Posted by MaryLu Tyndale on her blog
Dear Saints,
The very first thing Jesus warned us about when the disciples asked him about end times was,
Matthew 24:4-5 KJV
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Notice the "in my name" which also means people such as pastors and Bible teachers, prophets, etc, who say they speak for Jesus.
I've posted about this topic before, but since then, I have encountered many friends who have fallen for this very deceptive deception. I'm talking about people who are very Godly women, some who are Christian authors, others who I have known for years and prayed with. Recently, one of these dear friends became furious with me when I tried to warn her, slinging insults and saying horrible things to me. My heart is breaking for the many many Christians who are falling for this. I'm sure that after I post this, I will get angry emails and many people unsubscribing to me. But I don't answer to any of you. I prayed about this, and I feel strongly the Lord wants me to warn you again.
I'm talking about something called the New Apostolic Reformation and/or Dominion theology. There are a huge number of pastors, prophets, and teachers who, though they may not label it as such, are propagating this doctrine and gaining millions of followers. I will try to describe it as best I can.
From the Berean Research Site
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a dominionist movement which asserts that God is restoring the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of Prophet and Apostle. Leading figures in this seemingly loosely organized movement claim that these prophets and apostles alone have the power and authority to execute God’s plans and purposes on earth. They believe they are laying the foundation for a global church, governed by them. They place a greater emphasis on dreams, visions and extra-biblical revelation than they do on the Bible, claiming that their revealed teachings and reported experiences (e.g. trips to heaven, face-to-face conversations with Jesus, visits by angels) can not be proven by the ‘old’ Scripture
It is also known by these names: Also known as Dominionism, Third Wave, Latter Rain, Kingdom Now, Joel’s Army, Manifest Sons of God, Charismatic Renewal, Charismania.
NAR teaches that the new apostles and prophets are to be the government for the emerging “New Order” church. They claim there will be a reformation greater in scale than the Protestant Reformation.
From what I have researched, this movement is hard to detect because it is very loosely organized and many of its teachers do not label themselves as NAR. Basically, they believe that it is God’s desire for the church — under the leadership of apostles and prophets — to take dominion of the earth in preparation for His return. When they refer to dominion, they refer to taking over 7 of the most influential societal institutions called "mountains"— which are identified as government, media, family, business/finance, education, church/religion, and arts/entertainment.
They rely heavily on spiritual warfare by battling territorial spirits that rule over geographic regions. To identify what the territorial spirit is they are battling, they do something called spirit mapping. They engage in Warfare praying and prayer walking and worship. (I'm not at all condemning some of these things)
Many NAR pastors believe that before Christ returns, God will transfer control of the world’s wealth from the wicked to the hands of the apostles in order to establish God’s earthly kingdom. They also believe that before Jesus returns, there will be a great worldwide revival in which enormous numbers of people will become saved.
They believe that during this final harvest, the people of God will do even greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12) with miracles, healings, signs and wonders, even commanding the laws of nature. (Actually, the true followers of Jesus have been doing that for thousands of years already)
One of the most radical teaching is that Christians who continue to receive revelation by the NAR apostles and prophets will gain more supernatural powers and eventually become "manifest sons of God" who will overcome sickness and death and execute God's judgements on earth.
I come from a Charismatic background. I am well aware and have experienced things like speaking in tongues, miracles, healings, demon deliverances etc. I do believe that prophets still exist as well as all the offices of the church listed in Ephesians 4. I even follow some very Godly men on Youtube who have a prophetic ministry. I also believe strongly in spiritual warfare and using the name of Jesus to deal with pesky demons. So, I am not at all against these things that are manifesting within the NAR movement.
I'm also, of course, not against spreading the Gospel to the whole world (which I believe has already been done), nor am I against a revival in which many get saved before the Lord comes! Nor am I against signs and wonders that aid the spreading of the Gospel! These things are all good!
Which is why this new movement is so insidious and so very deceptive. It appeals to Christians who love the Lord and want to spread the Gospel and do spiritual battle and witness miracles! Who doesn't want that? But beneath the surface, this may lead (notice I say may) its followers to either miss the rapture or worse, lose their focus on Jesus and eventually their salvation. (please no OSAS people leaving nasty comments)
Why do I say that? What is wrong with NAR?
As far as I can tell
It places the positions of prophets and apostles ahead of all other positions in the church and these "anointed" people with their special giftings are the only ones worthy to lead all the others.
It seems to divert attention from the Bible and shift it onto "new revelations" from the Holy Spirit
It seems to divert attention from Jesus and onto miracles, signs and wonders
Spirit mapping and casting and binding "territorial" spirits is nowhere found in Scripture.
The focus is more on the Kingdom of God over the Gospel of Salvation
It places the power and success of God's Kingdom on earth on mankind and not on God.
God does not ask His children to conquer 7 mountains of society, or to conquer the world at all. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, not to "take over" the world and then hand it to Him. We are to influence society as his ambassadors and lead people to Jesus and Godliness, but we don't control and take over society. That doesn't happen until the 2nd coming when we return with Jesus.
There is nothing in the Bible about a great transfer of wealth to Christians before Jesus returns.
NAR teachers do not believe in the rapture. This concerns me greatly because there are a few verses in the Bible which indicate that if you aren't longing for Jesus to return, you may not be going. God gives us what we ask for by faith, right? If you don't have faith for the pre-tribulational rapture, then.. well, why should you expect God to take you?
Titus 2:11-13 KJV
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
2 Timothy 4:8 KJV
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Revelation 3:3 KJV
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Hebrews 9:28 KJV
so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
One of the websites one of my friends sent me to in order to prove her position that there was no rapture and there would be a huge end time revival was Flashpoint. I have not spent a great deal of time on the site, but from what I can tell they post "shows" from various speakers, pastors, prophets, teachers, etc all about the coming revival, taking down the enemy, and restoring America. My friend informed me that the people she listens to on here have advanced degrees in theology and linguistic studies including Biblical Greek and Hebrew and therefore know what they are talking about when they say there is no rapture. I found that very interesting because if you take an inventory of the Godly pastors I watch who teach the truth of the Bible, they are mostly uneducated, unremarkable, with small followings.
The following verse came to mind:
1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV
but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty
I'm not putting down any of these pastors or prophets, nor am I putting down my friends and others who believe this. I'm merely posting a warning because, and I'll be honest, ten years ago, I could easily have seen myself fall for this. However, today, because I've spend years studying the bible, EVEN IF I didn't believe we were living in the end times, some of the things they believe are not Biblical at all.
However, we are in the last days before the Tribulation. I have NO doubt, based on years of my own Biblical research and years of study under very Godly Bible teachers. Despite all the signs around us, the quakes, volcanoes, wars, character of man, evil, satanic worship, immorality, famines, signs in the sky.. despite all of that, Jesus said in Matthew 24:32 that the generation that witnesses Israel reborn would be the final generation. That happened almost 74 years ago. The Bible says a generation lasts 80 years at best (Psalm 90:10) but even if we don't go by that, the average worldwide lifespan is only around 73 years.
Nowhere in Scripture does it talk about a great revival right before the rapture (or even the 2nd coming), OR that Christians will take over the world before Jesus comes. Nowhere. In fact, Jesus and all the disciples, as well as the prophets in the Old Testament foretold of very trying times, an evil world growing more and more evil, and the character of man becoming more and more corrupt. I could list countless verses here to prove that, but I'm already making this too long. Jesus, Himself, said it would be like the "days of Noah" (Matthew 24:37, Luke 17:26, Matthew 24:38, Luke 17:27). Noah preached to the people on earth for 120 years before the flood and not a single one of them repented. Doesn't sound like a revival to me!
This insidious deception is also loosely associated with the Q movement and Trump's return. Several members of my family are involved in this. They adore Trump and act like he's the only one who can save America. They believe he will not only return to the presidency but that he will rid our government of all the bad actors and help other governments across the globe get rid of theirs. This is all part of this Great Awakening and Great Global Revival that NAR preaches. The Great Awakening is all part of the New Age Religion. If a revival actually occurs, it will not be a Christian revival, a Godly one, but one that leads to destruction.
The thing is, I've warned you about Trump HERE. And if the man does actually return to office, can you imagine all the people who will absolutely worship him after the horror we've had under Biden? Has Trump been appointed by God to save the world? That's what one of my family members said. Sounds a bit like what people will say of the Antichrist. Be careful. Be very careful. Think about it, many of these pastors today who are promoting the vaccine will be the same ones promoting the Mark of the Beast, telling you that the Bible teaches we are to follow the rules of the land and obey those in authority.
So, I guess what I'm saying is this: The people of NAR appear very Christian. They quote Scripture, they preach the Gospel, they say they perform signs and wonders. Maybe they do. I've just not witnessed it. Yet remember being able to do signs and wonders is not exclusive to God, nor is it a sign of being saved!
Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Yet, these NAR pastors want people to get saved! That's a great thing! Yes. They want to take America back for God and then move onto other nations. It sounds so good, so holy and wonderful! But that's what makes it so very deceptive. It appeals to those of us who love our country and want it to go back to being a Godly nation. It appeals to us who want to see these evil leaders punished. It appeals to us who want to see other nations turn back to God and millions of people to be saved! How great would that be! And Yes, God wants all of that!
But He has a plan, a timetable, that He has made clear in His Word. Even if these are good things, do we want to be going against the prophetic Word of God?
The World will NOT turn to God and repent until Jesus returns the 2nd time and takes over during the millennial reign! That's what the Bible says. In fact, when He returns (with us) it is to fight a battle at Armageddon where the armies of Antichrist from all the nations have assembled to fight Him. Does that sound like a great Revival to you? Does that sound like Christians turning over the control of the world to Jesus?
We are about to enter Tribulation. The Bible teaches that once the labor pains start, they do not stop, yet they increase in both strength and frequency. (Just like a natural birth) We see the labor starting all around us. We see the beginnings of something that will become the Mark of the Beast. We see the One World Government rising. We see a great increase in quakes, volcanoes, storms, plagues and famines! The Bible does not teach a great awakening or global revival before the Tribulation. DURING the Tribulation, yes!! Many, many will get saved during the Tribulation!
Revelation 7:9 KJV
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands
Revelation 7:14 KJV
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Please please, hear my heart. I'm not judging anyone. I'm just warning you as the Lord directed me. If you are involved in this NAR teaching, even if they aren't calling it that. if your pastor or the people you listen to are preaching a coming revival in the USA or the World, you need to get alone with the Lord and find out what is true. It is quite possible that if you are following a false doctrine, putting your hopes and dreams on America, on patriotism, on the efforts of mankind to take over the world for God, then you might be worshiping the wrong Jesus, or quite possibly involved in idol worship. Your heart might be in the right place, but you aren't following Jesus and the plans He so carefully laid out in Scripture for these last days. This, in my opinion, puts you at great risk for further deception, which leads to further deception, which could lead you down a slippery slope far away from God's purposes. Is that where you want to be when Jesus returns? Remember the devil is extremely clever and he knows how to dress himself up as an angel of light to fool as many as he can.
