May 17, 2008
For every move and stirring of God, we should always examine it in light of the principles of His Word, the specific leadings of His Spirit, and also taking into account the lessons we can learn from 2,000 years of church history, especially revival history. The recent Florida Lakeland revival (if one calls it a "revival") deserves a more balanced view. J. Lee Grady has provided a balanced view as pasted below that is generally right on target.
I have personally attended Todd Bentley's meetings and have come in touch with many of his materials (sermons and messages) and can confirm some of the things Grady mentioned are worthy of attention and spiritual discernment. In general, I do not doubt the validity of the salvation and miracles as a result of the meetings, and the tremendous passion, zeal, and sincerity that Todd has for the Lord. It is a Christian quality lacking in many parts in the Body of Christ today. This holy passion and desire is an example in dire need to be followed and practiced by churches, ministers, and believers. I also believe that the spiritual encounters that Todd has are bona fide, however, his interpretation and application of them probably need to be more grounded in the Word of God and the character of His love for edification. There is nothing wrong with communing with angels, for people of God have talked with angels throughout the Bible (e.g. Gabriel talked with Zacharias, Mary, and Daniel; the company of angels told the shepherds in the wilderness to look for Jesus etc.). But it is altogether a different thing than actively seeking guidance, communication, and revelation from angels directly, as all attention should be on God, Jesus Christ, and not on the angelic messengers. All those who have truly encountered and communed with angels will know that they do not want humans to shift their attention away from Jesus to them. It is true that angelic beings are the primary means in which God's work on earth are carried out under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, including delivering revelation and truth. Therefore, it is a balanced view, mannerism, and the correct methods and teachings that we need in order to not overly exaggerate and shun extremities. Past church revival history has taught us this very well.
The vision I had last night was concerning Todd and the current situation. I saw Todd sitting in a person's (who I know in reality) car backseat, Someone (who I also know in reality) was sitting beside the driver's seat, no one was driving. The car was going out of the garage (somehow without a driver), and Todd wanted to drive and take control. But he seemed without a proper car license, or at least without the proper car insurance coverage and the owner's permission since he was driving someone else's car. The person beside the driver's seat halted him because Todd was very eager to take the wheels that did not belong to him nor was he given allowance.
One main message of this vision is that he needs to be careful not to step over the boundary that he was not predestined to. He is called to be a mighty evangelist, but definitely not a teacher or pastor (Eph 4:11). If you remember the case with William Branham well, he was such an anointed prophet and evangelist, but when he wanted to become a fivefold teacher, he fell into errors and false doctrines. Soon his life and ministry were dissolved. Here is some discretion for all ministers and believers. It is critical to know what you have been called to do, and what you have not been called to function in. Furthermore, there is always an order of the offices if one is called to more than one fivefold ministry. Two persons may both be called as pastors and teachers, but for one, he may be first a teacher, then a pastor, for the other, he may be called firstly to a pastor, and secondly a teacher. Paul was called first as an apostle, evangelist, then teacher. The order may be different for a time in different phases of one's life, nevertheless, one needs to discern and be obedient to stay in the functions and priorities ordained by God. Lastly, this is only talking about gifts and callings measured to a person sovereignly by God before the foundation of the world (of course the responsibilities to grow within that measure is our own and not God's), and not one's spirituality. This is discussed in much more detail in my fourth dream vision on how the Lord does not see as man sees. The greatest is still love demonstrated in a person and not gifts (1 Cor 13:1-8).
