In 1990, the Spiritual Warfare Network (SWN) was formed by these new apostles and prophets. It is important to remember that they have had 20 years to reclaim ethnic groups, nations, and parcels of geography. So far, after two decades, they have made no progress at all. ["Mountains and Other Tall Tales: Examining the Fantasy World of Modern-day 'Apostle and Prophet' C. Peter Wagner," The Quarterly Journal of Personal Freedom Outreach, October-December 2011, p. 8]Continuing, Fisher states that, "After 20 years of selling their ideas, there is no proof of being able to take or reclaim territory from demons." [Ibid., italics theirs]
Fisher is right on target. NARians travel the globe claiming to take "authority" over demonic activity. However, local, state, and world news report a much different story: Those pesky demons are still active and wreaking havoc.
Could it be that the NAR's claims are without merit? Could it be that the New Apostolic Reformation--which is plagued with heretics, false prophets, and blasphemers--is overshadowed by demons, and is paving its dirt road for the antichrist?
Final answers? Yes, and Yes.
Simply put, crime is on the rise, and crime will continue to rise and become more sadistic until Jesus returns (study Matthew chapter 24 for details). Jesus didn't mince words. He gave an outline of things to come. Later, the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to issue warnings about things to come (study the Apostle Paul's letters to Timothy).
Indeed, C. Peter Wagner needs to be asked, "Specifically, which city or state or territory has been cleaned and fumigated of all demonic activity?" If his answer is, "Gee, I don't know," then NARians everywhere should mentally delete Wagner's "revelation knowledge," gain knowledge from what God has already said in His written revelation, and consult Ephesians 6:13-18; Acts 19:13-16; Jude 1:9 and, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, which specifically teaches:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
The Apostle Paul wrote it, and the Holy Spirit inspired it. Welcome
to the New Apostolic Reformation.
Therefore, as the kingdom of NARia continues its ill-fated battle against
demonic activity, and as the NAR continues to gain converts, one battle
the Wagners are facing is their declining health, which reads like a Who's
Who within the medical kingdom.
Signs, but no wonders
According to NARian-produced newsletters, updates, and prayer requests
over this year, the Wagners have been under extensive medical care for
a long period of time. Doris Wagner suffered from infectious diseases,
placed on hyper-antibiotics, diagnosed with a heart tumor, and underwent
operations on her knee. Currently, she is scheduled to undergo major knee
surgery. C. Peter Wagner has a lingering cough, swelling in both legs and
abdomen, problems with his heart, and has been placed on blood thinners.
He is scheduled for cataract surgery in both eyes.
Like the average human being who reaches the elderly stage of life,
Peter and Doris Wagner suffer from illnesses, diseases, and sicknesses.
It's a given. But, unlike the average human being, NARians think they are
special, an attitude which is demonstrated by their exclusive, elitist
mentality. After all, they are what makes up the "signs and wonders" movement,
where almost everyone is said to operate in all of the spiritual gifts,
including the gift of healing.
While there is no humor in human suffering, when the chips are down,
where are all the NARian faith healers? Why haven't they flocked to Peter
and Doris' side and demonstrated their gift of healing for the world to
see?
Could it be that the "signs and wonders" movement is all signs and
no wonders? Perish the thought. How dare anyone even suggest such a thing!
Those who do could be accused of "attacking the anointed" and "judging
falsely" and acting like a "Pharisee".
Trail of lies
Common sense dictates that if just one NARian had the Biblical gift
of healing, he or she would jump at the chance to lay hands on Doris and
Peter, and heal them from head-to-toe through the power of God. Since "teleporting"
here and there is part of the signs and wonders movement, travel expenses
would be kept to a bare minimum.
But it ain't gonna happen! Hyper-Charismatics who are caught up in
the "signs and wonders" movement demonstrate plenty of signs, but they
leave people wondering what the heck is going on. Simply put, they do not
have the Biblical gift of healing. Again, they do not have the Biblical
gift of healing. The sick and dying show up to be healed, and they leave
unhealed.
Faith healers can't heal Peter and Doris, and Peter and Doris can't
heal each other. Therefore, Peter and Doris are forced to turn to the field
of medicine for their healing.
All liars know that a lie must be backed-up with another lie to cover
the first lie. This is one reason why heretics and false healers spew excuses,
play spin-doctor, intimidate their followers, issue threats, and exercise
damage control over their own words--and their followers eat it up! One
lie leads to another lie, until the liar gets so confused that he or she
can't recall the lies. It is then when the liar becomes a pathological
liar.
Liars work hard to cover their lying tracks, but they always leave
their getaway cars in the front yard.
Finally, this update on the unhealthy state of Peter and Doris Wagner
would not be complete without leaving the reader an important, but ironic,
point to ponder: during C. Peter Wagner's tenure at the Wagner Leadership
Institute, he taught a course on "Divine Healing". The "Course Description"
states,
This is a classic foundational class on divine healing. Topics include performing the works of Jesus, the role of faith in healing, ways in which one can verify miracles, healing as it relates to God's kingdom, healing as part of the atonement, and the substance of the anointing. ( http://tinyurl.com/6838nat )Is there something wrong with this picture? C. Peter Wagner taught courses on divine healing, but he doesn't have the gift of healing. Hmmm, perhaps he should enroll in his own course.