ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!
August 8, 1997
Don Hawley
Last week I participated in a powerful Renewal conference right here in Portland, Oregon. I feel impelled to share just a bit about this conference. This likely will result in the following responses:
* Some won't have even a clue as to what I'm talking about.
* Some will find it very frightening; weird.
* Some will be repulsed, disgusted, even angry.
* Some may find it interesting, and want to know more.
* Some who truly are hungry for the Spirit, will demand to know more.
* Some already involved in Renewal, will be thrilled to learn how God is moving.
Time is so critical that I want to share, and let the Holy Spirit deal with each heart individually. Peter said that the Lord would prove to be "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.". Since Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit has been his representative on earth, and it is he who now will be found offensive. Before I describe what took place at the conference, I want to make a few preliminary statements.
TESTING THE WATERS
In her book "The River Is Here", Melinda Fish makes the following observation:
"It is no coincidence that the metaphor for the current visitation of God is the river. Although the waters of a river are refreshing and life-giving, they bring fear to the hearts of many. As their course deepens and becomes more forceful, those who are afraid of rising water head for dry ground.
"Every revival in church history has been accompanied by unusual manifestations. There is no such thing as a revival without 'mess.' The messy aspects of revival are usually the characteristics that draw attention to it and signal a change in the seasons of God. The mess is an affront to tradition, which has been established in part by what happened during the last move of God. If weeping and repentance were the earmarks of the previous revival, then those acquainted with that movement tend to expect tearful repentance in the next move of God. But what if God changes gears? What if the familiar earmarks are not prominent? This has the unsettling effect of making the revival unrecognizable to those who are unable to change.
"To have been an active part of one move of God, therefore, does not ensure that you will be part of the next." p. 26
How prone we are to think we have God all figured out, or that he has to move according to our expectations. Not too bright a stance, as he always has been a God of surprises.
The rivers of the Bible are highly symbolic.
I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert! Is. 43:19.
But rivers in the Word are not only for refreshing, they also are for testing the people. Naaman the leper was tested at the Jordan where he was to dip seven times. The Lord tested Gideon's troops at the river; their suitability for the battle depended on how they drank from the river.
The climactic battle of the war of the ages is about to commence, and God is "Gideonizing" his troops. He will test us by seeing how we respond to the river of the Spirit that is flowing today.
A last word from Melinda Fish on page 26 of her above-mentioned book:
"These are days to be humble rather than critical. When the flood of God comes, it destroys manmade objects in its way--but we may not know which objects are manmade until the river hits them. Jesus cautioned all of us to build our houses on the rock, because wind, rain and floods may break out against them and cause them to fall. Interestingly, each of these metaphors--wind, rain and floods--is commonly used to describe revival. All these natural phenomena, as well as a river raging out of its banks, are beyond the control of human beings."
THE WINESKINS VARY
This conference brought together world Renewal leaders such as Claudia Friedzon of Argentina, Ken Gott of England, Paul Ariga of Japan, John Arnott of Canada, and Che Ahn from California. Although this move of God doesn't highlight human "stars," it was an awesome array of Spirit-filled men and women.
When still locked in legalism, I was quick to judge and denounce anyone who didn't move in just the precise manner I preferred. I didn't care for those whose personalities rubbed me the wrong way, and concluded that no way could Christ use them in true ministry. I would never have accepted much from loud-mouthed Peter, but the Lord used him mightily.
Since finding freedom in Christ, I have had to learn to accept other clay vessels whether I particularly like them or not. I've learned to judge them by their fruit. The Renewal has taught me much along that line. We credit John Arnott of Toronto for receiving and shepherding the greatest revival North America has ever seen. But Arnott went to South America, to Agrentina, to receive his anointing from Claudio Friedzon. And Claudio came to the United States to receive his anointing from Benny Hinn. Benny Hinn, on the other hand, received his anointing from Kathryn Kuhlman!
Years ago, there was no one in the religious world that I despised more than Kathryn Kuhlman. Within five minutes after she appeared on television, I was frothing at the mouth. I have had to repent; if God wanted to use this woman, how dare I curse the Lord's anointed? Since then I have studied her life with an open mind, and have a totally new perspective. I have a video of her meetings, and it is the most astounding example of verifiable healing I have ever witnessed. Interestingly, Kuhlman didn't even touch those who were healed; their healing took place while merely sitting in her audience. I know a lot of people who didn't like Kathryn Kuhlman's style, but God loved her enough to give her a mighty ministry. And the present great revival can trace its roots back to her dedicated work for the Lord.
Of course, we cannot blindly accept just anything that comes along claiming to be of God. We need to test the fruit and compare with the Word. But we had better lean on something better than our rabid prejudices before we denounce.
HEAVEN OPENED
Although we often look at Toronto, Canada, as the birthplace of this great Renewal, as I mentioned it actually broke out in Argentina before that. John Arnott visited Argentina to observe firsthand what God was doing there. It is such a mighty move, that some ten million people around the world have been strongly touched by what started in one lone congregation. You must read the story to appreciate that move of the Spirit.
Claudio Friedzon, pastor of that Argentinean congregation, led in one evening service during the conference. He moves in the Spirit with power, and his joy in the Lord is highly contagious. Before long, thousands were happily dancing as did David before the ark.
The workshops with Ken Gott of Sunderland, England, were inspiring beyond measure. For those who say, "But what is the fruit?" I challenge them to take time to learn what God is doing in Sunderland; I think it abundantly would satisfy their questions. The evening that Ken Gott had the service, all heaven broke loose. He invited participants to shout to God as did blind Bartimaeus when he urgently desired a blessing from Jesus. And shout they did. For at least a half hour there was the greatest unabated shouting Portland has ever heard--including any sport event ever held here. At one point I glanced up, wondering if the sonic boom might dislodge lighting equipment or ceiling panels. Never in my life have I experienced anything like that outpouring of adoration, exhalation, and petition. I know the heavens were opened. If it had not been necessary to open the doors to hundreds waiting outside for a second service, they might be shouting still!
JESUS IS PASSING BY
I'm sure this account has produced some of the responses I mentioned earlier. If you were turned off, I beg of you carefully to consider the record of Christ's healing of blind Bartimaeus found in Mark 10:46-52. I'm not going to repeat the full account here, so please refresh your memory of that occasion.
There were many in Jericho that day who were not healed. All kinds of afflictions were represented, and no doubt Bartimaeus was only one of several blind beggars in town. We need to ask ourselves, for our own soul's sake, why Bartimaeus?
A great crowd was moving with Jesus, but Bartimaeus was not a part of the flow; he was sitting on the sidelines. Still he longed to be made whole, and must have known Jesus was in the city. No doubt he heard the many reactions to this Jesus of Nazareth.
*Some didn't know what was going on, and didn't care.
* Some were already attending Jesus, and believed his ministry was the most important thing God was doing on earth.
* Some were mildly interested, and willing to hear a bit more.
* Some were excited,and determined to learn more about this charismatic figure.
*Some found Christ's ministry weird, even demonic.
* Some were repulsed, disgusted, and even now were plotting his demise.
I can just hear someone filling Bartimaeus in as he asks about the Savior.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, yes! Tell me what he does!"
Are you sure?"
"Yes!
"Well, he spits in the face of blind people!"
"Spits? That sounds crazy, but do they then see?"
Bartimaeus was so much in need he felt he had nothing to lose. He determined to meet the Savior. At that time he wasn't greatly concerned about, philosophy, doctrines, or cherished traditions; he wanted to be healed. When he sensed that Jesus had drawn even with where he sat, he shouted "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
The Renewal detractors of that day yelled at him to shut up. But he only cried out louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Above the din, Jesus heard that desperate cry for help, and it says "he stopped." If we really know our desperate need, we too can cause Jesus to "stop" and minister to us. Through the Spirit, he is available to all.
Jesus commanded, "Tell him to come here." Who had the privilege of carrying out the Lord's command? Those walking closest to him, those in the middle of the flow, not those merely observing from afar. After testing his faith, the Savior healed him "instantly." Then Bartimaeus "followed Jesus down the road."
According to 2 Corin. 3:12-18, blindness still is rampant in our own day--- spiritual blindness. This lack of sight is the condition of all who are looking to their own good works for salvation. In our time, legalism is the curse of even whole denominations. An ophthalmologist may be able to heal physical eyesight, but only the Master Physician can cure spiritual blindness.
My friend, Jesus is passing by just now in the greatest display of Holy Spirit power since Pentecost. Don't be put off by what you hear; don't be shackled by old traditions. Sometimes, Jesus still "spits." IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT THE SPIRIT HAS DONE THUS FAR IN RENEWAL, I ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE YOU WILL HATE WHAT HE PLANS TO DO IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE! There will be ample occasion for offense by all those looking to be offended.
When Bartimaeus prevailed with Christ, our Lord was just then leaving town. Today, Jesus is again passing by, for the last time. The "window of opportunity" offered Bartimaeus probably lasted for only a few seconds. Ours may be brief as well. Be sure you make your decision on your knees in prayer, not sitting by with indifference, or standing in unknowing opposition.
The river is flowing; Jesus is passing by!
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