It always amazes me how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Last night about supper time I had no idea that I would be writing about this ministry called "The Ramp". Patti still gets the Dutch Sheets newsletter. (She only gets it in order to keep abreast of what these people are up to.) If you haven't heard of Dutch Sheets, he is one of the regulars on the so-called Elijah List. It's a group of people who consider themselves movers and shakers of the modern church, and apostolic movement. I have had dealings with more than one person here in central Texas that wanted their book to be listed with them, or have one of their written articles appear on their site. This Bible verse from Galations comes to mind when I think of these people and their desire to please their peers, and to receive accolades from them.
Galatians 1:10 (KJV) 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. In his newsletter he mentions their ministry move to Hamilton, Alabama. One of the reasons he gave, was "One of the hubs of this awakening has become The Ramp, a ministry located here in Hamilton. Thousands of young people come here every month to drink of this outpouring and return home as carriers of the fire. An internship/school has also evolved from this. I am already an apostolic voice to The Ramp and speak for their gatherings several times each year." I had never heard of this, so I do a Dogpile search, and the top two hits are of this ministry. Karen Wheaton, is the head of this ministry. From their "About" page I get this. "Our mission is to awaken a generation out of spiritual death and religious complacency, calling them to their individual purpose and corporate responsibility as
an offensive army imposing the kingdom of God." I was cruising the channels late last night, and on Daystar, I come across "The Ramp". I tune in, and I tell you, I may be old, but I'm not that old. When I was young I was into Pink Floyd, Grand Funk and Led Zepplin. The band was doing some kind of song, I'm not sure if they mentioned Jesus or not in the song, as you couldn't make out the lyrics. Kids were jumping up and down, and dancing to the music. It's what I call "headbanger" music. The ushers or maybe a better word would be "bouncers" on stage were dressed in black t-shirts and camouflaged pants. Anyway, a guy by the name of Damon Thompson, dressed like a street person starts his message. This scripture came to mind when he started to speak.
2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, He is not my idea of a role model for our youth. One part of the message he talks about Daniels friends in the furnace, and says that Nebuchadnezzar looks in the furnace and sees the fourth man, and he looked like the Son of God. He goes on to claim that we, as Christians can bring Christ to us. He actually said we could summon Jesus to us when we needed him. My Bible says the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. (Jn 14:16, 15:26, 16:7)
This ministry has targeted young people to be indoctrinated into the Dominionist movement. They are teaching them to be "an offensive army imposing the kingdom of God". And not about accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, or teaching the finished work of Jesus at Calvary. Dominionists like to use the term "Joels Army". If you read chapter 2 of Joel, they take this as a literal army, not a supernatural one, that will create the kingdom of God here on earth, so that Christ can then come. They will compel (force) people to become Christian. They have raised themselves up to be mini-gods. They are to create the kingdom, and then they will tell Christ when he can come back. How blasphemous is that?
Finis Dake in his Annotated Reference Bible gives Seven Proofs why this army in Joel is a supernatural army, not one made up of mortal men.
1. There have never before been any like them appearing on earth before (
Joel 2:2).
2. Nor will there be any like them again for many generations -- until the end of the Millennium when Satan and his angels and demons will appear on earth in an effort to take it over, at which time God will send this army of heaven against them (
Joel 2:2;
Isa. 24:22;
Rev. 20:7-10).
5. They will not be hurt even if they fall upon a sword (
Joel 2:8).
6. Different from men, they are able to climb walls; they will climb upon the houses and enter into the windows like a thief (
Joel 2:9).
Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.
Joels Army will be taken up in another blog, because the material is so extensive, it may take more than one blog to cover it all..... Dave & Patti.
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