Currently, to be quite honest, I see absolutely no evidence in 2011 of a "revival as we have never seen before." The Christ Faith Tabernacle churches are claiming that such a revival will come and it is based on the "revelation" of Apostle Alfred Williams who was caught up to heaven in 2010. We must test his prophesy to see if it is true.
http://www.cftchurches.org/flashvideo/tvad_di11.html
I struggled to understand some of Alfred Williams' words, especially around the 1 minute 20 seconds section of the above video. His diction is not clear to me, but in the social context of his church they are probably used to his strong accent and have no difficulty at all.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He will guide the church into all truth. He will convict, convince and reveal sin, righteousness and judgement.
I believe His judgement is on those who lead the flock astray, fleece the flock and make themselves fat and rich through clever words and misleading teaching. In the 1990s there were those who made money and a name for themselves and their ministeries by proclaiming a coming revival. Some have claimed special revelations and "downloads from God". The holy prophets of God speak from God and their words are full of grace and truth. For prophecy never had its origins in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
There are a few people who will remember the Hebrides Revival (1949-1952), but if this 2011 revival is to be "a revival as we have never seen before" then we should be looking for evidence of a considerable and clear work of God. If the claims are true then one should expect an even greater revival than the Hebridean blessing when there were great conversions, a deep conviction of sin, the power of the Holy Spirit, an increase in godliness and a remarkable move of God in the area that brought about significant change.
I would dearly love to see such a revival.
http://www.cftchurches.org/flashvideo/tvad_di11.html
I struggled to understand some of Alfred Williams' words, especially around the 1 minute 20 seconds section of the above video. His diction is not clear to me, but in the social context of his church they are probably used to his strong accent and have no difficulty at all.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He will guide the church into all truth. He will convict, convince and reveal sin, righteousness and judgement.
I believe His judgement is on those who lead the flock astray, fleece the flock and make themselves fat and rich through clever words and misleading teaching. In the 1990s there were those who made money and a name for themselves and their ministeries by proclaiming a coming revival. Some have claimed special revelations and "downloads from God". The holy prophets of God speak from God and their words are full of grace and truth. For prophecy never had its origins in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
There are a few people who will remember the Hebrides Revival (1949-1952), but if this 2011 revival is to be "a revival as we have never seen before" then we should be looking for evidence of a considerable and clear work of God. If the claims are true then one should expect an even greater revival than the Hebridean blessing when there were great conversions, a deep conviction of sin, the power of the Holy Spirit, an increase in godliness and a remarkable move of God in the area that brought about significant change.
I would dearly love to see such a revival.
10 comments:
It is very unfortunate that someone who is an ordained minister of God will Criticize prophesy. Please read 2kings 7:1&2.
Too bad that you dont even know Apostle Williams at all. He is one of very few in this world that have personal encounters with God NOt by virtue of education. He has predicted so many things that have come to pass among which are;
9/11, the emergence of George Bush as president. UK Coalation government, the death of 2 president in Nigeria( Abacha & Yaradua), change of government in ivory coast among others.
What he predicted on the revival was that the earth is starting a 4 year journey from 2011 on revival, the one the earth has NEVER witness before. Just sit back and watch it happen.
Thank you Anonymous for your comment.
I will send you a substantive reply at the beginning of next month.
In the meantime, here is a thought for theological reflection:
a text out of context is usually a pretext.
Happy Easter, Resurrection Day.
Christ is risen indeed!
Dear Anonymous who follows Apostle Williams
I am now in a position to respond to your comments concerning prophesy and the ministry of "Apostle" Williams.
Although I do not know Reverend Williams personally, I am acquainted with his teaching and theology through iistening to his sermons and recorded messages.
I do question his judgement on a number of issues, particularly prosperity teaching, prophecy and his involvement with the "ministry" of Michael Reid.
Sadly "Apostle" Williams has been called "Ego Williams". While it is arguably insulting, I do understand why it has been applied.
Do you?
I would refer you to the website relating to the victims of "Bishop" Michael Reid. I have made my position perfectly clear there with regard to an evident lack of judgement.
You may think that I am very judgemental. However, I take into account the words of Jesus that I will be subject to the very judgement that I have pronounced on others. My education in theology has given me the intellectual tools to evaluate and assess. I am keen student of church history and historical theology. Revival is a special interest of mine. I am very sad to hear of the recent death of David Wilkerson who was a true, humble man of God; he did not serve mammon or seek worldly success or honour from men.
Like John the Baptist he was a voice crying in the wilderness; today's wilderness is one of materialism and greed.
True prophesy comes from the Lord, and it should never puff up or be used to bolster a ministry. The prophet speaks for God to His people; the glory goes to God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Hello Reverend, Thanks for your response. I followed all Ministers that preaches as written in the bible. Hundreds of them across the globe whose teaching lies in the bible(our only guide)including Apostle Williams. For the sake of clarity, i will make my point one-by-one and will expect you to do the SAME.
1)Of course i knew you dont know Apostle and the day you get to know him, you will tender an unreserved apology.
2) I was suprised that as an ordained minister of the gospel, you did not back up your comments with scriptures.
3)What does Apostle williams taught on (a) prosperity, (b) Prophecy AND what does the bible says on these?
4)Theological education CANNOT and WILL NOT be our(christians) standard of judgement. I knew many theologians who are unbelievers yet they teach people in the universities.Our only guide is the bible.
cheers
Thank for your response to my comments concerning Reverend Williams.
I wish to take issue with you on a number of points.
I believe that all theology should be submitted to the counsel of God in the Scriptures. However, Jesus is the Word of God and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit we are led into all truth. Jesus is the truth and He taught us that God's Word is truth. John 17:17.
My position on prosperity teaching, if you had taken the trouble to read my earlier postings and seen my YouTube video on the subject of prosperity teachers, is backed up by many references from the Bible.
In my reply I referred to John the Baptist, and if one understands him correctly and the tenor of his life, then it seems clear that prosperity teaching is unbiblical having the spirit of Gehazi rather than the spirit of John the Baptist. And it certainly does not proceed from the Holy Spirit of God.
In Colossians 3 we are enjoined to mind the higher things and in 1 Corinthians we are told that we Christians have the mind of Christ.
The word for mind in the Greek is very significant, because when it comes to prosperity teaching some of God's people have little nous.
This is very sad because vulnerable people have been duped and deceived by lies. And I can produce empirical evidence of this assertion.
Some texts are wrongly used to expound the prosperity gospel. For example,3 John2. I seem to recall that Rev. Williams has misused this text. Please correct me if I am wrong. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Hello Reverend,
1) Can you give me a link to your message on prosperity.
2) 3 John 2 says '' Dear friend, i pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well ''(NIV)
Probably you are quoating Apostle out of context. He is NOT one of the gangsters that deceive people of God preaching prosperity messages. His favourite scripture on posperity is in Job 22:21 which says ''submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will COME TO YOU''(NIV).
Properity can only come if a Christian submit to his maker NOT through USELESS seed offering. That is his believe, that is what he preaches and live on.
Dear Anonymous
Thank you for your emailed comment of 4 June.
I have written several post dealing with the subject of the prosperity gospel theology. The longest was my blog of 19 September 2008. Blogs on 27 September 2008, 3 April 2011(which has key Bible verses)and 16 May 2011 all deal with aspects of prosperity theology. You can find them by doing a simple search through this blog by finding the respective dates.
By prosperity theology I mean the over realized emphasis on material wealth, money, mammon and worldly success. Biblical prosperity relates more to spiritual wellbeing, though God undoubtedly blesses those who honour Him with wealth, wisdom and welfare, on occasions. This blessing in this life is not guaranteed, because Christians in some countries suffer real hardship and poverty for following the Lord.
Christian members of my family have been blessed through their diligence at work and by using their talents wisely and well.
I have no problem with wealthy and successful Christians. My beef is with the false values, greed and self indulgence that I'm against, and I see that in the prosperity gospel movement.
Please let us not judge anyone lest we be judged ourselves.We are one body in Christ Jesus,we should be praying and supporting one another.May the God we serve have mercy on all of us.
Sometimes support should be qualified in the light of Hebrews 5:14
τελειων δε εστιν η στερεα τροφη των δια την εξιν τα αισθητηρια γεγυμνασμενα εχοντων προς διακρισιν καλου τε και κακου
The word diakrisiv is important.
I often wonder why so many Christians hide behind a cloak of anonymity when we should be transparent and walk in the light.
May the Lord have mercy on us.
OOps I meant diakrisin, or diacrisin.
We get our word "crisis" from the Greek and the word "criticism".
One learned man once told his critics "not to spare" him for through criticism and constructive comment do we learn and grow. Correct a wise man and he will be wiser still.
If I am guilty of the sin of presumption and make claims that I am speaking prophetically, but my claims and prophecies turn out to be false then I pray that my critics will not spare me. May they correct me.
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