21) I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22) But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
When I read Rick Joyner's response to Lee Grady's article "The Tragic Scandal of Greasy Grace", I perceived pride, arrogance, and implicit intimidation. Contrary to Joyner’s taunts in his statement, Lee Grady has the credentials to point out error concerning the Lakeland Revival and the sin residing in Bentley--if He has God's spirit indwelling in him; just as I, and likely the person reading this blog. Indeed, even the world pointed out inconsistencies present in the revival (i.e. Nightline). The leaders in the new apostolic prophetic movement; that is the new apostles and prophets think they are endowed with special power and privileges where they can rule over members in the church. That’s right, “RULE”! Watch out folks, I am telling you many of these people appoint themselves to these positions and are always claiming to hear from God; but are unknowingly agents of the devil. Deceived, they go about deceiving others (II Timothy 2:13), and some make big bucks for this in the process.
2 Peter 2:1-3
1) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
3) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
Most of them boast of their so-called anointing—they constantly elevate themselves above other believers and have an expectation for the Church to follow putting them on a pedestal. Not only does this group idolize their peers, they idolize themselves. Joyner basically claimed ‘who is Grady to tear down the works of others?’ Essentially, Joyner is taking out the handy rotten apostolic muzzle--a coercive, more subtle way of enforcing silence then pulling out a whip to beat their subjects into place. They constantly twist other people motives, yet why would people just want to tear down something? They love to label defenders of God’s Word as possessing “critical” and “religious” spirits—it’s become an easy excuse to not deal with their sin and gross error. The fact is, Grady would not had spoken out against these ill-gotten practices in the Church in the first place, if these false apostles and prophets where living and abiding in the Word. When you speak the truth, they immediately claim you are tearing them down. They immediately call you the accuser of the brethren. In other words, be silent and be subject to them. Do not resist their false authority or correct them. I tell you this, even if someone has real authority from God, and they instruct you to go against the Word in some way---for whatever reason--- RESIST their instruction. Because that person has move out from God’s Word and is instructing you to do the same!
Another thing, those directly involved are close to promoting the Todd controversy themselves with frequent updates to Bentley’s restoration process. Maybe they will sell t-shirts, with Bentley featured on the front as “before”—then Bentley on the back as “after”. Better pull out your magnifying glass. Case in point—a simplistic analogy of sorts (well, maybe it’s a little crude). The other day I bought Quaker Oats –“Peaches and Cream”. I ate it and it seemed “off”—yet fairly ok in taste. Then I read the back of the package (and later took a good look at the front), and the peaches where in reality apple chunks with artificial peach flavor. I simply assumed it had genuine peaches in it when I purchased it—but assumptions can land you in trouble. You have to examine things to get the full picture. Bentley is being "restored" by false apostles and prophets—cookie cutter NAR! Of course people change, I don’t dispute this, but just looking at the facts and the progression of this thing…what can you hope for when the false restores the false? The real? No, I don’t think so. Who wants to see a false prophet restored and back teaching blatant error and downright apostasy? No thanks.
Joyner is very condescending to Lee Grady in this letter, as if to agitate him. Joyner says to Grady:
“Lee, I love some of the things you write, but I also feel that some are straight from the mouth of the accuser. I do think you have done at least as much damage to the church as Todd's fall has by your unrighteous and unfair judgments. I don't think you have earned the credentials for it, and you're putting yourself in far more jeopardy by trying to be such a self-appointed judge.”
There is an implicit threatening tone it; the whip has come out of the shadows. Grady owes no apologies for speaking what should had been spoken. I sure hope Grady stands his ground and begin to question the rubbish of the New Apostolic Reformation. He needs to get clear from that influence, then maybe the shackles will fall off his mind. It is evident he sees some of the error, and I hope and pray as time passes, he will come out away from the NAR. Joyner is being manipulative and twisting things in his response to Grady’s article. He asked of Grady “I would like to know what philosophy you have bought into that trumps Scripture?” Joyner should ask this of himself, however, he will not. How can he possibly be wrong—being a super apostle---therefore he is exempt from questioning himself according to NAR standards. Nor is anyone suppose to question him. At the end Joyner apologizes for being harsh, sounding like Benard Madoff helping a widow with her savings. Joyner stated in the letter:
“I am deeply offended that you would call our work "a travesty." The Lord had far more grace for sinners than for the self-righteous, who He had no grace for at all. I am personally far more concerned for you than for Todd.”
Not. Vested interest is where his concern lies.
Ezekiel 22:25-29
25) The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.
26) Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27) Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.
28) Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord God,' when the Lord had not spoken.
29) The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
*The letter from Joyner is contained in the blog entry before this. Click here to go the article.
