True Revival vs. the "Healing Revival" in Lakeland, Florida
Why do we call shaking, rocking, jumping, laughing, and shouting "revival"? For that matter, why do we automatically suppose that the evidence of spiritual activity is somehow synonymous with "revival"? I'll admit, many of these things may indeed happen in the midst of a true revival, but they are not necessarily evidence that God is moving. As a matter of fact, they can just as easily be evidence of demons (there are plenty of cases of this in the Bible).
The things we're seeing in Lakeland, although exciting and emotionally gripping, are not true revival. Real revival takes place when the Spirit of God grips the hearts and souls of both the churched and the unchurched with repentance. It starts in the house of God (meaning "Christians") and spreads to the lost. Real revival takes a fiery boldness on the part of its leaders to preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ--exposing sin for what it is and bringing people to realize their desperation for our Father in heaven.
If that makes you shake, cry, laugh, or shout, then I'm all for it. And if healing, miracles, "words of knowledge," prophecy, and the like are happening in the midst of such a movement, then clearly they are from God.
But what we see happening in Lakeland are all the signs, wonders, and manifestations without much of the repentance. Yes, people are responding to "salvation calls," but the prayers they're led in have a sad lack of a "repentance" theme. So let me ask you: is this "revival?"
Now I have to be careful here, though, because I don't want to fall into the trap that I've seen on so many sites recently. It's very easy to speak out against the meetings and spout opinions of what I think about them, but Proverbs says that "a fool delights in airing his own opinions." The Internet is littered with opinions, and I want to make sure that I'm remaining in the realm of discernment. The popular opinions right now seem to be polarized--either people are head-over-heels for what's happening in Lakeland, or they have condemned the whole thing; but I feel from the Lord that it's more complex than that.
As I shared yesterday, I sense that Todd Bentley's healing gift is from God, but he has unfortunately stepped outside his gifting and been led astray in regards to his ministry methods, teachings, and many of his "revelations." We need to pray for our brother and believe God to bring transformation into his life. Please keep in mind that it would be wrong for us to slander our brother in Christ--these blog posts are meant to bring clarity, maturity, and true revival to the Church--not more divisions.
I honestly believe that out of this movement in Lakeland, Florida, God can raise up a TRUE revival of repentance in America and ultimately the World! But it will require a few things. First, something will need to happen that ensures Jesus Christ gets the glory and not Todd Bentley--either Todd will repent, or his sin will be exposed. Second, we need to make sure the Church is not shooting flaming arrows at each other--I hope everyone can see that my intent in these last three articles has been to promote the truth and encourage prayer for our brother Todd--not to slander him or his ministry. Thirdly, we the church need to start repenting for our own sins and cry out to God in desperation. We need to "hunger and thirst for righteousness." And we need to get out in our own spheres of influence and share the True Gospel with anyone we can.
I say, let Lakeland be what it is; but let the Church be what it is! If the events in Lakeland stir people up and cause the world to hunger for spiritual things, then I praise God for it! But if people get stirred up for spiritual things and the Church is not ready to meet that need with the Truth, then we will be just as guilty for missing the opportunity God has opened up. We must be a people actively pursuing true revival!
So here is my challenge to you: Pray for Todd, pray for America, pray for the whole world, and look actively for the slightest spark of spiritual hunger in every person you meet--then point them to Christ. I've been saying for years that the next "great revival" will be a grassroots movement that can't be pinned on any one person or ministry. Now is the time for the Church to rise up and bring true revival to the world!
The things we're seeing in Lakeland, although exciting and emotionally gripping, are not true revival. Real revival takes place when the Spirit of God grips the hearts and souls of both the churched and the unchurched with repentance. It starts in the house of God (meaning "Christians") and spreads to the lost. Real revival takes a fiery boldness on the part of its leaders to preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ--exposing sin for what it is and bringing people to realize their desperation for our Father in heaven.
If that makes you shake, cry, laugh, or shout, then I'm all for it. And if healing, miracles, "words of knowledge," prophecy, and the like are happening in the midst of such a movement, then clearly they are from God.
But what we see happening in Lakeland are all the signs, wonders, and manifestations without much of the repentance. Yes, people are responding to "salvation calls," but the prayers they're led in have a sad lack of a "repentance" theme. So let me ask you: is this "revival?"
Now I have to be careful here, though, because I don't want to fall into the trap that I've seen on so many sites recently. It's very easy to speak out against the meetings and spout opinions of what I think about them, but Proverbs says that "a fool delights in airing his own opinions." The Internet is littered with opinions, and I want to make sure that I'm remaining in the realm of discernment. The popular opinions right now seem to be polarized--either people are head-over-heels for what's happening in Lakeland, or they have condemned the whole thing; but I feel from the Lord that it's more complex than that.
As I shared yesterday, I sense that Todd Bentley's healing gift is from God, but he has unfortunately stepped outside his gifting and been led astray in regards to his ministry methods, teachings, and many of his "revelations." We need to pray for our brother and believe God to bring transformation into his life. Please keep in mind that it would be wrong for us to slander our brother in Christ--these blog posts are meant to bring clarity, maturity, and true revival to the Church--not more divisions.
I honestly believe that out of this movement in Lakeland, Florida, God can raise up a TRUE revival of repentance in America and ultimately the World! But it will require a few things. First, something will need to happen that ensures Jesus Christ gets the glory and not Todd Bentley--either Todd will repent, or his sin will be exposed. Second, we need to make sure the Church is not shooting flaming arrows at each other--I hope everyone can see that my intent in these last three articles has been to promote the truth and encourage prayer for our brother Todd--not to slander him or his ministry. Thirdly, we the church need to start repenting for our own sins and cry out to God in desperation. We need to "hunger and thirst for righteousness." And we need to get out in our own spheres of influence and share the True Gospel with anyone we can.
I say, let Lakeland be what it is; but let the Church be what it is! If the events in Lakeland stir people up and cause the world to hunger for spiritual things, then I praise God for it! But if people get stirred up for spiritual things and the Church is not ready to meet that need with the Truth, then we will be just as guilty for missing the opportunity God has opened up. We must be a people actively pursuing true revival!
So here is my challenge to you: Pray for Todd, pray for America, pray for the whole world, and look actively for the slightest spark of spiritual hunger in every person you meet--then point them to Christ. I've been saying for years that the next "great revival" will be a grassroots movement that can't be pinned on any one person or ministry. Now is the time for the Church to rise up and bring true revival to the world!
Labels: balance, discernment, false teaching, healing, Jesus Christ, Lakeland Healing Revival, power, prayer, repentance, revival, sin, supernatural, Todd Bentley, truth, unity
posted by Art Thomas | Tuesday, April 29, 2008
9 Comments:
"I've been saying for years that the next "great revival" will be a grassroots movement that can't be pinned on any one person or ministry. Now is the time for the Church to rise up and bring true revival to the world!"
I have to agree with that. Our culture is so obsessed with celebrity that, I think, God would make sure the people he used wouldn't fall into that category.
All of this is confusing to me because we are supposed to look at Jesus as the example. I hear "Christian" means "little Christ".
Yes Jesus healed people, but not to glorify himself, he alwas pointed to God.
That was actually a small part of what he did in those 3 years. Focusing on any single aspect or quality can't be good.
Jesus actually told us to pick up our cross and follow him. He healed, he fed, he preached, he talked, he corrected, he prayed, he suffered, he cared for the least, he did what pleased God, including walking into a trap that would lead to torture and death.
Brother Art,
After reading your post and seeing your link on RevivalSchool I clicked.
These 2 articles are very insightfull and honest, bathed in prayer and closely scrutinized by the author. I appreciate your humility and candor in writing them.
In short you have voiced my feelings on the 'revival' much more eloquently that I could have. I spent a few days watching the show and participating in the accompanying chat room. The spiritual atmosphere in the room would change as the talk turned from Jesus to angels, gemstones, gold dust, open portals and other things. The last time I watched I needed to take an hour or so and 'spiritually wash' myself in prayer and praise, even going into rebuking some things.
The bottom line is, I feel as you do, that the 'could' be the birthplace of the next true revival. However true repentance preaching will be followed by Jesus confirming HIS word with the signs miracles and wonders...as HE sees fit to show.
Your brother in Christ,
Brian
This same conclusion hit me when I was contemplating "Revival". If you look at the "Great Awakening", Charles Finney, and even the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, you'll notice that FIRST the Holy Spirit "cleaned house" calling God's people to prayer and repentance THEN they went out to the sick and the sinners.
Look at the first great revival on Pentecost: The Holy Spirit empowered the believers, St. Peter preached on repentance, thousands believed and were baptized, then they went out unto all the world.
Here's what Charles Finney had to say:
It is the renewal of the first love of Christians, resulting in the awakening and conversion of
sinners to God. In the popular sense, a revival of religion in a community is the arousing, quickening, and reclaiming of the more or less backslidden church and the more or less general awakening of all classes, and insuring attention to the claims of God. It presupposes that the church is sunk down in a backslidden state, and a revival consists in the
return of a church from her backslidings, and in the conversion of sinners.
1.A revival always includes conviction of sin on the part of the church.
2. Backslidden Christians will be brought to repentance.
3. Christians will have their faith renewed.
4. A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians.
5. the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow, going through the same stages of conviction, repentance, and reformation. Their hearts will be broken down and changed.
From "Revivals of Religion" 1868
Thank you. I think your response is one with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3) to the situation at hand. I serve overseas and heard about this 'revival' and felt slightly unsettled with what I was reading. If these miraculous things lead to people exalting Christ in their heart and lives, then, yes i agree it's revival.
For His Fame!
I just have a question? How often did Jesus require repentance before he would heal? What about Nathaniel? Jesus gave him a prophetic word by saying he saw him under the fig tree. This amazed Nathaniel and resulted in him following Jesus.Did he first declare Jesus the messiah?
Repentance and holiness will come and are required,but Jesus himself showed with example that living our lives as He did doesn't just mean preaching repentance. If we live our lives truly as he did, it means healing the sick often before even preaching the gospel. We should test and question by discernment but lets really look at Jesus' life.
I do not feel that Todd B. is lifting himself up to be THE star of anything. God is just using him to show that all things are possible for those who believe. He's not perfect but he is obediant . The church has had enough people trying to be perfect but not living as Christ lived.
The religious leaders refused to accept John the Baptist because he wore what was unclean and did not do what they thought he should. He was a radical and as you follow Christ and truly have a hungry heart you will see more and more all your theological knowing and reasoning though important will totally be rocked, you will be rocked and seem a fool to the wise.
Amandaj asked: "How often did Jesus require repentance before he would heal?"
Great question--you're right; He didn't. And you are also correct that the supernatural was a regular part of Jesus' ministry.
By saying that this is not a "revival," I am not denying that God is genuinely healing people. Perhaps it's a semantics game. I'm just saying that if we're not seeing mass repentance, then we really should not cheapen the word.
With Jesus, his signs and wonders paved the way for repentance preaching and Kingdom teaching. With Todd, the miracles seem to be used to validate his revelations and the existance of his "healing angel."
My biggest concern is that people keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and not get distracted by Todd's theatrics or the many unbiblical teachings that he spreads around. I would request that you read the other posts I've written about this so you can see why I would affirm his healing gift but oppose his teachings.
Thanks for the question!
--Art--
Thanks for your comments...they show that you want what God wants....and nothing else....and that is great
My major problem with all this stuff the lack of preaching from Gods word....and placed against true revival in the bible like Acts 2 or The Johnathan Edwards revival it seems to fall short.
I am a Pentecostal and beleive in the gifts of the spirit, but I beleieve signs and wonders have a purpose ....to show truth about God and his greatness...not just to bless people.
I listen to a Dick Lucas of Proclaimation Trust some time ago about the way that Jesus used healing ect...in the Gospels...the first time to notice is he didn't do that many...and he didn't heal everyone...he use the healings to pioant people to the truth of the gospel.
I just don't not for sure about Lakeland....i just would like to turn on the TV and hear the Word being preached. I woould just like to hear the gospel being preached....and up to this moment i haven't.
I do think your comments about Todds ministry is probaly true and have help me to get my head arround what is going on
thanks again
Bill ....UK
I think God has raised a generation that has been repenting before him for years now. Such as the houses of prayer, etc. It is my belief that ALL that God has been doing could be coming to a head. This outpouring is not “THE” revival that is coming. I do believe that it is the start of something that will explode in the weeks ahead. And I completely agree that it will be nameless and grassroots. It will be centered on Him. God please show me how to be humble!
Amandaj asked: "How often did Jesus require repentance before he would heal?"
We need to understand Jesus healing ministry in context.
1) it was primarily among God's covenant people Israel
2) John the Baptist had prepared the ground by preaching repentance and prophesying the coming of Christ.
3)Jesus continually preached 'repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand'
Just because Jesus never mentione repentance to the person he was about to heal every time he healed doesnt mean he didnt preach repentance. Israel was left in no doubt as to what Jesus message was.Yet with Todd Bentley we are left in some doubt as to what his message is.
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