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Chapter 18 Missing Candlesticks Revelation 1:20 "... the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 2:4-5 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Nothing New Under the Sun Since the beginning of the early Church one tragic story has been told over and over again. This is the story of lost love and fallen Churches. Israel first lived this tragedy in the Old Testament. Then, when Messiah came God's faithful Israel was united with believing gentiles and was called the Church. 93 Unfortunately, many churches have proven themselves to be as frail as old Israel; rising and falling -- rising and falling. However, God's one invisible Church has never failed. (Matt. 16:18) It is founded upon Christ alone and not a man, ethnic group or denomination. In each succeeding generation Christ's true Church is renewed by the Holy Spirit. Its man made denominational labels constantly change but the Spirit of Christ's true Church remains singular. ------------------------------ 93 Isaiah 62:1-2 "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." ___________________________ When a faithful generation of believers passes into heaven their property and name are left to others. The ownership of these resources are inconsequential to God. God only yearns for people that will worship him in spirit and in truth. When one group fails, he finds another people with quick ears and hungry hearts. This is the reason there are so many denominations emerging from the past. Many backslidden groups have become "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." They are memorials of shame to those that have forgotten God. The one true church was founded by Christ and was spread by the apostles. These apostles set up the original candlesticks (churches) which were sometimes removed by apostasy and backsliding. In this chapter we will cite several missing candles and the causes for their removal. These failings are set as warnings for today's generation of Spirit filled believers. Revivals of the Past: Notice that all of the revivals in the following list are documented to have the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost in operation. Most also included the gift of tongues. The following dates are only approximate and often extend over many years. I have omitted some groups because of their blatant neglect of Scripture. Emotionalism and miraculous signs are of no value apart from Scripture and are not legitimate or worthy of listing with the real. The Gospel Train: Since the Early Church -- Waldenses, A light in the dark ages Wax Candles and Tinkling Symbols The Roman Church was first organized by the heathen Emperor Constantine that worshiped the Sun and the Son. His church has caused more spiritual damage then might be imagined. Jesus warned that a great apostasy would arise in the earth. Roman Catholicism was one arm of that apostasy. Its power surpassed the power and wealth of any other nation or government in all of history. It withheld the Scripture from centuries of lost souls. We observe that some righteous men were born into this corrupted system and found salvation. Their salvation came from Christ and not from their church. The Roman Church of Constantine was never one of Christ's candlesticks. WAL-DEN'-SES Of Europe -- God's Light in the Darkness While ecclesiastical Rome held sway over the nations the true Gospel was largely suppressed. Some kept the Gospel alive but were systematically persecuted. One such group was the Waldenses. They maintained a pure Gospel witness for centuries and as their enemies said "since the first apostles." The Waldenses exercised Pentecostal power, which included the working of miracles, prophecy, tongues and healing. About the time of the Reformation their work was faithfully completed as they came under mighty persecution that drove them from their mountain hideaways and into other countries. They finally returned but were so oppressed that the children of the Reformation took the Gospel to them to bring about their renewal. These were truly a long-lived candle and a very special light to the nations! In 1975 they merged with the United Methodists. The Northern Lights (400s - 600s and Beyond) Under Patrick (440 to 493) and Columba (521- 597) the northern churches were totally free from Rome. The historian J. H. Merle d'Aubigné recounts the Gospel influence that long issued from Columba's evangelical complex at Ionia Scotland. This had become the Jerusalem of England and the surrounding region. Throughout the seventh century Rome sent its representatives to subjugate the northern churches. Slowly, it succeeded in its quest. On two pivotal occasions Rome achieved a doctrinal and philosophical victory because the leaders of Ionia had allowed their knowledge of Scripture dwindle. They were unable to answer fundamental questions of faith that were well defined in the Bible and readily known to men of the Word. Therefore, the Church of Ionia lost England and finally its own faith. A few lovers of the Word subsequently tended Columba's flickering candle. These ran up and down through Europe until the dawn of the Reformation. 94 The Evangelical Lollards (1400 to the Reformation) The Lollards were Evangelicals of the best sort. A Lollard said "The essence of the worship that comes from Rome consists in signs and ceremonies, and not in the effectual ministry of the Holy Ghost: and therefore it is not that which Christ has ordained." 95 Their founder John Wycliffe was an Oxford intellect and a man of the Scripture. Miracles attended his ministry, with the most notable being Wycliffe's translation of the first English Bible and his preaching of the Gospel of Salvation. Since Wycliffe came directly out of Catholicism this marked a remarkable advance. His Lollards preachers continued his work beyond the next century when Tyndale and the Scots gave their great witness. Although, the Lollards were roasted for their Evangelical preaching, their candlestick shone brighter than all the fires of Roman persecution. The Lollards were a faithful witness. ---------------------------- 94 The Reformation in England, -- J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, 1853, Reprint by Banner of Truth, ISBM 085151 486 3, V. 1, pp. 45-66 95 ibid., pg. 101 ______________________ Scots Worthies -- Presbyterians (1530s and Beyond) The Scots Reformers started well as they broke off the bondage of Rome and took up the full Gospel of Christ. They believed in personal repentance and enjoyed a full born-again experience. Their prayers exhibited the fervency of warfare as they knew their living would place them in bad or good standing before God. (Rev. 22:14) The Presbyterian Scots exercised Pentecostal power and the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Many successors of the old Presbyterians have failed to keep their father's faith by denying the power of prevailing prayer and rejecting God's call to personal holiness. They idolize their own election while also forsaking God's call for world evangelism. (John 3:16) Modernism has slithered in and has changed the reasoning behind old Presbyterian doctrines, while seeking to justify an unconverted heart and living. Such new thinking stands in total opposition to the old Reformed faith. Thus, the children of the Reformation have extinguished their father's candle. Keys To Reformed Theology First, the Presbyterian's doctrine of "election" was never meant to oppose the need of experiential conversion. Contrariwise, the old Presbyterians believed that "election" described the powerful infilling of the Holy Ghost as the seal of God's selection and approval. Election affirmed that a few privileged individuals (the priesthood) did not hold the keys to Heaven but God alone called and saved. The Presbyterians believed that God called each individual to salvation though the personal work of the Holy Ghost. When a man answered God's call he would then experience a mighty inner conversion. Furthermore, when a man became a true Christian he might then "wrestle with God" in prayer and receive miraculous answers! Secondly, the old Presbyterians believed good works never earned salvation but the salvation experience always produced good living! Yes, the early Presbyterians were HOLINESS to the core! They did not embrace eternal security but believed that their souls hung in the balance of their continued obedience to God's Word. 96 ------------------------------- 96 For those who doubt our contentions read the old book called The Scots Worthys from "The Banner of Truth." The simple reasoning of this volume fully supports our contention. _________________________ We liken modernistic (not all) Presbyterians to the grand battle ship Arizona. She was once a floating fortress of liberty but was at last caught sleeping in harbor. Thus, today she rests dead in her watery grave. The only power and force that she retains is that of a memorial, where, the curios traveler pauses to reflect on past glories. If today's PENTECOSTALS lay down their missionary vision or prophetic anointing we will also be trapped in harbor. Missions keeps us moving on soul saving oceans, while the spirit of prophecy warns us of coming assaults! English Episcopals (1530s and Today) The official English Church was first instituted as King Henry's pawn. Being birthed in adultery it also shared in the persecution of some of God's best people. Righteous men that have been born into that group have had their good influence blunted by the organization. We note that these righteous men received their righteousness directly from Christ and the Scriptures. The Episcopal Church was never a candlestick of Christ although many of its ministers certainly were and are. Remember that God works around the worst of circumstances and is forever calling his people out of Babylon. Today, there is a body of Fundamental and Charismatic Episcopalians that have formed a new Episcopal fellowship. Three cheers for such men of vision! These men and their new Church are true candles for God in our generation. Anabaptist / Brethren (1400s and Forward) The old Anabaptist/Brethren movement emerged directly from both the ancient Waldenses and the later Hussites. All of these believers were one in message and spirit. Their missionary work first spawned the European Reformation and finally spread the Evangelical Gospel to many nations. Early Anabaptist's were Bible loving missionaries in action and in heart. They enjoyed Pentecostal power and all the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. The descendants of the early Anabaptists are now identified as Baptist, Mennonite, Brethren, Moravian and others. Today's PENTECOSTALS embrace the conversion message of the old Anabaptist's as well as their belief in Pentecostal power and gifts of the miraculous. PENTECOSTALS constitute a sort of modern embodiment of the old Anabaptists because of their common emphasis on Scripture, conversion, baptism, and spiritual experience and joyful worship. Today, some of the Anabaptist's offspring continue in mighty faith while others possess less faith, and still others have totally lost their candlestick and the Gospel of salvation. This last group doggedly clings to pacifism and communalism while de-emphasizing the need for world evangelism. I have a current Hutterian publication in which the sayings of Confucius are praised as being more unified and consistent than the Laws of Moses. Further, we are told that "whoever does God's will is a child of the kingdom of heaven, whether he comes from Confucius or from the Church." 97 Finally, the necessity for Christian evangelism is rejected and is not recommended. ---------------------------------- 97 The Plough, A publication of the Bruderhof Communities, Plough Publishing House, Farmington PA, 14357, Number 53, Fall 1997, pp. 36-37 ______________________________ We point this out as a warning to all Gospel loving Christians. We may possess a wonderful name and heritage but our descendants may one day forget God's message of salvation. Our children and those yet to come might dilute or pollute our most sacred truths and forget all that we posses. The enemy of our soul is on the attack. Only the full arsenal of God will keep Satan at bay. We must treasure the fullness of the person of the Holy Ghost! We must hunger for the Word. We must reject men with worldly degrees who add doubts to Christ's Gospel. We must refuse the delights of sin and worldliness! Warn your children and pass to them the eternal keys of God's kingdom. God's candle still burns among many descendants of the Anabaptists! Huguenot Prophets of France (1688 to the Early 1700s) About 150 years after the Reformation, God sent revival during a time of extraordinary persecution. Huguenot pastors had been imprisoned or and made galley slaves. Their Huguenot Children were compelled by the Church and State to fully embrace idolatry and the Catholic faith. Consequently, God intervened and sent his Spirit in accordance with Joel's prophecy. (Joel 2:28) Consequently, for a time nothing could stop the hand of God. Huguenot children exercised Pentecostal power and all the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. They were great lights in a very dark place and time. However, the children grew older and eventually failed to submit their gifts to the direction of Scripture. Unlike the peaceful Anabaptists they took up arms to oppose their enemies. Jesus said to love our enemies and told us to rejoice in persecution. Jesus' teachings must always supersede all "inspired thoughts" of war or killing! In the end the prophet's gifts became polluted and finally died. A second generation of prophets was never seen. Thus, a bright candle was removed in France. If these prophets would have conformed to scripture, all of France might have come to salvation. Prophetic prayers are always mightier than a prophet's sward. Mighty Methodists (1730s and Beyond) In early 1700s Methodism became a revolutionary force in England. Its message was based upon repentance and a deep born again experience. Many ministers and adherents received the Pentecostal baptism and witnessed all the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Unfortunately, as the years rolled by, the faith of many has faltered. I attended a modern Methodist Camp Meeting at the Sheffy Camp Grounds. (Wabash Camp Grounds in the New River Valley of Virginia) One ecstatic participant testified that he was still a shouting Methodist and then gave a living demonstration. Yes, he was indeed a shouting and running Methodist. Unfortunately, that was the high point of the meeting. Alas, God's Spirit was not manifest as in former days. Remember, this was the same camp meeting where thousands of worshipers simultaneously heard the angels sing! 98 ------------------------------ 98 The Saint of The Wilderness, --Jess Carr, Commonwealth Press Inc. Radford, VA, 1974. pp. 400-402 ________________________ While pastoring two Methodist churches I found the membership to be both Godly and spiritual. They were not unlike Pentecostals or any other group that I have known or pastored. These good folks were truly hungry for God and great truth seekers. Unfortunately, all of Methodism is not so happily situated. The high leaders of the Methodist denomination do not reflect the faith of many in their church. Methodist administrators are possessed of another spirit and inspired by a foreign gospel. These dark angels require all pastors to attend schooling that directly attacks evangelical faith and openly attempts to engraft unbelief into the ministry. Today's Methodist leadership is simply promoting faithless Modernism. By implementing their policies, Modern Methodist leadership has effected the removal of God's candlestick from many Methodist congregations. I have heard their teachers snicker at Bible believers as they said the scripture was not factual or inspired. I have seen their Sunday School literature mock "that great getting up morning." Their Colleges have corrupted multiplied generations of Clergy and many of their people have been left with false promises of salvation that are based upon names in membership books. Some ministers confess that they pray for the sick only because it is expected! These hypocrites know nothing of old time conversion and the message of John Wesley. How have the mighty fallen? When Methodist leaders allowed compromises to enter their institutions of learning the great fall began. Now, many deny fundamental faith and Methodism's original Spirit Filled foundation. The Methodists in outlying areas still retain faith and often much faith. A great warfare thus rages with an apostate leadership in control. These leaders give more value to earthly organization than to God or the Scripture. I am sure of this because, I have sat among them and unsuccessfully plead for the truth. Camp Meeting at Cane Ridge (1801) A remarkable revival took place in the beginning of 1800. The camp meeting moved America's soul toward God. The Cane Ridge camp meeting was the largest of these meetings with an estimated ten to twenty five thousand in attendance. This meeting was once called the American Pentecost by reason of the extraordinary move of the Spirit that was witnessed there. Further, the moral fabric of the region was totally reborn. The descendants of that mighty revival quickly forsook their Evangelical roots. They have literally enshrined the Cane Ridge meeting house while despising the operation of God's Spirit. These so-called "Disciples of Christ" embrace every sort of modernist message and immorality. In their great convention they regularly maintain a booth to promote the homosexual agenda. This includes a connected hospitality sweet upstairs! I have letters from a few of their ministers stating that they are glad that their congregations did not expect them to live above sin. These fallen angels openly mock Scripture citers, Bible thumppers and Fundamentalists. I was pleased to pastor a Disciples Church that officially separated from this pernicious fellowship. Truly, the Disciples candle has been removed from the Temple of God! Barton W. Stone participated in the great Cane Ridge revival. While writing he exposed the forces that would one day quench the Camp Meeting Spirit. He told of the first assault that cold and unbelieving clergy made against that move of God. Although, these Modernist would eventually squeeze out revival, God overruled in behalf of Rev. Stone and brought him a miraculous healing. Rev. Barton Stone wrote, "Since the beginning of the excitement I had been employed day and night in preaching, singing, visiting and praying with the distressed, till my lungs failed, and became inflamed, attended with a violent cough and spitting of blood. It was believed to be a dangerous case, and might terminate in consumption. My strength frail, and I felt myself fast descending to the tomb. Viewing this event near, and that I should soon cease from my labors, I had a great desire to attend a camp meeting at Paris, a few miles distant from Cane Ridge. My physician had strictly forbidden me to preach any more till my disease should be removed. At this camp meeting the multitudes assembled in a shady grove, with their wagons and provisions. Here for the first time a Presbyterian preacher arose and opposed the work, and the doctrine by which the work amongst us had its existence and life. He labored hard to Calvinize the people, and to regulate them according to his standard of propriety. He wished them to decamp at night, and to repair to the town, nearly a mile off, for worship in a house that could not contain half the people. This could not be done without leaving their tents and all exposed. The consequence was the meeting was divided and the work greatly impeded. Infidels and formalists triumphed at this supposed victory, and extolled the preacher to the skies; but the hearts of the revivalists were filled with sorrow. Being in a feeble state, I went to the meeting in town. A preacher was put forward who had always been hostile to the work, and seldom mingled with us. He lengthily addressed the people in iceberg style--his influence was deathly. I felt a strong desire to pray as soon as he should close, and had so determined in my own mind. He at length closed, and I arose and said, "Let us pray." At that very moment another preacher of the same caste with the former rose in the pulpit to preach another sermon. I proceeded to pray, feeling a tender concern for the salvation of my fellow-creatures, and expecting shortly to appear before my Judge. The people became very much affected, and the house was filled with the cries of distress. Some of the preachers (cold preachers) jumped out of a window back of the pulpit, and left us. Forgetting my weakness, I pushed through the crowd from one to another in distress, pointed to the way of salvation, and administered to them the comforts of the Gospel. My good Doctor was there, came to me in the crowd, and found me literally wet with sweat. He hurried me to his house, and lectured me severely on the impropriety of my conduct. I immediately put on dry cloths, went to bed, slept comfortably, and rose the next morning relieved from the disease which had baffled medicine and threatened my life. That night's sweat was my cure, by the grace of God. I was soon able to renew my ministerial labors, and was joyful to see religion progressing." The Cane Ridge revival was eventually weakened by a spiritual infection called Modernism. The cold religious doctors of that day labored for quiet congregations in which to plant their life draining doubts. Like the medical men of their time, they first restrained their patient and then drained out the life's blood. George Washington had recently expired through the repeated bleedings of a doctor. His Physician said that at the last the blood came slow and thick. The author of death first inspired both physical and spiritual bleeding. Old doctors of medicine and unbelieving doctors of religion knew nothing of the ways of Jesus who said, "Rise Up and Walk." These doctors did not have the Gospel of Peter and John who sent the lame man forth; walking, leaping and praising God. These knew nothing of the life and power of Pentecost! Today, medical knowledge has wonderfully increased. However, the religious doctors of doubt have not advanced. They still propagate their quack theology by restraining God's people and draining them of living faith! They pierce good Christians with darts of doubt and thereby demonstrate that they are members of the very army of Satan. The Holiness Awakening In the early nineteenth century the Presbyterian Church had cooled and lost the founders vision. This fall came because, Seminaries (i.e. Princeton and Yale) had become the nesting grounds of dead faithless religion. In the process of their education many upcoming ministers traded the Gospel of Christ for the honors of men. Nevertheless, God's Spirit would not be stopped and flowed through America in the great Camp Meeting and Finney revivals. Because the Methodists were opened to God's Spirit, they particularly enjoyed a great increase during this period. However, by the end of the 1800s revival was again needed because, the established churches (now including Methodists) were growing colder by the year. Many administrators and church leaders no longer possessed the fire of their fathers. This decline came because, an increasing number of Seminaries were planting unbelief in each new class of prospective ministers. Some Methodist leaders had studied in Germany99 and returned with a theological virus called Rationalism. Such leaders had traded the Gospel of Christ for the Modernistic spirit of the age. ---------------------------------- 99 The Holiness-Pentecostal Movement in the United States, -- Vinson Synan, Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.41 _____________________________ Because Methodism was cooling, many Holiness groups splintered off toward the end of the 1800s. These groups became identified as the Holiness Churches. These believers were marked by their love for Scripture, separated living and deep emotional worship. The ministry of healing was one strongly emphasized during the Holiness awakening. Unfortunately, some Holiness groups soon rejected the flow of God's Spirit and eventually became reactionary against the PENTECOSTAL segment of their awakening. These did not move forward into the baptism of fire. I have recently observed that it has become increasingly difficult for the old line Holiness Churches (non-PENTECOSTAL) to find spiritual pastors. Why? Without the fresh move of God's Spirit, seminaries always produce PROFESSIONAL IMITATORS rather than powerful PROPHETS. Without a current vision and anointing true shepherds will not be called. The candlestick of the Holiness revival is still burning but not as brightly as in the beginning. The best of the Holiness believers moved ahead in God and received the full Pentecostal baptism. The remainder was left behind to wither in cold unbelief. Pentecostalism (1900 to present) The Holiness movement set the stage for rising PENTECOSTALISM. When Holiness people began to receive the answer to their prayers the PENTECOSTALS were born. Some Holiness folks were startled when they saw the reality of what they were seeking! Holy Ghost filled believers exercised Gospel power with all of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Remember, in every revival of the past the Pentecostal gifts were present. It was only when churches dried up100 that they no longer witnessed God's miraculous power. If PENTECOSTALS fail in their faith their gifts will also cease to function! ---------------------------------- 100 "Dried Up" means to embrace unbelief, set earthly things before God, set man before God, or to leave the Word of God and prayer. ______________________________ PENTECOSTALS are fundamental in their acceptance of the Scriptures as the ultimate guide. Yet, PENTECOSTALS are unique in that they have doctrinalized the work of the Spirit. This is a legitimate step for the continuation of their message. Our doctrines constitute a testimony to succeeding generations. Many previous groups had already doctrinalized healing and the New Birth. Today, PENTECOSTALS have taken their turn in doctrinal statements and many have done an excellent job. Although God is still using modern PENTECOSTALS some words of caution are in order. If PENTECOSTALS hope to shine into the coming millennium some serious difficulties must be addressed today! We pray that our words will be received as loving counsel from a life long PENTECOSTAL. Pentecostal Entanglements 1. Secret Agents Among Us Will PENTECOSTALISM continue as a witness though the 21st century? What could possibly initiate its fall? The Methodists once walked the same path that the PENTECOSTALS now tread. Their fall was initiated through their colleges where faithless professors sewed tares of unbelief into young Theology students. Thus, the Methodists have lost their anointing and glory and stand as a screaming warning to us all. The Sprouting Tares As all church organizations increases in property and age, greater requirements are made of prospective ministers and, thus, studies in Doctrine and Theology are required. This practice is both scriptural and good. Satan, however, is attacking at this very point of necessity, as he brings his unbelieving agents from faithless universities, where doubt is valued more than Scripture. These agents possess the degrees and the recognition of the World but have received Satan's mark (666) of approval for their compromise. Occasionally they slip into PENTECOSTAL institutions of learning. Satan is a cunning adversary! John Bunyan warned of this trap in his description of Vanity Fair. Satan built that place to destroy true Christian faith. Bunyan said that the merchandise sold there is "houses, lands, trades, places, HONORS, PREFERMENTS, TITLES, etc. . . And, moreover, at this fair there is at all times to be seen juggling cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every kind." These sometime gain entrance into great institution to reek havoc and destruction upon our Pentecostal faith. It is the responsibility of all PENTECOSTAL leaders to see that these do not succeed in their mission. A True Account 101 My son was attending a major PENTECOSTAL University and sent me a recording of his required Theology class. There, the professor of 30 plus years taught that when the Bible states that God responded to prayer and changed direction, we are only reading "Good Literature."(Numbers 16:) (Meaning, the prophet was just speaking our language and therefore, scripture is not fully inspired.) He further said, "Our prayers don't change circumstances but our prayers only enable us to accept circumstances." (Meaning, God does not heal in response to prayer!) The professor finally said that he does "not understand the dynamic of prayer." Naturally, anyone that does not believe in miraculous answers to prayer cannot grasp the dynamic (power) of prayer. This professor further said, "I cannot change God's mind by how good or bad I live." (He thus teaches Eternal Security and anti-holiness doctrine!) ---------------------------------------- 101 Web page, http://home.i-plus.net/thorpe/lee/INDEX.HTM 7/12/99 ___________________________ Although, the denominational leaders of that institution were FULLY INFORMED, no one would arrest the tragic retreat from PENTECOSTAL faith. We were shocked to see the University's president and head of the School of Religion join "lock step" with these modernistic teachings. The excellent people of that denomination do not embrace such false teachings. Nevertheless, if nothing is done and a stand is not taken, their Pentecostal message will pass into oblivion and God will call another group of people by a yet unknown name. A Slippery Slope How could such a fall be happening in a major PENTECOSTAL denomination? Is this also being repeated in other Pentecostal institutions? I wondered why PENTECOSTAL leaders would allow compromise and with a little research found the shocking answer! Many of these leaders received their education in modernistic seminaries where faith was despised and degraded. Some of the highest leaders of that denomination hold Doctors and Masters degrees from the infamous Emery, of Atlanta where the "God is Dead" heresy was birthed and defended! People who drink from poison wells die. Keeping company with dead people breeds disease and so, death finally spreads to the living. Truly, the people we study under affect our eternity. (Psalm. 1:1) I can remember when this great PENTECOSTAL denomination believed that God's immutability meant that He healed and answered prayer -- yesterday, today and forever. Now, their ordained professors are teaching that God's immutability means to accept your fate! You will die when it is meant to be and prayer cannot altar physical circumstances. These modernistic teachings will hasten the death of many that seek a healing prayer. Thus, a GREAT ALARM is sounding in today's PENTECOSTAL movement. A faithless generation of ministry has already been spawned and is now at the helm. Keep an open heart, for God will certainly move afresh when others have denied the faith! 2. Voluntary Humility Paul was a Pentecostal among Pentecostals and understood how that many so called spiritual people fall into bazaar deceptions. He catalogued a few problem areas in Colossians 2:18. "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," Artificial Brokenness or Replacing Christ's Cross Voluntary humility describes those that take pride in becoming humble. Actually, they love appearing humble and enjoy going through a long process of suffering that makes them feel humble and holy. As the down home folks observe, "You can see the pride through the wholes in his britches." God takes no pleasure in self-righteous counterfeit humility or self-abasement. Holiness can only be attained though His Cross applied in heart conversion. True humility is only found while acknowledging that our righteous actions or personal sufferings cannot save. When Jesus commanded us to take up OUR CROSS, he was not giving instruction unto holiness but rather a requirement for discipleship. He was showing that ministry can be both costly and rewarding. Nonetheless, salvation only comes through the sacrificial work of Jesus. Lovers of Pain Some popular figures welcome physical suffering as an enhancement to their inner suffering. These believe that God is glorified by our anguish. They assert that we become more holy though physical affliction.102 By following this line of logic the ministry of healing becomes less desirable than the ministry of suffering. Such people believe that we must submissively receive all ills that befall us and embrace them as a gift from God. Such teaching totally denies the great commission and the work of Jesus and is a departure from the basic Gospel and the heart of the great PENTECOSTAL message. -------------------------------- 102 Hungry for More of Jesus, --David Wilkerson. Chosen Books, Copy 1992 ISBN 0-8007-9200-9, pp. 136, 160-164 __________________________ 3. Illumination Beyond Scripture Colossians 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," Anything that we place above God's Word is being worshiped in God's place. Beware, Satan is literally transformed into an angel of light. He will come to you as he did to Jesus. He will not come sporting horns and hooves. Rather, he will come in the guise of a preacher, quoting Scripture while promising you everything your heart ever desired. Satan knows the weakness of your flesh and will play upon it if you allow him room. Hold to the message of Scripture and let all else take second place! 4. Mysticism Colossians 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," The great Pentecostal Smith Wigglsworth warned against Mysticism when he said, "Spiritism, mysticism, Christian Science -- they are all akin. None of them obey God and make room for the blood, and you cannot get near God but by the blood. It is impossible. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only power that can make a clear road into the kingdom of God for you." 103 Mysticism can be described as entering into the spiritual realm and walking among and communicating with the unseen spiritual beings that are around us. This might also include astro-projection or traveling to far off places in the spirit. 104 Knowing and fellowshipping with Christ is necessary but spiritual fellowship must never lead us away from the Word and the great commission. Certainly, intermittent dreams and visions are Biblical. God spoke to many people in the Bible with such experiences. However, if we live in a dream or spiritual world and exit the material world, this is not pleasing to God. Such mystical activity constitutes a sort of spiritual suicide and prematurely removes us from our God ordained ministry. God expects us to work while it is yet day and while we yet have breath. Beware of mystical writers such as Hannah Hurnard the author of Hinds' Feet on High Places. She ultimately allowed her artificial spirituality to lead her into Pantheism, Universalism,105 and Necromancy.106 We presently know of some one-time "PENTECOSTALS" that are snared in a kind of hyper-spirituality. Some are teaching that we must go beyond PENTECOSTALISM and enter into a deeper spiritual experience! 107 These are preaching "Tabernacles," "Manifested Sons of God" and the "Restoration" heresies. We are told that the "Glorified Sons of God" (Super Human Saints) must appear on the earth before we can see Christ come in the air. Incredible! ------------------------------ 103 Cry of the Spirit, by Roberts Liardon, Harrison House, 1989, p. 38 104 2 Corinthians 12:2-3 (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)" Paul's contact with a sort of "spirit travel" was not the norm and was not clearly defined. To seek this experience on a regular basis springs from spiritual pride and opens us to certain deception. 105 Eagles' Wings To The Higher Places, --Hannah Hurnard, 1981, Harper, SanFrancisco, PP. 35, 98, 133 106 The Inner Man, --Hannah Hurnard, Sun Books, Sun Publishing, ISBN: 0-89540-256-4, p. 50 + 55 107 The Shofar Letters, --Larry & Betty Hodges, found on the net, 10/27/98 _________________________ Augustin's Amillennialism first taught a kind of modern "Restoration Theology." He asserted that the Church would progressively establish Christ's Kingdom in the earth. His ideas were held aloft like a banner and were used to justified the false Church, as it lead the world into the dark ages! He asserted that the Church would establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. Contrariwise, Augustine's church established a kingdom of darkness. His church ultimately forbade the reading of the Bible! Please, put the Scripture foremost in your life. Weigh ever experience and leading against the Bible. Never place the revelations of men above the reasoning of Scripture. The reasonable message of Scripture lead the world out of the dark ages and will lead each of us to God's eternal kingdom! Even a little child can understand God's true way of salvation. 5. Fleshly Minds -- Lovers of Pleasure Colossians 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," People with fleshly minds are the opposite of the so called mystical or "self effacing sufferers" mentioned above. These carnal believers embrace all the positive benefits of God and add a few extra. Such unscriptural benefits are spawned by man's love of physical opulence and comfort. Beware! Luxury and comfort will take our minds off of the great commission. Paul warned about preachers that were "...destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (1 Timothy 6:5) Our needs and wants are not the same. Solomon pegged man rightly when he said, "...the eyes of man are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:20 Please oh Lord, help us to turn our hungering vision above! "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) 6. Misplaced Love Another trap that is set for modern PENTECOSTALS is the new ecumenical apostasy. Today's Charismatic Ecumenism has MISSDEFINED LOVE to mean that we must welcome many false teachers, while becoming ambivalent about Bible truth! I find it strange that PENTECOSTALS once rejected ecumenism and counted it to be a part of the coming Antichrist. Today, we are told that unity and love are the principal things. Satan must be dancing in our church isles. If today's "love all" teaching continues it will lead to the loss of our salvation message. Furthermore, Scripture declares that this is a counterfeit love and is not of Christ. Such misguided love springs from the very spirit of antichrist! Love is to Keep Christ's Word and Commandments "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (Romans 13:9-11) "Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (1 John 5:3-5) "Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (1 John 2:5-6) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10) John Balances Love and Truth 2 John 1: vr. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. Careful, Antichrist Deceivers are Present vr. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Watch out for Yourselves -- Be Careful About Doctrine vr. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. vr. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine (teachings) of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Don't Mix With False Teachers vr. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, (Which is: 1. love each other, not everything, 2. obey Christ's rules) receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: How to Avoid Spiritual Infection vr. 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Although other pitfalls might be set for modern PENTECOSTALS, I was particularly drawn to list the ones mentioned here. I must confess that I have had to bring some of my thinking into line with the Word of God. We pray that you will find the freedom of Christ in these truths. Finally, God's candle still burns brightly among many PENTECOSTALS! Charismatic Showers In the early 1960s God sent a fresh shower of his Spirit. At that time the PENTECOSTALS were the main group that embraced the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Then a wonderful thing occurred. Suddenly, on the morning NEWS the Dutch Reformed, Herald Bredison was seen in his clerical collar. There, he spoke in tongues and prophesied. The mighty Holy Ghost was breaking out in every quarter. Revival rains were falling again! This revival seemed unique at the time because of the wide participation of many varied denominations. In my 17 short years I had only seen PENTECOSTALS enjoying the baptism of the Spirit. Now other denominations were launching out into the deep. After compiling the information for this book we understand that a broad denominational base is quite normal in most revivals. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." The subsequent warnings are not a condemnation of the Charismatic Movement. Rather, these five loving admonitions are to be received as a word of ministry from a caring brother and father. We hope to remove some possible stumbling stones from the road. 1. Hold To The Word! -- Our Final Authority As Charismatics our number one rule must be to judge all inner revelations by the Word of God. New and mysterious revelations are invalid and anti-Christ when they depart from Scripture. When the reformers spoke of following REASON; they were saying that the Pope's spiritual revelations were without basis in the Scripture. Thus, any BORN AGAIN and REASONING individual was qualified to read Scripture, understand its truth, and judge right from wrong! May we forever hold this precious jewel. I recently heard a nationally known minister assert that he could have died on the cross instead of Jesus if he would have had the knowledge that Jesus had. We can certainly mark this off as a false revelation. He said that God gave him this truth. Yet, which god is he hearing when he debases the unique sacrifice of Christ and contradicts the easily understood words of Scripture? 2. Separation The early PENTECOSTAL movement had people come from many denominations. Even so, today's Charismatics also come from various groups. However, these two movements differ in that, the PENTECOSTALS always separated from their old groups, while the Charismatics often remained in modernistic denominations. The Charismatics lack of bold separation could be the undoing of those who continue in unbelieving churches. The Charismatics children will certainly never receive a message of faith from dead denominational leaders. Catholic Charismatics particularly need to consider this danger. The Holy Ghost and salvation come straight from the throne of God and never from Rome. "Wherefore come out from among them,(old dead denominations) and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," (2 Corinthians 6:17) Thankfully, many Charismatics have now moved to "New Life" type assemblies. 3. Holiness In the late 1960s the Charismatics and PENTECOSTALS were not alike in their understand of Holiness. Because of their Holiness roots, the PENTECOSTALS normally emphasized a separated life and initially adhered to unnecessarily strict standards. Conversely, nominal church Charismatics were not exposed to the Holiness message, and have failed to consider the need for separated living. This lack could bring a quick end to their revival if greater revelation is not forthcoming. I trust that the Charismatics love for Scripture will fill this gap and lead them into a sanctified life. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) Unfortunately, I remember some Charismatic associates rejoicing in their new liberty to sip alcohol since they separated from there PENTECOSTAL fellowship. I later observed Charismatic ministry receiving council for alcoholism. Certainly, God demands more than HBO watching preachers and winebibbing prophets. Charismatic gifts do not replace our call to holy living and a life of righteousness. Truly, the Holy Ghost inspires holy living, because, Holiness is God's only standard for living! 4. Initial Evidence The fourth major stumbling stone before Charismatics comes from their understand of tongues. Many Charismatics do not believe that tongues are the initial evidence of the Baptism. Therefore, an emotional sensation is sometime taken to be the Holy Ghost Baptism, while tongues is viewed as something extra to be acquired. This thinking falls back to the Pre-PENTECOSTAL Holiness move. If tongues are not clearly defined as the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost Baptism, then the Charismatic move may possibly become a one-generation revival. I have generally observed that Charismatic meetings have not embodied the depth and power that was seen among the PENTECOSTALS in the mid 1900s. Please, don't take offence. I have participated in both revivals and have seen both from the inside. I have ministered among Charismatics and old line PENTECOSTALS and their observed a distinct difference in their anointing. Certainly, some may contend that this is simply my subjective observation -- but brother, you should have been there when the Spirit fell! Wheew -- Glory! No one wanted Pizza after those meetings because we trembled all the way home as we helped those that were still under the power of God. The PENTECOSTALS doctrine of tongues as the initial evidence of the Baptism has raised a spiritual standard against an ever-cooling Church. Thus, future generations will be able to measure their spiritual experience against the minimum standards of their predecessors. With tongues as the first and minimum sign of the Holy Ghost Baptism, we can look for a continuation of today's PENTECOSTAL revival! Furthermore, if the gift of tongues seem disturbing than wait until you see the greater gifts in action! 5. Prosperity A fifth and very dangerous aspect of the Charismatic movement has matured in recent years. This is the gospel of prosperity! It was widely disseminated in the early 1970s when Oral Robbers authored his Seed Faith book. Jesus always defined the seed as the Gospel or people. (Luke 8:11) Paul, however, did liken money to seed. (II Cor. 9:) The Corinthians having plenty were encouraged to help the Macedonians who were in need. So, one group brought their lack while the other group brought their overflow. The two were joined and God gave an increase, which was righteousness. Through giving we lay up treasures in heaven and not on the earth. Prosperity teaching overplays financial return in this life and takes advantage of the fleshly greed of the old man, while appealing to the same baser instincts that drive the state lottery. In today's "seed faith lottery" everybody wins except the giver, who is expecting great monetary returns. When monetary returns do arrive (and they do) we may be heaping a curse on our own heads! (Luke 6:24, Matthew 19:23-24, Luke 1:53. Luke 6:24) As I recall Paul, who defined money as seed also counted the piling up of honors, money and everything earthly as dung. (Philippians 3:7-8) So, money is actually a fertilizer and our desired harvest is not more fertilizer but rather eternal righteousness and the reward of Christ! OUR PRIORITIES MUST BE SET IN ORDER! In the early 1960 the prosperity message was strongly publicized in A.A. Allen's magazine. Evangelist Allen promised Cadillacs from God. These luxuries were regularly pictured with satisfied supporters. Shortly thereafter Brother Allen died liver failure while alone in a motel. What a pity -- Another well-known evangelist was selling wallets that would never run dry! (What a great buy for only ten dollars!) If today's PENTECOSTALS and Charismatics fail into this trap they will be finished. To use or religion to generate earthly wealth is clearly opposed to Christ's Gospel. If this trend does not change God will find a new people in our generation! Nevertheless, a candlestick still shines among many Charismatics! A Final Word About Tongues Anyone reading this book now knows the author fully supports the gifts of the Spirit including tongues. Many PENTECOSTALS fail by enjoying happy times in the meeting but little prayer at home. Since PENTECOSTALS meet 3 to 4 times a week prayer is not entirely left out. However, if we briefly exercise the spirits gifts and live for self the rest of the week we miss our calling. Tongues cannot substitute for Holiness, Tongues cannot replace travail for the lost. I challenge all PENTECOSTALS and Charismatics to seek a fresh Baptism and infilling of the Spirit. Never collect spiritual experiences like Boy Scout merit badges. Forever, keep on being filled with the Spirit! Jesus is coming, so, BE PREPARED!
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