Chapter 3
Lack of knowledge of Leadership Requirements...
There is no greater time in the history of the body of Christ than right now for God's people to begin knowing & handling accurately God's Word on Leadership requirements which qualify & confirm His true leaders. Having this vital knowledge will result in sharp discernment within the body of Christ in recognizing true men of God versus the false men of God in the deceptive days ahead.
The Lord Himself warned His followers, "See to it that no one misleads you." [Math.24:4]. He then said of the End Times, "for false Christs & false prophets will arise....... so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." [Math.24:24]. This warning should put a major charge in every believer since even Christians will be potentially fooled & deceived in these End Times. Again, knowledge from the written Word plus sharp discernment are the keys in order to not be "misled" as the Lord Himself forewarned.
Today, many empty & false religions already are bold in their claims to be the 'true children of God' like Islam, Mormons & numerous secular religions & cults. Even the Roman Papacy professes for centuries & to this day that Roman Catholicism under the Pope is the "Only true Church" of which anyone who is apart from is "endangering their faith & salvation". [1870 Vatican Council / Canon Law ].
In America itself, many unqualified "Christian" ministers & false leaders have now twisted & distorted the Gospel into a totally watered-down hodge-podge of religious folly. This has opened the door for many persons [even younger children] to claim their own "Christianity" but are nowhere close to being His true disciple. In some cases, some are not even truly "saved". This has much to do with today's unqualified ministers in America who are responsible for 'leading' [or misleading] God's children.
But, if believers do not know the exact "bullseye profile" of how a true leader of God should look & act [in character, attitude, behavior & his responsibilities as a leader] , then how "open" is the door for unqualified ministers or even false prophets to easily take the forefront in God's House?
In fact, since the early 1990's in the USA, a measurable increase has occurred in the Evangelical circle of highly touted TV ministers [male & female] who have evil spirits. These evil spirits deal mostly in the areas of divination, homosexuality & deceitfulness within these false ministers. This applies to about 10% of today's so-called "Christian" ministers in America, TV ministers included. [ *IMPORTANT NOTE: The percentages presented in this chapter deal strictly with the approximate 300,000 "Christian" [non-Catholic] ministers in the U.S. A. ]
Once again, due to the lack of knowledge & discernment in the body of Christ & amongst today's leaders then even false ministers have been welcomed with open arms & applause into God's House. One prime example of devoid discernment is when two true Christian TV ministers hosted an hour-long program where, unbeknownst to them, their invited "Christian" guest was a full-blown demon-possessed lesbian. For the whole hour she was exalted & praised by the 2 Christian hosts & the live TV audience for her nutrional & health savvy regarding "staying young".
But, in the days ahead, many of these demonically-influenced hucksters will be exposed by God's true anointed leaders who "have their senses trained to discern good & evil." [Heb.5:14]. This will open the eyes of many, including the body of Christ, with regard to the need for sharpened discernment in these times ahead.
For the most part, the body of Christ has not looked closely at the scriptural requirements for God's true leaders in the same way that most people do not look closely at a surgeon's background & qualifications before he performs the surgery. Obviously, persons do not examine the credentials of their college teacher or even their boss to confirm whether that leader is truly qualified for their respective role in the first place. People simply assume that a leader is "qualified" since that leader is representing himself as such & by the mere fact that he is already operating in the role.
As a result, the inclination for most everyone is to simply take for granted that a doctor, judge, attorney, police officer, politician or other leader-types & professionals are well-qualified for their positions. Unfortunately in the United States, far more doctors are truly qualified for their medical roles, ratio-wise, than are the the so-called Christian leaders we see today across America & on TV ministries.
But in God's House it's different than the world's ways of crossing the fingers & hoping or assuming a professional is truly qualified. The written Word of God makes it simple to "identify" God's true leaders & to be double-sure of a leader's "qualifications". The written word of God says a whole lot about this topic for the believer to easily grasp. Once a believer knows the "bullseye profile" of what a true 5-Fold Leader must "look like", then sharp discernment will identify which leader is [or is not] a 'perfect match' inside the 'bullseye'.
In fact, the criteria itself for Christian Leadership is one of the more easier subjects to study out scripturally. The Lord would not give His children the solid warning to "not be misled by false leaders" & then make this scriptural topic itself a lengthy & confusing puzzle on "how" to "not be misled".
Today's Unqualified Ministers...
Since the 1970's a clear & substantial increase of unqualified ministers have taken the forefront in America's churches & TV ministries. In fact today, 90% [min.] of men seen operating as a 5-Fold Leader or TV minister in America are unqualified. Although these are true "believers" with true giftings, they fail to meet all of the qualifications set forth in scriptures. Of this grouping, most have a true "calling" upon their lives to be a "leader" yet they have placed themselves prematurely into a 5-Fold capacity. Of the remaining 10% of men, about 5% are truly operating as 100% qualified 5-Fold Leaders to God's people. The other 5% are in the profile of "false prophets" & have "deceitful spirits" as the Apostle Paul warned for these End Times. [2 Cor.11:13; 1Tim.4:1].
As indicated, 90% of the Christian men seen operating today in a Leadership ministry in America are failing in the Biblical requirements for God's Leaders. This makes them unqualified. According to scriptures, if a believer is not 100% qualified for "leadership" then that makes him only "partially" qualified. Without question, the Bible is crystal clear that being only "partially" qualified for 5-Fold leadership is indeed the exact same as being UNQUALIFIED.
Scripturally & from the Lord's perspective, there is no such thing as being "partially" qualified to stand in one of the 5-Fold Leadership capacities found in Ephesians 4:11. The same is true in being "above reproach" as scriptures demand of all Leaders. [1Tim.3:2]. Being "partially above reproach" does not exist in scriptures for 5-Fold Leaders. In fact, a true leader of God must be 100% qualified to be fit for any of the roles as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher. NO EXCEPTIONS, according to the Apostle Paul. [*This is talked about more in the next chapter on Biblical Leadership Requirements.].
For example today, numerous Christian ministers in America [highly popular TV ministers also] are not yet filled with the Spirit. This immediately makes them incredibly unqualified & brings serious neglect & a diservice to God's flock. Most of these are wonderfully gifted & truly "called" as a leader. In fact, some of these already lead huge churches & highly successful ministries for many years. But, if neither Christ Himself nor His apostles ministered until they were fully empowered, then do today's ministers have any less need of being empowered by the baptism of fire in the Holy Ghost ? This is a key every believer [& minister] must recognize in accurately discerning true & effective leaders.
The Apostle Paul instructed all believers, "be filled with the Holy Spirit!". [Eph.5:18]. Scriptures clearly show this to be synonomous with being anointed with power & fire as on the Day of Pentecost. [Acts 2:3,4]. But, how less effective is a pulpit preacher or any minister if he is not yet "filled with the Holy Spirit"? Jesus Himself said that His disciples were to "Be clothed with power from on high....". [Luke 24:49].
Again, this is the anointing of "power" which overflows from within the believer & comes "upon" the outside of his vessel. But, if any minister is not "clothed" spiritually, then he is spiritually naked. Being filled ["empowered"] with the Spirit is one of many prime requirements that every Leader of God must have to qualify for the high calling of overseeing God's people.
TV Evangelism in America...
Over the last 35 years [since the 70's] , Evangelical TV ministries themselves have had the greater influence throughout America [compared to local church Pastors] since they are seen by millions weekly. Then as a result over the years, other ministers & Pastors in churches across the country have naively followed suit in their mirroring of the same mode, the same overall demeanor & religious presentation as they have observed from the TV ministries.
As a result today, what Americans are mostly witnessing in TV ministries & most church leaders is a spiritually weak 'mutual-admiration society' of many [90%] unqualified Christian leaders. Many of these Christian leaders & TV ministers are easy to identify as loving the approval of men & being seen on the public stage. Over the years, "Christian" TV networks & highly visible preachers themselves are primarily responsible for letting an influx of unqualified [Christian] ministers into the sheepfold. Also, even though scriptures predict that "false prophets" will arise, America's Christian leaders have themselves opened the door even more. Again, the lack of knowledge & discernment is why.
What has now developed today in America's Christian leaders is largely a slop Christianity which has spilled over into the body of Christ. Even most of the unbelieving sect in America can identify the characteristics of today's "Christian" presentation as completely unrespresentative of Christ. In fact, many solid Christians themselves in America legitimately sit at home wanting no part with today's worldly ministers & church Pastors. From the Lord's perspective, the body of Christ itself is innocent & only following innocently as sheep. This is because scriptures are clear that it is the 'shepherds' who are responsible to lead God's sheep. Not visa versa.
Unfortunately in 2006, over 30 million Evangelical believers in America [including other ministers] followed a little "too innocently" as their elected top minister was exposed & soon admitted as being involved in drug usage & homosexual trysts with a gay prostitute. Here again, being fooled to this magnitude is a clear & recent example of total lack of discernment on the part of all leaders who promoted the man & held him up before God's people. Believers took the bait, hook, line & sinker. [ News/Nov '06 ]
Even after the minister was deposed, most all leaders [including those who had promoted him] can still be seen today scratching their "undiscerning heads" about "how" this could have ever happened. But, where are today's teachers & so-called "prophets" who are standing up as a result & providing deep insight & discernment to God's leaders & the body of Christ on how to be sure that this scenario is minimized in the future? Sadly, most of today's worldly Christian leaders & "prophets" quickly put the matter to the side with shabby explanations like "we all have our problems" & "well, we're all sinners".
But, today's unqualified leaders & popular TV ministries in America have now so abased the "high standard of excellence" [Phillipians 1: 10; 2:15; 4:8] of Christianity, that Christian TV today mostly appears as another worldly "Entertainment Tonight" type of program. But, true men & women of God who are anointed & who warn God's beloved children of these End Times are almost non-existent on today's TV "Christian" channels.
For example, today's ministers have lowered the bar so much that we now see the airwaves flooded with so-called "Christian" hip-hop rappers, heavy-metal rock groups & a flood of unqualified "leaders" who are promoted as "prophets" & "prophetesses". Also seen is the constant barrage over the years of lukewarm Hollywood celebrities & pro athletes who are held up to the world & God's people as 'spokespersons' for the Gospel. These have by-and-large replaced God's truly anointed 5-Fold ministers.
Prophetically, today's Christianity as presented on America's TV screens is not anywhere close to reflecting what is about to be exhibited by God's people in the days ahead. The Lord has many "Elijahs" who are sitting on the sidelines today in America who have been faithful & diligent in the word & in the Spirit. Many of these coming powerhouse believers are unknown publicly today. However, they have been faithful to the Lord & in the things of the Spirit. He has groomed them specifically for these days ahead.
Like the prophet Elijah, the Spirit of God knows these forthcoming bond-servants by name & is about to lead them by the Spirit "out of their caves" [1 Kings 19:9] which has been their hidden worshipful place with God. The Lord will soon have a powerful group of solid & true representatives [both leaders & believers] who bring true glory to Him in these End Times. These will be the ones "who have insight" amongst God's people & "will do mighty exploits" to God's glory in the Biblical times ahead. [Dan.11:32,33].
The Lord is still "in the midst" of His people...
Despite today's failures in American Christianity, the Lord can still be found right 'in the midst' of His people. Churches all across the United States are filled with true believers. This is exactly where the Lord desires to be. Whether there are just two people gathered in His Name or 2 million believers gathered, Jesus will always be found "in their midst" at all times, regardless of poor leadership.
This is His greatest desire: to be with, protect & care for His people. Nothing will ever stop Christ from being found in the very "midst of His people". Even in the last recorded appearance of Jesus Himself, He is seen by the Apostle John [in 95AD] as standing "in the middle" of His people. This was symbolized by the physical 7 golden lampstands of which John saw Jesus physically standing "in the midst of". Jesus Himself identified to John that these "are the 7 churches". [Rev.1:13, 20].
Keeping this knowledge in mind, then sharp discernment can result for God's people with regard to today's leaders. For example, most believers do not differentiate much between the "body" of Christ & the "minister" who is standing at the forefront. To be specific, in any particular meeting of true believers where legitimate salvations, healings or miracles are taking place, then the "body" of true believers in America typically will automatically interpret that "leader" at the forefront to be "a true man [or woman] of God". This is a big mistake & is not automatic at all.
This is because the Lord, who is truly 'in the midst' of His gathered children at that particular meeting, will always have His children's needs as His foremost priority. And He will meet those needs regardless of any lack of qualifications or unbecoming behavior on the part of a "minister" standing at the forefront.
The Lord will never "not" meet His children's needs based upon a particular minister's failings or unqualifed status or even if a "false prophet" himself is standing at that meeting's center-stage. In fact, the Lord is ready at all times to respond to His children's needs even if there is 'no one at all' standing at the pulpit. When God's people are gathered together & focused on Jesus with hearts of faith & worship & exalting of Him, then He is always there to respond.
So, believers' discernment of a particular "leader" should always be zeroed in FIRST on that leader's own spirituality, character & qualifications. And not simply based upon the fact that there might be legitimate miracles occurring "in the midst" of the body of Christ at his meetings. Although signs and wonders & gifts will definitely follow true men & women of God, it is a minister's true Christ-likeness of character plus his true care & effective oversight of God's children that qualify him before the Lord. Not a minister's "gifts".
This is why the Lord forewarned that in the End Times many "false" leaders will be seen at gatherings where the Lord Himself is truly performing miracles amongst His people. However, He will cast those false leaders aside because of their ungodly character & misleading God's children. [Math.7:21-23]. The body of Christ [& true ministers] today must keep these insights in mind for accurate spiritual discernment of today's ministers.
As specified previously, even though many powerful miracles by the Lord occur in America, still 90% [min.] of today's Christian leaders & TV ministers are unqualified & failing in the Bible's strict requirements & high standards for leadership. For these, they should step away from the pulpit & from representing themselves as a 5-Fold Leader. However, they should definitely continue in ministering under the anointing & with their giftings until they are "first tested" & proven by bonafide 5-Fold Leaders, as Paul instructed. [1Tim.3:6,10]. God's people in these End Times who are equipped with this kind of understanding & discernment with regard to Leaders will not be fooled in the days ahead about "who's who?" in 5-Fold Leadership.
Unfortunately, only a small percentage [less than 5%] of America's ministers can be heard today accurately identifying today's spiritual departure from Christlikeness in America. Almost none can be heard providing key insights to God's people about spiritual discernment. In fact, numerous mightily anointed leaders have been shunned or even barred from appearing on top Christian TV networks because of their outspokeness concerning the types of things mentioned here. This is because most of today's top TV ministers & high-profile Christian leaders have become more interested in their self-serving & worldly interests rather than having the best interests of God's people as top priority.
Today's blindness & folly in God's House can be epitomized by one popular TV minister who is filled with a spirit of homosexuality yet still undetected by others [as of May 2007]. He recently "prophesied" that "the body of Christ is now in its final mature form & ready for the coming of the Lord!". How far from the truth can a false "Christian minister" & his "prophecies" be?
In fact, many of today's unqualified Christian ministers & false prophets themselves have something in common. Their prime interests have become the exalting of their own 'name' & their own 'ministry' which for most of them have become their own idols. Being recognized publicly as the 'man of God' is their greatest glory.
Most of today's popular TV ministries have actually done more [by their unbecoming behavior, arrogance & worldliness] to distance Americans from the Gospel than they have done to draw them towards Christ over the last 20 years or so. They have brought great reproach upon the Lord. Again, this is because they are not completely qualified as a leader in the first place. Their worldliness & lack of discernment is part & parcel with their own unqualified status. Plus, being surrounded mostly by other undiscerning & unqualified Leaders has virtually left them completely unchecked in God's House.
As emphasized, over the years now a flood of immature & unqualified believers [even false prophets] have easily taken the forefront as the "mighty man or woman of God". Still, regardless of a leader's individual status, the Lord will always be seen "in the midst" of His most cherished & beloved children, the body of Christ. And He will be there to attend to His children's needs, His number one priority.
Knowledge will bring discernment ...
For years now in America, large gatherings of the innocent & thirsting body of Christ faithfully attend churches as they hunger for the deeper things of God. Yet God's people [the body of Christ] mostly have today's general 90% batch of unqualified or "dead work" Christian ministers to turn to. Today's "ear-tickling" messages make up 95% or more of the 'spiritual food' coming down from the pulpits. Although unqualified ministers & false prophets will continue to exist, the increase in knowledge & discernment within God's people in the days ahead will dramatically expose & even confront wolves who are found amongst God's sheepfold. [Dan. 11:32,33; 12:4].
But, in a major contrast to today's Christian leaders in America, God's true & 100% qualified leaders can be observed in the first century apostles who walked in the great humility of Christlikeness. No showiness, worldliness, arrogance or unbecoming attitudes were found in these Spirit-filled dynamos as is commonplace amongst today's leaders.
These anointed bond-servants of God walked in the attitude of Christ by serving others & with mighty demonstrations of power that accompanied them. Their teachings were cutting-edge & equipped believers with the solid meat of the Word of God. Their attitude was one of true humility, kindness & the love of Christ towards all others. These End Times will soon see this again amongst God's true End Time bond-servants.
But, as God's people gain knowldedge of the clear profile of God's true Leaders, then it will result in a great appreciation & respect amongst God's people for the proven & 100% QUALIFIED Christian Leaders who have been accurately discerned as such. Simultaneously, those leaders who fail the tests will also be easily spotted by the body of Christ as UNQUALIFIED or false prophets altogether. Soon, many of today's popular "Reverends" will be exposed as not really being a "Reverend" at all, except by their own self-labeling.
On the other hand, those who are not keen in spiritual discernment from the written Word [concerning leaders] will set themselves up for great deception & the "falling away". The Lord pinpointed these as "foolish virgins" [Math.25:2] who "were going away" & back into the world, believing that the world could possibly offer them fulfillment in the End Times. [Math.25:10].
These will be the ones who will actually become "misled" by the false prophets of these End Times & potentially the great False Prophet himself. "Even the elect", Jesus said, will be open to the spiritual & religious deceptions of today's prophetical times. However, believers in the days ahead who solidly grasp, by the Spirit, the written Word of God on vital End Time topics [like "Biblical Requirements for God's Leaders"] will "Not be misled".
God's true leaders will "Equip the saints"... [Eph.4:12]
"Equipping of the saints" into maturity in Christ is another prime key responsibility which Paul firmly charged all ministers to carry out as God's Leaders. However today, most [95% minimum] of Christian leaders in America continue in their "ear-tickling" & elementary sermons which come nowhere close to "equipping" & maturing God's people as needed for these unparalleled End Times. But, if a minister is found as NOT 'equipping' God's children, then he is neglecting them. Every minister in this particular profile is in a highly dangerous disposition before the Lord Himself.
A powerful warning by Christ Himself for all End Time leaders ought to put a self-examining fear into every Christian minister or aspiring minister today. Referring to the End Time generation of ministers, Jesus said, "Who then is that faithful & sensible slave[End Time minister] whom his master put in charge of his household [the End Time body of Christ] to give them their food [equip the saints] at the proper time? Blessed is that slave [minister] whom his master finds so doing when He comes." [Math.24:45].
Conversely, of End Time ministers who are found not preparing God's people properly when the master returns, Jesus said they would be assigned in the place where the "hypocrites" & "weeping & gnashing of teeth" exist. [Math. 24:48-51].
Two prime examples of today's "elementary" teachings are the true Biblical topics of "faith" & "prosperity". In the early 80's, these powerful topics were presented in the Spirit & right on time. But now, after almost 30 years, God's people are still being barraged by spiritually weak ministers & mimics who are stuck in the topics of "faith" or "prosperity". But, at this point these topics have become "elementary" [Heb.6:1] to God's people in America. Even atheists are well-versed of these teachings.
But, now the Spirit is calling God's true leaders to "equip" the saints [Eph.4:12] in these End Times with the vital things of His Word. And to lead His people "towards maturity" in Christ in readiness for His coming. In the days ahead, God will have plenty of leaders & believers themselves who will be found by the Master "giving God's people their solid food, at this proper time" prophetically. The prophet Daniel also spotlighted this for the End Times when he said, "And those [of God's people] who have insight will provide understanding to the many.....". [Dan.11:33].
Today's "Prophets" & "Prophetesses" ...
Concerning Evangelical & non-denominational leaders who are held up today as "prophets & prophetesses", then most [99%] are no prophets at all. Of the men, most [90%] are actually true Christian "believers". But, their true prophetical "giftings" have been wrongfully interpreted by themselves, by other leaders & by the body of Christ as being a "prophet". The other 10% or so of today's so-called "prophets" are completely false ministers & religious phonies altogether. These are those who have deceitful spirits. [2 Cor.11:13; 1 Tim.4:1]. Only a countable few "prophets" in America today are the true & Biblically sound prophets of God.
With rare exceptions, the women seen today at the forefront who assume to operate as an actual 5-Fold Leader have no business whatsoever being in front of God's people. Of today's "prophetesses", 99% are no prophetess at all. Of this grouping, 70% have evil spirits as they are "deceitful workers". [2 Cor.11:13]. The other 30% or so are actual true Christian "believers" with true giftings. Yet these have allowed themselves to be wrongly influenced resulting in their unqualified status and unscriptural position in the forefront.
Either way, with very rare exceptions, they should step down from exalting themselves in God's House. Also like today's men ministers, most women seen in the pulpits today have brought a great reproach & mockery upon the Lord with their dominating-controlling & unbecoming character, speech & arrogant attitudes. [*The next chapter specifically expounds on this.]
Scriptures are clear that 'overseers' & 'deacons' of God's flock must be "a man". [1Tim. 3:1-16]. However, scriptures clearly allow for female believers to operate powerfully in the areas of teaching, evangelism & prophetical giftings & even as a prophetess. But, always within Paul's guidelines and in conjunction with the 5-Fold ministry roles filled by men. [1Tim. 2:12; 1 Tim 3:1].
But, what has occurred over the years in America is a naivety & sloppiness in Christian leadership even with the term "prophet". Since the 1980's or so, this has opened the door across the United States for most anyone with any level of true prophetical "giftings" to be quickly & widely accepted in God's House as a "prophet" or "prophetess".
In fact, today's false "prophets & prophetesses" are deceitful & have evil spirits exactly as the woman who followed Paul's minstry for "many days". [Acts 16:16-18]. Just like today's false "ministers", she could stand up in the House of God & deliver a perfect & true prophecy & probably to the applause of the body of Christ who observed. Yet, Paul's discernment was keen & "trained to discern good & evil". [Heb.5:14]. At the right timing & under an anointing of power, Paul cast the evil spirit out of her. [Acts 16:18].
However, in today's Christian leadership & the body of Christ the quick acceptance of most anyone as a "prophet" or "prophetess" goes almost entirely unchecked. Here again, this is because of a serious lack of discernment. Most [99%] of today's Christian leaders would not recognize a demon-possessed person sitting right in front of them. This is obviously confirmed by so few leaders today who, unlike Jesus & Paul, are rarely [if ever] seen ministering full & powerful deliverances to anyone at all. [Mark 1:23-27].
But, having prophetical "gifts" in no way automatically equates a believer with being a "prophet" which is a higher calling & office amongst God's true leaders altogether. In fact, no true prophet of God will be seen constantly, as today's so-called "prophets" are, as providing their best prophecies to be personal messages to believers about "who their next husband or wife might be", or that "prosperity is coming to a believer soon...." or "the Lord is going to use you mightily...." or "God has a ministry for you...".
In the last several years in the USA, a popular message spread amongst God's people by the "prophets" is that "America itself [as a nation] is about to experience the greatest prosperity financially in our nation's history". But quite to the contrary, unless this nation as a whole first repents, this couldn't be more false. Unlike the true prophets of God, today's so-called "prophets" & "prophetesses" have kept the warning of "repentance" almost nowhere to be found. But, in today's world, this is exactly one of the prophetical "words" which should be delivered to God's people. [*This is elaborated on in the chapter on "America's Future".]
Another popular but completely short-sighted message of today's "prophets" is the "find your destiny" pitch. True, finding one's own area of purpose or "part" in the body of Christ is essential. Yet, no true prophet of God would focus only [as today's so-called "prophets" & "prophetesses" have] on a short-sighted "destiny" while minimizing or leaving out altogether today's greatest warnings to God's children of the imminent judgements of God, including the return of the Lord Himself.
But in the mighty times ahead, God's true prophets & prophetesses will be heard as sounding a trumpet in these End Times. The greatest prophetical voices of God in the coming days will be as powerful oracles who represent God & speak for God. His true prophets in the days ahead will in no way be 'less' than the other mighty prophets of old. In fact, in most ways they will be even mightier in the days ahead.
They will also have God's people as their prime concern as they announce End Time insights which point to the global judgements & imminent re-appearance of His own Son. It is a global "word" which His true prophets will be heard speaking. Namely, "Repent! For your eternal "destiny" is at hand!". This lines up exactly with all other scriptural warnings for the End Time generation including the Lord's own warnings to His End Time people when He said: "When you see all these things, Look up! Because your Redemption is drawing near!". [Luke 21:38].
In reality, if the true prophets of God, like Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul & John the Revelator were to stand as a group on stage next to today's American ministers & so-called top "prophets & prophetesses", then the stark contrast would be immediately obvious to all, even unbelievers.
So far, today's so-called "prophets" are in perfect line with the prophet Jeremiah's foresight for these End Times when he warned:
"In the Last Days you will clearly understand it. I [God] did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But, if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, And would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds." [Jer.23:20-22].
>>>>>end Chapter 3 / Discerning Today's Christian Leaders & TV Ministers
Copyright 2007 / End Time Prophetic Insight / US Library of Congress / All Rights Reserved. / Distributed worldwide at Amazon's site(s) June 2007 / Rob Conrad