Pigskin Prophet?

Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago, Facebook friends posted a meme about the late Bob Jones who died in 2014. This prophet had (according to Shawn Bolz) predicted revival would come when the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. At first, I was skeptical of this prophecy. I recalled a similar one that surfaced four years earlier regarding the Carolina Panthers. They lost Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos.

Critics may look at all this and dismiss Bob Jones as a false prophet. However, I know of other prophecies given by him that were accurate. During the late 1980s, Bob prophesied: “The black panthers are coming to the lumberyard of Charlotte.” This was years before the Carolina Panthers entered the NFL as an expansion team. Their home stadium was ultimately built on land that used to be a lumberyard. 1 Corinthians 13:9 says, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” It’s possible for someone to receive a word from the Lord but then have that misinterpreted.

Bob Jones and others have prophesied stadiums built for football would be used for the end time harvest. We’re already seeing this happen. In 2018, I attended a gathering at the Minnesota Vikings’ US Bank Stadium where numerous people made commitments to Christ. Last year at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (where the Pro Bowl was played last Sunday), The Send attracted close to 60,000 believers to receive an anointing to fulfill the Great Commission. Of course, we cannot forget most of Billy Graham’s crusades took place in sporting venues.

Usually, I root for NFC teams but will be pulling for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt gave glory to the Lord after his team became AFC Champions. Hunt was quoted as saying, “We want our employees to develop spiritually…My identity is my faith in Christ.” The Chiefs became the first NFL team to provide chapel services for fans prior to noon home games.

Even if the Chiefs lose today, a great end time harvest will happen. God’s promises are not confined to the outcome of a football game but He can still use that as a sign.

“Do not despise prophecies.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

My Response to Copeland Critics

One of my favorite preachers is Kenneth Copeland. Every morning I read “From Faith to Faith”, a powerful devotional written by him and his wife Gloria. In addition to seeing them on TV, I’ve heard the Copelands many times at my home church in Minnesota plus attended some of their Victory Campaigns. This past January, I visited Eagle Mountain International Church near Fort Worth, Texas pastored by Kenneth’s daughter Terri and her husband George Pearsons. Kenneth often speaks there.

As a baby Christian, I wasn’t fond of Kenneth Copeland when first hearing him as well as a few other Charismatic preachers. Eventually, I learned to overlook a minister’s personality and focus more on the content of their messages. I’ve since grown to appreciate Brother Copeland’s boldness, skillful knowledge of Scripture and his sense of humor.

Kenneth Copeland is often lambasted by religious folk who don’t like his teachings and him owning an airplane. It should be mentioned that Brother Copeland was a licensed pilot before going into the ministry. Gloria often said she would never marry a preacher and later added “…and I didn’t. I married a commercial pilot.” 

Still, critics have targeted one comment made by Kenneth Copeland on his “Believer’s Voice of Victory” program. While talking with Jesse Duplantis about their private jets, Brother Copeland stated that one reason he doesn’t fly commercial is because it’s like being “in a long tube with a bunch of demons.” Recently a reporter from “Inside Edition” rushed up to Copeland asking about that comment. Copeland clarified that he loves people and “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). Charisma magazine founder Stephen Strang pointed out it would be similar to using other forms of public transportation like a Greyhound bus. As a missionary who’s traveled on many of those, I say “Amen!” Long trips can be aggravating especially when dealing with other passengers who are disrespectful and use profanity.

Preachers need privacy to pray and study if they are to be effective vessels for the Lord. I heard Kenneth Copeland point out his mentor Oral Roberts initially rode on commercial flights but was constantly approached for autographs and prayer requests. Roberts needed time alone with God to prepare for the numerous meetings he held. During His earthly ministry, Jesus often had to get away from crowds so He could have quality time with the Father. Although I have witnessed to people while flying or riding the bus, I usually keep to myself by putting on earphones and listening to anointed music or sermons to stay in the presence of God.

Critics continue fussing about the money some ministries generate. One Facebook friend posted a meme listing the alleged net worth of Kenneth Copeland and other well-known preachers with the caption, “The gospel is to be told, not sold.” The gospel is free but it takes finances to get the message out through media and the printed page plus sending ministers to various places. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus said if we're faithful over little, He will make us ruler over much. The Copelands have faithfully preached the Word of God for over 50 years.

The idea that ministers aren't supposed to have much money is out of the pit of hell. God doesn’t mind His people having things as long as the things don't have us. One thing I respect about the Copelands is their generosity. Kenneth Copeland Ministries has a disaster relief team that helps partners affected by wildfires and hurricanes. Back in the 1990s, they rebuilt numerous churches that were destroyed by arsonists. So-called prosperity preachers probably give away more of their revenue than all of their critics combined.

So if you don’t like Brother Copeland, then don’t listen to him. What I don’t like is seeing edited versions of sermons and interviews that make preachers appear to say things they didn’t really mean. That’s why we need discernment when reading or watching stuff posted by secular media outlets and religious watchdogs.

“Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” - Luke 8:18

My Message to a Moonie

Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, died earlier this month at the age of 92. A short time later, I received an email from a man who’s on my newsletter mailing list. I met Richard three years ago inside a government building in Washington, DC. We joined other God-fearing individuals in taking a stand against same-sex marriage being legalized in the nation’s capital. Richard has an organization educating youth to become leaders who understand the importance of reserving sex for marriage. I didn’t know until this month that Richard is also a disciple of Rev. Moon. His email listed the details of last weekend’s “victorious ascension ceremony for Father Moon” followed by Richard’s personal testimony. I emailed this message in response…

Dear Richard,

I received the testimony you emailed me a few days ago and was pleased to read about you giving up drugs, avoiding fornication, and most importantly how you met the Lord Jesus Christ. Since you probably needed time to grieve over the death of Sun Myung Moon (plus I wanted to learn more about the Unification Church), I’ve waited until now to send you this note. As a minister of the gospel, I need to point out things in your testimony that were very troubling.

You refer to “Father and Mother Moon” as your “True Parents.” A true spiritual father or mother would not willingly teach ideas opposing God’s word. Just in your email alone, you shared ideas that were inconsistent with Scripture...

“I returned the next day (Tuesday) to hear about the Fall on Man [sic]. I thought that the story of how Eve has tempted by the archangel and committed a sexual sin was interesting and it made sense.” 

Genesis 3 makes no reference to sexual sin at all! The Fall of Man simply resulted from Adam and Eve disobeying God’s commandment not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

“I asked Jesus if Father Moon had really come to carry on Jesus' mission. I received an emphatic yes, and I am sure if you ask Jesus the same thing, you will receive the same answer.” 

Jesus’ mission for all His disciples (not just full-time ministers) is clearly listed in Mark 16:15-18. Just out of curiosity, how many people were saved, healed, and delivered from demons through Rev. Moon’s ministry?

You referred to “…the Messiah, the Second Coming of Christ (not Jesus himself) would come in the east.” Jesus warned in Matthew 24 that in the last days false prophets and false Christs would rise up and deceive many.  There is no way Sun Myung Moon could be a Second Messiah. Otherwise, wouldn’t he still be alive?

“It is not necessarily an easy thing to meet with and to align with the New Truth.”

1 John 5:3 says, “His commandments are not burdensome.” All revelations from the Lord Jesus Christ would agree with Scripture, not contradict it.

I hope Sun Myung Moon made it into heaven for God doesn’t desire anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). But unless he repented before his death, Sun Myung Moon will have to answer to God for all the souls he deceived into worshipping him instead of Jesus. In the meantime, I pray that you recognize the Unification Church as a cult and ask God to forgive you for your involvement in it.

In Christ,

Todd R. Post

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9