double portion”— (Todd Bentley: “Prophetic Directions for 2008,” The ElijahList, 1/23/08)
NOWHERE in the New Testament do we read of the anointing being transmitted from one person to another person, nor do the apostles teach of any “double-portion” anointing. This was only related to one prophet- Elisha. This is straight out of the heretical Latter Rain teachings and has absolutely nothing to do with the real anointing that resides in every believer already.
On one video we watch him say “God told me there was going to be a special anointing tonight I saw an angel today. that is going to visit the children” Theres a glory moving into the room ” “a Drunken glory- heavy heavy weight glory, smokin glory, shekinah glory.”
Frankly, when I hear this kind of foolish talk I fear for the person. What did people do when they had a glimpse of the true glory. Moses was hid in a cleft of rocks only to see his passing, in the New Terstament John were astonished and fell as dead. I do not find anyone in the Bible talking crass like this. If you are trained by the truth, word of God you should be able to tell if someone is sound and speaking according to the Holy Spirit by what they teach and how they speak. If you can’t tell or are unsure, then get a biblical education, for it may mean your survival in the times we live.
“Last night was a tremendous explosion of miracles over cell phones! They were coming in so fast that they could barely keep up with the testimonies!! report from Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church says this move of God is the Spirit of Elijah.”
The Supernatural Realms of Heaven: Experiencing God in the Prophetic
In on advertisement of a new school by Todd Bentley and Fresh Fire Ministries combines teaching on prophetic ministry with instruction on how to engage the revelatory realm of Heaven. during this course Todd will teach and impart prophetic gifting to each student in faith that takes this course. Todd’s goal is to share and impart everything that he has learned and experienced in the realm of the prophetic. (EARLY BIRD – $110)
Todd shares many of his prophetic experiences and teaches how to activate spiritual senses. ” ¦Saints, get ready to fly like an eagle into the supernatural realm! “The School of the Supernatural Realms of Heaven” will help launch you there!
Angels Everywhere
“In our ministry over the last year, this angel has come frequently and on many different occasions. When He comes I get a gift. the ability to diagnose people’s sicknesses with my left hand. At times this angel brings words of knowledge; I get very accurate details from God including people’s first, middle and last names as well as nicknames, the year they were injured, the color of their vehicle and the state they are from” (ANGELIC HOSTS- Bentely). Just like Branham and the psychics today, the Bibles gifts do not operate in this way, we do not get the gifts from angels.
Now lets listen to the interview by Patricia King- Extreme prophetic interview
Patricia King: Todd, I remember years ago, you gave me a phone call and you said ” ˜Hey, I’ve just been soaking with Bob Jones and I’ve gone up into the “third heaven.”
Bentley explains: The first time I met Bob was actually in Grants Pass, Oregon. We were sitting in a restaurant and I was really hungry; I knew Bob was a real seer prophet. I thought ” ˜Lord I’m going to get an impartation’. I’ve been having all these encounters and all these visions and experiences already soaking, but I thought ” ˜Lord I need to talk to somebody that’s been walking in this that’s really a senior prophet’. So when I met Bob, I thought ” ˜Lord, I’m going to get an impartation’ and I remember talking with Bob in a restaurant about going into the heavens and what it was and we were talking about the “third heaven” , going into the immediate abode, into that place, the dwelling place of God. And I thought ” ˜That’s awesome!’. I was hungry for it too; I wanted more! ” ˜Cause, up until that point, sovereignly God was just visiting me. And I was just waiting in His presence and sovereignly God was visiting me. And Bob said to me, he said, ” ˜We can go right now!’ And I said ” ˜What do you mean, we can go right now?! We can make the decision right now and enter into that realm of the spirit?’ And he said, “Sure we can! Don’t you have faith, boy?!
So Bob Jones is a senior prophet to Bentley and he sought an impartation by him, big mistake. It was God who brought John and Paul to heaven, we cannot initiate this on our own. Bentley now teaches people can visit heaven anytime they want- that is completely and utterly false. The Bible teaches us that only the apostles were communicated a revelation of heaven, not regular Christians. It was because they were the ones commissioned to teach the church and write the word for us.
The interview continues:
KING: “Well, I remember when you [Bentley] were telling me about it, I got so hungry for it. And right after that Bob was coming to a conference that we were having” ¦ I was going to just ask him all kinds of questions about this third heaven, I didn’t know, because I wanted to know. I wanted to experience God in a new way; and I think we all do; we’re all so hungry for Him, right? But I hadn’t caught yet, because you had told me about the experience but not the faith dimension, so I was just still thinking ” ˜Sovereignty’. God’s sovereignly going to move, take me out, well whatever. So I’m asking Bob questions and Bob, you said ” ˜Well, I do my raptures every day!’. I said ” ˜What do you mean, your raptures every day?’. He said ” ˜I go up every day!’. And I said ” ˜You go up EVERY DAY! I’d love to go up every day!’ And he said ” ˜Well, it’s by faith!” ˜” ¦
Does a person’s FAITH make something like this happen! the faith dimension ? Where’s that in Scripture. Jones goes to heaven everyday, and he teaches others this! Someone who says this may not go there at all unless they repent- this is blasphemous. Where did the apostles teach any of this. They didn’t, but the Latter Rain proponents can because they are doing even greater miracles than the apostles!
Impartations are unbiblical, especially seeking one. One cannot pass the Holy Spirit to another, he is God, he is sovereign.
Grants Pass comes up again– Todd Bentley’s angels are the same that appeared to Branham, to Lake ( he endorses the healing rooms) and others.
” 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 angel was involved in the ministry of John Lake, William Branham, and John Knox in Scotland. 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”
“In our ministry over the last year, this angel has come frequently and on many different occasions. When He comes I get a gift” ”the ability to diagnose people’s sicknesses with my left hand. At times this angel brings words of knowledge; I get very accurate details from God including people’s first, middle and last names as well as nicknames, the year they were injured, the color of their vehicle and the state they are from.” ” I believe the angel showed up in Albany as a sign that God was endorsing what was taking place and that it was opening up a healing well. Everywhere I have seen this angel the miracles continue after I leave and a healing well is established in that church and in that city. When that angel visits, we have another John 5 Pool of Bethesda experience as God releases His approval” ( ANGELIC HOSTS Revivalist Todd Bentley)
Apart from questioning the validity of what God told him, if this is the same angel involved in John Lakes ministry (which I have never read of him referring to an angel) or William Branham’s then we must go to the Scripture and see if there were angels involved in the healing ministry of the apostles. The answer is no, there was not. So then we have a Biblical problem of what source this angel is.
Bentley besmirches John Knox’s name by including him with these men and this angel. As far as the angel in William Branham’s ministry- if this is so then we now have validated a demonic connection from none other than Bentley Himself. For Branham denied the tenets of the faith because of his angels influence. Furthermore, Branham believed this to be The Angel of the Lord that appeared to Moses (same as Paul Cain believed). Now we have Biblical problems escalating because Jesus was The Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament and once he became man, The Angel of the Lord no longer appears. Why? Because he is no longer coming as a messenger ” “ He became man.
Bentley seems to have angels follow him and speak to him nearly everywhere he goes. “Recently, I had an angel come to me in Kansas City. He said, “Todd, my name is Promise, and I’ve come to bring the fulfillment of God’s promises.”
I thought believers were given the Holy Spirit for this. Experiences described by Bentley brought on by an angel are unbiblical and there are so many that it may be beyond all the miracles in the Bible put together.
“In three occasions over the past couple of years I’ve had a visitation from the Lord in which I’ve seen the angel of finance. Every time this happens (in our meetings) there is an incredible financial breakthrough” ”something is opened up in heaven, it invades the earth, and people respond by giving generously. http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Act=read&status=teaching&Id=236&bid=
Todd sees the angel that is going to visit the children, and he’s only seen this angel two other times:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/todd-bentley-florida-healing-revival-1/1818314898?icid=acvsv1
I’m concerned that the angel that Todd has been encountering is let loose to the children and they too are overtaken by the same influence.
“I’m asking God to release the seer anointing to you as you read this article so that you can even see the angelic hosts. Today I want to focus the teaching on the angelic realm and how you can release angels to fulfill God’s word. Recently, I had several daily visitations of angels which lasted for weeks. Since the beginning of this year I’ve also sensed an increase in the presence of angels in our meetings.[ Todd Bentley, “Opening Our Eyes to the Angelic Realm,” http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=1785.]
There is no such teaching of our releasing angels to fulfill God’s word, God sends the angels, man has no control over these angelic beings that answer to God. Seeing angels day in and out (like Benny Hinn) is neither spiritually healthy nor true. But this is the power behind Bentleys ministry, he is caught up in a infatuation with angels and has made contact..
Bentley says “Let angels come right now to win souls in the North, East, South, and West of my city. Father I release the angels.” It is important that we release the angels if we don’t, angels can be bound out of the battle. The Devil can be prevailing in his darkness in a region until we begin to release, bind and loose in heaven, and begin to pray to the Father to release the angelic hosts that we need as reinforcements. ( Fresh Fire Ministries – Todd Bentley – Teachings http://www.freshfire.ca/teaching.asp)
No Christian can be taught to summon angels (it is demons that obey man), one can twist the words of God about them serving us but they cannot find any example of any apostle of believer summoning angels or ordering them around as Bentley teaches (go do a study on angels). This teaching is in the Kabbalah in the occult, and it is also found in word faith teachings. The angel in Daniel did his mission and overcame the fallen angel over Persia without Daniel even knowing there was a battle going on.
Those who have attended this revival bring the ‘anointing’ back with them just as it was done in Toronto. People who go to these meetings and get the anointing begin to see angels . While this may make the Hunters happy, this is a very dangerous precedent that many people are unaware of. ‚ None of this has anything a Christian who wants to grow spiritually should pursue. Paranormal experiences can seem to be of God when they are not. This kind of spirituality makes a person dysfunctional and eventually have a dissonance with reality. The more one experiences it the stronger the demonic element gets until they are taken over.
Angel feathers, gold dust, diamonds falling, seeing angels constantly ” “even female angels, trips to heaven at your disposal, new revelation, extra biblical and even anti biblical revelation, what can be said of this ministry is- participants beware.
