Dear all,

20 Jan 2000 - I'm glad Brenda's friend was delivered from demons at a Benny Hinn crusade, however perhaps those demons found a more interesting vessel at the crusade to hang out with, maybe even joining Benny's very own legion.

Remember, the name of Jesus is powerful and even if it is thrown around in ignorance, to the one with real faith in God for deliverance, it doesn't matter where they heard the good news. Not everything that comes out of a false teacher's mouth is error. In the same way rat poison is 99 percent rat food. It's called "bait."

Sometimes Benny even gives out the true Gospel and then adds to it his own distortions. But I think there are many people who got saved hearing the true Gospel even from a Benny Hinn or a Rod Parsley (another one who speaks both good and evil). Paul said: "(Philippians 1:18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." I don't think he'd rejoice at what's going on today, but he's saying that Christ will be preached by some for a pretense. The pretense must have some sort of return on the investment for those preaching for pretense or they wouldn't bother. Yet the Gospel itself on the hearers will draw men to God.

People make a big mistake when they judge their own conversions by the person from whom they heard it. When Jimmy Swaggart fell, a lot of people were devastated who got saved through his ministry. They thought to themselves, 'if he's a fraud then maybe the gospel he preached is false too.' Things like this shake many people's faith, but if they are truly His, I believe the Author and Finisher of their faith will see them through.
As a side-note. Benny is getting loonier all the time. He can do that because of the support of people like Oral Roberts and Paul Crouch who lift him up so that he is totally unaccountable.

Benny Hinn last night on This Is Your Day said that the night before an apparition with a flowing white gown hovered off the floor of his bedroom over his headboard most of the night. He asked his wife in the morning if she was aware of it and she said no. He concludes that it was Jesus. And lately he's also been saying that he's had physical visits by Jesus, I think it's up to 4 of them now. Of course, the biblical literate person hearing this will know that's a lie because Jesus' physical return will be in the same way that He left and "every eye shall see him." Benny's 'Jesus' is of the sort that Jesus warned us against 'out in the wilderness or in the inner rooms.'

Benny also has regular visits from angels and demons and once described angels in the way UFO abductees describe their captors 'small gray ones with big eyes, the size of little boys.' It's hard to discern what is demonic and what is outright lies coming from Benny.

The biggest problem is that he leads the way for all the rest of them who feel the need to try to compete with their spiritual tall tales. I think Benny's latest floating Jesus sounds like Catholic apparitions throughout the ages. It could be that he's come in contact with the same sort of religious evil spirits as Catholic mystics or he studies the mystics to such a degree as to start to believe that he's having the same experiences. Benny is really ecumenical with Catholics and promotes that wherever he goes. In fact, go to a Benny Hinn crusade and you'll see buses of nuns come in.

Someone once said to me, 'What if the next pope had the 'charisma' of a Benny Hinn and could make people fall over as his popemobile passed? As the 'vicar of Christ' would he not be deified and worshiped by all the faithful Catholics, even more than they already worship JP-II?' It's a scary thought. And what better ally could such a pope have than a Benny Hinn who has the attention of the Pentecostal/charismatic hoards? After all, he is the one who sets up special meetings between the pope and Paul Crouch and others who want a papal audience.

Oh well, enough speculation. We've got enough trouble with what we know is going on. The Christian leaders who have television and radio programs and are looking the other way on these things, they are going to answer to God for their complacency. This might be an even bigger blight than the heretics: true believers considering it too judgmental and critical to warn erring sheep off the path into the mouths of the wolves. I make it my business to confront these "good" leaders about such things and I don't let up. And I know of several others who are doing the same thing. We provide them with all the documentation and they still do nothing, but they can't plead ignorance at the judgment!!
Watching & Waiting,
J.A.

Dear J.A.,
I cried when I read this post. I really love these people. How in the world did all of this happen? I know when I was in it I was wanting a quick fix. I was drawn to the power and miracles, as I saw families being destroyed, homeless people on the streets, teens in maximum rebellion, and drugs everywhere not even mentioning abuse, sex, and homosexuality!

I find myself now, not knowing how to pray. In the movement we had catchy phrases and scripture "mis-used" Now when I pray I pray that I am not praying wrong. It has been frustrating, hurtful and at times total despair.

I have a question: I know of a person delivered by a demon at one of the Benny Hinn's crusades. In scripture Mat 12:26 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
This person has still maintained months after her deliverance.

Then there is the Scriptures: Mat; 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Were these people performing works that drew people to themselves? Were they promoting themselves? Were they using the name of Jesus like merchandise to win people to their ministry?

If this is the right interpretation; then this country is in jeopardy of great Judgment. It feels good, knowing I can write this to you with the knowledge it will be rightly divided. I have a great respect now for the cunning, sly work of deception, I pray I never fall victim to it again!
Much love, B.