The concept and heretical doctrine of Joel’s Army was developed in 1948 by the New Order of the Latter Rain (NOLR) cult. The term ‘latter rain’ refers to Joel 2:23, which says God will send a ‘latter rain’ in addition to an ‘early rain’. Interpreted as an outpouring of the Spirit in the last days, ‘Joel’s Army’ see themselves ‘as soldiers that God is raising up during the last days to perform miracles, execute judgment, and take dominion on earth before Christ returns’. However, although the NOLR movement was condemned, it never went away – it simply resurfaced throughout the popular teachers within Branham’s Voice of Healing Revival movement of the 1950s and has been repackaging itself ever since.
From the year 2000 onwards, we begin to see Michael Brown and his army of ‘holy radicals’, openly pushing the ‘Joel’s Army’ heresy across the world. While Apostle Lou Engle was promoting his radical end-times ‘John the Baptist and Jesus People’ army/company at his ‘The Call’ events, Michael Brown was promoting himself as a General/Apostle, continuing to raise this ‘radical’ army.
With these two ‘Apostles’ rallying this end-time army within their sphere of influence, Wagner’s ‘apostolic cadre’ and Steve Schultz’ ‘prophets’ were rallying around Todd Bentley who, they proclaimed, was the one to also raise up this end-times ‘Joel’s Army’ to take over the visible church (and the world).
In 2006, these radical ‘dooms-day’ cult leaders were very open about their NOLR roots. Steve Schultz’ organisation The Elijah List, publicised an event titled the ‘Joel’s Army Conference’ and even co-sponsored it with Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries. NAR Prophet Bobby Conner, NAR Prophet Craig Kinsley, NAR Prophet Ivan Roman, NAR Apostle Nolan Clark (see Conference ad below) were all promoting the dangerous Joel’s Army heresy with the controversial Todd Bentley.
Pdf of the event advertised on the internet:
The advertisment in part states:
For more information concerning this event, call or write the contact information below. Bobby Conner, Craig Kinsley, Ivan Roman, Nolan Clark, & Todd Bentley — “Joel’s Army Conference and Concert with Kids in the Way” July 5-8, 2006 – Abbotsford, BC
Co-Sponsored by The Elijah List
Purpose
Now, although our conferences are geared toward youth and young adults, Joel’s Army is a trumpet call to a generation of young and old who would wholeheartedly want to pursue the Lord.
For more information about this army and what the prophets are saying about it, click here. (Editor’s note – link now unavailable, see transcript below)
God has begun raising up a Joel’s Army, a spiritual army of young and old who will not fight with human weapons but with love and the raw power of God. We, at Fresh Fire Ministries, through Joel’s Army events, desire to strengthen prophetic words given by many prophets about a huge revival army of millions of radical soldiers, especially youth, that God is training for battle in these last days.
At Fresh Fire, we want to help equip these troops through conference ministry, boot camps, monthly city gatherings, and the launching of Joel’s Army headquarters around the world. We believe that, from every tribe and nation of the earth, God is preparing the generals, the military officers, and the soldiers for this great army.
– Fresh Fire Ministries
Fresh Fire Ministries
info@freshfire.ca
(604) 853-9041
Source: Bobby Conner, Craig Kinsley, Ivan Roman, Nolan Clark, & Todd Bentley — “Joel’s Army Conference and Concert with Kids in the Way”
July 5-8, 2006 – Abbotsford, BC , ElijahList, http://injesus.com/message-archives/prophetic/elijahlist/bobby-conner-craig-kinsley-ivan-roman-nolan-clark-todd, Published June 18, 2006. (Accessed September 28, 2019.)
Regarding the ‘missing link’ above, CWC has accessed the article through internet archives, where you can see what Todd Bentley had published on his website.
Bentley has done all of us a favour by quoting NAR leaders who promote this ‘doomsday’ army. It’s also worth noting that these include Brown’s ‘revolutionary believers’ to join ‘Joel’s army’. One could argue that Brown is against orthodox Christianity by rallying for an army that is tired of ‘religious and church programs’.
Article:
Joel’s Army. Who Belongs to this Army?
This is a crucial hour! The trumpet is sounding, calling on-fire, revolutionary believers to enlist in Joel’s Army. God has been raising up an army of radical warriors from the younger generation for years. These ones, referred to by many as “Joel’s Army,” are tired of religious and church programs; they want to do the works of Jesus. This end-time army has one common purpose—to aggressively take ground for the kingdom of God under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Dread Champion. The Captain of the Hosts is calling out a revival army of fierce spiritual warriors who won’t break rank and whose lifestyle is marked by obedience, holiness and God’s supernatural power. These ones have been in training for years and many are now ready to be mobilized to establish and advance God’s kingdom on earth.
They will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand for righteousness and truth and to destroy the works of the enemy. This is not a military army but a spiritual army that will fight with the weapons of love, truth, righteousness, prayer and the power of God with supernatural signs and wonders (like Elijah on Carmel, like Jesus’ disciples or like the early church). “See Mark 16:17 and John 14:12” This army will be marked by a passionate love for Jesus and for people. God will pour out His Holy Spirit on them (Joel 2:28-32) and they will prophesy, see visions and even be used to release awesome signs and wonders (like Elijah did). This mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be a “great and awesome” day in which “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” And then, as Joel 3 says, God will “gather all nations,” and “wake up” the “men of war”–wickedness will be destroyed and the Lord will “roar from Zion.” Also, “the mountains shall drip with new wine (joy and healing)”; “the fountain (the presence and power of God) shall flow from the house of the Lord.” In that day Egypt (sin and bondage) will be destroyed and guilt will be acquitted, for “the Lord dwells in Zion (the place where His people live).”
Is Joel’s Army only for Youth?
Now, although our conferences are geared toward youth and young adults, Joel’s Army is a trumpet call to a generation of young and old who would whole-heartily want to pursue the Lord. This is Jacob the generation that will seek the face of God (Ps. 24:6). Like David, their hearts will cry, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple” (Ps 27:4). The passion of this generation will also be to walk in holiness, love and the raw power of God, to demonstrate on earth the reality of Jesus Christ, the Captain of the Host of heaven.
What are the prophets saying about this generation?
“No prophet or apostle, who ever lived, equaled the power of these individuals in this great army of the Lord in these last days. No one ever had it, not even Elijah or Peter or Paul. No-one else enjoyed the power that is going to rest on this great army.” – (Bob Jones, Selections from the Kansas City Prophets, audio tape: 155c).
“The Lord said this, ‘This is where my people will rise up as an army and bring millions into the kingdom of God.” – (Benny Hinn, Honolulu, Blaisdale, January 21, 1999).
“This army is unique,” says Jack Deere. “When this army comes, it’s large and mighty. It’s so mighty that there has never been anything like it before. What’s going to happen now will transcend what Paul did, what David did and what Moses did….”
According to Rick Joyner, “What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition, of Christianity. The dismantling of organizations and disbanding of some works will be a positive and exhilarating experience for the Lord’s faithful servants. The Lord will raise up a great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles that will be of the spirit of Phinehas. This ‘ministry of Phinehas’ will save congregations, and at times, even whole nations… nations will tremble at the mention of their name….” – (The Harvest, Rick Joyner)
Benny Hinn agrees: “The day is coming, I tell you this, I know it like I know my name, and the day is coming when there will not be one sick saint in the body of Christ. No one will be raptured out of a hospital bed. You’re all gonna be healed before the rapture.” – (Benny Hinn, Praise the Lord, 7/8/96).
“You better be ready, church,” Benny Hinn says about a last days’ revival. “They’re going to walk up in the mall and say, ‘Hey, I know you’re a Christian. There’s something funny about you. I’m not sure I understand it.’ And they’re going to say you,… ‘I’ve seen something in you and I got to have it right now. I don’t know whether it’s called God or Jesus, but I’ve got to have it right now.’” – (Blaisdale Arena, Honolulu, January 21, 1999).
“In the near future we will not be looking back at the early church with envy because of the great exploits of those days, but all will be saying that He certainly did save the best wine for last. The most glorious times in all of history have not come upon us. You, who have dreamed of one day being able to talk with Peter, John and Paul, are going to be surprised to find that they have all been waiting to talk to you.” – (Rick Joyner, The Harvest, Morning Star Publishing, 9, 1990).
Todd Bentley shares some awesome insight into what the Joel’s Army will look like and how it may operate as well as going into detail of how the modern day Joel’s Army will be active in the Coming End-time Healing Revival.
Download Excerpts (2 chapters) from: “Journey into the Miraculous – Todd Bentley: An Ordinary Man Touched By A Supernatural GOD!”
What many Christians do not understand is that 2008 was to be the year of ‘the end of time’. Lakeland was to be where:
- The final outpouring of the Holy Spirit (the Second Pentecost) was to take place.
- Joel’s Army would rise and judge the world.
- The New Breed were to manifest and rise to leave the army.
- The end-time Apostles would be raised up to manifest the ‘One New Man’ (Jesus Christ in bodily form) through the visible church with signs and wonders.
- For Christ to return from heaven to earth.
It sounds ludicrous until you see the people involved leading up to the Lakeland revival, and what was openly established, pacticed, taught and prophesied at the event. We need to consider these facts:
- The Revival Alliance was established (Prophet Bob Jones authorised this)
- NOLR Prophet Bob Jones was intrinsically involved with the development of this revival
- NOLR Apostle William Branham and his angel ‘Winds of Change’ was glorified at this event
- NOLR Apostle/Prophet Paul Cain attended the event and claimed Todd Bentley was the ‘New Breed’
- Why Apostle Wendy Alec of GODTV prophesied that Jesus himself was coming down from heaven to be at Bentley’s revival.
- Why the leader of the NAR at the time, C. Peter Wagner, wanted to align ‘New Breed’ Todd Bentley under his Apostolic posse.
- Rick Joyner remained faithful to his ‘New Breed’ Todd Bentley
Finally, we encourage you to read these links from Todd Bentley to get a glimpse of just how many he thought they were ushering the ‘end-time revival’ leading up to 2008:
Download File #1: ToddBentley_JourneyMiraculous_01.pdf
Download File #2: ToddBentley_JourneyMiraculous_02.pdf
Frankly, it’s hard to tell if Todd Bentley or Michael Brown wrote the above two links.
Same friends. Same false history narrative. Same false gospel. Same false Christ. Same false spirit. Same false church. Same false eschatology. Same ‘jihad’.
Jihad Joyner and his ‘prophetic writings’ known as ‘The Final Quest’ call for the elite end-times church to ‘massacre’ Christians who do not side with them (aka ‘The Charismatic Civil War’.)
What is the Charismatic Civil War? (Part 1).
What is the Charismatic Civil War? (Part 2).
If Michael Brown and Todd Bentley were both promoting and ‘fighting’ in this Joel’s Army together, then they were also aligning with Joyner’s ‘jihad’ against Christ’s true church. This is dominionism in its purest form, and as they continue to declare – ‘the kingdom they are advancing suffers violence and they (the violent), take it by force’:
What is the nature of the New Apostolic Reformation? (Part 2) Vicious & Violent
Do not have anything to do with these ‘lawless ones’:
“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
Email all comments and questions to c3churchwatch@hotmail.com
“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
Categories: Elijah List, Fresh Fire Ministries, Line of Fire, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)