by Andrew Strom.
As is well-known - and well-documented - the Toronto movement actually sprang from the ministry of Rodney Howard-Browne (-a Prosperity preacher from South Africa). In brief, a Vineyard pastor named Randy Clark was prayed-for and 'touched' at one of Rodney's meetings, and then took that same 'blessing' into the Toronto Airport church. And it all exploded from there.
What did this movement involve? Well, as most people remember, it was largely about 'experiences' and manifestations - many of which seemed a little bizarre. People in their hundreds were being struck with uncontrollable laughter, "jerking", shaking, bending, 'drunkenness', etc - for hours at a time. Some would strut around like chickens, or roar like lions. And sensible well-trained ministers from around the world were rushing to "get it" and take it back to their church. Believe me, there was real spiritual "power" associated with this thing.
Why was everyone so quick to assume that it "had to be God"? Well, you have to realize that this was being promoted by two of the most respected movements in the Charismatic world at that time - the Vineyard movement and the Prophetic movement. (-Not to mention the 'Word of Faith' movement under Copeland, etc.)
I myself had a lot of respect for the Vineyard in the early 1990's. The leader of the Vineyard, John Wimber, was holding huge meetings all over the world on 'Power Evangelism' and restoring Body ministry - getting ordinary Christians ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit, etc. A lot of it had been excellent. But I think by 1994 there was already a bit of a decline setting in. The same was true of the Prophetic movement. The 1980's and early 1990's had been the "glory" years - but there had been a big disaster and break- up in Kansas City in 1991. I believe this left the Prophetic somewhat "blind-sided" and a little desperate.
If you were around during that time, you will remember what a hunger for 'Revival' was in the air. The prophets had been prophesying a massive Awakening and Harvest for some years. People were longing for something - almost ANYTHING - to happen. And then along came Toronto. Perhaps this was the answer?
And so a whole lot of hungry people got caught up in it. The big- name prophets were advocating it, and much of the Vineyard also. (-The Vineyard actually threw it out a couple of years later - but by that time it was far too late. However, the Prophetic NEVER threw it out. -Quite the reverse, in fact).
I don't know if you have ever ministered in a church where the pastor jerks his head suddenly every few moments when he talks, and emits a little 'yelp'. -Yes, I have preached in a church like that. Or I don't know if you have been in meetings where you almost felt like you were in a Zoo - because so many strange 'manifestations' were occurring all over the room. Yes, I have attended those too.
It very quickly got to the point where the Prophetic movement became almost the main "carrier" and proponent of 'Toronto'. Everywhere you looked, you would see the big prophets and the big Toronto guys ministering together. After awhile it was almost like they melded into one movement. And the "peer pressure" was incredible. If you didn't go along with it, you were in trouble.
Speaking personally, from the moment I saw Toronto I was deeply disturbed by it. In fact, every ounce of discernment within me screamed out that it was not of God. I felt immediately that this was the "counterfeit" that was sweeping through before the real Revival. I felt it was a 'test' - to see if the prophets truly were "lovers of truth" and also to see if they could be entrusted to lead thousands of young converts in a full-blown Revival. There is no doubt in my mind that overall, the Prophetic movement utterly failed this test. And it has led directly to all the flakiness that we see today. -This is where it really began.
As someone who was around in those days, I want to tell you that there has never been anything in the Prophetic movement as damaging as 'Toronto'. Before it came along there was at least a modicum of common sense and basic discernment operating. But afterwards it was like a "dog's breakfast". The most wild things were occurring - and being completely accepted as being "from God". People were manifesting in such a way that clearly would have been considered "demonic" before - but was now accepted as somehow being "of the Spirit". It was like a kind-of nightmare. I could hardly believe it. And the pressure to 'conform' was incredible.
Of course, the basic mantra of the whole thing was "not to judge" these things with your mind. -But to simply "open yourself up" to them. But isn't this exactly what the New Age teaches? What kind of 'discernment' is that?
I did some research, and found that none of this stuff was new. These manifestations had invaded the church before. In fact, if you do some study you will find that two of the greatest Awakenings in history were virtually wrecked by them (ie. the First Great Awakening in America, and also the aftermath of the 1904 Welsh Revival - an absolute mess). Plus, the Second Great Awakening at Cane Ridge was almost destroyed by these exact same manifestations at its inception in 1801 - and barely managed to survive. (-Look it up!)
As the well-known Revival Leader John Wesley declared: "At the first, revival is true and pure, but after a few weeks watch for counterfeits." He also said: "Be not alarmed that Satan sows tares among the wheat.... he will always ape, and endeavor to counteract the work of the Spirit of Christ."
And as Charles Finney wrote: "God's Spirit leads men by the intelligence, not through mere impressions... I have known some cases where persons have rendered themselves highly ridiculous, have greatly injured their own souls, and the cause of God, by giving themselves up to an enthusiastic and fanatical following of impressions."
The old Revivalists had to deal with these kinds of false manifest- ations all the time - as you will see when you look through their writings. They always had to be on the lookout - lest the Revival be destroyed. (However, stomping on 'trivial' things was even more damaging. -They had to keep a very fine balance).
When I first published my findings on 'Toronto' in 1996, I was immediately attacked bitterly from every direction - especially from within the Prophetic movement (-which I was part of at that time). They didn't want anyone spoiling the "party". And so the wreckage continued.
The total lack of discernment amongst so many 'prophets' today, the silly and unbiblical practices, etc - so much of it originated in that movement. There is actually a kind "blindness" that develops. For if someone persists in 'believing a lie' then eventually they will be given over to it. And this is even more true of prophets. For prophets are supposed to LOVE THE TRUTH.
So was Toronto a "test"? -I believe it was. And I am convinced that some of those who led their people to partake of it may be literally DISQUALIFIED from leadership in the coming move of God. If that is you, my friend, all I can say is "REPENT - and throw yourself on the mercy of God." I am convinced that He must have DISCERNING leaders for the young converts in the next Revival.
Since Toronto, of course, many similar fads have come down the pike - mainly from the same crowd. There was the spiritual "drunken- ness" fad, the 'gold dust' fad, the manifestations of "bubbles and feathers" fad, etc. Now there is "visualizing the third heaven", 'partnering with angels', and all kinds of other things. As I say, most of it comes from the same deceived crowd - and I look at the "source" and immediately find it all very suspect. I am sorry, but I will not receive a 'new spirit' from people who have demonstrated such an utter lack of discernment in the past.
I would advise you to be very careful also, my friends. The next move of God will not be simply another round of flakey "experience". It will be a deep move of CONVICTION OF SIN and TRUE REPENTANCE. -That is what real Revival has always been about.
-CLICK HERE FOR DEREK PRINCE'S COMMENTS ON 'TORONTO'.
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