Understand The Times, International

Comment from UTT:

While the so-called "Lakeland Outpouring" has been in the news for months, UTT has chosen to ignore making any comment, hoping this foolishness would just disappear. However, the following news item that lists a number of supporters and promoters of previous so-called "moves of God" makes comment necessary.

The "Lakeland Outpouring" is a another wave of the Latter Rain delusion that has been around since the late 1940's. The claim that "God is doing something new" while people shake, twitch, laugh uncontrollably and behave like animals, is not new, nor is it a move of God.

The amazing thing is that people are open to embracing this delusion over and over. Once someone has encountered the experience, they lose all discernment. The fact that Bentley receives enlightenment from angels, should be a warning in itself. The seeking after lying signs and wonders is exactly what the Bible states will occur in the preparation that is underway for a global false religions system.

In order for you to see and hear Bentley in action, we recommend that you look at the following video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKA_X1zxOQc&feature=related

June 24 - Leaders Commission Todd Bentley at 'Lakeland Outpouring'

Article: Signs And Wonders

Canadian revivalist Todd Bentley, leader of the "Lakeland Outpouring," was commissioned as an evangelist last night in a special ceremony in Lakeland, Fla., that was broadcast into millions of homes by God TV. California pastors Ch� Ahn and Bill Johnson, along with Canadian pastor John Arnott, laid hands on the 32-year-old Bentley while Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles, read a statement about the need for apostolic alignment. Other prominent leaders from the apostolic and prophetic movements stood on the platform to show their support for Bentley and to endorse the revival, which began in early April and is now in its 83rd day of continuous meetings.

"I believe last night was truly historic and a true sign of unity," Bentley told Charisma today. "Many streams converged and I know last night's commissioning will truly help bring God's outpouring to a much larger part of the body."

Participating leaders at the ceremony included Wagner; Ch� Ahn, pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, Calif.; John Arnott of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in Canada; Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, Calif.; and Rick Joyner, founder of MorningStar Ministries in Charlotte, N.C.

Wagner said to Bentley on the platform: "This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, your authority will increase, your favor will increase, your influence will increase, your revelation will increase.

"I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. A new life force will penetrate this move of God. Government will be established to set things in their proper order. God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error. New relationships will surface to open the gates to the future."

Critics complain that Bentley entertains extra-biblical practices and has devoted some of his past teachings to "third heaven" experiences and angelic encounters. They say it's bizarre for him to claim he has met the apostle Paul and angels named "Winds of Change" and "Emma."

In the document, he said his supernatural experiences have always brought him closer to Jesus. He denied believing in female angels, stating that he didn't understand why God chose an angel named Emma, other than that the angel had "mother-like nurturing qualities." Regarding his encounter with an angel called "Winds of Change," Bentley said it shouldn't come as a surprise to Christians that an angel with such a name could usher in a new move of God.