SIMONY AND THE END TIME AMERICAN CHURCH

When I was a child back in the late 60's and early 70's a faithful Sunday morning tradition for my family was to sit down and eat breakfast together (eggs, sausage, toast, panckaes or frenchtoast, etc) as we listened to WILD 1090 am radio's Sunday morning line up. The Ruggles Street Baptist Church had a broadcast, after that Bethlehem Healing Temple with Sister Mattie Poole as she proclaimed; "Why die before your time, why be sick while others are being healed.." and finally just before it was time to get dressed, the strains of the familiar gospel song; "There is no telling, what God can do, if you believe..." It was time for Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter better known as Rev. Ike. Rev Ike was a source of humor and scorn in our home because he was considered a joke and a fraud. Rev. Ike's broadcast consisted of live testimonies of people who had recieved unexpected large amounts of money in the mail; checks of undisclosed origin, just in the knick of time! Rev. Ike attributed their good fortune to his "Blessing Plan". You had to send away for his plan and make a small donation and the LORD will work a wonder for you. The blessing plan would work for what ever you needed. A miracle.
Even as a child I knew this was not how the God of the Bible worked from Sunday school classess.

Back in the day, Rev. Ike was vilified and mocked by ministers and congregants who knew better. In this day, it appears Rev. Ike's blessing plan is all the rage except it aint called a blessing plan. Sowing seed, seed faith, faith giving, giving out of your need, making a vow, etc. are all euphemisms for what Rev. Ike called his blessing plan. I would prefer to call it something else; "SIMONY". This is the sin of paying money to get power from God. In Acts 8:9-24 the story is recorded of Simon a sorcerer who had observed the work of the Holy Spirit through Philip, the evangelist and attempted to pay money to get the same power of God to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit. He was soundly rebuked by Peter. The scripture says that Simon believed and was baptized and that he followed Philip everywhere astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When Peter and John arrived on the scene Simon wanted to know what their blessing plan was. What can I give you to recieve the anointing of the Holy Ghost? How can I get what you have without the trip to the upper room? Simon had come to faith but the sorcery hustle was still in his mindset. He was still "running game", as we say. This is exactly what's going on in today's church in many places. Giving money to get: power, more money, physical healing, a trip to the next level (wherever the heck that is), salvation for loved ones, etc. The false prophets are just running game. Convinced that they are speaking for the LORD and heaping riches to themselves and calling it the blessing of the LORD. Giving people a superficial gospel and a false Jesus to trust in.

One so called prophetess is soliciting $200,000 so she can build a "Threshing Floor" so she may go to God on her followers behalf. Isn't it wonderful of the LORD to choose such a beautiful site upon which to build a floor? Lakefront property! Hallelujah. And whom, you ask gets to use this floor? Well, the prophetess of course! And exactly where will this relic of the Old Testament be housed? Why in a brand new home that you will never be able to visit or pray in. How wonderful, huh? I don't know about the prophetess, but I have to pray for the needs of the people I serve in the church or in my den. Why can't this prophetess? Why doesn't this prophet understand that all of the Old Testament imagery and typology is fulfilled in Christ? The Holy Spirit is not calling for Threshing Floor money. Her lust for a new house is prophesying to her.
Another minister from Africa is asking you to light a white candle, blow out the smoke over your requst and send it to him (he has done the same). His smoked document sends an anointing to you and if you tuck in a love gift $$$$$ it will be done unto you by faith. Still others are sending anointed oil from Israel, vials of water from unique and allegedly holy sources, tracings of their hands that you must place your hand in as a point of contact, on and on it goes. Gimmick after gimmick after lie after lie after false revelation. All these methods end with the same lie; somethng great from God in exchange for your money. Jeremiah 23:25; "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. Le the prophet who has a dream tell his dream but the one who has my word speak it faithfully..... I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me (at conferences? Rehashed stuff they got from someone's mouth and not at the mouth of the LORD). Yes, declares the LORD I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare 'The LORD declares.' Jeremiah goes on in this text to say that these prophets do not benefit God's people in the least. Something to think about.

Here is a pet peeve of mine: Running up and throwing money at the preacher's feet as they speak a word that holds particular significance to you. Oh, LORD, please. Why is this? I asked the member of a church that held to this practice about why this is allowed. She told me that her pastor believes that they should allow the people to give spontaneously as they are moved by the Spirit since people have a hard time giving. I told her that was nonsense for if while the minister was speaking someone felt moved by the Spirit to give an inspitrational message or song, or prophesy, or prayer they would be told to sit down, be quiet and wait. Why not with giving money? I'll tell you why. The place of money has a throne in the heart of many people in leadership in the church. Therefore, we must suffer the foolishness of people getting up at all times during the message climbing over others who are trying to hear, perhaps take notes, or let the Holy Spirit minister to them as the message is going forth. It creates distraction and is just plain ol' foolish. "Some people got to have it, hey hey, hey, some people really need it ....."

Rev. Ike has fallen out of popularity but his methods are alive and well in the church and seem to be growing. Another false prophet in New York with a best selling book on the current New York Times Bestsellers List procalimed Rev. Ike a spiritual father in the prosperity movement and gave him a Rolls Royce as a symbol of honor. Too sad. The biblical prophets were many times ignored, mocked, beaten, killed and suffered for the true messgae of the LORD. Today's so called prophets get Rolls Royces, Benz's, Bentley's Threshing Floors and Mo' Money, Mo' Money, Mo' Money. I can hear God wretching!... I'll be right back....... Sorry, I had to run and get the LORD a bucket to throw up in. Revelation 3:16

Revelation 3:17 "You say, 'I am rich: I have aquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked....... Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me....... He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." How's your hearing.