DAVE WILKERSON's VISIONS-Dr. David R. Reagan (Mar 26)
Dave Wilkerson, the pastor of Times Square Church in New YorkCity, has spoken out once again concerning God's impendingjudgment upon this country. He has called on Americans to stockfood and water in preparation for "an earth-shattering calamity" thatwill cause even the most godliest among us to tremble. Once again,as he has done several times before, he tells of visions he hasexperienced in which he has seen New York City burning, as wellas other major cities across the United States.
Many have called or written to ask what I think of Wilkerson'salarming warning. First, let me say that I have the highest respectfor Dave Wilkerson. His track record over the years of service in theLord's Kingdom has shown beyond doubt that he is a man mightilyanointed by God's Spirit. The accomplishments of his amazingministry in New York City are beyond human capability. And althoughhe is a Pentecostal, he has spent a good portion of his ministryspeaking out against the emotional excesses and doctrinal errorsof both the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. I personallybegan supporting Dave Wilkerson's ministry in 1974 and havecontinued to do so to this day, for 35 years, by sending him adonation each month. It is the only ministry I have supported thatlong. After the 9/11 attacks, our ministry raised over $30,000 foremergency relief, and we sent all the money to Dave Wilkerson'schurch.
For years Wilkerson was the darling of the Pentecostal Movementbecause of the fame that came his way through his remarkablebook, The Cross and the Switchblade — the story of how Godworked through him to convert one of the violent gang leaders ofNew York City. But in 1974, many Pentecostals and Charismaticswashed their hands of him because he published a hard-hitting bookcalled The Vision in which he condemned the sins of America,called the nation to repentance, and warned of God's coming judgmentif we failed to repent. He was immediately condemned as a "doomand gloom" prophet. Those church leaders who were seekingpillow-prophets with only a positive message decided to pullWilkerson's books from their church book stores. And thenon-Pentecostal and non-Charismatic community wrote him offas some sort of nut case.
Since that time his detractors have harped over and over on twopoints: 1) His visions concerning America's destruction have notcome true, and 2) There is no need for prophetic words apart fromthe Bible. My first response to these criticisms is to point out thatseldom ever did the prophecies of biblical prophets come truein their lifetimes. For example, many of the prophecies of Isaiah,such as those pertaining to Babylon, did not come true until 150years after his death. Some were fulfilled 700 years later duringthe lifetime of Jesus. And most are still waiting for fulfillment 2,700years later and will not be fulfilled until Jesus returns.
My second point is that the Bible teaches that God never poursout His wrath on a nation without warning, and He warns in twoways — through prophetic voices and remedial judgments. Ibelieve Dave Wilkerson is God's Jeremiah to the United States,and I believe we should pay close attention to his warnings.
Wilkerson believes that our nation has reached the critical pointwhere God has decided — because of our continuing stubbornrebellion — to deliver us from judgment to destruction.
The Bible says that in the end times God will give visions tomany people, both male and female, young and old (Joel2:28-29). All such visions must be tested against the Word.The visions God has given to Dave Wilkerson showing ourmajor cities burning, with civil rioting in the streets, do notviolate any biblical principle. In fact, such destruction andrioting could be the product of any of the end time scenariosI have outlined for America in my book, America the Beautiful?The United States in Bible Prophecy. I think Wilkerson'swarnings are biblically sound. I think we should heed hiswarnings to prepare for the worst, and I believe we shouldrespond to his call to pray as we have never prayed beforefor our nation and our leaders. We need to pray also for ourchurches. We are living on the threshold of the Tribulation.Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven waiting for His Father'scommand to return.
The signs of the times are shouting from the heavens thatour time is short. Yet, the average church is totally obliviousto the fact that we are living on borrowed time. Rather thanpreaching repentance, the preaching is focused on feel-goodthemes in response to the desire of people to have their earstickled. I am not a Pentecostal or a Charismatic, but I am aperson who knows God's Prophetic Word and how God dealswith nations. Dave Wilkerson's warnings are right on target,and we would be foolish to dismiss them out of hand. I praiseGod for Wilkerson's courage to proclaim an unpopular message.He is being crucified in the press - even by Evangelicals. That'sexactly what happened to Jeremiah, except that his people triedto go one step further by attempting to kill him. True prophetsare never popular.
"If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what youdon't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - Augustine
-SOURCE: http://www.lamblion.com/
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