Friendly  Version

Joel's Global Police Force ? 

OR 

 Elijah's Revolution?

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Joel's Global Police Force ?  

The Messiah '99 Conference, venue of Rick Joyner's most recent Prophecy was sponsored by the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and the Young Messianic Jewish Alliance (YMJA).  In A History of the 20th Century Movement in America of "Jewish Believers" in "Yeshua Ha Mashiach" , Dr. William Green identifies the origin of the MJAA and YMJA as the revolutionary Jesus Movement of the 1960s and 70s, after which the YMJA surpassed the MJAA in numbers and enthusiasm.

"In 1966, under the auspices of the [Hebrew Christian Alliance of America, est.1903], the Young Hebrew Christian Youth Organization (YHCYO) was begun; in 1967, it became the Young Hebrew Christian Alliance (YHCA). . .(in 1975, the YHCA was renamed the Young Messianic Jewish Alliance of America [YMJA]), and began to surpass the parent organization in membership and enthusiasm.  Many of today's leaders of the Messianic Jewish movement have come from the YHCA, energized by the 'Jesus movement' of the late 1960s and early 1970s. An obvious 'generation gap' grew between the older 'denominational' Hebrew Christians and these younger 'Messianic Jews.' The upcoming generation wanted to change the styles of worship and evangelism to a more Jewish context. It was also at this time that 'Jews for Jesus' began."

The trend toward youth culture-friendly churches is accelerating as extremes like the trendy coffee house-style churches are promoted by the hyper-charismatic Open Church Ministries. Various self-styled "discernment" groups, who were once involved in the Jesus Movement are calling for another "Jesus Revolution". 

The elitist teachings of the Vineyard, Pentecostal, Charismatic and Calvary Chapel groups support variations on the theme of the perfection of saints through the elevation and teachings of latter-day prophets and apostles.  Restorationist, Kingdom Now and Joel's Army theologies teach that, under select leaders, those who achieve a certain level of holiness will be able to defeat all enemies and will eventually become immortal. These gnostic doctrines taught by modern prophets such as Bob Jones and Rick Joyner, both once associated with the late Vineyard founder, John Wimber, are elaborated upon in  reports, Taking the Mark of the Beast. 

The Vineyard churches were once affiliated with the Costa Mesa Calvary Chapel, which was founded by a small group led by Chuck Smith and grew under the leadership of the late hippie and "evangelist" Lonnie Frisbee. Frisbee, who was youth pastor of Chuck Smith's church from 1968 until late 1971, was integral in launching the Vineyard's signs and wonders movement alongside John Wimber. Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee believed that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of Joel's prophecy was a precursor to Christ's return. Frisbee and many others in the 'Jesus movement’ contended that Joel's prophecy placed youth "on the vanguard of the spiritual revolution," which he [Frisbee] believed was being fulfilled by the Jesus People of the 60's and 70's." 1

"The Book of Joel had prophesied the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which would take the form of much witnessing and a highly intensified devotion on the part of believers in Christ. Joel's prophecy placed youth in the vanguard of the spiritual revolution, which, Lonnie Frisbee contends, is being fulfilled now by the Jesus People." 2.

According to the authors of 'The Jesus Movement', most involved in the Jesus People aligned with the Joel's Prophecy teaching despite what the apostle Peter said in Acts 2:16.

"When Israel . . . regained its lost territory in the 1967 war God supposedly set in motion the prophecy of Joel that young people would spearhead the great evangelistic effort of the last days. The Jesus People see themselves as the fulfillment of that prophecy. The Christian Foundation sees itself as Joel's Army. Most other Jesus People see themselves in terms of that same prophecy. The prophecy, which is one of the most important passages in the Jesus People canon, is found in Joel 2:28-32."

"In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted that prophecy and prefaced it with the remark: "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). But since the Jesus People collapse all history between the Book of Acts and the present moment,[1972] they see themselves as the continuing fulfillment of Joel's words. As the church in the Book of Acts represented "the former rain" that brought the first fruits, the Jesus People adhere to standard Pentecostalist view that they are "the latter rain" referred to by the prophets and that they will bring in the last fruits of the great harvest which will immediately precede the second coming . . . " 3

Since the Jesus People are no longer youth and Christ hasn't returned, it is unclear how their beliefs have been affected. It would appear they merely have passed the 'sword' onto the young people swelling their ranks, although some have taken the role of being the "elevated prophets and apostles."  For a discussion on Joel's prophecy, consider:  Regarding Joel's Prophecy: Some Thoughts

Bob Jones [not to be confused with Bob Jones III, [CNP] president of Bob Jones University] was one of the Kansas City Prophets before becoming involved in an indiscretion, after which John Wimber forgave Jones, allowed him to continue ministry and took the Kansas City Church into the Vineyard.  Bob Jones taught that God was preparing a "special breed" -- an army of "dread champions" which is comprised of young people.  It is believed among those who support the Joel's Army teaching that this elite group will be comprised of youth up to the age of thirty.  Clifford Hill wrote in Blessing the Church?--

"Jones believed that the generation of children born since 1973 would form the final generation of believers whom God was preparing as the Bride of Christ to take control of the world and present the kingdom to Christ on his return. He [Jones] continued, 'I do believe what he's beginning to do is a restoration of his very nature down here. Your children will come behind you and they'll start on your level of righteousness and holiness and they'll take off from there.'"4

John Wimber incorporated Jones' concept of 'the dread champions' into his Vineyard teachings."  Hill writes that this was evidenced in the brochure for an October 1990 meeting where John Wimber wrote,

"God has given us a vision to see the body of Christ move from being an inactive audience to a Spirit-filled army . . . God is about to unloose a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit of an unprecedented magnitude . . . He is looking for individuals who will be 'dread champions" for his cause." 5

According to Hill, just months prior to that vision, Paul Cain was in Anaheim with John Wimber and also taught about these "dreadful champions". Cain sought to introduce Latter Rain doctrines to the Assemblies of God in the 1940s.,

" God's strange act is going to bring a new order of things and bring a new breed in and bring a transformation." . . . . "Little children are going to lay their hands on the sick and heal multitudes . . . We are going to be just like the Lord . . . They're going to say, "Here comes that dreadful, fearful army of champions. Here comes those with a word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, the working of miracles, with a healing ministry, with the power to heal the sick and raise the dead, with the power to know what's going on behind the Iron Curtain.' You're really going to be a fearsome group before this thing's all over . . . "

" . . . Cain used prophecy to confirm the Latter rain teaching that world evangelisation would result from the supernatural power which was going to be given to believers. This teaching was central to Wimber's message. " 6

We know that this teaching is in total conflict with the apostasy foretold in 2 Thessalonians 2:3

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Charles Fox Parham, revered by many as the "father of the Pentecostal movement," also taught this false theology.  His wife, Sarah, wrote a book in which she quotes Parham explaining that those whom "the Christ" will choose to use as "material" for the "Christed church" will have been liberated from the present "Babylon churches":

"The people who are to compose the glorious church without spot or wrinkle will be the truly spiritual who will be drawn out of all these Babylon churches and movements into a free and independent Christian living, thus permitting the Christ of God to assemble this material into the glorious Church."

"In spite of all our prejudices, divisions, schisms, creeds, doctrines and teachings that now separate the true people of God, that day is soon coming when purged from sectarianism, self exaltation, etc, all the true people of God are going to be brought into blessed unity, fellowship and love, (see eye to eye, have the same mind and same judgment) and then, and not until then will the mighty work of Christ and the apostles again be seen on earth."

"When fair as the sun, clear as the moon, terrible as an army with banners, the Christed Church will go to the ends of the earth in the last evangelistic war of the age raising the dead, casting out devils, cleansing the lepers, healing the sick and causing multitudes to flow into the hill of the Lord." 7

Restorationist and dominionist proponents believe that, as Joel's Army, they will conquer the nations before Christ returns, dispensing judgment on the ungodly and those who reject their leadership. John Wimber and Paul Cain taught their followers to expect that they will 'police' the nations:

"It is also interesting to see how Cain used prophecy to confirm the Latter Rain teaching that  evangelization would result from the supernatural power which was going to be given to believers. This teaching was central to Wimber's message. In the same speech Paul Cain prophesied that the new breed would possess power to overcome the enemies of the gospel and strike terror into them, 'There's going to be an awesome, reverential fear and respect for the church because the church is going to regain her power, lose her restrictions, lose her weakness . . . you're going to be called upon by presidents and kings of nations, heads of state. . . God is going to have his army and they are going to be a fearful bunch and they are going to go to every place on the face of the earth. . ." 8

Rick Joyner, who works with Cain and has shared platforms with Bob Jones, expressed a similar elitism in " The Harvest." With this 'army' and 'the harvest' comes the removal of any who refuse their teachings and those labeled as stumbling blocks. According to Joyner, "very young Christians [who] will be pastoring large bodies of believers" will also "remove the stumbling blocks."

". . .Some pastors and leaders who continue to resist this tide of unity will be removed from their place. Some will become so hardened they will become opposers and resist God to the end. Most will be changed and will repent of their resistance. . . . There will be many "stumbling blocks" circulating in the Church that will cause confusion and some destruction from time to time. They will perceive themselves as prophets sent to judge and deliver. Those serving in leadership must trust their discernment and remove the stumbling blocks.

"To be distinguished from the 'stumbling blocks,' a great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phinehas. Just as the son of Eleazar could not tolerate iniquity in the camp of the Lord, this 'ministry of Phinehas' will save congregations, and at times even whole nations from the plagues that will be sweeping the earth. They will be moved by the jealousy of the Lord for the purity of His people. They will be sent to save and preserve the work of the Lord, not tear down, as the stumbling blocks do. . . Huge masses of people will be streaming to the Lord, the inflow so great in places that very young Christians will be pastoring large bodies of believers. Arenas and stadiums will overflow nightly as the believers come together to hear the apostles and teachers.

". . .Extraordinary miracles will be common while those considered great today will be performed almost without notice by young believers. Angelic appearances will be common to the saints and a visible glory of the Lord will appear upon some for extended periods of time as power flows through them. . . .Those in leadership will be the most humble of all. When anyone presumes leadership without calling, it will be apparent to all. . . .

"This harvest will be so great that no one will look back at the early Church as a standard; all will be saying that the Lord has certainly saved His best wine for last. The early Church was a firstfruits offering; truly this will be a harvest! It was said of the Apostle Paul that he was turning the world upside down; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up. Nations will tremble at the mention of their name. . ." 9

In 1991, Joyner predicted the same revolution in the Church which he prophesied more recently at the Messiah '99 Conference:

"What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity. The dismantling of organizations and disbanding of some works will be a positive and exhilarating experience for the Lord's faithful servants. A great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phineas." 10

If these are indeed the last days as many believe, we know that it is not Christians who will be in power, according to many Scriptures such as:

Revelation 17:17

"For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."

According to some, anyone who does not uphold these various leadership or teachings will be viewed as an enemy of God. That will have to include people who uphold obedience to the Word of God. The "dreaded champions" belief might be an indication of the type of spirituality required to wage war against God's people and yet believe one was actually working for God.

John 16:2

"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time will cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God a service."

Those who claim to belong to Jesus Christ and promote Biblical disobedience are described in verses like:

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

" And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Next Section: The Call D.C. Plus

Previous Section:  CNP's Robert Weiner & Maranatha

Footnotes

1.      Enroth, Ronald M., Edward E. Ericson, Jr., and C. Breckenridge Peters; The Jesus People: Old Time

3.   Ibid., p. 184

4.      Religion in the Age of Aquarius; p.12, p.178; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1972.

5.      Hill, Clifford and Peter Fenwick, David Forbes, David Noakes; Blessing the Church?; Eagle; p. 130.

6.      Ibid., p. 130-131.

7.      Ibid., p. 132.

8.      THE LIFE OF CHARLES F PARHAM: Founder of the Apostolic Faith Movement; Sarah E. Parham; p.179; Garland Publishing, Inc.; New York & London, 1985; original in 1930.

9.      Hill, Clifford and Peter Fenwick, David Forbes, David Noakes; Blessing the Church?; Eagle; p.p134.

10.      The Harvest; Rick Joyner; 12/89 www.forerunner.com/forerunner/x0569_Joyner_-_The_Harvest.html

11.      "Prophecy Today," Vol. 7, No. 1 Eng., as cited in "Joel's Army," 1991, Jewel van der Merwe, Discernment Min.

12. op cit., Hill, p. 134

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen

God's Simple Plan of Salvation.
It concerns the most important decision
you will ever make in your life!
Don't let this opportunity to be saved pass you by.

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and would like some help understanding His gift of eternal salvation, please contact us. Saying a prayer won't save you. Prayer is merely expressing to God how you feel. Believing and repenting are just the beginning of walking with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.