Matthew 24:24

About 25 years ago, a phenomenon called the Toronto Blessing swept much of Christendom. It was supposedly a new move of the Holy Spirit. A few of us observed this "blessing" for about a year. We came to the conclusion, reluctantly I might add, that it was a deception. We based our conclusions on John 16, where the Lord Jesus declares the role of Holy Spirit.

I write this because there is talk of a "fourth wave", the "TB" being the third. It is as if Christians are being programmed to accept the next move as being of God even before it happens. So much for "test the spirits.........."

We need to know how to recognise the true and signs that something is false. I will refer to John 16 and other scriptures. I will endeavor to present enough information to enable you to discern what you are observing.

• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He will say and do nothing contrary to God's word
• God's word says that everything (in the church) should be done properly and orderly (1 Corinthians 14:40) I do not believe that uncontrolled laughter, rooster noises, rolling on the floor, constant interruptions are proper or orderly
• The real Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself. His job is to take what is of Christ and make it known to us (John 16:12-15)
• The Holy Spirit does not override man's will or intellect. He works in the light. Satan works in the dark. One of the best known advocates for the TB told people not to pray in the meetings. He said, "Do your praying at home". That is absurd and spiritually dangerous.
• We are not to judge but we should examine the fruit. Since the TB swept Australia, the church has declined spiritually. That also shows in secular life with the rise of homosexuality, drought, the decline in Christian values and the ability of Christians to influence policy. Same sex marriage was voted in, euthanasia is legal in some states and LGBTIQ people parade their sin proudly, flaunting their immorality and their contempt for God's ways. It's even illegal to say anything negative about such issues. We have no free speech in this country.
• Christians who have been infected with this TB are inclined to look down on those who reject it. Lord Jesus is humble, so His Spirit is the same.
• The work of truth to edify, exhort, correct, teach and deliver God's people has been replaced with a "come out the front and we'll pray for you" approach (in those places where the TB took root).
• Entertainment is replacing teaching in some places. There are churches in the US that have abandoned preaching and teaching
• One of the major Pentecostal denominations advocated a heresy. It claimed that now we have the Holy Spirit, we don't need Jesus. In the USA, a so-called prophet stated that the Holy Spirit is Lord, based on 2 Corinthians 3:17. That is a false interpretation. The "prophet" is one who talks about the supposed revival that is coming.
• Above all, the Holy Spirit brings glory to Lord Jesus, not Himself. If you are not seeing glory to Jesus, it's not the real Holy Spirit.

There is more that I could say. It is indeed possible for the elect to be deceived. Much of the New Testament was written to counteract false teachings. Ignorance is not bliss. It is dangerous. God's people are still being destroyed because of their lack of knowledge. Don't be one of them.

Since He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. If we are nor seeing the same signs, wonders, manifestations, power as the first century church the problem is not up there, it is down here.
I have heard it that the Brownsville revival ended when it was taught " the reason He is doing this here is that we are Assemblies of God".
He deserves and requires first place, we each need to be revived, live revived, walk revived, etc.

The part of spoke of where people were instructed to do their praying at home sounds unbiblical as we are to pray without ceasing, I do so praying in the divine prayer language privately at church, those near me feel Holy Spirit emanate as I do so. It is obedient to His word and a blessing.

Praying is communication with God. I always thought that " walking with God" meant constant communication and obedience. When Jesus said for us to do our praying in private He was simply criticizing what the Pharisees were doing which is praying for show.

"In private" between we and He, without ceasing, staying in communication with Him at all times, as it says, "I no longer live, but He lives in me".

Movements come and movements go. Try the spirit of all of them, whether they are of God.

Some of these movements seem to be just sensationalism. One gets the feeling they were started out of boredom, just for something to do. Then there are some that actually seem to have God's power behind them and get things accomplished in people's lives.