I know that in the light of Lakeland, there are now a growing number of those in the Body of Christ who think the message I and others are clearly stating right now is somehow "anti" God. I once very strongly also stood in a place of longing to see the saints of God marching out through the nations, calling down fire from Heaven for all to see, that nobody could deny that the Lord Jesus we proclaim truly is the Son of God, and the one and only Saviour to all who call upon His name. Some of the messages I have written in the past have been aimed at encouraging believers in the realm of spiritual warfare, longing that a core of believers would eventually rise up from within the Church to show the world the true power of the Holy Spirit, and also to stir up the hearts of those already confessing His name as Saviour to begin walking in power. On the surface there seems absolutely nothing wrong in this mentality, especially to those who really do love the Lord Jesus, for we all want to genuinely see Him lifted up. The problem is however, that the Bible gives us a clear indication that this is not the route by which this will ultimately be acheived.

In the words of Paul written to Timothy; "But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, as a pattern to those being about to believe on Him to life everlasting.
(1Ti 1:16 MKJV)" I believe this pattern of long-suffering and patience is the pattern for every Christian to embrace fully and fervently, for this is the clearest voice that speaks to those who so far do not accept who Jesus Christ is. To walk this path willingly is to truly follow the path Jesus Christ Himself trod, just as Paul did so faithfully, in the confidence of receiving the promise on the Last Day that we will enter into eternal glory for all eternity with our beloved Saviour. For us to pour out our lives to those around us, just as He did for us who so undeserved His kindness and mercy, speaks far louder and clearer than any miracle, sign or wonder can ever do.

You may ask the question; "Why are you against wanting to see signs and wonders, performed in the power of the Holy Spirit?", and I would honestly have to answer that I'm most definitely not. But those signs and wonders need to simply be something that draws attention to Christ, and not to anything else. For just as in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry, the miracles He performed were almost beyond counting, and yet it is clearly seen that their purpose was to draw people into receive the call to truly repent and turn back to fellowship with God through His leading. The signs of power were ultimately confirming the message He was preaching, just as they were in the ministry of the apostles in Mark 16:20; not that they should be an end in themselves.

I have many reasons to believe that moves such as Lakeland and others that will come are not moves of God, but even removing totally my own perceptiveness, the Scriptures still stand clearly against them being so. The whole perception of the ministry is that the Spirit of God is moving specifically in a geographical location in power and glory, and those with faith to believe should come flocking to embrace this move and receive the "annointing". If this is so clearly from God, why would He choose to state forcefully in His own Word:

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they shall say to you, Behold, He is in the desert! Do not go out. Behold, He is in the secret rooms! Do not believe it.
(Mat 24:24-26 MKJV)"

Or why would a ministry clearly lift up and exalt the Holy Spirit as it so obviously does? Yes the Holy Spirit is a full member of the Godhead, and yet His primary purpose is most definitely NOT to be lifted up in the earth, but to be a witness with us in acknowledging who Jesus is:

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed and hanged on a tree. This One God has exalted to be a Ruler and Savior to His right hand in order to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel. And we are His witnesses of these things. And so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
(Act 5:30-32 MKJV)"

It is for this very reason that the we must be willing to bear our own cross daily, lay down our lives for Him, and preach the message of repentance and reconcilliation through the Blood of Jesus. For THEN and only THEN will the Spirit of God confirm the message we preach as the truth, and He will do so with signs and miraculous wonders, and add no sorrow to them, as a witness Himself that Jesus Christ is truly Lord of all.

God bless,

John.