NAR MOVEMENT – “END TIMES” FALSE APOSTLES, PROPHETS, AND TEACHERS

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Is there a new reformation happening in the church? It depends on who you ask. The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a popular and fast-growing movement of Christians who emphasize signs and wonders and teach that God is giving new revelation through new apostles and prophets. Bethel Church in Redding, California is a prime example. But is this biblical Christianity? In “Counterfeit Kingdom – The Dangers of New Revelation and New Age Practices in the Church” apologists and NAR experts Holly Pivec and Douglas Geivett show how the NAR’s key tenets distort the gospel, twist the Scriptures, are influenced by New Age practices, and lead faithful Christians to shipwreck their faith. They also offer practical suggestions for listeners who are already influenced by the NAR, curious about it, or concerned about loved ones who have been swept up in the movement. What used to be on the fringes of the church is now mainstream, and many are being influenced by it unaware. This book is a wake-up call.

How do we discern who are the false prophets and teachers? One way is simply to ask them what evidence they can give us that they are God’s prophet for today? Also, we can observe what they teach and how they teach. What they teach about prayer is a telling sign. Not submitting their prayers to “not my will but Your will be done” is a telling sign. Obviously, if what they teach is not biblical then we should discount their claims. Also, many of the NAR prophets in the USA prophesied Trump would be re-elected President and got it wrong, and yet they are not considered false prophets. Look what God says about false prophets.

“If any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death” Deuteronomy 18:20

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus told us ahead of time that apostasy, a falling away would occur in the church before His return to put things right.

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:11-13

CHURCH AS GOD INTENDED

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In the Book of Acts, we find that all New Testament believers always had church in their homes. It was only in their homes that they gathered to do what we call “church”: praise God with the Psalms, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, fellowship, share the Word of God, and pray together.

I have listed all of the scriptures so the church God intended to establish is obvious. Also, we only need to look at the church in nations where Christians are persecuted and it is obvious that believers are once again meeting in homes. This will be the way forward for the church as we approach the last days before Jesus returns.

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying.” Acts 1:12-13

“And day by day, attending the Jewish temple together (evangelize) and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.“ Acts 2:46-47

“And daily in the Jewish temple (evangelize), and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” Acts 8:3

“And when he (Peter) had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” Acts 12:12

“And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.” Acts 16:40

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.” Acts 20:7-8

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,” Acts 20:20

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus … greet also the church in their house.” Romans 16:3,5

“Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.” Romans 16:10-11

END TIMES APOSTATE CHURCH

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Foley Beach, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, provocatively but convincingly calls “neo-pagan Anglicanism”—Anglican in style but not substance.

Speaking with a prophetic mantle, Beach observes that “liberal innovations in theology and sexual ethics” are hidden within an orthodox façade, comparable, I would say, to the Trojan horse: This so-called gift to Anglicans in North America and Great Britain signals ruin. He bemoans:

“Neo-pagan Anglicanism is beautifully packaged in some of the most elegant liturgy, music, and tradition in Christianity. But it has become liturgy for the sake of liturgy, music for the sake of music, and tradition for the sake of tradition. As the apostle Paul wrote, they are “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). And as Athanasius argued against Arius’s heresy, the Jesus whom they promote is not the Jesus of which the Bible speaks.“

As a result of this tragic accommodation to culture, Beach eschews the flaccid slogans of Canterbury and New York City about “communion across difference,” “mutual flourishing,” and “walking together” because there can be no truce with heretics and schismatics who advance a counterfeit gospel (Romans 16:17–18). Estranged Anglicans in the Global North, he argues, can address their “ecclesial deficit” by joining forces with Anglican leaders from the Global South, who, beginning in 2008, formed the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which has continued to serve as a vital reform movement: “As colonial and aging wineskins continue to promote neo-pagan beliefs and practices, the new wine of Christ’s continuing redemptive work will burst out to transform lives and renew our churches among the nations.”

I would like to think that Beach is right that GAFCON “will burst out to transform lives and renew our churches” but I do not believe the institutional church is capable of doing it.

C. S. Lewis envisioned Christianity as a house with “a hall out of which doors open into several rooms.” The rooms are ecclesial traditions that offer disciples a fire for warmth, a chair for rest, and a meal for nourishment and fellowship, whereas the hall is “mere” Christianity, a place where disciples greet and gift each other with riches from their respective rooms.

The Book of Acts describes the early church meeting in homes and the church in various cities, like the church in Antioch or the church in Caesarea were a collection of house churches but one church and the leaders of those house churches would often meet to deal with issues that sought to divide the church in that city. The “end times” persecuted church will be like the church in the Book of Acts and like we are now seeing in places where the church is already under intense persecution like in Africa, China, Middle East. Moreover, we are hearing amazing stories of the tremendous growth of the church in Iran.

IS CHRISTIANITY SHRINKING?

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Glenn T. Stanton explains in his book, The Myth of the Dying Church (2019): “The apparent shrinking of Christianity is both true and false. True in that nominal and weak ‘Christian-in-name-only’ folks are identifying as Christians less and less. But there is no indication whatsoever that serious faith is shrinking any.”

How Christianity Is Actually Thriving in America and the World

Stanton adds, “So is Christianity shrinking? Not if you’re talking about the biblically faithful congregations that call their people to genuine Christian discipleship. Only … the mainline churches … are free falling as if they have a millstone tied to their necks.”

“So the real story is,” notes Stanton, “this is a sheep and goats being divided thing. A clarifying of faith, rather than shrinking of faith.”

In John Calvin’s Commentary on Isaiah 9:7, he provides an excellent reminder for Christians of all ages that we are truly on the winning side: “Though the kingdom of Christ is in such a condition that it appears as if we are about to perish at every moment, yet God not only protects and defends it, but also extends its boundaries far and wide, and then preserves and carries it forward in uninterrupted progression to eternity.”

Dr. Byron Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences and Founding Director of the Institute for the Studies of Religion at Baylor University is one of the country’s leading researchers on the role of religion in public life. He gave this bit of advice: “the secular media will continue to push out the narrative that religion is dying … why not focus on the hundreds and thousands of peer-reviewed studies that show the power of faith to transform people’s lives for the better?”

The church as we know it, the institutional church is certainly dying as it is not the church Jesus established. In the last days before Jesus returns, we will return to House Churches as described in the Book of Acts. In fact, it is already happening. Francis Chan is leading the way in America. Can I also suggest you get a copy of Jim McCotter’s good book, Church Revolution Today to discover the truth about the church Jesus established and what God is doing through house churches that are following Jesus’ command to make disciples that make disciples.

A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW IS CRITICAL

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A biblical worldview is critical because that’s what enables you to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Romans 12 talks to us about, ‘you have to have your mind renewed’, you must be ‘transformed’ by that ‘renewing of your mind’ with God’s principles at the core of all of your thoughts so that you can in fact live like Christ.”

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Moreover, this is impossible unless we have been born again with the Holy Spirit now indwelling our spirit. Proverbs tells us that the spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord and of course a lamp needs oil to function which is, of course, the Holy Spirit. To function as God intended we have always needed the Holy Spirit to be our counsellor, our comforter, and our teacher.

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:27

 Also, according to Barna, the only way to achieve cultural transformation is if people choose to “believe God’s truths,” which in turn will allow them to “act upon those truths based upon those things that you believe.”

“We are here to be salt and light. That’s what transformation is: changing the world around us forever based on God’s truths. But in order to do that, we need a healthy church. We need believers who get it, believers who are willing to put their lives on the line. Today’s traditional church and leadership model has veered far from Christ’s New Testament model of disciples making disciples typically in house churches.

In fact, a study released earlier this year by the Cultural Research Centre of 1,000 pastors found that only 37% of Christian pastors in the United States have a biblical worldview. The majority possess the hybrid syncretism worldview.

“As you read the Scriptures, you find that biblically, it is the role of the community of faith, i.e., our churches, to be supporting families and particularly parents in that process, equipping them for raising up their children to be dynamic followers of Jesus Christ,” Barna advised. Only the church model Jesus established, as described in the Book of Acts, will achieve that goal. I a convinced that the House church model is Jesus model and the institutional church will not survive the prophesied “end times” tribulation.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MOVING IN AFGHANISTAN

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Global Catalytic Ministries (GCM) has witnessed exponential growth in disciple-making through one of their leaders, “Jav.”

Massive Move of God In Afghanistan

GCM said, “We are always in awe of what God can do with just one ‘YES’. Jav was trained by the Iranian underground church and is leading the great move of the Holy Spirit in Afghanistan. Jav shared that he will baptize over 60 Afghan Muslims this week! He has discipled 5,000 people and communicates using one of the phones that were purchased with your donations. 5,000 new disciples a year is 416 disciples a month, 13 disciples a day, which means there is a brand new disciple every 2 hours for 365 days straight. That phone allows him to train, disciple, develop other leaders, and grow the kingdom of God. We will continue to keep you updated with information like this in the future. It is our privilege to share stories like this of how the Spirit is moving.” 

Joe Richardson whom I know is heavily involved with this ministry. Can I suggest you consider donating to GCM? You can check them out at http://www.globalcatalyticministries.com.

KHC MISSION TRIP TO MASAAI MARA IN NAROK COUNTY

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Masa Mara County is next to Migori County where Pastor Charles is located. Both counties are on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Narok Town where they ministered is shown on this map

Hi Ron. We are back home from the trip to Masaai Mara,in Narok county. The KHC trip to this region was successful with a positive outcome, thanks to our Lord.

 MEETINGS:

Several indoor & outdoor meetings were held during our trip, all with a positive outcome.

We witnessed many souls coming to Christ, the sick healed, sinners repented and five people were baptized. Many bound with a spirit of religion were loosed and gave their testimonies.

The majority of those people living in the county considered themselves Roman Catholics. Most testified that they had never heard the Gospel message of repentance and surrender before. Hence they now had a new understanding of baptism and what it meant; dying to self and arising a new creation in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 HOUSE MEETINGS

During house-to-house evangelism we met Mrs Paulina Anyango and we prayed for her 21-year-old daughter who had been sick and suffering from pain in her lower abdomen that had been diagnosed as a tumour. Immediately after the prayer, she testified the sharp pain in her lower abdomen had gone. 

At a meeting in the home of Mr Kipkorir we ministered the gospel of salvation to his son, he repented and later was baptized in the river with four others.

In another meeting, we ministered salvation and repentance to a young boy who for many years had been involved in the act of thuggery, he repented of his sins and was baptized.

Many people including women, men and children surrendered their life to Jesus and acknowledged Him as their personal saviour. Many of these had professed previously to be Roman Catholics.

Gladly, God worked with us, and through us in a very special way. Many testimonies of salvation and healing were realized, and those released from demonic oppression gave powerful testimonies.

A NEW HOUSE CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED:

It was encouraging to see many people surrender their life to Christ, and want to become part of the Kenya House Church Movement to make more disciples of Christ and be obedient to Jesus’ commands.. 

Mr Marwa Mwita, our host, was appointed leader of this newly founded house church. And now Mr Marwa his household, together with other believing members are now forming up this new house church group- Masaai Mara house church.

Pastor Saoke and Julius conducted water baptism for Mrs Tabitha Njoki. Roseline Kosgei (red and yellow striped dress),
Pastor Saoke & Julius conducting water Baptism. And the newly converted disciples are queuing to undergo baptism.
Pastor Charles with the children.
Pastor Julius teaches the children about the commandment of God with a promise- honour your Father & mother and you shall live long in the land.
Pastor Charles prays healing for a sick woman suffering from a tumour ( Mrs Rhoda- in a white & black dotted skirt- kneeling). For years she has had pain in her lower abdomen, after hearing the gospel message on salvation and healing found in Jesus Christ, she surrendered her life, and repented of her sins. she was prayed for and testified the pain instantly disappeared.
Pastor Charles standing with the believers of the newly founded Masaai Mara house church

KHC AUGUST MISSION TRIP

We are working on our preparation for KHC’s upcoming discipleship trip to MBITA MARKET PLACE on August 3rd – 7th.

Praying and trusting God to help provide for the trip. Many thanks for your support. Charles Otieno Owino.

I have been supporting the Kenya House Church Movement (KHC) for almost four years now. KHC serves the rural communities of Kenya and northern Tanzania. As my followers know, I have visited Kenya and spent three days with 21 KHC leaders during a three-day training meeting. As can be seen from the above pictures the living conditions are minimal and the need for funds particularly to fund the monthly mission trips is significant. I would like to do more for KHC and if you would like to join me with a monthly donation of even $10.00 it would be a blessing. You can do it by clicking on the Donations icon on my Home Page or you can send funds directly to Pastor Charles as I do by Western Union to Pastor Charles Otieno Owino Isbana Rd, Migori Kenya. If you decide to send funds directly I would appreciate you letting me know at ron@bakb.com.au so that I know what is else needed.

CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS MEASURED BY LOVE

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“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

Christian growth is built upon the foundation of God’s love. This love is the sacrificial love that God showed when He gave His Son. It is the same love Jesus showed when He went to the cross. It is the same love that God tells husbands to show to their wives. It is not sexual love, it is not emotional love. It is sacrificial and giving love. Christians can only grow by demonstrating love. These marks of maturity are ways that a Christian exhibits the love that God called us to share with others.

This is a prayer for maturity, and Paul begins with love. After all, if our Christian love is what it ought to be, everything else will follow. He prays that they might experience abounding love and discerning love. Christian love is not blind! The heart and mind work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment. Paul wants his friends to grow in discernment, in being able to “distinguish the things that are important.”

Christian love must be rooted in wisdom from God’s Word if we are to love both God and man in greater ways.

Paul is praying for the Philippians to have spiritual eyes to see with spiritual insight into the lives of people around them regarding how they were to apply God’s love. Knowledge and discernment must be kept in balance. Both are equally important. Grow in too much knowledge without discerning the Holy Spirits leading and a Christian’s love becomes too hard, unteachable, and legalistic. When a Christian learns from both the head and the heart, the Word and the Spirit, then the Christian has balanced growth.

I pray that in these last days as persecution of Christians increases we may be able to show the love of God to those that the Holy Spirit leads us. Jesus told us that the harvest is ripe but the workers few. I pray that you and I will be among the workers called. It will be a difficult but rewarding task as we will know the Holy Spirit’s leading. We will know we are in the centre of His will for us and nothing else will matter.

GLOBALISTS FALSE CHURCH

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There is a true Church and a false church. The evidence would indicate that Rick Warren and the Pope are hoping to lead the false church. Watch this Nelson Walters video to see all the ways these pied pipers of falsehood are enticing churchgoers into a globalist scheme.

The U.N. and World Economic Forum’s proposed Great Reset (One World Government) is atheistic and communist at its core but they are enlisting people like the Pope and Rick Warren to initiate a one-world religion that embraces all religions. Both men have said that Islam is not a false religion and are not opposing the world’s embrace of gay marriage and homosexuality. In this video, Nelson exposes what the Pope and Rick Warren have said about these key issues: “not your business, ignore it. God’s plan is to bring everything to renewal, His desire is for a one-world religion”.

Rick Warren, founder, and pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County California addressed the convention of the Islamic Society of North America. Warren stated that Muslims and Christians must work together to combat stereotypes, promote peace and freedom, and solve global problems. Christians and Muslims – faith mates, soul mates, and now work mates! Chrislam!

The Gospel News Network has brought story after stunning story of how the Roman Catholic Pope Francis actively began to build the One World Religion of Chrislam we see in Revelation. Chrislam combines the counterfeit Christianity of Roman Catholicism, Islam, and apostate Judaism, and it is called by various names.

Also Watch “How the UN will form a Global Government” https://youtu.be/RnqWVVOQu18

CHRISTIANS LIVING IN THE “LAST DAYS”

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Christians in the “last days” will operate as Paul did, as described in the Book of Acts, with Holy Spirit-inspired perception and insight. Moreover, the church will also be like the church as described in the Book of Acts and in countries facing persecution now.

Perception and insight

Take the example of Paul’s actions during a physical storm. Paul was just one of the many prisoners on a prison ship headed for Rome. Before setting sail, Paul told the crew, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also” (Acts 27:10). He spoke with clear foresight. Leaders that are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading will learn how to face tough realities head-on without fear.

Courage and confidence

Paul addressed the terrified passengers. “I urge you to keep up your courage because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul… God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27:22–24).

Paul’s confidence in the chaos came because a word from God infused him with courage and confidence. Chaos can rob us of confidence. Yet, when the wind threatens, we can receive a word from God and lead through the storm.

Clarity and decisiveness

After being blown completely off course, the crew of the prison ship finally neared land. Some planned to save their own lives and leave the prisoners to die. But Paul discerned this and said, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31).

Paul acted with Spirit-inspired clarity and decisiveness. As he stepped forward with a voice demanding respect, even the captain and jailers who were supposed to be his authority listened to and obeyed his authority.

Future chaos will demand that “last days” Christians learn to speak with clarity and decisiveness as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

Adapted from Generation Z: Born for the Storm by Dr. Billy Wilson.