To The Church (Kenneth Hagin)

To the Church

By Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body” (Eph. 1:22-23).

What a need there is for the Church to awaken to the appreciation of her mighty place and privilege, to be exalted to the place God wants her, and to realize she is to rule over the powers of the air!

How often the Church has failed in her ministry of authority, actually bowing down in defeat and being overcome with fear.

“And gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” To the Church! The reason Jesus is Head over all things, “the Devil, demons, sickness, poverty, and everything else that’s evil,” is for the benefit of the Church!

We need to sit reverently and meditate before these mighty truths so their tremendous meaning can grasp our hearts.
 In this attitude, the Spirit of Truth can lift us into the place where we can see the full meaning of what God’s Word is saying: That God made Christ to be the head over all things for the sake of the Church, so that the Church, through the Head of the Church, might exercise authority over all things.

Confession:
Jesus is my Head. Jesus is Lord over all. Jesus has given me authority over all the hosts of the enemy. Greater is Jesus that is in me than he that is in the world. I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me and gave Himself for me.

(Taken by permission from RHEMA Bible Church , aka Kenneth Hagin Ministries , Tulsa , OK , USA.  www.rhema.org )

Beware of Psalm 23 (Joe McIntyre)

(From: HERESY HUNTERS INSTITUTE, INC.)

Dear brother,

Thank you for sending us the questionable document. We are always glad to examine any teaching materials that may adversely affect the Church. We do think that this material is dangerous and certainly want to warn the Body of Christ  concerning its subtle false doctrines. Our analysis is as follows:

The document:

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We weren’t given the name of the author of this document, but it is quite clear that is part of the contemporary, humanistic “gospel” of self.

The first thing we would point out is that this is a “positive confession.” Our research shows that this idea was never heard of in the Church before the metaphysical cults introduced it in the late 19th century. This author has obviously been influenced by these cults.

Secondly, note the “affirmation” that he will not want. This is clearly that “gospel of greed” – the prosperity gospel. Whoever wrote this probably is a follower of these dreadful prosperity preachers. Sorry you couldn’t come up with the author so we could do a background check on him or her. Even without the author’s name, it’s still pretty clear who influenced this individual.

Then the author affirms himself to be perfectly led by the Lord. This is the dangerous delusion of elitism. Many of these groups feel they are the only true Christians. They are the only ones who really represent the name of the Lord. You can see the tremendous spiritual pride lurking behind this, I’m sure.

Our author tells us that he walks through the shadow of death. Obvious Christian Science influence here. Denying the reality of matter and evil. This is indeed a pernicious error. This is also practiced by denying the reality of sickness. Sickness, evil and death are mere illusions. Very dangerous!

Notice the references to “green pastures” and “still waters.” The cults always resort to metaphoric symbols and encourage their victims to visualize. This, of course, opens their minds up to demonic influence. Note also that a life of ease and blessing is pictured, very appealing to the flesh. Seldom do these people ever talk about taking up our cross and following Jesus.

The author now mentions restoring the soul. We see two possible references to dangerous teachings here. Firstly, the teaching of restoration. This is false teaching that suggests that the Church isn’t all God wants it to be. Of course, that is unacceptable. We have the Bible; we need nothing beyond the Scriptures. And then secondly, there could be a suggestion of the teaching of inner healing. We have a paper on this error available if you should so desire.

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR YOU ARE WITH ME: Notice the big “I.” Bold, arrogant, egotistical statements like this are common
among these groups. Totally devoid of humility. I think you can see the obvious, humanistic bent.

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME: Clearly the error of the authority of the believer is being implied here. Taking the place of God and assuming that mere sinful men can actually wield the rod of God. To say this is presumptuous is mild. This is the “little gods” error. These false teachers never have a due regard for the sovereignty of God.

YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES: The archangel Michael did not dare to bring an
accusation against Satan, but these types of teachers boldly mock the Devil. This suggests an unhealthy preoccupation with “spiritual warfare.”

YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL: The height of arrogance. So many today claim they are the anointed of the Lord and no one
should question their teachings and activities. I’m sure this author, whoever he is, considers himself to be one of God’s “special” anointed ones.

MY CUP RUNS OVER: Another allusion to prosperity. A “positive confession” of abundance. Decidedly derived from Unity or one
of the other metaphysical cults.

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE: No suffering, no trials, no difficulties in life! This is not the Bible gospel. These teachers hold out the promise of problem-free living and then bilk those who listen to them of their finances to support their extravagant life-styles. What a mockery of the cross.

I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER: Actually this type of teaching doesn’t belong in the Church at all.
This gospel of greed, positive confession and trouble-free living certainly isn’t based on the Bible.

Thank you for sending us this example of heretical teaching. We advise you to steer clear of this teacher. Although it may have a veneer of Biblical sounding ideas, it is clearly imported from metaphysical and New Age teachings.

Kenneth Hagin Prophecy on Restoration (2003)

On February 18, 2003, the Lord gave the Body of Christ a glimpse into the future through the following prophecy, delivered by Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin during the annual Winter Bible Seminar in Tulsa, OK.

Many are concerned about the future and they wonder what will happen. Will darkness overtake, or will the light shine bright?

Yea, saith the Lord of hosts, remember that you’re in My hands. And remember that I know the future better than you know the past—and all is well!

I will alert you concerning that which will affect you. I will show you the way to go, and you’ll walk in it and be blessed. Above all the people of the world, upon the earth, you shall be blessed.

For thou art My people, and My people shall rule and reign. And the blessings of God will fall upon them.

The latter rain shall be poured out. Yea, upon nations that are now barren and void. But the rain will be poured out. The seed will be planted. The harvest will come. The glory of God will shine upon the earth.

And they of the world will walk on in the way in which they’ve walked! And the darkness shall overtake them.

But ye shall walk in the light! The entrance of His Words giveth light! Walk according to the Word. Walk in the Word. Walk in the Spirit.

And the power shall rest upon you. And the glory of God shall be seen upon your face! Many shall turn to the Lord. Great days, great times, great blessings are ahead. So rejoice and be glad.

Many are concerned about things that have happened, the terror that has taken hold of the hearts of many. Many are concerned about war. Many are concerned about the future. Darkness seems to be developing. Dark clouds are on the horizon of time.

But, yea, saith the Lord of hosts, walk not by what you see with the physical eye. But walk according to what My Word says. Walk according to what the Holy Ghost is saying unto you!

For He’s speaking unto many hearts. And they walk on in the natural and pay no attention to their heart. He’s speaking to many spirits! They walk on in the realm of the mental, thinking their own thoughts, planning their own way.

But, yea, saith the Lord of hosts, listen to what the Spirit is saying to your heart, to your spirit. And what He said to you, act upon it! Act upon it! Act like it’s so!

Rejoice and be glad. In the face of adversity. In the face of seemingly natural defeat! Because you have inside information, information inside the Word, information given by the Spirit.

And it shall all come to pass. Amen.

We pride ourselves in being a Word church and Word people. And right and good. For it is true, saith the Lord, you are a Word people.

But do not forget that you’re also a Holy Ghost people—spiritual. Yes, the Word goes forth. But again and again, the Spirit has endeavored to move in your midst and you’ve ignored Him, and you’ve kept quiet.

Some have yielded temporarily to the Spirit. For the Spirit seeketh to manifest Himself. He’ll manifest Himself in revelation, revealing unto you through the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, the discerning of spirits.

And He’s endeavored to speak! For He does speak unto His people by the Holy Spirit. By tongues and interpretation, by prophecy. And many have held back and would not speak out. And by so doing have quenched the Spirit, and have not only quenched the Spirit, but have grieved the Spirit.

Yea, listen to what the Spirit is saying. For there will be an outpouring of the Holy Ghost in these latter days. The latter rain—the early rain and the latter rain to gather in the fruit of the earth which He is waiting to receive before He comes again. Yea, it’s coming!

And this year, the year of 2003, is a year of preparation. It’s a year of separation! There will be those who will separate themselves from you, and walk in their own way, carry out their own plan, and have no power, and no glory, and no Spirit. But a deadness shall overtake them.

But there shall be those who will respond in fullness and will say, “Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord, I’ve missed it in times past. I’ve even been disobedient. Forgive me.” And remember that He forgives. Remember that there is mercy. Remember that it is stated, “Let us come boldly to the Throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.”

And so there’s mercy and there’s grace. And so pick up and go forward and learn. Learn the ways of the Spirit. Study! Meditate!

There shall be a restoration! There is a restoration in progress at the moment. A restoration! A restoration, spiritually speaking, when there shall be restored a full manifestation of the Spirit. . . . and He’s endeavored to divide the manifestations unto many who sit here, and you have not responded.

Be not afraid. Yes, man is human and very often man misses it—misinterpreted, missed just [exactly] what He’s saying. But do not let those things deter you, but let them be a learning experience.

Yes! Yes! This is the time of restoration. And there is coming a restoration in the world, in the natural realm. Restoration of marriages. Restoration of those who have been out of fellowship one with another….

Many are out of fellowship! But get into fellowship. Get into fellowship with one another. And get into one accord in praising and worshipping God. And the glory shall come in a way that you’ve never seen it before.

So this year 2003 is a year of preparation. It’s a year of not only preparation, but it’s a year of restoration. And 2003 will be glorious; it’ll build and build one upon another, so to speak.

But it will not all be glorious. Yes, God’s blessings are always glorious. But remember Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. And that wilderness experience was not all glorious until the end.

And so there will come to some who sit here a time that’ll not seem so glorious. Tears [weeping], oh yeah, tears shall be shed. Grief shall be endured. But joy cometh in the morning.

And so in many ways, 2003 is a year of opportunity—a year of restoration, a year of rebuilding.

But 2004, what about 2004? 2004 will be a year for more. More power, more glory, more manifestation, more saved, more filled with the Spirit, more healed! 2004 will be a year for more.

What about 2005? Will time last or will it cease? 2005—oh my! A year of judgment. Judgment. If we judge ourselves, we’ll not be judged. But when we are judged, we’re turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

There’ll be judgment in the individual realm. There’ll be judgment in the family realm. There’ll be judgment on the national level. A day of sternness. A day of discipline. A day of correction.

But the end of the year will be glorious. Amends shall be made. Many shall judge themselves. Nations will turn to God. And it’ll end in a glorious manner.

Now what about 2006? There is no way to tell it! Oh Lord, oh my! How do you describe it? And that’s just the beginning. Yeah, when I say “beginning,” I’m talking about what happens just at the beginning of the year!

And it’ll grow in intensity….it will be a glorious year. It will be a year of heaven on earth! But the end will be [even] more glorious than the beginning.

So rejoice and be glad. The enemy is a defeated foe! Jesus has triumphed. Victory belongs to everyone. No one should come up empty-handed, but everyone should walk in full victory, commanding and demanding their rights and privileges in Christ Jesus . . . demanding nothing of the Father—He’s the One who made the provision.

But demanding of the devil, who is endeavoring to thwart the plan of God, who is endeavoring to keep it from coming to pass.

But it will all come to pass. It will all come to pass at last.

And the Holy Spirit has spoken unto a number of ministers here tonight. And He’s spoken to you in times past. He’s told you exactly what to do. You have not done it yet!

And you wonder why He withholds certain things. You wonder why it’s tough, or the way seems rough. Go ahead, listen to what the Holy Ghost is saying.

Make your church not only a Word church, but a Holy Ghost church. Put the Word first always. Move in the Holy Ghost in line with the Word.

And the glory shall be made manifest. The glory shall even be seen by many. And the blessings of the Lord will flow like a mighty river. Thank You, Lord Jesus.