CHAPLAIN’S PAGE – Fear Not, Little Flock
AMERICAN Faith teachers are still pulling in the crowds! They can boast of audiences of millions for their TV shows, and their admirers send them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
It is right that we should enquire as to whether their teaching is from the Lord, for if so, then we should think about emulating them in order to bring the Gospel to a wider public.
Much of what they have said on radio and TV and written in books is widely available, and much of their teaching is deeply disturbing. One of the earliest of the Faith teachers, William Kenyon, was quoted as saying:
“If Jesus’ physical death could pay the penalty of sin, as some contend, then why is it necessary that a Christian should die? If a Christian dies physically, does he not pay the penalty for his own sin? If physical death is the penalty for sin, then why do not the whole human race pay their own penalty and save themselves, for all die? But we hold that the physical death of Jesus did not touch the sin issue at all”.
Another such teacher, Kenneth Hagin, tells the story of when he was having a talk with Jesus one day, and they were talking about casting out demons. Suddenly, a ‘demon monkey’ jumped between them and drowned out Jesus’ words by yelling “yackety, yack, yack”. Finally, Hagin took control and told the monkey to “shut up in the name of Jesus”. Jesus, no doubt relieved, told Hagin, “If you hadn’t done something about that, I couldn’t have”. Shocked by Jesus’ statement, Hagin suggested that Jesus surely must have meant “wouldn’t have”. Jesus calmly assured Hagin that what He had said was correct. He then went on to show Hagin four texts of Scripture to prove that He (Jesus) had no power over evil spirits.
Yet another faith teacher, Kenneth Copeland, said “Adam, in the Garden of Eden, was God manifested in the flesh”. He also proclaimed that “Satan conquered Jesus on the cross”, and he followed it up with “Christ in hell was emaciated, poured out, little wormy spirit”. Copeland believes that, with words of faith, man is able to command an 82 foot yacht into existence.
Other Faith teachers, such as Benny Hinn, claim thousands of physical healings through their miraculous power; however, when pressed for full proof and medical details, these are always in short supply.
One final example: Morris Cerullo said on a tape, “Did you know that from the beginning of time, the whole purpose of God was to reproduce Himself? Who are you? Come on, who are you? Come on, say it — ‘Sons of God’! And when we stand up here, brother, you’re not looking at Morris Cerullo, you’re looking at God, you’re looking at Jesus”.
These few examples of what some Faith teachers are proclaiming are all based on bringing Almighty God down to man’s level, and lifting themselves up to be what they are not.
The main purpose of bringing this matter to your attention is to ask whether we should expect a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit at this time. The Faith teachers constantly remind us that they are seen on TV by millions, who clamour for their every word.
Does Scripture support their belief that vast numbers will repent and come to accept the Lord Jesus Christ before His Coming?
Scripture gives us four main reference points that we may use to establish a working principle. Isaiah 1:9 says:
“Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
Isaiah is bitterly lamenting the spiritual state of the Southern House of Judah, circa 700 BC. He says in verse 4:
“Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”
The Lord is sore displeased with the rebellious House of Judah, but then goes on to say, in verse 9: that because a very small remnant had remained faithful, He would not destroy them as He had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. This text has established the principle that large numbers are not necessary in order for the Lord to carry out His Sovereign Will upon the earth.
Think of Gideon, facing the Midianites, and his deep concern that his army was so small compared to theirs. What did the Lord do? He made Gideon’s army even smaller, and whittled it down to 300 fighting men. The result? The Midianites were routed and fled in terror. (Judges, chapter 7).
Man’s ways are to expect that the Lord’s work should be accomplished by great numbers, whereas the Lord’s way is to use a few selected and trained people.
Morris Cerullo has published a book entitled Son, Build Me an Army. The title alone suggests that he has been specially selected by God to lead a vast army in order to put the world right at this time. But, as we have seen, this is not the Lord’s way. We remember the words of Jesus in Luke 18:8;
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
This does not sound like a great Faith army on the march, in fact, it sounds just the opposite. The word ‘find’ suggests that the Lord has to search in order to find the faithful few. The Lord’s answer to the question is significant:
“And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” – (Luke 13:22-24)
What did He mean by: “Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able”? The key words are in verse 24, ‘strait gate’. ‘Strait’ is from the Greek STENOS, meaning ‘to stand against objects or obstacles close by, or narrow’. When we think about all those who follow the false doctrines of the Faith teachers, we are able to understand what our Lord meant. His words, recorded in Matthew 9:37-38, are significant for these days:
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
The Faith teachers will say that the Lord is about to conjure up millions of labourers to help out at the end time. Let us test this supposition with our Lord’s discourse on this time period:
“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – (Luke 12:31-32)
Note especially: ‘little flock’. The true church will be very few in number at the end time. When we are enjoined to pray for helpers, yes, He will answer, but will only supply sufficient for our needs, as He did for Gideon.
Finally, we remember the words of Jesus, when speaking to His disciples about the end time:
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – (Matthew 24:22-24)
To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
