Copeland at the Christian Witness Ministries Web Site

By BRETT BIGG PART 5: -- another in a series

Summary
Prophecy is the telling forth of a word, or message, which is of divine origin. Prophecy is firstly forth telling, in that a person communicates the words that God has given him/her. Secondly, prophecy can be, but does not have to be, foretelling, where the message being communicated may include predictive elements or insights into future events

JERRY SAVELLE is a fellow Word Faith minister with Kenneth Copeland. Savelle, himself a disciple of Copeland, started working for him in 1971.

In January 1974 Savelle stepped out on his own — but has remained close friends with Copeland and regularly ministers at his conventions.
In 1999 Savelle published In the Footsteps of a Prophet. In its dedication Savelle says,

Finally, I want to thank Kenneth and Gloria Copeland for all that they have imparted into my life. This book is my tribute to you and your faithfulness in the ministry
—In the Footsteps of a Prophet, page 3

The content of this book is of some concern when it includes chapters titled:

Channelling the Force of Faith, and
How to Transmit the Anointing

Is Savelle supposed to be a minister of the Gospel, or an advocate for New Age, Spiritism, Mysticism and Wicca?

Touch Not the Lord's Anointed

One of the greatest liberties the Word-Faith Movement has taken, at the expense of the Word of God, is the 'Touch Not the Lord's Anointed' doctrine. Savelle includes a chapter entitled, 'Don't Touch God's Anointed!'

The chapter itself is a recount of an incident that happened when Savelle was working for Copeland, where two fellow staff members, 'started speaking against Brother Copeland. They talked about the things that he'd preached that night and how they didn't agree with what he said. They didn't like the way he did things in the ministry.' Copeland apparently told Savelle that he 'picked up in the Spirit that these men were talking against me. I heard their conversation in the Spirit'. The moral of Savelle's story is, 'Stay out of strife! Don't touch God's anointed.'ntents

In support of this doctrine, the only remotely biblically referenced statement Savelle makes is,

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, 'I have seen your behaviour while I was in prayer. Even though I am not with you in the flesh, I'm there in Spirit. I see your conduct.'
—In the Footsteps of a Prophet, Page 141

Savelle concludes the chapter with,

I learned from Brother Copeland that even though I may not be around my staff twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and though I may be half way across the world, I can see their conduct. I can hear their words in the spirit. And I don't keep people in my ministry who get into strife. Don't ever talk against God's anointed men and women. Even if you don't agree with the way he or she does things, keep your mouth shut. Pray for them. But don't touch God's anointed!
— In the Footsteps of a Prophet, Page 141

Let us search the Scriptures to see if these things be so: 1 Corinthians 5:1-6 is the verse Savelle is referring to - no matter how inaccurately. Let us note what Paul says, and especially his use of the word 'reported'.

It is actually reportedthat there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled,and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? (1 Corinthians 5:1-6 Updated New American Standard).

It is blatantly evident that both Copeland and Savelle misapply and misrepresent the Scriptures. Paul is not saying that he has 'astro-projected' to Corinth (or anything like it), but is affirming the unity of the spirit in regard to the judgement of the issue being addressed. In Second Corinthians Paul says the same thing,

All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your up building, beloved. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you,and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practised.This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you (2 Corinthians 12:19 - 13:3).

Savelle has not only bought into Copeland's mysticism, but actually promotes it.

The 'Touch Not the Lord's Anointed' doctrine is supported, in Word-Faith circles, by utilising out-of-context Old Testament Scriptures concerning incidents between David and King Saul. The following verses of Scripture, from 1 Samuel, pinpoint the references but each chapter needs to be read in its entirety for the context.

So he said to his men, 'Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD'S anointed' (1 Samuel 24:6). But David said to Abishai, 'Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD'S anointed and be without guilt?' (1 Samuel 26:9)

Again, let us use our logic, good sense and even common sense and look at these verses of Scripture IN-CONTEXT.
Points worth noting in 1 Samuel 24:

Saul is in a position where he is susceptible to David's attack, if David so desired.
David's men advise him to kill Saul. David 'cut off the edge of Saul's robe'.
David was remorseful about his ACTIONS.
David called Saul 'my lord'.
David persuaded his men not to physically harm Saul with the words acknowledging that Saul was anointed by God.
From the entrance of the cave David 'called after Saul' and verbally rebuked him. Note that both Saul's and David's men were present during David's rebuke, therefore making it public.
David issues the challenge that he is prepared to have God judge between them both.
King Saul, the Lord's anointed, acknowledges his error to David.

In this incident it can plainly be seen that David sought NOT to physically harm (i.e. 'touch') the Lord's anointed; though David DID rebuke Saul, and said, 'The LORD therefore be judge and decide between you and me'. 'Touch not the Lord's anointed' in 1 Samuel chapter 24 did NOT exclude Saul from rebuke.

Points worth noting in 1 Samuel 26:

King Saul took 3000 men with him to hunt down David.
David sneaked into Saul's encampment at night.
Abishai asks permission of David to, 'strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke'; that is, to kill King Saul.
David response is,'Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be without guilt ... The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed.'
In the morning David shouts across to Saul, from another hill and rebukes King Saul. This rebuke, or criticism, is again done in front of David's men and the 3000 men King Saul brought with him. Furthermore, since David and Saul were shouting their conversation at each other (since they were on two opposing hills) the conversation could have been all the more public if it echoed down the valley.
At the end of David's rebuke/criticism David says, 'but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed'.

Just as in the incident in chapter 24, David rebukes King Saul in chapter 26. And again David does it in front of King Saul's men as well as his own. But notice more that David and his men are on one side of a hill/mountain and King Saul along with his men are on another hill. David's rebuke of King Saul (the Lord's anointed) is a public spectacle, and if there was a valley between them it means that their conversation would have echoed to everyone in the area. So, does 'not touching the Lord's anointed' (in the Old Testament) mean that they (the Lord's Anointed) are above criticism? Not at all!

What about in the New Testament?

But when Cephas came to Antioch,I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned (Galatians 2:11 Updated New American Standard).

When Peter came to Antioch,I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong (Galatians 2:11 New International Version).

Now when Peter had come to Antioch,I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed (Galatians 2:11 New King James Version).

Surely, of all the New Testament Apostles, we could agree that Peter (Cephas) was 'anointed'. Therefore how dare Paul criticise 'the Lord's anointed'; or we could even say how dare I criticise Paul for criticising Peter? This shows the absurdity and absolute unbiblical nature of this man-made, control-the-people, be-above-rebuke, 'doctrine'.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19 – the Lord speaking).

Does the Lord personally rebuke every one of us, or does He use Scripture, pastors, prophets and teachers and church members.


	What does Paul instruct Timothy to do, even to elders?

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin,rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning (1 Timothy 5:19-20).

The Scripture above talks about rebuking for sin (just like David did against King Saul), yet in his second letter Paul tells Timothy:
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove,rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:1-4).

Following this, Paul posts a warning saying:

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching (2 Timothy 4:14-15).

Paul in his letter to the Galatians tells how he rebuked Peter; then to Timothy he warns about Alexander the coppersmith.
Paul says what David says, 'the Lord repay him', but that doesn't mean they are above rebuke or criticism. Though one may say that Alexander the coppersmith may well not be regarded as one of the Lord's anointed, Paul's warning includes so-called 'teachers' (anointed or otherwise) who preach against the truth.

Prophets and Prophecy

Unfortunately this article can only touch on what true prophecy is, but let me summarise it here by saying:

Prophecy is the telling forth of a word, or message, which is of divine origin. Prophecy is firstly forth telling, in that a person communicates the words that God has given him/her. Secondly, prophecy can be, but does not have to be, foretelling, where the message being communicated may include predictive elements or insights into future events.

What makes a Prophet?
How do you tell a real prophet?
Is there a difference between New Testament and Old Testament prophets?
If we can't answer these questions then how will we discern a Real Prophet vis-a-vis the man (or woman) who says he's a prophet?
Again, this article is not large enough to do justice to such a subject; and as such I will endeavour to write a comprehensive article covering that subject specifically.
In the meantime, however, we MUST acknowledge several immutable and undeniable points which both Old and New Testament Prophets (i.e. True Prophets) must adhere to.

A True Prophet leads people to the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD.
A True Prophet preaches the WHOLE counsel of God.
A True Prophet preaches the Word of God IN-CONTEXT.
A True Prophet hears from God.
EVERY Prophecy from a True Prophet comes to pass.
A True Prophet does NOT receive payment to give prophecy. That is, true prophecy is above being bought. Prophecy has its origin in God — not the prophet.

Please note that 'prophecy' alone does NOT make a prophet. There were, and are, false prophets who prophesy falsely. Any person can 'prophesy' and make it up as he goes. True prophecy IS THE WORD OF GOD and ALWAYS COMES TO PASS!!!!

We must also be aware of the propensity of some modern 'biblical scholars and teachers' who continue to imply, intimate and state that prophets in the New Testament don't have the same requirements of absolute accuracy and fulfilment as Old Testament prophets. In effect they say that Old Testament prophets, whom the Holy Spirit came upon during prophecy, heard the Voice and Words of God clearer, more distinctly and more definitely than today's 'prophets' who are 'in-filled' and 'born' of the Spirit.

Judgement against False Prophets

True Prophets and True Prophecies are aligned with the Word of God — and are NOT contrary to the Word of God.

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder,and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods
(whom you have not known) and let us serve them,'you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counselled rebellion against the LORD your Godwho brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery,to seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you. If your brother, your mother's son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, 'Let us go and serve other gods ' (whom neither you nor your fathers have known, of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other end), you shall not yield to him or listen to him; and your eye shall not pity him, nor shall you spare or conceal him. But you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. So you shall stone him to death because he has sought to seduce you from the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you (Deuteronomy 13:1-11).

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

What does 'you shall not be afraid of him'mean — other than 'you shall not be afraid of him — because he is not a true prophet — God does NOT back him — and therefore, as previously instructed, you will kill him'! 'You shall not be afraid of him' was said so that the people would not be intimidated by such a man who claims to be a 'prophet' and who might say that to oppose him (the prophet) is to bring the judgement of God upon oneself.

Though there is no provision within today's society to kill false prophets, we are to regard false prophets as being dead

— and we should not seek them out.

Since Prophecy can cover an enormous number of subjects, and Kenneth Copeland has prophesied so often, it is difficult to show, in such a small article, the full impact of what Copeland has said. Therefore, I will limit the number of examples here to those that are wild exaggerations or which plainly contradict the Word of God. Furthermore I will endeavour to concentrate on Copeland's more recent utterances.

We must remember that prophecy IS the forth telling of God's words, and not just foretelling. Every time Copeland (or any other minister) says, 'Yes Lord, I'll say that...' he or she IS prophesying. Did they, or did they not, hear the Voice of God and are they, or are they not, passing it on? It is one thing to speak a message from the Bible, or preach on a subject you feel and believe God wants you to preach; but it is another to imply or state that you heard God's voice (or the Holy Spirit), and that He has given you a word or message to tell.

Kenneth Copeland: prophet?

In February 2004 Kenneth Copeland posted a special mail-out. Entitled From the desk of Kenneth,it reads [emphasis added -Ed]

I had a visitation of the Lord New Year's Eve as I was preparing for the New Year's Eve service at Eagle Mountain International Church.
He talked to me about 2004 and some about 2005.

He took Gloria and me back to a message from Brother Hagin's Camp Meeting in 1977, which was three days before He called me into the prophet's office. I've never been so excited and thrilled in all my life. Period! Never.

If you would like to have the tape from the New Year's Eve service, I would love to sow it into your life. Just fill out the enclosed card and send it back to me, and I'll send you the tape free of charge and post paid.

Gloria and I so want you to get this tape and study it. It's a word from heaven. Don't put it off. Do it right now.

We love you and pray for you every day.

Love Ken

Here we have it. Copeland himself saying that God called him to be a prophet, and by his own confession he says that he has been a prophet for 27 years (at the time of the mail-out). So let us examine Kenneth Copeland, in regard to God's standard.

The Berlin Wall

The following prophecy (dated June 4, 1989) appears on the Kenneth Copeland Ministries' website as proof of Copeland's 'prophetic anointing'. The prophecy given concerns the destruction of the Berlin Wall (which occurred on November 9, 1989 and the Brandenburg gate on December 22, 1989; with Germany reunited on October 3, 1990).

Now this is what the Lord is saying, so hearken and heed to it. Take heed to it. Listen. For mighty wave of the supernatural is coming and soon to burst on the scene. Soon to crash like a mighty tidal wave and burst on the scene. Not just here and there, and a little here and a little over there, but as a mighty wave splashes and covers entire continents. And the power of God will rise in places that people didn't even know that there was a God. But it will be there. And there will be things that will fall before the pressure of it. That people will shake their head and say, 'I never would have believed that could happen.'

There are going to be political walls and political fences that crumble right before men's eyes.

Mighty, mighty strongholds of political power and political strength in different political systems all over >the world will suddenly change hands, crumble, and fall and men will say, 'I never would have thought that would happen, but I'm seeing it. I'm >looking at it.' The Berlin Wall will come down. It's a sign. The Berlin Wall will come down. There will be other walls that will come down. There will be some walls that will go up. Many changes are going to take place. But those that are wise in their heart and listen to the Spirit of God will be quick to say, 'Oh, the Lord is at work in the land.' And they will be quick to pray. And they will be quick to rise up as a witness in the streets. And they will be quick to testify wherever they go: The Lord is working! The Lord is working! He'll save you! He'll heal you! He'll deliver you! He'll bring you into the place that you ought to be.

There are those that will be that way tonight. There are two here that will walk out of this place tonight and say, 'I'll tell you, that's the silliest bunch I ever was around in my life.' There are two people that will walk out of here saying that tonight. One of them is going to be arrested in his thinking before morning. The other one, if he doesn't repent, won't live long. This is not a time to fuss around and play around and criticise God's people or His ways. For He's God. Amen. And it's closing-in time. It's time for things to come to pass and things to be reckoned with.

Amen.

—Extract of Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland, June 4, 1989 Eagle Mountain International Church, Posted on the Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website.

It is reported that Copeland instructed this prophecy to be included in his BVOV magazine — but an employee got 'cold feet' and did not put it in, and thus this prophecy was not published in BVOV prior to the collapse of the Berlin Wall. You can interpret this however you want.

So is Kenneth Copeland a real prophet?
Based upon the above prophecy some may believe he is; but remember God's prophet is right 100% of the time, not 99% or even 99.9% of the time — God's words do NOT fail... EVER!

Kenneth Copeland Ministries Brisbane Convention — 1995

During the 1995 Kenneth Copeland Ministries' Convention in Brisbane (Australia, Saturday evening ser vice) Kenneth Copeland said (paraphrase), 'God has told me to come to Brisbane every year until he says otherwise'. I cannot quote Copeland's words exactly here, but I know Copeland said it. How do I know? I was there and I heard him say it — just as the other several thousand people there heard him (and cheered when he said it). It is interesting to note that with the (October) 2004 Australian convention, Copeland will have made it out to Australia four times (if we include the original 1995 convention) in the last ten years.

Some may want to come to Copeland's defence and say that this was not prophecy. But again, we must remember that prophecy is not just the foretelling of future events, prophecy includes forth telling — the speaking forth of God's Word.

Copeland said that God told him. Well did He, or did He not?
If He did then why was Copeland disobedient?
What are we saying if we dismiss these words? 'Oh, that's all right — after all he's sincere. It's only one mistake.' A true prophet leads people to God — not away from Him. The prophets of old, from whom came the Bible, spoke THE Word of God.

They wrote what God told them, and it is on this foundation that our faith rests: THAT GOD DID EVERYTHING FOR OUR SALVATION — INCLUDING ITS DOCUMENTATION FOR US TO REFERENCE. What are we saying about our 'faith in God' if we destroy the very foundation on which we stand?

As to this salvation,the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to youmade careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven— things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honour and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory,'This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased '—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who willsecretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and intheirgreed they willexploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep (2 Peter 1:15 - 2:3).

Here we have the very fundamentals of the Gospel and our faith (i.e. our faith in God): The Word of God does NOT fail to come to pass. Let us look and see if the following 'prophecy' came to pass.

Prophecy concerning Islam

And there are going to be multiplied millions upon millions; there's going to be close to a billion people that have been trapped in the religion [Islam] that over the next few months are going to come into the kingdom of God. That's gonna happen. You watch and see what I'm telling you. Because it's been. I'm telling you Satan fat's in the fire; he pushed it over the line and God has moved, and for over a hundred years the United States has been an instrument of judgement in the hand of God. That's one of the reasons we're here. Amen. I'd like to get in there and walk around a while but I, I don't have time. But I can tell you this: that thing is coming to an end. It's over. I'm talking about Islam, every, all of that stuff. Now, God is making his move.
>— Kenneth Copeland, Word of Life Christian Centre, Honolulu Hawaii. Dedication Celebration Service, Evening, Dec. 2, 2001
{A downloadable mp3 audio file of the above prophecy is available from the website: deceptioninthechurch.org}

The Compact Macquarie Dictionary defines a 'few' as: 'not many; a small number (of)'. Furthermore we must note the context and grammar of what Copeland said. For instance he said, 'the next few months' and not, 'the next few centuries', or 'the next few decades' or even 'the next few years'. Copeland said, 'the next few months'.

If we were generous with the timing of these months we could well say that a few could be a half-dozen (6) to a dozen (12), or maybe even up to two dozen (24). But now, as we are approaching the three-year mark, there is no reported mass conversion of 1 million Muslims, 10 million or even 100 million let alone Copeland's 'close to a billion'. And quite poignantly, the opposite seems to be true, where thanks to September 11 there is a fascination with Islam such that people are willing to become its disciples, and/or defend it as a 'religion of peace'. Consider now the events taking place and what the Bible prophesies for the end-times:

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that younot be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a messageor a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless theapostasycomes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith,paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Again, concerning Islam, Copeland prophesies:

Islam No More

This war, particularly the way you know it now, is not going to last as long as everyone thinks it is because the major parts of it will come apart and fall. The deathblow has already happened to the nation of Islam. In my eyes, saith the Lord, it's already fallen and it is no more.
—Kenneth Copeland, Eagle Mountain International Church. New Year's Eve Service, December 2002 (Available on the Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website)

Below are several prophecies of Copeland's ranging from May 2002 to May 2004. What we see here is a continuous and ongoing repetition of messages, which only exist to promote Copeland and his ministry.

May 10, 2002 -– Mt. Helena Victory Campaign (Extract Only)
The outpouring of the Holy Ghost that is in motion right now is intensifying and will be thrust into a higher level before the end of this summer. {Note: northern hemisphere's summer} By the end of June you will see definite, very definite, moves of the Spirit of God in the realm of the miraculous...Before the end of June you will see definite increases... By the end of June you will begin to hear of super-miracles, mega-moves of God that startle human minds and thinking. There's going to be a major change, major change. It's not going to be just the same old, same old. Major change is about to happen in the Middle East. Major, major change is about to happen in the Middle East, and don't even try — you can't figure it out. I'm running this, saith the Lord. That's my territory and that's my town and I'll run it how I see fit. I've taken over the politics in case you didn't know.
—Kenneth Copeland, Mt. Helena Victory Campaign, May 10, 2002. (Available on the Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website).

By the end of June we did NOT hear of super-miracles or mega-moves of God. No human minds or thoughts were startled, other than the ongoing defence, by some, of Copeland and his false teachings. And to-date, there is no 'major change' in the Middle East that hasn't already been anticipated. The security fence in Israel is going up — and the PLO is not happy! Iraq has been handed back to the Iraqi people and the terrorists are still unhappy! In the two years since this prophecy there is No Mega-Anything or Major-Anything: let alone 'by the end of June (2002)'.

May 1, 2004 - Detroit Victory Campaign (Extract Only)
I'm calling on you, saith the Lord. I need you. I need your faith. I need what I have taught you and trained you to do and I don't just need it in church. I need it all day long. I need you to be in agreement with me so that I can move in your behalf and in behalf of the kingdom of God. The way I have it planned and far exceedingly great measure far above all that you have any idea of what's hanging right over your heads in the spirit. It's hanging there. Oh my, oh my, oh my. An outpouring unprecedented in the knowledge and in the sight of man. Things that have never been seen before - particularly in modern-day generations. There's coming this summer (Northern Hemisphere) an unprecedented move of God and you're part of it. Your faith is important to it. And it's just hanging in the realm of the spirit. It's just hanging there. It's hanging, oh Glory to God. I can see, I see it in the Spirit.
— Kenneth Copeland, Detroit Victory Campaign, May 1, 2004 (Available on the Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website)

I must apologise for burdening you with the amount of reading in these 'prophecies', but it is important to be able to see the pattern that Copeland is taking with them. And that is, ever higher, ever more extreme, with no fulfilment and no substance.

Some of the statements made in these prophecies have already been dealt with in previous Kenneth Copeland Unmasked articles. For instance, God's involvement with politics is already covered in the Sovereignty of God, and America's covenant with God has been covered by a quick look at the Mayflower Compact in the section called Spiritual Heritage. But as for God saying, 'I need you. I need your faith' etc, let us consider what Scripture says,

Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure' (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Then Job answered the LORD and said: I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You (Job 42:1-2).

Job recognised that absolute sovereignty of God. In Isaiah God says that He 'declares the end from the beginning'and that His 'purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'. Dare we agree with the 'god' of Copeland's prophecy, who says, 'I need you. I need your faith ... I need you to be in agreement with me so that I can move in your behalf and in behalf of the kingdom of God.' Is this the God of the Bible?
Does this statement marry with the Bible? No! A thousand times, 'No!'

Summary and Conclusion

Throughout these 'Unmasked' articles on Kenneth Copeland, I have shown that Copeland continually and consistently misuses, misapplies and misrepresents God and His Word.

It is irrefutable that Kenneth Copeland preaches a gospel which Paul the Apostle did not preach, and distorts the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Why does he do this? I believe that it is for the very reason that Copeland does NOT know the True Gospel of Jesus Christ, but believes and teaches a false gospel (with its false christ) that Copeland has NOT received the salvation of God. Consequently he does NOT have the Spirit of God within him and therefore he CANNOT discern the truth, but is himself deceived. Therefore Kenneth Copeland can ONLY preach the imaginings of his own mind and his own humanistic reasoning; and repeat the pseudo-spiritual, metaphysical doctrines of his heretical predecessors: Kenyon, Hagin and others.

This series has shown that the teachings of Kenneth Copeland contradict the Word of God. He gets creation, with Adam and his authority WRONG!
He gets 'the fall', and the 'transfer' of authority to the devil WRONG!
He gets the Sovereignty of God WRONG! His 'prayer of salvation' is WRONG!
He gets Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit WRONG!

Even his prophecies are WRONG (false)!
Kenneth Copeland gets the ENTIRETY of the foundation of Christian faith WRONG!
And if the foundation is wrong, then everything built upon it is WRONG!!!

I cannot say, or emphasise, this enough: Kenneth Copeland is a false teacher and false prophet.

As such, no Christian should seek his counsel, guidance or teachings in the pursuit of maturity. No Christian should promote Copeland (or any of his fellow Word-Faith ministers), and no Christian should support his ministry. Kenneth Copeland's foundational beliefs and teachings are heretical and blasphemous.

But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13).

Any ministry or minister who promotes Copeland and/or Word-Faith is to be rebuked:

If in ignorance—then for correction.
If through deception—then for salvation. If willingly and knowingly—then for judgement.

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. (2 Timothy 3:12 - 4:5).

Pastors are supposed to shepherd their flocks, they are supposed to protect their flocks from wolves. Pastors are supposed to be watchmen, they are supposed to sound the alarm and warn their congregations about the enemy - and the false doctrines they bring. Sadly, many pastors are asleep at their posts and cannot see the enemies advancing.

Worse still, those who do sound the alarm are berated, criticised and ridiculed about the notion of being 'watchmen' by the very people who fail in their duties and allow the heresies of Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Paul Crouch, Rick Warren (Saddleback), Willow Creek and others to infiltrate their churches.

The letters to the seven churches in Revelation are a guide and a warning to us (summarised due to space):

Ephesus
I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men,and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary (Revelation 2:2-3).

Smyrna
I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich, andthe blasphemy by those who say they are Jews (those who say they are God's [covenant] people) and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (congregation of people opposed to God and the truth of His Word) (Revelation 2:9).
[Bracketed comments are my own -Ed]

Pergamum
I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, becauseyou have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth (Revelation 2:13-16).

Thyatira
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all thechurcheswill know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira,who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them— I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come (Revelation 2:20-25).

Sardis
I know your deeds, thatyou have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I havenot found your deeds completed in the sight of my God. Soremember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Thereforeif you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy(Revelation 3:1-4).

Philadelphia
I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, andhave kept My word, and havenot denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan (congregation of people opposed to God and the truth of His Word), who say that they are Jews (those who say they are God's [covenant] people) and are not, but lie— I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly;hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown(Revelation 3:8-11)
(bracketed comments are my own -Ed).

Laodicea
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Becauseyou say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' andyou do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you tobuy from Me gold refined by fireso that you may become rich,and white garmentsso that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;and eye salveto anoint your eyesso that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:15-20).

These letters, just like all the epistles, warn the church. Jesus even warned the church in the Gospels. For a pastor, or any teacher, to warn about Roman Catholicism, Mormonism or Jehovah's Witnesses, and yet fail to adequately warn of the heresies of Word-Faith and others is but half the job. Truth is not measured by the number of worshippers, adherents or congregational size or budget. Truth is measured by the Word of God — for it IS TRUTH.

The KCM website ('About KCM' WebPage) states:
'At Kenneth Copeland Ministries, we take God's Word as final authority. That's why for more than 33 years, ever since the Lord told Kenneth Copeland to preach the uncompromised Word of God on every available voice, proclaiming the truth of God's Word and His unconditional love has been the focus and mission of Kenneth Copeland Ministries.'

Kenneth Copeland doesn't just 'compromise' the Word of God — he totally distor ts it. And this, as I've previously stated, because he does NOT know the Word of God. And Kenneth Copeland does NOT know the Word of God because he is NOT known by God.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God (Galatians 4:9).

Kenneth Copeland: 'Profit', Heretic, Blasphemer and Deceiver.

Postscript: To those who believe my criticism of Copeland is 'too much' or who say, 'who are you to judge', I encourage you to read the New Testament again and note the harshness of John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus Himself. Am I saying that I am any of their equal? Not at all, far from it in fact! But if having read what the Word of God says concerning false prophets and false teachers (especially those who would come in the end times) you cannot bring yourself to say of Copeland — and his false gospel — what Paul says, 'Let him be accursed. I say again, Let him be accursed'(Gal 1:8);
then to you I say, 'Who are you?
And what is YOUR gospel?'
As for me, I recognise and acknowledge that in as much as I have been teaching in this series of articles I too am under 'stricter judgement' as the Bible states.

About the Author...

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