In our previous article, “The Latest Unholy Alliance – Hillsong and Bethel”, we linked to an upcoming Bethel event, “OpenHeavens” with Brian Houston as a keynote speaker.
The “unholy alliance” continues as Bethel embarks on its own courtship with the Pope.
Tony Miano writes,
Bethel Redding’s Courtship with Belial
Kris Vallotton, second in command of the Bethel Redding cult, recently met Pope Francis–an antichrist.I have well-documented the unbiblical, blasphemous beliefs and practices of a group I believe is a cult–Bethel Redding. My research and documentation includes information about Bethel’s second-in-command,Kris Vallotton. Today, Vallotton met Pope Francis–head of the apostate Roman Catholic Church and an antichrist. As I write this article, Vallotton’s Facebook photo with the pope has 240 shares, 290 comments, and over 5,700 reactions. Vallotton’s remarks, along with many of the comments attached to the photo, serve as examples of Bethel Redding’s courtship with Belial.
Who is Belial?
The word/name “Belial” appears in only verse in the Bible–2 Corinthians 6:15.
“What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
So, who or what is “Belial?”
I found the following explanation in Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers to be rather fascinating:
“The passage is remarkable as being the only occurrence of the name in the New Testament, all the more so because it does not appear in the Greek version of the Old. The Hebrew word signifies ‘vileness, worthlessness;’ and the ‘sons of Belial’ (as in Deuteronomy 13:13; 1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 25:17) were therefore the worthless and the vile. The English version, following the Vulgate, translates the phrase as though Belial were a proper name, and this has led to the current belief, as shown in Milton’s poems, that it was the name of a demon or fallen angel, the representative of impurity—
‘Belial came last, than whom a spirit more lewd,
Fell not from heaven, or more gross to love
Vice for itself.’—Paradise Lost, i. 490.
‘Belial, the dissolutest spirit that fell,
The sensualest, and, after Asmodai,
The fleshliest incubus.’—Paradise Regained, ii. 204.
“St. Paul’s use of the word would seem to imply that some such belief was floating among the Jews in his time. A strange legend, which possibly had a Jewish origin (it is referred to certain necromantici), is found in an obscure and forgotten book (Wierus: Pseudo-Monarchia Dæmonum), to the effect that Solomon was led by a certain woman to bow before the image of Belial, who is represented as worshipped by the Babylonians. Of that worship there is no trace in history; and Milton seems to have recognised this—
‘To him no temple stood
Nor altar smoked.’
“But if the name had gathered these associations round it, we can understand St. Paul’s using it as representing, or, as it were, personifying, the whole system of impure cultus that prevailed in the worship of Aphrodite at Corinth.”
In his work, Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes explains the term “Belial” this way:
“Belial – Βελίαλ Belial or Βελίαρ Beliar, as as it is found in some of the late editions. The form Beliar is Syriac. The Hebrew word בּליּצל beliya‛al means literally without profit; worthlessness; wickedness. It is here evidently applied to Satan. The Syriac translates it ‘Satan.’ The idea is, that the persons to whom Paul referred, the pagan, wicked, unbelieving world, were governed by the principles of Satan, and were ‘taken captive by him at his will’ (2 Timothy 2:26 compare John 8:44), and that Christians should be separate from the wicked world, as Christ was separate from all the feelings, purposes, and plans of Satan. He had no participation in them; he formed no union with them; and so it should be with the followers of the one in relation to the followers of the other.”
Whether Belial is a demonic entity or a type of person, followers of Christ are to never engage in any spiritual enterprise (prayer, worship, ministry, etc.) with unbelievers, with practitioners of false religions–with Belial, with those who are of their father, the devil.
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Vallotton professes to be a Christian, yet he lauds the leader and practitioner of a false religion. He does this with seemingly nary a care for the billion lost souls in Roman Catholicism and without a care for the soul of a lost old man he would call “brother.” Why the fascination with Francis?
Vallotton’s Fascination with Francis
Vallotton makes no secret about his man-crush on the pope. “I had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis today with some other pastors. He is really a great man. I love him a ton!” This is how Vallotton captioned his photo of his meeting with the pope.
A great man? How can any professing Christian refer to the present leading antichrist in the world as a “great man?” And how exactly does Vallotton define a “great man,” if the pope (the leader of an apostate religion that spiritually [and sometimes physically] abuses, enslaves, coerces, extorts, and manipulates more than a billion people) as his example?
Earlier this year, Vallotton did a “blog swap” with Lisa Bevere. Lisa is married to John Bevere–the man who takes credit for giving the New Apostolic Reformation its name in 1994 and for being the apostate and blasphemous movement’s “intellectual godfather.”
Earlier this year, writing on Lisa Bevere’s blog, Vallotton penned an article titled Women Leaders in the Church. Vallotton begins the article as follows:
“In a recent interview with America Magazine, the Pope spoke of his concern for women to find their proper role in the Church. He said, ‘Women are asking deep questions that must be addressed. The Church cannot be herself without the woman and her role.’
“I agree with the Pope. I have an amazing wife, two daughters, a daughter-in-law and three granddaughters that wake up every day to a world of discrimination simply because of their gender. But the most troubling aspect of this oppression is that the Church is often found leading it! Many believers have developed a theology that proactively uses the Bible to disqualify women from the most formidable roles of leadership, especially in the Church. I am appalled by the number of Christian leaders who are convinced that women are not as qualified, called, and/or gifted to lead as men are.”
Vallotton, a feminist and an egalitarian, doesn’t even try to hide his cards. He lacks the wisdom and discernment to differentiate between the Roman Catholic Church and the true Church–the Bride of Christ. He lacks the wisdom and discernment to differentiate between a Christian and an antichrist. He sees the pope as a spiritual brother, a “great man” who he “loves a ton.” Of course it’s only my opinion, but I believe the reason is that both Vallotton and Pope Francis are of the same spiritual father–the devil (John 8:44).
Some NAR, Bethel Redding, and Vallotton apologists will no doubt cry foul (they do every time I dare to touch who they believe is one of the Lord’s “anointed”). They will accuse me of faulting Vallotton for “loving” the pope. They will accuse me of not loving the pope. It’s not true. I don’t believe Vallotton is capable of loving the pope with a love that matters–the kind of love that would call the pope to repent and believe the gospel.
Vallotton’s Lost Sheep Followers of Belial
As disturbing as Vallotton’s man-crush on the pope is, the comments of Vallotton’s lost sheep followers of Belial are just as bad–if not worse. Here are a few low-lights:
“I’m glad you love him [the pope]. So do I ..He has such a heart for the Lord.”
And…..
“We are one in the spirit
We are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity
May one day be restored.
“We just sang that at Azusa. Look at us now!”
And…..
“Please tell me you gave Him a word. That would be incredible to honor him that way. Awesome to see this.”
And…..
“Not a false teacher at all. Some would toss those claims towards Bethel as well. Just because you read your bible differently, doesn’t make it false… Careful how tight you hold water/theologies. The tighter you grip the more you loose.”
And…..
“Can’t we just agree that this was an historic moment without offering our opinions” (Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson–leader of the Bethel Redding cult).
It’s the blind leading the blind. It’s a wolf leading deceived sheep (or goats). These quotes are heartbreaking examples of people who may very-well one day hear Jesus say:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Closing Thoughts
Kris Vallotton has once again shown himself to be a friend of Belial and not a follower of Christ. Vallotton lacks the wisdom and discernment to recognize Pope Francis as an antichrist, likely for the same reason a billion Roman Catholics fail to do so. He is lost and needs to repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ. I hope and pray he does while God has given him time.
If after reading this article you’ve come to realize that Bethel Redding and Kris Vallotton have led you astray, if after reading this you are questioning what you believe, please take the time to read Our Message.
Categories: Bethel "Church", Hillsong, Roman Catholic Church (RCC)
You are insane. Roman Catholicism was the FIRST Christian Faith. Founded by Christ Himself on the Foundation of the Rock (Petra – Peter). Martin Luther and King James REMOVED books and gospel — a sin against GOD (according to the Holy Bible). YOU are an apostate and a blasphemer. Shame on you for spreading false accusations against your brethren and fellow Christians.
It Is No Longer I Who Live
Evangelist Mike Gendron, Director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry, an evangelistic outreach to Roman Catholics, contrasts his life as a Roman Catholic with his life as a Christian.
Four words describe my life as a Catholic without Jesus. They are worldly, religious, enslaved and deceived.
Worldly
From the world’s perspective my first 34 years were very successful. I excelled in athletics, playing varsity baseball all the way through college, and winning a gold medal in springboard diving. After earning a master’s degree in business, I channeled all my competitive energy into a rapid climb to the top of the corporate ladder. This enabled me to quickly obtain great wealth and recognition but it also led me into a hedonistic, pleasure-seeking lifestyle. I was corrupted by deceitful desires and had given myself over to sensuality, with a continual lust for more (Eph 4:19). I built my half million-dollar dream house in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Dallas, joined a fabulous country club and purchased a Mercedes 380 SL sports car and the universal sign of accomplishment – a gold Rolex watch. Yet with all this success and wealth, there was still a nagging void in my life. The Bible explains why: “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from God, but is from the world” (1 John 2:16).
Religious
As a devout Catholic, I faithfully participated in religious rituals and received the sacraments to gain acceptance from God and to avoid the fires of hell. In retrospect I was motivated more by a fear of hell than a desire to be with God. Some of my good works included being an altar boy for 7 years, teaching Catholic doctrine to high school students and initiating the first Little Rock Scripture Study at a Dallas Catholic Church. My religious activity gave me an external righteousness that covered my corrupt and depraved nature. I had a zeal for God but it wasn’t based on biblical knowledge so I sought to establish my own righteousness before God (Rom. 10:1). Now I know how Satan destroys religious people for their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
Enslaved
My enslavement was all encompassing and I was powerless to do anything about it. Not only was I in bondage to sin but also to the legalism of Catholic traditions (Col. 2:8). The Catholic priests, like the Judaizers were false brethren who kept me in bondage (Gal. 2:4). Their confessional box was a place I dreaded to go. Week after week I had to confess the same sins to the same priest because I was disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to various lusts and pleasures (Titus 3:3). Many times I would disguise my voice so the priest wouldn’t know it was me again. Undeniably I was ensnared by the devil, held captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:26).
Deceived
I had no way to discern truth from error because I was biblically ignorant. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a Bible, in fact, I had a huge one displayed on my coffee table as a sign of piety. I never opened it because priests had told me it was too difficult to understand. No one ever told me the Bible sets forth the truth plainly to every man’s conscience (2 Cor. 4:2). Because of my lack of biblical knowledge I was easily deceived. I lived in error because I did not know the Scriptures or the power of God (Mat. 22:29). Satan, who deceives the whole world had blinded me from the truth of the Gospel (Rev. 12:9, 2 Cor 4:4). I was separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that was in me (Eph. 4:18).
Four words that describe my life with Jesus are liberated, forgiven, reconciled, and secured.
Liberated
In 1981, after attending an apologetics seminar called “Evidence for the Christian Faith,” the Bible became my sole authority in all matters of faith. I began searching for answers to questions that priests were never able to explain. I was amazed at how often the Bible contradicted Catholic teaching and tradition. Soon I faced a difficult dilemma. With my eternal destiny hanging in the balance I had to make a decision. Should I trust the Word of God or the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church? Once I saw it from that perspective it became an easy decision. The truth of God’s word began to set me free from the legalistic bondage of the Catholic Church. I read where Jesus came to release the captives, and to set free those who are downtrodden (Luke 4:18). He said, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). The ransom payment for delivering sinners from the bondage of sin was the precious blood of Jesus. He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:14). It is through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that I can put to death the evil deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13). By the grace of God, sin no longer is master over me. Thanks be to God that, though I was a slave of sin, by His power He made me a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18).
Forgiven
As a Catholic each time I confessed my sins to a priest he told me I was forgiven. But was I really? I never even knew what forgiveness meant or what God’s justice demands as punishment for sin. Each time I entered the Catholic Church I saw Jesus hanging on a cross but I never knew why he had to die. I never knew, that is, until I read in the Bible that the penalty for sin is death, eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rom. 6:23, Rev. 20:14). The sin debt that must be paid to satisfy God’s justice is death. Then I discovered “to forgive” means “to cancel a debt that is owed.” So when God forgives a sinner He cancels the entire debt for all their sins – past, present and future. But how can a righteous judge let the guilty go unpunished? It is righteous only when someone else has paid the penalty. My substitute, Jesus Christ cancelled the certificate of debt against me. It was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). Jesus suffered and died so that I could live. He was pierced for my transgressions. He was crushed for my iniquities. Oh how can it be that my God and Creator should die for me? The answer is profoundly given in one word , love. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). My sin, not in part but the whole, was nailed to the cross. I bear it no more! God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on my behalf, so that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). This was the greatest news I had ever heard! No longer was I condemned to death but justified to life! I was acquitted because God the righteous judge saw that justice was served through His Only Son. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:10) Through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:47).
Reconciled
When I came to understand I had been reconciled to God through the death of His Son, I realized I no longer needed priests offering sacrifices for my sins. Because by one sacrifice Jesus has made perfect forever those who are being made holy (Heb. 10:14). No longer is there a sin barrier separating me from God (Isaiah 59:2). Jesus has given me access to the Father (Eph. 2:18). This was powerfully demonstrated at the atoning death of Christ when the veil that partitioned the holy of holies was torn open from top to bottom. Those who trust the redeeming work of Christ can exchange their ritualistic religion for an intimate relationship with almighty God. Through the blood of His cross Jesus is able to present me before God holy and blameless (Col. 1:20-22). Jesus changed my relationship with God from one of hostility to one of peace and harmony.
Secured
Each time I got on an airplane as a Catholic I experienced a nagging fear as to where I would spend eternity if the plane went down. I never knew if my sins were serious enough to warrant hell or if I had done enough good works to qualify for heaven. Now as a Christian I know eternal life is not determined by what I do for God but on what God has done for me. I no longer have to wonder about my eternal destiny. It is based on the assertive faithfulness of God. I am secure in Christ and nothing I do will ever change God’s promises to me. Jesus promised that He will lose no one the Father has given Him. “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:39-40). I came to realize that eternal life, by its very nature, can never be terminated. From God’s word I know that since God justified me He will also glorify me (Rom. 8:30). I know that I am held securely in the hands of the Father and the Son and no one can snatch me away (John 10:27-30). The Holy Spirit, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, seals everyone who hears and believes the Gospel of salvation in Christ (Eph.1: 13-14). Based on God’s promises, I am more confident of spending eternity in heaven than one more day on earth.
I am eternally thankful that God has made me alive in Christ, healed my spiritual blindness to see His truth, forgiven my sins, declared me righteous and adopted me into His family. The life I live I now live for Him!
http://www.pro-gospel.org/
Did the Roman Catholic church give us our Bible? by Matt Slick http://carm.org/roman-catholicism
Roman Catholics often say that it was their church that gave us the Bible. They sometimes claim this when defending their “Sacred Tradition,” so that they might support extra-biblical teachings such as purgatory, penance, indulgences, and Mary worship. They often say the only way the Christian church knew what books are to be included in the Canon of Scripture was because it was revealed by word-of-mouth in the early church, that is, by the tradition of the Catholic Church.
Unfortunately, this argument implies that tradition is superior to Scripture. Of course, we are not saying that the Roman Catholic church teaches that tradition is above Scripture. But when Sacred Tradition is claimed to be the thing by which Scripture is given, then tradition is inadvertently the thing that gives blessing and approval to the Bible. Heb. 7:7 says, “But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.” The unfortunate psychological effect of saying that Roman Catholic tradition is what gave us the Bible is that it elevates their tradition to a level far greater than what is permitted in Scripture. In fact, it is contradicted by scripture:
“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” (1 Cor. 4:6).
The Bible tells us to obey the Word of God–to not go beyond the written Word (1 Cor. 4:6). Unfortunately, the problem with an elevated status of Roman Catholic church tradition is that it results in various justifications of its non-biblical teachings such as prayer to Mary, purgatory, indulgences, penance, works of righteousness, etc. Because it has deviated from trusting God’s Word alone, it has ventured into unscriptural areas. Nevertheless, did the Roman Catholic Church give us the Bible? No, it did not.
First of all, the Roman Catholic Church was not really around as an organization in the first couple hundred years of the Christian Church. The Christian church was under persecution, and official church gatherings were very risky in the Roman Empire due to the persecution. Catholicism, as an organization with a central figure located in Rome, did not occur for quite some time in spite of its claim they can trace the papacy back to Peter.
Second, the Christian Church recognized what was Scripture. It did not establish it. This is a very important point. The Christian Church recognizes what God has inspired and pronounces that recognition. In other words, it discovers what is already authentic. Jesus said “my sheep hear my voice and they follow me . . . ” (John 10:27). The church hears the voice of Christ; that is, it recognizes what is inspired, and it follows the word. It does not add to it as the Roman Catholic Church has done. Therefore, it is not following the voice of Christ.
Third, the Roman Catholic Church did not give us the Old Testament which is the Scripture to which Christ and the apostles appealed. If the Roman Catholic Church wants to state that it gave us the Bible, then how can they rightfully claim to have given us the Old Testament which is part of the Bible? It didn’t, so it cannot make that claim. The fact is that the followers of God, the true followers of God, recognize what is and is not inspired.
Fourth, when the apostles wrote the New Testament documents, they were inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. There wasn’t any real issue of whether or not they were authentic. Their writings did not need to be deemed worthy of inclusion in the Canon of Scripture by a later group of men in the so-called Roman Catholic Church. To make such a claim is, in effect, to usurp the natural power and authority of God himself that worked through the Apostles.
Fifth, the Scripture says, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Bible tells us that the Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the very nature of the inspired documents is that they carry power and authenticity in themselves. They are not given the power or the authenticity of ecclesiastical declaration.
Conclusion
The Christian church, as an earthly organization, recognized the Word of God (John 10:27). It didn’t give us the Word of God. Also, it was the Jews who gave us the Old Testament. The authenticity of the New Testament documents rests in the inspiration of God through the apostles–not the Catholic Church. Furthermore, the Roman Catholic Church did not give us the Old Testament. The Jews did. How can the RCC claim it gave us the Bible when it did not give us the Old Testament? Finally, when the Catholic Church claims that it is the source of the sacred Scriptures, it is, in effect, placing itself above the word of God by claiming that through its authority we received the word of God.
“Founded by Christ Himself on the Foundation of the Rock (Petra – Peter).”
Terri you are in serious error. Your mind has been indoctrinated by the RCC.
One easy example to disprove your claims, see explanation in link below: The Catholic church teaches that Peter was the first Pope and the earthly head of the church, but the Bible never says this once. In fact Popes do not marry, although Peter did (Mat. 8:14).
http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Catholic.html
“Can’t we just agree that this was an historic moment without offering our opinions” (Beni Johnson…)
Umm, does she realize that by calling it “an historic moment,” she is offering her opinion?
Thanks for pointing out the deception & hypocrisy. God Bless you & strengthen you to stand firm. ~ Brenda
Great article. Thanks. I have many dear friends list in the wicked and cultish Bethel/IHOP deceptions. In their honor, I wrote this:
http://followingjesuschrist3.com/2014/09/18/false-prophets-and-teachers/
…And now, of course, they won’t talk to me. Jesus Christ didn’t come to bring peace but a sword. That sword is truth and it is the sharp two-edged blade that is the eternal word of God…and it is swinging. May it sent freely cutting away truth from lies, and separating the sheep from the wicked and greedy wolves were were warned about so intently by Jesus and Paul.