banner top


Go Home

Examples of the Toronto Legacy (1)

INTRODUCTION

I receive a lot of e-mail. Some of it is wonderfully uplifting and encouraging. I thank God for every person who takes time to send an appreciative letter. From this I know how much the website material helps those who are truly looking for God's direction in their lives.

Amongst such people there is a spiritual unity impossible to create artificially. Thoughts and beliefs, prayers and experiences - all mesh into an understanding of the present deception and the need to expose it.

However, there's another side to the story. Some people wander into the site unawares, and then become deeply offended. They send me another kind of e-mail. Sometimes their messages are so vile that I have to press the delete key immediately. (I have feelings, too, you know!)

On other occasions, behind the accusations, there's a hidden cry for help, and in such instances I pray, and respond in a way that might provoke real dialogue and discussion.

I wish I could say that the writers of these e-mails come to their senses, apologise for being so short-sighted, and turn to the Lord in repentance. But they don't.

GUT REACTION

There's a trend I have noticed amongst those who have allowed the "toronto spirit" into their lives and hearts. It's this: they cease to be open to reason. They are blind to the errors, seemingly immune to unbiblical teachings, and fiercely defensive of their "move of God".

Discussing the issues with TB people is rather like talking to a robot. You might get answers, but they are conditioned reflexes rather than replies.

They have been indoctrinated, just like those in cults, to see everything "outside" of the revival as criticism and lies.

Their inward eyes are shut, and they are driven on by their senses, their feelings, their desires and ambitions, and their unthinking allegiance to their leadership. When challenged, or when they come up against facts they can't refute, they simply react in a knee-jerk aggressive mode that highlights their insecurity.

This is a CLASSIC reaction to truth by those in bondage to the devil's lies. You see it everywhere, from the New Age, to JW's on your doorstep, to politicians wiggling out of some scandal, to your friend who has decided to go to the wrong kind of fellowship.

WILL IT TURN TO VIOLENCE?

Actually, I think this is the basis of the coming persecution against all that is biblical and godly. What is at the moment verbal assault will eventually turn to full-scale violence - yes, physical violence in some cases.

You see, the devil can't afford to give an inch, nor allow his blinded victims to see the light. When you or I preach the truth, they react just as they did in Jesus's day - they stop their ears, they hurl abuse, and eventually they band together and say "kill, kill, kill". That's the only way to silence the voice of God! (For example see Acts 7:57-59)

THE E-MAIL DISCUSSION BELOW

But I'm getting much too far ahead of this subject! All of the above is a general comment on the situation. Much of it does not refer to the e-mail below, from a man who has been sadly led astray.

I want you to pray for him. I won't tell you his name - but God knows! Pray that the seeds sown by this correspondence will eventually bear fruit, and warn him away from the dangerous path he's on.

I have used our correspondence because it covers most of the bases for this type of discussion. And because K. is such an excellent illustration of what happens when you let the TB into your life.

Read this e-mail with tears, not anger. Despite being accused of being "full of bitterness" I have nothing but concern and sadness at this work of the devil, and I hope one day I will receive another letter from K saying that he's come to his senses.

Now read on......
[spellings and other typos mostly left uncorrected]


From: K-----
Sent: 14 November 1998
To: banner.org.uk
Subject: (none)

My dear brother,

Your attacks and faultfinding directed at anything which moves in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ is based on: slander, extreme dogmatism, misconceptions, gossip, hearsay, misquotations, quibling, fear, stiff-neckedness and pettifogging.

You claim to be a bible believing christian yet your website violates the following scriptures:

At least 3 of the 10 commandments -

  1. Do not kill includes character assassination.
  2. Do not steal includes a person's reputation, good name and dignity.
  3. Duet 5:20. you bear false witness against many Christians.

Also:

Zech 8:17, Micah 6:8, Math 7: 1- 5, Math 12: 24 -32, Math 16:6, Math 18:15-17 Math 22:37-40 (please take special note of verse 40), Luke6:27, Luke 1 1:1 1 - 19, John 13:34 - 3 5, Rom 12 :3, Rom 1 2 : 9 - 10, Rom 1 3 : 1 0, Rom 14: 1 9, 1 Cor 1 3 : 1 , 1 Cor 13 : 5 - 7, 1 Cor 1 6 :23, 2Cor 6 : 1 , 2Cor 8:7, 2Cor 1 3 : 1 1 , Gal 5 :22-26, Gal 6: 1 , Eph 4:3, Phil. l :1 8, 1Thess 5 : 1 3, Col 3 : 1 5, See 2 Tim 3:3, Heb 12:14, James 3:18,1Pe 3: 8-12, lPe 4:8 (Love covers, does not expose ! ! !), 1Jn 3:10,  lJn 3:14 -15, and numerous other portions of scripture.

This is a cowardly act in that it is done through a medium such as the internet which is available to millions upon millions of people throughout the world, without any accountability or constraint. The bearing of false witness in your website is what is causing harm to the body of christ [sic] and making a mockery of God in the eyes of many unsaved people who need the Lord.

For the Love of Jesus Christ and glory of God the Father, please prayerfully consider your actions. 

Yours sincerley in Him 

K-------- (Missionary)


From: Tricia Tillin banner.org.uk
To: K--------
Date: 16 November 1998
Re: (none)

OK K-----, so you are offended that we even had the gall to talk about false doctrine. You are upset that we criticised your leaders. We are liars. That's fine - so now give us the evidence and we'll stop "lying".

False witness, is FALSE witness - that is, saying something that isn't true about a person. Prove that what we say is not true. THEN and only then can you condemn us as liars.

Just tell me this, K------, on what do you base your harsh judgement of me and everyone who has written the articles and testimonies? On what hard evidence do you accuse us? Just not liking us is not enough!

So here's what you believe: We - born again, Spirit-filled saints of God, equal members in the Body of Christ - one day decided to make up a bunch of stuff attacking our brothers and sisters. The reason? Doesn't make sense. We would have to be just plain mean and nasty, that's all... UNLESS we are telling the truth and these people are contravening the word of God, and preaching false doctrine, leading children of God astray (as the testimonies claim - or didn't you read those?).

I challenge you to prove us wrong. I challenge you to read all the articles and refute them biblically, showing where our doctrine is at fault. Deal with the issues, not the personalities. We are not attacking people here. (Well - you are, but that's your privilege).

IF you have the courage to read the articles and disprove them biblically or factually, please do so. We don't close the door to genuine correction, indeed we are glad of it.   

Tricia Tillin


From: K-------------
Sent: 16 November 1998
To: Tricia Tillin
Re: (none)

Dear Tricia

This is not about being offended because of accusations against "my leaders." They are not my leaders. However, many of those falsely accused of the most ridiculous and allegations on your website are my brothers and  sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you really believe you are called to put up a website in order to expose "false doctrines," then don't you think, that at the very least, you have a responsibility to report accurate information instead of gossip and slander?

Why don't you rather use your website to preach the gospel? There are literally millions of people all over the world who are connected to the internet and crying out for truth. As Christians we have the truth, Jesus Christ. This is what people need, not squabbling over different doctrinal viewpoints and attacking other Christians.

In His service


From: Tricia Tillin
To K----------------
Sent: Mon 16/11/98
Subject: An Important Question

Dear K---------------

You said "don't you think, that at the very least, you have a responsibility to report accurate information instead of gossip and slander?"

Just as I wrote last time - give me the factual evidence of the supposed gossip and slander, and I'll correct it. Is that so much to ask?.

If you are going to level heavy charges of false witness, lying and slander the least you can do - if you love your brothers and sisters so much (of which I am one, don't forget) - is to back up your charges with evidence.

I understand that false witness is making a charge without factual evidence, simply to malign another person and ruin their reputation. Isn't that what you are doing to me? What makes you so different to me, if this is how you act towards me, your sister in Christ?

And, I do intend, by the way, to place evangelistic material on the site, having been prompted a few weeks back by the Lord to do so. But that is not the main focus of the site. If you read my history and aims statement you will fully see what it's about.

Unless you are prepared to put in the time and research that I and others have done, what basis has your claim?

In concern for your state of heart before the Lord

Tricia


From: K---------------
Sent: 17 November 1998
To: Tricia Tillin
Subject: Re: Important Question

Dear Tricia

First of all, the" bearing of false witness" and "maligning" concerns the telling of untruths about a person to another, or putting that person in a bad light before others. You asked if I am not bearing false witness against you, maligning or ruining your reputation - and the answer is a very clear- no.

I am not writing to anyone else but you directly. Is that not what the scriptures require of us? I am not publishing a website exposing Tricias faults. The bible clearly teaches that if we have something against someone then we need to go directly to that person and discuss the problem with him or her.

If you answer me on the above, I will then discuss the inaccuracies on your website.


From: Tricia Tillin banner.org.uk
To: K--------------
Date: 16 November 1998 11:59 
Subject: An Important Issue - why can't we agree? 
   

Dear K-------------,

You are right, you are not bearing PUBLIC false witness against me, so I apologise for saying that.

To the other matter - this scripture in Matthew 18 is so commonly thrown about, indiscriminately, that we need to understand what it means, biblically. There is an article on my website about this very thing, which you must read if you really want to know where I stand on this - I don't intend to reinvent the wheel and say it all again in an e-mail since the article is easily accessible here: www.banner.org.uk/tb/matt18.html

Secondly, don't you think that hundreds of people, both in leadership and out, have individually approached the leaders who err from the Word, and tried to correct them in private? I know they have. I know a lot of them personally, including myself. All they get for their pains is abuse.

The result when people try, in a gentle, non-aggressive way, to point out the problems is - they are condemned, cast out, derided, cursed and rejected for even TRYING to approach these men, who consider themselves "above correction" in the main. (Have you not read "Accusers of the Brethren" on my site - this spells it out.)

Thirdly, as the Bible shows, PUBLIC preaching and teaching is not PRIVATE SIN. Now, if I discovered that (say) Benny Hinn was having an affair with his elder's wife, and if I was in a position to do so, of COURSE I would approach him privately to give him a chance to repent.

But we are not talking about SINS committed against individuals! We are discussion DOCTRINES that are being taught daily, hourly, that are tearing the Body apart and introducing terrible heresies.

Over and over again, God COMMANDED these things to be brought to light, warned of, publicly exposed and denounced for the sake of the Body. Heresy and false doctrine have always been dealt with this way, all throughout the Church age. How do you suppose that Arianism, Gnosticism, and all the other heresies were exposed and dealt with, if not by public exposure and discussion? How else are we to warn believers not to accept it?

In an ideal world, where everybody is a bona fide born-again Christian, and there are no deceitful, arrogant, self-serving dictators seeing to make merchandise of us, we could just wink at error - maybe!

But in a climate of deception - where Jesus and the Apostles warned us "take heed! Be on your guard! false teachers and false prophets will arise amongst you and seek to deceive you..." should we go to sleep and fail to do our duty by our brothers and sisters?

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you. Mark 13:5

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matt 7:15

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. Mark 13:22-23

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Tim 4:16

If you were strolling carelessly (or being led) towards a cliff edge, should I shout out a warning, or should I remain silent? If somebody has poured poison into your drink, and you are raising the glass to your lips, should I keep silent, because I don't want to do anything until I have privately contacted the poisoner and asked him to repent of trying to kill you?

I just watched a TV documentary about Jim Jones and Jonestown. It's the anniversary of that terrible event, where up to 1,000 people drank poison or were forced to do so, because they followed a madman, and believed he was their god. Now, if you had found out about Jim Jones, would you have kept silence, and let those people die? Could you possibly have a quiet conscience if so?

Today, thousands are drinking spiritual poison! And if I and others have discovered this fact by our research, should we not try to warn others, before it's too late?

God commanded watchmen to shout a warning of false doctrine to the Body. He said that, if you know the truth and you keep silent, and fail to warn your brethren, then the blood is on YOUR hands! I don't want to be guilty of that.

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezek 3:18)

Which is more loving - to keep somebody from straying into a path that has proven false and destructive, or to busy myself with my own affairs, and turn a blind eye? How loving is it, to allow somebody, God's child, to be harmed, even to lose his faith, because of abusive leaders and false teachings?

This is not a PERSONAL issue. These men (and women) might also, as well as being false teachers and false prophets, be degenerate - but that's a matter between them and God. What my website does (and if you read the articles and testimonies you will see this) is to present a reasoned case against false doctrine. I can't answer for what others write, and some teacher-bashing may creep in, but that is NOT, repeat, NOT, the focus of the website.

Have you read the testimonies? Do you think they are lying, or are they really hurt - have they been abused, betrayed, lied to.....? Should they have no platform to warn others. Should they just creep away and die? I think not.

All it takes for evil to thrive is for men to stay silent. Cowardice is not commended by God. He warned that in the last days there would come serious error, and he warned strongly that we are both to avoid it, and to expose it (as indeed the Apostles did in their day.)

If you disagree with this, you need to make out a case that God does not correct or rebuke false teaching, does not command us to expose it, and does not require us to withdraw from it.

I'm sure God loves all these people, but do you really believe God's love winks at deception and spiritual abuse, and the introduction of cancerous doctrines that eat into the Body and bring ruin?

You also need to prove by your research that false doctrine and false prophecies and destructive practises are NOT infiltrating the churches on a global scale. Then you would have a basis for your criticism of me and what I do. Not before then!

May God Almighty awaken you and speak to you on this important issue. 

Tricia Tillin


From: K--------------
Sent: 18 November 1998
To: Tricia Tillin
Subject: Re: An Important Issue - can't we agree?

Dear Tricia

Thank you, I appreciate your taking time to discuss this.

Regarding the Mathew 18 scripture, I'm afraid it's a cop out to claim it does not apply to this situation. I have just read it again and Jesus is quite clear and unambiguous about what He means.

To say that it is a "loophole" for the defenders against the critics is very convenient. It seems to me that when those who criticise refer to the scriptures, it is being biblical but when the defenders do so it's considered as using scriptures as a loophole and self justification. The principles of hermeneutics need to be consistent for all of us.

Anyway, I did promise to address some of the inaccuracies on your website. Obviously, I cannot possibly respond to all the issues in one sitting as you deal with a vast array of different subjects, groups, denominations, flows and movements. So will deal with one at a time.

I do not agree with everything that is taught by some of the well known Christian speakers mentioned on your website, but I also do not agree with the ignoble and dishonourable way that their lives and teachings are maligned.

I would like to begin with the so called "Toronto blessing". I actually do not like the term as it is a misnomer. However as it is a term that the english speaking world is most familiar with, I will use it. Or for short - TB.

This phenoma did not begin in Toronto neither did it start with Rodney Howard-Brown. Things like laughing, crying, shaking, repentance and deliverence were beginning to take place in christian meetings in various parts of the world, months before it began at Toronto.

My wife and I have a missionary friend who has worked in the jungles of Surinam for many years and planted many churches there. He reported that this began amoungst some of those churches a few months before it first hit the church in Toronto.  

My wife and I are missionaries from South Africa who have a calling for Europe. After living in France for the past 8 years, we recently moved to the UK where we are now based.

We lived in a town just south east of L---. About 120 km north of us was a town called M----, where a friend of ours is pastoring a church. This church was praying and fasting one week-end when this phenomena came upon them.

The interesting thing is, that this was exactly the same day that the phenoma first hit that church in Toronto! [Note from Editor: ie, JANUARY 20TH 1994 according to a report written by John Wimber in May/June 1994]. This was long before they ever heard of Toronto or Rodney Howard-Brown. It caught them completely by surprise as they had never heard of this phenomena before. They were the first church in France to recieve this, a few others began to experience it too.

This is not a "TB spirit", as many critics claim, which is simply passed from Toronto to others who go there and get "contaminated" or something likewise. That is a most ridiculous assertion.

[NOTE: Please see this recent e-mail from somebody who knows what REALLY happened at the French church mentioned above!!]

I must explain the hard spiritual situation in France to give you a picture of how remarkable this is. The protestant churches in france are extremeley conservative and very exclusive. Each denomination or group calls the other a "sect". The churches there are also very legalistic.

We have noticed that this move of God has changed the churches that have been touched by this, they are alive, no longer legalistic, willing to work and fellowship with others, giving, tithing, renewed vision for evangelism and missions and renewed holiness.

France is a nation where there are 36 000 towns without any evangelical church. Evangelicals make up only 0,36% of the population; only 3% of the French own a bible. It is estimated that only about 5% have ever TOUCHED a bible. The biggest medical problem in France is depression.

The French are the worlds highest consumers of anti-depressants and tranquelisers. The nation has more phsyciatric hospitals than any other in the world.

We were shocked at how many christians, some as young as 9 yrs, were on anti-depressants. Yet, when some we were ministering to got touched by the so called "TB" we noticed how they were healed from depression, tell me Tricia, did Satan do that? The bible says he comes to steal and destroy, not deliver people from all kinds of bondages. We noticed how christians were revitalised in thier commitments to the Lord, a renewed hunger to read and study his word and a thirsting after rightousness.

We were tired and spiritually worn out from years of trying to get the French to understand the gospel (an almost impossible task I can assure you) When we experienced this we were given a good dosage of joy which greatly renewed our strength and helped us to persevere.

We can vouch for renewed love, holiness and hunger for God and many other wonderful Godly things as well (but all in the interests of satan of course, according to those critiscising from the sidelines.)

Tricia, for every negative testimony regarding the "TB" there are hundreds of positive ones.

If you or others have been harmed by leaders in churches or movements touched by the "TB", I am truly sorry about that. But that does not change what God is doing.

If you're looking for perfect leaders or churches you'll never find one. God has put treasures in earthern vessals, when you get to know the treasure you'll ALWAYS bump into the clay. NO-ONE is perfect.

Digging up dirt about people such as Rodney Howard-Brown and others to try and discredit this move of God could be considered quite comical if it was not for the fact it is causing so much confusion and damage in the Body of Jesus Christ.

God bless you 

K----------------------------


From: Tricia Tillin (banner.org.uk)
Fri 20/11/98 12:58
To: K-------------- 
Subject: RE: An Important Issue - can't we agree?

Dear K------, I'm glad you could come down to specifics at last. (Though you still offer no evidence of the supposed slander and gossip. Your objections are to the tone of voice, not to the facts).

As to Matthew 18, people read it as they want to read it. But the scripture is specific to a situation (illustrated by the surrounding verses, and context) where brother had offended against brother and committed faults that have caused their relationship to break down.

I won't quote it all, but trust that you understand the parables and their context. The issue is "faults" or "trespasses" - sins committed one against another, NOT false teaching which is another matter entirely and is treated in a different way by the Lord Jesus:

Moreover if thy brother **shall trespass against thee**, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.Matt 18:15-35

Confirmed by Peter's reaction, asking about sins committed against him or a brother:

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother **sin against me**, and I forgive him? till seven times? (verse 21)

Further confirmed by the illustrating parable of the forgiveness of a man who had wronged his creditors:

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. Then hislord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have **had compassion on thy fellowservant** [in forgiving him], even as I had pity on thee? (verses 28, 32-33)

Now, secondly, if you DO take Matt 18 to be the basis for acting against false teaching, then you must admit that the leaders are to be brought before the whole Church and, if they will not then repent, they must be cast out immediately as a lesson for all - because, as I said before, they have been approached time without number, and WILL NOT REPENT.

The scriptural warrant is clear.  "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, **let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican**." (Matt 18:17) 

I have not gone so far as to demand that they be cast out of the Body and treated like a heathen, but that is what Jesus commands! (According to your understanding of the scripture).

This leaves open the question as to whether false, unbiblical, or heretical teaching has indeed been found. And - YES, it has. Over and over and over again! Not just by researchers and reporters and critics, but **by the very people who attend such churches, and from the tapes, videos and books of the leaders of the supposed move of God**.

Forgiveness is NOT how we are told to deal with the preaching of heresies in the churches. The situation there is that various teachers, leaders and other people in authority have promoted practises and teachings publicly that are wounding people, dividing the Body and causing no end of harm.

When the Body is being attacked and harmed by false teachers from within the flock (wolves, as the Bible calls them) the scripture is also very specific - these teachers must be publicly exposed for the good of all, and cast out of the Body.

 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (II Jn 1:9-11)

Sadly, that is not being done. The Church today is in such a poor state that nobody will take action to purge it of unscriptural teachings - and eventually that leaven will leaven the whole lump. Eventually God will have to rescue the genuine believers, and deal with the rest in his own way, in his own time.

Your second point is that the TB (I didn't call it that - the Toronto leaders did!!!) has been around for centuries. I'm amazed that you even bring this up, since my articles have pointed out this fact many times!!

Spiritual power, and the manipulating of it, has been around for centuries, for millennia! Before you write me off as merely anti-charismatic, I do accept that there are spiritual gifts and ministries of God! But what we have before us today is another manifestation of the old mystical rites and practises so prevalent in Catholic monasteries before our time.

Teresa of Avila was herself contacting such spiritual powers and entities and manifesting many of the same spiritual effects.

Also, we have to consider the French Prophets, so called, who also manifested many of the TB effects, yet they in some cases murdered their enemies and uttered many ridiculous false prophecies.

John Wesley had to deal with such outbreaks, too, and he himself was once induced by the devil (as he recognised) to laugh insanely, and could hardly prevent himself - yet he knew the source of it was not God!

How can such men as Howard-Browne damn their opponents, use henchmen to threaten people with a beating, ridicule, shame and berate any who dare to raise a word of criticism, and then claim to be moving under the Holy Spirit of God?

[Note to Readers: This threatening situation with RHB henchmen actually happened to some friends of mine in the UK. It can be read here. K. does not believe this happened, but what do you think?]

How can anyone who watches his videos fail to see how he manipulates the crowds and performs what amounts to psychic wonders upon them - but only if they fail to resist him! He can be heard telling people NOT TO PRAY, and certainly not to pray in tongues, for that would halt his "power".

A group of believers who went to one of his UK meetings (but were not allowed to enter the building!) prayed outside quietly, and lo and behold, RHB said he could not do anything that night - his "power" was hindered. Those who ask for a covering and protection from anything harmful do not experience the manifestations - like the insane laughter, shaking, bellowing, roaring, barking, paralysis, nodding, birthpangs and any other such nonsense.

[NB: see also this testimony of the manifestations halted by prayer in the Name of Jesus and by the Blood. The Toronto Blessing Discovery Page's "Manifestation Averted by Jesus' Blood".]

I do NOT discount every spiritual manifestation. My articles make that clear. I myself have experienced true manifestations from God - but these are vastly different from what is going on in Toronto, Pensacola and the UK meetings like Sunderland.

When people do not know, or cannot discern, the difference between God's holy Spirit and an evil presence, then they are in deep trouble! The differences are subtle but real. You only need to read the accounts of the Welsh Revival to see how the devil uses people, and introduces lying manifestations, feelings and powers - these then spread from person to person.

Have you read the unabridged version of "War On The Saints" by Jessie Penn Lewis? This opens the eyes to much that is happening today - she gives a very clear and precise chart of how to know the differences between genuine and false manifestations and gifts.

Even more relevant, have you read the booklet written by G.D.Lang about the Azuza Street and related manifestations. I don't deny there was a move of God that began at that time - but we need to distinguish the good from the bad, and Lang speaks of EXACTLY the same problems at that time, as now. You would do well to read and ponder it. It's at www.banner.org.uk/tb/lang.html

You seem to have a heart for revival - so do I. But I'm not prepared to cheapen God's word and receive "another spirit" as the bible says, in order to achieve it - this is NOT a revival of anything but mystical encounters and lying wonders! Sad, but true. God does not endorse it, nor will he promote it. Why else should he have raised up so many to bear witness to the truth?

Those who receive this power lose their sense of discernment and become not only unable to distinguish God's Spirit from another spirit, but they become spiteful, hateful and aggressive against all those who try to correct them. Over and over we hear this from the victims.

There is nothing that is one-hundred percent devilish! The devil is not so stupid as to offer the Church unadulterated deception - nobody would be deceived by that. No, he mixes truth and error. he hides the bitter pill in sweetness. What does he care that people feel happier in their daily lives, feel less depressed, or have a more joyful worship service, so long as the ultimate result is that he can spread his poisonous lies and heresies inside the churches, until all heads are turned towards his antichrist doctrines, prepared for the ultimate deception to come.

Even Jim Jones had "good" manifestations in his meetings! Yes, even he had power. He healed people (they were truly healed) and brought joy and vitality and unity to them, and preached a "gospel" and hundreds and thousands crowded in to hear him. It's not a difficult thing to produce an effect on people, because they are hungry for easy answers. You can achieve a "revival" that way - but it's not of God.

Your rationale for accepting this seems to be that you are looking for answers to the deadness and dryness of churches. And you are letting the devil turn your head with his "answers". If you search the Bible, you will find much that alerts you to the error and deception of this "move of God"; if you search the Internet - likewise - but you are prepared to shrug it all off as "slander"!

Yes, churches are dry. The situation is not only "hard" in France - it's hard everywhere. God said it would be! We are living in the last days, and the apostasy that he warned us of is all around us. The only true revival will be amongst those who cleave to his WORD, and love HIM, not their feelings.

Don't be led into a false spiritual move just because you long to see dead churches filled with people. It's only too easy for the devil to fill churches - but what is God REALLY doing today? Are you willing to sacrifice your desires, feelings, thoughts, ideas, goals and ambitions, and step into line with what GOD is really doing?

That path leads to a CROSS! Don't be fooled. If you seek God, and shake off this deception, you might find out that I am telling you the truth. Don't just dismiss this, and allow the devil to fill your mind with curses and hardness!

Please seek God about this before it's too late. Tricia


From: K-------------
Sent: Fri 20/11/98 16:40
To: Tricia Tillin
Subject: An Important Issue - why can't we agree?

Dear Tricia

It is quite obvious from your last letter that you are full of bitterness.

I will be very honest with you. I do not believe what you say about Rodney Howard-Browns' supposed "henchmen" threatening to beat up people nor the other accusations. I think you are so taken up with the negative writings of the critics you are believing all kinds of ridiculous rumours and losing touch with reality.

As I tried to explain to you before, Toronto only became well known because of the thousands of backsliders and new converts who came to faith in Jesus at that church. RHB did not "launch the laughing revival " (by the way, there are far more tears of repentance that accompany this renewal than laughter) these things were happening all at the same time all over the world. It did not start with RHB or Toronto.

The bible says that when 1 soul gets saved all the angels in heaven rejoice. Well, thousands upon thousands have come to salvation through this renewel. But while heaven is rejoicing critics such as yourself are lamenting.

Obviously you have been so conditioned by the rest of your critical friends that you are not going to see it that way. But that's not the issue here.

I or anyone else will probably never convince you that this is indeed a move of God. So I am not going to waste my time trying.

But I am asking you please Tricia to stop using your website to attack others. As christians our fight is against invisible demonic forces, not people.

There is enough perversity on the internet as it is. Pornography is bad enough, but what you and others are doing is far more evil than that. [my emphasis]

Through your website:

  • You are siding yourself with the chief accuser of the bretheren.
  • You are being a divisive person
  • You are straining at gnats while swallowing camels.

Please stop


From: Tricia Tillin
To K--------------
Sat 21st November
Subject An Important Question

Dear K-----------

Well, I tried. God knows I tried. You are a good example of the fruit of the TB. You back off and refuse to listen.

I have no bitterness, believe me, only Christian love and concern for your soul, which is in jeopardy.

No doubt you will also take THAT as a criticism!

I have no doubt that you would also have tried to warn Jesus of his "unloving attitudes" when he rebuked the false teachers of HIS day! How's this for "bitterness":

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt 23:33)

And didn't Peter "side with the chief accuser of the brethren" (the devil) when he said this about false teachers and deceivers in the Body?

These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
. (2 Pet 2:17-22 NKJ)

The Bible is clear. But you now cannot see clearly because this thing has clouded your thinking.

[Note to Readers: Remember that this exposure of false teachers by Peter, above, was posted to his version of the Internet. That is, it was copied and circulated, and read aloud wherever Christians met. Peter did not seem to comply with K---'s rules of engagement!].

I'm sad, very sad at your refusal to receive loving correction. But when you stand before the Lord of all on that Day, you can never say I didn't tell you.

Goodbye and good luck

Tricia


FOOTNOTE:

E-Mail received by Tricia Tillin: 29 January 1999
To: banner.org.uk
Subject: About your e-mail exchange "Just one example"

Dear Sister in Christ,

I would like to tell you (with my very bad french-english...) a great thanks for all you published about "Toronto blessing" and specially for your exchange with brother K.. I know it is quite a big fight to do that when may-be 70 to 80 % of the charismatic leaders are following the false doctrines you expose. But it is right to do that as you do with a great knowledge and wisdom.

I would like to add that about France there is something wrong in the testimony of brother K. I myself heard one of the 2 pastors of M---- (I am sure he is speaking of this church...) speaking about the beginning of what happened.

This beginning was at least 2 or 3 months after January 94, when it started in Toronto. I was in M---- in March 94 in a convention-meeting and except one laughing manifestation for one person, nobody seemed in the "move" neither the pastors of this Full Gospel Church.

It would not have been so if the things had already began then (As I saw in 95 in several place with laughing, barking, roaring, etc...) I have sadly noticed that very often some lies are used to prove this or that in the Toronto-"New Wine"- movement. It seems to be the case here about the beginning in M---- to prove us that it was a spontaneous work of the Spirit. But the Holy Sprit is the Spirit of Truth.

I heard also some different testimonies about what is happening in France. Hardly no conversions, but a lot of church are divided, some of them destroyed, lot of people confused. It is no better with those in connexion with Pensacola. Even when they have been fore a time very carefull, there is a complete change when they fall into the so-called "blessing". They do not want to hear anymore from their own frends if they keep on watch and compare things with the Holy Scriptures. It is like a kind of "bewitchment". For those who refuse it it is very difficult now to find a "charismatic" church in France to be part of. We have to remain in very small house-groups or to come back to traditional church. (I don't know what is the best).

Anyway, thank you again for what you can do for the truth, I pray for you.

(Name and e-mail address given)


A Second E-Mail from the same person,
Received: Tue 02/02/99 09:48

Dear Tricia,

Thank you for your answer. I am OK for whatever you want to do with my e-mail (except of course my name and address).

I am sure of my testimony about M---- that nothing appeared publicly before March 94. A friend told me last week that a change appeared between the meeting of March and a following one in July 94, when he saw for the first time people laughing and falling down on the stage. I cannot say more about what happened during ordinary meetings in the church, but if there have been something really happening before, as we heard about, it is impossible that the convention-meeting in March 94 would not have been completely different from what I saw.

I don't know if the leaders were or not in contact with Toronto, but they did have very close contact with some american ministries such as Lee Lacoss. I can also tell you that nowhere in France we saw any spectacular growth in a "Toronto-blessed" church, despite some false statistics I also heard about (for exemple in Paris a Pastor claimed his church was multiplied by a factor 5 (x 5...) when actually they had 50 persons more than the 200 of "before Toronto" (the most of those people coming from other churches...).

I pray that the truth would be stronger than the lies, in Jesus name.

(Name and e-mail address given)

ARCHIVE OF REVIVAL ARTICLES