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STAND & COMFORT Newsletter #1 INTRODUCTION This is the first newsletter I am sending out. For a good part of the past decade, there has been a battle in the Church over "new" things, and I know many who have become mind-weary because we have a reached a point where we are beginning to repeat ourselves somewhat. Ministries are continuing to research what lies ahead regarding apostasy and what will be built on the false foundations that have been laid. But, our minds have been inundated with what has been happening in the Church, and it has been a constant warning about the restoration of the Apostles and Prophets, the false Latter Rain doctrine, Manifest Sons, Restoration/Transformational/Kingdom Now theology and a constant onslaught of perverted visions and dreams as well Scripture twisting. I will speak a little more on this below, but I have felt for some time that this constant barrage of false doctrine to expose has worn some of us out, especially now. I say especially now because those who could listen and be free of their deceptions are not even willing to consider that they might be living in those deceptions. More than once I have heard Christians say it is like talking to a brick wall. The many emails I have received agree. I believe what many need is to hear more encouragement for the Church, as well looking around to make sure there are not other areas of deception that have made their way into the Church that are separate from the usual "revival" expositions. I believe we also need an emphasis on Scripture, to remember that Jesus said His words are spirit and life, not just words to expose falsities. I am not saying we don't have to continue to expose the "revival" - God knows, that would be a huge error. But, when we first started "debating" Toronto in the early 90s on CIN, I remember printing out all the messages and staying up for days countering the false beliefs. When we eventually got rid of all of those printouts, I was amazed at the amount of paper involved. Stacked into one pile, it would have made a stack of paper six to eight feet high. Things have advanced and information is everywhere now. I've felt for some time that a change or adjustment of some sort was needed to what I do, so I'm sticking my toe into the water here. What this newsletter will be, I am not exactly sure. It won't be for news items. That will be through the email list, and the email list will not be for discussions. I will be posting new items on my web site, which I have now split into two because it was too overloaded. The glut of material is overwhelming. I and other ministries will try to handle inquiries. I also think the emotions in the body of Christ have found good opportunity for growth in the fruit of the Spirit, i.e., self-control, longsuffering, perseverance. Maybe I'll write on this topic in the next issue. I have this sense that there has been much damage to the Christian over the past ten years because of debates, contentions, confrontations and strife. I'd be glad to hear any comments you might have after thinking that over. I'm calling this newsletter STAND & COMFORT, that we be encouraged in the Lord Jesus' strength to STAND and to find COMFORT from the God of all comfort in these hard times. Ed #2 THE CHURCH - BATTERED FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT The "revival" has brought much contention, division and strife to the Church. There was a time when everyone went to their own church and held to their beliefs without crossing denominational lines to any degree. Then came the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and about the same time, a rising again of the Latter Rain doctrine which had already been declared heretical. We know the basic history of how the Charismatic Catholics and the Pentecostal movement lead by David DuPlessis began to mesh, resulting in the tearing down of walls. Doctrines were laid aside and all decided they needed to just love one another. There are those in the Church who have gone off into that apostasy with the hope of establishing God's kingdom on earth prior to the coming of Christ. But there are also those who have not left to follow "new" things and have remained true to the simple, centuries-old gospel and truths of God's word. Many have made an effort to expose the "new" revelations and the apostate call to forsake truth for experience and establish Church dominion over the world. That exposition needed to be done, Christians had to be cautioned, Christians needed to be warned. By now, the members of the body of Christ should be at a point where they have enough discernment to know the truth from the lie. If they don't, the information they need to gain that discernment is well documented on the internet, and there are researchers who are continuing to do research on apostate agendas and strategies evolving out of the groundwork already laid. The cautions and the warnings will go on, for God will not leave His people without those cautions and warnings during this evolving, apostate process. Those who withstood the "new" things coming into the Church for the past ten years are finding that there is much less seeking of information about whether the "revival" is Scriptural or not or whether it is of God. There is a desire now, I think, to know where it is going and how it is going to get where it's going. This year, those whom I have talked to seem to be convinced that the Church is now informed, and that for the most part, people have decided which side of the line they are standing on. We are at a point where no one seems to be listening anymore because they have made their choice. But we must remember that it is God who has allowed the delusion we call the apostasy or "the revival." It is He who has allowed false "fire" to come on the Church. It is He who has caused all to make a decision to either enter the "fires" of "revival" or continue on the narrow road. Recently, I thought about how "revival fire" has hit all the churches, and how so many Christians refused to follow the apostasy and had to leave those churches. (I speak of apostasy here in the terms we have grown used to: experiences and world dominion). There was a comfort in knowing that others saw what was happening, too, joining together in defense of God's word in its proper context. But when I went on the forums from time to time during the past six months, my eyes were opened to another problem that didn't have to do with refuting "revival" beliefs and experiences. In fact, everyone on the forums seemed to stand together against those who came on in support of the "revival." Two realizations dawned on me. First, the "revivalists" didn't want to listen. The second realization was even more astounding. Due to the type of research I had done, I'd thought that the Church had been split into two groups: those who supported the "revival" and those who didn't. But as we began to discuss the Trinity, for instance, I realized that some of those who stood with me against the "revival" didn't believe there was a Trinity. In fact, some of them, after being confronted, admitted that they didn't even believe Jesus was the eternal Son of God. To them, the Trinity wasn't acceptable. They believed that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are only three modes, or offices, through which the Father manifests himself. They denounce the "apostasy," yet they attempt to raise up old heresies within the Church. In essence, although they haven't entered the "revival fire," they are instead denying central truths of God's word. I finally realized that in our very midst, there was a major attack on the Person of Jesus Christ, who He is and who we are in Him. This battle is going on even now on the forums, and it makes total sense that such a battle has arisen. Through the "revival," many have departed from God's word to pursue a hopeless effort to establish the Kingdom of God before Christ's actual return. Isn't it logical to conclude that if a pseudo-kingdom of God is to be set up, then those setting it up will most likely be deceived into accepting the antichrist as Christ? Therefore, the truth concerning our Lord Jesus Christ as related in Scripture has to be changed by them for the total agenda to take place with as little opposition as possible. The "revival" has done that, especially regarding who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. I thought that exposing the "revival" was where all the battle was confined, but now I realized that the effort to "redefine Christ" was ALSO in our midst. That is what I saw on the forums. Jesus as related in the Scriptures was being changed and it wasn't only coming from "revivalists." It is as though those holding to the basic doctrines and realities of who Christ is are sandwiched between fronts. What is the solution to all of this? There can only be one answer: Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The answer is the same as it has been for 2,000 years. Stick to your Bible, read it and study it. Get your concordance and dictionaries. Make sure Scripture is kept in context by a reliance on the Holy Spirit in all your reading and study. It's time to refresh ourselves for a time with the basics of our faith. We have the word of God, commentaries written down through the ages, and other aids in the study of God's word to help us understand it in its proper context. The way is narrow and few find it. But God has given all of us His word in the Old Testament followed by the New Testament, that we might be schooled in the knowledge of Him and come to Christ for salvation and be conformed to His image and likeness. Our hope is the coming of Christ at the end of Daniel's 70th week when the dead will be raised and the living believers changed. There is hope for the dead believer and there is hope for the living ones as well. There is hope for the Jew and hope for the Gentile because all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. There is hope for all because Christ died for all, and all who will believe on Christ as the Scriptures have said will be saved. There is hope because, though many may reinterpret God's word and re-define God's Church and even God Himself, God doesn't change in His words of promise or in His Sovereignty or promised hope. We have only to hold fast to His word and not deny His name.-End #3 NEW YORK-WASHINGTON During the crisis on the East Coast, many people have remarked that the world will never be the same in so many areas of life. The decision to strongly deal with terrorists and new security regulations at airports have changed things. Many other changes will come about as well. On a personal level, fear of flying and fear of being in tall buildings will have to be overcome by some. Nations have risen up together in support of the United States and against the terrorism that was declared an act of war and an attack on civilization and all humanity itself. People have once again drawn together in a united effort to help in this tragic, unbelievable situation at great personal cost to themselves. Emotions and normalcy have been shaken and the effects will last for a long time to come. Christians responded in various ways and with various speculations, but all felt the pain and sorrow and tears of family members seeking their own. All had to be moved by TV broadcasts of crying children holding up pictures of their father wondering if he'd been seen. All felt the helplessness of those who had to leap out of windows from the 100th floor of the World Trade Center. All hoped for the finding of those buried alive in the rubble before death would take its toll. Christian or non-Christian, all were moved by these tragedies and more. One of my daughters said to me, "How trivial our lives, with our little problems, seem now." I thought of the helplessness of those on window ledges and the decision they had to make. They could go into the flames engulfing those floors or jump, as that would be a faster demise. There was no alternative, but they did nothing to place themselves in that hopeless situation. As I watched, I related these scenes to a larger perspective, a coming on this world of evil from every side where humanity has no choices, but whose ultimate direction is being established by earthly powers, a direction which will place it in a helpless situation. These were my thoughts after I recovered from the shock of the decision the helpless had to make. I pray they were Christians, I pray they knew Christ. Regardless, they were human beings who didn't ask to be placed in that situation and I hurt for them and their families. Forces beyond their control forced them into a decision that could only bring fatal results. I felt deeply for them in helpless compassion. What has happened in New York has shown us how quickly the world can be changed. Overnight, city governments were locked down, SWAT teams hit almost-deserted streets checking for whatever they look for, police guards were posted at City Halls, sports events disappeared, airlines across the country shut down, the U.S. Stock Exchange shut down, people gathered around their television sets, others gathered in search of the thousands missing. ONE THING WE DO KNOW. Israel is in her land, and that is a great sign that we are in the last days when all nations will bring in a New World Order and use every opening to do so. The ecumenical prayer service Friday showed that the world has to go in that direction. The nations are striving for peace at any cost. What other hope do they have, unless the gospel is presented to them? What appears to be coming is a natural reaction of nations for self preservation through the defeat of evil that would finally bring the world peace. What other reaction to what has happened could be expected from the world? That's the world's only hope. It all comes down to the simple gospel. The majority of the citizens of the world are without Christ and they are left to their own efforts for unity and peace. That's to be expected. But, the Christian knows where such efforts have to end up. This can be a very emotional situation for the Christian. The heartache that we experience is natural because we love people and don't want to see anyone hurt by situations such as this. It hurts even more because we know that those who don't know Christ in all of this need to believe on Him. God's word says they are without hope in this world. But, it hurts even more because people do not realize the effort to wipe out the evil in this world will eventually lead to a world system where they will be ruled over by one man. The world is trying to love good and hate evil, but it lacks the perspective of God's word, that true peace cannot come until our Lord Jesus Christ returns after seven years of the worst tribulation this world has ever seen. Scripture says that wars and rumors of wars will continue to the end, and God has not been wrong yet. Two newspaper headlines I saw were: "Armageddon?" and "Is this the end of the world?" We saw the same type of headlines during Desert Storm. The world doesn't understand that those events cannot happen now. But, the Christian should. The Christian knows when Armageddon will be and that it will be at the end of Daniel's 70th week. The Christian's business is the word of God and the sharing of the gospel while the world does what it does and tries to solve the problems it needs to try to solve. #4 TRANSMISSION MEDITATION PRACTICES IN APOSTATE CHRISTIANITY The primary necessity in the New Age practice of Transmission Meditation is concentration while centering what is called the anji point (located between the eyebrows), for the purpose of sending out energy to its intended destination. Donning's Psychic Dictionary defines it in this way: "DISTANT HEALING-(mental healing) to use mental telepathic procedures to heal another; practitioner meditates, builds energy in the mind by concentration, decrees it to be of a healing nature, and beams it to the patient; . . ." (p. 172). The practioneer's purpose is to hold his attention on the building of energy. He has no power to transmit, but it is the spirit working through him that transmits the power. Some proposing to be healers within Christianity are often seen with strained faces bent on concentration while praying for God to send out His healing power. Such practices are not Scriptural. There are various forms of distant healing with various principles of operation in this New Age practice, but the practitioneer can use inventive means to be a transmitter for this power. For instance, he can use an object as a point of contact, such as a stuffed animal that belongs to the recipient at another location. Such practices can be seen in Christianity as hands are laid on piles of hundreds, even thousands, of letters and prayer requests as a point of contact. Laying hands on objects and associating prayer with such practices is unscriptural and is basic witchcraft. Others stretch out their hands as a means of sending forth this spiritual power to the intended recipient. Another factor that is interesting is that in Distant Healing, a time for transmitting this power must be established so the recipient knows when the power will be released. This is easily accomplished in Christianity through the schedule of television programs on which these healers perform their art.-End #5 A FEW EMAILS The following are a couple of emails I received this week: ED: You're right on the money with all the doctrines, discussions, point, counter-point, etc. A news letter would be cool, like the one the Calvary Contender does or just a news letter with some editorials of the signs of the times and some other news worthy news letters attached. Example the Cutting Edge has great news from the occultic/secret society point of view and how it impacts the life of a believer. Koenig news has great global events tied to bible perspective. Anyway you could end up trying to be a on line pastor repeating the same stuff over and over. Ed, those are interesting choice of words, though because in Daniel the word says that Satan would weary the saints. That is exactly what is going on. The saints are getting weary trying to keep up with all the all the latest fads and moves. I think we may have lost our perspective. Like many that got into the warfare thing and started looking for demons in every bush we are now looking for an apostasy behind every bush. That in itself I think is a trap. Since none of us have the whole skinny on God's word we all will miss it many times, which is not to be confused with just flat out blatant false doctrines like the oneness, and the many already mentioned. The gospel is really simple, my gosh how did anyone ever get saved over the last 2000 years, without all the modern hoopla! It was made for farmers, and good old plain uneducated working folks to be able to understand the WORD! Much like the way our country was originally intended to be run by farmers during the season and when planting time came they went back to their lands, then lawyers crept in. Gee does that sound familiar now our churches are run by religious lawyers! So what is the difference, well I'd have to say at this moment not much for sure. But that does not exclude us from simply applying the precepts ourselves and taking God at his word. He'll teach us, counsel us and comfort us. Are there many more false movements of God out there yep, do I care, not one wit!! If I hear something that just strikes a chord I will set it aside and pray on it. I will not feed on it though. With information so easy to gather now we should be able to do our research and be our own Bereans, when all else fails then ask for assistance. Learning to use the internet is like learning to use the concordance. It's a matter of just getting into it and learning how to use the words to do a search. With a newsletter format we can stay up to date and then if we like we can follow your references for further research on our own. My hat off to you brother, for being one of great patience and wisdom. I will pray for your continued health and the wisdom to fulfill your vision in service to the Lord. Many blessing to you and all the readers that are so diligent and observant in our present circumstances. LH -------- Thank you Ed, I was seeing things leading this way. I think the problem with most people, myself included, is we are lazy to read scripture. We also doubt our ability to understand the scriptures, and think other, more educated people, know best. This was the reason I got into the "river" the first time! God is gracious, however, and never left me, till I got out. The one thing I know, is the truth is in the bible alone, and that is where I go, and no man or book or TV show, will ever get my attention, off the bible!! Everyday I read the bible I think to myself, a monkey can understand this. Why are so many people deceived??? I don't have a university degree, and am just a housewife, raising two kids, and the bible is simple and easy to understand, if people just want to do more of it!!! In Christ, Janine ============ A GOOD SITE FOR THE LATEST HAPPENINGS SANDY SIMPSON'S Discernment In The Church website http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/ Great deception has been afoot in the church today, happening right before our very eyes. In fact, it may have already come to your church. False doctrines, a different gospel, and even doctrines of demons have been introduced into many churches via a movement that claims to be a movement of God. Please do some research using these articles on Sandy's site from a wide variety of denominations and authors on the subject before you encourage anyone from your church to go to meetings of this movement and have their "anointed" leaders lay hands on them. They do represent good Scriptural apologetics on the subject of the current Third Wave movement, "counterfeit" revivals, and cult groups, though we have not checked all of them out.
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