THE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES - PART 2: CONCLUSION Date: June 19, 2006This is the conclusion of a two-part series by Revivalist and Founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, Todd Bentley, entitled, The Glory Cloud of Revelation & Prophetic Mantles. In a vision, Todd saw the Glory Cloud of Revelation—the cloud of Isaiah 11:1, 2, and Revelation 4:5 come upon the Church body—that is, the cloud that is the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the seven Spirits of God. The Lord also showed Todd in the vision, an old Punjabi sadhu (holy man), by the name of Sundar Singh, who lived in India and evangelized throughout the world over a hundred years ago. CONTINUED. NOTE TO ALL MY READERS: I have today, May 15, 2008, observed that "The Glory Cloud of Revelation" by Todd Bentley from his link and website that I provided that exposes Todd Bentley's involvement in mysticism has been removed.
A big thank you goes to Living In The Way Church and Living Journey websites for locating the missing link that suddenly and mysteriously disappeared from Todd Bentley's Website. It appears Bentley or his associates are now shuffling his mystic involvement to other places, making them disappear. For all my readers, I'll post it here again as it reveals and confirms Bentley's occultic New Age Mysticism/contemplative prayer involvement and endorsement, which the Bible warns against, as he masquerades around Lakeland as Christian deceiving the naive.
From Fresh Fire, here is the entire article by Todd Bentley:
THE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES ~ PART TWO: CONCLUSIONBY TODD BENTLEY, FRESH FIRE MINISTRIES
- THE CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATIVE TRADITION (LECTIO DIVINA)
Sundar Singh spent at least two hours daily in reading the Scriptures, meditation and prayer. He would arise at 5:00 am and finish by 7:00 or 8:00 depending on what his schedule was for the day. He often spent the whole day or night in prayer. His discipline was to read one chapter of the Bible, rapidly at first reading, then to return to reread passages or verses that were more suggestive to him. These he would linger with and meditate on for as long as it was fruitful for him to do so. Next, he would enter into a period of “recollection” for twenty minutes or so. This was a time of silence, in which he would allow the Lord to speak to him in some way. With his own mind and heart quieted, he opened his mind and his heart to hear what the Lord would have to say to him or just simply enjoy companionship with his Lord. Often this period of silence would extend into a deeper state called “contemplation” in which he enjoyed complete rest and refreshment in the love of God. continued at link
We walk by faith and not by sight. If we leave in the flesh and are carnally minded it is death. To be cannarlly minded is death. Sow to the spirit and not to the flesh. No Prophet of God would be told by the Holy Spirit, the blessed Holy Spirit who is God also with the father and the son to Kick a woman in the stomach to heal her. Todd does weird pushings and shovings and speaks other gospel with his bravado BAM i.e as if the healings came from him and not from the Lord. I was in Roanoke, Virginia and was ready to go to the revival because I have been blind. God has opened my eyes to lies that have been told and sold to the Church through Prosperity teachers and false prophets that sell the gospel for their bellys instead of storing up their treasure in heaven.TBN and Daystar are luke warm and God the Father almigty will cast the money changers out of the tempel. Every one was starting to see through their web of lies so Satan sent another package of lies to us in the form of God TV. Most other christian television would not put these Pastors, Prophets, and New Mystics( as Patricia King has called her up coming conference) on the air because they knew how wacky people would think they were and they sold it by saying that they only asked for donations twice a year and this slowly but surely started to ebb away, while at the same time these mystic prophets and conferences of false teachings that do not agree with the word of God... Came into play to sell the same ball of dung to the America that it has been selling to the rest of the world. In that day christians will leave the faith and follow sudducing spirits. and many will be lead astray. But the elect of God can not be lead astray because it is not possible. But I tell you brothers and sisters that the time is upon us when those that kill us will think that they offer service to God. Many have been sold the rapture story so that we will all be taken away and never have to endure the tribulation. However, God in revelation came so that the elect of God would not perish from the earth. It has been sold to us that we will just be taken away and have no persecution. Jesus said, that if they hated me they will hate you also and deliver you up to persecution for my name. But the day and the hour of Ezekial 38 are almost upon us and yet we slumber. Can we not know from the signs that the pangs of the birth of Christ return are stretching and twisting the earth. How many biblical type disasters have to happen before we all wake up. And the whole world marvelled at the beast and said who is like him and the whole world was decieved. Tremble and Fear of the Lord come upon us all as we seek out our salvation. He is our hope, He is our Lord, He is our mighty God and we shall serve him in spirit and truth. Numerous times in Lakeland I have heard say "Oh my God" it sounds like he is in the flesh and taking the name of the Lord in vain.He has the tatoos of a wizard not of a Christian. We know from the old testament that we shold put no cuttings in our flesh. Thank you Lord that I have never got one.Some may say well that does not matter it was old testament we are free of the law. True, but we walk in grace given us by God that we should become santified and deliver from all iniquity so that we may prove ourselves silver that has been proved in the fire and that all the dross has been removed and nothing remains but him. I pray oh Lord my God that I walk in humility and have a contrite and humble spirit one that is acceptable to God.Free us Lord Jesus from all iniquity that we may be perfect even as our father in heaven is perfect. Pray for all the televangelist and the charlitans, and the wizards and witches that pretend as wolves in Sheeps clothings.Save us from deception and deliver us from evil.
ReplyDeleteMay we be made one in unity of spirit and may the peace of God's loving hand mold us into what he wants us to be. Do not be decieved these healings have great power but the bad fruit and the wizard that delivers them will be thrown into the lake of fire. Dear Lord Jesus, Deliver Todd Bently from his delusions and his mentorship under false prophets like Rick Joyner, Bob Jones, Paul Cane, and the legacy of William Bramham. God protect your children, your elect, your suffering children, your persecuted children from the likes of wizards and devils that would sell snake oil to your people. Dear Lord open their eyes that they may see and give them ears that they may hear. Praise be to the living and holy one forever and ever. Pray for your enemies. Overcome evil with good. Dear Lord bring forth prayer warriors to protect your people from deception. Amen. He lives forever and of his kingdom their will be no end. Amen and Amen.
Hi Spirit of Elijah:
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and writing such insiring words. We are indeed close to the end, and I can hear God's prophet speaking:
“Let not your prophets and your diviners,
that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.”-Jeremiah 29:
Blessings to you,
Toni
On the website now but here it is in case it dissapears.
ReplyDeleteTHE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES - PART 1
Date: 2006-06-12
Author:
This is a two-part teaching entitled, The Glory Cloud of Revelation and Prophetic Mantles by Revivalist and Founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, Todd Bentley.
Is your life astonishing, filled with prophetic visions and encounters with the Lord? Are you a sign and a wonder? In a vision, Todd saw the Glory Cloud of Revelation--the cloud of Isaiah 11:1, 2 and Revelation 4:5 come upon the church body. Also in the same vision, the Lord showed him an old Punjabi saint by the name of Sundar Singh, who lived in India and evangelized throughout the world over a hundred years ago. The Holy Spirit spoke to Todd about a new release of prophetic revelation coming. In the first part of this prophetic teaching article, Todd teaches about the river of revelation available to every believer and the need for a life wholly dedicated, consecrated, and devoted to the Lord. Part 2 will examine the significance of Sundar Singh in Todd's vision, as an example of the extraordinary relationship God wants us to have with Him, a life of devotion, humility, daily discipline, contemplative prayer, and daily soaking in, and seeking of God's manifest presence. This style of Christian living will see us through the most violent shaking or trying times.
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THE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES
BY TODD BENTLEY
PART ONE
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RIVERS OF REVELATION
There's a new release of prophetic revelation coming! It's the Glory Cloud of Revelation and it's about to come upon those who remain in the tent of His glory, those who are totally devoted to the Lord in holiness and consecration, and to those dedicated to a life of commitment, and prayer. In a vision, I saw the glory cloud of Isaiah 11:1, 2, God's manifest presence, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, come upon the Church:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding [revelation], the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
Although the Glory Cloud of Revelation I saw was a vision, this is a promise of what is literally to come--we will experience the presence of His cloud and God will release rivers of revelation where believers won't just receive a Word of the Lord, but a flowing river of prophecy:
Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, "Where are Samuel and David?" And someone said, "Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah." So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Sam. 19:20-24).
When the Spirit of God came upon King Saul and his messengers, they received a continuous flow of prophecy. The Holy Spirit came upon Saul as a canopy of revelation so that he didn't just receive one prophetic word, but an ever-increasing prophetic flow. This ever-increasing abundant supply of revelation is available to us as believers. God wants us to flow in the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, not just operate in a word of wisdom or a word of knowledge or prophecy. We can hear from the Lord constantly. "He awakens me morning-by-morning, He awakens my ear to hear" (Is. 50:4b). Even as we sleep, the Lord teaches us: "I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel. My heart also instructs me in the night seasons" (Ps. 16:7).
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor. 2:9). When the Holy Spirit rests upon us, so does the anointing to know the deep unto deep things of God and mysteries of the Kingdom:
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:10-16).
God wants to reveal the deep things by His Spirit. No one knows the deep things of God but His Spirit, which is in Him. And friends, we have received this Spirit! Thus, we have the ability to continually be in the mind of Christ. This is the realm of revelation and ministry God wants to open to us today. While the gifts of the Spirit are wonderful, the flowing river of the Lord's abiding presence is even more so, and that's what we should desire and seek with all of our hearts. Why settle for one word, one revelation, one pearl of wisdom when God offers us an endless ocean of them? This anointing will come upon individuals and even companies of people for days and even weeks at a time.
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DRAW NEAR THE GATE
In Genesis 28:11-17, Jacob receives an open heaven revelation. He describes it as the "house of God," the gateway of heaven. In this experience, the ladder did not come from heaven to earth, but from the earth to heaven.
So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"
Again, we see this "gate" or door, as in John's experience in Revelation 4:1, 2:
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." Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
There are those who will receive days and days of open heaven revelation. The key here is to draw near to the gate of heaven. The door standing open in heaven has never closed.
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GREAT DEMONSTRATIONS OF GOD'S POWER
A perfect example of living and ministering out of the Glory Cloud, the open heaven of revelation, was Jesus. He tapped into the mind of God and operated in the seven Spirits of Isaiah 11:1, 2 and Revelation 4:5. He flowed in wisdom and knowledge. In the book of John, we read the story of Jesus and Nathanael under the fig tree:
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, "I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man" (John. 1:43-51).
Jesus' word of knowledge astounded Nathanael, and his faith leapt forward. Jesus Himself was an open heaven, a gate of heaven with wisdom and revelation, the open heaven that we just reviewed in Genesis 28:11-17. Jesus said, "You will see greater things than these." In other words, Jesus operated in something greater than the ability to bring a word, and He told Nathanael that he would see greater demonstrations of His power. Glory!
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REMAIN IN THE TENT OF HIS GLORY
I asked the Lord, "Who will this cloud come on?" Then I remembered the story of Joshua and Moses and how when they would enter the tent of a meeting, the cloud would come down. It was in the glory cloud that Moses spoke to God face-to-face as a friend speaks to friend.
So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle (Ex. 33:8-11).
The Bible says that Moses heard God in plain speech: "I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord" (Num. 12:8).
God is going to release, on the friends of God, the kind of revelation Moses received. It is time to hear plainly and not in dark sayings, and then we will see the form of the Lord. The key to receiving this kind of revelation is to remain in the tent, seek, soak, and spend time in His presence.
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A CALL TO REPENTANCE, HOLINESS, SANCTIFICATION
God's Presence is waiting to fill us! But there's a need for repentance, a weeping and mourning at the altar (Joel 2:17), a return to holiness, an examination of our hearts and motives. Revelation demands character, intimacy, humility, brokenness, and death to self. God cannot enter the temple if we have unclean, uncircumcised hearts:
Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD; and I fell on my face. And the LORD said to me, "Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.
"Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "O house of Israel, let Us have no more of all your abominations. When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it--My house--and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you." Thus says the Lord GOD: "No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel" (Ezek. 44:4-9).
Those who have been faithful will be honored and established:
"Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it. But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord GOD. "They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge" (Ezek. 44:15, 16).
God will put marks of honor upon those who prove their faithfulness and steadfastness to Him in shaking, trying times, and will employ in His service those who haven't drawn back. If we keep close to God, He will keep us close to Him.
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
In this same vision, where I saw the Glory Cloud of Revelation cover believers, I also saw an old saint by the name of Sundar Singh who lived in the latter part of the 1800's and early 1900's in India. Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about this new release of prophetic revelation coming upon the church, similar to the anointing that was upon this man. It stirred my curiosity, and so I studied the life of Sundar Singh, and discovered that this early Punjabi evangelist experienced profound prophetic visions and encounters.
The Lord Himself regularly visited Sundar Singh. During these visitations, he would ask questions of the Lord and receive direct answers. At the Master's Feet is a record of these question and answer times with the Lord. Sundar spoke to the Lord as Moses did face-to-face with God, as a friend speaks to a friend. In his writings, Singh describes his visions and experiences, but we also learn that he was humble, faithful, repentant, and spent much time in the presence of the Lord. This has come to be known as the Christian Contemplative Tradition.
In the second part of this teaching, we'll examine the significance of Sundar Singh in my vision as an example of the extraordinary relationship God wants us to have with Him; a life of devotion, humility, daily discipline, and daily soaking in and seeking of God's manifest presence. Our lives can be just as astonishing, and just as filled with prophetic visions and encounters with the Lord, even through intense shaking and trying times. We are as significant to God as any other saint who has lived before us. But God wants us to choose His presence over everything, a life wholly and devoted to the Lord. He wants us to live in the Glory Cloud of Revelation, which is Himself.
THE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES - PART 2: CONCLUSION
Date: 2006-06-19
Author:
This is the conclusion of a two-part series by Revivalist and Founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, Todd Bentley, entitled, The Glory Cloud of Revelation & Prophetic Mantles. In a vision, Todd saw the Glory Cloud of Revelation—the cloud of Isaiah 11:1, 2, and Revelation 4:5 come upon the Church body—that is, the cloud that is the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the seven Spirits of God. The Lord also showed Todd in the vision, an old Punjabi sadhu (holy man), by the name of Sundar Singh, who lived in India and evangelized throughout the world over a hundred years ago. The Holy Spirit spoke to Todd about a new release of prophetic revelation coming. In the first part of this prophetic teaching article, Todd taught about the river of revelation available to every believer and the need for a life wholly dedicated, consecrated, and devoted to the Lord. (If you missed Part 1, please click here). In his conclusion, Todd examines the significance of Sundar Singh in his vision as an example of the extraordinary relationship God wants us to have with Him. It’s a wonderful life of devotion, humility, daily discipline, worship and contemplative prayer that calls us daily to soak in and seek God’s manifest presence. This style of Christian living will see us through the most violent shaking or persecution.
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THE GLORY CLOUD OF REVELATION & PROPHETIC MANTLES ~ PART TWO: CONCLUSION
BY TODD BENTLEY, FRESH FIRE MINISTRIES
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FLOW IN THE MIND OF CHRIST
The Glory Cloud of Revelation is coming! Walk in it and be healed, delivered, and restored. Walk with the canopy of God’s presence hovering over you, and live life abundantly. Flow in the mind of Christ and live in the ever-increasing flowing river of knowledge and revelation. We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that God has freely given to us (1 Cor. 2:12). Live in the reality of the supernatural world, in the glory cloud of prophetic revelation, which is God Himself.
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LIVE AN ASTONISHING LIFE
We must understand the reality of the supernatural, the open heavens, and the heavenly glory. We must reach for revelation and for that place in the spirit where signs and wonders happen. This is the anointing that God wants to release upon His people today. Your life should be astonishing and filled with prophetic visions and encounters with the Lord! It can be so, if you live in the Glory Cloud of Revelation, which is God Himself. How do we reach for this?
As I wrote in Part One, I saw in a vision, the Glory Cloud of Revelation descending upon the church. It was also during this time of prayer that God took me in a vision to what I believed to be the Himalayan Mountains. I saw an Indian man with a turban on his head and heard the whisper of the Spirit say, “This is Sundar Singh. I am releasing anointing of revelation like this.” I had no communication with this old saint, nor did he say anything to me. The experience lasted only a moment.
Before we proceed with this teaching, I want to clarify that it is biblical for men and women of God to experience this type of vision, known as “translation.” Translation is a spiritual adventure where the spirit leaves the body, but the body stays where it is. It stays put. This is one of many ways that God “speaks” to us, or gives us revelation about something.
Elisha received supernatural knowledge of his servant Gehazi’s actions when he was translated in the spirit (2 Kin 5:26). Jesus had a visitation of both Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17: 1–13) Samuel returned to rebuke King Saul when he consulted with a medium for direction. (1 Sam 28:7–19).
It is important to remember the Lord brought the vision and I heard His voice. I did not pursue nor speak with the dead. According to the book of Hebrews, there is a great cloud of witnesses around us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin, which so easily ensnares us, and let us run” (Heb. 12:1). This type of vision is referred to as a legal translation, and I cover this subject more in “The Levels of Prophetic Revelation”, in Chapter 2 of my book entitled, The Reality of the Supernatural World. For more info or to order:� CANADA� or� USA / INTL� of� EUROPE
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THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SUNDAR SINGH
Sadhu Sundar Singh was referred to by some as “the great Indian seer” or the “living mystic” and was born in 1889, the youngest child, into an aristocratic Sikh family in Patiala State, North India. Of mixed Sikh and Hindu stock, his early dislike of Christianity after his mother’s death when he was fourteen years old resulted in a symbolic burning of the Bible. Soon after, on December 18, 1904, followed a vision of Jesus Christ, and Singh was baptized in 1905. After his vision, he had just one passionate interest—loving and serving Jesus Christ.
Determined to become a Christian sadhu (holy man), he traveled and preached in the mountain regions from his center at Kotgarh. Stories from those years are astonishing. In 1912, it is said that he returned from the Himalayan Mountains with an extraordinary account of finding a three-hundred year old Christian sadhu who lived as a hermit in a mountain cave. Singh called him the “Maharishi of Kailas.” Sundar was said to have spent some weeks in deep fellowship with him.
1Throughout his twenties, he expanded his ministry and he became well-known throughout the Christian world. In spite of his fame, he reportedly remained unassuming and humble. He said he came not to preach but to witness to the saving power of Jesus. All he wanted to do was to come nearer and nearer to Jesus, to grow more and more like Him, and to live in His service. What he wanted to emphasize most was prayer. 2He attributed all he knew, did, and experienced, to prayer. “Prayer, prayer, and again prayer” was his motto. It is known that he was an awesome Christian witness, and people welcomed him all over the world. However, he suffered intense and sometimes horrific persecution and rejection, but incredible deliverance from his situations, too.
3Upon arriving in the Tibetan village of Lazar, Singh was beaten and thrown to die in a pit filled with rotting bodies. His arm was broken, the pit was sealed above him, and only the Grand Lama had the key. Three nights later, Singh heard the grate open. A shadowy figure lowered a rope and pulled him out. The next morning, he boldly showed himself again, preaching in the streets. The Grand Lama seized him. Furious questions followed. Who had helped him? Who had stolen the key? The Grand Lama pulled the key ring from under his robe, but the key to the pit still hung from it. Terrified, the Grand Lama freed Sundar Singh, but bade him never to return to the area.
Another time Singh claims he had been sewn into a wet yak skin and left to be crushed to death as it shrank in the hot sun. Once, he described how he was tied into cloths laced with leeches and scorpions that stung him, and sucked his blood. On another occasion, he was roped to a tree as bait for wild animals. At these, and other times in his walk, he was rescued by members of the “Sunnyasi Mission,” secret disciples of Christ wearing their Hindu markings, whom Singh claimed to have met all over India.
In 1918, he began to travel abroad and visited countries such as Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Europe, North America, and Australia. Several books document his life and ministry.
Singh disappeared in 1929 while traveling to Tibet on foot with no money and circumstances of his death are unknown. He was determined to travel there one last time, despite his friends counseling him against doing so. No one ever saw Sundar Singh again.
Sundar Singh suffered much for Christ, yet he wrote:
When we stand on the edge of a precipice and look down we feel dizzy and are afraid, though the depth may be only a few hundred feet. But we are never afraid when we gaze at the heavens, though our eyes may range over much greater heights. Why? Because we cannot fall upwards. There is, however, a danger of falling down and being dashed to pieces. When we look up to God, we feel that we are safe in Him and that there is no danger whatever. But if we turn away our face from Him, we are filled with fear lest we fall from reality and be broken to pieces.
As extraordinary as his life was in evangelism and persecution, Singh also had numerous extreme prophetic encounters.
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VISIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF SUNDAR SINGH
The Lord himself regularly visited Sundar Singh. During these visitations, he would ask questions of the Lord and receive direct answers. ‘At The Master’s Feet’ is a record of these question and answer times with the Lord. Sundar spoke to the Lord as Moses did, face-to-face like a friend speaks to a friend. In his first vision, (recorded in At the Master’s Feet), 4Sundar describes how Jesus came to him. This was the beginning of regular visits from the Lord.
Once on a dark night I went alone into the forest to pray, and seating myself upon a rock I laid before God my deep necessities, and besought His help. After a short time, seeing a poor man coming towards me I thought he had come to ask me for some relief because he was hungry and cold. I said to him, “I am a poor man, and except for this blanket I have nothing at all. You had better go to the village near by and ask for help there.” And lo! Even whilst I was saying this he flashed forth like lightning, and showering drops of blessing, immediately disappeared. Alas! Alas! It was now clear to me that this was my beloved Master who came not to beg from a poor creature like me, but to bless and to enrich me (2 Cor. 8:9), and so I was left weeping and lamenting my folly and lack of insight.
In a second vision on the same rock in prayer, Satan came to him and sought to turn him to being a Hindu or Muslim since the relative impact of his ministry was still small:
On another day, my work being finished, I again went into the forest to pray, and seated upon that same rock began to consider for what blessings I should make petition. Whilst thus engaged, it seemed to me that another man came and stood near me, who, judged by his bearing and dress and manner of speech, appeared to be a revered and devoted servant of God; but his eyes glittered with craft and cunning, and as he spoke he seemed to breathe an odor of hell.
The man said, “But although in the Name of God you have sacrificed yourself body and soul for others, you have never been truly appreciated. My meaning is that being a Christian, only a few thousand Christians have come under your influence, and some even of these distrust you. How much better would it be if you became a Hindu or a Muslim, and thus become a great leader indeed? They are in search of such a spiritual head. If you accept this suggestion of mine, then three hundred and ten million Hindus and Muslims will become your followers, and render you reverent homage”.
I believe God wants us to walk in a similar pattern—that we become renowned for our utmost devotion to Jesus.
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THE CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATIVE TRADITION (LECTIO DIVINA)
Sundar Singh spent at least two hours daily in reading the Scriptures, meditation and prayer. He would arise at 5:00 am and finish by 7:00 or 8:00 depending on what his schedule was for the day. He often spent the whole day or night in prayer. His discipline was to read one chapter of the Bible, rapidly at first reading, then to return to reread passages or verses that were more suggestive to him. These he would linger with and meditate on for as long as it was fruitful for him to do so. Next, he would enter into a period of “recollection” for twenty minutes or so. This was a time of silence, in which he would allow the Lord to speak to him in some way. With his own mind and heart quieted, he opened his mind and his heart to hear what the Lord would have to say to him or just simply enjoy companionship with his Lord. Often this period of silence would extend into a deeper state called “contemplation” in which he enjoyed complete rest and refreshment in the love of God.
Often during times of contemplation, he entered into experiences of ecstasy. He regarded these experiences as the same as St. Paul’s entrance into the “third heaven”. During his latter years, they occurred frequently, as often as ten times a month. About these experiences he said, “I never try to go into ecstasy; nor do I advise others to try. It is a gift to be accepted, but it should not be sought; if given, it is a pearl of great price.”
Anyone who contemplates the heavenly calling of the apostle Paul and his being caught up into the third heaven, and again into Paradise, will lift up his voice to God and say: Glory to God who surely gives great gifts to men!
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THE FOUR R’s OF THE CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONAL LIFE
This key is one of the most important tools if we are to see an increase of wisdom and revelation in our lives. In the western Christian tradition, meditation refers to thinking about or the use of the imagination around a passage of scripture, whereas, in India, traditional meditation refers to silencing one’s thoughts. The Christian tradition practices the silencing of thoughts and emotions, but it is called “contemplation” rather than “meditation”. This is one of those unfortunate twists of semantics, which has caused confusion when discussing the spirituality of East and West.
Sundar Singh practiced a sequence of prayer discipline that is identical to ancient Christian monastic disciplines: reading the scriptures, meditation on a passage of the reading (also called response of the mind and heart), recollection, and rest. This sequence is also called lectio divina in Latin. It means divine reading, or more precisely, divine listening, since few people in that day could actually read. When ordinary Christians attended church to hear the Scriptures read aloud, they’d memorize a passage or a verse, and ponder it for a week.
These are the four R’s of lectio divina or Christian devotional life:
Reading (hearing) the Word.
Responding to the Word with mind and heart.
Recollecting oneself with an open mind and open heart to God’s will, and
Resting in His Presence.
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Christianity is a way of life, not a hobby, or a pastime. As such, we must treat it as serious business. Reflecting on God and His way should not be taken lightly. We must modify our schedules and make the time to meditate, contemplate, and reflect on His word.
Find a quiet place, away from noise or distractions. Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening (Genesis 24:63). King David lay on his bed to meditate: “When I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the night watches (Ps. 63:6).
Reflect on “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8). Contemplate God’s instruction, be grateful for answered prayer. Recall the day’s events, reflect on them, analyze them, apply God’s law to them, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies” (Ps. 119:59).
Meditation brings wisdom and understanding: “You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation” (Ps. 119:98, 99). Meditation on God’s Word brings prosperity and success: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8).
Meditation brings hope, “Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall, this I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:19, 21, 23) and meditation brings great blessing “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:3).
Sundar Singh was a true example of a seer prophet, a powerful evangelist, of life in the Spirit, and holy devotion to Christ his Master. We need this anointing for effective evangelization today, in every corner of the globe.
Take the time to study and contemplate Sundar’s life, and the lives of other great generals of faith over the last five-thousand years, and learn what it truly means to be God’s friend. They were believers totally devoted to the Lord in holiness and consecration, and they remained in the tent of His glory and encountered Him in mighty ways. God spoke to them as friends and in plain sayings. Theirs were lives of commitment and prayer. They were real, and their lives have meaning for us today. David said,
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search. Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah. And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.’ (Ps. 77:5–12).
Choose to live an astonishing life by choosing God’s presence over everything. Read His Word, Respond to His call, Recollect and remember His wonders, and Rest in His magnificent Presence amidst the cloud, the glory of the Lord.
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REFERENCES:
1 Links In A Golden Chain: � Copyright 1996, by Kathryn Lindskoog
2 Heiler, 88.
3 http://www.consumingfire.com/sadhu.htm
4 Source: At the Master’s Feet, Sundar Singh, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/singh/feet.vii.i.html , accessed June 4, 2006
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A big thank you to Trevor at
ReplyDeletehttp://preachtoday.blogspot.com/
for salvaging this piece of writing of Todd Bentley, which Bentley attempted to hide.