Although the title might seem authoritative, I want to confess beforehand that it is not.
These are some of the insights I believe the Lord gave me, helping me to see from His perspective and what He intended to do during these times. I do recognize the fact that all of us are prone to error at times.
When the Lakeland saga unfolded there were many angry words exchanged, lot of covering up and blame shifting, in short nothing but chaos.
On one hand some tried to justify what went on, this has lead to further lawlessness and lowering the standards on Holiness. On the other many judged it unrighteously which (without repentance) in the longer run would lead us to loose the grace of God in our lives in those areas and follow in that same wrong pathway.
Some tried to apply wisdom without specific discernment and understanding which can be really dangerous given the nature of the events. In such a case the deception takes deep root and is very subtle that it is difficult to confront and uproot.
Amidst all of this there were a few voices that voiced genuine concern and tried to bring things out in Love. However their voices have been crowded with the many others in the spirit and the dust is yet to settle. When it does they need to be resounded again in Love as we are living in crucial times. For when the dust settles if the wrong voice is heard people will start listening to it and follow it. Also these insights that we would dwell on here would give us better understanding for that and the times ahead.
1. LAKELAND WAS GOD’S WAY (INTENT) O BRINGING CORRECTION TO A PART OF BODY THAT WAS GOING ASTRAY
If we thought that Todd’s fascination with angels or some of the other issues in his life were only his personal problems we are sadly mistaken. There are entire movements in the body of Christ that are faced with those same issues.
Whenever you are to yourself you don’t see your mistakes but then when you come in the light before everybody, you stand exposed.
In a similar sense some sections of the body because of their closed nature were quite comfortable with some of the erroneous teachings and wrong direction that they were taking. However when they stood (came out) before the rest of the body they were judged (Meaning when Todd was confronted they were confronted).
Looking at it from another perspective, God allowed it to bring correction to them and lead them back in the right pathway. Sadly however there has been no correction made or no genuine repentance, which only increases the darkness. People have tried to justify their place and position instead of repenting. Now there is a place for explaining your position but this certainly wasn’t that place. If we are blaming people for their critical attitudes against us, which may be true, that doesn’t justify our wrong stands or mistakes.
Two wrongs don’t make a right
2. LAKELAND WAS GOD JUDGING THE FLESH IN THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
Except for a few times any honest observer who followed Lakeland would admit the glaring errors that came out of it. To name a few, the way money was raised for the offerings. The exaggerations in reporting the miracles,constant lying. hype and manipulation.
These are not uncommon to the charismatic movement itself. For years many have thrived on hype. There have been a lot of exaggerations and lying. Just to name one ‘there were Bible school classes held in a certain ministry on a particular day and it was certainly a blessing. However the way it was reported on the web was that “God moved powerfully today, many were saved, healed and delivered. This is not just exaggeration but plain lying. Also the way money has been raised through control and manipulation is not new to the charismatic movement.
However Lakeland made even quite a few of them uncomfortable, as it was flesh in the charismatic movement manifest in its fullness.
The good news was that God was judging the flesh, which meant He wanted to bring healing, restoration and redemption so that we can start walking in the Spirit in those areas. The bad news is that there has no repentance that has come from that. This has opened the door to demonic infiltration and further deception.
3. LAKELAND WAS GOD JUDGING THE PROPHETIC MOVEMENT
When one look’s at some of the prophecies given at Todd’s ordination and the turn of events after that, the mistakes are huge. If we would have paid attention to many on the stage these weren’t novices but many had been in the ministry for a long time and represented huge movements or churches. Also the other major question that arises is why wasn’t anybody able to foresee the turn of events given the seemingly prophetic nature of that ceremony?
Even though there was a prophesy on God judging the prophetic movement at the beginning of the year, we didn’t realize it would look like this. This is a good time for introspection and change. Some of the basics of the prophetic movement today need revamping if we are to proceed forward. Let God’s foundations be laid this hour and let His prophets arise in power.
4. LAKELAND WAS GOD’S WAY OF SHOWING THE CHURCH THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL FATHERS TO THIS GENERATION
I believe Todd in a lot of ways represents the present generation. They are passionate (hungry for the supernatural), wild and have some serious issues.
There was nobody over Todd to provide him with the wisdom and correction he needed, which was one of the factors for this kind of mess; I pray that it is not the same case with this generation. For if we don’t discipline them early and teach them, we are in danger of producing a deceived, lawless generation before the Lord.
There is a true need for spiritual Fathers this hour. Also Todd’s restoration and healing could also represent the truth that this generation can still be redeemed.
5. LAKELAND WAS GOD’S MERCY REVEALED TO THE CHURCH TO LEARN AND PREPARE ITSELF BEFORE THE GREAT DECEPTION
Today many who authorized Lakeland are calling it a move of God.
Now instead of addressing that, on a general note when we tend to generalize an event of such caliber without accepting the faults and mistakes, whether we condone the mistakes or not if we speak so generally it means we are also authorizing the mistakes. Which is very dangerous. This can lead to further deception.
Apart from the times God touched people in Lakeland, it has come to be known for constant lying and lawlessness.
If we are not able to see that then certainly we will not be able to see when the antichrist comes.
“For the coming of the lawless one would be with lying signs and wonders”.
In conclusion Lakeland was God’s mercy in giving the church a chance to see and learn before the lawless one is actually revealed.
