Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Apocalypse Branson: the Corrie ten Boom Legend

Corrie ten Boom is rejoicing in heaven, so she's been unavailable to comment on the hype that has been taking place in her name in Branson for about two decades, and notably since Mario Murillo began holding a crusade here in late August.

The Corrie ten Boom / Branson legend is this: Corrie allegedly was on a plane and asked the name of the town being flown over. When she was told "Branson" Corrie is said to have prophesied that the glory of God was going to go out from there to the rest of the country. One version of the story - the one parroted by Mario Murillo - is that noted Christian author Gary Smalley was seated next to Corrie and heard her amazing prediction. As of this date, no comment from Mr. Smalley has been made public, but his son, Greg, was interviewed by author Gaye Lisby, and stated that he never heard it. Moreover, Corrie's personal companion for the last seven years of her life emphatically told Mrs. Lisby that Corrie never made the alleged comment.

Despite a complete dearth of corroboration, the legend of Corrie's word persists throughout the Branson area, especially among Charismatic Christians, of which I am one. Word-Faith teacher Billye Brim established her ministry in the area, and cited Corrie ten Boom's prophecy in so doing. Jim Bakker's ministry is in the area, too, and Jim has gone so far as to infer that those who disbelieve in the prophecy need to have demons cast out of them.

My comment is that the prophecy about the glory of God going from Branson to the rest of the country is a fabrication, and those who use it to undergird their meetings are engaged in Divination, not prophetic ministry.

Jim Bakker is the one in need of deliverance, and Billye Brim makes my baloney detector go off.

Last night, those who came to hear Mario Murillo found the church doors locked and a notice on the door (see below). Mario's blog says that the church board was behind the action, and that he, Mario, had planned to announce new locations for the meetings last night, apparently insinuating that some kind of retribution was behind the cancellation. Some of the "intercessors" are framing this as a demonic attack on their revival, and imprecating against unnamed foes.



One thing certain: somebody was very inconsiderate of all the people who made a trip for a scheduled meeting only to find locked doors.

Another: the rivalry among revivalists in our area doesn't comport with the unity of the Holy Spirit that will characterize genuine revival.

But then these meetings have been characterized by hype and mirrors. Mario can insinuate anything he likes, but his credibility is in doubt because he's continually invoked the bogus tale of Corrie's Branson prophecy throughout his crusades.

Godly intercessors are so very important in our time (cp. Ezekiel 22:30). Intercessors are similar to midwives, serving the Church as she travails to bring forth offspring. Although the imagery of intercession is often feminine, men are called to this ministry as well, there being no male and female in Christ. (Of course there are military metaphors regarding spiritual warfare as well)

Intercessors who are beguiled by unclean spirits engage in divination. They see a revival as "their baby" that they have birthed, rather than assisted in birthing. The uncleanness of this kind of "intercession" is manifested when anyone challenges any claim or aspect of their revival - "their baby."

Example: When I challenged the veracity of the Corrie ten Boom legend, one of these "intercessors" imprecated against me thus: "God will deal directly with the religious spirits who doubt God moving in signs and wonders. I place this in God's Courtroom of Heaven. Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm." (the whole Facebook conversation is pasted on pages 15 -17 of this document, which is a collection of comments and Facebook posts about the so called "Branson Breakout" and other examples of Charismania such as the Lakeland, Florida revival of 2008 .


This kind of "intercession" is unclean. For one thing, I didn't "doubt God moving in signs and wonders" - I challenged the veracity of the Corrie-Branson prophecy.

Ironically, the same "intercessor" who tried to put a curse on me is now vociferously claiming that a Jezebel spirit is opposing her revival.

Very ironic. Like the pot calling the kettle black.


A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL

God help us your people to turn away from falsehood. Help us repent of our unteachable spirit, our elitist sectarianism, our "I have no need of thee" attitude. Every member of Christ's body is important. Lord, help us to share the revelations You give without pride. We need grace to know when to yield to others, and wisdom to know when to be assertive. Let every self appointed Prophet, Apostle, and Intercessor be brought down some, but in Your mercy preserve them so they can be participate in Your genuine visitation to Your people. Others, Lord, embolden to step up and reveal the things You have put in their hearts over the decades as they have quietly waited like Anna and Simeon waited for the holy Child to appear in the Temple. In the name of Jesus. Amen.