Just when I thought that I could not possibly be further disturbed by the heretical teachings of Todd Bentley, along comes Todd Bentley, Open Heavens. In this teaching Bentley among other things encourages us to essentially astral project into the “heavenly dimension.”
In this two part teaching, Bentley states that “heaven is without the sickness, the sin, the disease, the death, the poverty, and the devil, that we have here. And since we [can and do] enjoy what God has created in the earth, then is there any reason why we can’t, as spiritual beings with spiritual senses, go places in the spirit and taste, see, and touch [experience the geographical beauty of] everything that God has created in the heavenly dimension? After all, everything we have in the natural/temporal realm is created out of the heavenly invisible realm in the first place! Todd Bentley, Open Heavens Part 1 of 2.
So, Todd Bentley believes that we can (and should) go to heaven whenever we wish and taste, see, and touch, while in our mortal bodies. Nowhere in scripture are we encouraged to SEEK these experiences! There is not one example in scripture of a person going to heaven at will. These men and women in scripture who did have encounters NEVER asked for them, or sought after them.
In the first sentence, Bentley, acting as God’s travel agent, states the benefits of astral projecting into the heavenly realm. Of course he does not call it astral projecting as that would make the Bible believing Christians nervous. It is important to cloak these things in Christian-ese so that those who are not familiar with scripture will swallow the teaching. It is rather like wrapping a pill in a piece of meat so that your dog will take his medicine. You and I both know if we feed the dog a straight pill he will spit it out. However, wrap it in something he is familiar with and he will eagerly gulp it down every time.
What is astral projection? Well Wikipedia describes it as “a paranormal interpretation of an out-of-body experience achieved either awake or via lucid dreaming or deep meditation. The concept of astral projection assumes the existence of another body, separate from the physical body and capable of traveling to non-physical planes of existence.
In astral projection the traveler finds him- or herself in an apparently real domain, which often has no parallel to any physical setting, though can be parallel to different time lines and/or physical settings different from our own. This is termed by New Agers and occultists among others as the astral plane or "the astral".
Now compare this explanation again to what Todd Bentley is encouraging us to pursue.
“since we [can and do] enjoy what God has created in the earth, then is there any reason why we can’t, as spiritual beings with spiritual senses, go places in the spirit and taste, see, and touch [experience the geographical beauty of] everything that God has created in the heavenly dimension? Todd Bentley, Open Heavens Part 1 of 2
Looks to me that he is teaching exactly what the New Agers and Occultist teach and just wrapping it in a cloak of Christianity.
Bentley also states that heaven is without sickness, disease, death, poverty, and the devil.
“But heaven is without the sickness, the sin, the disease, the death, the poverty, and the devil, that we have here.” Todd Bentley, Open Heavens Part 1 of 2.
That is incorrect! When we examine Scripture, we see that Satan still has access to the heavenly throne accusing the saints as he has from the beginning. Satan’s access to heaven will remain until his is cast out of heaven as described in Revelation chapter 12.
Bentley goes on to state in his teaching that “God is emphasizing Revelation Chapter 4, verse 1 (above), opening it up, issuing an invitation into the throne zone [huh?]—the third heaven—and into the anointing represented in that particular scripture. What’s more, we need to receive this whole invitation just as eagerly as we have received the prophetic dimension. Todd Bentley, Open Heavens Part 1 of 2.
Now lets us look at that scripture he refers to as an indication that God wants us to go, in our mortal bodies, to the third heaven and the throne of God.
Revelation 4:1 “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
This was a unique experience given to John so that he could receive instruction in order to write the book of Revelation. John did not seek this experience and he was clearly not asking for it. On the contrary, he was the one being asked to come up. There was a divine purpose in him going into the heavenly realm, it was not so he could look at all the nifty things and “hang out” with Jesus.
What exactly does Bentley mean when he says that God is inviting us into the anointing represented by that scripture? Where in scripture is there reference to a special anointing to go up and visit heaven whenever we wish. But, Bentley claims that God is not only inviting us, He is emphasizing it! Now, here is a thought. If you are in the throne room, then there must be a throne. If there is a throne, God must be on the throne. So, Bentley is claiming that he is in the same room as God. However, in all of Bentley’s tales of heaven we never hear of him falling down on his face and worshiping God. Then there is another big problem. Unless God is sitting backwards in his throne so as not to kill Todd, the Bible declares that NO MAN has seen the face of God and lived. Let us take a look at what scripture says.
(John 1:18). . . No man has seen God at any time. . .
(Exodus 33:19-20) . . .But he said: “I myself shall cause all my goodness to pass before your face, and I will declare the name of Jehovah before you; and I will favor the one whom I may favor, and I will show mercy to the one to whom I may show mercy.” 20 And he added: “You are not able to see my face, because no man may see me and yet live.”
Further into his heretical teaching Bentley states the following:
“Since a lot of Christians actually believe it is demonic, the church most of the time doesn’t want to touch the supernatural. But just read your Bible. The supernatural is the way through which God communicated with the prophets and just about everyone. It had to be that way and it’s that way today because He’s God and we’re not!—how else is He going to communicate with us?—He does so in dreams, or trances, etc., which are supernatural.” Todd Bentley, Open Heavens Part 1 of 2
So Bentley claims that God can not deal with us aside from dreams visions and trances. Really Mr. Bentley- God can ONLY speak to us through the supernatural? What exactly do we need scripture or the Holy Sprit for then? However, for those who like Bentley believe in progressive revelation, we do not need God’s Word or the Holy Spirit for we have visions, trances, dreams, trips to heaven and angels to reveal all things to us. Is this really the level to which the Church has fallen?
Bentley goes on to explain that God dealt with just about everyone in scripture supernaturally. That is simply not true. God did communicate via supernatural means in the Old Testament to some because the Holy Spirit had not yet come. However, these experiences were few and far between and always had distinct purpose. We do not see God dealing in this manner with the New Testament saints. The Bible is filled with people who NEVER claimed to have supernatural experiences and those that did may have had only one or at the most two in a whole lifetime! These rare experiences were always for pivotal earth changing events and always happened prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit. You will never find even one example in scripture of God just stopping in to say hi, or people floating up to the third heaven just to look around.
Bentley goes further and states that he wants “to challenge some of you.
It’s time to overcome the fear of being deceived and come to grips with the fact that God in His ability to keep you is greater than the devil’s ability to deceive you.Considering that scripture clearly states that the end days will be marked by strong deception, I think it would be most unwise of us to overcome our fear of deception. In fact scripture says that this end time deception will be marked by signs and wonders so believable that it will be possible to deceive the very elect. The elect are those that are closest to God and love Him the most! Now, ask yourself, why would an honest man of God want us to put aside our fear of deception unless he was actually trying to deceive us? This fear of deception is natural and innate, much the same way as man has a fear of fire, sharks or snakes. It is a fear unto self preservation! Ahhh, but you say God has not given us a spirit of fear. That is correct, indeed He has not. However, fear of deception is not a SPIRIT (of fear); it is a natural God-given emotion. If mankind had no fear then our lifespan would be very short to say the least. In fact, the Bible tells us to fear the Lord so it is obvious that God is not telling us that all fear is of the devil.
Although I could write a whole book on the errors Bentley’s two part teaching contains I think I have pulled out enough to make the point clear. My purpose in doing this is not to tear this man down. God Loves Todd Bentley and wants him to come into the knowledge of His Truth and align his teachings with those of the scripture. My purpose is only to point out the error in his new age teachings for those who wish to hear. We need to continue to pray not only for Todd Bentley but for the well meaning sheep that are unknowingly being lead astray by his new age doctrines.
I don't know what your problem is, but I do know that you don't know the scriptures that well. We do sit in heavenly places with Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). Did you ever read that in Ephes. 2:5-6. I am not trying to defend Mr. Bentley, I have other problems with him regarding the tattoos. But then I have problems with most christians ignorant of the Word of Truth. In these last days, you will see unusual things for those that love the Lord and regard their lives here as nothing. God is not limited as we are. He can do anything. Some people have more faith than others. God rewards that faith in whatever way He chooses. God is not going to bring revival like all the revivals that have happened before. He this time will show how powerful and real He is to everyone.
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Eph 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
The above passage is referring to our position in Christ, as in the state of our soul, being saved, and now we are identified with Him, through His death, and made truly alive in Him, as he overcame death itself. It has nothing to do with "going to heaven" as in a sensual experience. We have overcome death, through Him...so we share that eternal place with Christ, and have defeated the "powers and principalities"...through Him... that once had dominion over us!
In the ages to come we most certainly will in our glorified bodies share the heavenly realms and know in full the exceeding riches of His grace.
A true visitation to the heavenly realms, such as Paul described, was a sovereign act of the Lord. It was not something that was 'willed" on his part.
I have had many, many "astral' type experiences back in the early 70's late 60's when I was involved in new age stuff...a lot of that testimony is at www.sapphirethrone.com
it is too much to go into here. All that may happen to a believer that is of God is through the Holy Spirit, as Mishel explains. We do not manipulate the Holy Spirit! Or its not the Holy Spirit! I have had numerous prophetic dreams as a born again believer, and each has come true, but it was nothing I sought...they were given, and always for a purpose, as to encourage my faith, or pray for something that was to happen, such as an earthquake. Bentley is teaching people how to manipulate their way into an "experience" that is soulish...they contact the fallen demonic realm, which, by it's nature, is deception. The supernatural events in my life are mostly through God's timing ...and there is no way to be in the right place at the right time for prayers to be answered, or blessings to come through, without a relationship with Him that is pleasing to Him! It has to be done His way! Not through manipulation! A crucified life in Christ and picking up our cross and following Him is really not a very popular theme...He said the road would be narrow. The true presence of God is not like anything Bentley is expounding....I pray he is delivered of what he is into, and comes to a right relationship with Messiah...Christ Jesus.
Questions that we all need to ask ourselves? Where in scripture does it say that last days that there will be a revival here on earth? The bible talks about the falling away of the church and does not even point to a revival. If we want to change our nations and what is degradation of society, we need to repent, rend our hearts and turn back to God. It is as simple as that. True revival would look like Joel chapter 2-3. Laughing, rolling on the floor and sprinkles of gold dust are not on the list. What we see going on in Lakeland I would not call even a revival but a movement? Question is, what kind of movement.
However, there will be signs and wonders but not of the Holy kind. Jesus states three times in the Matthew 24, that in the last days, that MANY false prophets will try to deceive with signs and lying wonders that they are so strong that they can even fool the very elect. Why would Jesus (including Paul and the apostles) make these statements and repeat them. It is obvious that this deception will be very strong and that many will fall because of it. Jesus states “See I told you beforehand”…He is telling us in advance to look at the signs of the times and do not focus on the next move or the next sign that might look like it is from God. Jesus did this because He loves us and does not want anyone to perish. We need to pray for brother Bentley because the angel visitations are definitely not from God and he is being deceived. We need to love our brothers and sister by warning them, but we also need to pray for our brothers and sisters to save them and snatch them from the pit. God mentioned that He would send a delusion perhaps as a test to see if those would follow HIM or we would follow after signs. Please refrain from calling those who are testing and warning others as judgemental or religious spirits or Pharisees. Some of us do this to warn as an act of love for our neighbour.
Very Very good post- couldn't have said it better myselfMishel
Absolutely! I was just going to post about our position in Christ and then saw it was already done:)
Thanks for sharing the link with your testimonies also. Am looking forward to reading them.
The other post that follows yours is well said also.
Good solid theology.
It is so hard when dealing with peoples' experiences. We all are very defensive in this arena and can't BEAR the thought (especially mature in faith and leaders, imo) of being deceived! Yet, we all must watch out lest we fall. The enemy is a roaring lion SEEKING to devour us. This is not a passive stance. I think we should hold everything we experience loosely in our hands and submit it all to the Lord, all the time.
Thanks all for sharing!
2Th 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
We are not going to be gathered together with our Lord Jesus until AFTER the apostasy! Ask yourself has the "man of sin" been revealed yet? After watching the spirit operating in Todd Bentley I'm beginning to think that it will be soon.
For the last two nights I went to meetings led by a couple who had "received" Bentley's "impartation". There was never any call to holiness, just that God "loved" you and wanted to give us the desires of our heart! GUESS WHAT, I DON'T WANT THE DESIRES OF MY HEART UNTIL GOD MAKES ME HOLY FIRST!
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We need to get close to God and not let go. I don't want my prayers answered, I don't want healing, I don't want special knowledge or prophesy IF IT MEANS I GET WHAT MY CORRUPT DEPRAVED HEART WANTS. We are entering the day when God will give us anything we desire so that the man of sin might be revealed in us! Anyone who wants bells and whistles more than God is going to have their very own man of sin revealed IN them!
Adam was separated from the Tree of Life after he ate of The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil as God's protection to him. Until we are separated from that faulty self-knowledge we cannot partake of the fullness of Christ. When Christ shows up He will baptize us with fire (which consumes wood, hay and stubble -not- gives us a tingly feeling in our spine). We need to be removed from our flesh nature and be sanctified.
Remember, we are going to stand before a Holy God who will not look upon sin . How do you suppose that is going to happen? Holiness is the first priority!
Wow, I never thought of it the way you put it: Don't ask God for the desires of your heart, but make sure you are holy in God. In other words: when you are in the proces of willing to be made holy by God, you will pray God for the desires of your heart that He himself put there! I got you right, didn't I?
Thanks!!
Yep, exactly. When He gives us the desire of our heart then we are going to desire only what He desires. He also said that He would write His law on our heart so that we would fulfill it in all righteousness.
Psa 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
When we enter His rest and delight ourselves IN HIM...in his holiness then we will desire what he desires. That is when we cease to be double minded and all of our prayers will be answered.
Jas 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
When we enter His rest He can be glorified in us.
2Th 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: (12) That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians,We must stop running after signs!That is how we set ourselves up to be decieved.Do we want the truth of the scriptures,or do we prefer gold dust and feathers?People say,Alease,you are putting God in a box!Am I? Or is it they that are unleashing Satan from his box? We try to warn them of the heresy of Todd Bentley,but they call us Pharisees,Jezebel...Jezebel?Hey,I thought she LOVED the prophets,the False ones,like Bentley!I can not judge this man's heart,but his teachings are extremely abberant and heretical.His claimed connection to old time heretic William Branham is enough to send me heading for the hills!If it isnt in the Bible,folks,it is not true.
I, too, was going to comment on our position with Christ in the heavens, so many know the truth of that. Amen! I agree that Bentley is a false prophet. All of the new age words he uses, such as 'realm,' 'orbs,' 'impartation,' etc. The new age has come to the church, and unfortunately, many do not bother to read the Bible to know what is true, and what is deception. I asked a friend who is brainwashed into this whole thing, where is 'drunk in the spirit' ever mentioned in the Bible? She replied that in Acts 2, Peter said, we are not drunk as you suppose, but drunk in the spirit. I am like...HUH?? She had been programmed to think it said that, from hearing it explained that way, when it doesn't say that at all.
I am a spirit-filled, pentecostal believer, but we have to use discernment to know what is true, and what is false. To me, this is easy to see as false spirits.
jesus loves you.
Note from Mishel: Comment removed- exact comment was placed under four different articles- you are free to post in the forum but the purpose of the comment section is to comment or discuss the article at hand.
thats convenient mishel.
Yes it is very convenient - it saves space to delete double posts- whether the comment is agreeable to my views or not is irrelevant- people do not enjoy having to read the same thing in several places. As well, from a web development it is not good SEO practice. If I really had a problem with you HigherGround none of your posts would remain- you are welcome to continue to post
Mishel