THE COMING GREAT REFORMATION.
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New Insights into the Coming Worldwide "Shaking", Reformation and Revival.
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- Book by Andrew Strom.
(Approx. 130x A4 pages. File size:- 330130 bytes).
COPYRIGHT (c) ANDREW STROM, 1996.
Published on the World Wide Web by A. Strom and New Zealand Revival Bulletin.
This book may be freely downloaded and photocopied, but not `published'
(either in full or in part) in any other form or in any other publication
without the author's prior consent. Neither may the text be altered in
any way, or extracts published (except for review purposes only) without
the prior consent of the author.
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THE COMING GREAT REFORMATION
CONTENTS:
- Introduction (-Important).
- Chapter One. Visions of Reformation and Revival.
- Chapter Two. The Laodicean Church.
- Chapter Three. Religious Extremes - Legalism vs. License.
- Chapter Four. Revival!
- Chapter Five. The Sin of Rebellion.
- Chapter Six. Two Revivals?
- Appendix. Tommy Hicks' End-Times Vision.
- Bibliography.
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"Learn from me, how difficult a thing it is to throw off errors
confirmed by the example of all the world, and which, through
long habit, have become a second nature to us."
- MARTIN LUTHER, THE REFORMER.
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INTRODUCTION (IMPORTANT).
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About three years ago I entered a period in my Christian walk of
some of the deepest dealings of God that I have ever experienced.
Along with this deep dealing came an anointing the like of which
I had never before known, even when newly baptized in the Holy
Spirit some years before. I would often spend whole evenings just
basking in the awesome presence of God, tears coursing down my
face, as I beheld Him again, in all His majesty and holiness. The
one message that kept coming through again and again at this time
was a very simple yet profound one: "Revival is coming!" I had
been praying - often agonizingly - for Revival for about ten
years up to this point, including seven years of the most shat-
tering "wilderness"-type experience. And suddenly, it seemed lit-
erally as though the heavens had opened!
Each time I received anew this promise of "Revival" I sensed that
it was an imminent - even urgent - message. And it was at about
this time too, that God began to bring me across many other
Christians who had been through a similar process to my own -
praying and prophetic people from all kinds of backgrounds, each
with a similar message from God. A number had even been given
amazingly specific dreams and visions concerning what was to
come. At that time I had very little idea of what had been
said by prophetic ministries overseas about Revival coming to
New Zealand, but right from the beginning, I was aware that God
was showing us that in order to prepare His people for worldwide
Revival on a huge scale, massive `change' and Reformation would
first have to be visited upon His church, just as with many great
moves of God in the past. If we expect to be involved in the
great last-days `harvest', then surely it is logical that God
would have to bring correspondingly huge `Reformation' upon His
church in order to prepare her for such a harvest? This is esp-
ecially true if the church is in the kind of inward-looking,
`Laodicean' state that we generally see her in today.
I have been studying Reformation and Revival history now for over
twelve years, and when I began to realize what God was saying to
us here in New Zealand, I began to write and put out a series of
small booklets on the subject. These seemed to produce a "snow-
ball" effect, as more and more people read them and got into con-
tact with me from all over the country. Before long I was in
touch with literally hundreds of praying groups and individuals
from right across New Zealand (population - three and a half mil-
lion) and almost all of them, it seemed, were being shown the
same things.
Some of the aspects that God has spoken about in detail here in
NZ are: The great "shaking" and total Reformation of the church
that lie ahead, the incredible "street-church" of tomorrow (a new
`street-based' Revival movement, absolutely saturated with the
glory of God), the `violent' new Revival ministries (apostles and
prophets, etc), the powerful, piercing "repentance" preaching
with tremendous conviction of sin, the healings and miracles,
with thousands of young people gathered in the streets, and the
glorious new `battle' and praise music that He is about to raise
up, etc. All of these aspects will be discussed fully in this
book.
There will be many who will find the implications of what I am
about to share quite shocking at times. This is not surprising.
Have you ever heard of a "comfortable" Reformation? For those who
have a vested interest in the status quo, true Revival and true
Reformation have always been the most "uncomfortable" of sub-
jects. And yes, many will be shocked by the picture that I paint
within these pages. I believe that we are about to witness the
greatest upheaval in the history of the church.
However, there is nothing that will be presented here that has
not been thoroughly tested against the precedents and principles
found right through the Scriptures and also church history. For
over twelve years now, God has led me to study and take careful
note of the ways in which He has moved amongst His people in the
past, from the beginning of the Old Testament right down through
the history of the church. These are the precedents and prin-
ciples by which we must judge every new movement. There is no
such thing as a Revival or new move of God that exists in iso-
lation. Every Revival is built on the foundations laid in pre-
vious Revivals. And there are familiar patterns running right
through all of the great moves of God that I have studied. Even
Jesus felt the need to use the Scriptures to prove the validity
of His ministry.
In recent years there has been considerable controversy over the
movement known as the "Toronto blessing" and the various manifes-
tations associated with it. This book is certainly not going to
be completely spent merely discussing the various arguments for
or against this movement. Rather, we will be concentrating on the
great Reformation and harvest that lie ahead. However, despite
the fact that the Toronto Airport church (home of the `Toronto
Blessing') has now been officially expelled from the Vineyard
movement, Toronto is still an important topic in the context of
this book. Therefore, I have set aside one chapter in which we
will discuss this movement in some detail, using facts from both
the Scriptures and church history, plus a number of visions that
have been given to praying people in NZ which give insight into
it. But like I said, the vast bulk of these pages will be spent
discussing the coming great Reformation, Revival and harvest, and
our preparation for them.
As well as looking at Reformations and Revivals down through his-
tory, we will also be discussing a large number of recent dreams
and visions given to praying people in New Zealand. I have no
desire that these visions be treated as `authoritative' in them-
selves, though I myself certainly believe that they have been
given by God. Rather, like anything else, these dreams and vis-
ions must be tested to make sure that they line up with the pat-
terns that God has established whenever He has moved in the past.
In other words, they must line up with the Scriptures and also
with God's established pattern of Reformation and Revival
throughout church history. And of course, we must each also ask
ourselves, "Does this vision witness with my spirit as truly be-
ing of God?"
It is my belief that every one of the dreams and visions des-
cribed in this book passes each of these tests with flying col-
ours. True Reformation and true Revival have always been the most
revolutionary, the most earth-shattering, the most `violent'
spiritual events of their time. It is my belief that we live in
the most momentous days in the history of the church. Incredible
events are about to unfold before our very eyes. In the many
dreams and visions given in New Zealand, God has likened the
coming move to a `Bride', to a warrior army, etc. Of course, such
analogies are entirely Scriptural, and they often describe per-
fectly the role of the coming `Revival' ministries.
Surely, if we are in the `last days', then the extraordinary
times that we live in call for an unusually powerful and sweeping
Revival? And surely, in such times as these, it makes perfect
sense that God would send the greatest-ever Reformation in order
to prepare His church for what must surely be the greatest `harv-
est' (the final one) in all history? We only have to look around
us to see the urgent need for such a great move of God. Both the
church and the world are desperately poverty-stricken spiritual-
ly. And right down through history, God has always brought an
outpouring of great mercy before He has brought great judgement.
May not this present desperate hour be one of those times?
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Chapter One - VISIONS OF REFORMATION AND REVIVAL.
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For generations now, God has been speaking to His people all over
the world about the great end-times Revival, the final "harvest"
that will come before the tribulation and judgement that will
close this present age. On the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter
declared, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit
upon ALL FLESH. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your
young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams..." (Acts 2:17). The Bible speaks of the `former' (or ear-
ly) rain and also the "latter rain" (or `harvest-ripening' rain)
which occurs much later, just before the wheat fields are har-
vested. It is this great "latter rain" outpouring of God's Spirit
that we are now awaiting.
Jesus spoke of the harvest as being the "end of the age" (Matt
13:39). In the parable of the tares and the wheat He declared
that at the time of this end-time harvest He would cause the
`tares' (or false wheat) to be separated from the true wheat. The
true wheat would be gathered into His barn, but the false wheat
would be gathered into bundles and burnt. We are now living in
the days that will see the dramatic fulfillment of this parable,
first in the church (for judgement must first begin at the house
of God - 1 Peter 4:17) and then in the world. This `tares and
wheat' parable should be a very disturbing and significant one
for the end-time church to contemplate, and in many ways it is
central to some of the awesome (and sometimes shocking) things
that God has shown us here in New Zealand regarding the immediate
future of the church.
Some Christians have opposed the idea that there will be any
great Revival at the end of the age. They point out that accord-
ing to the Scriptures, the end-times church will be in a state of
almost complete spiritual bankruptcy - materialistic, carnal,
lukewarm - "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God". Surely
such a church would be in no state to bring in such a great
`harvest' in Jesus' name? And in this respect we have to admit
that WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE AND CORRECT.
Indeed, the Scriptures on the subject are universal in the pic-
ture they paint of an end-times church that is virtually apostate
and Laodicean in every respect. How can such a church ever
be part of the greatest Revival in history? The answer to this
question is very simple: IT CAN'T!
Just as with many previous moves of God right down through
the ages, God has made it very clear that once again, only a
"remnant" of believers, who have willingly gone through the
necessary preparation, will have a part in the coming Revival.
Those who refuse to submit to this preparation process, prefer-
ring to remain in their present `Laodicean' state - will clearly
have no part whatsoever in the coming move of God. Rather, just
as Jesus has promised, the lukewarm are to be "spewed" out of the
mouth of God (Rev 3:16).
The Bible makes it very clear that God cannot live with a `bless-
ings'-obsessed, Laodicean-type church. And in this world of in-
creasing darkness, it becomes doubly imperative that God has a
people in the earth who are shining forth His light with the
greatest possible effectiveness. This is what the coming Reform-
ation is all about - finding and cleansing and anointing such a
people so that they can shine forth His light in all the earth.
This is why such a massive `shaking' and repentance must first
come upon the church. God must find and raise up such a people.
And as always, only a "remnant" who embrace this dealing of God
will make it through into the coming move, just as only a rem-
nant of the Israelites who left Egypt made it through into the
promised land. The rest were overthrown by God in the wilderness.
We live in the most awesome of days - the days of separation,
judgement and "harvest" spoken about in Mt 13:24-43. And this en-
tire process must first begin in God's own house (1 Pe 4:17).
It is interesting to note in the parable of the tares and the
wheat (Mt 13), that at the end of the age it is the `false wheat'
in God's kingdom that is bundled together (unified) first and
separated from the true wheat. When this separating process is
complete, we see God's judgement fall upon these `tares'. As
history clearly shows, God is very patient, but the time must
come for the `sifting' and judgement of His people. While there
is still true wheat amongst the tares, the tares are relatively
safe. But as soon as this separating process is complete, the
tares are in imminent danger of falling under the judgement fire
of God's holy wrath. He will not forever stand for a people who
cause His name to be mocked and brought into an open shame.
Meanwhile, God's true remnant will be being purified, tried as by
fire, until every impurity is gone - prepared as a Bride fit for
her King - pure and holy, "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing" (Eph 5:27). This will be the company of saints who will
bring in the great last-days harvest of souls, and who will
preach the gospel of the kingdom in all the earth with great au-
thority and power, and with signs and wonders following, before
the end comes.
AN OPEN VISION OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
The following is a vision that was given to a friend of mine who
is very experienced in this `prophetic' area, late in 1993. This
gentleman has many years of Christian ministry behind him, and in
the last few years has been given a number of stunning dreams and
visions about the coming move of God. However, he told me that
this particular vision was one of the most powerful of all. It
unfolded before his eyes like a movie in technicolor, with God
speaking to him about aspects of it as he watched.
Basically, it was a traditional wedding scene. The radiantly
beautiful Bride had just stepped out of the Cathedral and was
standing on the top step, just outside. My friend was told that
the Bride was LEAVING `CHRISTENDOM' (AND ALL THAT GOES WITH IT)
FOREVER, leaving the `church' system behind. The Groom (who was
Jesus) took her arm, so that He could lead her down and proudly
display His beautiful Bride to all the world.
Still inside the Cathedral were all the relatives (these were the
various `streams' and denominations of the church as we know it).
Suddenly, while the Bride was still on the top step, an invis-
ible hand gave her a beautiful lily (which had been plucked out
by the roots). This was her bridal `bouquet' (her new anointing,
perhaps?) and for some reason it seemed to be given to her rather
late. She threw this bouquet backwards, and some of her relatives
in the church, who had been watching her with great jealousy and
awe, made a grab for the bouquet. Two of them seemed to snatch it
up. The Groom then led the Bride down the steps and through the
huge crowd of cheering people down below, who had been unable to
get into the Cathedral. In a later vision, my friend was shown
that after they had made their way through this huge throng, the
happy couple were then taken away on their honeymoon, which was
to last for a thousand years.
When speaking of the `end of the age', Jesus Himself often used
`wedding'- type analogies. In the parable of the five wise and
the five foolish virgins, for instance (which is again obviously
referring to CHRISTIANS), Jesus again divides the believers into
two groups. When the watchman cries, "Behold, the Bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet Him!", fully HALF of the (supposedly
`Spirit-filled') Christians suddenly find that there is a severe
lack of "oil" in their lamps! Because of this, they are complete-
ly shut out of the marriage feast. Again, in Jesus' parable of
the wedding feast (Mt 22 v1-14), the King sends out His servants
to tell those who have been `invited' that everything is now
ready, and that it is time to come and celebrate His Son's
marriage. But these `invited' ones make light of it, maltreating
His servants and refusing to attend. The King then sends His
armies to destroy their city and raze it to the ground, and sends
out His servants once again, into the highways and byways, com-
pelling everybody, `both good and bad' to come in and rejoice
with Him at the marriage of His Son.
Like that last parable, I believe that we now live in days of
tremendous danger for those who have already received their `in-
vitations' to the coming wedding feast. As in every Revival, many
who have been invited, many who `should be there', never make it,
and their places are taken by the unknowns, the outcasts, the
meek, the despised and the rejected. So let those who have
`reputations' to protect, those who are counted amongst the "wise
and prudent", those who are seen as 'somebodies',- let them all
beware! For these are days not only of great opportunity, but
also of great danger. "For many are called but few are chosen"
(Mt 22:14).
It is my belief that God is going to delight in using the "fool-
ish things of this world to confound the wise" in this Revival.
As always, He is going to use the "little" people - the people
who are of no account - to humble the powerful, the successful
and the mighty. He is going to take the unknowns and the out-
casts, the praying solo mothers and the ex-gang-members, the
"fishermen and the tax-collectors", and He is going to anoint
them and raise them up into the mightiest army of miracle-working
apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc, that this world has ever
known. And all they will be interested in doing is glorifying Him
in every conceivable way.
When this happens, many of today's Christian leaders will marvel,
just as the scribes and Chief Priests `marvelled' at the boldness
of Peter and John when they saw that they were "unlearned and ig-
norant men... and they took knowledge of them, that THEY HAD BEEN
WITH JESUS" (Acts 4:13). That is the secret: "THEY HAD BEEN WITH
JESUS". And thus it will be of everyone that is used of God in
this Revival. "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent,
and have revealed them unto babes" (Mt 11:25).
I believe that many forgotten and hidden Christians, whom God has
been quietly preparing for many years, will make up this radiant-
ly lovely Bride of Christ in these last days. Like a hidden army,
they will suddenly spring forth as if from nowhere, to take the
field in the name of the Lord and of righteousness. Thus it has
always been, and always will be, with the greatest moves of God.
Hidden preparation and sudden, aggressive mobilisation have been
the keys to many of God's greatest victories in the past, and
this time will be no different.
Be assured of this: Jesus must have His virgin Bride. He cannot
return until a Bride is prepared for Him that is literally "with-
out spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing". That is what this Re-
vival is all about: to bring into being and display His beautiful
Bride to all the world. In physical terms, this `Bridal' company
of saints will not look particularly amazing or special. Like the
original apostles, they will be ordinary people with an extraord-
inary calling and anointing. Many of them will no doubt seem a
little rough or `ill-suited' (from an outward point of view) to
be endued with such power, but this will only serve to bring God
all the more glory. They may not look like much on the outside,
but these men and women will have hearts that are literally "as
pure as snow". They will be a people who know exactly what it
means to walk in total heart purity before God. To Him, they will
be vastly more precious than all of the "gold or pearls or costly
array" of this entire Universe. And they will go forth with great
power, "destroying the works of the devil" in His name.
THE INCREDIBLE "STREET-CHURCH" OF TOMORROW
For the past fifteen years or more, all over the world God has
been warning His people of the great "shaking" and Reformation
that are about to come upon His church. In 1982, for instance, in
a very powerful visitation, one well- known American interces-
sor/leader was clearly spoken to by God: "I am going to change
the understanding and expression of Christianity IN THE EARTH in
one generation". As we have seen in the vision of the Bride, she
was seen leaving `Christendom' (and all that goes with it) forev-
er - leaving behind the `church system' as we know it. From this
and many other visions and prophecies, etc, in New Zealand, it
has become obvious to us that IN ORDER TO BE PART OF THE NEW MOVE
OF GOD IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO COMPLETELY LEAVE TODAY'S CHURCH
SYSTEM. This is not "rebellion". (In fact we will discuss the
subtle dangers of rebellion later in this book). What God has
said to us in this regard actually has a tremendous amount of
historic precedent, both in Scripture and in church history, as
we shall see. The reasons and the timing for this move will be-
come much clearer as we go along.
Of course, those with a vested interest in maintaining the pres-
ent church hierarchies and systems will be violently opposed to
such an idea. Many reformers, such as Martin Luther, John Wesley
and William Booth faced enormous opposition from the established
church leadership of their day for precisely this reason. This is
why true Reformation and Revival are often the most controversial
and the most persecuted spiritual events of their time. And this
is also why it has often been the CHRISTIANS (particularly the
leaders) who have persecuted new moves of God the worst.
Something that God has made very clear to us in NZ is that the
coming Revival is to be a "street-based" (or `open-air' based)
move of God. Today we have a "meetings and buildings" oriented
church, a church that is hidden away in `boxes' from the eyes of
the world. But, like the early church (where they met daily in
the huge open-air temple courtyard - probably the most public
place in all Jerusalem), and also like the mighty Wesley and Sal-
vation Army Revivals, the coming move of God is to be truly
street-based. (There will also, like the early church, be gath-
erings of the saints from "house to house" (Acts 2:41-47).
God is also going to use this Reformation and Revival to smash
down the dividing walls that separate the Christians. Jesus has
never stopped desiring that there be only "one" undivided body.
Today, however, just amongst the Pentecostal/Charismatic Chris-
tians alone there are so many divisions, "streams" and denomina-
tions that it is almost impossible to count them all. Each divi-
sion has it's own `label', and in many ways they operate like
competing corporations, selling the same "product" under differ-
ent labels (with slight variations). It's ridiculous! And the
whole church system today is set up in such a way that it just
ensures that these divisions continue. These are `structural'
divisions that have been virtually set in concrete - "institu-
tionalised" divisions that are simply accepted and perpetuated by
each new generation of Christians.
God is going to smash down these `walls' in this Revival. How? By
bringing His people out from underneath all these "labels"! In
one very significant vision several years ago, a NZ prophet saw
God firing "flaming arrows" into the churches. These flaming ar-
rows were `on-fire' ministries, speaking the word of God. Howev-
er, the Pastors were rushing around trying to damp down the
flames! God then sent a "mighty wind" to fan the flames, and sud-
denly the doors of the churches burst open and all the people
flooded out onto the streets to become one huge throng. I believe
that this is an exact picture of what is about to take place, and
in many ways it also illustrates the whole concept of "Reform-
ation" very well (as will be seen from later chapters).
Another local intercessor was also shown a vision relating to
this several years ago, while deep in prayer. The first thing
she saw was church buildings of every kind - stained glass,
steeples, plain and modern, etc. This part of the vision was in
black and white. The churches all looked abandoned - like a ghost
town, with birds nesting in them and doors and windows askew,
etc. And in each church, the intercessor saw a huge old curtain
or `veil' that was in absolute tatters.
The second part of the vision was all in colour. She saw hundreds
of Christians outdoors (with guitars, etc) fellowshipping togeth-
er in the open air. She knew that these Christians had abandoned
their church buildings and `divisions', and were now fellowship-
ping freely out-of-doors. When she asked God what the huge tat-
tered curtain in each of the abandoned churches represented, she
was told that when Jesus was crucified, the veil/curtain in the
temple was rent, thus allowing the people free access to the
`holy of holies'. However, the churches had raised up this veil
once again. But now these structures had been abandoned, thus al-
lowing the common people free access to God's holy-of-holies once
more. What an astounding vision!
One of the best examples I know of a truly "street-based" Revival
movement was the early Salvation Army (1860's to the 1890's). In
those days, the Salvationists were largely a bunch of `on-fire',
praying zealots, given to holding open-air street meetings in
which their brass bands would crash away raucously and their
preachers would exhort the people to repentance under a mighty
anointing. Their motto was, "Go for souls, and go for the worst!"
Many early Salvationists were arrested, and there were often
full-scale riots involving huge mobs, etc. The newspapers were
full of it. The Salvationists were both controversial and notori-
ous. And thousands upon thousands of people were converted. With-
in days of the first tiny contingent of Salvationists arriving in
New Zealand, the following cable-gram was despatched to General
Booth in England: "Dunedin, Auckland blazing. Christchurch short-
ly. Reinforce sharp."
There can be no doubt that God desires a loving, militant
"street-level" Church today. After all, isn't that what the early
church was all about? I believe that it will become common for
incredible signs, wonders and miracles to be performed on the
streets as a result of this coming Revival. In fact, I believe
that we are about to see a demonstration of God's glory in the
area of the miraculous that will be even more powerful than the
book of Acts.
Enormous love, enormous boldness and `joy unspeakable' will be
just some of the characteristics of this Revival. And everything
will be bathed in prayer. In fact this Revival is going to be
BUILT on prayer. As Charles Finney said, "Revival comes from
heaven when heroic souls enter the conflict determined to win or
die... `The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent
take it by force.'" There is no substitute for faith-filled,
Spirit-fired "agonizing" prayer. Only those who are prepared and
praying will be involved in this Revival from the beginning. As
history shows, great blessing can only ever fall when the people
of God learn to seek His face with all their heart.
THE "VIOLENT" NEW MINISTRIES
Along with the picture of a radiantly beautiful Bride, God has
also often likened the coming move to an army being prepared for
battle, and then attacking the enemy with great violence. I my-
self believe that spiritual aggression and daring faith are all
part and parcel of the Bride's radiant beauty. She will "love not
her life unto the death" (Rev 12:11). All over the world, there
have been numerous dreams and visions that speak of the great
army of God that is about to arise and do battle.
About two years ago, for instance, a New Zealand prophet was giv-
en a vision of the `vanguard' of the army (those at the front),
who were in a long column advancing slowly towards the enemy with
measured steps. They were slowly forcing the enemy back, but the
reason they didn't rush forward into battle was because they were
waiting for the rest of the army behind them to get into forma-
tion so that they could all rush forward together. In this vi-
sion, there was a sudden `roar', like a great shout of victory,
and the whole army suddenly charged forward into battle, utterly
decimating the enemy with a great slaughter. This went on for
some time. Suddenly the prophet realized that in the vision, Sa-
tan himself was now isolated and completely surrounded by the
armies of God. And there was a sudden awareness that Jesus was
now present, and that Satan was about to be bound in chains and
cast into the abyss.
While I am certainly not a believer in `dominion theology' or
other extreme teachings, it cannot be denied that the Bible
clearly states in Heb 10:12-13: "But when Christ had offered for
all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right
hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a
stool for His feet." It seems clear from this and other Scrip-
tures, that Jesus is waiting at the right hand of the Father un-
til His enemies are defeated and placed `under His feet'. Of
course, in a very real way, the devil is already a defeated foe,
having been defeated by Christ at Calvary. However, it seems
that he has remained in his position as the "prince of this
world" for the time being. Isn't it logical that in the last days
God would raise up an army of believers who would truly enforce
Christ's victory over His enemies (as the Scriptures declare)?
It is my belief that the army of God that is now in the final
stages of preparation on the earth, will pursue the devil's
forces across whole continents, razing his strongholds to the
ground, laying waste to all his works, and slaughtering his
armies across a broad front. This will truly be a people that
will "destroy the works of the devil" with exceeding violence.
After all, did not Jesus Himself say, "I will build my Church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail (Greek: `stand strong')
against it"? The gates of hell simply cannot stand against the
Church that Jesus builds! We are to smash down the gates and in-
vade Satan's territory, destroying every devilish work as we go.
We are to be a "violent" people, fiercely intent (as Joshua's
people were) on "taking the kingdom by force".
The following is a dream that was given to a prophet friend of
mine, who has received a large number of stunning dreams and vi-
sions about the coming move of God over the past four years or
so. This particular dream was given to him four times. It is
probably the most `unusual' one that he has ever been given, but
he knows that it is of God. I believe that it may well give us
vital insight into God's battle strategy for the last days. The
first thing that he saw was what seemed to be fallen angelic
princes, drifting high above the earth. Though they were obvious-
ly very evil, they had the appearance of loving, `saintly' an-
gels. They appeared to be gloating at the ease with which they
held sway over the people of the earth. Under their direct com-
mand were much uglier beings with huge swords - the `strongmen'
over nations - who were sent down to earth literally to cause men
to kill one another, to make them willing to lay down their lives
for nationalistic causes, etc. Basically, these `strongmen' would
use any possible means to cause human beings to die young, par-
ticularly on a large scale.
Now here comes the really bizarre part. It appeared in the dream
that somehow, the highest demonic princes were able to `feed' on
the spiritual life that was released when these people were
killed. It was brought up to them in the form of `manna' by the
strongmen. In the dream, my friend heard the fallen princes say
to the strongmen, "Go down and kill as many humans as you can,
for it is the last days, and we must store up as much `manna' as
possible before the end." Suddenly, in the dream, a spaceship ap-
peared, full of mighty men and women of God. They saw exactly
what was going on, and for a while they tried to warn the people
of the earth. However, this achieved very little, so they mounted
a direct attack against the strongmen. They didn't bother with
the lower-ranked demons. They went directly for the `palace' in
the heavens in which the strongmen themselves were based.
When the spaceship reached this palace, the captain and the other
leaders (the `five-fold' ministries) from the ship stormed into
the palace, leaving behind a support crew. Using space-age
weapons (hand-held lasers, etc), they attacked the strongmen with
deadly skill and great daring. These were highly trained special-
ists. They worked as a team, and they were utterly fearless in
battle. The strongmen were terrified. They were trying to kill
the five-fold ministries with their swords (not their guns for
some reason), but were unable to do so. The strongmen were de-
stroyed one by one, and soon the corridors were littered with
their dead bodies. The demonic princes over them were panic-
stricken, knowing that their support and protection was fast
evaporating. It was a total rout, a complete victory for God.
Now some of you may have found the above dream a little `unusu-
al', to say the least. However, when my friend, who was given
this dream four times, prayed about it, he realized that some of
the concepts contained in it would have been almost impossible to
understand if they had not been put across in such a way. I have
noticed that in dreams and visions, God often uses the most sim-
ple illustations to shed light on the most profound truths. I be-
lieve that this dream and others like it, give significant in-
sight into the great spiritual war that is about to be waged.
We are told in Heb 12:26, "But now He has promised, `Yet once
more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.'" And in
Rev 12:7 we read: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his
angels, and did not prevail, neither was their place found any
more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast down, that old ser-
pent called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world: He
was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with
him."
I believe that the dream recounted earlier is speaking of the vi-
tal role that the end-times ministries will also play in this
victory over Satan. We can tell that humans (not just angels)
will have an integral part in this victory because just two vers-
es later we read: "And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not
their lives unto the death" (Rev 12:11). I do not believe that
what is spoken of in the dream is merely a `prayer' battle - to
be fought out by the intercessors (though prayer will be vital,
of course. In fact, the battle must be won in prayer first).
Rather, I believe that somehow, in the coming Revival, when the
new ministries have been raised up and anointed by God, there
will be direct confrontations between certain of these `five-
fold' ministries and the `strongmen over nations' that we have
spoken of.
When these strongmen have been destroyed, and Satan and the rest
of his angels have been cast down to earth by God's angelic
armies, then I believe we will see the period on earth known as
the "Great Tribulation", where unprecedented deception, darkness
and persecution will arise. Right through the last days `harvest'
period, I believe that there will be persecution, earthquakes,
natural disasters, `wars and rumours of wars', etc. But when the
real Tribulation begins, darkness and persecution will greatly
increase. In fact, I believe that many Christians will be im-
prisoned and killed towards the end. "Woe to the inhabitants of
the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you
having great wrath, because he knows that his time is short" (Rev
12:12).
It is clear that the entire Bride of Christ will be actively "de-
stroying the works of the devil" at various levels, in the coming
Revival. But what exactly are these `works of the devil'? To me,
they are anything that keep people bound in sin, misery, sickness
or oppression. Jesus said that the `thief' comes to "steal, kill,
and destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10). So how exactly did
Jesus `destroy the works of the devil' from out of peoples' lives
in His day? Well, one obvious aspect of Jesus' ministry was His
consistent preaching of a very strong and direct repentance mess-
age. He also said of His ministry, "The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the
dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to
them" (Mt 11:5). Truly, His was a ministry of forgiveness, clean-
sing and liberation aimed especially at the poor, the sick, the
broken-hearted, and all who were `oppressed of the devil'.
At times, Jesus also found it necessary to bring a "searing re-
buke", because of the hardness of heart present in a group or
an individual. Obviously, at such times He perceived that a
piercing, anointed word of rebuke was the only thing that would
break down the strongholds of sin, compromise, religion, unbe-
lief, etc, that were holding these people captive.
One thing that seems to have been coming through again and again
in NZ, is the fact that the army that God is now preparing will
attack the kingdom of darkness with incredible violence - with
reckless daring and ruthless aggression. They will make no
`treaties' and they will take no prisoners. In one way, as we
have discussed, I believe that Jesus is waiting at the right hand
of the Father until His enemies are made a `footstool' for His
feet. In another, very real way, He will truly be with us by His
Spirit, triumphantly leading His people into war.
A prophet friend of mine, who until recently has only rarely re-
ceived dreams or visions, was given a particularly powerful vi-
sion about two years ago. He said that it was so real that it
was literally just like being there. This vision only lasted a
short time, but it had a very powerful impact on him. What he
saw was this: He was standing in what appeared to be a valley,
staring at something the size of a mountain that had just burst
up through the surface of the earth. But this was no mere vol-
canic eruption. What my friend saw was, in fact, the head of a
gigantic white horse that had literally burst up through the
ground. Around it's head, molten lava was spurting. My friend
said that he was frightened by the look of sheer ferocity in the
eyes of the creature. There could be no denying that this was
truly a `war' horse, fiercely intent on the battle to come.
One of the things that strikes me as very significant about this
vision is the fact that THE WHITE HORSE'S HEAD HAS NOW BROKEN
THROUGH THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH. "... and behold a white horse:
and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him:
and he went forth conquering and to conquer" (Rev 6:2). "And I
saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon
him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges
and makes war... and His name is called The Word of God. And the
armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses,
clothed in white linen, white and clean..." (Rev 19:11-14).
All over the world in the past fifteen years or so, God has been
speaking of a distinct grouping of ministries that would again
arise in great power in the last days. These are the end-times
"Elijah" ministries, who are about to be raised up, as prophesied
for thousands of years, under a mighty anointing, "preparing the
way of the Lord" and making straight `a highway for our God' (Is
40:3). As we are told in Mal 4:5-6, "Behold, I will send you Eli-
jah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day
of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the
children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I
come and smite the earth with a curse." Jesus Himself stated that
"Elijah comes, and will restore all things..." (Mt 17:11).
There are at least three great men of God in history who have
walked under this mighty mantle and anointing of Elijah: Elijah
himself, the prophet Elisha, and also John the Baptist (who came
`preparing the way of the Lord' at His first coming). Now that we
are approaching Christ's return - the "great and dreadful day of
the Lord", we can expect that God will once again raise up bold
and anointed messengers, just as prophesied, who will go forth
`in the spirit and power of Elijah', preparing the way of the
Lord once more. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come" (Mt 24:14).
To get some idea of the rugged and even `violent' nature of these
Elijah ministries, it is necessary to go back and look at the
`Elijahs' of the past. There is no question that these were
blunt, uncompromising, fearless messengers of God. They attacked
the sin and compromise of their day with cutting power, for the
full authority of the Living God was behind every word that they
spoke. Their words were like a consuming fire, a piercing two-
edged sword, a `hammer that breaks the rock into pieces'. And
they stood unbending in the name of truth and of righteousness,
to put to flight God's enemies, to rebuke His wayward people, and
to again lift up His `standard' amidst the darkness of their
time.
Witness the fearless prophet Elijah on top of Mt Carmel. (1 Kings
18). At his word there has not been one drop of rain in all Is-
rael for three and a half years. And now here he is, the only man
who dares openly oppose the evil Baal-worshipping empire under
cruel queen/witch Jezebel. Hear Elijah lay down his mocking chal-
lenge to the Baal priests and prophets: "Perhaps your god is on a
journey. Or perhaps he sleeps and needs awakening!"(v27). And
then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, we see Elijah, that
fearless prophet of God, call fire down from heaven right before
the startled eyes of all present. "And when all the people saw it
they fell on their faces: and they said, the Lord, He is the God;
the Lord, He is the God. And Elijah said unto them, Take the
prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them:
And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them
there" (v 39-40).
Now we jump to 2 Kings chapter one. The rebellious and evil king
of Samaria has just sent fifty soldiers to bring the prophet Eli-
jah down from the hill on which he sits. "And Elijah answered and
said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire
come down from heaven, and consume you and your fifty. And there
came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty" (v
10). Rather foolishly, the king then sends another fifty soldiers
to bring Elijah down. These too are consumed by fire in exactly
the same way. It is not until the next captain of fifty comes to
him on his knees, begging and pleading, that Elijah agrees to go
down with him to see the king.
The above incidents, which are typical of the kinds of things
that took place in the lives of both Elijah and Elisha, demon-
strate not only their power and authority under God, but also the
spiritually `violent' nature of this kind of ministry. One Scrip-
ture that has been given to myself and others again and again in
relation to the new move of God is Mt 11:12:- "... from the days
of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers vio-
lence, and the violent take it by force." I believe that the en-
tire coming Revival worldwide is to be a spiritually `violent'
move - probably the most aggressive that this planet has ever
seen. The `Elijah' ministries will lead God's armies into battle
- a glorious army, "terrible with banners", and no weapon that is
formed against them will stand.
Who could doubt that we live today on the verge of the most mo-
mentous days in the history of the church? The Revival that is
coming will surely be the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit
that the world has ever known. It will be "the former rain and
the latter rain in the first month, and the floors shall be full
of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil" (Joel
2:23-24). We live in a time when God's mighty `men and women of
valour' will once again roam the earth, and when "the people who
do know their God shall be strong and do exploits" (Dan 11:32).
The apostles, prophets and evangelists that are about to arise in
these last days, will be amongst the most anointed warriors of
God that have ever trod the earth. They will literally walk in
the resurrection glory of Jesus Christ. Endued with `power from
on high', they will go forth, a fearful army, "conquering and to
conquer", and nothing will stand in their path.
APOSTOLIC TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES
Like the early Church, the new move of God is to be built on the
`foundation' of the soon-to-emerge mighty "apostles and prophets"
that He is about to raise up for this hour (Eph 2:20). This is to
be an `apostolic' move. As it was in the beginning, so it will be
also at the end. Just as with every great move of God, this one
is to be built around the new leadership that He is raising up
specifically for this hour. Thus it will clearly be "WHEN THE NEW
APOSTLES ARISE" that true Reformation and Revival will begin. It
is these `apostolic' ministries who will be the `violent' min-
istries, raised up by God as Joshua was, to lead His people into
war - to "take the kingdom by force". And with the return of true
apostolic leadership will come a restoration of many basic "book-
of-Acts" type apostolic teachings and practices.
One of the most basic and obvious of these apostolic teachings, I
believe, will be to restore the original meaning and purpose of
the Lord's Supper and also Believer's Baptism. Both of these are
seen by many Christians merely as something akin to a symbolic
ritual, performed in `rememberance' or just out of obedience to
Scripture, rather than because they have tremendous spiritual im-
pact from God's point of view. In reality, there is actually
NOTHING that Jesus has instituted in the New Testament that is
merely a "symbolic" act or a `ritual' that we are to perform.
Such things belong to the Old Covenant, not the New. Everything
that Jesus has instituted in the New Covenant has tremendous
spiritual value and life-giving power, if only we can partake of
these things by faith, as He intended.
When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we are supposed to be par-
taking afresh of the "bread of life" (the word of God) and the
cleansing power of the "blood of the new covenant" (see Mt
26:26-28, Jn 6:48-58, 1 Cor 10:16- 17, 1 Cor 11:23-30, etc). We
are to take this fresh impartation of spiritual life to ourselves
by faith, as we eat and drink of the Lord's Supper. Why do you
think the early Christians partook of the Lord's Supper "daily"
in their gatherings `from house to house'? And why do you think
Paul warned the Corinthians that some of them were `weak' and
others had died because they had not discerned the "one body"
that they were to be partakers of, and were therefore "eating and
drinking judgement" upon themselves? (1 Cor 11:27-33). There is
real spiritual power in the Lord's supper! This is not just some
symbolic ceremony. We are clearly to be continual partakers of
the "one body" of Christ, broken for us (and divided amongst us
at Communion), and also the cleansing, empowering "blood of the
new covenant".
Believer's Baptism (by immersion) is another thing that has lost
it's true significance over the centuries. We are told often that
this is essentially a "symbolic" death-and-burial ceremony for
the believer. There are many believers today (even `Spirit-
filled' ones) who think so little of baptism that they haven't
even "got around to it yet" at all. But what is God's view of be-
liever's baptism? Does He regard it merely as `an outward sym-
bol'? I think not! We are told in Rom 6:3-6, "Do you not know
that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were bap-
tized into His death? We were buried therefore with him by bap-
tism into death... We know that our old self was crucified with
him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no
longer be enslaved to sin." It is clear from this and many other
Scriptures that from a spiritual point of view, baptism is an
event of tremendous impact and importance.
Can we claim to have truly "died with Christ" if we have not
been baptized by immersion? No, we cannot. Can we claim to have
been spiritually `cut off' from our sinful body, so that we might
no longer be enslaved to sin? No, Scripturally we cannot. And how
else can we "reckon" ourselves to be `dead to sin'? I believe
that rather than being some kind of "symbolic" death, God sees
believer's baptism as being a very "literal" spiritual death - a
`cutting off' of the sinful body of the believer. Why else would
Peter tell the assembled crowd on the day of Pentecost, "Repent,
AND BE BAPTISED in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS
OF YOUR SINS..."? (Acts 2:38). And why else would Paul be told,
on the day of his conversion, "Arise and BE BAPTISED, AND WASH
AWAY YOUR SINS, calling on the name of the Lord"? (Acts 22:16).
And what exactly did Jesus mean when He declared that, "Unless a
man is BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God"? (Jn 3:5. See also Mk 16:16-18, 1 Cor 10:1-2, Gal
3:27, Col 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, 1 Pe 3:20-21, etc).
Today, when people want to become a Christian, they are told to
simply "ask Jesus into their heart", or "give their heart to the
Lord". You might be surprised to learn that there is literally
NOT ONE example of anyone in the New Testament being told to do
anything like this at all. For instance, there are many, many ex-
amples in the book of Acts of people becoming Christians, and yet
NOT ONCE are any of them told anything that even remotely resem-
bles, "Just give your heart to the Lord". Instead, people in
Bible days were told, "Repent, and be baptized... and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38. See also Acts
8:12-20, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6, Acts 22:16,
etc). In the coming Revival, just like the book of Acts, repen-
tance, water-baptism (by immersion) and baptism in the Holy Spir-
it will be expected to occur IMMEDIATELY someone believes the
gospel. Until all of these things have occurred, they will simply
not be considered a true, New Testament Christian. This is clear-
ly the only tenable Scriptural position on the matter. What a
shockingly inadequate and unscriptural gospel the church has been
preaching up until now!
I believe that another huge change in emphasis that will come in
with the new move of God will be in the area of sacrificial giv-
ing to the poor. In the book of Acts the writer (Luke) devotes a
tremendous amount of space to the way in which the early believ-
ers sold any excess land, houses or possessions, and gave to the
poor (especially to the orphans and widows, etc). From the space
that Luke devotes to this subject it is clear that this was a ma-
jor emphasis of the early Church. And of course, it had always
been a major emphasis of JESUS in the first place! To the `rich
young man', Jesus had said, "Sell what you have, and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me"
(Mk 10:21). To his disciples He had said, "Sell your possessions
and give alms" (Lk 12:33), and, "How hardly shall they that have
riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Mk 10:23). And to the
multitudes who accompanied Him He had said: "Whoever of you does
not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:33).
If we are to follow the clear teaching of Jesus, then we are to
renounce ownership of all that we have, and our possessions are
to literally become God's, to do with as He wills. It is inter-
esting to note that after Jesus had eaten with Zacchaeus the Tax
Collector, the little man declared, "Behold, Lord, the HALF OF MY
GOODS I GIVE TO THE POOR, and if I have defrauded anyone of any-
thing, I restore it fourfold" (Lk 19:8). This was the fruit of
genuine repentance in Zacchaeus' life.
You have to admit, none of this sounds like much of a "prosper-
ity" doctrine, does it?
And now we come to the book of Acts, where the apostles passed on
the clear teachings of Jesus concerning riches and possessions,
to the new converts: "And all who believed were together, and had
all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods
and distributed them to all, as any had need" (Acts 2:45). "There
was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what
was sold and laid it at the apostles feet; and distribution was
made to each as any had need" (Acts 4:34-35). What a tremendous
demonstration of brotherly unity and love! For, as Jesus had
said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if
you have love one for another" (Jn 13:35). Such sacrificial giv-
ing must always `come from the heart'. It must never be `forced'
or legalistic. However, as the Scriptures clearly show, giving
of this kind really has to be a major emphasis of any true "Re-
vival" movement. And I am convinced that it certainly will be,
in the coming move of God.
The above are just some of the more obvious and fundamental apos-
tolic teachings that I believe will be restored in the coming Re-
vival. These are not obscure doctrinal points. They involve some
of the most basic and fundamental questions of the New Testament:
What do we tell people to do to become a Christian? Why do people
need to be baptised in water? Why do we partake of the Lord's
Supper? What does Jesus require us to do with our possessions?
All of these are PRACTICAL questions which impacted hugely on the
everyday life of the early Church. No doubt there will be other
fundamental teachings that will also be restored, when the new
apostles arise to establish a true "New Testament" Church once
again, in our time.
THE "NEW MUSIC"
About nine years ago I became greatly inspired by things that God
was showing me about the early Salvation Army Revivals. My wife
and I are both musicians, and God began to particularly draw our
attention to the concept of anointed "street-music" - a kind of
"Revival" music, to be taken out onto the streets just as the
early Salvation Army had done a century before. As I have said
previously, in those early days the Salvationists were a bunch of
on-fire, praying zealots (mostly very young), who took the world
by storm with a street-based Christianity totally unlike anything
that was around at that time. The early Salvation Army was truly
a `Revival' movement in every sense of the word - born out of the
great Awakening of 1859-60 in Britain. And they carried this
tremendous `Revival' anointing with them, out onto the streets.
One of the most controversial aspects of this new movement was
the rather loud, "uncouth" praise-music that they employed in
their street meetings. What they had done, in fact, was to take
the `pub' music - the `drinking' music of their day, and trans-
form it into loud, glorious praise music that the street-level
people of those times absolutely loved (though you can imagine
the storm of controversy in religious circles!) However, there
was really nothing new in this concept. Both Martin Luther and
John Wesley, as well as William Booth, have been credited with
the saying, "Why should the devil have all the best music?"
Street-level Revival requires street-level praise music! If it
utterly glorifies God, what does it matter if it is a little
`noisy'? (Actually, one eyewitness commented of an early Salva-
tion Army band that, "It sounds as if a brass band's gone out of
it's mind!") This was truly `battle' music - a call to repen-
tance and to war.
Having been so inspired by all of this when I first read up on
it, I photocopied some of the information and gave it to other
Christian musicians that we knew at the time. My wife and I also
became more and more involved in music, and in 1989 we began our
first street-band. However, it was clear from the outset that we
were lacking the most important thing of all - the "Revival"
anointing that the Salvationists had had. Despite this, the whole
concept had taken hold in my heart so strongly that I just
couldn't leave it alone. I KNEW that it was of God. Perhaps it
was just the timing that was wrong?
In 1992 we finally gave up on the whole idea. Less than one year
later, however, we received some amazing confirmation from a
source that we had never come across before. In the meantime,
too, God had taken me through a massive overhaul of my entire
Christian walk, and I had come under a prophetic anointing the
like of which I had never before experienced. The confirmation
we received in 1993 came in the form of a taped message by Ameri-
can preacher James Ryle, who had been given a series of dreams
and visions several years earlier which spoke at length of the
new "street-music" that would arise with the coming Revival.
What amazing and specific confirmation these tapes were! I was
literally in tears as I listened to them.
It was after this that I began to learn that God was speaking to
a number of prophetic people in NZ about the coming "new music"
also. One local intercessor was given the same amazing vision on
three seperate occasions while deep in prayer. In it, she saw
thousands upon thousands of (mostly young) people gathered in the
streets, praising God with all their might to a new, modern kind
of praise-music. Non-Christians coming near would fall to their
knees under great conviction, the presence of God was so strong.
This anointed vision was so real that the intercessor wept when-
ever she received it. She believes that it's fulfillment is very
near now.
Another NZ prophet was given a very powerful vision in which he
found himself in vast stadiums all over the world. He said that
in each place, the same team was on stage, ministering to the
people. He said that in one stadium (which he could tell was
somewhere in Asia) he remembers looking over at the rest of the
team (which included a band of musicians and singers) and then
out at the vast crowd, and he noticed that instead of watching
the platform, the people in the stadium were all staring up into
the sky. In other words, they were looking to JESUS, rather than
to the human vessels that God was using. It is JESUS who must get
all the glory. There have been numerous dreams and visions all
over the world of stadiums full of people, gathered to hear the
gospel and to see and experience the great `latter rain' outpour-
ing of God's Holy Spirit.
Of course, music will only be one part of this overall picture.
There will be incredibly anointed preaching and dramatic healings
and miracles that will glorify God in the most profound way also.
But the interesting thing about `music' is the impact that it
has, especially amongst the youth. No doubt we are all aware of
the tremendous way in which the devil was able to use popular mu-
sic in the late 1960's to literally "eastern-ise" the thinking
and spiritual beliefs of an entire generation. (A `cultural revo-
lution' from which the West has never fully recovered). Isn't God
more powerful (and more `creative'!) than Satan? Therefore,
shouldn't true CHristian music be the most stunning music that
you or I have ever heard? And shouldn't it be used to take terr-
itory away from the devil?
I believe that many, many `new music' ministries are about to
arise in true "Revival" power, to glorify God on the streets of
every city. In the dreams and visions that James Ryle was given,
he was shown that a "new sound" will arise that will sweep the
world - a new `street-level' praise music, mightily anointed of
God. I believe that music itself was originally created for the
purpose of praising and glorifying Him. So why shouldn't such mu-
sic be heard in the earth again? I am convinced that the devil's
own guns are about to be turned upon him. I believe that the mu-
sic that is about to arise will help destroy many `works' that
have taken years for him to build. After all, why SHOULD the dev-
il have all the best music? This is part of the devil's territory
that will definitely be "taken" in the coming Revival, I believe.
The new music that is about to arise will contain many of the
same themes as the other forms of `Revival' ministry. All the
different types of ministry will work together. This new music is
to be a Bride's songs of love and praise to her glorious King,
and also the sound of an army preparing for war - a kind of "bat-
tle" music - raw, powerful, even `violent' at times. It is to be
a `war cry', calling sinners to repentance and rallying God's
people to battle, as well as publicly lifting high the name of
our glorious Saviour and Lord. This `new praise' will not be
suited to a comfortable, peace-time church, but rather to a war-
like people - a people preparing to "take the kingdom by force".
I believe that it will shock a lot of Christians. It will be SO
SIMPLE, yet powerful, and above all else it will exalt the name
of JESUS CHRIST, our Warrior King. Do not expect this music to be
something of mind-blowing complexity. Rather, expect something of
an almost child-like simplicity and `catchiness', but also with
real power.
It will not be the slick "professional"-type musicians who will
unearth this new sound. No! Many of these lack the necessary hu-
mility - too busy seeking technical polish and perfection.
Rather, it will be those with a simple heart after Jesus - a
great love and a hunger for Him - this is by far the most impor-
tant factor. It is SPIRITUAL PREPARATION, not musical perfection
that God is looking for here. Only those who have died to pride,
died to slick "showmanship" and died to the desire to glorify
themselves, can ever hope to have a part in this anointing and
this `new sound'. Like other end-time ministries, I believe that
God is about to raise up many unknown and `hidden' Christians in-
to this music area. Truly, "many that are first shall be last,
and many that are last shall be first" (Mt 19:30).
HOLINESS AND FAITH
In the coming Reformation and Revival, God is going to deal very
deeply with sin, compromise, conformity to the world and materi-
alism amongst His people. As stated earlier, the Scriptures show
that Jesus cannot return until a Bride is prepared for Him that
is "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing". Today's church
is crippled by sin and compromise in the lives of individual
Christians (eg: unforgiveness, gossip, backbiting, "white" lies,
pretense, lust, financial dishonesty, worldliness, etc). However,
when God really begins to move, the repentance that will occur
will go very deep. As Frank Bartleman (a leader in the 1906
`Azusa Street' Revival) stated, "I received from God early in
1905 the following keynote to revival: `THE DEPTH OF REVIVAL WILL
BE DETERMINED EXACTLY BY THE DEPTH OF THE SPIRIT OF REPENTANCE'.
And this will obtain for all people, at all times." Anyone who
has studied Revival history will acknowledge the obvious truth of
this statement. In fact, historically speaking it would be fair
to say that DEEP REPENTANCE LIES AT THE HEART OF EVERY TRUE RE-
VIVAL.
Several years ago, a prophet friend of mine was given a whole se-
ries of stunning visions of the coming move of God. In several
visions, he saw vast numbers of people gathered to hear the most
searching, anointed repentance preaching. The conviction of sin
amongst the people was just incredible, bringing tremendous `God-
ly sorrow' and deep repentance. Such scenes have been very common
in many great Revivals of the past. And the coming move of God
will be no different.
The (almost unheard-of today) experience of "justification by
faith" (as the old Revivalists such as Wesley and Finney used to
preach it) will also be proclaimed once again in this Revival.
Speaking of his own experience, Charles Finney wrote: "In this
state I was taught the doctrine of justification by faith as a
present experience... I could not feel a sense of guilt or con-
demnation by any effort I could make. My sense of guilt was gone,
my sins were gone, and I do not think I felt any more sense of
guilt than if I never had sinned... I felt myself justified by
faith, and, so far as I could see, I was in a state in which I
did not sin."
It is clear from the Scriptures that the above experience is to
be regarded as "normal" for all Christians (see 1 Jn 3, etc). In
fact, this will be seen as `elementary level' Christianity by all
who are to be involved in the coming Revival (ie. walking in a
state of having "no knowledge of present sin"). If this seems
bizarre to you then please read `Romans' again! This is totally
"normal" stuff. The believers in the coming Revival will walk in
a state of total heart-purity before God. Their consciences will
be completely clean, and they will WALK in this state by faith.
They will not need to strive to maintain it. This will simply
be the normal state of their heart before God. This is what walk-
ing in true "justification by faith" really means.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Two. THE LAODICEAN CHURCH.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For many years now, numerous prominent Christian leaders have
been quite open with their opinion that we live today in the age
of the lukewarm or `Laodicean' church. In the past fifteen years
or so, however, this recognition of the church's alarmingly low
spiritual state has taken on added urgency, as God has spoken
again and again to prophetic ministries around the world, warning
that the church is indeed `Laodicean', and that judgement is
about to "begin at the house of God" (1 Pe 4:17). Clearly, a tre-
mendous "shaking" and judgement are about to come upon today's
church.
The Laodicean church is the last of the seven churches that Jesus
addresses in the book of Revelation (Rev 3:14-22). During this
passage, Jesus makes the following "promise" to the lukewarm
church: "So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor
hot, I WILL SPEW YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH... Be zealous therefore, AND
REPENT." It is clear from this passage that the Laodicean church
exists under imminent threat of judgement - of being "spewed out"
of the mouth of God. The only hope is deep repentance, and that
immediately. Please remember that this is a PROMISE of God. It is
not an idle threat. Unless there is swift and deep repentance,
then God PROMISES to spew the lukewarm church out of His mouth.
It is my belief that the role of a prophet is to be a kind of
`watchman on the walls', to loudly warn those who sleep of ap-
proaching danger. In the current situation, there can be little
doubt that a prophet's job would be to `sound the alarm in Zion'
- to loudly warn the people until they are awakened to the very
real danger of imminent judgement. Prophets are never supposed to
be `comfortable' preachers. As A.G. Gardiner said, "When a
prophet is accepted and deified, his message is lost. The prophet
is only useful so long as he is stoned as a public nuisance call-
ing us to repentance, disturbing our comfortable routines, break-
ing our respectable idols, shattering our sacred conventions..."
I have to say that I have been a little disappointed with some of
today's prophets in this regard. It seems to me that a number of
them have chosen to emphasise all the `positive' aspects of the
coming harvest, rather than warning of the present imminent dan-
ger. Surely, if a prophet is shown that judgement is imminent,
then he must use every available means to urgently warn the peo-
ple? Otherwise he is not fulfilling what God has commissioned him
to do, surely?
It is very clear, both prophetically and from the Scriptures,
that today's Laodicean church faces imminent and severe judge-
ment, and that the Christians must be warned with great urgency.
There is an old saying: "The people will not flee danger until
they see it". That is the express purpose of this chapter: seeing
the danger. I make no apologies for the directness or the urgency
of the message contained herein.
Some people today believe that the `Toronto blessing' has renewed
the church. From my observations, however, the manifestations
and experiences associated with Toronto seem to have made little
significant impact on the overall `Laodicean' state of today's
church. (As I think should become evident from this and later
chapters).
Some years ago I made a study of the difference between the New
Testament Church as described in the book of Acts, and today's
church. I was alarmed to find that in nearly every respect, to-
day's Christianity is so different from that of the Bible as to
beggar belief. In New Testament times, the Church was like a
`consuming fire' that swept over the whole world, "destroying the
works of the devil". Led by fiery, anointed men of God, the early
believers constituted a bold, militant, uncompromising force,
dedicated to pulling down the devil's strongholds wherever they
could be found. These were the `ground assault' troops of the
Most High. They endured much suffering, hardship and persecution
in order to see the gospel preached `in all the earth' in their
day.
Today, however, we seemingly prefer to set sail for the kingdom
of heaven with a little more "style". We are told in the Bible
that in the last days, men will be "lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God". We are also told that, "the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"
(2 Tim 4:3). Isn't it true that we twentieth- century believers
have invented for ourselves a kind of instant, convenient, `fast-
food' Christianity? A Christianity where all too often the
preachers feel it is their role to entertain and cajole, rather
than to convict and awaken? A Christianity where for many years
now, seeking after `blessings' has seemingly replaced `hungering
and thirsting' after God? A Christianity that is seemingly more
concerned with "happiness" than real holiness? Who could deny
that this century finds itself home to what is probably the most
comfortable, the most materialistic, the most `fat' and well-fed
church in recorded history?
Jesus reported the cry of the Laodicean church as being: "I am
rich and increased with goods, and have NEED OF NOTHING" (Rev
3:17). Incredibly, as we see from this statement, the Laodicean
church DOES NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE HER OWN APPALLING SPIRITUAL NAKED-
NESS AND BANKRUPTCY. She honestly believes that "all is well"!
Certainly, no-one could imagine an era when the church has had so
many `toys', both physical and spiritual. "Rich and increased
with goods" we most certainly are in these materialistic days:-
lavish church buildings, costly radio and TV programmes, book-
shops crammed with every conceivable teaching aid and religious
gift, expensive conferences and seminars supplying yet more ear-
fattening teaching to those with enough dollars to attend. Who
could deny that Christianity is `big business' these days? Sever-
al years ago it was announced in the US that one of the largest
Christian music companies was suing another for as much as $20
million in a dispute arising from a distribution agreement.
On an individual level, things are almost as bad. The Bible says,
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM"
(1 Jn 3:15). But who could deny that many Christians today are
seemingly more devoted to their `career' (or to their possess-
ions, or their television) than they are to God? Jesus clearly
stated, "You cannot serve God and mammon", yet how many Chris-
tians today expend all their energy trying to keep both camps
happy? The Bible tells us, "Be not conformed to this world", yet
how many Christians today have lifestyles, ambitions and possess-
ions that are literally identical to those of the covetous, mat-
erialistic world all around them?
As Jesus Himself stated, "Not every one who says to me, `Lord,
Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to
me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out
demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And
then will I declare to them, `I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME,
YOU EVILDOERS'" (Mt 7:21-23)... "Behold, this was the iniquity of
your sister Sodom: pride, fulness of bread, abundance of idleness
was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the
hand of the poor and needy..." (Ez 16:49).
Rather than give our money to the poor, today we Christians seem-
ingly prefer to give it to the `church building fund' or other
big, glossy ministries. And while 40,000 children die each day
of starvation and disease, and the world goes to hell all around
us, we sit comfortably `at ease in Zion', singing our happy
songs about how much we love Jesus and long to be like Him. "Why
do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" is
still our grieving Saviours lament. "This people draw nigh to me
with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart
is far from me," says the Lord (Mt 15:8). Probably more than any
other, this generation of Christians has been guilty of diluting
(or betraying) everything that Jesus stood for, and watering down
what He said. Little wonder that we have become the laughing-
stock of men and of devils. Instead of preaching `death to self'
and `taking up the cross', today we prefer a more "comfortable"
message: "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life"
(while the music gently plays, of course). A convenient, selfish
`Santa Claus' gospel for a convenience-loving, self-obsessed gen-
eration. Is it any wonder that we have a lukewarm church, when
the gospel we preach is so lukewarm?
Today the whole of western society is in disarray: Broken mar-
riages, youth suicides, teenage pregnancies, gang violence,
drugs, etc, etc. Every year, it seems like the devil is gaining
more and more ground, while the influence of today's sickly,
"happiness club" church just keeps growing smaller. We are sup-
posed to be the `salt of the earth', salting the world with God-
liness and truth. Surely then, a good portion of the blame for
this disastrous mess can be laid directly at the feet of the
church? Jesus stated that salt that has lost it's savour is "good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by
men" (Mt 5:13). The world is desperate for answers, but all we
have to feed them is insipid, watered-down rubbish. And yet what
do we hear today's `Laodicean' church cry?: "I am rich and in-
creased with goods, and have need of nothing!" Sick, insipid,
lukewarm church - how will you escape the judgement that God has
promised you?
Today it seems almost as though the church has made some kind of
pact with the devil: We won't attack you too hard, if you won't
attack us! (I tell you now, the new move of God will have no such
treaty!) It makes no sense for the devil to bring real persecu-
tion upon today's church: Better to let them sleep! After all, we
are certainly not doing him a lot of harm in our present state.
How easily ignored is today's church! Almost the only time the
world sits up and takes real notice is when there is some big
scandal or something else to laugh at. As I said before, we have
become the laughing- stock of an entire generation, both of men
and of devils.
It is well-known that "music" often accurately represents and de-
picts the culture it comes from. And it doesn't take too long,
when listening to today's Christian radio, to come to the conclu-
sion that if the music is anything to go by, then today's Chris-
tianity is in a pretty sick and tepid state. If we were to be
brutally honest, we would have to say that very often, our music
seems to be little more than `muzak' - wallpaper music with
Christian lyrics,- music that wouldn't seem out of place in a
lift or a supermarket. But in a supposedly lively, vital Chris-
tianity? In my opinion, even the local `Easy-listening' station
seems more musically adventurous than the local Christian
station! Even so-called `contemporary' Christian music often
seems to be either a desperately "cool" - or tamed-down - rehash
of secular styles from one or two years earlier, again with
(vaguely) Christian lyrics over the top. Where is the creativity,
the vitality, the life? Why are we musically so far behind the
world, if the Creator of the whole Universe is on our side? Why
isn't the world following our lead, instead of us following
theirs?
It is high time we acknowledged the sorry fact: Today's Christian
music is largely embarrassing, predictable and lukewarm. This is
simply due to the fact that today's CHRISTIANITY is largely em-
barrassing, predictable and lukewarm. But such things will not be
said of the coming move of God. When true Revival comes, the mu-
sic will be alive with the creativity and the fire of God, be-
cause that is exactly how His people will be.
JUDGEMENT AND REFORMATION
It is significant to note that when the people of Israel fell in-
to a state of serious spiritual decline, God often held the kings
and spiritual shepherds of Israel directly responsible for the
nation's degenerate state. Often, the judgement that fell upon
the leaders at such times was far harsher than that which fell
upon the nation as a whole. We see this principle at work right
down through the Old and New Testaments. It is interesting to
note that Jesus spoke essentially the same message to the reli-
gious leaders of His day, as had been spoken to the disobedient
king Saul: "The kingdom shall be taken from you and given to an-
other" (1 Sa 28:17 and Mt 21:43). As we shall see, this replace-
ment of one leadership with another - the "kingdom" being taken
away from one and given elsewhere - is the very essence of true
"Reformation".
Throughout the history of both Israel and the church, every new
move of God has involved the raising up of new leaders, with God
often bypassing or bringing judgement upon the existing leader-
ship. So it is not surprising that it has frequently been the ex-
isting leaders who have persecuted new moves of God the worst
(often out of jealousy). And the coming Reformation and Revival
will surely be no different.
It is time to face the obvious and brutal truth: It is simply not
possible to have a lukewarm church unless the leaders are luke-
warm, just as Israel was not able to fall into a state of world-
liness or idolatry unless her kings and shepherds were men of
compromise. The Bible is very clear that those who are raised up
as leaders or teachers amongst God's people will be subject to a
much "stricter" judgement (James 3:1). However, I do not believe
that God can even afford to have such men leading His church for
long. This is why He has been so clearly saying that the coming
Revival (like many before it) has been designed to LARGELY BYPASS
AND SIDELINE THE CURRENT CHURCH LEADERSHIP. This is not "rebel-
lion". It is simply a statement of obvious truth, backed by the
history of Revival and Reformation right down through the ages.
God has been forced to take such drastic action many times in the
past, and this Revival will be no exception.
Like Israel, many of today's church leaders have clearly been
guilty of compromising (diluting or toning down) God's word to
His people over many years. They have surrendered, in varying de-
grees, to the `fear of man'. Many of them are afraid to preach
uncompromising truth to their congregations, for fear that some
of the people will become "offended" (not forgetting who pays
their salary!) Instead, in their preaching, it almost seems as if
they have adopted the modern marketing creed: "accentuate the
positive and eliminate the negative" (complete with jokes and
amusing anecdotes, of course). No `sin, righteousness and judge-
ment' preaching here! And of course, no desperately-needed
REPENTANCE for the lukewarm church, either.
As history shows, God must very often have entirely new leaders
and a new movement to go with His new outpouring. This is what
true "Reformation" has always been about. And sadly, whenever God
is about to do something completely new, many leaders, feeling
threatened, oppose it with every ounce of their being. This has
unfortunately always been the way.
As Frank Bartleman noted, "A revival almost always begins amongst
the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reforma-
tion. History repeats itself..." And indeed, the history of the
church is full of instances of respected Christian leaders pers-
ecuting the `new move' of God. As has often been the case, to-
day's preachers are largely way too comfortable with the status
quo. They have their cosy organizations and their church mach-
inery, their governing bodies and their `keep the people happy'
routines. And God is about to "SHAKE" it all to such a degree
that much of it will be literally `shaken to pieces'.
What God really needs in times of Revival are bold and anointed
`Joshuas', who will urge the people onward to "possess the land"
- to `take the kingdom by force'. For God's people in these last
days are to be a people of war, and they must be led by men of
war. And this is exactly the kind of leadership that He is about
to raise up, to lead His people on in the coming great Revival.
SOULISHNESS IN THE CHURCH
For the past twenty years or so, I have had first-hand involve-
ment with the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement. And I have to say
that it has greatly saddened me over that time, to watch the
gradual decline of this movement into what I felt was an ever-
more shallow, `feelings, emotions and experiences'-based Chris-
tianity. The preaching seemed to become ever-more laden with
warm `positive-speak' and hype, the music became ever-more slick
and entertaining, and the people seemed to be more and more int-
erested in `having a good time', seeking a blessing, or seeking
an emotional `touch from the Lord', rather than seeking God for
His own sake. The preachers and worship leaders obviously began
to feel that they had to `entertain' the people to keep them at-
tending, and the people began to EXPECT to be entertained.
What this actually represents is a huge swing away from `Holy
Spirit-based' Christianity to a Christianity that is based in the
"soul" area of man. As is well-known, the soul is the seat of
man's feelings and emotions, etc. What makes `soulish' Christian-
ity so dangerous is that mere feelings and emotions (which can
come through just playing the right kind of music, or from any
number of sources) begin to play a more and more pivotal role in
the walk of the believer. He or she begins to rely on the weekly
church service to get that emotional `lift'. A Christianity that
starts to revolve around such feelings and experiences is wide
open to deception (as history demonstrates again and again). The
soul area of man is notorious for it's ability to be manipulated.
Any movement that cultivates "soulish" experiences is simply
opening it's people up to what could easily become demonic delu-
sion. This is why the Bible exhorts us to `be not carnally mind-
ed', and speaks of `death to self', etc. The fallen soul area is
the area that most needs to be `crucified' in us.
This is not to say that we should become joy-less or `emotion-
less' by any means! But what it does mean is that we need to be
able to recognize and avoid soulish manipulation or false `spiri-
tual' experiences of this kind. We must seek to worship God `in
spirit and in truth', rather than with this kind of soulish ex-
cess. For where there is `soul-power' operating, the devil will
always get involved. Some of the most well-known cults, pagan re-
ligions, and New Age therapies, etc, revolve around soulish exp-
eriences that open people up to demonic forces. And as is well
known, soul-power is also at the heart of witchcraft. This is
real `Jezebel' territory.
An intercessor that I know was recently given a very significant
dream which relates directly to this subject. In it, she found
herself in the "control room" of a large Pentecostal church. She
was there because she was to lead the worship in the church that
week, and she had already chosen the songs she felt were to be
used. However, there was a woman in the control room - a rather
`brazen', painted, sensuously-dressed woman (Jezebel) - who acted
as if she was in charge, and began to go through the songs, re-
placing many of them with her own choices. The intercessor then
discovered that the songs this woman had chosen were very `sensu-
ous', off-colour, worldly songs! And this was supposed to be for
the worship service! With righteous anger, she said to the woman,
"This place is full of the spirit of Jezebel, and you're more
full of it than anyone!" The woman then sobbed pathetically (not
out of repentance, but rather because she had been exposed -
`Jezebel' will often react in this way). When the intercessor
asked the name of the pastor of the church, she was told that he
was called `Pastor Greymouth'.
She believes that what God was showing her in this dream was
that the strongman of `Compromise' which is dominating much of
today's leadership, is allowing Jezebel to bring her sensuous,
controlling influence into the church, and this is seen partic-
ularly in the worship. (Remembering that `sensuous' means "ap-
pealing to the senses").
Along with the rise of `soulishness' in the church over the past
twenty years or more, have come a whole raft of new methods and
techniques for keeping the people "happy and involved" with the
church. It seems like hardly a year has gone by without the ar-
rival of some `new, improved' church growth technique or youth
programme. After all, the people must be kept "entertained",
mustn't they? The church has been loaded down with man-made ac-
tivities, methods and seminars, all organized, funded and run ac-
cording to the "brilliant ideas" of men, and yet claiming the
blessing of God's hand. Let's be honest here. Very little of this
has been God's idea at all. Like almost everything in the church
today, much of it has been essentially man-pleasing, man-centred
and man-entertaining.
In a very real way, today's blind, "Laodicean" church could well
be likened to a crippled, cancer-ridden woman who has learnt how
to apply clothes and make-up in such a way as to disguise her
terrible condition, and has convinced herself that if she keeps
up the "blessings", keeps herself active and puts on a good out-
ward `show', then all will be well. "I am rich and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing," is her cry, but much of her
`happy' organizing feels ominously like `re-arranging deck chairs
on the Titanic' to me. Like the Emporer with his new clothes, it
matters little how active we are, or how much "noise" we make,
the fact is, today's church is, in reality, utterly spiritually
naked. And only when the great `shaking' and Reformation come,
will the full extent of this nakedness be revealed.
As stated previously, the Laodicean church will clearly have no
part in the coming move of God. Rather, as has occurred many
times down through history, God is going to bring a cleansed and
purified "remnant" out from the current church system, `tried as
by fire', to help gather in the great end-times harvest. Before
this great Revival truly begins, however, I believe that the
Laodicean church will be given one last chance to repent. God
will raise up ministries and `voices' to call the lukewarm church
to her knees, and then out onto the streets. I believe that many
will heed this call and will repent before it is too late. God
will bring them out onto the streets, to become part of the great
"street-Revival" that is about to explode around the world. In
many ways, it could be said that the coming `harvest' will first
begin within the church. This has always been the way. True Re-
vival has always been aimed firstly at "reviving" God's wayward
people, and then sending them out with great power to display His
grace and glory to a dying world. And so, repentance must first
begin with the Christians.
However, there will also be many who will refuse to heed this
`repentance' message, thereby placing themselves in severe danger
of imminent judgement. It surely cannot be long before all that
God has promised is fulfilled, and judgement truly "begins at the
house of God". In fact, it is my belief that this time is now
very near. The stormclouds are gathered, and a great `dividing'
or polarisation is about to occur in the church. No-one will be
able to sit on the fence. They will have to choose whether to
cling to Laodicea, or throw in their lot with the `violent', con-
troversial, new "upstart" preachers. Such has always been the
choice facing God's people in times of Revival. However, because
we are in the `last days', I believe that this time the two
groups will be even more clearly distinguished and separated than
usual, just like `tares and wheat' (Mt 13). One group will go on
to great blessing, and the other to certain judgement. I do not
believe that God can live with a Laodicean church. And all
over the world, God has been saying that this judgement is now
`imminent', even at the doors. The tremendous "SHAKING" of the
church is about to begin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Three. RELIGIOUS EXTREMES:- LEGALISM vs. LICENCE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human beings are unfortunately creatures of extremes, and the
devil has used this many, many times over the centuries to bind
and deceive the church. If he cannot push us too far one way,
then he will try to push us as far as he can in the opposite di-
rection. There are many different forms of bondage and deception
that the church has succumbed to over the years. Two of the most
prevalent of these have been in the area of "religious" extremes:
Pharisee- style legalism and spiritual pride on the one hand, and
"hyper-grace", the casting off of restraint, and `experience-
centred' Christianity on the other.
Over the past ten years or so, there has been a tremendous amount
of teaching exposing the "legalism" side of religion, and this
has been a very good thing. However, not surprisingly, the pen-
dulum seems to have now swung right over to the opposite extreme,
particularly in many Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, and we are
now seeing what I believe is an equally dangerous over-emphasis:
Hyper-liberty or `hyper-grace' teaching, which can also lead to
great error (as it has done many times down through history).
The purpose of this chapter is to expose in detail the often-
subtle (yet deadly) snares of the devil at both extremes of this
religious spectrum. It is interesting to note that both extremes
are largely just a distortion of good, solid Christian truths.
The `legalism/condemnation' extreme is often just a harsh distor-
tion of true repentance/holiness teaching, while the `hyper-
grace' extreme is largely a distortion of true teaching on the
liberty that we have in Christ, etc. What happens is that these
genuine truths are pushed to extremes through over-emphasis, and
they end up becoming so unbalanced that they in fact become
dangerous error. Even though the `hyper-grace' extreme is the
one that I believe is currently predominant in many churches, I
do want to take a detailed look at both extremes, beginning with
the "legalism" side.
The most well-known proponents of this `legalistic' form of reli-
gion were, of course, the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time.
Many people think that the legalism of the Pharisees largely just
revolved around `tradition', but there was far more to it than
that. Religion of this kind is often very subtle, taking on a
large variety of shapes and forms. Jesus spoke of it as being
like `leaven', which spreads like a cancer until everything it
touches is affected. I think that many Christians would be very
surprised at the degree to which Pharisee-type religion has been
present in the modern church, in one form or another. It is truly
deadly stuff! This section is designed to expose many of these
aspects of legalistic religion that have so influenced the church
in modern times.
Without a doubt, one of the most obvious elements of pharisaic
religion is "conservatism" (a love of the old ways, and a resis-
tance to anything new). It is apparent that there are still many
Christians (though far less than there used to be) who have still
not come to terms with the 1960's, let alone the 1990's. Their
Christianity is still greatly oriented towards a "respectable,
middle class, conservative" approach to life, and they tend to
judge people (particularly the youth) by whether or not their
hairstyles, their clothes, or their music styles, etc, conform
to their own rather drab, conservative standards. In other
words, they are tremendously prone to judging people by their
`outward appearance' rather than by the `heart'. To them, these
outward factors are issues of the utmost importance.
What impression do worldly people get when they enter the church-
es of such Christians? (Remembering that these visitors may well
be gang members, drug addicts, New Agers, etc). All too often, I
believe that the impression they get is that the only type of
people God really likes are the sugary-"nice", neatly dressed,
clean-cut, respectable kind. They get the feeling that they would
first of all have to change the way they dress, the way they ex-
press themselves, their hairstyle, their whole way of doing
things, before they could ever come and be truly accepted by God.
Because, as everyone knows, God only likes "nice, respectable"
people, doesn't He?
And tell me, what is the unspoken message that some church lead-
ers are still sending out today? Isn't it that you must be slick,
well-dressed and (usually) Bible-college trained if you want to
minister in front of others? These are just some of the lies that
still influence many peoples' view of Christianity. And very of-
ten they have been passed on without us even opening our mouths!
Many worldly people still see Bible-believing Christianity as be-
ing dreary, conservative and backward-looking. (Either that, or
rather "weird"). It just doesn't seem `relevant' to them at all.
I tell you now, such unspoken messages are going to change in
the coming Revival. In fact, in many ways they will be the exact
opposite of what they have been. What people are really looking
for is a relevant, down to earth, yet miraculous and Spirit-
filled Christianity. This is what the early Church had, and this
is exactly what the coming move of God will bring in also.
It is very clear from the Scriptures that Jesus deliberately
identified Himself with the poor and the "sinners" during His
time on earth. Both He and His message were extremely `relevant'
to the street-level people of His time. Born in a filthy stable,
He also chose to die the death of a common criminal, strung up
between two thieves on a wooden cross. The Pharisees bitterly
criticized Him during His ministry for His apparent `lax-ness' in
enforcing the religious codes of conduct on His followers. Jesus
didn't seem strict enough, or outwardly "holy" enough for them!
He didn't look right, He didn't dress right, and He didn't sound
right, and His disciples were even worse! What a motley, low-life
bunch they must have seemed to the cultured, educated religious
leaders of their day! After all, "Can any good thing come out of
Nazareth?"
The Pharisees spoke scathingly of Jesus as being a "friend of
sinners". But Jesus didn't mind. He had come to `seek and save
that which was lost'. He said, "John came neither eating nor
drinking, and they say, `He has a demon'; the Son of Man came
eating AND DRINKING, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is
justified by her deeds" (Mt 11:18-19). Jesus was a friend of the
common people. He spent most of His time with them, sharing both
their joys and their sorrows. He understood them and spoke their
language. It was the religious types who persecuted Him the most.
Eventually they crucified Him.
Like many Revivals, I believe that the coming one will meet the
same kind of response as always from the religious and the judge-
mental. John Wesley was scathingly denounced in his day: "... He
and his lay-lubbers - his ragged legion of preaching tinkers,
scavengers, draymen and chimney sweepers, etc. - go forth to poi-
son the minds of men." Wesley's policy was much the same as that
of the Salvation Army: "... go always not only to those who need
you, but to those who need you most." His was also a `street
movement' in every sense of the term. And it was Wesley (along
with Martin Luther and William Booth) who was quoted as saying,
"Why should the devil have all the best music?" These men wanted
a Christianity that was vital and relevant to the street-level
people of their day. That is why they used the `pub' music of
their time for their praise and battle hymns!
To me, one sign that someone may have a legalistic `religious'
stronghold in their life is that they cannot see how God could
possibly use today's Rock music in any way. In fact, these people
are no different to the religionists who opposed the early Sal-
vation Army's music on exactly the same grounds. What they are
often guilty of is judging this style of music by it's
`outward appearance', rather than seeing how the changed `heart'
of it could be greatly used to glorify God. In actual fact, I
cannot think of a better form of music to use for `battle-hymns'
myself!
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
It is still true of much of Christendom today that "keeping up
appearances" has become an integral part of many believers'
lives. All too often, new converts seem to get the impression
that the first thing they need to learn about the Christian walk
is how to look and act "the part" in front of others. They seem
to conclude that it is the `outward' things that really matter.
And so, to fit in, they begin to unconsciously obey our unspoken
list of modern Christian do's and don'ts: Thou shalt smile and
look `loving' at every opportunity in church, thou shalt raise
your hands and clap with everyone else (lest they think that
something is `wrong' with you), thou shalt not smoke, say "sh_t",
or pick thy nose, thou shalt look and act like a "good Christian"
at all times. What are we passing on to these new converts? Very
simply, we are establishing within them what has, in many cases,
become one of the great foundations of modern Christianity:
`PRETENSE' (ie. How to put on a good `outward show').
In the Bible, pretense was known by another name: "HYPOCRISY".
Jesus said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For
you are like white- washed graves, which indeed appear beautiful
on the outside, but within are full of dead men's bones and all
uncleanness" (Mt 23:27). It is still true today that many of our
churches are quite literally packed with "great pretenders" -
people who know how to dress nicely, to smile warmly and say
`bless you', to seem outwardly like real, `spiritually together'
Christians - yet who have little deep relationship with God at
all. The church has been like this for years. Surely this is
nothing less than Pharisee-style hypocrisy wrapped in a modern
cloak?
In much of modern Christendom, this kind of pretense is still
considered to be "normal". Many believers have been pretending to
be "good Christians" for so long now that they have actually come
to believe their own lie! Whenever they are around other Chris-
tians, they suddenly become unbearably "nice", joyful and `lov-
ing'. This is not true, `Holy Spirit' love at all, but rather an
out-and-out, self-manufactured forgery. I call this `pseudo' or
false love. It has nothing to do with the fruit of the Holy
Spirit. It is totally manufactured. And who could deny that this
kind of pretense is right through today's church? I am convinced
that false love, false humility, and false spiritually are still
rampant throughout Christendom today. Having to be "seen" to do
and say all the right things, etc, is still one of the great
strongholds of Pharisee-type religion affecting modern Chris-
tians.
I am convinced that what God really wants is a people who, rather
than being "great pretenders", are actually one hundred percent
`real' in every way (ie. no pretense at all). In fact, I believe
that God wants us to be truly transparent, not only in our words,
but also in the way we act around others. We are to be "real",
down-to-earth people in a world that is crying out for reality
and truth. Putting on a false `Christian' front is actually just
another form of dishonesty or lying.
The idea that `walking in love' involves being unbearably "nice"
to everybody all the time is also, I believe, one of the most
harmful and false things about modern Christianity. Because this
kind of "love" is so desperate not to offend anyone, it often
ends up compromising the truth just to keep people happy. In
1 Cor 13:6 we are told that true Holy Spirit love "does not re-
joice with iniquity, but rejoices with the truth". This is a good
test. Very often, today's Christians are afraid to strongly chal-
lenge sin or lukewarmness in the church, because to do so
would be "unloving". And so they compromise the truth by staying
silent when they should be speaking out. The fact is, this is
not true "love" at all. It is compromise! True `Holy Spirit' love
will always care enough to speak vital truth, even if some people
may be offended by it. After all, it is better to risk offending
others, than to risk them going to hell. We see this principle at
work many times in Jesus' own ministry.
You can be sure that those whom God is going to use in the coming
Revival will be extremely "real", down-to-earth type people. They
will also be absolutely fearless in `speaking the truth in love'
without compromise, no matter what the cost. They will be tremen-
dously misunderstood and persecuted at times, but will literally
"love not their lives unto the death". This will be God's holy
army - a glorious, spotless Bride, totally befitting a husband
who is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. As I have
said before, many of these cleansed and anointed `Bridal' war-
riors will seem quite rough and `unsuitable' to many people from
the outside, but to God it is the "inside" that counts. (Remem-
bering that some of His greatest apostles were rather `rough' ex-
fishermen, etc). On the inside, these men and women will have
been washed "whiter than snow", and they will walk with total
trasparency and heart purity before God. Their one desire will be
to love and glorify Him with all their `heart, mind, soul and
strength'. And they will go forth with great power, "destroying
the works of the devil" in His name.
THE DAM BURSTS
Some time ago, an intercessor sent me a copy of a vision that she
had had, in which a huge dam that was holding back a vast quanti-
ty of water, crumbled from the top downwards, layer by layer,
thereby releasing a great flood of water. God had shown her that
the dam in the vision was "man's structure", which was holding
back His appointed ministries (and His anointing) from flooding
out over the nation. At the appointed time, this structure will
be unable to hold back the `bursting forth' of ministries that
God has ordained for the last days. These will be ministries that
have been in hidden preparation for years, awaiting God's time.
Who could deny that today's church structures do indeed seem al-
most purpose-designed to largely thwart God's purposes for His
people? In fact, I would go as far as to say that the devil him-
self could hardly have thought up a better way of keeping the
church bound and in chains, than our present church structures
and set-up! Essentially, what we still have today is a "priest-
hood/laity" system, in which a small number of men are sent off
to Bible college to gain knowledge, degrees and diplomas, and are
then appointed to be the professional, "qualified" leaders of
church congregations. This is totally unscriptural. In fact, it
would be very doubtful whether many of the original apostles
would have even been able to pass today's entrance exams, let
alone gain a full `degree in divinity' or diploma of theology!
The "priesthood/laity" system was greatly used of the devil to
keep the Catholic church in bondage for centuries. As soon as you
have one man, or a small group of men appointed as "profession-
als" to run everything, then much of the simplicity and the vi-
tality of primitive Christianity is lost. The church itself (not
the "accredited" Bible-college system) is supposed to be a per-
petual breeding ground for new, anointed ministries to be con-
tinuously rising up, "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit". (See
for example, the cases of Philip and Stephen, in the book of
Acts). In today's church, however, the "qualified professionals"
tend to run around doing everything (for this is what they're
paid to do, after all!) while the congregation sit and watch.
Anyone who is likely to bring a truly convicting or `uncomfort-
able' message is not welcome to speak because the leadership have
a vested interest in keeping everything "running" smoothly. The
people must be kept `happy' after all! (Lest they go someplace
else).
What we have today is really a whole bunch of "happiness clubs"
rather than real churches. The people pay their `fees' and sit
back while the "professionals" do the work. We have ruined the
church by turning her into something that she was never meant to
be: an `institution'. And institutions almost always feel threat-
ened by large-scale change or Reformation. It is very clear from
what God has been saying, that He has no desire to merely "re-
vamp" today's church structures. They are well past that kind of
remedy. He cannot afford to have the new Revival ruined by being
crammed into the old, suffocating `boxes'. Rather, He is simply
going to "spew" these structures out of His mouth (along with all
who choose to cling to them). This is not an idle threat. In
fact, as I have already said, I believe that this great "shaking"
is very near now.
THE MANY GUISES OF "PHARISEE-TYPE" RELIGION
So far in our discussion of this `legalistic' religious extreme,
we have spoken about conservatism, `keeping up appearances', and
also some of the evils of the present religious structures and
systems, etc. The following is a list of some of the other major
strongholds of Pharisee-type religion that have greatly affected
the church in modern times:
1. SPIRITUAL PRIDE. This is the "biggie" from which many others
spring. Basically, spiritual pride is an attitude of self-
satisfaction, based on the fact that we do all the "right"
things, or believe the "right" doctrines, or belong to the
"right" church or stream, etc. It is the opposite of being `poor
in spirit' (ie. recognizing one's own spiritual poverty). And it
often tends to look down rather smugly upon others who don't seem
as outwardly `spiritual' or correct, or perhaps don't belong to
the same `group' as we do.
2. JUDGEMENTALISM. Closely related to spiritual pride, this basi-
cally involves judging people by outward appearances, rather than
discerning the `heart'. The Scriptures tell us that "man looks
on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart"
(1 Sam 16:7). This is a very important point to grasp. Jesus
said, "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Mt 7:1). Judgemental
people often harshly `categorise' people by the way they look or
the `group' they belong to, etc, rather than whether or not they
have a real heart after God. There is often little `mercy' in
their attitude. They also tend to "strain at gnats" (judging
others over small, trivial points of law, etc).
3. LEGALISM. This involves imposing rules, laws, or "do's and
don't's" upon oneself or others (even unconsciously) from the
`outside'. (True change occurs when the Holy Spirit transforms
people from within). Legalism concentrates on correcting outward
things by making little "laws" against them, but this has no val-
ue whatsoever in God's eyes (for He is concerned about purifying
men's "hearts" first and foremost). Legalism can be strict and
condemning. It often involves using the Scriptures as a kind of
`rule-book' (which is an Old Testament approach. The New Testa-
ment advocates `heart purity' and being `led by the Spirit' in-
stead).
Two examples of Old Testament laws that are often imposed today
are Tithing and Sabbath-keeping. However, the New Testament is
very clear: "If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the
law" (Gal 5:18. See also Col 2:14-17, Rom 8:1-16, etc). This is
why I believe that many of today's Morals Campaigners and Chris-
tian Politicians are actually achieving very little for God's
kingdom at all. They are seeking to pass laws that may change
people outwardly, but will never cleanse their hearts.
4. KNOWLEDGE. This is often a great source of spiritual pride.
Those who have gained extensive knowledge of the Bible or of cer-
tain doctrines or teachings, can tend to look down upon others
who don't have the same `understanding' as themselves. They seem
to forget that Jesus chose most of His disciples from amongst the
poor and uneducated members of society. It was the Pharisees who
were famed for their study and technical knowledge of the Scrip-
tures, and their arguments over quite trivial doctrines and theo-
ries, etc.
There is nothing wrong with reading and seeking to understand the
Bible, but it is important to remember that it is not just by
study or reasoning that we discover the hidden truths of God, but
by revelation from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:4-16). Remember, the
Pharisees killed the very Messiah that they had been theorizing
and studying about for years! (See Jn 5:39-47). "Knowledge puffs
up, but love edifies" (1 Cor 8:1). Spiritual knowledge of any
kind has the potential to puff us up with pride, and this can be
very subtle. Those who have received great revelation, etc, from
God are likewise in great danger and must beware of pride
creeping in. Secretly regarding oneself as a kind of `spiritual
expert' in any area can be extremely dangerous. And judging peo-
ple primarily by what is in their `head' rather than their heart
is still wide-spread in modern Christianity.
5. LOVING THE "CHIEF SEATS". Jesus said of the Pharisees that
they "loved the chief seats in the synagogues", etc. They loved
to be `seen' to be persons of real spiritual importance. This was
a source of great pride to them. (They also loved to be "seen"
praying long, `holy' prayers and giving money to the poor, etc.
These things are not wrong in themselves, but it is the MOTIVES
behind them that are important). Many Christians even today love
to put on a "holy, loving and humble" act in front of others.
There are also many who love to be `seen' associating with the
"famous visiting speaker" or sitting on special chairs on the
platform, etc. Again, MOTIVES are the important thing here.
6. FLESHLY STRIVING. This is a very common one, especially for
the more active or `zealous' Christians or leaders. I am speaking
here of the kind of people who are always busy "doing" things for
God, and who often look down on others who don't seem quite as
`devoted' as they are. They are often working very hard for one
particular Christian organization, striving to "make the vision
happen". They honestly believe that they are `pleasing God'
through all their efforts, their activities, their zeal and their
good works, etc.
In actual fact, large numbers of these Christians are serving
`Religion' rather than God. Jesus said that the Pharisees would
"compass land and sea" to make one convert. THEY were `busy for
God' as well! There is no "rest" in this kind of striving. People
who are caught up in it often feel guilty if they are not "out
there, doing something for God". This can eventually lead to
total burn-out. Jesus clearly told His disciples to wait until
they were "endued with power from on high" before they went out
to evangelise. But those who are into striving cannot bear to
`wait'. And thus they end up serving "Religion" instead of God.
The religious striving that I am speaking of here is anything
that works hard to please God using man's own methods, efforts or
abilities.
7. ASCETICISM. This can be a particularly dangerous religious de-
ception. It basically revolves around the idea that we can make
ourselves more "holy" simply by denying our body of food, rest,
etc. Again, it is an `outwardly- centred' doctrine. It focuses
attention on bodily self-denial rather than on true "holiness and
purity of heart". And again it is a distortion of true Biblical
practice (genuine Spirit-led fasting, etc). Those who have fallen
under this delusion often believe that if they can bring their
body under more and more `subjection' through fasting, suffering
and other forms of self-denial, then they will be able to conquer
their base desires and become more "pure". This is actually no
different to what many Hindu gurus teach, and in it's extreme
form it will open a Christian up to real demonic bondage and de-
ception.
Self-control is a good thing, but even extremes of "keeping one's
body under" can never truly bring about `death' to our fallen de-
sires. These desires actually have their roots deep within our
hearts and souls, not merely in our physical bodies. If we wish
to truly deal with them, then we must use SPIRITUAL weapons,
rather than mere bodily self-denial (for this will actually
achieve little, long-term). As the apostle Paul said, "Why do
you submit to regulations, `Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not
touch'...? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting
rigour of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body,
but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh"
(Col 2:20-23). We will discuss the use of true, effective "SPIR-
ITUAL" weapons in dealing with our fallen desires and other
`strongholds' in our lives, at the end of this chapter.
8. CONDEMNATION. This is a feeling of heaviness or despair, a
feeling of "never being good enough" to meet God's high expect-
ations. It is very different from being `convicted' of specific
sins by the Holy Spirit, which leads to Godly sorrow and repen-
tance. Condemnation occurs when we come under "law", and begin to
concentrate on the outward things that we do, rather than on the
state of our heart before God. It can sometimes be caused by
"heavy" preaching on sin, holiness, etc, that does not carry the
anointing of the Holy Spirit. Such preaching brings only spiritu-
al `death': "The letter kills but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor
3:6). The working of the Holy Spirit is required to truly expose
men's hearts and bring to light any sin in their lives.
Although it is a well-known fact that almost all of the best-
known Revivalists used to deliberately preach searching, convict-
ing sermons on "sin, righteousness and judgement", it must also
be remembered that these men always preached under the mighty
anointing of the Holy Spirit. It was not uncommon for them to
preach with tears streaming down their faces. On one occasion,
Charles Finney said: "... it seemed to myself as if I could rain
hail and love upon them at the same time; or in other words, that
I could rain upon them hail in love... I felt like rebuking them
with all my heart and yet with a compassion which they could not
mistake. I never knew that they accused me of severity, although
I think I never spoke with more severity in my life."
I have come across a number of Christians who seem to be experts
at bringing condemnation into people's lives. They quite often
have the "severity" of Charles Finney, yet entirely lack the gen-
uine `Revival' anointing that is absolutely essential for this
kind of ministry. Such Christians are also often greatly lacking
in the `fruit of the Spirit' (love, joy, peace, etc), both in
their preaching and in their own personal lives. Over a period of
time, they will bring heaviness, condemnation and domination into
the lives of others (rather than deep repentance, liberty and
joy). Such people will invariably have huge `Religious'
strongholds in their lives, which must be completely smashed if
they are ever to be truly used of God.
9. DOMINATION AND CONTROL. There are still groups around with
heavy, controlling leaders, who expect unthinking `submission'
from their flock. True, Godly leaders, who walk under His
anointing, do not need to use such tactics to maintain their au-
thority. They rely on God to show His approval of their words and
ministry. There are still Pastors around today who have used
charm, natural ability, charisma, personality (in other words,
"soul power") and sometimes even control and manipulation to gain
them prestige and power over others. Until recently, such men of-
ten employed the heavy "Covering/Submission" doctrine (which
taught that all Christians have to be in abject `submission' to
their Pastor - no matter what) to maintain control of the flock.
This doctrine has since been widely recognized as an extremely
dangerous `twisting' of true Scriptural teaching. (In fact, it
has been so thoroughly refuted in the past ten years or so that
there now seems to be a massive swing over to the other extreme,
leaving a `vacuum' of true, Godly authority in the church - the
kind of vacuum that the devil loves to exploit. More on this
later).
No doubt there are still numerous churches today with relatively
`heavy', dominating, legalistic leaders. However, the number of
these has certainly declined greatly over the past ten years or
so. This heavy `submission' doctrine definitely helped perpetuate
the current "Priesthood/Laity" system (which in essence, divides
Christians irrevocably into two `classes'). Today, there are oth-
er forces at work, reinforcing and exploiting this `class' system
in different ways, but the result always ensures one thing: that
the church remains bound in darkness and defeat (and yet is con-
vinced that she is walking in abundant freedom and `light'!)
10. SECTARIANISM. This is a kind of strong devotion or attachment
to one's own group, `stream' or denomination, rather than to the
body of Christ as a whole. `Sectarian' people often tend to look
down on those who are not "one of them". They often firmly be-
lieve that THEIR church or THEIR stream is somehow the best, and
they love to highlight the (often trivial) differences between
their particular group and all the others. Some of them even de-
light in mocking the others behind their backs, or `baiting' or
provoking them with doctrinal questions, etc. (Actually, an en-
joyment of such religious debates is an almost sure sign of the
presence of a sizable religious `stronghold' in a person's life.
This is what the Bible is warning of when it speaks of those who
are `contentious' or given to strife, etc).
Christendom today is still full of people who are busy building
and promoting their own group or leader at the expense of all the
others. What they are doing, in fact, is promoting DIVISION in
the Body of Christ. When they do this, these people are not pri-
marily serving GOD'S kingdom at all, but rather whatever `human'
kingdom they have aligned themselves with. And all of these king-
doms carry a different "label". As I have said before, God is go-
ing to bring about true unity in the coming Revival by bringing
His people out from under all these `labels' and divisions.
11. ENVY. It is interesting to note that the Bible says that the
Chief Priests delivered Jesus up to be killed because of their
"envy" of Him (Mk 15:10, etc). What an incredibly subtle yet de-
structive evil such `envy' is! The Chief Priests and religious
leaders of Jesus' time were obviously envious of His fame, His
anointing and authority, and His influence amongst the people.
And it was largely from this motive that they schemed and plotted
for months to try to discredit or destroy Him. This was the REAL
reason behind much of their slander and opposition to His minis-
try. (Though it is doubtful that they even realized that this was
their true motivation. Envy is very difficult to discern, even
within one's own heart. Deadly stuff!) And this will be the REAL
reason behind much of the opposition to the coming Revival, also.
Anyone who is truly anointed and given influence or authority by
God can often expect slander and persecution from others. This
has always been the way. Often, the most bitter opposition will
come from men who were desiring to be greatly used of God them-
selves, thus proving that the real motive behind their desire was
essentially "selfish ambition", rather than an overwhelming pas-
sion to see God glorified. Often such men will also find them-
selves secretly pleased to hear of the demise or fall of some
prominent ministry that they were secretly envious of. How sick
and depraved the human heart can be! We must all beware of these
kinds of motives operating in our own hearts and lives.
12. TRADITION. We have already touched on a number of the "tradi-
tions of men" associated with today's church: The importance
placed on degrees and diplomas from Bible college, the `priest-
hood/laity' system, our often lavish church buildings (which are
really just modern "cathedrals"), not to mention our many harmful
traditions in music, evangelism and preaching, etc. Jesus said of
the scribes and Pharisees that "in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mk 7:7).
Just think for a moment, how much of a `routine' even we Pente-
costal/Charismatic Christians have developed over the years. We
still all dress up and go to our "Cathedral" once or twice a
week, where we sit down, then stand up to sing our "five fast
songs followed by five slow songs" (either clapping or raising
our hands, depending on the type of song). After about the third
`slow' song, there will usually be a hush for a while (sometimes
with `singing in the Spirit', which will have been completely re-
hearsed by the musicians). We then sit down for the sermon, after
which there is a `ministry' time, we stand up for a few more
songs, place our money in the offering bag, listen to the notices
and go home. Week-in and week-out, it is almost always the same.
Real "Early church" material! (I think not). And we dare to call
the other churches `traditional'?
One very obvious tradition that h