WHAT THE LORD SAID TO ME TODAY
PROPHECY: Judgement Begins With The House Of God-Bill and Marsha Burns-Some Concerns
May 29, 2001

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Dear WPA and Other Readers:

People of the Lord, I have some grave concerns today. Since I became aware of these issues, I have been in prayer, and have sought the advice of elders I trust. It is a very serious thing when error creeps in to established, trusted ministries. Very many people may be led astray when such a leader is turned by the enemy. As one told me, "Stephen, you knew that there would be a thinning our our ranks." That is true.

I have said before that if it becomes necessary to rebuke apostles who are obviously in the wrong, then I will not shrink from that responsibility, by the grace of God. God has used a donkey to perform that task, and I am not less qualified than he.

In times past, I have unreservedly recommended the ministry of Bill and Marsha Burns of Kremmling, Colorado and their ministry at Faith Tabernacle. I have reprinted their articles here and have received confirmation through them of matters the Lord was speaking to me. From this time forward, I have some concerns, and I am watching carefully what is written there. I believe, before the Lord my God, that a spirit of error has crept into that ministry. They need our prayers, for they are in grave danger of apostasy. I will now explain.

Last night, the May 26, 2000 article by Bill Burns, entitled, "THE JUDGEMENT OF THE CHURCH, was forwarded to me by a WPA member. I have reprinted it in it's entirety below. Our member had received it from a member of watchman-seers-usa, who was using this article as a means of strengthening his arguments with her.

Therefore, I see this as the first red flag. You need to watch very carefully what the Judaizers receive excitedly into their last days synagogues. They are using the apostolic mantle of Mr. Burns to buttress their arguments that God has returned to use of the law in the battle against lawlessness and those who practice iniquity. Many of us were banned by watchman-seers-usa five months ago...they gnashed their teeth at us and threw us out of the synagogue, because we would not return with them to the yoke of legal bondage. Like Paul, we have moved on, yearning and praying for the freedom of our brothers at times, but nevertheless, we have moved on. The spirit of legalism will vomit forth from out of its mouth anything it cannot subjugate and control, and the teeth will gnash. This article from Mr. Burns was not vomited forth, but was fully digested and used for food in that venue. Beware!

There have been other warnings in my spirit that I paid no heed to until I read this article. The Lord has been trying to get me to pay closer attention to what is coming forth from the Burns' ministry, and to bring every word before Him. Sometimes, when we respect men too much, we drop our Berean responsibility to be on our guard. I should know better. All of us are capable of being deceived.

Another concern occurred just in the last two months. I noted that as I entered the Burns' website, I was confronted with sales material for books they have written, which was a new change to the site. (Mr. Burns has informed me, subsequent to my publishing of this article, that proceeds from these book sales benefit the needy, and I have apologized to him for any implication or inference of impropriety made here on that point) Checks and alarms went off in my spirit. I knew there was a problem with the commercialization, but, until now, I have not been aware of its manifestation in their prophetic writings. At about the same time, I was approached to commercialize my websites. The tempting lure was extremely strong, and I almost gave in to it. In the end though, I resisted and fled from it, thanks be to God.

With respect to the article, I have the following specific problems:

1) Mr. Burns quotes Marsha Aldred, who makes this statement:

"It is not difficult to see, however, that in the entire context of the names, the sum total seems to be a new beginning of the Law of God, the restoration of His Government, and its emanation from God through the mouth of man calling creation to rely and trust on the atonement of the cross."

This was the first item that I was confronted with....the idea of a new beginning of the Law of God. This is unbiblical. The law has served it's purpose of a schoolmaster, leading us to Christ. The law will not have a new beginning, no matter how much the Judaizers would have it so. It does not help to bring this legalism alongside of comfortable words regarding the atonement of Christ, the cross and a restoration of government. The Law of God is not going to have a new beginning. Not one jot or tittle was ever done away with. It never could, and still will not, save a man or make him clean or holy. (Mr. Burns, in subsequent rebuttal, says that Marsha Aldred was referring to the Law of the Spirit, not the old Law of God. Nevertheless, her words remain unaltered.)

2) Consider the whole allegory presented here: that a disaster in a Wedding Festival in Jerusalem is supposed to be a prophetic parallel to the Wedding Feast of God, and that this is supposed to be linked to judgment, which is to begin with the house of God. This would be spousal abuse by Jesus Christ, if it were an accurate allegory and comparison. Jesus will never treat His bride this way. Where does this come from? Jesus will never abuse His bride or drop her into a hole. He died for her. This is way off the mark, and as a fellow elder told me, it is shabby scripturally. (Mr. Burns says, in subsequent rebuttal, that he did not intend to allegorize and link the wedding festival to the marriage supper, but to allegorically link it to the judgement that is to come upon the house of God.)

3) Where does this come from? There is an error of understanding exhibited here. At first, Mr. Burns appears to understand that 1 Peter 4:17, and it's prophecy that judgement will begin with the house of God, refers to the removal by God of imposters and false brethren when it speaks of the end of the age. The last part of Matthew 13 is rightly related and quoted. This scripture, and it's context are quite clear in presenting the case that those whom the angels remove are sons of the devil: they were born that way and they stay that way until the angels remove these imposters from the church. Scripture speaks clearly regarding these sons of Satan: they will not turn to Christ, they cling to their hypocrisy, they will carry out their lusts and murders, they cannot stop from doing them. They offend (GK scandalon) people. In other words, they cause true believers to stumble. They practice iniquity: it is their lifestyle. We are not talking here about believers in Christ who infrequently stumble into sin, repent and receive forgiveness. We are not talking about a need to repent. These people have never known HIM. The angels will come on that day, and remove these tares.

Mr. Burns then shifts to a general warning to the church that "Each one must be sure his foundation is solid and built according to His plan or the wedding feast will be lost to them and instead of joy and celebration there will be sorrow and death." This is not bad advice, but to link it to 1 Peter 4:17 and Matthew 13:41 has no context or relation in terms of a last days judgement of the house of God. The Holy Spirit pushes us forward and causes us to make this evaluation every day of our Christian lives. Are we in the faith? This is not a last of the last days concept! (Mr. Burns, in his subsequent rebuttal, remarks that "Every Christian is in danger of falling through the floor. I disagree with this, of course)

4) I take issue with these words: "The words of the Lord came and warned the church that God was no longer going to tolerate the sinful nature of His people."

Note that now Mr. Burns moves the focal point of judgement, which begins in the house of God, over to the dealing of God with His people. We are no longer talking about imposters or sons of the devil. We are talking about the bride. There is therefore the implication made here by Mr. Burns that God is going to cause His bride to teeter dangerously on the edge of a chasm when he writes that "A specially built seat where the bride had sat to welcome her guests perched precariously on the lip of the crater." I don't receive this at all. God has always worked through the Holy Spirit to sanctify His bride and cleanse her from all iniquity. (Mr. Burns, in subsequent rebuttal, points out that he was speaking not of the real bride, but of denominational christianity, which thinks it is part of the bride, but may not be)

5) Mr. Burns writes, regarding the allegory, that "It was also reported that some support columns were removed and not replaced." This is said by Mr. Burns to signify that:

"The columns that have been removed are the pillars of truth. The word of truth and the Spirit of truth have been removed (by many) from the House of God, and it cannot stand without these pillars. False doctrine has replaced the word of truth and the Spirit of truth is given no place to support and strengthen the house that many have built in the name of the Lord."

This is what the Judaizers love so much about this article. The focus is placed on the truth, rather than the Life. If a man finds his Life in Jesus, the way and the truth will follow right along naturally. This is why an illiterate slave may be filled with the light of God and be led of the Spirit. The modern day Judaizers love to focus on and make the truth (Law) their centerpiece. Beware! (To summarize, Mr. Burns responds in subsequent rebuttal that he is not responsible for how other people use what he writes, and that Judaizers will not like or use his article because he quotes Ephesians 2:12-16 in it. He further goes on to state that I have spoken in error here: that merely having Jesus as one's life is not enough, according to him)

These things being said, I am sure that after you read the article, you will probably wonder what all the fuss is about. It all seems so good and will probably be read by many in books, and doesn't entice anyone to commit sin. Please note that what I see in the Spirit here is the beginning of error. Also, be alert for what the synagogue doesn't cast out, but excitedly receives. I hope with my mind and heart that I am wrong, but in my spirit, I know the I am not.

Furthermore, I have written this because if one of my WPA members had written something like this, I would have spoken up. I cannot be silent simply because the writer is an esteemed apostle. God is no respecter of persons, and he hates favoritism in His house. One WPA member has certainly seen Mr. Burns article, and probably more have seen it because I have previously encourged people to read his works. I am accountable before the Lord.

We pray for Mr. and Mrs. Burns in this assembly. We believe them to be saints of God, followers of Christ, and anointed servants, but flawed human beings nevertheless. We pray for them that they may be delivered from the spirit of error, in Jesus' name, Amen.

(After the dust has settled from the various replies from Mr. Burns, my initial article is still my position, as written, except that I have repented and apologized for speaking without full information with respect to Mr. Burns book sales)

Stephen L. Bening
a servant and prophet of our Lord Jesus Christ



THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCH
By Bill Burns

May 26, 2001:

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

This is a passage of scripture that we are all familiar with, for it has been used in conjunction with many of the prophetic words that have been given in the past few years. To be sure God has been judging His church for some two thousand years now. There will, however, come a final judgment (upon the church) at the end of the age, which will result in the cleansing of the Bride of Christ. The Bride of Christ will be a "glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27)

Many of those who have prophesied judgment upon the nations and felt that it was imminent have overlooked this important biblical fact -- judgment will first come upon the church before it comes to the world. I believe that we are about to see the final judgment of the church take place when the "Son of man will send out His angels (messengers), and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 13:41) The judgment that comes to the House of the Lord will bring a collapse of organized religion and will bring about a separation of "wheat and tares." The wheat (true Christians) will be gathered into the Master's house, and the tares (false brethren) will be gathered and reserved for the fire of destruction that comes at the end of the age. (Matthew 13:38-42 and Revelation 17:16)

A few days ago I awakened at the first light of dawn, and the Lord began to speak to me about the judgments, which are to come. He said that this present time of testing has to do with judgment of the church. The testing is for the purpose of preparation that will cleanse His bride and make her ready to abide in the glory of His presence.

I was still pondering what He had said when I sat at my computer and read the morning news. The headlines captivated me: "Jewish Wedding Hall Collapses!" The Spirit of the Lord began to stir within me that this was a sign of the judgment that is to come to the House of God. I later received an e-mail from a precious saint of God (Marsha Allred), which confirmed what I believed to be a sign in the earth (Acts 2:19) of the judgment which is to come to the church. Marsha wrote, "Have you any insight into this tragedy? I feel the Lord is allowing His body the benefit of a serious wake-up call for those who have ears to hear -- He calls again. Each one must be sure his foundation is solid and built according to His plan or the wedding feast will be lost to them and instead of joy and celebration there will be sorrow and death."

I do believe that I have some insight into this tragedy because the building that collapsed was built the same year in which I was born again (1986). We are talking about a Jewish wedding feast, which is symbolic of the marriage supper of the Lamb, which is to come (Revelation 19:9). But, before the true wedding feast can take place, the House of God must be rebuilt according to the Master Builder's plan.

The wedding hall was renovated three months ago, and it was reported that construction techniques, which were banned in 1996, were used. It was also reported that some support columns were removed and not replaced. I believe that the three months represents the Third Day of Christ in which the judgment to the House of God will take place. Another confirmation is that the people on the dance floor plunged three stories.

In 1996 the spirit of prophecy was released in greater measure by the Lord. The words of the Lord came and warned the church that God was no longer going to tolerate the sinful nature of His people. He warned those who were building His church to no longer use the construction methods of the past. Those methods, which condone sin and the works of the flesh that defile His sanctuary, are still in use today. The warnings have been largely ignored, but the Holy Spirit's Third Day demolition will tear down everything that has not been built upon the word of God.

The columns that have been removed are the pillars of truth. The word of truth and the Spirit of truth have been removed (by many) from the House of God, and it cannot stand without these pillars. False doctrine has replaced the word of truth and the Spirit of truth is given no place to support and strengthen the house that many have built in the name of the Lord.

The bride's name is "Keren," and one of the meanings of her name in Hebrew is "ram's horn." The trumpet must be sounded even as Joel prophesied:

Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
Joel 2:16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
Joel 2:17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"
Joel 2:18 Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people.

The bride did not die in this tragedy, and we thank God that she did not. However, she sustained injury to her hip and chest and may require surgery. May God Himself come and put our hips out of joint like He did Jacob's. Jacob's walk was changed, as he no longer could walk by the power of his flesh, but began to walk in the power of the Spirit.

Let us allow the Spirit of the Living God to perform surgery upon our hearts (chest) so that the hardness of our hearts may be removed. Create in us a clean heart, oh Lord, and cause us to return to our First Love, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marsha Allred also extensively studied the Hebrew names of the bride and groom (who represent the people that the Lord is speaking to). She examined the Hebrew alphabet for each letter of the names, and this is what she writes:

"It is not difficult to see, however, that in the entire context of the names, the sum total seems to be a new beginning of the Law of God, the restoration of His Government, and its emanation from God through the mouth of man calling creation to rely and trust on the atonement of the cross. In the Bride's name there is an exciting line of thought concerning the "trumpeting of the Glory, Power, and Dignity and Strength of God"; and that being added to. In the name Assi there seems to be a line of thought regarding God beginning and being the source - the words thousand, master, teaching, and oxen seems to connect with apostolic (teaching) and works whose source is God (oxen). We can trust (S) that this will emanate (Y) from God at this time. Of course in the center of all that God is doing, we find the possibility of satan entering wherever he can. It is also not ill timed to remember that there will be "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" and then the end will come suddenly. When the end comes - truth will become crystal clear to all and there will finally be a "coming together" of those who will, all other carnal differences pale in comparison to this importance, we've missed it."

Marsha can be reached at mpsalm27@ev1.net.

Please allow me to leave you with an encouraging word as reported by CNN, and I quote, "A specially built seat where the bride had sat to welcome her guests perched precariously on the lip of thecrater. Candles still blazed on a table that had not fallen." The Lord has prepared a table for His beloved bride, and the table is still in place, and "the Spirit and the bride say come." The light of the church will not be extinguished, for the Master has called her "the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14) The chair (place at His table) is still in place, and you have an invitation:

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

His house will be rebuilt, but it will be built according to His design and according to His plans. The sure foundation of Christ, the Solid Rock, is in place, and the Spirit of the Lord is now calling the wise master builders -- yes, those who will build His house according to His plans.

Ephesians 2:16 and that He might reconcile them both [Jews and Gentiles] to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Ephesians 2:17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.



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