IN YOUR FACE DECEPTION
by Bud Press, Research Consultant,
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
March 29, 2012
A popular faith healer advertises a one-day "Healing Revival" in the
local news, and promises healing to all that attend. Thousands crowd into
the convention center, many of whom are sick, dying, and in wheelchairs.
During the revival, once the donation buckets are distributed, filled
with cash and collected, the faith healer walks on-stage and informs the
crowd that, "God told me that all manner of diseases and afflictions have
been healed! All you have to do is come forward and claim your healing!"
Hundreds crowd the stairs leading to the stage. The faith healer calls
them up one-by-one. Adrenalin courses through their bodies at breakneck
speed and dominates their minds. Overwhelmed with euphoria, they fall backwards
into the arms of the catchers, slained by an electrical charge from the
faith healer's touch. They lay slumped on the floor shaking and contorting
out of control, as if their minds and bodies were invaded by an alien from
another world.
The faith healer confirms their healing by shouting, "Lady, you are
completely healed!" "Mister, run back-and-forth across the stage!" "This
leg has been made whole!" "No more back problems!" Eventually, they leave
the stage with their hands held high, laughing and praising the faith healer.
Walking canes, hearing aids, leg and back braces, and oxygen bottles
litter the stage.
At the end of the revival, the faith healer glances out of the corner
of his eye at the wheelchair section in the rear of the building. He leaves
the stage escorted by his stone-faced bodyguards. His faithful followers
strain to see him one last time. He relaxes in his luxurious hotel room,
dines on expensive food, counts his money, checks the time on his expensive
watch, remains dressed in his custom-made suit, boards his muti-million
dollar jet, and flies away to his next revival.
The sick and dying leave the revival still sick, still dying, and still
in wheelchairs. The adrenalin dissipates, and the feelings of euphoria
disappear, but they claim their healing, adore the faith healer, and cherish
the brief moment they spent in his presence.
And as the faith healer's jet levels off high into the clouds, the
one who brought false hope to thousands grins and whispers to himself,
"In your face deception. It still works every time."
"For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites;
and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the
unsuspecting." (Romans 16:18)