Special Message from Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer

God has scheduled a revival to outbreak from California, and this event will help bring that to pass? Hmmmmm......

I have not even looked at the video. I do not need to nor want to. I don't want a reason of need to or want to. It's sick what passes for Christianity and living for God.

If the doctrines that we hold with such close presupposition are not centered around what Christ did for us on the Cross and that exclusively, then all you have is specious doctrine.

I know nothing of Bickle and I haven't watched the video, but "thecall.com" is clear that the blood of Jesus is what washes away our sins.

Does this man teach something else?

For those of us who have neither heard of Mike Bickle nor Lou Engle, would you please explain what the issue is with these men or their ministry? If necessary, to avoid arguments, PM me. Thank you.

I have some friends and have been to IHop myself, they preached repentance and the Blood of Christ, if that is wrong then I guess I am wrong. To say it's not producing godliness is a generalization and that is just wrong. My friends are some of the passionate people I know for Jesus if that's a problem then I guess it's wrong as well. They pass for Christians because they are actually Christians. May I ask how can one pass as a Christian when they make such a quick judgement of other people while not personally fellowshiping with these individuals? Ihop is Christ centered but its easier to say they aren't, I suppose.

*Edited Grammatical errors* :)

God has scheduled a revival to outbreak from California, and this event will help bring that to pass? Hmmmmm......

I don't think that they necessarily are saying revival will come but its a gathering of people to pray for revival and change. If saints coming together to pray for God to move in His power then one could expect the Move of God to take place, however God's will shall be done. If revival breaks out then great, if its just turns into a gathering of believers crying out of mercy and justice to take place in America then Great. The Call is really big on the Ending of Abortion and crying out against this injustice. My guess is this is going to be the focus of this event and a regathering of those that commited 10 years ago to help in this cry against injustice.

The Call is all about calling Christians together to fast, pray, and repent for the sins of the nation. If the Church does these things then we should expect revival. Doesn't the Word say that if the people of God would humble themselves and pray, seek the Lord's face, and turn from their wicked ways, then the Lord would heal their land?

I attended "The Call Houston" earlier this year. There were many believers there that were crying out to God for mercy. Many young people there that were praying fervently about one of the world's largest abortion clinics that was scheduled to open in Houston.

Mike

No argument from me! We've seen this ihop devil before on Sermon index...

If you watch the videos as I have, you'll observe several strange things. Loud rock music, violent and also subtle head banging/ shaking (not in control of self it seems), writhing on the floor like someone is being demonically manipulated, screaming, talk of some glory cloud that zaps people... and on and on.

We've discussed this in the past. It seems some on SI knew of a former glory to the IHOP outpouring when it was tolerable. On the track they are going now, they are going deeper in Mary worship (not there yet) and mirror incredibly the Great kundalini Awakening. These are all very dangerous topics they do not discuss often, so it is hard to identify unless you know what to look for.

On another forum, we compiled a vast list of items Scripturally wrong with the IHOP incidents. Now, I'm not attacking any of the people, love the people. The doctrines that are borrowed from ancient pagan practices i have a great problem with however.

People I know personally are there and have came from there and say they seen noting wrong with these above things. My point exactly! They are silent on these deadly issues on purpose, which makes a huge Red Flag in my logic.

Please don't bother to argue on these things. Just pray the Lord He stay the Head of 'HIS' Church.

There is something that bothers me a fair bit in this youtube video which I attach after the 1st paragraph. Why when Lou Engle preaches, his body keeps moving front and back --that's just seem very strange and I have never ever seen any godly pastor doing that before. (this action I feel is not a normal behavior at all and more like 'hypnotic' movement). I saw a few people there also doing that. In fact, I found that I could actually move a bit front and back myself sort of hypnotically. However I stopped. I suspect it has something to do with the music played there when the preaching was going on (the music I found was subconsciouly hypnotic.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsb9GJHhPBM

I saw the official trailer for the Sacramento call--didn't see anybody writhing but saw the front and back movement again from a group (in a circle) praying and Lou Engle doing it again. (again I've never come across any revival that have people praying like that). Also, saw them lifting up 'bronze snakes'--guess they were thinking of the time in the desert where anybody that saw the snake was healed.

Really do not know what to make of Ihop but this is just something I notice which worries me and does not make me interested in them. Whether they are true or false believers of Christ, I have no idea

I see a pattern of compulsive moving backwards and forwards in some of the ihop videos. I have seen it in other people who have been involved in ihop or a Toronto type of "revival" It appears that the whole audience is somewhat given into this waving rhythm. Even by just watching these videos, I sense a sort of enchantment. Can we "pray down" a revival?
I was once at a conference where somebody wanted to "pray down" a revival. Right at that time some of those hosting the event announced for the owner of a car that obstructed a passage to remove it because the police had come. It was the very person who had just prayed.

Do we need to tell God what to do? Is it that we are more eager than God to change our nation and God is indifferent and slow to do the good he supposed to do? Is is not rather we who need to be moved? Is is not rather that we surrender and yield to Him and let Him be Lord and deal with us as he wishes?

I do not feel comfortable with this movement though they say many right things and there may be many sincere Christians among them. There is a world of difference between this movement and some of the likes of Denny Kennaston and Keith Daniel.

Nathan,

I love Michael Brown also. He is a fine teacher and his school of ministry impacted many young people during the Brownsville revival.

I have been around many people that have trembled and even shook in the presence of the Lord, and I can tell you that what these young people are experiencing and manifesting is not from an evil spirit. I am not saying that I agree with every manifestation that goes on at Ihop. The counterfeit will always try to get it. There are always going to be fleshly manifestations because people are different and respond to the presence of God differntly.

I don't understand why it would bother anyone the manner is which Lou Engel prays. I have seen a whole churches of Christians in Korea swaying back and forth as they pray.

There are some that are calling IHOP demonic because they do not like the contemporary music that is being played. The young people that I know that have gone to IHOP and are involved in praise and worship at our church are on fire for the Lord, and are bold witnesses for Jesus Christ. These are the young people that are going in the schools and praying, and are being used by the Lord outside of the four walls of the church. They are reaching the unchurched.

I am not so much concerned with whether they shake or not, but how is their walk with the Lord. I am blessed to be part of a church where the strong word of God is taught, and the church is being prepared for what is coming in this country. The saints are being discipled, and these young people are part of what God is doing.

Yes, we should use discernment, and I have never seen anyone slithering on the floor like a snake or manifesting demonically among those that have been to Ihop. Let us prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.

Mike

How can how Lou Engel's preaching does not bother me. It bothers me greatly because this compulsive moving back and forth is strange and to me seems unbiblical. I've never come across any genuine pastors or genuine revivals where the main pastors act this way.

In fact, if Leonard Ravenhill, Spurgeon (if both were alive), John Piper, Paul Washer etc started doing that, I would really start questioning and may stop listening to their sermons. So, I'm not being bias here. I'm applying this criteria to every pastor and am not trying to pick on Ihop.

While I believe there is some genuine revival in Korea, I believe there are also a lot of false revivals going there as well.

Back to Ihop, I would like to stress that I do not know whether Ihop and the founders are genuine Christ followers or not. (to me, compulsive moving back and forth while preaching is far from enough to determine whether one is a genuine Christian). Its just that this action of compulsive swaying back and forth by Lou Engle coupled with some disturbing facts that I've heard about what goes on there makes me disinterested in following them. I feel much safer and secure following other pastors such as Spurgeon.

edited for clarity's sake

A gentle reminder to all of us, myself included.

Matthew 23:27, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness."

Natan4Jesus, I do not know whether your question was addressed to me but if it is your impression is certainly wrong. I brought up the clip because I wanted people to at least see this and think carefully and see what the scriptures say before making up their minds on whether they should go and attend Ihop for this event or in the future. I don't want to see people that are looking to find God search in the wrong places and I'm just not sure whether Ihop is for real or not.

Why cannot we see this as some Christians that are concerned and just wanted people to have more facts and think carefully before committing to something that can be potentially dangerous. Just because I or some others 'warned' against something doesn't mean that we have bad intentions. In the bible, Paul warns against many things. Pray that our thoughts will not be negative when people warn of certain things.