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Bentley's Lakeland Revival Keeps Moving Spirits, Closing Date
Tribune photo by BILLY TOWNSEND
The Serine family stand outside the morning service at the Ignited Church.
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Published: May 8, 2008
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LAKELAND - Cassandra Serine and her two teenage children already were planning to leave Thomasville, Ga. They say they wanted more from their lives and their church there. They found it on God TV, live from Lakeland.
Eight days ago, the Serines joined the inflow of pilgrims drawn by coverage of what organizers are calling the "Florida Outpouring," evangelist Todd Bentley's monthlong healing revival. Since then, they've slept each night in a tent in a Lakeland-area campground.
They spend the rest of their days moving between Lakeland's Ignited Church, where the revival started in early April, and the larger local venues where it's playing now.
A month in, and more than a week after it moved to stadium- locations, Bentley's healing revival is rolling on. By now, the number of worshippers likely has topped 70,000, based on crowd estimates from venue operators. Organizers are planning to keep the revival open at least two more weeks. The Serines say they're getting what they need to survive.
"We just pray each day to God for provision," said Cassandra Serine, 47.
And how's that working?
"I'll show you," said her 17-year-old son, Michael, whipping out his wallet and showing off at least $300 in fresh, crisp $20 bills. "People just give us money," said Michael Serine, who repeatedly interrupted a brief interview to kiss his mother and hug men and women coming and going in the halls of Ignited Church. Just a week ago, he was a stranger there.
Cassandra Serine said the revival is giving her and her children the religious immersion – what they call "anointing" - they always have sought. Whatever plans they had eight days ago are on hold. "When you come to a place like this, people who have a prophetic gift can unlock what is going on in your life," Serine said.
Trancelike States
Bentley, 32, is a tattooed, body-pierced religious barnstormer who travels the world organizing revival meetings. He says the power of God rescued him at age 18 from a life of drugs, crime and sexual misconduct.
His services emphasize the power of God to transform lives and ease personal burdens. Though he preaches to a mostly Pentecostal audience, Bentley said he eschews religious categories.
In addition to the evening services, which began in early April, a regular 10 a.m. service at Ignited quickly is outgrowing its 700-seat venue, said Lynne Breidenbach, a spokeswoman for the event. One of Bentley's staff members typically officiates at the morning meeting.
That's where the Serines were at midday Wednesday, standing just outside the jampacked sanctuary. The daytime service appeared far more subdued than each night's extravaganza.
Nevertheless, a sign on the door to the sanctuary admonished worshippers: "Please do not lay hands on people unless given instruction to by the pastor. Thank you."
The growth of the morning service follows the pattern of the original revival, which organizers say started as a typical five-day Bentley visit to Ignited Church. Word of healings and an especially intense religious energy spread quickly, driven by Internet streaming and coverage on the God TV satellite channel.
It reached the Serine family via their DirecTV satellite service. Within days, organizers were planning for an extended stay and accommodating crowds in the thousands.
The revival returned to the Lakeland Center arena this week after spending the weekend at Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Detroit Tigers play spring training baseball.
Bob Gomeringer, a Lakeland retiree, works part time parking cars at Lakeland Center events and finds the services unsettling. He hears loud music – "the same song being played over and over and over again" – coming out from the arena. He watches ministry workers carry in buckets "to rake in all the money" during offerings.
What concerns Gomeringer most are the young people, many of whom appear to be in a "trancelike state" when they come out of the arena, he said.
"They just don't look or act right," he said.
Monday night, he found a young person lying on the ground. Gomeringer was ready to call an ambulance when the prostrate man's friend stopped him.
"He told me that his friend was fine, and that he was just full of the Holy Spirit," Gomeringer said. "And if I wanted some of that power, to get inside and get some of it myself. No, thank you. This isn't the kind of spirit that I'm interested in."
Gomeringer has attended Methodist churches for more than 50 years and said what's happening in Lakeland is quite different from the Christian faith he's known throughout his life. "It's not prayerful or private. This is extremism," Gomeringer said.
For the Serines, that's precisely the point. The extreme religious emotion pervading the revival is at the center of their experience. Michael Serine and his sister Allyssa, 14, spoke several times about being "drunk" in the Holy Spirit. And at times, the boy's demeanor – he often swayed and rarely stood still – suggested a certain tipsiness.
Michael said he felt a deep sorrow Friday night when he didn't immediately feel full of the spirit after Bentley touched him. "It was absolute grief," he said, comparing it to the loss of a loved one. By the end of the weekend, though, with the help of praying multitudes and a well-placed slap from one of Bentley's co-ministers, Michael Serine found the "anointing" he was seeking, he said.
All of this alarms Gomeringer's wife, Carolyn, 63, who also was raised in the Methodist church as the daughter of a minister. The film clips she's seen on this Lakeland movement cause her great concern – particularly at an economically depressed time when people can't pay their bills or afford medical care.
It's just plain scary," she said. "They're getting hyped up and spaced out. They're being influenced all right, but in my opinion, it's all in the wrong way."
She doesn't think that "something of God" would look like this.
"The Bible tells us that the anti-Christ will be coming in the final days," she said. "That's why we have to be careful. If this man is really into healing, why can't he just go to Children's Hospital? A lot of kids need help there."
Prophetic?
A number of revivalgoers talked of the Lakeland events as fulfilling religious prophecies.
Like the Serines, Barry McAlpin, a 43-year-old minister and veteran of overseas missions, first encountered the revival via God TV. He said many "phophetic voices" long have predicted "a move of God is coming to America."
Many other events have claimed to be that movement, McAlpin said, and he has learned to withhold judgment. So he drove from his Sevierville, Tenn., home to see for himself. After two days of watching, he thinks the healing and miracles he has seen are real. He cited a woman who rose from a wheelchair, though he admits that it's impossible "to know what's in her heart."
"It appears to me, because of how quickly it's spreading, that it's an authentic move of God in its embryonic stages," McAlpin said. He cautions believers to remember that God, not Bentley, is responsible for whatever's happening.
"Todd's being used by God," he said.
James Goll is the co-founder of Encounters Network, a Franklin, Tenn.-based ministry that "teaches and imparts the power of intercession, prophetic ministry and life in the Spirit." Goll, who travels the world to equip churches, leaders and movements, also is the author of nearly 40 books and study guides.
He came to town last weekend to attend the revival. On Sunday, he delivered a short message to the group.
Goll said the Holy Spirit spoke to him a dozen years ago, telling him, "I will raise up a new young champion. His name will be Todd. You will need his raw faith, and he will need your vision." Three years later, he met Bentley in Nashville and knew he had found the right man.
"I've done my due diligence," Goll said by telephone Wednesday, noting his 34 years in ministry. "I've got an excitable, demonstrative side when I see the Holy Spirit in action. But I also have a scholarly side, and I've investigated many movements.
"And this has the potential to be a breakthrough for Lakeland and for the rest of the nation. This could be a new beginning, something fresh. And we need it bad."
Goll said this revival has the three elements that could keep it a sustained movement: It has the fruit of the spirit, which emphasizes character. It has the gifts of the spirit, which deal with revelation and power. And it has the wisdom of understanding how everything can cooperate.
"Usually wisdom is the lacking ingredient," he said. "That's the difference between something that's a flash in the pan, or here today and gone tomorrow. This seems to have all three strands needed to keep it strong and sustained."
That means Goll fully expects he will be back after making a short mission trip to Israel. And he intends to bring his wife, who has Stage 4 cancer. He said he believes this revival is the real thing.
"It has just begun," he predicted. "But it has not yet begun to crescendo. That is coming."
If that's the case, there are practical upsides for the Lakeland area, which Gomeringer acknowledged amid his criticism.
"It's helping our economy," he said. "People got to eat; they got to stay in hotels. And I'm picking up a lot more hours, even though we're coming into the slow season. So maybe he's bringing some healing to this area after all."
Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com. Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Claylisa ) on May 8, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This oughta be rich...
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Posted by ( hmmm ) on May 8, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is just plain scary...but, hey, as long as no one gets hurt, then God bless.
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Posted by ( whyn ) on May 8, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is pitiful- Jude 12 and 13 are really approperiate here:
These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. (NASB)
Its all pathetic emotionalism- preying (not 'praying) upon people who are easily led astray- they will have no lasting benefit from this charlitian- after he is gone they will chase after another fasle prophet.
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Posted by ( northfla ) on May 8, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You know, I've got to write this. I was watching a little of this on TV the other night. They were at the stadium and a camera panned along a row of people in wheel chairs. Among those were children with what I assume were their parents. Here is what really bothers me.
These kids for whatever reason were dealt a terrible hand in life. They probably have heard other children snickering or making comments. At the very least their left to wish they could play ball, or swim, or whatever. So they go to this revival hoping that God heals them. And He doesn't.
My concern is, who talks to them about these things. Hopefully their not left to think that God does not care either? I heard Mr. Bentley say that he sees this and sees that. Well I hope he sees those kids, and others like them who might be going away from that revival unhealed.
As the old saying goes, I know two things for sure; There is a God, and I am not Him. Other than that, I don't know if God is a part of this Lakeland stuff or not. I just know that there are no doubt people coming away dissapointed in someone. But who?
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Posted by ( ericgmurray ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's quite hilarious that the Methodist gentleman was so baffled and "concerned" about this activity. He obviously has not understanding of his religious roots. The Methodist Church began from the ministry of the Wesley Brothers. They were called Methodists because of their "Strange Methods". These manifestations that you are currently seeing in Lakeland were commonplace in the meetings of the Wesley's. Don't mock, this is a real move of the only true and real Lord, Jesus. Get in the river!!
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Posted by ( Yankee ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Some people just don't have a clue as to what is going on. The word says, that people perish for the lack of knowledge. It also says that the natural mind will not understand the things of the spirit.
This is an awesome thing! I would much rather have people coming and being healed then devil worshipers and witches casting spells causing demonic things to happen. Unless you experience the power of God, you will never understand.
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Posted by ( JPT ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
View Todd Bentley's "Pillar of Fire" on YouTube.
Christianity needs to be rescued from self-deluded wolves like Bentley, Hinn, Parsley, Hagee, Howard-Browne, Randy and Paula, etc.
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Posted by ( NoSmallStir ) on May 8, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I watched snippets on and off on the web and on tv over a few weeks. I know the Lord, I have seen miracles...but I am also a person that wants authenticity.
I am skeptical of things that are unusual... or lets say, down right 'weird'… and there were claims that fit that bill.
However, I could not deny that something was going on that surely "felt" like God and I decided to go down and check it out. I would rather err on the side of wacky then miss something awesome that God is doing. I pondered, Would I have missed Jesus because he was counter culture during his time? would I have said "he heals by the devil" like the religious scholars of his day did?... I hoped not, so I went to Lakeland!
I agree that the hypnotic tribal beat of the one or two of the songs could be a vehicle for some to have their own emotional frenzy... but that would not account for all of the people, and would not be the reason for true and honest healings that were visible. From where I sat and people watched, I was given a great treat to see many of the people who were healed. ( Who did that? God or Satan or mind over matter?... How can two year olds have mind over matter?)
The TV does not give you a full view of what goes on. The 10 am teaching service at ignited church was sane, biblical and just plain GREAT and answered many of the questions about practical matters, it reflected their heart. And on top of it all, inspite of what the article said, there was no hard sell for donations. in fact, they almost forgot to ask on Wednesday night... and someone has to pay for toilet paper and stadium rental.
I walked away saying, yes, there is a lot of human/flesh stuff, but there is a whole lot more God stuff and I believe that He is doing something here...
It is not the Todd Bentley Show and if you listen long enough you will hear that. He only promotes what is going on so he can entice you to "Come Get Some" and enjoy the reality of a relevant, powerful God
Don't miss out, check it out yourself and keep your money in your wallet if you think it is a scam.
and yes, there will be people that go away hurt, disappointed and unhealed. As there were when it says " and Jesus healed MANY that were afflicted", not all, remember the paralytic laying around with others, he only spoke to and healed that one. ( that we know of)
go get some....
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Posted by ( goodtimejim ) on May 8, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I would pray I don't get old and stupid enough to fall for this crap. There have been many of them doing this. I wonder if they store up there wealth on earth?
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Posted by ( prophet_india ) on May 9, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Of course, there are reports of healing and miracles in the Name of Jesus Christ. In these last days, thousands of people flock to tele-evangelists and pastors for prayers. They do not have faith to receive miracles in the Name of Jesus Christ. They do receive healings and miracles when these evangelists invoke the powerful Name of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that the evangelist concerned is doing God's will in his ministry. In a true revival, it is the name of Jesus and not the name of evangelist that is glorified. Here, only the name of the evangelist is glorified.
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Posted by ( DJN ) on May 9, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise...who are the wise?
Religious people. Religious people will reject Todd Bentley, just like they did Jesus.
If the blind see, the lame walk and JESUS is glorified, we in the church should rejoice. Jesus said if they are not against me, they are for me.
How many people are being saved from this meeting...Isn't that what matters, the lost are saved and Jesus is lifted up.
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Posted by ( mebell ) on May 9, 2008 at 12:52 p.m.
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Posted by ( Mr_scooterjones ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How about Angels that “Birth” a move of God? Where does that ridiculous notion come from? Is that a Heavenly “Revelation”?
A so-called prophet named Bob Jones introduced this FEMALE “Angel Emma” to Todd Bentley. Jones said that Emma was responsible for birthing the “Move of God” in Kansas City back in the 80’s.
Subsequently, Bentley said "EMMA" visited him a while back in a meeting. He said that "EMMA" looked young but was older, a nurturing motherly figure. He claims that "EMMA" placed "Gold chains" on the congregation! And that the offering taken that night was the largest offering that had ever been taken for him at the time!
So, I did a little research and this is what I came up with. This info. is from a website that promotes Basics in Kabbalah and Chassidut. The Stages of the Creative Process from God’s Infinite Light to Our Physical World. They teach that there are 10 stages (partzufim–figures) of the world of Atzilut–exclusive consciousness of Divine unity. One of these stages is IMMA, sound familiar?
The site defines IMMA as follows:
IMMA “Mother”
“Imma is the general partzuf which develops in the world of Atzilut from the sefirah of binah (”understanding”). In Atzilut, as in the Divine soul of Israel, it is the second “conscious” power, the power of the mind to grasp, develop and integrate an idea (a seminal insight which Imma receives from Abba). It is the inner spiritual power to “hear,” meditate upon and contemplate a truth until it becomes fully internalized in one’s consciousness.
The partzuf Imma divides into two subordinate partzufim, Imma Ila’ah (which develops from the first three sefirot of Imma into a full partzuf) and Tevunah (which develops from the last seven sefirot of Imma into a full partzuf).
The general partzuf Imma “enclothes” the “left arm” of the partzuf Arich Anpin, the particular partzuf Imma Ila’ah extending from the “chin” of Arich Anpin to the “chest” of Arich Anpin and the particular partzuf Tevunah extending from the “chest” to the “naval.”
In the soul this means that the superconscious will to serve God with might and awe (symbolized by the “left arm” of Arich Anpin) enlivens and motivates, as a soul to a body, the power of understanding (the general partzuf Imma). Each new level of understanding possesses an unconscious “vector” force to arouse and manifest Divine might and awe in the soul.
We are taught in Kabbalah that the two higher partzufim of Abba and Imma, Abba Ila’ah and Imma Ila’ah, unite to become one. So do the two lower partzufim of Abba and Imma, Yisrael Saba and Tevunah. We shall now describe each of these four particular partzufim.”
What do MOTHERS do? They BIRTH and the NUTURE. The connection is creepy. I would also note that Todd Bentley says his “Anointing” power manifest itself in his LEFT arm. “The general partzuf Imma “enclothes” the “left arm”
BEWARE Christians!
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Posted by ( ReligionWeary ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The NT, if read without religious blinders, contains REALLY peculiar stuff. There is a hunger among believers for the REALITY of the NT church..and a weariness of the traditional powerless form that it has become. Jesus said, "Greater works shall you do".... not only see greater works, most of us have never seen ANY works beyond the consistent belief in the new birth...the miracle of salvation.
He also said, "These signs shall follow them that believe. In My name they shall cast out devils, lay hands on the sick and they recover...."ect. So critics...when was the last time YOU saw someone get miraculously healed either by satan OR God? And yet, because this does not 'look' like the traditional form it can't be God? If people believe the NT they should at LEAST be accepting that it should be prayed about and investigated...
I suggest going INSIDE and sit in the front and let the Holy Spirit talk to him before he passes judgement. As someone said earlier..the Methodists (and I would add most organized denominations)have lost touch with their own roots...and I add also, especially the living NT
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Posted by ( ReligionWeary ) on May 9, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Prophet_India
Every administrator of a revival outbreak has been brought to the forefront...this revival is no different..
Some will mistakenly give man credit for what God is doing and some will mistakenly judge it BECAUSE OF the man that was in teh pulpit when God showed up. Neither make what you say true...
The KEY difference in this one and those is that it is being promoted as available to anyone ready to receive it by faith and act on it through ministering to the lost and the sick...Todd is not the one initiating the revival and he is not the one controlling it...therefore it does not bring him glory...he has said all along that he is just a vessel showing the way through simply leading the people to worship and pray....God does the rest....Not once has he said you must come let ME lay hands on you...or even that you MUST come at all...it is God's revival..
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Posted by ( ReligionWeary ) on May 9, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
One last comment...revival leaves EVERYONE changed..and will leave Todd changed...there is no doubt Todd, just as all of us, have incorrect beliefs...
So before we cast too many stones we might want to consider the wise words of a Pharasee...'Leave this alone. If it is not God, it will fizzle out...if it IS God you risk setting yourself against God...be careful if you are so locked into your belief system that you can't see your own fallability and imperfections...and that God uses such for HIS glory....THANK GOD!
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Posted by ( Mr_scooterjones ) on May 9, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The scriptures implore us to "TEST" every spirit. I've tested the spirit that Todd Bentley says he's operating under, by the scrutiny of the written word of God. It does not meet the test of scripture.
If you're interested, I'd be happy to demonstrate why it's not. However, I suspect that most Folks who are swallowing this "Outpouring" hook, line and sinker, have checked their brains in at the door of the Convention Center.
For those of you who have your doubts about this Lakeland "Revival", RUN as fast and far away from this as you can. And don't let any hyper-spiritual Christian try and brow beat you into submission by saying things like, "you're just being a Pharisee", etc.
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Posted by ( Deb4Him ) on May 9, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am wondering, there is an angel called Gabriel and there is an angel called Michael and at one time an angel called Lucifer.....can I ask WHY you think that there might not be an angel named Emma? I mean, do you actually think that God only named 3 angels? Did you expect him to write all their names down in the bible so you can line it up?
I mean there is a lot of angels coming down to interact with us in the bible. Do you think it stopped when the last book of the Bible was written?
The faithless confuse me.
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Posted by ( Mr_scooterjones ) on May 9, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Deb4Him~ So, what do you think? Do you believe Bob Jones story that an angel named EMMA "Birthed" a move of God in Kansas City back in the early 80's? And secondly, do you believe the testimony of Todd Bentley that EMMA appeared in one of his meetings a couple of years ago and placed "Gold Chains" on the congregation, resulting in the largest "offering" he had ever received at that point???
Just a simple yes or no is fine with me.
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Posted by ( Deb4Him ) on May 9, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well scooter, you answer my questions and I will answer yours!
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Posted by ( Mr_scooterjones ) on May 9, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Deb4Him~ There are THREE (3) angels named in the bible, a book that consists of hundreds of pages of history over thousands of years.
That precedent alone should be enough to underscore the fact that God places little emphasis and importance on our knowing their "names". And I might add, how many female angels were identified in scripture?
As to your question of "Who's to say" there are no female angels named EMMA, I guess you have a point! However, who's to say that God won't turn the moon into cheese some day?
Now, back to my question, do you believe that a female angel named EMMA "birthed" a move of God in Kansas City back in the 80's? And do you believe that EMMA visited Todd Bentley in a church service and placed "Gold Chains" (A sign of revelation and prosperity)on the congregation, resulting in one of the largest "offerings" that Todd had ever received to date at that time?
And, "I don't know", is not acceptable. You either believe that or you don't ;-)
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Posted by ( catskill ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another great revival tonight. Thirty thousand faithful packed in the Lakeland Center Arena with their assorted friends and family like a forest of true believers. “We are strong and will get stronger,” Bentley shouted at them through the microphone, his words echoing across the hushed arena from the loud-speakers. And there, in the flood-lit arena, jammed together like sardines, in one mass formation, the truly faithful who have made the Christian Faith possible achieved the highest state of being the Christian knows: the shedding of their individual souls and minds – with the personal responsibilities and doubts and problems – until under the mystic lights and at the sound of the magic words of the preacher they were merged completely in the love of Jesus.
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Posted by ( Deb4Him ) on May 10, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I won't deny that it was a poor choice of words by saying birthed.
However, by this scripture, below, it is clear as with many many scriptures that angels can and will speak about things to come.
rev.1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.
If the Word also says that we might entertain angels unaware....does that mean it's always going to be a male angel?
In Judges (someone, sorry I don't remember his name) asked what the angels name was.
In Revelations....and here is where you are wrong...the angel of the bottomless pit is called Apollyon. So now we know that ANOTHER angel has a name.
To clarify about "gold chains" it was gold dust not chains. I personally and I repeat personally, don't want gold dust and don't see the need unless you are poor and you want to take it to the bank. I suppose you could line it up with the oil that never dried up or changing water into wine.
Of course, this was more than a yes or no...but I believe in the WORD of God too...and too many Christians just want to use this part or that part and don't know what is in the Word cause they don't read it themselves.
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