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DISCERNMENT NEWSLETTER “…how is it that ye do not discern this time?” Luke 12:56

Volume 27, Number 4 September/October 2016

TheBethelChurchUpgradeByPastorRodPage

“Idedicatethisbooktomychildren’schildren’schildren’schildren.Thoughwewillnotmeetuntilwegettoheaven,IwantedyoutoknowthatIhadyouinmindasIwroteeverywordofthisbook,andIcontinuetohold

youinmyheart.Youwillbecometheanswertomyprayersandthefulfillmentofmyprophecies.Bythetimeyoureadthisbook,Iwillbewatchingyoufromheaven

(seeHebrews12:1).”[1]

ThisquotationaboveistheopeningdedicationtoKrisVallotton'supgradedbookcalledHeavyRain.ItsformertitlewasHowHeavenInvadesEarth.Attheoutsetitsoundslikeawaytosoften,orevenspiritualize,themoremilitantsounding“invade”languageinhisbookfromsixyearsago.Ibelievethischangeispartofanewefforttosaythesamethinginamoresophisticated,andyetmorepalatable,wayinordertoattractawideraudience.

Inthisdayandagewhereeverythingisseenfromamarketingstandpoint,asfaraspublishersandagentsandbusinessingeneral,itisnosurprisethatthiswouldhappenfromwithintheheadquartersofanowworldwidemovement—BethelChurchinRedding,California.

IamwritingthisfromReddingasitistheclosestcitytowhereweliveforgroceriesanddoctors.ItisalsowhereIlivedforseveralyears.It'saprettytypicaltowninmostaspects,withaCostcoandanoldconvertedtheaterdowntown,andamixofworkingpeopleandretiredfolkslookingforthesun....ItisevensunnierinReddingthanPhoenix!

ButReddingisactuallyquitespecialinregardtowhatishappeninginChristendom.Aphenomenonhasgrownup

here.Thereissomethingalmost“magical”abouttheeffectthatBethelhashadonthiscommunity.Thecityhasfalleninlovewiththis“church”.Isthisevenpossibleinourdayofhysteriaover“separationofchurchandstate”?ItisnotseparateinRedding.BethelbailedouttheCivicAuditoriumandisrunningitwellfromallindications.Bethelisalso

becomingamajorpropertyowner.TheyhaveboughtandimprovedseveralcommercialpropertiesandhopetoincreasetheirSchoolofSupernaturalMinistryto3000studentsinthenextfewyears.(Itiscurrentlyaround1400.)TheywanttobuildamuseumofrevivalinAmericanaandhavespentaround$40,000topurchaseoneman'smemorabiliacollectionofarticlesfrommajor“movesofGod”goingbackintothe1950s.

BethelisgrowingwhilethecityofReddinghasenduredadeclineinmanyfacets.Crimeisup.Thehousingmarketisflatatbest.Homelessnessisrampant.ButBethelisdoingreallywell.Ibelievetheyknowwhy.Ithinktheyhavediscoveredasecrettomovingforwardatthistimeintheirhistory.BeforeIgetbacktothissubjectletmettellyouwhyIamwritingthisreport.

WhyIWriteBeforebecomingafulltimepastorin2011Ispentover30yearsbeingaregularChristian,witharegularsecularjob,raisingafamilywithmywifeof37years.BeforewemovedtoReddingweattendedachurchfor10yearsbeginningin1994inYubaCity,California.Wenoticedafteralmost7yearsinthatchurchthattheteachingwaschanging.Weheardthingsthatshockedus,butbecauseofintenseloyaltytotheleadershipwetriedtojustifythingsweshouldhavecheckedoutimmediately.Weweretoldthatspiritualwarfarewascallingoutdemonsbynameanddefeatingthemintheatmosphere,andthusallowingourcitytohaveamassrevival.WeweretolditwasalwaysGod'swillforustobephysicallywell.Weweretoldourchildrenwereachosenseedtobringinthegreatharvestofalltime—thattheywoulddomiraclesgreaterthanJesusortheApostles.Thesethingscameinslowly,likeasteadydrip.WeweretoldthatChristianshavedemonsthatneedtobecastout.Weweretogoon“prayerwalks”thatwouldrunthedeviloutofneighborhoodsandoutoffamiliesaswetookdominionoverourcity.

Theproblemisitdidn'twork,andwecouldnotfindagoodBiblicalreasontoswallowallofthisnewteaching.Youngpeoplewouldgotothechurch'snew“discipleship”schoolandcomeoutontheotherendbewilderedbyalackofpower,notblamingtheleaderswhotaughtthembutGod,whotheythoughtdidnotkeepupHisendofthebargain.WelookedatourBiblesandsawtextsthatwereclearlymeantforthenextworldbeingbroughtintoours,withnoconceptforcontextorproperBiblicalinterpretation.

Ittookusalmost3yearstorealizeweneededtoget

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backtotheBible.ThenwefoundtheDiscernmentMinistries’Herescopeblog(www.herescope.net).Godledustothissmallcadreoffolkswhohadbeenwritingforyearsaboutdifferentnewteachings,thatwerereallyoldthingswrappedupinnewandupgradedlingo.AsSolomonsays,thereisnothingnewunderthesun(Eccl.1:9).

Then,becauseofajob,andaministryopportunitytotakewhatwewerefindingaboutSatan'sschemesandwarnyoungerbelievers,wemovedtoReddingtostartanewjobandworkwithacouplewethoughttrulywerewantingtowarnothers.Sadly,withinayearwefoundoutwewerenotonthesamepagewiththeverypeopleweweresupposedtoservewith.ShortlyafterthiswebegantoattendachurchwheretheBiblewastaughtversebyverse.GodputusawayinHiswaitingroomwherewecouldgetourthoughtsandheartsinlinewithHispreciousWord.

WebegantoservetheLordinhumblebutusefulways.Wehelpedcleanthechurcheachweek,emptyingwastecansandvacuumingthecarpet.LaterwetaughtSundaySchool.Wetrulyhadmanyglorioustimeswithour4thgradeclassteachingthroughtheentireBiblelineuponline.EventuallyIwasaskedtoteachinplaceofthepastorwhenhewasoutoftown.Wewereaskedtoshepherdapartofthecongregationandhada“homegroup”ofover40peopleinourhomeeachmonth.WhatIfoundinthosedayswasthatGodisgracious.WhenweseekHimandHiswaysforHisglory,Heprovidesallweneed.HisWordhastheanswersweneedtocommunicate.Wedon'tneedtomakeupanythingfancytoattractattentiontoit.

IhadheardtheLordcallingmetoministrywhenIwas12yearsold.Ihad,becauseoffear,chosennottofollowHiscallformanyyears.Finallyat50yearsofageIansweredthatcall.IbegantoseektheLord,andaskedotherstopraywithmeaboutgoingintofulltimework.Iassumeditwouldbeinaministrytoyoungpeople,asthatwasthereasonImovedtoRedding.Iwantedtowarnthemofwhattheenemywastryingtodo,bothwithinthechurchandwithoutit.Afteranotheryearofwaiting,justwhenIbegantogiveup,anopportunitycameastheLordopenedupadoorforministry.IhavebeenservingaspastoratasmallcommunitychurchinLewiston,California,eversince.Ilivewithin35milesofReddinginthemountains.Godisgraciousindeed.Itisthehardest,andyetmostfulfillingjob,Ihaveeverhad.

ButBethelisstillathorn.IsupposeitremindsmeofwhathappenedtousinYubaCity.Butitisfarworse.Itisaleader,aworldwideanddominantleader,inamovementrifewitherror.Thisisgrievoustomepersonallybecauseitgoesafter,andactuallytargets,youngpeopleinahugeway.ThisiswhyIwrite.Theseyoungpeople(andoldpeople,too)areprecioustoourSavior.ThismovementisswallowingtheminwaysInevercouldhaveimaginedeven6yearsagowhenIlivedwithinamileofBethelChurch.This

churchismoresophisticatedandmore“excellent”inanalarmingway.

TheNewUpgradeAfewweeksagoIlistenedtoamessagebyKrisVallotton,whoisthenumbertwoleaderatBethel.Krisisknownforsayingthingsthatareedgyandevenshocking.Whatstruckmeabouthis“message”wasthenewangleofreasonabilityandnormalcythatitseemedtoemulate.Backwhenthe“TorontoBlessing”wasinundatingcongregationswithoutlandishbarkingandhowling,andpeoplefallingoutingatherings,where“holylaughter”wastaughtasanewthingthattheSpiritwasdoing,Bethelembraceditwholehog.(Punintended.)Atthattimeinearly1996therewasamassexodusfromBethelchurch.TheywentfromtwoservicesonSundaystoone.Butwithinacoupleofyearstheybegantogrowagain.Likeotherchurchestheydidn'tdivorcethemselvesfromtheteachingsbehindthemanifestations.Insteadtheychangedtheoutwardappearancestobemoresettled,morereasonable,moreattractive.(AlthoughIwouldsaythattherestillare,andalwayswillbe,outlandishworshipactivitiesthatarenothingbutsensualinnatureanddonotbringglorytoGodwithintheirmeetings,itisjustnotas“outthere”asitusedtobe.)

Thisnewupgradeseason,thatisindicatedbyKrisVallotton'srecentmessage,isjustoneinaseriesofattemptstobringlegitimacytoamovementthatIbelievewantstobebelievableandacceptable,notonlytotheirpeerswithinthecharismaticworld,butevenwiderintotheevangelicalworldaswell.Intheend,Ithinktheywanttoimpresstheworldaroundthem.Theybelievetheyalreadyarea“cityonahill”andthattheyaredefeatingthe“religiousspirit”oftheoldwayofdoingChristianity.IfyouwouldliketoseethedocumentationandhistoryofBethelChurch,andotherstheyareconnectedtointheNewApostolicReformation,thereismuchwrittenonthismovementonHerescope'swebsite.Bytheway,inKris'upgradedbooktitledHeavyRain,C.PeterWagner(NewApostolicReformation)givesahardyendorsement.FormoreinformationonWagnersearchHerescopeaswell.

LetmeillustratemypointwithsomequotesfromKris'message,“God,Government,andProsperity.”[2]

OnEarthNowUpgrade#1-BeingMore“Biblical”InhisopeningprayerKrissays,“Godmakeamessageoutofthismess.”Butinmixingtogether“God,GovernmentandProsperity”hebeginsinMatthew28:18whereJesussays,“AllauthorityhasbeengiventoMeinheavenandonearth.”WebelieveitisgiventoChristaloneinthatpassage.ButKrissays,“InHeavenandonearthwouldhavebeena

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revelationtotheHebrews,butnotjustinheaven,ifhehadleftoutonearth.”WhatKrisisimplyingisthatweinourdayhavebeenrestoredtosomekindofdominionovertheearthinaphysicalaspect.WearenowLordsoftheearth,andwemusttakecontrolofit,asifthisiswhyJesuscame—nottodealwithsin,buttorestoreourrulershipoverthisplanet.Theevangelicalchurchhasalwaysarguedthisistobeareality,butonlyduringthemillenniumafterJesusreturns.Kris,however,isadvocatingfor“KingdomNow”typetheology,butitseemskinderandmore“reasonable.”Inrealityitisthesameoldthing.

HethensayssinceweweremadeinGod'simagewearealready“likeGod.”InKris'seyeswewerelittlegods,butthroughourfailureinthegarden,welostourgodlikeness.Hebelieveswelostourauthorityovertheearth,sothatJesushadtogointohellsometimeduringthecrucifixionandtakebackthekeysofauthorityfromthedevil.Krisissayingthatwehavethosekeys,andthatthissomehowmeanswearenottomakedisciplesofthepeopleofthenationsbutwearetomakedisciplesof“thenations”(countries).Thisisanastronomicaljumpinlogic!

ThereisabigdifferenceherefromtheplainteachingoftheNewTestament.Jesussaidclearly,inJohn18:36,“Mykingdomisnotofthisworld.IfMykingdomwereofthisworld,Myservantswouldfight,sothatIshouldnotbedeliveredtotheJews;butnowMykingdomisnotfromhere.”HesaidthisstandinginfrontofPilate.Ifthekingdomwascominginaphysicalform,whydidn'tJesussay,“ButinafewhoursIwilltaketheelevatordowntohellandstealthosepeskykeysfromthedevilandthenyouwillseemydisciplesfightandwin!”Infact,wearenevertoldtofightinafleshlyorcarnalway.IntheGardenofGethsemanePeterwascommandedtoputawayhissword.NowtheonlyweaponwehaveistherevealedWordofGod,theSwordoftheSpirit.Evenwithourselveswedon'tsledgehammerthesinoutofourselveswithwhipsorchainsastheRomansCatholicsareobligedtodo.Wetakeeverythoughtcaptivewithtruth,makingitobeyChristwiththespiritualpowerandtrueauthoritywehave,basedontheWordandthefaithoncedeliveredtous,thesaints.Ourspiritualblessinginheavenisours,butthatleavesoffmanyphysicalblessingsthatwillbeoursinthekingdomtocome.

Krislovestospinthisoldideaofusbeinglittlegods,andthatbeingrestoredtodominionthroughthekeysorthetabernacleofDavidequalsusbeingrestoredtodominioninsomemysticalkindofway.Andthen,asaresultofbeingrestored,havingapowerministryaswespeakphysicalrealitiesintoexistence—allthewhilecallingthismethodology“faith”and“power.”Theycallanyonewhodoesnotgoalongwithitallan“anotherGospel”proponent.(Infact,BillJohnsonhasmadethesameallegationaboutallwhodon'tmajorinmiraclesandso-calledpowerevangelism.)

Krismakesanupgradeclaimrightawayinhistalk.HesaysthattheMuslimsarerunningfivenationsandChristiansaretakingdominionoverzeronations.AllofmyChristianfriendsandcolleaguesdeplorewhatISISiscurrentlydoing.Butwelookatthesituationfromatotallydifferentperspective.Jesussaidthattheworldwouldhateus.Infact,Hesaysthatevilmenwouldwaxworseandworse,uptotheverypointwhenHereturns.Thosethat“disciple”nationsareboundtofail.YetKrisdemands(andisnotbelowusingshamemanipulation)thatwecapturenationsandgovernmentsforGod,andthatifwedon'twearefailuresandGod'shandsaretied.

BrothersandsistersinChrist,thisisblasphemy!ThoughIfullybelieveinman'sfreewillandresponsibilityforhisactions,IbelievethatGod,too,hasaplanandisexecutingandusingourfreechoicestobringoutHisglory-filledendtotheexistenceofthisplanetanditsinhabitants.Weplayapart,butthatwillneverchangeGod'sultimateplantobringaboutthecompletionofHispropheticWord.

BethelChurchhasanoutwardformofpower.Theytalkaboutpower,writeaboutpowerandblogaboutitallday.Theirmeetingsare“powerful”intherealmofmusicandlighting,dramaandartisticcreativity.Allthesethingsareoutwardforms.Thisistherootmeaningbehindtheexactdescriptionoftheendtimesapostatechurchmovementdescribedin2Timothy3.Afterdescribingperiloustimeswherethecultureisindeepbondagetosin,andisdescribedasloversofthemselves(Krislovestosayabouthisownpreaching,“Thatisareallygoodword”),loversofmoney(Bethelisamoneymachine,asaremostconnectedministriesandchurchesintheirsphere),boasters,proud,blasphemers,etc.,theagingapostlePaulsaysinverse5,“havingaformofgodliness,butdenyingitspower.”Truegodlinesshasaspiritualpowerthatdefeatssinandbringsaboutholiness,sincerity,humility,andanabilitytopowerfullyproclaimtheGospelinwordanddeed.Aholylifeisapowerfullife,notalifethattwiststhepromisesofGodmeantforafuturetimeandholdsthechurchhostagewithacarrotofconstantlychangingnewthings,paradigms,methodologies,andnewsignsandwonders.

BethelissayingthesamethingstheyandothershavebeensayingsincetheLatterRainmovementwashatchedin1949,whichwassoundlyrefutedbyleadersoftheAssembliesofGodwhofoundittobespuriousandextra-biblicalinnature.No“wonder”thatBethelChurchbrokeawayfromtheAOGtenyearsagolastJanuary.Theywantednorealoversight.KrisVallottonisspeakingthesamemessagethatotherfalseteachershavebeenspeakingforatleast68years.Itisnuancednowandmadetosoundmore“biblical.”HequotesfromRomans4:17,saying,“AbrahamisnotthefatherofIsrael,butthefatherofnations.”Hesaysthismeanswearetobefatheringnations—thatifthechurchdoesnotfather,leadorcommandeer(Isuppose)

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thenations,wearenotfollowinginFatherAbe'ssteps,ashebelievestheNewTestamentteaches.(TheNewTestamentdoesnot,ofcourse,teachthis.)Missingthewholepointofthereality,thebeautyandthemajestyoftherevelationinRomansaboutthewonderofoursalvationandtherighteousnessimputedtousbyfaith,seeninitsrootformallthewaybacktoAbraham—havingmissedallthattruthforasillyandobtusevisionofamightyJoel'sarmynowtakingdominionby“fathering”nations,Krisdevolvesintoerror.Butheisattemptingan“upgrade”here.HeisattemptingtobeseenasmoreBiblicalsohecandragunsuspectingdenominationsandindividualchurchesandpreciouspeopleofGod,alongwithweak-willed,unskilledandstrugglingChristiansintohiscampoferror.UsingKris'perspectives,youwillnevercometoaknowledgeofthetruthbecauseyouarebeingtrickedbya“formofgodliness”thathasnopower.(See2Timothy3:5-9please!)

IrememberthefirsttimeIopenedabookbyaBethelleader,titledWhenHeavenInvadesEarthbyBillJohnson.Irememberthetremendousemphasis,notontheWordofGod,butonwordoffaith,onsignsandwondersandso-calledpowerministry.Now,itseems,theyarecounteringcriticismfortheirneglectoftheteachingofGod'sWordintheirchurch,andaretryingtogainacceptancebyquotingmoreversesofthesameBiblethattheyhaveseriouslydissedforyears.IhavebeentotheirmeetingsandseenfirsthandthatmostattendeesdonotevencarryaBiblewiththembecausetheydon'tneeditveryoften.Usuallythey“worship”foranhourorso.ThensomeonecomesandstartswiththeBible,andthenitistimetosharethe“newthingGodisdoing,”whichincludestestimoniesofso-called

miraclesandsignsandwonders.

IbelieveinthepresentworkoftheHolySpiritintheearth.Ibelieveinmiraclesandhaveexperiencedthem.IbelievesomehaveagiftoffaithandIhavewitnesseditbeingusedforthegloryofGod.ButIbelievethatanythingwehaveorknowcanbeturnedintoanidolor,attheleast,anobsession.Bethelobsesses

overmiracles.BillJohnsonforyearshasmodeledthisemphasis.Itisthemodusoperandiofhischurch.KrisVallottonandalltheotherleadersofthemovementhavetofallinlineortheyareout.NothinghaschangedatBethelbuttheyaretalkingslightlydifferentnow....tryingtheirbesttoputaBiblicalstampofapprovalontheirtiredtheoriesand“new”ideas,manyofwhichhavemoreroots

intheNewAgemovementthanintheGospelofJesus.Iknowthesearetoughwords.Theyarenotmeanttobe

toughbuttowakeupsome.OneoftheproblemswithBethelsayingthesamethingoverandoverandoveristhatpeoplegetusedtoit,andareworndown,andthenbegintoacceptit.ManyhaveinRedding—thenumbersdon'tlie—Bethelisgettingbiggerandtheirinfluenceisgrowingthroughouttheworld.Iamconcernedandmustwarntheflocktobeware.Donotlistentostrung-togetherversespulledoutoftheirproperinterpretationbythosewhodon'tcareifitisproperlypreached,butcaremorethattheiragendaisaccomplished.Don'tbemadecaptivetofalseteaching,nomatterhownormalitmaysound,bythosewhouseflatteryorsophisticatedbehavioraltechniquestodelivertheirmessage.

KrisVallottonsaysthatwearechildrenofAbrahamsothatallthepromisesgiventohimareours.Isthattrueinaphysicalsense?DoeseveryonewhocomestoChristbyfaithhaveababyofpromise?GodtoldAbrahamhewouldhaveason,butnoteveryonehasababy,andsomehaveonlygirls.Iknowthatsoundssilly,butisitsilliertomakesuchablanketstatementlikeKrisdoesateveryturninhismessage?Abrahamwasarichman.IseveryChristianblessedinthatway?Itsoundsgoodtothosewhoareanxiouslywantingphysicalblessingtobepouredoutontheirfailingbusiness,ortheiremptynursery,butitisfalseonitsface.Itisnotgooddoctrinalteachingthataccordsgodliness.Iamremindedofthistimelesstruthfrom1Timothy6:3-6:

“Ifanyoneteachesotherwiseanddoesnotconsenttowholesomewords,eventhewordsofourLordJesusChrist,and

tothedoctrinewhichaccordswithgodliness,heisproud,knowingnothing,butisobsessedwithdisputesandarguments

overwords,fromwhichcomeenvy,strife,reviling,evilsuspicions,uselesswranglingsofmenofcorruptmindsanddestituteofthetruth,whosupposethatgodlinessisameansofgain.Fromsuchwithdrawyourself.Nowgodlinesswith

contentmentisgreatgain.”

YearsagoBillJohnsonwasnotcontentwithhisfaith.HehadbeentoJohnWimber'splaceandsawsomemiraclesandrealizedallhehadwas“doctrine.”Hespentthenextseveralyearstryingtofindthepower.HeendedupatTorontoand“foundit.”Itsplithischurchintwoaspeoplebeganbarking,howlingandcrawlingonthefloor,andcallingitworship.Buthesaysitwasworthit.Idon'tthinkitwas.Ithinkitpossiblyshipwreckedhisfaith.Itcertainlyhasdonethatformany.Ihavepersonallywatchedmanyyoungpeoplebeinthismovementforafewyearsbutcomeoutsodisgusted,andsoletdown,andsoconfusedthattheygiveupandfallheadlongintotheworld.Ithasaffectedsomewhoareveryclosetomelikethat.ItisbecauseofthisthatIcryoutfordiscernmentintheselastdays.Iamnottheonlyone.Thereareafewothers,andthoughitisnot

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“costeffective”tospeakout,wemust.Somethinkwearejustmeanoroldorjealous.Thoseareunjustcharges.TheOldTestamentprophetshadsimilaropposition.Theyweretoldtoprophesy“smooththings,”buttheycouldnotbecauseGodhadnottoldthemto.Theyhadtosaythetruth.Itwasafireinthemthatboiledwithholyzeal.Thatsoundsexciting,butitisindeedaheavyburdentobear.God'sWordisbeingtamperedwith.Itisbeingusedtosaythingsitwasnevermeanttosay.Farfrombeingmorebiblical,thoughtheymayappearsototheirfollowing,BethelchurchcontinuestomoveawayfromtheBible.

InthemessagebyKrisVallotton,headmitsopenlythathedoesn'tlikethebookofLeviticus.Allthekillingsbotherhim.YetitisthedeathoftheLambofGodthatispointedtointhatbook.EverylambpointstoJesusandtheatonementforsin.ButthatisnotthepointofBethel.TheGospelofthepreciousbloodofJesusisnotthefocusoftheiroutreachesortheirexpansionsoroftheirschool.Theycallitrevival,butcanthereeverbetruerevivalwithoutconfession?IsredemptionpossiblewithoutteachingChrist’sbloodbeingspilled?No.Itisawasteoftime.AbiblicalchurchteachesthewholecounselofGod.BillJohnsonrefusestoanswerquestionsthatcomefromthebookofJob,asthoughsicknessisnotarealityinafallenworld,becauseheteachesitisalwaysGod'splantohealeverything.Thisisnotabiblicalchurchatall.God'sWorddealswithalloflife,andalloftheaffectsofsin,andstillpointsustoJesuswhodiedforusaviolentdeathsowemayhavelifeeternal.Therewillbeadaywhenallwillbemaderightbutitisnotthisday.

TheBoldEschatology-Upgrade#2KrisVallottonhasbeensayingforsometimethatherefusestoacceptaneschatologythatsaysthingshavetogetworseinorderforJesustoreturn.ToKris'credithelovesthestoryofJoseph.ButwhathelikessomuchisthatJoseph“profitedPotiphar'shouse.”“Ifyouputaprinceinaprisonitwillbecomeapalace,”hesays.Hethengoesontodreamsanddeclares,“Pharaohisdreamingagain.”HesaysJosephknewhowtointerpretdreamsbecause“Josephwasraisedinadreamingfamily,havingbeentaughtthe

supernaturalwaysofGod.”Thenhesaysagain,“Pharaohisdreamingagainandtheworldisdreamingagain.”Godisnotlifted

up,butthedreameris.Hesaysthatthelightisturnedoninaroom,butwedon'tcomeintheroomtolookatthelight,butyoucomeinto“see.”Friends,theLightiswhatwearetolookat.JesusistheLightoftheworld.Krisisteachingthatself-realizationisthegoal.Seeingwhatisaroundusisthemostimportantthingtohim—sowecan“see”thedreams.Hesays,“Ifwedon'tdreamthentheworlddies.”Inhiseschatology,then,itisalldependentonus.Wewillsavetheworldifwedream.YoumusthangwiththedreamershereatBethel,heisimplying.

HethenmovestothepropheciesofJesusbeingkinginIsaiah9.Thisiswherehebuildshis“eschatologynow”doctrine.HeripspartialversesfromthecontextoftheBibleanddeclaresthatGod'sgovernmentisonearthnow,inourtime.HealsodeclaresthatGodisnot“ashamedofhumanity”because“Hisshoulders”areus.Secondly,hesaysthatthegovernmentnowisincreasingandwemustadvocateforthisincrease.YoumightthinkhemeanstoadvocateforaspiritualincreaseofGod'skingdom.But,thereisabaitandswitchcoming.HeleapsfromGodrulinginHispeopletotalkingaboutgovernmentthat“actualizesyourpersonhood.”Thissoundsliketheliberalpoliticiansandpsychologiststoday,asthoughthegovernmentisresponsibleformakingusfullydevelopedpeople.ThatisnotwhatIsaiahteachesatall.ThatisnotevengoodAmericantalk.HeisemphasizingaNewAgeidea,rightinthemiddleofapreciouspartofGod'sWord.Hehasnotstudiedprophecyapparently.HedoesnotrealizethatGoddoesthingsindifferentperiodsoftime.Therearetwocomings,notjustone,Kris.Maybethatiswhy,inanotherbookoftheBiblethathedoesnotlike,hehasnottakenthistoheart:Ecclesiastes3:1-3says:

“Toeverythingthereisaseason,Atimeforeverypurposeunderheaven:Atimetobeborn,Andatimetodie;Atimetoplant,Andatimetopluckwhatisplanted;Atimetokill,Andatimetoheal”

FromhereKriscontinuesto“build”aneschatologywherehesimplyjustifiesthegovernmentaltakeover,albeitinanaltruisticsense,ofthe“spheres”ofthesociety(i.e.,dominion),bypeopleandmovementsandchurcheslikehimself.HiscaseinpointisthatBethelisrunningtheCivicAuditoriuminRedding.[3]Thissoundslikeitisjustthebeginningofmany“goodthings”tocome.“Greatgovernmentempowersyou,”hesays,asthoughanempoweredunsavedpersonisstillagoodthing.HethenpointstoKoreaasagreatillustrationofwhygovernmentistheanswer.Itisafalseargumentbecauseheholdsupdemocracyinthesouthassomekindofanendgameforthe

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church'smission.Theonlydifferenceis“government”hesays.Butmoregovernmentiswhathasdoomedthenorth,notless.IfSouthKoreaisbetteritisbecauseof“less”government,aswehaveprovedinourowncountry.Buthesays,“Governmentispowerfulandmeaningful.”

VallottonthengoesontotwisthisdominiontheologyintoamisplacedunderstandingofIsaiah61,goingbeyondwhatJesusreadasHebeganHisministrythereinNazareth.JesusstoppedreadingatexactlythepointwhereHeintendedtobecausetherestisforalatertime.ReadLuke4:18-20whereJesusclosedthebookexactlywhereitneededtobeclosedfornow.InKris'eschatology,thereisnoneedforheavenbecausethroughChristianstakingdominionoverthe“spheres”ofsocietywecanbringitdownnow.Lookattheirwebsite,www.ibethel.org.“YourKingdomcomeonearthasitisinheaven”istheirmotto.WhattheymeanisfortheKingdomtocomenow,exactlyinallofitsfulfillment,NOW!ItisnotaccordingtothetimingthatGodhassetforth,butaccordingtoBethel'sunderstanding—ALLFORNOW!

IsthisaplacewewanttosendourchildrenorgrandchildreninordertolearnthesupernaturalwaysofGod?No,thisisnatural,fleshly,andismancentered.[4]Krissays,“Idon'tknowwhatyoureschatologysays,butminesaysthat‘Godcaresaboutcities.’”DoesHe?Doesn'tHecareaboutindividualpeopleinthecities?Isn'titbettertobeaccuratewhenwemakeblanketstatements?DoesGodcareaboutsidewalksorpathspeopletaketoclassattheShastaCollege,likeKrisdeclaresinhisillustrationabouthowweshouldbesmartaswegoverneverypartofoursociety?Thisispragmatismand“kingdomnow”theologymarriedtogether!Itissillytalk.

ThereisnoGospelhereexceptthegospelofman.“Yourjobwhenyougetwellistohelpeveryoneelsegetwell,”Krisconfidentlyasserts.Thequestionis,“Well,fromwhat?”IfheweretalkingaboutgettingwellfromsinthroughtheshedbloodofthecrossofChrist,Iwouldbeallinforthat.Butheistalkingabouttheillsofsociety,andthatisjustnotdeepenoughtobecalledBible!Thatdoesnotgofarenough.Thatisonlyscrapingthesurfaceanddoesnothingforthesoulofmantobetrulywell.Thereisnocureforsocietyinthisage,butthereisacureforsinfoundonlyinthefinishedworkofChristatCalvarywhereHewillinglypouredoutHispreciousbloodforatonementforsin.GodisangrywithmanandhissinbutHeplacedthatwrathonJesusforoursakes.Butifwedon’treceivethatgiftweareundercondemnation.ThatisthesimpleGospel.Itisagoodnewsoflove,butitcostourSaviorHisverylifeasforetoldbyallthosesacrificesofold,inLeviticus.

1Timothy4isanexplicitwarningforourtimes.ItisopposedtothecozypicturethatBethelChurchpreachesthatiscouchedinhopeoftheir“kingdomnow”typeeschatology.Imustendsharethiswarninginhopesthat

somecaughtinthismovementwillhearitswords:

NowtheSpiritexpresslysaysthatinlattertimessomewilldepartfromthefaith,givingheedtodeceivingspiritsand

doctrinesofdemons,2speakingliesinhypocrisy,havingtheirownconsciencesearedwithahotiron.(1Timothy4:1-2)

Yearsagoafriendofminedevelopedthroatcancer.Hehadafamilyandawifeandwasintheprimeofhislife.Helovedtoservethechurchweattendedbydoingpracticalhelpforanyonewhowasinneed.Ifacarneededrepair,hewouldfindawaytofixit.Ifsomeoneneededaride,heprovidedit.HelovedtheLordandyethegotverysick.Ourchurchatthattimedeclaredthathewouldrecover—thatGodhadtoldthemhewouldbeatthecancer.Itdidnothappenthatway.Myfrienddiedfromthecancer,anagonizingdeathwitnessedbyhiskidsandwifeandbyallofus.Afewmonthsafterwardsweweretalkingwithsomefriendswhohappenedtoalsobeonthechurchstaff.Theytoldusthatmyfriendhadgivenupthebattleandhislackoffaithwasthereasonhedied.Thosewordsburnedinme.Theydisgustedme.Theymalignedmyfriend’smemoryandcharacter.Thechurchhadlied.

Likewise,Bethelislyingtodaywhenitsaysthesametypesofthings.Ifyoulookcloselyattheleadershipthere,theyarelivingalie.Theyarelivingalieinhypocrisybecausetheircurrentpastorneedsglassesandthesonofthepastorisstilldeaf.Sowhosefaultisthisintheirschemeofthings?PeopleinReddingandatBethelgetcancerandstillgetsick,soistheproblemwithGodorwiththeirfaith…orwithBethel’sdefectiveteaching?

In2016KrisVallottonrewroteabookfrom2010

becausehesaiditwasnowmorerelevantthanever.Inthisbookhetalksextensivelyabouthowthechurchhasfailedattransformingsociety,andhowhischurchhasbeguntosucceedatit.IwanttoconcludethisexposėofBethelChurch’s“upgrade”withadirectquotefromKris’bookandascreenshot(above)fromtheirwebsite.(Noticetheadvertisementforbeer!)UpcomingeventsattheReddingCivicAuditoriumarereferencedinthequotebelow.My

DISCERNMENT PAGE 7 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

PO BOX 520 – CANTON, TX 75103-0520

questionforthereadertoaskisthis:whatdoesanyofthishavetodowiththeGospelmandatethatJesussoclearlygaveinMatthew28?Isthisthe“new”goalofChristianity?Whatgovernmentroleshouldthechurch“takeover”next?Whatfurthercompromisesincontentandmarketingwillthechurchmakeinordertowinthepraiseofthepublicandgovernmentofficials?

HereisthequotefromVallotton’sbook:

“WewantedtoruntheReddingConventionCenterthesamewayourstudentsbeautifiedourcity.Ourgoalwastomakeitanexcellentexperienceforeveryonewhocameintothebuilding.Wespent$500,000remodelingthebuildingandinstallingastate-of-the-artticketsystem.Wereplacedalltheseats,installedanewsoundsystemandremodeledtheentireinteriorofthebuilding.Wehiredanalmostentirelynewstaff,employingonlyfriendlypeoplewhohadaheartforexcellence.Ittookustwolongyearstolearntheentertainmentbusiness,butwewerepassionateaboutgettingitright.Atfirstwelostmoneyonmanyoftheshows.Tomakemattersworse,inourzealtomakesurethevenuestayedsecularandnot“Christian,”webookedsomeactsthatwerepurefilth...actuallynearlyporn.Attimesthingsweretough,butweknewwehadtoclimbordie.Forthefirsttwoyears,thecommunity(ledbythemedia)scrutinizedeverythingwedidandcutusnoslack.Butastimewenton,theirfearofa‘religioustakeover’evaporatedinlightoftheobviouslyimprovedexperienceourcommunitywashavingintheconventioncenter.Wewerehostingasmanyshowsandeventsasever,whilestillmeetingtheneedsofourschoolthere.Inourthirdyearofmanagingthebuilding,wefinallybegantowinthepraiseofourcommunity.Infact,manyofthepeoplewhohadprotestedagainstusthatnightatthecitycouncilmeetingcamebackandapologizedtoourteam.Andourcitymanagerandhisteamhavesincesaidopenly,‘Thisisthebesttheconventioncenterhasbeenrunin43years!’”

Whereisthetruthinallofthis?ItisfoundinGod'sWord.ItisfoundinthetrueGodoftheBibleandnotingodwemakeaccordingtoourowndreamsanddesires.It'sfoundintheOnewhohasgivenusHisSpiritthroughthenewbirthinChrist,whowillleadusintoalltruth.Itisfoundinchurchesthat,thoughtheymaybesmallandarecertainlynotperfect,arepreachingandlivingthewholecounselofGodinhumilityandbyHispower.ItisfoundintheholylivesofthepeopleofGodwhoseeknotthegloryofanearthlykingdombutwhoarewaitingforthisone:

Butnowtheydesireabetter,thatis,aheavenlycountry.ThereforeGodisnotashamedtobecalledtheirGod,forHe

haspreparedacityforthem.(Hebrews11:16)

MuchmorecanbesaidaboutthismovementthatisBethelChurch.Thoughitisconstantlyupgradingitsmessagetobringmoreandmorepeopleandchurchesinto

itsorbit,pleasebewareofthedangersinitsteaching.The“upgrade”isreallyadowngrade—asophisticatedandwell-marketedploytorepackagetheoldLatterRainheresyofthe1940sthathasrootsdeepinthedarknessoftheoldGnosticsthatwereplaguingthechurchatthetimetheNewTestamentwasbeingwritten.CertainlythepreacherofEcclesiasteswasright:“thereisnothingnewunderthesun.”

DonotletanyoneleadyouastraytoanythinglessthantheglorioustruthsfoundinGod'sWord,evenifitsoundsinnovativeandrelevant,andhasreallygoodmusichighupontheiTunescharts(Bethel’srockgroupJesusCulture).KeepyoureyesonJesus,theauthorandfinisherofourfaith!Keeplookingupforyourredemptiondrawsnigh!Beware,beware,bewareanddon’tsettleforanythingless!

BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whoaccordingtoHisabundantmercyhasbegottenusagaintoalivinghopethroughtheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead,toaninheritanceincorruptibleandundefiledandthatdoesnotfadeaway,reservedinheavenforyou,whoarekeptbythepowerofGodthroughfaithforsalvationreadytobe

revealedinthelasttime(1Peter1:3-5)

THEKINGDOMDOMINION(physically)WILLBELONGTOTHELORDatHisgloriousreturn!

Iwaswatchinginthenightvisions,Andbehold,OneliketheSonofMan,Comingwiththecloudsofheaven!HecametotheAncientofDays,

AndtheybroughtHimnearbeforeHim.ThentoHimwasgivendominionandgloryandakingdom,Thatallpeoples,nations,andlanguagesshouldserveHim.

Hisdominionisaneverlastingdominion,Whichshallnotpassaway,AndHiskingdomtheone

Whichshallnotbedestroyed.(Daniel7:13-14)

Thentheseventhangelsounded:Andtherewereloudvoicesinheaven,saying,“ThekingdomsofthisworldhavebecomethekingdomsofourLordandofHisChrist,andHeshallreign

foreverandever!”(Rev.11:15)

Endnotes:1. Vallotton,Kris,(2016-08-02),HeavyRain:HowtoFloodYourWorldwithGod'sTransformingPower,publishedbyChosenBooks-FromtheIntroductionoftheKindleEdition.Emphasisadded.2. Link is https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bethel-church-sermon-week/id76583739?mt=2&i=374737430)3. ScreenshotofConventionCenterarticlephotoisfrom:http://www.redding.com/news/bethel-church-will-run-redding-convention-centerep-375592385-354729071.html4. HerescopearticlesaboutBethel,JesusCulture,itsyouthmovement,anditspopularityinevangelicaldomincludehttp://herescope.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-significance-of-youth-filled.html.Alsosee:theassociatedarticleat:http://apprising.org/2013/01/02/louie-giglio-passion-2013-and-jesus-culture/andthe6partseriesthatbeginshere:http://herescope.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-passion-of-presence.html