Are WAGNER's APOSTLES LEAVING??
-Andrew Strom.

Last week we published a number of strong statements against
Lakeland by one of Peter Wagner's 'apostles' named Robert
Ricciardelli. For those who are not aware, Peter Wagner heads
up an organization devoted to setting in place "apostles" over the
church. This is known as the 'New Apostolic Reformation' (NAR),
and it has been very controversial. I myself have never seen it as
any kind of true "Reformation" - because all it seems to do is
set up another level of hierarchy over the existing ones. I also
question whether many of the "apostles" are true apostles - but
that is another story. Suffice it to say, that Wagner runs one of
the most powerful and far-reaching global networks in the
Charismatic world.

I don't know if Peter Wagner fully realized what he was doing
when he went down to Lakeland and publicly endorsed Todd
Bentley and the 'revival' there. But clearly he started a rift in his
own movement that may very well almost tear it apart. 

However, before we discuss this further, it is also important to
note that even some "pro-Lakeland" churches are beginning to
have second thoughts about supporting that movement - as more
factual information begins to emerge about what is really going on.

The following was written by the leader of a "pro-Lakeland" church -
and forwarded to me this week. (I have removed the identity of
both the leader and the church). This really is an amazing
admission for such a "pro-Lakeland" leader to make:

"Hi staff,
We need to talk, probably as a staff, and go through what I've
found out. I had a long talk with Robert Ricciardelli. He's no revival
critic... He loves revival, believes in healing, prophecy and all the
rest and is delighted to hear about the healings we've had here.
He's a close friend of Stephen Strader... He's in an accountability
relationship with Lee Grady (editor of Charisma Magazine) and is
a writer for Charisma on occasion. He's part of C. Peter Wagner's
apostolic network, recognized by Peter as an apostle. I've seen
the man's website and he's legit, not a heresy hunter. 

"The reports he has given me are firsthand, not hearsay. I am
deeply troubled, grieved and tormented at what I'm hearing. He
attributes most of the anointing at Lakeland to Roy Fields (worship
leader). I agree. Roy is nothing but clean and God shows up hugely
when he leads worship. I can go into detail later about what is
surfacing, but there are huge lapses of integrity going on... Much
embellishment. Many claims have been made that simply are not
true. The Charisma crew has researched it. I want to weep. My
heart is breaking. For now, to be safe and for the sake of integrity,
we need to stop speaking about the claimed resurrections. Three
of them have been checked out with the doctors and EMTs
involved and found never to have happened at all. Todd has been
confronted with this and has not adjusted the numbers in his
claims. Not a single one of the other claimed resurrections can
be substantiated despite diligent effort to do so. Even after
Stephen Strader brought it down to 13 (and even those couldn't
be substantiated) Todd ran it back up to 27 and more.
Misrepresentation and embellishment!

"On the financial front, Todd recently told the crowd that God had
told him that there were 1,000 people who would give $1,000 and
that they would be blessed 1,000-fold. Robert called Stephen
Strader to confront the unbiblical nature of that appeal. It came
out that Todd admitted he hadn't heard that from God, that it was
just an idea he had so that they could raise money to build a big
stadium. Robert challenged them to issue an apology the following
night based on that false claim of being told by God and they
refused to do it on the excuse that it's a different crowd every night.

"That's the flavor of what I'm finding. There's a lot more. I'm so
grieved I can hardly think. I'm not saying the Lakeland Outpouring
is not of God (God is bigger than the men involved), although good
men whom I have respected all my life are saying just that (that it's
not of God), based on what they know and have seen... 

"What I am saying is that we need to back up and not identify
ourselves closely with Lakeland and that we need to stop repeating
claims being made on the air lest we end up getting splattered
with the collateral damage when certain issues of false claims,
embellishments and lapses of integrity begin to come out more
publicly. By the way, no one is saying that some healings have not
happened - only that many false, embellished or unsubstantiated
claims have been made. A number of really good men, champions
of revival through the years, are actually saying that the whole
thing is of the devil and that even the healings are demonically
inspired. I want to be clear that I'm not going there..." [-end quote]. 

So here we have a 'pro-Lakeland' church checking out these facts
for the first time and now deciding that they "need to back up and
not identify ourselves closely with Lakeland." Pretty amazing!

Meanwhile - back to the topic of "apostles" and what is now
happening in Peter Wagner's main 'ICA' organization:

One of Wagner's apostles, Robert Ricciardelli, put out an email
this week saying that he has received a great deal of support for
his stand against Lakeland - the majority of it from pastors. And
he also made the following very significant statement:

"As a member of ICA, Peter Wagner actually caused many
questions to come my way because of my membership there.
I will no longer be involved with that organization and actually
have not tracked well with them and some of their agendas since
I have been involved with them. However, I have enjoyed the many
relationships I have developed from going to the annual meetings.
Most all of those relationships are also disengaging from their
affiliation with ICA, because of many issues beyond Lakeland." 

So clearly Robert is now leaving the ICA - as are other 'apostles'
that he knows of also. I asked him to clarify this last point.

Robert wrote to me:
"The ICA leadership continues to adopt belief systems without
seeking the advice and counsel of members. Many of the members
do not, and will not support these beliefs, including the support of
anti-biblical behavior and doctrine currently being expressed through
Todd Bentley and Freshfire Ministries. In fact as ICA embraces
this, they now have taken a stance that will indirectly have to
embrace many of the same ministries, including "New Mystic"
John Crowder and others. This escalating focus on angels,
experiences, trances, etc is far from the focus of Jesus, His
Kingdom, and His righteousness... Many of us who really enjoyed
the ICA annual conferences are now forced to make a decision
as to whether to continue our involvement with them."

Robert has also stated that he personally was never into
"Dominionist" beliefs or the "hierarchical NAR agenda." His last
statement to me was: "I think that there is a chance that many
may disassociate with the ICA depending on Todd continuing to
reveal his deceptive doctrine and Peter continuing to support such doctrine."

I wonder if Peter Wagner ever imagined that by endorsing Todd
Bentley he may be sowing huge seeds of destruction in his own
movement? -Perhaps only time will tell.

Send feedback to-  prophetic@revivalschool.com

This topic is being discussed on the Forum at-
http://www.revivalschool.com

FEEL FREE to FORWARD OR POST THIS on BLOGS, etc.

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

An ICA 'APOSTLE' SPEAKS OUT on LAKELAND
-Andrew Strom.

[With huge thanks to RevivalSchool member 'SoulDan' for his help].

First, let me start by saying that Robert Ricciardelli has been
incredibly bold and courageous in speaking out on this issue in
recent days. He is one of the very few from NAR circles who have
dared to speak up - firstly on blogs and on the radio - and even on
our own Forum at RevivalSchool.com, etc. Robert is a member -
a "marketplace apostle" in Peter Wagner's "International Coalition
of Apostles" (ICA). He is the real deal. For him to speak out
about Lakeland is a very brave act indeed. Plus he is a Charisma
Magazine writer and a friend of Lee Grady. 

Last week on July 14th Robert was a guest on Radio KGNW -
where he spoke of how he had just come back from Lakeland, and
told of his deep concerns and the background research that he
had been doing. On July 16th he commented on one Internet blog:
"Truth is there are very few people being healed in Lakeland. I
have worked with Charisma Magazine editor Lee Grady in
discovering how many false reports have been released as facts.
These are our brothers and sisters involved in this, but this move
of God has been a move of men with God still touching some
who come to seek Him."

On another blog he wrote: "Charisma reporters and a few others
like myself have tried to get these verified and cannot... We actually
had offered to help, because any news of a resurrection in my
opinion is world news if it can be validated. But then when the
totals continued to mount which led to hype and embellishment,
they began to ask us to stop asking questions. Hmmmm?

"Friday night, Todd said that God said there were 1000 people that
were to give $1000, and they were to receive a 1000 fold blessing.
The one hour drama on this giving subject was so deceptively
evident that it was embarrasing to watch. On top of that, those
that would give that money were able to come to the platform to
be recognized." 

Concerning the 'Resurrections' in Lakeland, Robert wrote: "We
have investigated the 20 plus "raised from the dead" claims as we
want to report them to the media, and they cannot be verified, but
were only called in, or sent in from an email. This is not responsible
reporting, and leaves many questions, which also adds to the
claims of hype and embellishment."  [~Robert Ricciardelli blog
comments - 'jasonclark.ws' & 'stevehickey.wordpress.com']

The hour-long broadcast that Robert did on KGNW is also causing
quite a stir as it does the rounds on the Internet.

On our own Forum at RevivalSchool.com, Robert publicly added
the following comments: 

"Peter Wagner and Chuck Pierce nominated me as a marketplace
apostle 6 years ago. I threw the title away before I ever got it. I am
not into titles, but I am into functions. The Lord told us "yes" to
engage, and He was going to show us some truth in the process.
Being engaged has given us a great oportunity to see the good,
the bad, and the ugly of the apostolic/prophetic movements. The
biggest thing along the way is the friends and associates we have
met that have a biblical worldview much the same as we do... 

"After this year we will pray about next year and so far it looks
like the Father is giving us a sense that we may not to be a part
of the ICA if Peter and the leadership do not reconsider their
impromptu decision to jump into the Lakeland stream, when many
of us warned him not to. It was a mistake to coronate, when they
needed to father and correct Bentley from the direction he is
heading others into. It just put more fuel in his errant tank. 

"I am praying for Todd, because he really is an evangelist, and he
is a gifted evangelist. But he cannot go on embellishing, speaking
untruths, hyping, manipulating, shoving, kicking, slapping, leg
dropping, and bamming his way on the pulpit without consequences.
God will not be mocked, and Todd and others must answer to Him
for everyone led astray. 

"The biggest thing about Lakeland is the lack of the fear of our
Awesome God, lack of repentance and humility. Many have
exchanged the truth for a lie and chosen experience over content.
Angels, trances, and 3rd heaven focus has replaced the gospel
as a focus... Lord do what only you can do to bring your divine
alignment to all of us in Jesus name.." [-end quote] 

I took note of the fact that Robert said that "many" had warned
Peter Wagner not to jump into the Lakeland stream. I also noted
that Robert seemed to be saying that he himself may leave the
ICA over this issue. I thanked him publicly for his courage in
speaking out, and asked him if there really was a lot of disagree-
ment even within Wagner's own movement? 

Robert replied:
"To answer your question, yes there is at least a dozen ICA
members that I know of that are extremely concerned at Peter's
endorsement and more to follow as the nonsense continues. The
transferring of anointing, the focus on man bringing anything but
the gospel is amazing and sad.... if Peter Wagner, Bill Johnson,
and some distinguished members of the Who's Who in Charismania
say it is all good, then people just go with it. Some have begun to
see the YouTube and other information and begun to change.
Some go as far as to claim it as deception, others say it is a
move of God that needs correction. 

"It is my opinion that it was man orchestrated and demonically
influenced from the very beginning. The worship has been good
and Roy Fields is an awesome worship leader, so many in the
worship and even watching from afar can sense God in the worship
of His people. The truth is God has been engaged in the worship
and has touched and healed some. This is why it has been so
confusing to some. I have heard that Roy Fields has stated a few
times that when the worship ends, God's presence leaves the
platform, and then Todd Bentley operates void of His presence.
That is why most all of what they have claimed cannot be verified,
because it just is not happening. 

"We have heard a few people getting well, being touched and so
on. There is a church here in North Carolina that brought 27 sick
down there for a week. Some with cancer, leukemia, diabetes
and such. None got healed and most were worse when they
came back. The emperor is not wearing any clothes and the truth
must be known. Many are claiming that Todd is the new thing
that God is doing. The fact is he is still operating in the old thing,
and operating with less integrity and character than the previous
one man shows. 

"God is about nameless and faceless people who are operating
without any agenda but the Lord's. Preaching about the King
and His Kingdom, and moving supernaturally after Him, and as
they do, signs and wonders follow. The problem in Charismania
is that they seek the sign, they seek the thrill, they seek the
craft supply quality gold dust, feathers and gems. They may get
the chills and frills, but leave with nothing more than goose bumps
and really little spiritual change. When they seek the King, the
Kingdom of God and His righteousness, you begin to see
transformation take place at the heart level. This is God's way
and always has been... Bentley is just a product of the Charismatic/
apostolic/ prophetic trending away from Plumb line truth. At the
same time the fact is, none of us amount to much, no not one.
But in Him and dying to self and living His agenda, we can move
mountains... The church is getting there, I wrote an article for
Charisma that everything that can be shaken is being shaken,
and this is what is happening in a great way right now..." [end quote]

Friends, please write to Robert encouraging him if you can for
the courageous stand he is taking.

See more of his comments + links to his article & radio show
on the 'Scrolling Forum' at the following website (main page) -

http://www.revivalschool.com

PLEASE FORWARD This EMAIL TO OTHERS.

God bless you all,

Andrew Strom.

PLEASE WATCH Our YOUTUBE VIDEOS 

"AN INSIDER's WARNING" - Lakeland Revival

Ian Mander from Video Foundry has done a great job putting
these videos together in a hurry. There are 5 parts - totalling
about 35 mins. The series is called "AN INSIDER's WARNING".
Please give comments and ratings and also post them on blogs,
etc, if you can, my friends? -This will be a huge help.

Pt. 1 - 
Pt. 2 - 
Pt. 3 - 
Pt. 4 - 
Pt. 5 - 

Thankyou so much and God bless you all!

A CHRISTIAN CIVIL WAR??
-Andrew Strom.

This week the editor of Charisma Magazine, Lee Grady, published
an article on a topic that I have very much been wanting to comment
on myself for some time. His article is called "Can We Avoid a
Charismatic Civil War?" Below are some large extracts from the
article - with my comments at the end. Friends, this is a topic that
truly concerns us all:

Lee Grady writes:
"Some leaders say the controversial Lakeland Revival is forcing us
to choose sides. But I don't believe God wants to split our movement.

"It's been more than 10 years since charismatic prophet Rick Joyner
predicted in his popular book The Final Quest that believers would
experience a Civil War in the church. Joyner's book, based on a
series of visions he says God showed him, describes in graphic
detail a turbulent conflict that redefines Christianity as we know it.

"Other charismatic leaders have echoed this theme since Joyner's
book was published in 1996. They have predicted that our move-
ment will be divided between "Blues" (those who constantly live
in the supernatural realm of dreams, visions and miracles) and
"Grays" (those who rely more on their intellect), and that the Blues
will win and usher in true revival as champions of the Holy Spirit's power.

"Even in early 2008, before the Lakeland Revival erupted in Florida
in April, some charismatic prophets were declaring that a great
rift would divide those who believe in "the glory realm" and those
who have a more conservative, left-brained approach to their faith.
When God TV began its nightly broadcasts of evangelist Todd
Bentley's healing meetings in Lakeland, the Civil War prophecies
reappeared overnight on hundreds of blogs and e-mail blasts.

"I'll admit I was not paying too much attention to these Civil War
predictions 10 years ago. But I was jolted into reality in May after
I wrote an online column in which I raised honest questions about
some of Bentley's teachings and techniques. Even though I
celebrated his passion and zeal, and praised God for the healings
that were reported in Lakeland, I was immediately branded a revival
critic and banished to the Gray camp.

"I became the bad guy because, by asking questions, I was
'relying on my intellect.' To those in the Blue camp, my skepticism
made me an enemy of the Holy Spirit and all things supernatural -
even though I believe that all the supernatural gifts of the Holy
Spirit are for today!

"I tried to laugh this off at first. Surely, I imagined, my Christian
brothers and sisters do not really think it is wrong for a Spirit-filled
believer to test the spirits (which we are instructed to do in 1 John
4:1), discern truth (see 2 Pet. 3:17) or evaluate prophecies and
angelic encounters (see 1 Cor. 14:29, Gal. 1:6-8).

"But now I realize that some people really want a war. They want
the charismatic movement to split right down the middle. They
imply that all those who do not embrace 100 percent of the current
movement in Lakeland are "old wineskins" that cannot be used by
God in the coming revival.

"I can't even describe how much this hurts because I love people
on both sides of this conflict. I love the Blues and the Grays, along
with every other color in the body of Christ. I refuse to believe that
God is trying to split us. Division is the devil's work.

"I want to plead with everyone in our movement to reconsider the
whole Civil War scenario. Instead of rattling sabers and stockpiling
gunpowder, maybe we need to take steps in the opposite direction:

1. Let's accept one another... 

2. Let's admonish one another....
[B]ecause I embrace Todd Bentley as my brother in Christ, I must
take a higher road even if I don't agree with his prayer methods or
his claims regarding angels. Anything I say, even if it is corrective,
must be said in love (see Eph. 4:15).

3. Let's pray for one another (see James 5:16). Jesus prayed that
we would be one. There is no record of Him praying that we would
split over doctrine. So why in the world would any of us hope for
a Civil War?

"Please pray for Bentley - and for the leaders who are speaking
into his life during this season. And pray that the church will not
only experience genuine spiritual revival but also true unity. Let's
work out our differences, support one another's ministries and
focus all our efforts on one common goal: To tell a lost world about
the love of Jesus."  [~Source: www.fireinmybones.com]

Andrew Strom replies:
I am just as strongly against a "Christian Civil War" as Lee Grady,
but there are certain things in his approach that I just cannot
agree with. Back in 1996, when Rick Joyner came out with his
Civil War prophecy I even wrote an article on it entitled "WHY I
OPPOSE the CIVIL WAR". (-A pretty outdated article now, but I
am just as opposed today as I was then). I have never believed
in such a thing - especially when it was essentially a call for the
Prophetic/Toronto camp to try and "drive out" those who oppose
them - right out of the church. It always seemed an utterly ill-
advised and disastrous course to me - to put out a call like that
just because people are opposing or questioning the "manifestations"
that you are involved with. Is that any excuse for trying to "drive"
them out? -I felt quite sad and shocked by it.

But Lee is right. There is a lot of "aggression" around right now -
and it always happens when these kinds of movements come
along. People get aggressive and nasty on both sides. I noticed
it with Toronto and I am noticing it now. Suddenly everyone wants
to "bash" each other. They want to make it "personal". I am not
into this either - not at all.

There is nothing wrong with asking questions or "testing the
spirits". In fact we are COMMANDED to do this in Scripture - "for
many false prophets are gone out into the world." (ie. Because
they did not 'test' the spirits - 1 John 4:1). But I believe we can
do this without becoming harsh or demeaning or 'personal' about
it. We can simply bring out the facts and let them speak for
themselves. We don't have to get "nasty" at all. This is one of the
biggest problems I have with the 'heresy hunters' that are all over
the Internet. There is often such a harsh, sarcastic, "personal"
tone to much that they write - and they seem almost eager to
dredge up every little piece of "dirt" that they can. It becomes
literally a "mud-slinging" contest - harsh and ugly - without any
of the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated at all.

Do I want to be attacking Lakeland or Todd Bentley in that way?
No - I want no part of it at all. I believe we can raise the issues
and bring forth the facts and "test the spirits" without resorting to
any of these tactics. And our battle is not with flesh and blood
anyway - it is with spiritual deception in "high places". So I am
not at "war" with Todd Bentley. I will be as polite and reasonable
as I can - while still putting forth the TRUTH about what I regard
as dangerous heresy.

And here is where Lee Grady and I begin to differ. You see, in the
Bible, heresy and deception and "seducing spirits" were always
treated as deeply serious and horrific things. With serious deception
it was never a case of being "lovey-dovey" or making mild 'back-
room' corrections. You will notice that in Scripture they always
corrected large-scale public deception IN PUBLIC. Sometimes
Paul would even name names in public - or issue public rebukes.
If there was a private offense or a personal issue between brothers -
that was different. If at all possible, you deal with personal offense
privately. (Matt 18). But when there is large-scale deception that is
spreading, you have to speak out boldly, publicly and strongly -
because the health of the entire body is at stake. This is clearly
what we see in Scripture. And "lovey-dovey-ness" was out the
window! Paul and the apostles and Jesus Himself were very strong
in publicly rebuking these kinds of people and their practices -
whether they were believers or not. They did it for the health of the
whole Body.

Sadly I get the feeling that Lee Grady may be whimping out a
little bit on some of this. It sounds so loving and "tolerant" to
speak of unity and say things like 'Can't we all just get along?"
But this is not true biblical unity - which is based on TRUTH.

The fact is, Jesus said, "I have come not to bring peace but a
sword." There is sometimes a division or separating that occurs
over major issues which is unavoidable - and in fact can be totally
necessary. There are some things that God does not WANT
connected with His body! A separation is not always bad. It
happened with Jesus all the time. He came to bring a "sword"
after all - and He promised that such things would happen.

So I can well believe that there may come some kind of separation
in the Charismatic movement. But let it not be because we
ourselves are trying to "drive" people out or slinging mud - or
engaging people in ways that are harsh or bitter. Let us preach
the truth in love, and if there is to be a separation, let God Himself
bring it about - not us through strife or bitter contention. My friends,
there is a way to conduct ourselves in these things that should
speak volumes to all - even the opposers. Let the spirit in which
we do things be truly godly. Amen?

This issue is being discussed at-
http://www.revivalschool.com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

"I'VE CHANGED my MIND ABOUT LAKELAND"
- Ken [-Revivalschool member].

Well, shortly after Lakeland started I was posting here as a
"supporter". I had my life transformed in the Brownsville revival,
and knowing that many who were offended at Lakeland were from
the same camp as those who opposed Brownsville, I naturally took
what I thought to be "the proper side". Although I did say I was put
off by the hype surrounding Lakeland, I was open to the idea that it
was "from God", and I saw criticism from this board that I chalked
up to mostly phariseeism. 

Then a couple of weeks ago I saw this video on YouTube. [-Linked
below]. It changed my mind once and for all. I don't know what
spirit was speaking to Bentley when he was told the revival wasn't
about getting people to Jesus, but it's about getting people to
believe in "the angel", but I've enough discernment to know it
wasn't God's Spirit! 

This should be elementary, but since sharing this with others I
know who've supported Lakeland, I was shocked to find it really
didn't bother them in the least! The leader of the revival says it's
not about getting people to Jesus but getting them to believe in
"the angel"- SINGULAR. What the heck? Is this the delusion? 

Well, I've seen the devil tip his hand and I've turned the other
direction. If God allowed me to see it and turn, He'll show others
too. I'm praying it happens, and I'm telling everyone I know about this. 

I apologise to anybody I might have offended or misled in keeping
my "open mind" about Lakeland. I would exhort everyone who still
thinks this is "from God" to honestly listen to what's being said on
the video. Does the Holy Spirit lead people to Jesus, or angels?  

LINK to VIDEO -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKA_X1zxOQc
 -------------
MORE from KEN:
Todd said that "God" told him "Todd, you've got to get the people
to believe in the angel." I don't know how else to take that. I don't
have a problem with believing in the supernatural, if I didn't believe
in the supernatural I wouldn't believe in Jesus in the first place! 

But look at the statement again. It looks like an agenda to me.
Todd and the rest (Bob Jones, etc.) are always talking about their
encounters with supernatural entities, but you never once hear
how they test what they're supposedly communicating with. I've
even heard BJ say that he told a "priest" that was talking to him, "I
know that you're Jesus, but I don't know who". 

So who, or what are these spirits that are talking to these guys?
They aren't tested, and nobody from the prophetic movement
seems to think it's important that they are. The "credentials" of the
preacher passing on the message are good enough (Credentials
meaning, how many people do they have following their ministry).
Well, that's not the criteria I read in the Bible for testing the spirits.....

So my point is, the spirits aren't tested, so all you have to go by is
does what they say agree with the Spirit and the Word? Would it
be on God's agenda to get people to believe in "The angel" ? Why?
Was that a running theme in the New Testament church? Was
Paul bent on getting the "gospel of the angel" to the church at
large, or to any of his mission field? I have to say no, it is and
always has been and never will be anything other than getting the
people to JESUS. If things aren't going "that direction", count me
out - I ain't goin', and I'll tell anyone else who'll listen they should
skip the trip, too... 

In the context of that message Todd was talking about "the angel
of the winds of change", who Todd says is responsible for the revival.
Why is an angel responsible for the revival? Why wouldn't God
Himself be responsible? What angelic entity that was of the host
of the Lord would even allow a "move of God" to focus on itself? I
can think of only one type of angel that would receive any kind of
special attention or glory from men - that would be a fallen angel. 

Let the Spirit of the Lord speak to your heart concerning these things. 

I pray you find the true God and Lord of the Bible and follow Him only. 

~Read more discussion of this topic on the Forum at-
http://www.revivalschool.com

ANDREW STROM's NEW BOOK - for *Any* Donation- 

"TRUE & FALSE REVIVAL"  (124 pages).

What are the FACTS about Todd Bentley's Lakeland revival that
we are not hearing? What is really behind the strong emphasis
on getting 'drunk' and strange angel encounters, etc? What is
happening around the world as this 'anointing' hits other places?
Why does the New Age "Kundalini" experience seem almost
identical to this 'impartation'? What is True Revival, and how do
we tell the false from the true? -All these questions and more
are answered in this provocative book.

(The author, Andrew Strom, spent 11 years in the same Prophetic
movement as Todd Bentley - until he quit in anguish over the
unbiblical and bizarre things going on in that movement. Thus he
brings a real "Insider's" perspective to this subject).

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This book supercedes Andrew's earlier book,
"Why I Left the Prophetic Movement". Whole sections of that
book have been included in this new one - because they are so
relevant to the topic.

ANDREW: We knew we needed to get this book out quickly, and
the fastest way to do so was to get some printed in Africa - where
I have been ministering for the last 2 weeks. (An amazing trip. We
saw literally hundreds of pastors publicly repent and commit
themselves to drive the Love of Money and the Prosperity gospel
out of the church. -More on this another time. God moved so
incredibly). I am due back in Nigeria in October.

So it is important to be aware that this first offering of the book
was printed in AFRICA. It is perfectly readable - but African
standards are not the same as the West. So you need to know
that this book looks like it was printed in Africa!! -It has quite a
unique "look" to it. So please regard any donation that you send
for this book as a donation towards our work in Africa. It is not a
donation for a perfect glossy product. You will be one of the first
people on the planet to own this book - but it has a "unique" look
to it. (We have only a certain number of these, so we need to
make a limit of one per person).  

HOW to GET THIS BOOK-

As always, we are making it available for *ANY* donation - or
even just the cost of postage (-which is only $2.65 to the USA).
We do not want anyone missing out just through lack of finances.
If you are able to send a "donation" that is great. But otherwise
just send the 'postage' amount. The best thing to do is simply
pray and send whatever God leads you to send.

TWO Simple STEPS:

First, please REPLY to this email so that we know that you
want this book.

Second, simply SEND YOUR DONATION to us.

-Probably the best way is to use PAYPAL to donate to us securely
online. Simply go to the following webpage to do that-

http://www.revivalschool.com/donate.html

OR you can simply send a check or money order (or cash) to
the following address (-Yes, U.S checks are fine):

Andrew Strom,
PO Box 21-904,
Henderson,
West Auckland 0650,
New Zealand.         

(-Please remember to include your ADDRESS.. Checks to be
simply made out to "Andrew Strom".. And we will get the book
off to you ASAP).

I look forward to your reply if you want this book, my friends.

God bless you all!

Andrew Strom.

"RUN for YOUR LIFE" - Carter Conlon - AUDIO

Delivered the Sunday after the Twin Towers were attacked (9/11) -
yet totally relevant to this moment in the church. They say that
it is one of the most powerful messages on SermonIndex.net. It
is all about the FALSE vs. the TRUE. And it directly speaks of
the very movement that we have been discussing in recent weeks.
Please take time to listen. Here is the link-

http://downloads1.revivalgodsway.com/1/SID1410.mp3

God bless you all.

VISION of THE ACID CLOUD - 1994
-by Richard Smith.

The following very significant vision was given to a man in England
way back in September 1994. 

THE ACID CLOUD - A VISION - Richard Smith.

This vision emerged with an unusually vivid degree of clarity on
Thursday morning the 29th September, 1994, just before I was
about to go out and do some studying. 

Following a period of pouring out my distressed feelings about the
condition of the Church to Jesus, who is our heavenly Advocate, I
saw ahead of me a large billowing black cloud which carried lots of
soot and other pollutants. Its sulphurous stench revealed that here
was no natural cloud, but rather it was the type of acid cloud which
arises from the explosion of some chemical plant or oil installation.
Blown by its own momentum, the acid cloud was rapidly heading
towards a low waterless desert plain which lay beneath some rocky
mountains. Filling the plain were all types of people whom I under-
stood represented the Christian population of England.  Most were
indigenous white Anglo-Saxons, but there were members of various
ethnic minorities as well. These stood for the immigrant population
in England.

FOUR GROUPS.  On closer inspection, I could see that this vast
assembly was divided into four main groups.  The first of these was
the one that was nearest to the cloud and was obviously coming under
its influence. This particular group can be known as the intoxicated.
Behind them, closely intermingled together, were the second and
third groups - these can be known as the fearful and the angry.
Still further behind at a little distance was a smaller group who
will be known as the prepared. However, one fact was obvious - the
acid cloud was going to cover all four groups regardless of whether
they wanted it to or not.

It was at this point that I perceived that the cloud was blowing in
from the Westerly direction.

In response to this cloud, the first group were laughing, dancing
and singing.  A few of their members were lying prostrate and making
all kinds of animal noises. Some were so deliriously happy that they
actually formed a dance line, which - while they were dancing the
conga - snaked its way into the cloud. With a start, I realised
their mistake. Already intoxicated by invisible fumes emanating from
the front of the cloud, this group were wrongly assuming that the
polluted cloud was a refreshing rain cloud that represented God's
presence.  They failed to see what its true nature was.

The second group of Christians saw what the cloud consisted of, but
then panicked.  Some ran away and tripped over, knocking themselves
out, while others stood there, frozen to the ground, looking in two
directions at once.  Like the first group, they too were swallowed
up by the cloud.  Their fundamental mistake was to panic in the face
of evil.

Whilst this was happening, the third group of Christians (who also
saw that the cloud was a menace) stood before it shaking their fists
and making all kinds of angry noises. Some were kicking at it with
their feet. Like the previous two groups, they were clad in light,
flimsy summer clothing. Their mistake was to try to fight the cloud
in their own strength. Consequently, they too were swallowed up.
Moreover, as the cloud ate up each of the three previous groups,
there was silence, followed by earpiercing howls of pain, succeeded
by more silence - which was broken only by the odd intermittent moan
or throaty gurgle which very much reminded me of a First World War
gas attack.

THE PREPARED.  However, the fourth group of Christians were getting
ready to deal with the threat posed by this cloud. With urgent haste,
they were donning anti-chemical suits of clothing, clamping on gas
masks and putting on strong safety helmets which had a bright light,
like a miner's lamp, attached to it. Above the lamp (which represent-
ed the light of the Holy Spirit) near the top of the helmet was a
bright red spot. At once I discerned that this symbolised the Blood
of Jesus Christ. It was His mark on this group.

Strapped to their sides were white first-aid cases with red crosses
on them. These carried a wide assortment of medical aids to help
those Christians who had been burned by the cloud. In their right
hands they carried strong transparent riot shields, while in their
left hands they carried various types of weoponry. These were ob-
viously designed to fight the various kinds of principalities which
inhabit the cloud.

Suddenly, at God's own timing, they formed a line, linked shields
and marched at an orderly pace into the cloud.  They were obviously
directed by the Lord to do this. It was also clear that they were
called to work very closely together. (Note; later, Richard was
shown that the strategy of this group would be to advance at the
Lord's command, fight strenuously, rescue and minister to some of
the wounded; then stand their ground awaiting the next call for
advance).

BELIEVE NOT EVERY SPIRIT.  Somewhat taken aback by the
implications of this vision, I then used my mind to apply 1 Jn 4:1-3.
In blunt Yorkshire tones, I said "Do you, the spirit who has brought
this picture so vividly to mind, boldly confess that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh"? "Yes, I boldly confess that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh". "Fine, what do you say about the Blood He
shed on the Cross?" "Through the Blood there is forgiveness of
sin. It protected the Israelites from My judgement on the Egyptian
firstborn". "Good. Now let's take counsel together and have some
intelligent discussion. Without repeating all the details that were
revealed earlier, would you please, Abba Father, send your Holy
Spirit to complete the interpretation of this vision?"

THE INTERPRETATION.  Still utterly in control of what was happening,
I then slowly took stock of what the Holy Spirit was saying. While
creating a piercing clarity of mind that served to heighten my
intellectual faculties, the Holy Spirit gave me the following inter-
pretation:

1) The acid cloud not only represented what is currently known as
the Toronto Phenomenon, it also represents all that will come out of
that occurrence. The Toronto Phenomenon is so to speak only the
front edge of the cloud. It is paving a way for even more extreme
manifestations of the evil one.  In short, "Toronto" can be seen as
a beginning rather than an end.

2) Being blown by its own momentum indicates that within the cloud
there is only what can be described as a hostile alien spirit. It is
the head spirit of many other spirits which inhabit the cloud. More-
over, this alien spirit has been given permission by God to try the
loyalties of Christians in this country. Through a process of sharp
division, which will cause many wounds, it will become really clear
who in the Church is standing by Jesus and who is not. However, some
of those who belong to the first three groups will be given a few
further chances to repent. For a little while, the opportunity to
get back into a right relationship with God will exist.

3)  The flat waterless desert plain represents English Society which
is bereft of the Holy Spirit. It may also have some bearing on other
places within the British Isles - even though it is England which is
primarily represented. 

Another point to mention is that if the Lord's people had been on
top of the rocky mountains, (which represents nearness to God's
presence) then they would have escaped the influence of the acid
cloud. Their position on the desert plain has left them desperately
vulnerable to the corrosive effects. In other words, being in the
place where Jesus Christ doesn't want them to be has stripped the
Church of many spiritual defences. Far from putting on the armour of
God, it is wearing loose, light summer clothes. Furthermore, being
in the desert place has caused many Christians to seek to assuage
their thirst from the wrong spiritual sources. That is one reason
why the first group greeted the cloud with such enthusiasm. It
seemed to offer an easy way to meet their needs.

4)  As was stated earlier, the people in the plain were Christians -
mainly charismatic/evangelical Christians, but there were also a
fair number of representatives from the established denominations as
well. They were conspicuous for their clerical collars, long robes
and self-important expressions on their faces. It was clear that
this cloud is going to have a very widespread effect.

5)  As was clearly seen in the vision itself, the four groups rep-
resented four possible reactions to the acid cloud. Only the last
was appropriate to the situation in hand.

In particular, those who stood frozen to the ground looking in two
directions, stood for Christian leaders who were trying to find
expedient diplomatic solutions to what was an impossible situation.
Not surprisingly, most of their supporters were quickly deserting
them - leaving them alone to be swallowed up by the cloud. At this
juncture, I believe the Holy Spirit is clearly saying "beware of
man-made expedients in dealing with the Toronto Phenomenon". What
the Church faces here is primarily a spiritual, not cultural or
psychological problem. Spiritual weapons will be needed to deal
with it.

6)  The role of the fourth group, which was the only one really
doing God's will, was two-fold. Firstly it has to use the spiritual
weapons given it to attack the principalities which were in the
cloud. Secondly, it had to help restore Christians from the previous
three groups who had been injured by it. Regrettably, some Christ-
ians they will have to bypass, because they will either refuse treat-
ment or be in such a wild state that it will be impossible to deal
with them.  

By no means will all Christians survive the passing of the cloud.
Some will forsake their faith, while others will suffer from perm-
anent physical and mental breakdowns. A few will even lose their very
lives there.

I began to see that the acid cloud was also the cloud of God's
judgement, that will have to pass over the Church until evil is
forcibly removed from it. Only after the acid cloud has done its work
will the Church be pure enough to receive the cloud of God's presence.
This cloud will in turn bring further cleansing and much-needed
revival. However, the time for this second cloud to pass over is not
yet. Any hopes of immediate revival are therefore premature.
This means that taken as a whole, the Toronto Phenomenon does not
represent a time of refreshing, rather it represents what is perhaps
the first instalment of a VERY severe judgement on the churches in
this country.

In a very real sense, the mass of God's people are being handed over
to satan for the destruction of the flesh. Only those who are faithful
to the Lord in all things will be exempt from this judgement - even
though they may be distressed by its consequences. For members of the
fourth group, there is the challenge to stand together and not act as
a group of disparate individuals.

In closing, I believe the Holy Spirit is challenging you who read
this document to decide which groups you belong to - is it to be the
intoxicated, the fearful, the angry or the prepared? Great evil is
coming upon many churches in this country - there exists only a
little time to make this decision.

~SOURCE:  Integrity Teaching Services, 10 Hyde Park Close,
Headingly, Leeds LS6 1SF, United Kingdom.

NOTE:  We are not publishing this because we fully agree - but
because it is important - and it's just come out. Our comments
follow the article:

HONEST QUESTIONS ABOUT the LAKELAND REVIVAL
-by J. Lee Grady [CHARISMA EDITOR]

I support any holy outbreak of revival fervor. But let’s be careful to
guard ourselves from pride and error.

God is stirring deep spiritual passion in the hearts of the thousands
of people who have traveled to Florida during the last month to
experience the Lakeland Healing Revival. Since these meetings
began in a 700-seat church on April 2, the crowd has moved four
times to bigger venues, the fervor has intensified and the news
has spread worldwide—thanks to God TV and online broadcasting.

Within a few weeks, the bandwagon effect was in full swing. It’s
safe to say that no outbreak of Pentecostalism in history has
gained so much international exposure so quickly as these
meetings have.

I’m a cheerleader for the charismatic movement, so I rejoiced
when I heard the news about revivalist Todd Bentley’s extended
visit to Ignited Church. It was thrilling to hear the reports of
miracles and to watch the crowd grow until a stadium was
required to hold everyone.

When I visited a service on April 15, I was blessed by Heather
Clark’s music and the audience’s exuberant worship. And I
laughed with everyone else as I watched Bentley shout his
trademarked “Bam! Bam! Bam!” as he prayed for the sick and
flailed his tattooed arms over the crowd. Hey, Jesus didn’t pray for
people according to the Pharisees’ rulebook, so I’m open to
unconventional methods.

But I would be dishonest if I told you that I wholeheartedly
embraced what I saw in Lakeland. Something disturbed me, but I
kept my mouth shut for three weeks while I prayed, got counsel
from respected ministry leaders and searched my heart to make
sure I was not harboring a religious spirit. The last thing we need
today is more mean-spirited heresy hunters blasting other Christians.

I am not a heresy hunter, and I support what is happening in
Lakeland because I know God uses imperfect people (like me and
you) to reach others for Jesus. At the same time, I believe my
questions are honest and my concerns are real.

My motive is not to criticize Bentley or the pastor who is
sponsoring these meetings, Stephen Strader. In September 2002
Charisma featured a seven-page article about Bentley’s amazing
conversion from drug addiction. I believe Bentley is a sincere
brother who wants people to encounter God’s presence and power.
No doubt this 32-year-old evangelist needs our prayers now more
than ever, especially since he has become the focus of
international media attention.

But as the noise from Lakeland grows louder and its influence
spreads, I’m issuing some words of warning that apply to all of us,
not just the folks in Lakeland. I hope everyone understands that
these cautions are offered in love:

1. Beware of strange fire.The name of Jesus is being lifted up in
the Lakeland revival, and three people came to the altar for
salvation the night I attended. Larger numbers have come to the
front of the auditorium to find Christ every night since then.

Yet I fear another message is also being preached subtly in
Lakeland—a message that cult-watchers would describe as a
spiritual counterfeit. Bentley is one of several charismatic
ministers who have emphasized angels in the last several years.
He has taught about angels who bring financial breakthroughs or
revelations, and he sometimes refers to an angel named Emma
who supposedly played a role in initiating a prophetic movement in
Kansas City in the 1980s. Bentley describes Emma as a woman
in a flowing white dress who floats a few feet off the floor.

All of us who believe the Bible know that angels are real, and that
they work on our behalf to protect us and minister to us. But the
apostle Paul, who had encounters with angels himself, issued
stern warnings to the Corinthians, the Galatians and the
Colossians about angels who preach another gospel or that
demand attention. In Colossae, believers were so enamored with
angels they had seen in visions that they became “inflated without
cause” by spiritual pride (Col. 2:18, NASB). Paul was adamant
that preoccupation with angels can lead to serious deception.

We need to tread carefully here! We have no business teaching
God’s people to commune with angels or to seek revelations from
them. And if any revival movement—no matter how exciting or
passionate—mixes the gospel of Jesus with this strange fire, the
results could be devastating. We need to remember that
Mormonism was born out of one man’s encounter with a dark
angel who claimed to speak for God.

2. Beware of bizarre manifestations.When the Holy Spirit’s power
comes on people they may feel weak or even fall. The Spirit’s
power can also cause people to tremble, shake, laugh or cry.
Such manifestations are biblical and we should leave room for
them. But where do we draw the line between legitimate
experience and fanatical excess?

The apostle Paul had to deal with outrageous charismatic
manifestations in the Corinthian church. People were acting like
raving lunatics—and turning the church in to a free-for-all of
unbridled ecstatic behavior. Paul called for discipline and order,
and he reminded early Christians that “the spirits of prophets are
subject to prophets” (1 Cor. 14:32). In other words, Paul was
saying that no one under the influence of the Holy Spirit should
act out of control.

In many recent charismatic revivals, ministers have allowed people
to behave like epileptics on stage—and they have attributed their
attention-getting antics to the Holy Spirit. We may think it’s all in
fun (you know, we’re just “acting crazy” for God) but we should be
more concerned that such behavior feeds carnality and grieves the Spirit.

When exotic manifestations are encouraged, people can actually
get a religious high from jerking, vibrating, screaming or acting
intoxicated. (I have even been around people who writhed as if in
pain, or made sexual noises—thinking this was a legitimate
spiritual experience.) But emotional euphoria doesn’t guarantee a
heart change. The person who is bucking like an untamed bronco
in a church service would benefit more from sitting still and reading
the Bible for an hour. When we put bizarre behavior on the platform
we imply that it is normative. Thus more strange fire is allowed to spread..

3. Beware of hype and exaggeration.Our hearts are crying out
today for a genuine move of God. We want the real deal. We’ve
read about the Great Awakenings of the past and we long to see
our nation overcome by a wave of repentance. The church is in a
backslidden state, and our nation has rebelled against God. We
are desperate!

In our longing for a holy visitation, however, we must be careful not
to call the first faint breeze of the Spirit a full-fledged revival. If we do
that, we are setting people up for disappointment when they realize it may not
be what we blew it up to be.

Some of the language used during the Lakeland Revival has
created an almost sideshow atmosphere. People are invited to
“Come and get some.” Miracles are supposedly “popping like
popcorn.” Organizers tout it as the greatest revival in history.

Such brash statements cheapen what the Holy Spirit is doing—
and they do a disservice to our brothers and sisters who are
experiencing New Testament-style revival in countries such as Iran,
China and India. We have a long way to go before we experience
their level of revival. Let’s stay humble and broken before the Lord.

I am rejoicing over all the reported healings at the Lakeland
meetings. Miracles are awesome. Crowds are great. But miracles
and crowds alone don’t guarantee a revival. Multitudes followed
Jesus during His ministry on earth, but many of the people who
saw the dead raised or ate food that was supernaturally multiplied
later crucified the Son of God.

It was the few disciples who followed Jesus after Calvary who
ushered in a true revival—one that was bathed in the fear of God,
confirmed by signs and wonders, tempered by persecution and
evidenced by thousands of conversions, new churches and the
transformation of society. We should expect nothing less.
-J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

ANDREW STROM:  For the Editor of Charisma this is a very
courageous thing to put out - and I certainly welcome it. But he
says in the article that he has been concerned for several weeks -
yet did not say anything until now. (Let's be honest - he put
out one of the first articles promoting the revival and everything
in it!)  Meantime, in the last 3 weeks, this movement has exploded,
and it is simply too late to pull it back now. The "anointing" has
gone worldwide. I have been getting reports from all over the USA,
Hong Kong, England, New Zealand, Hawaii. It is everywhere.
Sorry, Lee, I know you are trying to be "balanced" and 'cautious'.
Its just that we desperately could have done with these warnings
3 weeks ago. But I am sincere when I say that I do appreciate
your words. You have been a lot braver than many others.
-God bless you!  -Andrew Strom.

~Article source: http://charismamag.com/fireinmybones/

NOTE:  Several items are below:

(1) WARNING About VIDEOS
    -by Josef Urban.

I just want to share a warning with you all about watching the
videos of this thing on the internet and of watching the videos of
those things related to it. Also of listening to the worship music.
Even of videos and music and such from people associated with
this that are of the same spirit. 

I know a brother who was having serious spiritual attacks the day
after he watched a video of the revival and spoke against this, and
they persisted, until he prayed and broke the demonic curses and
they left instantly. 

Also, last night a dark presence came upon my house after
watching a video. As soon as we prayed, it went away. And then I
knew there was truly something there. 

A brother here also had the same thing happen to him last night
after watching these videos. He said a dark presence and a wicked
spirit entered his house and he and his wife both discerned it and
commanded it out and it left and that he too has been warned not
to watch these things any more. 

There is something really powerful at work here and it's something
that the Word of Faith preachers haven't even fully tapped into. 

Saints, be careful of these videos. I have personally had my severe
warning from the Lord not to watch them anymore, and these other
two brothers have also. There is more than just words in conflict
here, this is a conflict of spirits. So be warned, and be covered
with the blood of Jesus! If you must watch them for the purpose of
discernment, and for speaking against it specifically as is
profitable for the souls of men, then be covering yourself in prayer
for protection as you do, and when you're done, break all curses
over you and command any evil spirit to depart from your midst! 

For those of you who have been watching it, and have embraced it
and are accepting everything that comes from this move and from
Todd Bentley, I believe you are potentially in serious trouble and
you really need to seek the Lord to open your eyes and renounce
everything that is not directly from the Spirit of God. 

Matt replies:
Just chiming in to say I agree with you wholeheartedly. I've only
watched ~6 minutes of one video and had to turn it off. I felt the
Holy Spirit warn me not to ever watch again, His words to me
were "don't allow this into your home." After some prayer I know
this is truly a Word from the Lord. 

(2) DAVID WILKERSON Gets FEW INVITATIONS?

Yulandop writes:
I called David Wilkerson's ministry and I asked why Pastor David
doesn't minister within the states very often. She stated that he
does not get many invitations to minister within the states.  

'Apple' replies:
I am saddened to hear that David Wilkerson is not invited to preach
in the US so much anymore. This is a mighty man of God with
years of good fruit to vouch for his ministry and character... he has
almost been a lone voice calling America to repentance.

Andrew Strom comments:
I almost can't believe what I'm reading. If it is true, that is one of
the most terrible things I have ever read. David Wilkerson to me
should be one of the most in-demand preachers in America.
I believe he is one of the last prophets of real stature that the
USA has - and really a 'giant' you could say. Can this be possible -
that he gets few invitations?
If you have any information on this, please let me know.
How awful!  God help America.

(3)  There is a lot of information and comment posted on our
Forums concerning the Florida healing revival. Please take a look.
Here is the website-

http://www.revivalschool.com

God bless you all.