This blog is designed to make you "think". Also to encourage,exhort,edify and "Warn" the saints of God as we see the day of The Lord on the horrizon.

Friday, February 26, 2010

WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" -From Andrew Strom


An Open Letter to Peter Wagner, Dutch Sheets & Other "Apostles".

I recently received a report of a new "Apostolic Network" headed up by Dutch Sheets which held a gathering in Florida last week to"carve up" territories for it's 'apostles', etc. I need to put in writing what I believe the Lord would say to these men. But first I need to remind us all of something.

On June 23rd, 2008, a group of "apostles and prophets" under Peter Wagner's headship stood on a stage in Lakeland at the Todd Bentley revival - to lay on hands and commission him, etc. But it was far more than that. Peter Wagner called it an "apostolic alignment."
He made the following statement before all the TV cameras and all the people:

"I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley:
-Your power will increase.
-Your authority will increase.
-Your favor will increase.
-Your influence will increase.
-Your revelation will increase.

I also decree that:
-A new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry.
-A new life force will penetrate this move of God...

"Onlookers might have thought that Wagner was 'prophesying' the above statements. But actually what he felt he was doing was "decreeing" these things over Todd - since he was the 'head apostle'.

In a letter the following day, Wagner called this a "groundbreaking event" and stated that, "We are now in a place in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age..." (In other words,a "new era" of real apostles).

So how did that work out for you, Peter?

Well, literally within weeks we found out that many of the "miracles" at Lakeland had no foundation, and then Todd Bentley's wife separated from him apparently over an affair he was having - and the entire 'revival' fell to pieces in the worst way possible.

That's how it worked out.

All the big Charismatic leaders that had stood on that stage hardly knew what to do with themselves - they were so embarrassed. And none more so than Peter Wagner - after making an "Apostolic decree" like that. -Probably the most colossal disaster of his life.

So who pulled the rug out from under your "apostolic alignment", Peter?

I need to tell you that there are two responsible parties.
One is 'yourself' - clearly.
And the second is GOD - because He is now pitted against you and your so-called "apostles".
He is the one who did this to you.

You and your friends have presumed to an office and a place over the Body that is simply not yours, and God is in the process of taking you 'apostles' down - and all your "networks" with you.

Dutch Sheets - can I ask you please, what gives you the right to carve up the Body of Christ in North America and parcel it out like McDonalds franchises to all your buddies so they can be 'apostles' over their own "territory"?

Do you have any idea what you are playing with?
Don't you know that if your buddies are not real New Testament Apostles then all they are doing is painting huge targets on themselves and begging for the judgment of God?

How dare you treat the Body of Christ like a piece of Real Estate that you can carve up for your own aggrandizement?

Because of men like you, God is about to judge the leadership of the church.

Do they call themselves an "apostle"?

Well, God is going to put them to the test.

If they are not the real thing, they make themselves His 'enemy' because they are blocking His real Reformation.

Every self-proclaimed "apostle and prophet" is about to be put to the test.

Oh, if you call your group an "Apostolic Council of Elders" or something similar?
Expect God to come calling, and if you are not the real thing, expect Him to take you down.

The Lord God is coming to take back His church with great violence. And you guys are standing directly in His way.

I've heard that one of these big "apostles" in Canada once told his network that their "apostle-ness" would be judged by the 'noses and nickels' that they represented. (In other words, their "numbers" and their reaping of money). Hmmmm. If I didn't know better, I would call those the words of a hireling and a wolf.

As Lee Grady wrote about this 'Apostle-Mania':
"In some circles apostles demanded total allegiance from the leaders who were "under" them. Some required a policy of "tithing up," creating a monstrous organizational structure similar to a spiritual Amway. So-called apostles with huge "downlines" made exorbitant amounts of money. One leader even offered pastors the opportunity to become "spiritual sons" by contributing $1,000 a month to his ministry."

And yet here is what the TRUE apostle Paul wrote: "I think that God has set forth us, the apostles, last, as it were appointed to death... we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace... we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things..." (1 Cor 4:9-13).

Now THAT is true apostleship.

Tell me, Mr. Modern Apostle, do you match up to the New Testament apostles?
If not, what on earth do you think God is going to do to you if you claim that title falsely?

I believe that many true Apostles, when they do arise, will simply REFUSE to carry such titles in any way. They will "minimize" themselves, not exalt themselves. That is the heart of a true leader of God.

In closing, let me again warn those who have titled themselves"apostle" or 'prophet' in the modern church. God is coming to"clean house" and if you are not the real deal, expect Him to start with you. It is as simple as that. You need to repent urgently of your utter presumption. You have been warned. End Quote

5 comments:

randy said...

Judgment begins in the house of God. I do not know any of these fellows, and do not need to know them. When one proclaims to represent God and has an agenda of his own he is treading on very dangerous territory.

I immediately think of the Korah issue when they claimed to represent, or also be included in the ministry of Moses and Aaron. The earth opened up and swallowed the lot of them!

If God brings down these men who proclaim to represent Him, and if judgment and exposure is part of the judgment, what will the lot be for those who are outside the calling of God?

A fearful thought!

randy said...

Sister Helen, I would also like to add this comment to this blog, I feel it is appropriate here also, Thank You ~

I would like to offer a quote from Oswald Chambers for consideration regarding the subject of your blog regarding this ministry and many others on television today. I feel it is appropriate ~


" We are saved and sanctified for God, not to be specimens in His showroom, but for God to do with us even as He did with Jesus, make us broken bread and poured-out wine as He chooses."

" That is the test - not spiritual fireworks or hysterics, not fanaticism, but a blazingly holy life that confronts the horror of the world with a fierce purity, chaste physically, morally and spiritually, and this can only come about in the way it came about in the life of Our LORD."



My thoughts - we do truly need to run back to the roots of our faith and calling. How far we have strayed! We have become political instead of spiritual; angry instead of humble; fierce instead of graceful; more worldly instead of more God like...how the mighty continue to fall! God have pity upon us and restore us to a holy, pure, sacrifical heart for Him and only Him!

worker.35 said...

The official excuse:
"This type of apostolic alignment typically results in a spiritual transaction in the invisible world which can have different effects in the natural, according to the circumstances at hand. In this case a veil of secrecy over ungodly practices going on in Todd’s life was removed two days after the alignment and the demise of the Lakeland Outpouring began."
source:
Todd Bentley Update, 2-9-10, By C. Peter Wagner
http://globalharvest.org/todd_bentley.htm

Anonymous said...

hi, new to the site, thanks.

warren said...

Let God be true and every man a lier don't trust any one if you are true believer you first and huger for him the church are the streets and ally ways declaring the gospel message which is repentance mmm