I want to thank you again for your comment. You have given great references of scripture to show that angels can do powerful things. Also, as we are aware… Satan can come as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.) Remembering always, that we are to try the spirits to see whether they are of God. (1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.)
We know that the Holy Spirit of God causes us to draw closer to Him through healing and through the Word of God which is Jesus. We know that through the stories of demonic possessions, Satan and his ministers cause individuals to behave contrary to the fruit of the Spirit of God and the Word of God as well as to lose control of their own bodily actions (not pertaining to losing the ability to speak as stated in scripture).

When judging for ourselves whether something is from God or another spirit, we need to line all of the fruit up with the Word of God, the Bible because emotions can taint our perceptions very easily. If others who are either behaving or making others to behave in a questionable way, ie: barking, etc. are teaching against the Word of God, then we should hold fast to ourselves against the “signs and wonders” they are proclaiming.

You brought up Catholics in your comment as an example. Well, lets take a look at that. Lets look at what Catholics believe…

Catholics believe that you can go to purgatory when you die and gain merits through different means to enter heaven. – This is not Biblical

Catholics believe that the Pope is infallible. – This is not Biblical

Catholics believe that you can use other mediators to God, ie: Mary, saints, the Pope, etc. – This is not Biblical

Those are just 3 major points… so given that their teachings go against the core points of Christianity, you could not in good conscience follow these teachings and not have consequences for it.

The same standards would pertain to those in the W.O.F (Word Of Faith) movement, Ecumenical movement, etc. These are the “charismatic” churches you are speaking of. If you were to line up their teachings to the Word of God, you would see that they were lacking.

Many are being caught up in their words that tickle the ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.). This is brought on by big egos, greed and a strong desire to not be accountable and to just enjoy the lustfulness of this life.

Many will be deceived by these “leaders” (wolves in sheeps clothing). (Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. *and* Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.)
Some of these are even now denying the Lord Jesus, by whom we are saved. They are beginning to teach that there are many ways to salvation and that each person must find their own path to God… even to the point of some teaching that all people are God.

Regarding the casting out of demons, whether by a believer in Christ or a non-believer… This shows the power behind the name of Jesus. It shows that it is not by our power or our authority that demons can be cast out, but by His power, by His Spirit, by His Name! (Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. *and* Matthew 1:27 …for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him “Jesus”.)

So, what we know is that it is the power, authority and Name of Jesus that all are subject to… however, just because one utilizes this does not mean that they are saved.
Thank you again for your comment Jonathan.

Sincerely in Christ,
Alison

Thank you for your comment. You have a very good question. They way you have outlined your thoughts are the same as how I at times approach God about topics that I am debating myself. Weighing the two options though leaning toward one or the other but wondering how to move forward with discernment. I wanted to let you know that I have received your comment and I will be responding more thoroughly soon. I would like to reply when I am not distracted, as I am at the moment in my current surroundings. So, hang in there and I will get back to you shortly. Thank you again for your comment Jonathan.

Sincerely In Christ,
Alison

John 5:3-4, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

2) The following are the proves that Angels could perform marvellous wonders:

Luke 1:7, “And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years.” Luke 1:13, “but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for their prayer is heard; and they wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John”. Luke 1:18, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, ‘Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my life well stricken in years.” Luke 1:19, “And THE ANGEL ANSWERING UNTO HIM, I AM GRABRIEL…” Luke 1:20, “AND BEHOLD, THOU SHALL BE DUMB, AND NOT ABLE TO SPEAK, UNTIL THE DAY THAT THESE THINGS SHALL BE PERFORMED, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Luke 1:22, “And when he came out, HE COULD NOT SPEAK UNTO THEM”.

Matthews 28:1-2, “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Many Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And, behold, THERE WAS A GREAT EARTHQUAKE, FOR AN ANGEL OF THE LORD DESCENDED FROM HEAVEN, AND ROLLED BACK THE STONE OF THE DOOR, and sat it.”

Acts 12:23, “Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.”

3) Angels could appear in somebody’s dream:

Matthews 2:19, “…an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph…”; Matthew 1:20, “…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream…”

As angels could perform wonders, are there any strongest proves to show that those wonders in contemporary Charismatic Churches are from God? If someone in contemporary Charismatic Church could prove it, we have to accept it. However, if nobody could prove whether the existence of wonder in contemporary Charismatic Churches is from God or the Holy Spirit or Angels, there is a danger that one would comment that certain wonders are from God or from the Holy Spirit or from Jesus Christ and, in case if they are not and it would turn up that we have forced God or Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit to bear the name of doer and indirectly we have abused the name of Jesus Christ or God or the Holy Spirit and this causes us to speak against Jesus Christ or God or the Holy Spirit indirectly.

Could contemporary Charismatic Church claim that the miracles and wonder they perform in the name of Jesus Christ, is accompanied by correct teaching (in accordance with God’s Word) and righteous living?

A good Christian performs a wonder through the name of Jesus Christ in the Church. Many audiences would claim that this be the work of God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit. As fallen angels could perform wonders, i.e. Buddhists could perform wonders as it is listed in the Internet too. What if the wonders in contemporary Charismatic churches are not from God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit, the surrounding audience that claims to be the work of the Holy Spirit/God/Jesus Christ, would have indirectly abused the name of each of them even though they might not be the one to do it and it indirectly causes the defamation of the name of God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit and they might have grieved as a result of the whole church speaking against them since they might not do it. The abusing of the name of Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit/God would cause the audience to commit continual sins as when and they address these be the work of God.

Can a Christian or a Catholics claim that he has followed the correct teaching and righteous living when day by day and month by month and year by year seeing people keep on claiming the wonders in contemporary Charismatic Churches to be the work of God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit without telling them the danger that they would have sinned against God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit what if the so-called, wonders, might not be their work then?

For holy bark, you could see people running around the churches crazily to bark here and there.

For Holy laughter, you could see people laugh without stopping.

For manifestation of the Spirit, you see people roll from one place to another without knowing what he/she has done after performing.

All these are not mentioned in the book of Acts.

A number of people in the church mention that they receive revelation from God through words of knowledge, prophecy, tongues speaking, words of wisdom. Many prophets arose previously claimed that year 2000 and 1987 were the end of the world. However, the year before year 2000 and 1987, none of these people that claim to receive so-called, special gifts of the Holy Spirit, say that these years 2000 and 1987 are not the end of the world. If it is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit should have informed all these people to correct their mistakes.

LUKE 9:49-50 ABOUT THOSE THAT DO NOT FOLLOW JESUS BUT COULD PERFORM WONDERS IN JESUS’ NAME

Luke 9:49, 50 (TCNT), “Hereupon John said: “Sir, we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow you with us.” “None of you must prevent him,” Jesus said to John; “he who is not against you is for you.”

Were these people that were mentioned in Luke 9:49-50 to be the disciples of Jesus since it is mentioned that they did not follow Jesus?

The following are the verses to prove that God’s people would surely follow Jesus:

John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:3, “To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by nam, and leadeth them out”.

From the above verses, it is obvious that the sheep will surely follow the shepherd, Jesus.

As the phrase, he is not against you is for you, is mentioned in Luke 9:49 instead of the phrase, he is not against you is for me Jesus, it does not show that all these people that could use Jesus to perform miracles were for Jesus but for us, disciples, especially Jesus had mentioned clearly in John 10:27 and 10:3 that Christians would surely follow Jesus. The possible interpetation for Luk 9:49 for him to mention that they were for us that it might be that they could assist us in bringing outsiders to the attention of Jesus Christ for our evangelism. However, they are not for Jesus since they do not follow Jesus since they would definitely follow Jesus if they are for Jesus.
Indeed the people as mentioned in Luke 9:49-50 that could perform wonders in Jesus’s name were not God’s people or else Jesus should have included these people ont top of the twelve disciples. Or in other words, if these people that could perform wonders in Jesus’ name were God’s people, there would be more that twelve disciples instead of remaining to be twelve all the time during Jesus’ mission and it proves the fact that Jesus’ name could be abused to perform miracles. Or in other words, despite these people as mentioned in Luke 9:49-50 were not following Jesus and were not the disciples of Jesus, they could use Jesus’ name to perform wonders.

CASTING OUT DEMONS MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY CAUSE ONE TO HAVE DISTURBED BY DEMONS AS MENTIONED IN ACTS 19:13-16:

Matthew 17:15-16, “Lord have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” Matthew 17:18-19, “And Jesus rebuked the devil and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, ‘Why could not we cast him out?’ ” Matthew 17:21, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” From these verses, it is obvious that the failure in casting out demons might not necessarily cause one to be disturbed by demons as that is mentioned in Luke 9:49-50.

PROOF THAT ANGELS COULD PERFORM MIRACULOUS HEALING AND THERE ARE FALLEN ANGELS TOO:

John 5:3-4, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.””

From John 5:3-4, it shows that angels could heal various kinds of illnesses whether they are blinded, halt and withered. As angels could perform miraculous healings and there are so-called, fallen angels, it is irrational to jump into conclusion that certain illnesses be healed to be the work of God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit since some wonders might be the work of angels and/or fallen angels.

One might have quoted Luke 9:49-50 well that nobody should stop those people that perform miracles in Jesus’ name. However, he should meditate Matthew 7:22-23 carefully again that the so-called people to use Jesus’ name to perform wonders might be rejected by the Lord. For instance, if these people that are mentioned in Matthew 7:22-23 to use Jesus’ name to perform wonders are the work of God/Jesus Christ/the Holy Spirit, there should not be any strong ground for Jesus to reject them. However, Jesus will reject them despite they do perform wonders in Jesus’ name and there is a query the so-called wonders that they perform are from God. The following are the extracts:
Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practise lawlessness!’

Thank you for your comment. Something I have found on another site that I never thought about… was that Pentecost was fulfilled with the Holy Spirit, not Jesus specifically. This is why some believe that the Rapture could happen on Pentecost. Jesus has and will continue to fulfill each feast chronologically. Many believe the Church, age of grace is more of a parenthesis which began on Pentecost and will conclude with Pentecost, etc. This is the “mystery” in the Bible many believe. Thank you again for your comment. Many blessings to you.

Sincerely In Christ,
Alison

You asked if we are going by Pentecost or Shavuot… they are both the same. Pentecost is the Greek word and Shavuot is the Hebrew. The Lord described the way we are to celebrate this feast in Leviticus 23:15-16… it was only after the diaspora of the Jews that they needed to create a fixed date to celebrate because it is based upon the date of the Passover which is related to the barley harvest time. They could not judge when the barley harvest was ripe in Jerusalem when they were not living there. This cause them to celebrate it on what they call Shavuot (in Sivan). I am going on the Biblical account that was determined by God… not man.

The Bible is quite clear that we get into major trouble when we focus on the traditions of man and not the Word of God. I enjoy studying the traditions of Jewish festivals, etc. but always align their beliefs with what the Word of God states because as Christians, we know that blindness has come upon the Jewish people temporarily for our sakes so that we Gentiles could be grafted in. This has been prophesied throughout the entire Bible.

What you said about the practice of a memorial on the 3rd day… that is very interesting. =D

About the number 29, I have heard that but do not know for sure so I cannot comment regarding that in particular.

Going on what God has done in the past on the feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), He came to Mt. Sinai between 6am-9am… and the Holy Spirit came upon the first Church members between 6am-9am (Jerusalem time)… so, 2 out of 3 fulfillments on this feast, I would give high regard to the times of 6am-9am Jerusalem time… here in CST-USA would be between the hours of 10pm Saturday May 30th and 2am Sunday May 31st. I say 2am because this allows for the full hour of their 9am to 10am. Hope that makes sense.

Well, thank you again Faith for your comment and I pray that the Lord bless your studies. Either way… lets be ready when He calls us home – VERY SOON!!! =D

Sincerely In Christ,
Alison

Thanks for your comment. Sorry it took so long to pass it through. It would be absolutely wonderful if it happened this year (great chance for it). This year (2009), Pentecost is on May 30-31 (b/c it is from sunset to sunset Jerusalem time). It is surely time to get our lives in order so that we are ready to be face to face with Him. What an amazing time we live in! Thank you again for commenting Cheryl! May the Lord bless you as well while you seek His face.

Sincerely In Christ,
Alison

Thank you for your comment. I have been taking a look at all of the Spring Feasts and Rosh Hashanah and how they may relate to the Rapture of the Church. Lately, I am wanting to take a closer look at the Feast of First Fruits since that is when Jesus and the other saints were resurrected. Things that make you go, “Hmmm…”

Thank you again for your comment. I am glad you are enjoying the site.

Sincerely In Christ,
Alison