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Analyzed, Examined, and Found Wanting
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
January 19, 2009
In 2008, Christian Research Service (CRS) spent months1 researching and investigating claims of "supernatural manifestations" within the signs and wonders movement. Along with an in-depth study of God's written word, much of the research centered around the subject of "angel feathers" from heaven.
CRS consulted with experts, field workers, and assistants within the field of Ornithology, which is a branch of zoology that deals with the scientific study of birds. Of course, birds and bird feathers are a beautiful and unique part of God's creation. The research was a crash-course education into an area that many take for granted.
CRS also consulted with respected apologists, cult-evangelists, and Christian researchers, whose advice and observations proved to be a valuable asset and contribution to this article.
During the process, CRS attempted to contact popular individuals within the signs and wonders movement, such as Patricia King and Pastor David Jones, both of whom claim to have experienced supernatural manifestations in the form of "angel feathers." Yet, months have passed and neither King or Jones have replied to CRS's requests to provide feathers for scientific analysis.
While King's Extreme Prophetic website contains multiple references to "feathers," Jones' House of Praise website contains photo-documented "EVIDENCE" of "angel feathers" of various shapes, sizes, and colors:
Source: http://www.christianresearchservice.com/PatriciaKing1.htm
Source: http://www.christianresearchservice.com/PastorDavidJonesLetter.htm
Source: http://www.houseofpraiseinternational.org/SignsandWonders.asp
Sid Roth is the host of the It's Supernatural TV show. During a discussion between Roth and Pastor David Jones, the word "feathers" was mentioned at least 19 times. ( http://tinyurl.com/FeathersRothJones , PDF file). Here is a brief excerpt from that discussion:
[Sid Roth] The reason these angel feathers are descending, and they are descending on people not just in your congregation, they are descending on people everywhere.
David: Everywhere in different churches, in schools, our children when they go to school, like one of our children when he sat down at his desk whoosh, feathers just appeared all around his desk, angel feathers falling on the teachers and they going like this, they falling in their face and they are just fanning them away because they don't have no idea what is going on, but our children do.
Again, Patricia King and Pastor David Jones were given the opportunity to prove their claims and submit their "angel feathers" to scientific analysis--free of charge. Common sense dictates that when a person makes a claim, but refuses to provide PROOF, it calls into question ALL the claims he or she has made, both past and present.
Those who promote and financially support King's Extreme Prophetic and Jones' House of Praise should take note of their failure to cooperate and hold them accountable. Asking them why they failed to submit their feathers for scientific analysis would be a good question to ask.
But as the reader will see, not everyone turned down the opportunity to have their "angel feathers" analyzed and examined.
Here a feather, there a feather
From online arts and crafts stores to New Age websites, the internet is stuffed with bird feathers and "angel feathers" of all shapes, sizes, and colors. A Google search on "bird feathers" netted 152,000 hits. Accordingly, a search on "angel feathers" netted over 42,000 hits.
One website sells "Guardian Angel" feathers accompanied with an inspirational poem ( http://www.guardianangelfeathers.com ). Another website sells "Fully Feathered Angel Wings," to be worn as costumes by adults and children
( http://www.fairyandangelwings.com/images/small_feathered_wings.JPG ).
Across the nation, many walk-in arts and craft stores, hobby shops, and the arts and craft section in large department stores carry a variety of bird feathers for a wide variety of applications. Feathers may be purchased wholesale or retail, and in bulk by the pound ( http://tinyurl.com/7jbg56 ).
During a visit to a large department store, three packets of bird feathers were purchased (multi-colored, solid white, and dark and light brown with white speckles). The packets were purchased for $5.00 plus tax. Each packet contains hundreds of feathers (refer to http://tinyurl.com/StoreBoughtFeathers for an example).
Continuing, down feathers play an important role in the life of birds. They warm and insulate birds, and are also used to fill winter coats and jackets, assorted clothing, sleeping bags, comforters, furniture cushions, beds, footwear, and bed pillows.
Obviously, bird feathers may be found anywhere where birds congregate and nest, such as beaches, ponds, lakes, cities, houses, trees, woods, attics, buildings, office complexes and, outside and inside churches. In fact, birds are known to congregate and nest within central air-conditioning and heating ducts and vents (refer to the article, "Bye Bye Birdie: Protecting Your Building & Employees from Pest Birds" at http://tinyurl.com/92u5l5 ).
Every year, birds migrate from north to south, riding thermals thousands of feet up, then repeat the process. And, since birds molt, preen (groom), shed their feathers and lose feathers in flight, it is common to see a feather (or feathers) floating around outside, and within a building or a room when an air-conditioner or a ventilation system is in operation.
And how many feathers does a bird have? Depending on the type, size, and environment, anywhere from 100 to 25,000 each. The general rule of thumb is, "The larger the bird, the greater the number" of feathers ("Feathers and Plumage," http://tinyurl.com/7y3bqx ).
Thus, there is an ample supply of feathers available online, in the market place, and in the environment. Altogether, that's a lot of feathers floating around.
Claims of a feather flock together
In her September 29, 2006 article, "The Northwest of the USA is a Glory Atmosphere of Revival," Catherine Brown described an encounter with "Jesus" that smacks of New Age, along with a manifestation of "tiny white feathers" from heaven ( http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word_pf.html?ID=4535 ).
In 2006, Mountain of Worship founder Danny Steyne declared that,
It is time! There will be more and more evidence of heaven in gatherings of believers. There will be signs directly from heaven--not just gold, feathers, and oil, but also visitors and visitations in meetings. There will be other artifacts, stunning masterpieces, and works of art from heaven that will be made visible during these events, including colors, sounds, and phenomena that have not been experienced or recognized on the earth. ["2006: The Year of Hot and Cold," January 10, 2006,
In a rib-tickling story in and of itself, Kathie Walters claims that after being confronted by a man with a "very religious spirit," she broke-out into spontaneous laughter after an angel used its "feathers" to tickle her ribs ( http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/6534 ).
During worship, Laura Rosas felt a "sudden overwhelming presence" which was, as far as she was concerned, a "large angel wing" brushing against her. "The sensation of soft feathers seemed to charge her body with power, and she crumpled to the floor" ( http://tinyurl.com/7c52h5 ).
In his article, "Miracles For The Common Man," James Rutz maintained that,
Thousands of tiny feathers that nearly blanketed the sanctuary of Northgate Church in Atlanta on the evening of April 21, 1999, during a musical worship service led by Toby and Jena Harris of Statesboro, Georgia. Jena calls them her "angel feathers" because they had been praying Psalm 91 over their family for several weeks, and then on the day they left for Atlanta, their team just happened to select Psalm 91 to pray for their protection on the trip..." ( http://tinyurl.com/9jmdwh ).
Rutz's article includes a photo of a feather.
Dr. David T. Goh is the Senior Pastor of Garden Community Church in Bakersfield, California. In his July 3, 2007 blog entry, "Feathers and Visible Light," the feathers he claims to have encountered resembled falling snow:
I’ve now received a number of reports from people who, like me, saw "feathers" suddenly start pouring down at the front of the Garden on Sunday Night some time after 9:00pm. To me, it looked almost like the beginning of snowfall. But as I explained in my notes yesterday, I quickly turned my attention back to prayer so I would not get distracted by mental analysis. However, others who took a close look definitely identified them as feathers, some tiny, some up to a couple inches long. [ http://tinyurl.com/snowjob ]
But to his credit, Dr. Goh does admit that the "snowfall" of feathers he and others encountered is nowhere to be found in God's written word:
There is no record in the Bible of this particular phenomenon, but it has occurred many times around the world when people have been seeking Jesus. I believe they are signs from the Lord, pointing us towards his nearness. [Ibid.]
Glory To The Nations of Marlton, New Jersey is headed up by Pastor James Mandel. Their claim-to-fame in the signs and wonders movement consists of a "short video clip recorded at a service held in Oslo, Norway":
The video captures a manifestation of God's presence-a visible cloud of His glory filled with angel feathers and angelic activity (look closely to see small angels fluttering throughout the glory cloud). This wonder was not seen by all in attendance but by His grace, was recorded on video to testify of His love for us through His presence. [Glory Video,
Despite all of the "small angels" and "angel feathers" floating around, there doesn't seem to be much excitement in the crowd. Could it be that little birdies are nesting in the air conditioning vents? Maybe the vents need to be dusted?
Whatever the case may be, this article would not be complete without referring the reader to a blog entry about "Lucy Rael caught faking angel feathers & word of knowledge" ( http://tinyurl.com/RaelsReward ). The article documents what may be the first-ever scientific examination of "angel feathers."
In part two his April 7, 2003 article, "The Glory of the Lord," Charlie Robinson claimed that he an "Jesus" had a "Pillow Fight," where Robinson and "Jesus" took turns "smacking" each other with pillows stuffed with feathers. Further, Robinson claimed that,
After some time of smacking each other with heavenly pillows, I turned to walk toward the gate and suddenly I could see what I looked like standing there. I was covered from head to toe with feathers from the pillow fight. Then the scripture came to me, "He will cover you with his feathers." I was covered with the protective feathers of God, and I wasn’t even aware of it! Then the Lord told me that because I drank the oil and poured it over me, because I drank the wine and let it flow over me and because I poured the water over me – The feathers stuck to me and I was covered!!! [ http://tinyurl.com/TallFeatheredTale ]
Prone to extreme claims, Robinson is an itinerate minister with Fresh Fire Ministries and ministerial associate with Patricia King and her Extreme Prophetic ( http://www.freshfire.ca/cms_admin/event_speaker.php?Id=2 . See also Charlie Robinson and his 'Pillow Fight with Jesus' ).
The craze that deceives
At this point, it is important to note that many who are involved in the signs and wonders movement often point to Psalm 91:4 to validate "angel feathers" from God and heaven. But in context, Psalm 91:1-6 reads,
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday (KJV).
The fact is that Psalm 91:4 (and the entire chapter), has nothing to do with God having wings and feathers, or God blanketing a church with feathers, or God using "feathers" as signs and wonders and supernatural manifestations. The verses describe God in anthropomorphic terms (human terms), and is figurative language that demonstrates God's protection, love, comfort, and sovereignty.
Of wings, feathers, anthropomorphic terms, and Mormonism, the late Dr. Walter Martin wrote:
If the Mormons are to be consistent in their interpretation, they should find great difficulty in the Psalm where God is spoken of as "covering with his feathers," and man "trusting under his wings." If God has eyes, ears, arms, hands, nostrils, mouth, etc., why then does He not have feathers and wings? The Mormons have never given a satisfactory answer to this, because it is obvious that the anthropomorphic and metaphorical usage of terms relative to God are literary devices to convey His concern for and association with man. In like manner, metaphors such as feathers and wings indicate His tender concern for the protection of those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The Mormons would do well to comb the Old Testament and the New Testament for the numerous metaphorical usages readily available for observation. In doing so, they would have to admit, if they are at all logically consistent, that Jesus was not a door (John 10:9), a shepherd (John 10:11), a vine (John 15:1), a roadway (John 14:6), a loaf of bread (John 6:51), and other metaphorical expressions any more than “our God is a consuming fire” means that Jehovah should be construed as a blast furnace or a volcanic cone. [ http://www.waltermartin.com/mormon.html ]
Cults such as Mormonism go to great lengths to twist the Scriptures to "prove" a point. Instead of assuming, leaning to their own understanding, and grossly misinterpreting and twisting Scripture, those caught up in the "angel feather" craze would do well to consider Dr. Martin's teachings on the proper interpretation of anthropomorphic and metaphorical terms within God's written word.
Heretical fish-wrap Charisma magazine has been a spiritually-infectious plague and slap in the face to the body of Christ for years. Not surprisingly, an in-depth site-search on its website netted at least 15 articles mentioning "feathers" as supernatural manifestations ( http://www.charismamag.com ). Yet, how many times has Stephen Strang, Lee Grady, or anyone at Charisma publicly confronted people like Patricia King, Todd Bentley, and Pastor David Jones, and challenged them to cowboy-up and submit their feathers to scientific analysis?
But the appearance of feathers aren't confined to just churches, revivals, fine-feathered stories, and fishy publications, they are allegedly showing up in children's schools.
Bill and Beni Johnson are the Senior Leaders at Bethel Church in Redding, California ( http://www.ibethel.org/churchlife/staff/?page=2 ). Bethel Christian School is a part of Bethel Church, with programs tailored to Pre-K, Elementary, and Junior High students ( http://www.bcsredding.org/index.php ).
According to the March 2007 Charisma magazine article, "Ignite the Fire,"
Don Mayer, principal of Bethel Christian School, says the students choose the direction of prayer and worship during chapel each week. During one of the recent chapel meeting, the students reported seeing an estimated 50 feathers fall as they worshiped. They saved some of the feathers to place on a bulletin board as a reminder of what God did in chapel. [ http://www.charismamag.com/articles/index.php?id=14681 ]
But the question is: Would Bill Johnson and Don Mayer be willing to submit a few of the feathers for scientific analysis? After all, it never hurts to ask.
This is the same outfit that believes it is acceptable to wrap a child in toilet paper--like a "mummy"--and pretend the child is dead, for the purpose of teaching other children how to pray for the dead to be raised (Ibid., subtitle "Making Ministry Kid Stuff," http://tinyurl.com/MummyKids ).
But that's another story.
Bill Johnson, Don Mayer, and everyone associated with Bethel Christian School need to be reminded that children are the freshest creations from God's hands, innocent and impressionable. Introducing them to the spirit realm, in the manner cited above, could open the door and their minds to demonic activity, and damage them mentally, physically, and spiritually.
'Angel feathers' in their caps
Question: Who made the following statement? Patricia King? Benny Hinn? Todd Bentley? Pastor David Jones? Joshua Mills? Bill Johnson?
Angels often send us little reminders of their presence as angel feathers, which are small white feathers. These seem to appear from nowhere when we are down and in need of comfort. I remember sitting in a café, watching the rain falling on the pavement outside and feeling blue. Suddenly, a small white feather floated down in front of me and landed on my table. I smiled, knowing the angels were around me, with their comforting presence. [emp. theirs]
Answer: None of the above. The statement is a direct quote from the article, "Angel Wishes" by Ankhra Lann-Ra, a New Ager who specializes in Seikhem-Hathor, energy channeling, Isis energy healing, crystals and holistic healing, releasing psychic cords, angelic spirit guides, Shamanism, and special angel messages ( http://www.krysalistraining.co.uk/resources/angel_%20wishes.htm ).
The similarity between Ankhra Lann-Ra's statement and claims within the signs and wonders movement is uncanny. Unless the believer is aware of the similarity, he or she would think that Ankhra Lann-Ra's statement is a direct quote from a popular "leader" within the signs and wonders movement.
New Ager "Mosaic Dreamer" specializes in Reiki, Feng Shui, distance healing, Mandela and cosmic ordering, chakra clearing, and Tarot card reading, who admits that:
For a long time, I wasn't too sure about angels. I liked the concept but it felt remote, more like a wish than a reality. Then I read a book that explained that there is angels for nearly anything. It made me think and I tried a little experiment. It worked. So little by little, I started working with them more and more. Then I started seeing angel feathers everywhere I went. Now they are an integral part of my life. I couldn't envisage life without them. They are only just a thought away.["Angels," http://www.mosaicdreamer.com/page48.htm ]
According to her website, Belinda Darrington is an animal portrait artist and lecturer, who has a "passionate love of animals and nature, and an equal passion for all things spiritual, including the development of her own psychic abilities" ( http://www.angelfeathers.moonfruit.com/#/abouttheartist/4528101136 ).
But Darrington's passion isn't limited to just animals and nature:
Finding a single white feather, especially in an unusual place, has come to be thought of as the calling card of a visiting Angel. That they are a gift from an Angel I personally have no doubt, as I myself often come across them in obscure and unexpected places. However, as they often appear just at the right time, when I am feeling low or stressed, or have been thinking about the spirit world or looking for answers, or even when I'm feeling very happy, this suggests to me that the senders are always around us-always nearby to lend us support and help to guide us along our path-as any good friend would be. ["Angel Feathers,"
And it should come as no surprise that within some New Age circles, "angel feathers" represent "Divinity" and a a "connection to the Divine":
As a child, Rose Marie saw an angel standing by her bed. The angel appeared as a magnificent Greek Goddess with exquisite wings and long flowing hair...The brilliance of the angel’s feathered wings led Rose Marie to a lifelong passion for feathers...After her childhood experience with the angel, feathers began to appear in many forms to Rose Marie. They came to symbolize sacredness to her, and each new appearance heralded a message from the angels...Just as some people walk seashores searching for seashells, Rose Marie walks the corridors of life gathering feathers. Feathers have become a physical representation of Divinity for Rose Marie. In this way, she is made aware of her capabilities and her connection to the Divine. [Rose Marie Swanson,
"Angels," http://www.akashicdarshan.com/angels.html ]
Yet, God's written word is plain and clear: You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth (Deuteronomy 5:8).
While the lack of time and space prevents a further listing of fine-feathered stories--from both the signs and wonders and New Age movements--this article would not be complete without commenting on Chad Leatherby and his "Angel Feather Miracles!"
Feathers: angelic or bird?
According to his YouTube bio, Chad Leatherby is an "Apostle" within the Yeshua HaMashiach movement. His interests include reading The TaNaCh and the Brit Chadasha, as well as prophetic worship and, "spreading the truth" ( http://www.youtube.com/user/seekerofyhwh ).
To say that Leatherby is just a bystander within the signs and wonders movement would be an understatement. With a steady diet of "angel orbs," photos of angels and fire from heaven, gold dust, supernatural oil, gemstones from heaven, glory clouds and, "angel feathers," Leatherby is heavily involved in the signs and wonders movement, and "supernatural manifestations":
Source: http://www.etpv.org/2008/aoup.html
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wguPEGSrjg0
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeUk438n8gQ&feature=channel_page
On December 13, 2007, Leatherby released part one of his two YouTube videos titled, "Angel Feather Miracles!" In it, he announced to the world that "God" released sign and wonder miracles in his life, and used "angel feathers" to do it. In an attempt to validate his feathers Biblically, Leatherby reads from Isaiah 6:2 and Psalm 91:4 , then pans his camera to feathers of various shapes, sizes and colors
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Et6m7taEY ).
Leatherby released part two of his YouTube video on January 3, 2008. In it, he maintains that during a conference in Kansas City, "angel feathers" appeared in his hotel, in halls, a prayer room, on chairs, in his house, on a friend's arm, and "out of thin air." Further, Leatherby provides a close up of a feather with "white with brown speckles," which he claims is "very unique" and that "there's no bird on the planets that I know of." Then Leatherby declares, "I challenge anyone to tell me what bird this would be, but rather it's an angel feather" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc8w0a2w1n8 ).
While Chad Leatherby sounds authoritative and convincing in his YouTube presentations, his above statement and challenge was "very unique" in and of itself, due to the fact that he:
1. failed to study what God's written word has to say on "feathers" and apply the Biblical tests (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).
2. isn't an expert on birds and bird feather identification.
3. convinced himself his feathers are from angels.
4. failed to have the particular feather (and feathers) analyzed and examined before he went public with his claims (this is evidenced by his following statement in the Text Comments section under his video):
I wouldn't mind having them tested, that would just further prove my case. I'm currently on a limited budget/finances so I'm not sure how much it would cost to have them tested. I have had someone else say they'd pay for it to be tested, but then when I agreed they backed down. ["seekerofyhwh," http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Et6m7taEY, p. 2]
But not everyone backed down. After a careful review of both videos, CRS contacted Leatherby by e-mail on October 28, 2008, and requested a feather for scientific analysis. In turn, Leatherby kindly replied and volunteered to send five feathers.
Prior to the feathers'
arrival, CRS contacted numerous individuals within the field of
ornithology by e-mail and phone, and provided them with the links to
Leatherby's YouTube videos. Also
included were attachments of
photos of "Angel Feathers" from Pastor David Jones' website (
http://tinyurl.com/9gz3a8 ).
Without exception, everyone agreed that the feathers in Chad Leatherby's YouTube videos and the photos of feathers on Pastor David Jones' website are, in fact, from birds.
It needs to be noted that some of the experts CRS consulted with, including a forensic ornithologist, declined to examine Leatherby's five feathers and provide statements. They felt it was not in their best interest to get involved in "religious" issues. However, their knowledge on birds and bird feathers was a valuable addition to the research, and CRS thanks them for their valuable contribution in the research phase of this article:
Nevertheless, when Leatherby's feathers arrived, they were left untouched in their zip-lock plastic bag and snail-mailed to Dr. David Ellis. He promptly returned the feathers after his examination. Later, with Leatherby's written permission, the feathers were snail-mailed to Dr. H. Douglas Pratt. Along with their examinations, Dr. Ellis and Dr. Pratt provided CRS with the following statements:
Statements from Dr. David Ellis and Dr. H. Douglas Pratt:
Simply put, both Dr. Ellis and Dr. Pratt agree that the feathers Chad Leatherby provided for examination are from birds.
Also, while having the feathers DNA analyzed was an option, it was deemed unnecessary, due to the results of the examinations.
During the entire process, there were numerous back-and-forth e-mails between Leatherby and CRS, and numerous attempts to reason with him. As the results on the feather examinations came in, Leatherby was encouraged to "face the facts" and "consider removing the videos and setting the record straight." He was told that his doing so would prevent others from being deceived.
But Leatherby continually maintained that the feathers were angelic.
In yet another attempt to reason with Leatherby, CRS called him on January 7, 2009, and spent almost two hours asking and answering questions, reading and discussing Scriptures, and properly interpreting the Scriptural passages for Leatherby that he used to try to justify his claims.
As far as the scientific community is concerned, Leatherby has no scientific evidence whatsoever to prove his claims, nor can his claims be justified by Scripture. Towards the end of the conversation, Leatherby said he was removing the videos "right now," and the two videos disappeared from the public's view.
But amazingly, Leatherby turned around the same day and reinstated his "Angel Feather Miracles!" videos on YouTube--without sharing the results of the examinations on the feathers to his fellow YouTubers.
Therefore, on January 8, 2009, CRS's final response to Chad Leatherby stated in part that:
You have been provided with irrefutable information that contradicts your "angel feathers" claim. There is no scientific proof or Biblical basis to back your claim.
You pulled the videos, but put them back online. As long as you leave the videos online, you are deceiving the innocent and gullible and causing them to stumble.
Actions speak louder than words. Your actions demonstrate that you cannot be trusted. There will be no further attempt on my part to try to reason with you.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
It must be emphasized that a claim without solid evidence is like a bird without feathers--it won't fly. The burden of proof rests with the one making the claim. Chad Leatherby claims to possess numerous "angel feathers." He provided CRS with what he believes to be "angel feathers," and was informed upfront that the feathers would be analyzed and examined by qualified experts. However, the feathers Leatherby provided were BIRD FEATHERS!
Odd that Leatherby rejects the scientific proof from respected ornithologists, but relies on science in his YouTube video titled, "Scientific Proof Elohim/God Exists!" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNykJk6v_oQ ).
Chad Leatherby's "angel feathers" were analyzed, examined, and found wanting. Certainly, Leatherby, Patricia King, Pastor David Jones, or anyone else who makes the same claim are free to call their feathers anything they desire--from a brick to a bowling ball. But to promote bird feathers as "angel feathers" is not only ridiculous and deceptive, it is sin.
What it boils down to is this: A claim isn't true just because someone says it is true. So, where are the "little green men" from a distant galaxy? Where is Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster? And, where is a real "angel feather"? All three (and more) are nothing more than claims. Yet some will go to their graves testifying of their authenticity.
Indeed, the 21st century is a time of incredible technology and knowledge, and a time of depleted IQs, loss of common sense, and an absence of critical thinking. From a Biblical standpoint, the 21st century flows with an increase in professing Christians who are malnourished in the things of God and destitute in discernment.
Unfortunately, many who are caught up in modern-day signs and wonders and so-called "supernatural manifestations" not only lack discernment, common sense, and the ability to think critically, they suffer from an acute case of Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up! And this is exactly what happens when people rely on their own stubborn pride, emotions, feelings, perception, and experiences over-and-above the truth of God's written word.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).
Indeed, there are consequences to playing wiser than God:
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21)
He captures the wise by their own shrewdness, and the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted (Job 5:13).
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God For it is written, "He is the One Who catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless"
(1 Corinthians 3:18-20).
Closing comments...
Outlandish, preposterous deception is running rampant within the signs and wonders movement. False and lying "supernatural manifestations" are snowballing their way into churches and revivals across the nation and worldwide. Add to that a seemingly endless stream of professing Christians spewing damnable heresies, false prophecies, cultic and New Age philosophies, false claims, and false healings. Put them together and you have an extremely dangerous mixture paving the way for the apostasy and the antichrist. Yet, professing Christians are beating a path to the counterfeit signs and wonders gate at an alarming rate!
Deception is like water, it seeks its own level, It seeps in drop-by-drop until it drowns out the truth, blinds eyes, deafens ears, and turns people away from Jesus Christ. Those whose hearts and minds are centered on counterfeit "supernatural manifestations" are not focused on Jesus Christ and the truth of God's written word! Manifestations are not capable of saving, sanctifying, and redeeming the lost, but Jesus Christ is.
Like a camouflaged enemy commando, a sneaky counterfeit "Jesus," gospel, spirit, and "god" has slithered its way into the hearts and minds of professing Christians, through the auspices of false teachers who make simple claims, but regularly produce false signs and wonders. And this is only a prelude of things to come. The worst is around the corner.
In the meantime, Chrystal, Director of the Slaughter of the Sheep blog, said it well:
The god of the signs and wonders movement isn’t the righteous and holy God, the Ancient of Days…he is a genie in a bottle who can and will only work if you invoke him the right way. I don’t serve a haphazard and inconsistent god…the God I serve is fully in control, and has laid out His plans clearly in His holy Word. [ http://tinyurl.com/9pxdst ]
Feathers from Heaven? No! Bird feathers from Earth? You better believe it!
Footnote:
1While the amount of information gathered could have tripled the size of this article, it has been edited for space.
Links for further research:
http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas (The Feather Atlas: Flight Feathers of North American Birds--from the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. This website contains high-quality scanned photos of a variety of bird feathers of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and information on the parts of feathers and structure of wings)
http://www.bird-x.com/birddiseases.html (Birds and diseases. According to this website, "More than 60 transmissible bird diseases (some of which are fatal) are associated with geese, pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.")
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/mites.html (birds are known to carry lice, mites, and nits on their skin and feathers
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html (this website contains a list of migratory birds that are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is against federal law to possess migratory birds and collect their eggs, nests, and feathers)
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/treatlaw.html (this webpage contains "A Guide to the Laws and Treaties of the United States for Protecting Migratory Birds")
http://fsc.fernbank.edu/birding/feathers.htm (brief introduction to feather structure and types of bird feathers)
© Christian Research Service 2009
