Posted on 02/26/2023 11:29:26 AM PST by Roman_War_Criminal
Is Asbury a True Revival?
Originally written over 6 years ago, I felt compelled to bring this article out once again. The deception and heretical movements of these end times are so far from the truth of the Word of God, it makes a person wonder how the followers can be so deceived and gullible.
But wonder as we may, Jesus did warn about the coming deception:
“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you'” (Matthew 24:4).
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:23-25).
At the end of this piece, I will address the Asbury “Revival,” not with my own words but with the words of a solid brother in Christ who is also a gifted writer.
Here is the original article from 2017:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
As I look around today, I see this passage of Scripture so clearly coming to pass. Perhaps there have always been many with itching ears, but I think that it is much worse in these last days. Are these people truly saved? How can they be so deceived? Did they attempt to come to God via the well-traveled road and very wide gate that God warns us to avoid? How can someone who has the Holy Spirit living within them want their ears to be tickled with heresies? Where is the discernment?
It makes no sense.
When I was drawn by the Lord in 1983, it was a powerful and supernatural event. I had searched for the truth about God for most of my life. On that unforgettable night, He opened my eyes and my heart, and I remember saying to the person sharing salvation with me, “This is it. It’s so clear to me now!”
I am not saying that we all have to have a dramatic two-feet-off-the-floor experience. But I do believe that it should be a memorable time when a person finally realizes that he/she is a wretched sinner – unable to save themselves and that God is HOLY, and HE does the saving.
Our Need for the Word of God
Another thing I remember is that I could not get enough of His Word. I would forget to eat food because I was immersed in His Word and could hardly break away from it. I was told to start with the Gospel of John, and I did. Then I went through all four gospels. His Holy Word became the most important thing in my life.
I knew that when I went to church, I should be hearing about sin and repentance. It was ALL about Jesus and Him crucified and the love that sent Him to that cross. I yearned to hear a preacher open up the Word to me in a deeper way. The couple who had led me to the Lord was charismatic, so I went to my first church with them.
Where Was Preaching About Sin and Repentance?
I was brand new in Christ, but I still knew that the sermons I was hearing were leaving me empty. One Sunday night, I saw Charles Stanley preaching on TV, and I considered him a gift from Jesus at that time of my walk with Him. When he preached, he backed everything up with Scripture. He spoke of sin and repenting and growing in Christ. I considered him to be my pastor in those early years.
Wolves in the Pulpit
The heretical pastors with mega-churches need itching ears to stay in business. I call it a business because that is what it is. When I see Joel Osteen and his lovely wife (she is pretty) standing up in front of 30,000 fans, telling them that God just wants them to be happy, happy, happy – it makes me sad, and it makes me sick.
WHERE does it say in God’s Word that He just wants us to be happy? But the tithes are paid and the ears tickled, and everyone seems satisfied. But my Bible says that we will also have tribulation in this life (John 16:33).
The Word of Faith preachers love the itching ears. They preach that if their members will give sacrificially, God will surely pour out financial blessings upon them – two and threefold. So the little old lady who is on Medicare gives Kenneth Copeland her last twenty dollars and goes without food for a week – but she is still waiting for that magical payment from heaven. It makes me want to SCREAM!
Are these people saved but extremely shallow and immature? Or is it possible that they never were saved in the first place? I can’t make that call, but it distresses me greatly to watch people who name the name of Jesus as their Savior following after false teachers who preach a different gospel.
I do know that the false teachers will be judged harshly.
James 3:1 clearly states it:
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Be a Berean:
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).
I pray that many eyes will be opened to the truth of the Word of God and that they will see that they are being taught heresies.
WAKE UP!
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Let’s take a look at the “Revival at Asbury Church.”
Some are saying that this is indeed a revival sent by God. Some are being cautious and are taking a ‘Wait and see’ stance.
Others are declaring that this is not a true revival sent by God, that it was orchestrated by men and women. They are saying that there are many Biblical truths that are being ignored, i.e., Repentance and declaring that Salvation is only attained by trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Instead of me writing about my take on this – I have decided to post a most eloquent and comprehensive writing from a brother in Christ. John Haller shared this today on his Bible Prophecy Update. I decided that I would present this brother’s writing and let the readers ask the Lord to open their eyes to the truth about Asbury church.
Is the Asbury Revival a Real Revival? by Samuel Sey
Fromslowtowrite.com I’ve been to more “revivals” than I can count. I grew up in churches where “revivals” were the norm, not the exception.
I actually became a Christian during a “revival” at a youth retreat. After a weekend of preaching, “prophecies,” prayers, and “casting out demons,” most of the people at the youth retreat accepted the altar call, repeated the sinner’s prayer, and made professions of faith in Christ.
Within weeks, however, the vast majority of the people who professed faith in Christ had returned to unrepentant sin. So I’ve seen firsthand how emphasis on “revivals” instead of repentance harms so many.
It’s with that in mind and the authority of the Bible that I hesitate to call what is happening at Asbury University a “revival.”
That hesitancy, however, is offensive to people who seem to think it’s Satan, not God, who said:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1-2).
Over the past week, seemingly anyone who shares any caution or concern over some of what’s happening at Asbury University is immediately labeled a “Pharisee,” a “Doubting Thomas,” a blasphemer, and other silly accusations by people who hypocritically attack their brothers and sisters in the name of defending brothers and sisters at Asbury University.
In some ways, just as woke Christians weaponized the George Floyd incident to pressure some Christians into accepting their definition of racism—some Charismatic Christians are trying to weaponize the Asbury “revival” to pressure others into accepting their definition of a revival.
But whether it’s Charismatic Christians or woke people—anyone who demands only submission or silence on their opinions over debatable issues isn’t operating in love.
Love does not insist on its own way. Godly people try to persuade others who disagree with them. Ungodly people, however, try to pressure others who disagree with them.
Nevertheless, the Asbury “revival” started after a 10 am chapel service last week, Wednesday, when a group of about 20 students and the worship team said they felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to continue worship past the end of the chapel service.
According to one of the students I talked to, a few hours later, the president of the seminary sent an email to the students encouraging them to visit the chapel to join the 20 students on what he described as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Apparently, 200 students arrived for worship at the chapel soon after, and there has been non-stop worship ever since.
The student maintains the “revival” wasn’t planned. But it’s worth noting that Asbury University is part of what is known as the revivalist movement—a group of Charismatic Christians who consistently attempt to produce revivals.
This is why the university’s website says:
“Asbury University has been known through the years for its history of great revivals. There have been several occasions when significant moves of the Holy Spirit have swept the campus and reached across the nation.”
In fact, besides this current “revival,” Asbury claims they’ve had 8 revivals.
I’ve talked to current students, recent graduates, and several people who’ve visited the chapel to experience the “revival,” and there are unquestionably several reasons why we should be concerned.
Though one student says the gospel has been consistently and explicitly preached since the beginning of the “revival,” others contradict that claim. In fact, one former student who was at the chapel this week told me he rarely, if ever, heard a clear presentation of the gospel at the school.
Another student said: “Attending the few chapels I have at seminary, apart from one [or] two chapels that preach a biblical message of repentance, it’s always been about ‘being who you are’ and God loving you ‘as you are.’ There are a lot of messages that are about being ‘true to yourself.'”
I’ve watched hundreds of videos of the “revival,” and I still haven’t seen any clips showing a clear preaching of the gospel. Of course, that isn’t evidence that people aren’t preaching the gospel.
Still, progressive Christians like Tim Whitaker at The New Evangelicals have essentially endorsed the “revival” after his visits to the chapel this week. Moreover, he says LGBTQ students at the school told him the university protects them from “conversion therapy.” According to Whitaker, the LGBTQ students who were “worshipping” at the chapel also say they’re especially hopeful the “revival” will create (progressive) change at the school.
That lines up with what one student said to me: “Unfortunately, I have first-account experience and conversations with people who are attending and speaking on the ‘greatness’ of revival who are actively living in sin (to be blunt).”
Furthermore, some of the preachers at the chapel are women. And there are also several people “prophesying,” speaking in tongues, “casting out demons,” and “faith healing” at the chapel.
So with that said, is the Asbury “revival” a real revival?
Because of the seemingly little or no gospel preaching, the female pastors, [and] the disorderly and charismatic chaos, I’m inclined to say “no.”
But in a sense, whether I think it’s a revival or not doesn’t really matter, anyway. The word “revival” isn’t a biblical term.
Good ol’ Ken Copeland. If he were the real deal, send him to West By God Virginny and see how his snake-handling skills hold up.
I say just watch and see how it plays out. In the words of Gamaliel from Acts, “if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! So they took his advice”
There is no Hell
Everyone is saved, including Atheists
Evangelicalism is a form of Paganism
Apparitions of Mary are real
Quotes from the current Pope
I haven’t seen any videos from asbury. However, with the new Jesus Revolution movie, I’ve been thinking about how the mood was among young people my age who came to Christ in the late 1970’s.
Most of the gang I hung with came from rough or completely not religious backgrounds. I wasn’t one of them but came from a very nominal catholic family.
We were new believers with what many would call an immature faith. Yet, people were getting saved right and left.
Many have kept the faith, at least two went into full time ministry. The ones who came up in church were fired up.
Years later I don’t see that same fire in the church. Most of my contemporaries do a great job playing church and calling it preaching the gospel.
I kind of long for the days of our “ immature faith.”
Well, would you include the apostle Paul in that “contrariain group.”
He was extremely contrary to false doctrine as you may know...as should those who are Jesus’ disciples.
We are called to defend the faith, once delivered to the saints, which includes ones senses being trained to discern Good and evil. During this present apostasy, those that are willfully ignorant of God’s word are easily deceived by showmanship.
My God does far better working and demonstrations of His power than Asbury.
Your God?
Have a great day!
The NAR is pure spiritual poison.
Demon eyes.
The Holy Ghost is sent by the Father, in the name of the Son of God: Jesus Christ (14:26).
The Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father, testifies of the Son of God: Jesus Christ (John 15:26).
Jesus Christ says a man (he’s including women) must be born of the water and of the Spirit (John 3:5). (A mind too undeveloped to respond to the commands of the Son of God, is obviously not being judged at that point).
When speaking of being born of the Spirit, Jesus said: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Spirit birth: There is a sound when it happens, but you can’t tell how it happens. Yet it happens to EVERYONE that is born of the Spirit.
The initial fulfillment of that was in Acts 2, with the details spelled out by Peter:
“..Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
Paul mentions a type and shadow of water and Spirit rebirth is seen in the Israelites departure from Egypt (1 Cor. 10:1,2).
So if you are not obeying Acts 2:38, you are trying to reach the ‘promised land’ without crossing the ‘Red Sea’. You might have had the humbling, as well as joyous, experience of repentance (leaving ‘Egypt’), but that is just the first step.
As a somewhat child of the 1970 Asbury Revival, I have a few things to say. Asbury is in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition not the charismatic tradition. This student led movement was characterized by repentance, praise, and salvation messages. Which of these do you object to? Many of the professors and older Christians were there in the background to make sure this movement of God was not preempted by televangelists and charlatans. If there was one aberrant behavior noted among the 10s of thousands participants does that make the whole outpouring carnal? It is time to realize that as a nation we need revival, outpouring, or renewal to spread across this county like wildfire and lead our nation back to Biblical repentance.
bkmk
Rapture Ready?!? lol! There’s more false doctrine on that board than you can shake a stick at. This is a spontaneous “revival” with worship in spirit and truth! John 4:24
I have to ask what a college-age student would have to gain by missing out on their classes; if not true revival, why get up tell lies and embarrass yourself in front of your peers?
I lean toward it being a real revival.
My last post on the topic ... maybe ... probably.
If God has to move heaven and earth to reach that one soul crying out to Him, would He?
I think that answer would be “yes.”
If there be 2 people who were searching to know God, and the moving of His Holy Spirit caught some in the process of getting to the two, well then, Glory Hallelujah! It was worth the madness to do so.
Thanks for posting the article, Roman.
Would you give me a definition of what you think “repentance” is? The experience upon which God’s gift of salvation is predicated? Please. And thank you for your response.
Would you give me a definition of what you think “repentance” is?
Job 42:1 Then Job replied to the LORD:
Job 42:2 “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You.
Job 42:3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.
Job 42:4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’
Job 42:5 I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes.
Job 42:6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
Personally, I go to Job for a good example. Read it slowly and let your lips move. Read it again.
The Good News is you get to see God with your own eyes.
2Co 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
This also has some worthy thought. If we want to know more about repentance, it means reading in context, meaning the WHOLE Bible not just one or two references.
I have to ask what a college-age student would have to gain by missing out on their classes; if not true revival, why get up tell lies and embarrass yourself in front of your peers?
Many perverts do that exact thing.
So, using the Gods Word as a resource, what should we see if there is true revival?
What does God say on the matter?
“Are those items truly your test of a real revival?”
No, Peter, they are not, but they can be indicators.
I believe God can and will work revival in His own time and way, and that there’s no set list with God. For with God, all things are indeed possible.
Your response lacks what I asked you to give, and that is for a definition in a few words. Can you please define the term as you used it in the post to which my question refers? No circumlocution or distracting diversion like the Job passage is wanted.
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