Re: For Biblical Prophesying and faith healing

Sherie, the Scripture verses I posted were to indicate the true meaning of prophesying in the New
Testament times. I believe that many self-proclaimed prophets and prophetesses are not God ordained.
60% of fulfilled predictions doesn't meet God's criteria of such. Nothing less than 100% even though the
Old Testament prophets had some temporary problems and sins in their lives. I think that many Christian
church goers will become very upset when the current popular prophecy of 2007 being a Jubilee Year for
Christians to receive complete healing and debts being miraculously paid off don't come true. And what if
the pre-trib rapture theory is not true? How many will give up going to church or even give-up believing
in Jesus Christ. Many Christian church goers are not born-again and are mostly humanistic instead of
trusting in God. Loving God more and sanctification to righteousness and doing Great Commission good
works should be our desires and doing with Holy Spirit help. That is why I try to be in the Proverbs 3:5-6
thinking whenever possible.

But like you, I am concerned about what you wrote about. I have been exposed to many different
churches and various kinds of charismatic meetings and I have read a lot about such. Because of the way
we have been bought up and the media's influence, we have been encouraged to praise and even follow
famous individuals. Many "Christians" do such in relation to their pastors or famous televised preachers
and just rely on them for any teaching about God's Word. They love being entertained in church or by the
Christian TV programs and by ministry meetings like the "faith healing services". I have witnessed what
you described and grieved for those who didn't get healed. My Charismatic wife was shocked when she
read John F. MacArthur, Jr.'s book "Charismatic Chaos". He does a very good job responding to the
favorite Bible verses and passages used to justify what you witnessed. Did you know that Judas and some
of the Roman soldiers were "slain in the Spirit" when they tried to arrest Jesus Christ? Check John 18:6. I
know that God still heals miraculously because He has done such for me, but I believe that only 2% of the
healings claimed by the charismatic leaders is of God and the rest is either faked or done by the spiritual
enemy. But Apostle Paul said that we should not follow signs and wonders. True Christianity means that
if we are learning the Bible and being more Christ-like, signs and wonders will follow our spiritual
witnessing and teaching.

And look at the following Bible passages from Revelation 13 and 2 Thessalonians 2:
Revelation 13
5 And the beast was given the power of speech, uttering boastful and blasphemous words, and he was
given freedom to exert his authority {and} to exercise his will during forty-two months (three and a half
years).
6 And he opened his mouth to speak slanders against God, blaspheming His name and His abode, [even
vilifying] those who live in heaven.
7 He was further permitted to wage war on God's holy people (the saints) and to overcome them. And
power was given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation,
8 And all the inhabitants of the Earth will fall down in adoration {and} pay him homage, everyone whose
name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the
foundation of the world. 9 If anyone is able to hear, let him listen:
10 Whoever leads into captivity will himself go into captivity; if anyone slays with the sword, with the
sword must he be slain. Herein is [the call for] the patience and the faith {and} fidelity of the saints
(God's people).
11 Then I saw another beast rising up out of the land [itself]; he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke
(roared) like a dragon.
12 He exerts all the power {and} right of control of the former beast in his presence, and causes the earth
and those who dwell upon it to exalt {and} deify the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed, {and}
to worship him.
13 He performs great signs (startling miracles), even making fire fall from the sky to the earth in men's
sight.
14 And because of the signs (miracles) which he is allowed to perform in the presence of the [first] beast,
he deceives those who inhabit the Earth, commanding them to erect a statue (an image) in the likeness of
1
the beast who was wounded by the [small] sword and still
lived.

2 Thessalonians 2
1 but relative to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and our gathering together to [meet]
Him, we beg you, brethren, 2 Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled {or} disturbed or kept
excited {or} alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter
[alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived {and} is here.
3 Let no one deceive {or} beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes
first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and
the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition),
4 Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly {and} insolently against {and} over all that is called God or
that is worshiped, [even to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself
is God.
5 Do you not recollect that when I was still with you, I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be
manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is
already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the
breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing at His coming.
9 The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity {and} working of Satan and will
be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs {and} delusive marvels--
[all of them] lying wonders--
10 And by unlimited seduction to evil {and} with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going
to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth {but} refused to love it that they might be saved.
11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error {and} a strong delusion to
make them believe what is false,
12 In order that all may be judged {and} condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to,
trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought {and} are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give
thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning {as His firstfruits (first
converts)} for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence
to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth.
14 [It was] to this end that He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain {and} share in the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions {and} instructions which you were taught
by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting
consolation {and} encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor),
17 Comfort {and} encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them
unswerving] in every good work and word.

More information about the above is found in the File section of

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/for_discerning/.

Your friend in Germany,

Bible lover Bill

--- In Christianity_Basics_Source_2@yahoogroups.com, Sharie Shields

<sharieshields@...> wrote:
>
> Brother:
>
2
> I don't usually like to talk about modern teachings and I sure don't like to talking about the Preachers
who say it and claim it. I had a similar discussion a few year back actually it has been more then a few
years back as one of my own sisters went to college and studied to become a Pastor. The message that
was preached was sound doctrine til it became such a show that I was so broken hearted as to see and hear
what came out of the mouth. It was then that while I saw the so called people who "Fell" in the spirit that
I became so distant to my loved ones in disbelief.
>
> I did not get up and walk out of the Church I ran. I have never done this before nor have I yet to do this
again. There was a healing service taking place and the Church was lit up for Christ Jesus. Then there was
the Preacher shouting saying, if you wanted healed of everything, if you want to feel the Holy Spirit come
on down, I felt sorta like the Price is right.
>
> I saw the people quickly go to the front of the Church and the man said watch the power in my hand.
What I saw was him hitting people on their forehead and down they would fall after he started to mumble
and jumping incoherent Babel coming from his mouth. I sat there and leaned against my Mother and said,
"Mum, what the heck is happening here"? She said, I don't know they do this all the time and after a while
you end up either praying to God or singing a hymn or two til it is over. I said, Mom? Why do you come?
She said how else can I go to Church? I said, no disrespect to you and I dearly love you but I can't stand
this any longer and I have to go.
>
> My Mother lived with my sister at the time and this was one of the Churches that my sister worked at. I
was condemned by some of my family for doing what I did and that I did not participate in this so called
spiritually awakening. My brother in law and I almost got into a fight and I walked out before hand. You
could say that personally this is when I started seeing and hearing many preachers demonstrate the
Charismatic movement.
>
> It just seems that more and more people are seeking experiential Spirituality where they must see a
demos ration or feel a feeling before they can believe and trust in the Lord. It reminds me of Jesus' words,
in that we seem to be witnessing a generation seeking solely after signs wonders.
>
> As far as Famous Preachers.... There are to many to type. One is Benny Hinn. That sums it up for me.
>
> I do apologize for going on there in the beginning but it is so fresh in mind like it happened yesterday.
God bless you and may you feel his embrace\o/
>
> In His Arms(\o/)
> Sharie