PRAYER, AN OPEN INVITATION

Truth Matters Newsletters – April 2010 – Vol. 15   Issue 4 -Prayer, An Open Invitation – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

PRAYER,  AN OPEN INVITATION

By Rev. Robert Liichow

While I was attending Concordia Theological Seminary a while back I was struck by something hitherto alien to my spiritual experience and that was the uniform practice of praying prayers from prayer books. Every class the professors would call upon some budding wannabe pastor to open the class in prayer. A student would rise, come to the front, open up a pocket prayer book, find an appropriate prayer and recite it to the class followed by subdued amen’s.

Was there anything “wrong” with what this young man did, not to mention the countless numbers of Christians who only pray from books of previously written prayers? The real answer lies in the unknown mind of God. He alone knows if an individual is sincere in their prayers. For example a group of people can pray the Lord’s Prayer in a worship service. Everyone is saying the same words but is everyone truly praying?

It is possible to recite those blessed words and your mind be a million miles away from (1) Whom you are addressing and (2) the deep impact and meaning of the words spoken. When this occurs it is not prayer! In fact, I will go as far as to say that such an act is offensive to God. On a mere human level it is rude to be engaged in a conversation and let your mind drift wander far from the matters at hand and not pay attention to whom you are speaking. How much more so is our “rudeness” magnified in the eyes of the One who knows every thought we have. I may never know if you are listening to me, focused on what I am saying, or nodding your head simply because you’ve fallen asleep as opposed to assenting to my marvelous exposition. Rest assured, God knows.

Let me say that I am not opposed to the use of prayer books, after all, what Christian does not use the Psalms and other written biblical texts in their prayers? Naturally, praying back to God His holy word is far different than praying back to God some sinful-mortals written prayers, but there is precedence for using formal written prayers.

Praying using written prayers can be a great aid in developing your own prayer life. Assuming the prayer is based upon the proper use of the Scriptures. Devotional guides and daily Bible reading lessons usually include a prayer or two. Those are great to use as a starting point in our prayer life. The danger from depending upon these resources is exactly that —dependence. These resources are a tool and a guide but they cannot make up the entirety of one’s life of prayer. Why not? Because if I only use a prayer book, then I am at the mercy of the author for that day, regardless of what is going on in and around me. When these aids are depended upon then no real spiritual growth can develop beyond what can be absorbed via that specific aid.

Take away the aid and unfortunately many people are left with little or nothing to say to God in prayer. I know this from personal experience.

After being delivered from my habit of praying in tongues for hours a day I found myself with next to nothing to say to my Lord with my rational thinking & feeling self. Praying in other tongues was what I (and millions today) depended upon, once gone I was left almost speechless. This same thing can happen to anyone who depends completely on the prayers of others, one’s own fellowship with God suffers and suffers badly.

I do not believe that such books should comprise the majority of any Christian’s life of conversation with our heavenly Father, the Father who loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us. We serve the Living God, what’s more He is our Father (Matt. 6:9) the One to which our hearts cry “Abba” (Rom. 8:15) which means “Daddy.”

Maybe another example might help clarify what I am trying to express to you. What if your 3 year old daughter comes to you and reads you the Father’s Day card she has written and made at school. She stands before you and reads those words and you know and she knows that she means every one of them. Now she is 18, comes to you with a need. She whips out a letter and addresses you “loving father, great is your wisdom, longsuffering your patience and deep is your wallet. Givest to me thy daughter, whom thou lovest $20, please.” Naturally, you’d be somewhat taken aback. After all this time you would hope she would come to you as Father/daughter and simply talk, openly and honestly. As for me, I certainly would not want my child to address me formally or with someone else’s words. I want to hear from her. I don’t want to hear her say what others, have said, I want to know what is on her mind/heart right now. This is what I believe that our Father desires with us in our prayer lives.

Can We Talk?

Joan Rivers made this expression popular and it is akin to the former practice of rapping on someone’s melon while looking at them. Probably one of the best illustrations of someone really praying is found in the movie The Apostle. Robert Duvall plays an earthy Pentecostal preacher who rededicates himself to Christ and one scene is of him praying, pouring out his heart and soul to God. Talking to Him as though he were talking to someone he knew well; and whom (more importantly) he knew, knew him in totality. To me it is a great expression of prayer, its raw, unrehearsed, in short real.

I am convinced, that God desires His children to simply come to Him with as much transparency and honesty as is humanly possible. God already knows everything about you which can be a pretty frightening reality to confront. Yet as horrible as we may feel, know that because of Jesus Christ we are now washed cleaned from all sin and are reconciled to our Father. We are welcome in His presence, and what is more, we have a right (albeit an alien one) to stand before Him now clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

It is important to understand that prayer is not a means of grace which is to say is that prayer is not a vehicle by which God manifests His grace. Prayer however links us to God, whom is the source of all grace. Prayer is communication between us and God. All genuine conversations are two-way interchanges between communicants. One speaks the other listens. Once having heard the comments a response or appropriate action is taken; that is true communication.

Sadly, many Christians approach payer as an obligation and duty, while others think they will be heard for their many oft repeated words (Matt 6:7). Wrong! Prayer is a privilege and not an obligation. My dear brothers and sisters do you realize how wonderful a thing it is to pray? You and I, out of ALL the people on the earth have been given an open invitation to come and dialog with the God of all creation!!

Think of it! It is mind blowing in the extreme when one ponders the reality that we are welcome not only into the courts of heaven, but we are encouraged to stand before the very throne of the Cosmocreator;

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

We do not come before our Father cringing, whimpering and with great trepidation. We come before our Lord in prayer with boldness (can be translated “confidence”) which is not to be confused with rudeness or with a belligerent attitude. Because of the work of Jesus, His blood shed, His life given, His body raised from the dead this has given to us an open audience with His Father. Shame on us if we never “RSVP” and develop a life of prayer.

I Expect An Answer

One thing I took with me from my foray into charismania is the reality of a vibrant prayer life. Most of the sound doctrine within that segment of the Church can be found in their writings on spiritual formation, the types of prayer, etc. One important lesson I learned and seek to transmit to others is that when I pray I “expect” my Father and Elder Brother (yes, Jesus designs to call us His brethren Heb. 2:11) to give me an answer. I do not talk to the ceiling, empty room or myself. I am talking with my Father and He is listening to me. He has given us so many tremendous promises regarding prayer, if we’d only truly believe them. Here are just a few examples:

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

God is not hiding from us. He has promised in many places throughout the Bible that those who seek Him will find Him. Seek Him how? Through His Word and sacrament, through mediating on the scriptures, through service to others (“…how can he love God whom he hath not seen.” 1 John 4:20).

Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Do you desire to grow in your fellowship with the Father? Ask Him for growth and I assure you that is exactly the type of prayer He loves to answer. Seek Him, make time in your life to pray. Luther got up and prayed hours BEFORE his day got started. Every one of us has 24 hours per day; it all depends upon how we choose to slice the pie. Knock, in our case it is simply being polite, the door to the throne stands wide open to us and Jesus Himself is that door. (John 10:9).

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And IF we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:22

I have little to no confidence in any man alive today, “cursed is the man that trusts in man” (Jer. 17:5) but I have supreme confidence in my heavenly Father. If He says pray according to His will, which I can know from His Word, and I pray accordingly, then I can rest assured that He has heard me and thus having heard me that I will receive the answer to which I have petitioned Him about. Why because of my great faith? No, not at all because God does not tell lies (Nu. 23:19), because my Lord Jesus Christ told me that heaven and earth shall pass away but His Word will not (Matt. 24:35) and I believe Him at His Word.

In our service we have a portion of corporate prayer where our pastor leads the petitions and we respond “Lord hear our prayer” (I really, really believe He hears our prayers). This time can either be a powerful time to transact family business or simply part of the ritual. It all boils down to where each individual’s heart and mind is focused. Which brings me to my main point—

The Heart of the Matter

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. Eze. 33:31-33

Wherefore the Lord said, Foreasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isa. 29:13

Woe unto them! For they have fled from me: destruction unto them! Because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. And they have not cried unto me with their heart… Hos. 7:13-14

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lip; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. 15:8

God is after our hearts, the very core of our beings the essence of whom we really are. Jesus taught us that it is from our hearts that both good and evil spring (Matt. 15:19). By regeneration God has taken out of us the old stony heart and placed within us a new heart (Eze. 11:19) one that is now open and desirous of His courts. Now, because of Jesus our hearts cry out like David’s “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psl. 84:2). So take heart and begin to pray from your heart!

Prayer is more than just reciting the right words in a somber or hushed tone—if that were the case then the mere act of speaking the words out loud would be all that is required to be considered prayer. Such a belief is akin to the Roman Catholic (RC) doctrine of “ex opere operato” which means “from the work done” in Latin. To the non-theologian it means “just going through the motions themselves is meritorious.” Within the RC simply attending the Mass is a meritorious act whether you understand it at all, which was why originally the Mass was in Latin, regardless of the language of the congregants. They did not have to understand what the priest was saying because just showing up was enough.

The same thought carries over into some of their prayer practices. Praying (reciting) the “Rosary” (a chain with 50 beads, if, it is a five decade unit denoting various petitions) several times a day or month can equal heavenly “points” too, again regardless of where the person’s heart and mind are while they are in prayer. In the spirit of charity let me say that using a rosary is not a sin, in fact many of the prayers used in the cycle are common to all orthodox Christians; some of these include The Lord’s Prayer and the Apostles creed (ok, not really prayer per se), but solid stuff. The proper use of beads as a prayer aid can be as a focusing device for the mind to concentrate on the specific prayers being offered, yet most people are not that disciplined. No my friend, prayer at its core is a heart matter not a spiritual mechanism to operate via recitation of certain holy words.

In closing PLEASE understand this if nothing else from this article —your heavenly Father wants to fellowship with you. He has provided the means for fellowship. The blood of Christ Jesus has washed away our sins (1 Pet. 1:19), we are robed in His righteousness (Isa. 61:10), we are now the children of God (Gal. 3:26) and we are all called to be a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6) and priests stand before God and pray on behalf of themselves and others. YOU are highly esteemed by your Father and you were handpicked according to His sovereign good pleasure to be His forever (John 10:27-28) Never doubt His love for you nor His desire for you to spend time with Him. He is not going anywhere; the ball is solidly in our court. Personally I want to develop my fellowship with the Father this year by spending more time in prayer, listening to His voice, mediating upon His Word and then by His grace living out that Word prayed. ♦

Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

End Notes

1. I use the word “proper” because I have seen “prayers” that contain biblical passages, however these passages have been totally taken out of context and thus become misused even in a prayer! For example one cannot take a test on famine and use “cleanness of teeth” as a proof text to stand upon for good dental hygiene, as is taught by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. Make sure what you are praying written by others is biblically sound.

2. When I say “listening” I do not want people to gain the wrong impression that I am sitting alone waiting to hear an “audible” voice. No, God speaks according to His Word and Jesus has stated that as His sheep I will hear His voice. Ergo, I simply trust the Holy Spirit to get across to me whatever is on the Father’s mind regarding my situation or those I am praying about. Anything, subjective leading I may experience must be subjected to the Word of God.

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MORE of…The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada

Truth Matters Newsletters – April 2010 – Vol. 15  Issue 4 – More of …The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

More of …The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada

By Rev. Robert Liichow

Ah, more has been revealed regarding the divorce of Benny Hinn. Last month various scenarios were posited as potential future realities and out of these one is emerging as the frontrunner.

I foretold how one possibility might be the tried-n-true defense of “the devil made me do it.” This maneuver resonates especially well in the ears of the sign-gift crowd. Most of whom have been well schooled in the wiles of the evil one and know what he is capable of. There is after all, a well established track record of Satanic victories over the internationally know sign-gift leaders. This track record of moral defeats begins almost at the start of American Pentecostalism.

The generally accepted founder of America Pentecostalism is Charles Fox Parham, a member of the KKK and a man later charged with sodomy. (1) If time permitted I could speak about Finis Dake, author of the “Dake Bible” used by numerous Pentecostal people for over 50 years. Dake was convicted and imprisoned for taking an underage girl across state lines and staying in a single hotel room with her. (2)

Dake took over Zion, II that was founded by John Alexander Dowie; who upon announcing that he was “John the Baptist” returned and was stricken with a soon fatal stroke. (3) Time rolls on leaving in its wake the sad doxologies of Amiee Semple MacPherson (died of a drug over-dose, adulteress), (4) A.A. Allen (drunkard, died of a drug overdose), (5) James Cleveland, internationally known Gospel recording artists, (died of AIDS, a homosexual), (6) Robert LIARdon (exposed as a homosexual), (7) Prophet Paul Cain, honored as the greatest living prophet by charismatic folk (exposed as a drunkard and homosexual, (8) Paul Crouch, founder of TBN paid hush money (close to half a million dollars) to a man who accuses him of homosexuality. (9) Space does not permit me to cite but a few of the divorces among major sign-gift leaders: E.W. Kenyon, Robert Tilton (3 times) Jim Bakker (adulterer), Kathryn Kuhlman (adulteress), Leroy Jenkins, W.V. Grant, Richard Roberts, Paula White, Juanita Byrum, John Hagee, “apostle” Todd Bentley (right after his upward exalted call to apostle) Larry Lea, Amy Grant and many others.

Now the illustrious and always dapper Mr. Benny Hinn can add his name to the Hall of Shame in both categories. He now is qualified to join the “divorced” column and what is more he is also provisionally qualified to be placed in the sodomite column also. For it has come to our attention (due to arduous research) that Mrs. Hinn’s irreconcilable differences may run a bit deeper than was originally revealed:

The headline in the online edition of Ugandan Tabloid Red Pepper screams, “Pastors Name Benny Hinn Sodomy Bonk-mate.” that headline appears to be in reaction to the news that American Pentecostal prosperity evangelist and faith healer Benny Hinn is unable to heal his own marriage and is seeking a divorce. (2)

The bottom line is simply this, according to some African newspapers the reason Mr. Hinn is getting divorced by his wife is because of his homosexual escapades with other men was uncovered to her and then she filed for divorce, as would any right thinking person (especially when they look back over the years and begin to add one+one together). Although at this point, the exact specifics of the divorce have not been made known (we will let our readers know) we can rest assured that Benny will not go away without a fight!

The perennial question has been and still is “how can this happen to such highly anointed people?” Every person I have cited has made documented claims either about their unique and close fellowship with God, their special gift(s) given to them by God and or their singular importance to God’s end time plans, etc. Since these people walk on such an exalted spiritual level, one not experienced by us {the hoi polloi } what is their excuse for falling? Us mortals sin because we are still ignorant babes still suckling 1% milk if and when we can, like blind kittens, find the celestial spigot to nurse from.

The answer is simple—”the devil made me do it.” When it was revealed to DMI that Roberts LIARdon was a homosexual, we researched the information and found it to be true. How could this happen? Then Pastor Roberts mother told the church that her son fell into sin because the people did not “cover” their pastor in prayer. So you see, it was not really Roberts fault nor the Sunday School teacher (who fled America), the real problem was the Devil…But actually it was the peoples fault. The devil will do what he does, but when he impacts God’s leaders, that is because those flocks let down the barrier to the devil’s attack, got it? Look forget all that stuff about young David protecting his flock (see 1 Sam. 17:36), forget about the lessons on shepherds laying down their lives for the sheep (John 10:12) as opposed to being a hired servant. Please understand, it is the role of the sheep to protect “cover” the shepherd, not vice versa, right? [WRONG !]

Flip Wilson and all others please understand and accept the FACT that the Devil cannot make you do anything!! If he could then Satan would be the cause of all sin. No the best he and his minions can do is tempt us at our weak points or offer to us something new and see if we take the bait. A man’s sin ultimately is his own and he must acknowledge his own culpability. Blaming others, which began with Adam (re-read Genesis 1-4) has never been the answer. Sin is always personal matter between the individual and God, no one can make you sin, you chose to.

Mr. Hinn can blame his wife, the demands of SINistry, an absent father, society, Satan and his minions yet in the end Hinn has to answer face-to-face to a holy God who simply asks “why?”

As I admitted last month, I am no prophet and not much of a swami, but this much I am sure of — please pray for Mr. Hinn, his former wife and their children. These are real people with potentially eternally serious problems; people for whom Christ died.  ♦

Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

** See our previous articles March 2010 – The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada here: https://discernmentministriesinternational.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-inscrutable-un-screwed-the-un-thought-of-thought-of-by-swami-bobby-beyondanada/

He didn’t “see” it Coming: The Divorce of Benny Hinn:

 https://discernmentministriesinternational.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/he-didnt-see-it-coming/

I Am Out Raged:

https://discernmentministriesinternational.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/i-am-outraged/

Paul Crouch Possible Peccadello – (see video)http://www.archive.org/details/Fox4InvestigatesTrinityBroadcastNetworksPaulCrouch

https://discernmentministriesinternational.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/paul-crouchs-possible-peccadillo/

End Notes

1. Obtained from www.spirithome.com/hispen1.html on 03-21-10

2. Obtained from http://dangerouscults.com/dake-federal-trial.html

3. Obtained from www.brainyhistory.com/events/1847/may_25_1847_52017.html 

4. Obtained from http://womenshistory.about.com/od/protestant/a/aimee_mcpherson.htm

5. Obtained from www.cephasministry.com/a_a_allen.html

6. Obtained from www.keithboykin.com/arch/2002/11/19/confessions_of

7. Although DMI broke the story here is a web site to validate what we originally said: www.bibleman.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=145

8. Obtained from www.deceptioninthechurch.com/orrel19.html

9. Why did Paul Crouch pay extortion if the charges were false and he was unafraid to go to court? He has never explained the use of donor funds to do so either. Visit: rickross.com

REJOICE – CHRIST JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

Truth Matters Newsletters – April 2010 – Vol. 15   Issue 4  -REJOICE –   By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

REJOICE

CHRIST JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

By Rev. Robert Liichow

When we come to realize that everything we are and have is wrapped up in Christ Jesus and Him alone, then we are free. His victory over death, hell, and the grave is now ours through faith. All Jesus did He did on the behalf of us, His people. This Lent, let us all look unto Jesus and accept His work on our behalf and then by His grace let us live accordingly. Selah…

 

Let Us Not Grow Weary…

Truth Matters Newsletters – April 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 4 -Let Us Not Grow Weary… – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

Let Us Not Grow Weary…

By Rev. Robert Liichow

It is easy to grow discouraged especially when our focus is not placed on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. All our prayers, support, work, time, and labor done for the glory of God, usually unseen by others is seen by our Father in Heaven. What is more He does lavish us daily with His grace and one day we shall receive our reward from the hand of our Good Shepherd Himself.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

We thank God for all of our faithful partners that enable DMI to continue to Teach Truth & Expose Error. Your support is both vital and deeply appreciated! ♦

Rev. Robert S. Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

He Didn’t “See” It Coming

Truth Matters Newsletters – March 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 3 -He didn’t “See” It Coming -The Divorce of Benny Hinn – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

He Didn’t “See” It Coming

The Divorce of Benny Hinn

By Rev. Robert Liichow

Let me begin by stating that DMI does not support or endorse divorce apart from the more extreme circumstances. Nor do we rejoice when someone falls (see Prov. 24:17) Having given that caveat, please allow me to make some comments on beginning with the statement of Mr. Hinn’s own people

I come to you with a broken heart. You may have heard by now that my wife, Suzanne, whom I love very much and always will, filed for divorce on February 1.  Even though Suzanne has been under great stress, the children and I never expected this to happen. Divorce was the last thing on my mind and theirs. It was a total shock when her lawyer called me the morning of February 17 to inform me that she had filed 16 days before. Suzanne never gave the family even a hint that this was on her mind. Even to this moment, the children and I don’t know why she did it. Neither did her parents know, until I told them myself on the 17th….My wife had no biblical grounds for what she has done. We both have kept our covenant with God and stayed pure before him, and I am praying with all my heart that our precious Lord Jesus will heal my family and protect His work for His glory.   (1)

Benny and Suzanne have been married for thirty years. Then suddenly, out of the blue, completely unknown to Benny, their children, his or her parents or siblings, BOOM she drops the big “D” word on unsuspecting, innocent, humble Benny.

In reaction to the news, Benny Hinn Ministries said in a statement: “Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice. Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to that relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice. (2)

Even the newspapers in Uganda are commenting on the fact that Benny Hinn was obviously sandbagged by his wife in this whole episode. Poor bloke blithely going through daily life without a clue, a hint, a mere whiff of a problem seems like a rather “normal” unsuspecting Christian man.

Ah, but there is the rub. Mr. Hinn does not claim to be just any regular normal Christian. Quite the contrary, Mr. Hinn has built a religious machine which brings in an estimated $100 million per year tax free. (3) This machine has been built over the years through carefully grooming an image, an image of a man especially visited and anointed by God Almighty Himself. An image of a humble immigrant, who stuttered severely (just like Moses) (4) and was personally taught by the Holy Spirit the meaning of the bible and other mysteries, simply read Good Morning Holy Spirit (an international best-seller).

One quickly gathers from the above mentioned book and Welcome Holy Spirit another tome proving that Benny Hinn has a deeply personal and abiding fellowship I.e. a sentient ongoing personal unique one-on-one communication with the Indwelling Spirit of God. This union is so complete and unhindered that Mr. Hinn regularly calls out specific ailments as revealed to him via his Divine Friend, the Holy Spirit. On virtually all of his television programs one can see Hinn standing before the multitudes saying things like “The Lord is showing me a woman, a lady with back pain, pain in the lower back…you are feeling heat right now on your body, the Lord is healing you.” At times Hinn yields to the “Spirit” to prophesy throught him. Sadly, all of Hinn’s prophetic pronouncements have failed to come to pass. [A RATHER LONG LEARNING MOMENT {AKA: RABBIT TRAIL} ].

 

Although well documented Mr. Hinn has never accounted for his many false prophetic utterances. Frankly, unfulfilled prophecies are sort of the elephant in the room that sign-gift people prefer to ignore. In Mr. Hinn’s case all of his divinely directed prophetic words failing to come to pass has not yet tarnished his reputation of “God’s man of faith and power for the hour” {ok, that is my little saying regarding Benny}.

Forgive the slight foray into the vagaries of false prophecy, when what I want you to focus on is Hinn’s alleged ability to supernaturally see what is currently transpiring in peoples’ lives, especially regarding their physical condition. Among the ranks of the Pentecostal and sign-gift folks such an ability is relegated to being one of the nine “sign-gifts” of the Holy Spirit.

For the uninitiated these gifts are found in the following text:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gift of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Cor. 12:1-11 (KJV)

These nine sign-gifts are then broken down by sign-gift folks into the following three categories and honestly, they seem to make some sense:

 

As I stated I have no problem with this demarcation however we must admit our limited understanding of these gifts and how they were (1) bestowed, (2) defined and (3) used in the Church. It is generally greed that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Eleven (11) while they tarried in the Upper Room. We know they came out and spoke in other languages supernaturally as the Holy Spirit gave them the utterance (reread Acts chapters 1-3 carefully). We read that the Apostles laid their hands upon others and imparted spiritual gifts to them—as the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11) not according to the disciples desires. We read of the occasional miracles in the Book of Acts (miracles were not commonplace) and healing here and there. However, when it comes to the sign gifts of the word of knowledge and word of wisdom we are given no definition of what these two gifts are, other than their names and no clues are given as to how these gifts operated. This being the case, and I assure you it is, then how can anyone claim to possess these two gifts today, as does Mr. Hinn!

Anyone who has been involved in the sign-gift movement for any period of time can recite (more or less) the following are simply three representative definitions of the word of knowledge:

The definition of The Word of Knowledge is: A Supernatural revelation of certain facts in the mind of God that deal with the past or present….The gift of the Word of Knowledge in Demonstration: ‘Normally, A Born Again believer who has asked for & received The Baptism in The Holy Spirit & this Gift will suddenly know, hear, see, smell, taste, or become aware of a single bit or piece of information that is suddenly revealed to him/her that deals specifically with the past or present. The information can come through inward revelation, outward revelation, dreams, visions etc. The individual receives a piece of supernaturally revealed information that is coming directly from God.   (5)

The spiritual gift of the WORD OF KNOWLEDGE is the bestowal of certain facts from the mind of God which He sees fit to reveal to one of His servants supernaturally by His Spirit. It is only a word, or a portion of God’s endless storehouse of knowledge. (6)

The Word of Knowledge therefore, is knowledge received from the Holy Spirit to enable us to more effectively minister to the needs of people, to know and understand situations, circumstances, stategies of the enemy (kingdom of darkness) etc. It enables us to know how to speak in the above situations with a knowledge that can surprise, baffle, dis-arm, open-up, bring answers, healing and understanding. (7)

Where did Pentecostal leaders come up with its now widely accepted definition? After all, a room full of intellectually honest Christians reading the same KJV verses could never piece such a definition together.

Since this is not a biblical definition, where did it come from?

The working definition used by Benny Hinn and millions of others came from the somewhat tortured mind of a Mr. Howard Carter, a British missionary. While in prison for an anti-war position in 1916 he engaged in a study of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. In the end the book was published titled: Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts which is in reprint today. (DMI has a copy in our library). Carter declares that while incarcerated the Lord divinely revealed to him the nature and operation of all nine spiritual sign-gifts and what is more, Carter is supposed to have been used by the Spirit in all nine of them throughout his ministry. Now you know —the definitions we read about are simple regurgitations of Carter’s original explanation.

Next time you are trolling through the channels and happen to see Pat Robertson with eyes closed pointing to the camera and saying “someone has a bad left knee and God is healing it right now,” you will know you are witnessing the word of knowledge along with the gifts of healing in operation (at least in theory). Or when you gaze upon Benny as he intones “right now in the balcony someone’s ears are being touched” you’ll know you are in the presence of the supernatural revelatory power of God flowing through His vessel. Right! If you believe that, I have some land you might be interested in.

Now back to the illustrious Mr. Hinn. What ought to amaze everyone is not only the abysmal track record of non-healing but also the complete lack of touch with those closest to him. Case in point:

Then in December, revelations of the heroin-overdose deaths of two of Hinn’s employees hounded his ministry. The deaths which occurred in late 1997, finally came to light in a report in the Dec 2, 1998 edition of The Orlando Sentinel newspaper. Up until the newspaper’s report, details of the fatalities were know only by law-enforcement and church officials. The newspaper disclosed, ‘A longtime aide to Orlando minister Benny Hinn died of chronic heroin abuse last December, a month after coming under suspicion of supplying a fatal heroin overdose to another church worker.” David Delgado, who served the televangelist for a decade, was found dead in New York City after returning from Hinn’s crusade in Jordan. According to the newspaper Delgado, 45, began as a ‘catcher” (one who keeps those being “slain in the Spirit” from hitting the stage floor) at Hinn’s healing campaigns and escalated to become a friend and personal assistant to the faith healer. He would help organize details such as Hinn’s “schedule, meals and grooming.” Delgado’s widow, Mary, revealed that her husband knew he was dying from cirrhosis of the liver, which can be a side effect of heroin abuse. According to Orange County Sheriff’s records, at the time of his death, Delgado was under suspicion for the heroin-related death of Joshua, and later drove a truck for the ministry, died Nov. 15, 1997 at his Florida home after injecting himself with a massive dose of heroin. Delgado was being investigated in the death because Williams appeared to have been drugged following a visit to Delgado’s home. (8)

How can two of Hinn’s closest aides die from heroin overdoses without Benny even knowing they were stone cold hypes? From what can be learned it seems that these men were fairly long-time users and even more shocking is that we read that Williams was taking care of Hinn’s small child while a heroin addict! How can these things be? How can a man whose written international bestselling books on developing an intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit not receive divine insight into some problems being faced daily by those around him? Where was the word of knowledge for Benny when his close friends needed it the most? Why didn’t Benny know what danger he was placing his small child in by leaving him attended by a junkie? The bottom line of this sad episode in the Hinn saga is that Hinn sold his church in Orlando and moved operations to Texas. Hinn at least got the “get out of Dodge” revelations clearly enough.

Now we come to this most recent segment, Suzanne Hinn pulling the marriage plug after thirty 30 years. Again we find the man of faith and power dumbfounded and shocked completely blindsided by a woman he now describes as “under great stress.” Is Hinn totally clueless when it comes to people? Ok, maybe he did not divine how to spot a couple of hypes, but his wife? Thirty years? No one had any idea of what she was contemplating? “I still have a few choice parcels left for just the right family, sir…”

Benny declares that there has been no infidelity. Ok, love believes the best (1 Cor. 13) and until proven wrong I will accept his statement. However, could it have something to do with Mr. Hinn’s practice of having his wife and family stay on another floor when they travel with him during his “miracle crusades.”? That gets pretty old fast after years of monthly crusades. Could it be that she is simply fed up with the hypocrisy and trying to live the lie KNOWING full well her hubby has never healed a soul and has made a living off of selling false hope to the desperate and dying on every continent! It was brought to our (DMI’s) attention at an apologetic conference when several teachers were discussing Mrs. Hinn’s face dive & belly flop at OCC shortly before the Hinn’s blew town. The clip (on Youtube.com with over 100,000+viewings) shows Mrs. Hinn berating the congregation and I quote “you all need a Holy Ghost enema, right up your rear end” she does a flop on the state and is cartel off by staff/henchman/body guards. The discussion was whether or not Suzanne was bi-polar and unstable. No definitive information is available on her mental state as of today, however, she comprehends it is time to jump ship.

One would imagine that this is now perhaps the icing on the cake for Mr. Hinn and his SINistry. With the years of false and unfulfilled prophetic (pathetic) words; the millions of people crowding stadiums around the world to listen to his every word and receive his healing touch who’ve got away unhealed, financially poor and disheartened must be asking themselves how could they have been so deceived. The lack of insight into the addiction of his close friends, the “unexpected” divorce of his wife—all should make anyone wonder about the stability of this man. All I can say is that we must pray for the Hinn’s. Benny Hinn while alive is a candidate for repentance and so I pray God grant him repentance and that He open the eyes of those still following this blind guide. ♦

Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

End Notes

1. http://www.bennyhinn.org/emailleters/pbhletter.cfm?referrer+na_eb022510  obtained on 02-26-2010 Underlining added for emphasis.

2. http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/865076/-/wikt0b/-/index.html 02-26-2010

3. It is unknown exactly how much money Mr. Hinn takes in due to our current tax laws. However from interviews, book sales, crusade attendance it is easily estimated that Hinn brings in at least 100 million a year, if not more. Much of it collected overseas in foreign nations. We have no way of knowing how much money Mr. Hinn may have salted away overseas. Please keep in mind that all of these SINistries receive tremendous amounts of currency (cash) from their meetings locally & abroad and it is very difficult to track that currency especially when it is collected and counted overseas in some hotel room.

4. Hinn, Benny. Good Morning Holy Spirit, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville, 1980, p. 10

5. http://seatedprophetic.org/the-holy-spirit-his-gifts/gift-of-the-word-of-knowledge-the-word-of-wisdom-the-discerning-of-spirit/ obtained on 02-25-2010.

6. http://www.joywell.org/Gifts/wordknlg.html, obtained on 02-25-2010

7.http://www.gospel.org.nz/FreeArticiles/Rodney’sArticles/THE%20WORD%20OF%20KNOWLEDGE.htm

8. http://www.pfo.org/nuscandals.htm, obtained on 02-27-2010. Underlining

YouTube Video – Benny Hinn – “It’s Time for me to tell it all.”

The Inscrutable un-screwed, The un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada

Truth Matters Newsletters – March 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 3 -The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami” Bobby Beyondanada – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

The Inscrutable Un-screwed, The Un-thought of Thought of by “Swami”

Bobby Beyondanada

 By Rev. Robert Liichow

The prophetic voice is dim in my ear today, so no charge for these insights. Allow me to run a few possible Hinn scenarios by you: (1) Victim Scene: First of all he is already positioning himself a victim, a close reading will show Benny totally guiltless and Susanne “under great stress.” (2) Devil Scene: Easily sold to sign-gift people, we blamed Satan for everything, even our own sin!! The devil got into Susanne, remember Eve folks, yup he strikes those closest to us. (3) Crazy scene: A little harder push, but not much of one. After all, Hinn is the superstar of our times why leave someone at the “top” of their game, you’d have to be crazy, right? Benny already has floated the “stress” she is under, i.e. she has had a mental collapse. Will Benny survive? That depends on how well he can spin the divorce. Most hard-shell Pentecostals are, and rightly so, very opposed to divorce and terms like “irreconcilable differences” simply don’t compute in their sanctified minds (mine neither for that matter). How can a pastor who alleges such a close walk with the Spirit not be reconciled to those around him? Benny the humble, meek, mild, servant be difficult to live with? How can these things be?

Charismatic sign/gift folks are far more urbane and used to divorces among their stars. In the past both Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman got divorces and kept up their SINistries for many years afterwards, why not Benny? More recently, Todd Bentley, the latest sight-gift “apostle” (I call them “opossums”) divorced his wife not long after his installation and he now rehabilitated and ready to bilk more folks! Plus if Benny can paint his ex-wife as the problem then he will skate away with little damage.

Last speculation regarding the Hinn’s, I’m pretty sure Susanne will have to sign some major non-disclosure agreements before she see a penny of a settlement. Legal fact: a wife cannot testify against her husband, but an ex-wife can. I’d love to read a tell-all-book by Susanne, but it will not be coming (unless Benny really ticks her off, maybe not a good idea Benny)…who knows what stones will be unturned and what dark happenings will be exposed by the light of Day our Lord knows and one day Hinn and all of us will stand before Him. May His grace enable us to stand both now and surely on that day.  ♦

 Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLYQ8oFvMBg

A Book Review – Hard Questions for the Bible Answer Man written by Jay Howard

Truth Matters Newsletters – March 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 3 -A Book Review -Hard Questions for the Bible Answer Man Written by Jay Howard – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

A Book Review –

Hard Questions for The Bible Answer Man Written by –

Jay Howard

Reviewed By Rev. Robert Liichow

For over thirteen years Discernment Ministries International has been writing about trends and personalities impacting the Church. In the realm of apologetics outreach there are really just a handful of people endeavoring to defend the faith on a full-time basis. Out of these few apologists, there are even fewer on national radio. Frankly, I know of only three apologists on the radio and these are: Pastor Todd Wilkins of Issues, Etc., Bob Dubko on WMUZ, and Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute (CRI). Of these three, Hank probably is the best known and is certainly the most affluent.

It is quite probable that you on your book shelve a copy of The Kingdom of the Cults written by the late Dr. Walter Martin. He was the founder of CRI and was the original radio “Bible Answer Man.” until his death in 1989. The majority of younger budding truth-tellers and defenders simply think that Hank H. is The Bible Answer Man and that CRI is really his ministry.

Due to the fact that we have so few men and women on the frontlines apologetically speaking, that it is sad to learn that one of our “stars” is not really a star at all. Nonetheless, truth is truth and it must be told. DMI wrote about the psychological and cultic damage taking place at Ole Anthony’s commune, yet they too did some phenomenal research, but Ole is no pastor.

Jay Howard is a friend of ours; we met at a conference I was speaking at some years ago. He has just published a book that sets the record straight regarding Mr. Hanegraaff’s ungodly takeover of CRI immediately after the sudden and unexpected death of Dr. Martin. Howard did his research well and his book is thoroughly researched with almost 100 pages of photocopied documents and letters verifying his claims. I read the book in one sitting. It is not a long read, but it is well written, even if saddening in some ways.

This book may well be placed next to The Confusing World of Benny Hinn as a definitive statement on Hank H. a prominent Christ radio personality and unfortunately little better than those he broadcasts against. CRI is a ministry that currently DMI cannot support and we join with brother Howard’s voice is urging people to not support CRI until the fruits of repentance are borne. You can order a copy of Jay’s book by visiting his website www.HardQs.com or another site www.focusonthefaulty.org The cost of the book is $16.00 per copy. Some questions that Jay answers for the reader are:

• Was Hanegraaff really Walter Martin’s handpicked successor?”
• Did Walter Martin’s widow plan to endorse him, as the next CRI president, during the funeral?
• Is it really necessary for a president of a Christian nonprofit organization to make over $250,000 a year?
• Why did he fire so many key people after he took over in 1989?
• Did the Post Office in Rancho Santa Margarita really misdirect CRI’s mail for three months at the end of 2004?

For those of you interested you can go online and still listen to the original “Bible Answer Man” broadcasts and other teachings by Dr. Martin at http://www.watermartin.com/whatsnew.html and you can also go to http://www.firefighters.com to find other MP3’s by him. ♦

Lent A Time For Change

Truth Matters Newsletters – March 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 3 – Lent A Time For Change – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

Lent A Time For Change

By Rev. Robert Liichow

It is interesting how things change over the years. Originally Lent was a very solemn observation. The season of 40 days was a time of increased fasting, church services and personal introspection with the hope of renewal to a fuller life in Christ. From what I have read of the ancient Church practices it seems to me as though those Christians were really seeking the Lord for spiritual growth.

What about our times today? On “Fat” Tuesday in Detroit the whole region is inundated with stories about “Packzi” Day. A Packzi is a traditional Polish donut that has over 2,000+ calories and they are made and sold on Fat Tuesday. Along with the standard local news color stories come the obligatory questions by the reporters to folks asking them “what are you giving up for Lent?” The responses varied from “I’m going to try to quit swearing,” said one lady and another “smoking,” and of course “junk food.” In fact, I know a pastor who gave up macadamia nuts for Lent! One minute after it was over, he ran to grab his nuts and eat them. Somehow I don’t believe this is what this religious observation is about.

Lent is naturally a time to consider the last days of the earthly ministry of our Lord culminating in His glorious bodily resurrection from the dead. While reflecting on the unsearchable riches of God towards us and mediating on all that Jesus denied Himself for us should cause us to desire to live lives that are progressively more pleasing to our Lord as we grow and mature spiritually.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Heb. 12: 1-2 (KJV)

The season of Lent is the perfect time to face those “weights” which can refer to things in our lives which are not sinful but can slow down our race for the prize, the high calling of God in Christ. Sinful habits that beset each of us can be seen more clearly as we fast, pray and worship God. Lent should be a time of looking unto Jesus, considering Him and His grace as we lean upon the Spirit of Grace to continue to transform us from faith to faith and glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18)

Lent is not to be a time of self-righteous works and simply exercising strong self-control, at least for 40 days.

Keep this thought in the forefront of your minds. Lenten change and for that matter any progress spiritually is due solely to the grace of God and the work of Christ as applied by His Spirit to our daily lives. It is about acknowledging your own inability to conquer your own flesh, being sorrowful over sin and crying out for the Deliverer to come and grant you freedom in whatever area is slowing you down.

Let me assure you that our Lord always answers those prayers in the affirmative. I know of no Biblical examples where one of God’s people cried out for deliverance from sin and God said “no.” I am not referring to the suffering that is our common lot in living life in a fallen depraved world. No I am speaking about issues of personal morality, integrity, and piety. If one is sincere and wants to change and grow in sanctification I can assure you that the Spirit of God will begin to apply the Word you hear & study to your daily life. The end result will be exactly as Jesus prayed when He said “sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy Word is truth” — Jh 17:17 The garden of our lives should be a lifelong work of continual Divine pruning as we both hear and do the Word delivered to us. Expect change this Lent, I know I am. ♦

Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

 

Liar Liar Pants on Fire – Jesse Duplantis Stands by His Tall Tale of Heaven

Truth Matters Newsletters – February 2010 – Vol. 15 Issue 2 – Liar Liar Pants on Fire – Jesse Duplantis Stands by His Tall Tale of Heaven – By Rev. Robert Liichow

Discernment Ministries International

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

Jesse Duplantis Stands by His Tall Tale of Heaven

By Rev. Robert Liichow

"Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies" lyric from 'The Undisputed Truth"

Last month DMI dealt specifically with Oral Roberts and his very questionable legacy. I, like most people, do not want to see a man who told straight faced lies (or was so deeply deceived he really thought he was telling the truth) to God’s people in God’s name. It is simply outrageous that no one within Pentecostalism ever publicly took Oral Roberts to task. There has never been a time when Pentecostalism was a unified front in America and has never had any real overall structural leadership. This allows all their ministers to basically oversee themselves and account to no one, accept possibly their Board of Directors which often consists of family members and/or close personal friends who subsist off the fortunes of the SINistry.

Brothers and sisters Truth Matters. One of the immutable characteristics of God is His verity or inherent truthfulness. Since God’s nature is unchanging He is eternally truthful everything He does and we being created in His image He demands truthfulness from all creation. The Bible is filled with commands for us to be truthful in all our deeds: We are told not to bear false witness against our neighbor (see Ex. 20:19) or even more seriously lying in the name of our Lord (see Ex. 20:7). Here alone 20% of the 10 commandments demand truthfulness in our dealings with God and man. Two of the 7 things the Lord hates are (Prov. 6:17-19). (1) A lying witness who bears false testimony and (2) A lying tongue. Here 33% of the emphasis here is further insight into how much God hates the telling of lies. ‘These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates” ( read Zechariah 8:16). The Bible ends with a somber warning in Rev. 21:8 “…all liars— their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” What does this mean (a good Lutheran question)? It means, obviously, that God places a very strong emphasis on trustworthiness of our words and actions.

My dear brothers and sisters we must never lose sight of the fact that we are representatives, ambassadors for Christ in this world (read 2 Cor. 5:20). God Himself calls and sees us as living epistles know and read of all men (see 2 Cor. 3:2). By lying we can never represent our God in any form or fashion. There is no darkness in Him, there is no crookedness in His dealings and as His ambassadors there ought not be any dishonesty in our representation of Him.

With the aforementioned in mind let us again reconsider some of the claims of Mr. Duplantis and his alleged trip to heaven and compare it with the Word of God which we know is holy and inerrant in Its testimony.

Mr. Duplantis has built his SINistry in large part on sharing many alleged supernatural experiences the most detailed and widely shared is his account of going to heaven including a visit to the throne of Almighty God. The following citations are taken from Mr. Duplantis book entitled “Heaven, Close Encounters of the God Kind.”

In August 1988 Rev. Duplantis was preaching a revival in Magnolia Arkansas. He feels impressed to go back to his hotel room and pray about the service that evening. He notices the clock (again) it was one minute before one o’clock. He gets down on his knees and gets ready to pray then

“Suddenly I felt a suction as if I was being pulled up out of the room…I heard a sound Whoose! And I was pulled up out of the room…I didn’t know I had left the room and I was zooming along at a phenomenal rate of speed…in something like a cable car…Then I looked up. There stood another being I realized that it was the blond-headed angel who had visited me…”You have an appointment with the Lord God Jehovah.” (1)

Jesse has an out-of-body experience and finds himself in an angelic cable car with the same angel who told him to get some sleep. This time we are told why this is happening, Jesse has an appointment with the Lord God Jehovah!

“As I stepped out of the chariot, everything I saw was so beautiful. I had always thought that when I went to heaven I would see only a city. But the first place I saw was Paradise; it hadn’t been destroyed. Paradise is a big place, completely surrounding the Holy City. It is like being on another planet.”  (2)

We are now informed that Paradise has (1) not been destroyed, (2) paradise is a big place, and (3) paradise completely surrounds the Holy City. Not only is this without any Biblical proof, but we seem to have a dichotomy between Mrs. Baxter’s revelation in our last section and Jesse’s revelation now. Jesus personally showed Mrs. Baxter that Paradise has been taken over by Satan in hell. Yet now, a few years later we find that Paradise is now sort of the suburbs of heaven. Who are we to believe? Which is it? Is Paradise in hell or in heaven? These two nationally known charismatic teachers both claim to have had genuine experiences but their experiences in no way agree! This is a logical impossibility. Even if their accounts internally agreed with each other they are still at complete variance with the Bible, and must be discounted.

Jesse begins to describe the heavenly scene. He sees children, animals, beautiful flowers, the River of life and trees lining the River of life with thousands of people standing around under the trees. Jesse notices something that again is a totally new insight regarding some sort of caste system in heaven:

“Then I saw other people who didn’t have on robes; they were wearing gowns. They started walking toward the city, but they seemed to get weak. I saw them walk over to the trees, pick what looked like fruit and eat it. Then they took some leaves off those trees, put the leaves up to their faces and breathed in, smelling them. I asked the angel, “What’s happening? He said, ‘Some of them have not lived the life they should. They believe in God and love Jesus, but they didn’t live to their fullest potential…Yes God is merciful to them,” he said. “But they have to be prepared to stand in the presence of the Almighty.” (3)

Even in heaven some people will have to work to make themselves ready to stand in the presence of God. They did not live up to their fullest potential on earth, so now they have to do some more works in heaven…then they can face God. The work of Christ is not enough, it obviously is not a finished work, we still have to do our part to make ourselves ready to face God. Hebrews 9:12 tells us that the work Jesus Christ did on the cross obtained for us an eternal redemption. Yet it appears, according to Duplantis, we still have to work on becoming perfected even in heaven.

“Some people don’t live close to God the way they should. They know Jesus as their Savior, but they could do so much better. In heaven they will eventually be able to go to God’s Throne, but it takes more time for them. (4)

Duplantis does not explain what it takes to “live close to God” but it obviously involves some type of work(s) on our part. I have no problem with the fact that one can live a dynamic Christian life or a mediocre one on earth. I have no problem with teaching that people will receive varying degrees of reward from the Master at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I have an extreme problem with people having to do some form of works in order to merit an audience with the God who loved them so much He sent His only Begotten Son to die for us! This insight is a lie because it directly contradicts Biblical teaching.

Romans 3:26

For the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

With nothing more than a quick glance through the New Testament anyone can see that the one who has placed their trust in the work of Christ (as opposed to their own works which can never save or justify) and declared to be righteous (2 Cor. 5:17-21). We are exhorted to draw near with confidence (parresia, Greek NAS 3954; from Greek 3956 (pas) and rhesis (speech); freedom of speech, confidence, boldness, boldness of speech, confidently, openly).   (4)

Why then does this change in heaven? Why does one have to eat fruit and smell leaves in (works) in order to approach the throne of our God? The blood of Christ has perfected us in God the Father’s eyes. However, Jesse’s experience gives us what really takes place in heaven.

“When I began to feel weak, the angel walked over to one of those trees picked some of its fruit and brought it back to me…The angel said to me, ‘Eat this fruit so you will be able to withstand the glory of God. (5)

It appears that Jesse himself at this point has not been living as close to God as he should have been, even though in his walk with God thus far he had: (1) God previously appeared to him; (2) he’s seen angels, and (3) been supernaturally teleported to Lafayette, and (4) now is in heaven! Yet, even the highly “favored” Duplantis needs to eat some angelic fruit so he can withstand the glory of God!

Jesse Meets Abraham

After eating the fruit the angel asks if he is thirsty, he is, and lo and behold, father Abraham is close by and he comes with a golden goblet to give Jesse a drink. This wise looking fellow comes over and Jesse asks him who he is. Here is the response:

“I’m Abraham, Paradise is my place…I felt I knew him like I knew my father. I fell down on my face before him; but he said; ‘Stand to your feet. The only One you worship is the Lord God…I meet all the people who come here because Paradise is my bosom.   (6)

Jesse Sees Kids in heaven With Jesus –

After his drink he and the angel keep heading towards his divine appointment with Jehovah God. Then all of the sudden he hears children singing and praising God. What’s more they were carrying little harps (I kid you not). After this insight Jesse and the angel continue their journey to meet Jehovah God. At this point in the story Jesse is given further insight into heaven works system:

“They almost got there; then they stopped, turned around and had to go back. It seems as if they were depressed. I heard someone say, ‘There is no depression here. Just eat of the Tree of Life, smell the leaves for healing and let your spirit grow. You shall stand at the Throne of God.”   (7)

Like my grandfather used to say “close but no cigar.” Obviously these folks had made some progress in their sanctification but still they had to turn back to eating the fruit and smelling the leaves.

Jesse Meets Jesus –

“All of the sudden, the angel stopped our chariot and said, ‘Kneel. He’s here.” I felt weak then fell to my knees. The angel handed me some fruit and said, “Eat this.” So I did…Jesus was taller than I thought He would be. I would guess Him to be from five feet eleven inches to six feet one inch…He looked at me and said, “There are many things you shall see and learn here, but I have brought you here so that you will go tell My people I’m coming.  (8)

Now we know that Jesus is probably just a tad under six feet tall, that He has light brown hair and that He especially wants Jesse Duplantis to tell the Church He is coming. Again, the Bible is not enough, the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy is not enough, we need people to take special trips to heaven and come back to tell us Jesus is coming back for us.

Jesse Meets King David –

Jesus tells Jesse that He wants him to meet another king, king David. David we learn has a read beard and reddish hair. “Jesus said, “Jesse, I want you to meet the king of Israel.” The Lord said, “Take Jesse to his home. Show him what I have prepared for him. Then bring him to My Throne. I must go.”   (9)   David begins to take Jesse to see his heavenly mansion. On the way they go into another home and Jesse meets the Apostle Paul. Of all the questions he could have asked Paul here is what he comes up with:

“I said to Paul, “You went through great persecution.” “Yes”he answered, “but I kept the faith. I focused my life on faith. That’s how you get things done….Never change the message because of the hearers. Speak what God gives you.   (10)

That must have been sweet music indeed to the ears of a Word of Faith teacher like Rev. Duplantis, Paul kept his focus on faith, that is how you get things done! Isn’t that interesting? All this time I thought Paul had said he kept his eyes focused on knowing Christ (Phil 3:10-13).

Now we see that really Paul kept focused on faith, and that it is by the power of faith that things get done! Well the angel has to move Jesse along, he still has an appointment at the Throne of God. However, King David tags along with them to fellowship with Jesse. What Rev. Duplantis shares next is extreme heresy, King David is speaking –

“He did use Psalm 223 as an example as he explained, “I allowed God and the anointing to come through in that song. In other songs I sang strongly about my troubles. I think I should have allowed more of the answer to come through, instead of the complaining. Those weren’t his exact words, but I knew that was what he meant. Then he added, “I wish I had written more songs about God’s answers than about my problem.    (11)

There we have it! David allowed God and the anointing to come through on Psalm 23. Some of the other psalms in the Bible , I guess we cannot be so sure about. Like a good “faith man” David wished he had written more about the answer than the problem. David wished he had allowed more of the answer, i.e. God and the anointing, to come through instead of complaining.

I really do not think that Rev. Duplantis has thought through the ramifications of his alleged encounter with King David and David’s comments. David’s comments imply that what he wrote was not equally inspired. Some psalms he yielded to God and the anointing (as though they are separate from one another) and others, he did not yield as much.

Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Tim. 3:15-17

And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Then after this astounding revelation David takes Jesse into his home where here we learn that in heaven “all desires are met here. Everything has been thought of – all your desires and some that you could not even think of.”   (12)

Jesse Finally Makes it to God’s Throne –

“I felt weaker and weaker as we approached the Throne room. It looked to me like millions of people were there…When the light from the Throne hit me I couldn’t stand up; I fell down, and the angel gave me more of the fruit…I look up from the floor in the direction of the overwhelming Light, and I saw Him! I saw Elohim, Jehovah God. Yahweh sitting on the Throne! But I saw His feet – only His feet…He is so big – you can’t describe Him in a dimension. His had is huge! His body, the form if it, is sort of like energy, spirit. There’s a wall around the Throne, but the Throne is higher than the wall – that’s why you can see the Throne from every direction, from a distance. And that power, that energy-like smoke of God, covers all around the chair of the Throne itself.     (13)

Jesse still needs to eat the sanctifying fruit even though he has made it up to the very Throne of god. Like Moses he just to see part of God’s body, and not His face. Yet all-in-all even getting to see the feet of Jehovah is more than any of the rest of us have seen! Also we get the extra-Biblical insight about some type of wall around the Throne, I guess some sort of restraining wall to keep Him from being mobbed by adoring family members.

“There was a cloud that looked like smoke going up from the Throne and I heard that massive sound, “whoosh! It was power like I’ve never experienced in my life. Then I saw God’s finger barely move and when it moved, an angel that was flying near Him was thrown up against a wall. Bam! It didn’t hurt the angel.” (14)

I am reminded about the refrain from an old gospel blues song “when the Lord gets ready, you’ve got to move.” that angel must certainly have that as a revelation after getting splattered against the wall. During this time Jesse comes out of the glory of the Father and begins to preach to the assembled crowds “He was a preacher full of victory, shouting and hollering!”  (15)  Jesse enjoys the sermon and asks the angel “where’s the Holy Spirit?” He is on the earth He said.”  (16)  then he remembers this fact and feels “stupid” for asking such a “dumb question” at the Throne of God. So now we know that as of 1996 the Holy Spirit is not in heaven He is on earth. Now if asked, Jesse will admit that God is Three in One, but obviously the One God is somehow separated spatially. In any event, now you know that the Holy Spirit is not currently “in” heaven but is active here on earth.

“I saw new lives of little babies singing and flying around God’s Throne. It seemed to me that babies just came out of the breath of God. They looked like they were wearing nightgowns…I heard them saying God, “Can I be a spirit? Would You send me to earth so I can be a spirit? I want to be a redeemed person. Can I be a spirit? And while I watched, I heard that might sound of God’s power Whoosh! I saw these babies leave the Throne by the power of God.” (18)

Mrs. Baxter saw baby cherubim flying around the Throne of God kissing his face, feet, and hands while singing holy, holy, holy. Rev. Duplantis does not see these baby cherubim instead he see’s some type of proto-babies who want to become “spirits”. What is more these proto-spirit babies ask to be sent to earth and they ask to be redeemed persons. Who makes the determination to become a redeemed person? Obviously we did in our proto-spirit condition when we, in eternity past, flew around the Throne of God in our little nightgowns!

What utter drivel and heresy!  There is not one shred of Scriptural evidence to even remotely infer this type of theology. In fact, like with everything else Mr. Duplantis sees, the bible refutes it thoroughly. Here are just two verses of many –   

John 15:16

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you

Romans 9:11

“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

I cannot take time to go into the doctrine of election. Yet the Scriptures are plain that it is always God who does the electing, not man! If we take Mr. Duplantis Throne room vision at face value then are we to assume that some babies want to be damned? After all, some ask to be redeemed people, do others ask to be allowed to be damned people? Even Jesse would admit that not everybody is saved, he does believe some folks do go to hell. So if what he saw is true, then those in hell made this choice before they ever came to earth. It is hard to imagine a preacher of the Gospel would write such things, and expect the readers to accept it as truth.

Before Jesse is sent back home to planet earth Jesus explains how He is dreading the day when He has to send some of the creation He loves to hell. “I wanted to reach out and comfort Him, so I put my hand on the Lord…I could tell that Jesus was hurting.”   (19)   Can you imagine? The One who upholds and sustains all things by His power (Heb. 1:3) feels sad and is hurting and Jesse tries to comfort the Lord God Almighty as best he can. In these closing discourses with Jesus, Jesse comes to believe “we can delay His coming by waiting for a sign before we act on His Word…” (20) Through this supernatural gnosis, we learn that people choose their eternal destiny as proto-babies and we also can delay the return of Christ by our actions or inactions. Earl Paulk, must be correct then when he teaches that it is up the Church as to when Jesus returns. Jesse continues to humanize God by saying;

“I didn’t know before how much He needed me to reach out to other people. I have always thought of how much I needed Him, not how much He needs me…He smiled at me and said, “I chose you. NO one else wanted you, and I need you Jesse.   (21)

Jesus Christ needs Jesse Duplantis! I do not doubt that the Lord Jesus loves Jesse Duplantis, I love him too, but I doubt He “needs” Jesse. If you, me or Jesse dies tomorrow God’s plan will roll on without as much as a hitch.

Jesse Comes Back to Planet Earth

Jesse returns to his body and walks up to the front of the church. “Look at Brother Jesse. He’s shining.” There was a light on my face. I had been in the presence of the glory of God.”  (22)  So like Moses, Jesse Duplantis’ face shines with the very presence of God. “I didn’t even preach that night. I didn’t say anything, but people began falling under the power of God’s Spirit! There was ministry throughout the auditorium without me saying any more.”   (23)

What is the result of this trip to heaven? Mr. Duplantis gets to church but does not even preach the gospel, yet apart from the Word & Sacraments we are supposed to believe the Holy Spirit moved! Instead something even greater transpires than preaching the Word, people begin to fall under the power of God’s Spirit. We are not told if anybody came to faith in Christ at the service, nor are we informed if anybody rededicates themselves to serving Christ. All we know, according to Mr. Duplantis, is that people see his face shining and fall into unconsciousness. However, Duplantis does not supply any COOBBERATING testimony to this alleged event.

I must denounce Heaven, A closer Encounter of the God Kind as a work of fiction masquerading as fact. None of his vision and experience remotely resemble what is revealed in the bible. In fact, Duplantis’ revelations contradict Biblical teaching and doctrine.

Out of Christian charity I am willing to grant that brother Duplantis had some type of experience but it was not of the “God Kind.” This leaves us with one of two possibilities, either his experience is demonically inspired or is the result of his overactive imagination. His concept of the doctrine of God, the inerrancy of Scripture, and salvation are aberrant and heretical according to what he relayed in his vision.

Mr. Duplantis is a well known international speaker in Word of Faith circles and yet none of his fellow charismatic leaders seem to have any problem with is revelations. The editors at Harrison House Publishers did not pick up any doctrinal errors or question the validity of his experiences as they proofread his text. “Christian” bookstores seem to have no qualms about selling a book in which the author says the following is absolutely true:

• As a sinner, feels God presence continually
• Hears His voice while high on drugs
• Is personally visited by God
• Has 100% of his prayers answered
• Receives a personal message from the Lord’s angel
• Has a company of angels knock out his audience for half an hour
• Has he and his car teleported to Lafayette La and Jesse heals a girl near death.
• Goes to heaven
• Meets Abraham, Jonah, King David, Jesus, angels, the Apostle Paul, and the Father.
• Comes back with his face shining like Moses & everyone this thrown into an altered state of consciousness.

Dear brothers and sisters, I hope you can understand why I am concerned about what is foisted upon the Church as a divine revelation when it obviously is not.

There is wide scale deception taking place and little or nothing is being done about it. A person can say or write just about anything and it will be published, sold nationally, and speaking engagements and television appearances will come from it, not to mention large amounts of money. If anybody dares to raise an objection then they are labeled a heresy-hunter and one who is sowing discord among the brethren, which we are constantly reminded is an abomination to God   (Prov. 6:19).

I agree with the prophet Amos when he says there is a famine in the land, one not of bread, but one of hearing the true Word of the Lord. The sign-gift section of the church really needs to get back to the Word of God and judge every experience by it and unflinchingly correct and rebuke those who err and those who want to propagate error. If they will not receive correction, then we must mark or scope out such false teachers and in love correct them and their hearers of their error. It is the only truly loving response there is. ♦

Copyright © 2010 Robert S. Liichow

End Notes

1. Duplantis, Jesse, “Heaven A Close Encounter of the God Kind.” Harrison House, 1996, pg. 68-69

2. Ibid. pg. 70’

3. Ibid. pg 72

4. Ibid. pg 75

5. New American Standard Hebrew & Greek Dictionary, NavPress Dd Rom

6. Duplantis, Jesse. “Heaven a Close Encounter of the God Kind. Harrison House. 1996 pg. 76

7. Ibidpg. 76-77

8. Ibid. pg. 83

9. Ibid pg. 85

10. Ibid. pg.

11. Ibid pg. 93

12. Ibid. pg. 97-98

13. Ibid, pp. 100-1-1

14. Ibid pg. 102

15. Duplantis, Jesse. “Heaven, A Close Encounter of the God Kind.” Harrison House, 1996. Pg. 113-114

16. Ibid. pg. 115

17. Ibid. pg. 117

18. Ibid. pg. 118-119

19. Duplantis, Jesse. “Heaven A Close Encounter of the God Kind.” Harrison House. 1996. Pg. 119

20. Ibid. pg. 127

21. Ibid p. 129

22. Ibid. pg. 131

23. Ibid. pg. 138

24. Ibid. pg. 138

It is an eternally serious matter whenever anyone dares to stand up in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and preach/teach His Word. As James 3:1 reminds us: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  Why does the teacher receive a stricter judgment? Because God’s people will inherently trust their words, after all, who would dare speak that which is not in the name of the Living God? DMI will make it our business to send by registered mail this newsletter and a letter to Mr. Duplantis seeking an explanation of his heretical statements. We will let you know how it is received by JDM.