By now, most of us have heard about the controversy surrounding Mike Bickel, founder and lead pastor of IHOPKC, which includes allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse involving multiple women spanning several decades. Sadly, he is not the first pastor in recent months to be caught up in this kind of scandal, and more than likely, won’t be the last.
Upon hearing this troubling news, the Lord reminded me of a word He had given me back in May of 2022 about some of the current pastors or overseers of the Church. Here is an excerpt from that word:
“So then, from their hands shall I remove their staff, and lift the mantle of authority from upon their shoulders. I have measured the weight of their transgressions and found them severely wanting, and therefore, they are no longer fit to keep My sheep. How swiftly then, shall My hand move amongst these herdsmen, putting an abrupt end to the oversight of many, for they no longer have My confidence, and so shall be relieved from duty.”
He highlighted this verse from 1 Peter 4:17:
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
And then I heard this:
See, then, have I set My face against them. For in flagrant disobedience have these so called “men of God” walked, as surely have they allowed the appetites of their flesh to consume them. So while they were given ample time to repent from their wickedness, still in their sin did they persist, as such were these so-called “men of God” ill-prepared to ward off the enemy when he came for their hearts.
Then, as if in rapid succession, shall these so called “men of God” fall in disgrace, as indeed have I rendered My judgment against them. For it is still true that judgment begins with My household first, and as such, have I taken the steps to see the necessary correction is applied throughout the entire assembly of the elect, from which title or ministerial position offers no exclusions.
And so shall it continue to be that those who have built elevated platforms for themselves upon My Name, yet who out of the public eye engage in the profane, will suddenly have their illicit conduct exposed, causing their support structure to crumble, thereby rendering impotent their ability to further influence My children.
Yet with an impudent attitude towards Me can these still be found, though I gave sufficient warning that judgment had been issued upon the Church. However these so called “men of God” ignored My words, and continued on down their path of folly with the thinking that their sin would never catch up to them, for surely has their spiritual sight been hindered due to the dark cloud of oppression swirling about their lives.
See then these so called “men of God” are not victims by any sense of the word, though this is the narrative which they will, at first, attempt to present, as if the accusations brought against them are simply some form of religious persecution and nothing more. Yet while they may use this tactic in an effort to camouflage their egregious conduct before the public, however, this endeavor shall prove to be pointless, as there is nothing these so called “men of God” can now do to prevent the truth from coming forth.
Then ‘just like that’ shall what they were attempting to save slip right through their fingers. For what man of God can ever fully recover from a soiled reputation, especially when there is no evidence of real contrition over their sin? Therefore, these so-called “men of God” shall find it difficult to reclaim even their good name, for they shall soon discover for themselves the truth behind that old adage, which says, “trust once lost is not easy to regain”.
And so shall the changes occurring at the forefront of the Church be ongoing throughout this season, for surely are there destined to be a few more that claim to be upright and honorable, who shall have their assertions proven false, as these so called “men of God” have allowed the lust of the flesh to overtake their hearts. So though they present themselves as messengers from My Kingdom, as those who walk with a mantle of higher authority, yet has this anointing now been lifted (though some are not fully aware that this transference of spiritual power has occurred).
Then shall this season be marked with much change, for indeed shall many of the prominent names known amongst My Body be given no choice but to step down from their platforms, for I shall not allow them to remain, as I have seen these can no longer be entrusted with the care of My sheep. Therefore, beloved, expect to see this occurrence again and again, where those who were once highly respected men of God, are exposed as frauds.
So then don’t be surprised when you see more platforms topple over, for indeed has My judgment fallen upon the Church. Then do not be taken aback by what you see and hear happening even now within some congregational houses, where pastors and spiritual leaders suddenly step down. For this is only My Hand bringing the needed correction to the Body of Christ.
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”- 1 Peter 4:17