Posted on 02/03/2007 10:44:41 AM PST by Between the Lines
Kannapolis Police say something very bizarre happened at several churches this past Sunday. It was a disruption, they say, that left some church goers fearful and others saying “it's a God thing.”
Nearly a dozen churches reported the same thing to police: three men walked into their church during Sunday morning’s service. They walked right up to the pulpit and began speaking Hebrew.
David Lewkowicz is the pastor at West Point Baptist Church and understood what they were saying.
“They said things like, ‘God is peace, God is love, God is comfort, God is joy.’ That is all they said to me,” Lewkowicz said.
The men stayed at the churches for about two or three minutes, then left.
“They didn’t say anything bad about God or offend the church in anyway. They came in peace and left in peace,” Lewkowicz said.
Still some other congregations are concerned about exactly what the men may have been up to. One church reported the men dropping to their knees as they entered the door, then they got up and left.
Lewkowicz said it comes with the territory of being a pastor – he has to be ready for just about anything on Sunday mornings.
“We have to be open minded to anyone that may walk through those doors. Some people thought it was cool that some Hebrew guys came in and I understood them. They think it was a ‘God thing.’ We will have to wait and see,” Lewkowicz said.
Police said these men didn’t commit a crime. If they had refused to leave, it would have been a misdemeanor offense. But the church pastors said they were peaceful and posed no threat at the time.
Nevertheless, police want to know who these men are and what their intentions were. If you have any information you are asked to contact the Kannapolis police department, 704-920-4000.
• Mount Zion Freewill Baptist.
• Memorial Baptist.
• Kimball Memorial Lutheran.
• New Hope Lutheran.
• Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist.
• Franklin Heights Baptist.
• Bethpage United Methodist.
NC ping?
Do yu think they were trying (indirectly) to get people to convert to Judaism?
Maybe they were Messianic Jews.
ping
Ping.
Interesting.
This will be the least of such things . . . their messaage was true.
Their manner and delivery may have been unorthodox but their message was very orthodox.
Therefore what, remains to be seen.
Given the givens of the incidents, it is probable that some folks will focus on those truths more than they otherwise would have. I consider that good.
In coming months and years, all kinds of characters good and bad will be interrupting church services with all kinds of statements and demonstrations--some with dramatic Holy Spirit miracles of God and some with dramatic hoaxes to lead people astray.
Pastors who are used to listening to God and obeying Him will do fine with both. The rest will be more vulnerable to manipulation by the wind or at least by the forces of darkness.
But a lot of dull services inhabited by the frozen chosen and led by the dead and frozen are about to be enlivened more than they bargained for, if they thought about waking up, at all.
As do I. I consider it very interesting as well that the pastor understood them as, if I am reading the story correctly, he does not normally understand Hebrew.
In coming months and years, all kinds of characters good and bad will be interrupting church services with all kinds of statements and demonstrations--some with dramatic Holy Spirit miracles of God and some with dramatic hoaxes to lead people astray.
And you know this how?
I think if he was given the charism of understanding a foreign tongue, he would have made more of it.
He probably studied Hebrew in seminary - a pastor ought to, I think. Understanding words spoken in a language you studied as a written language - that can be tricky, but it sounds like the men kept it simple.
Mrs VS
My thoughts, too. God may be moving in another of his mysterious ways as well.
They could have been speaking in tongues and he had the interpretation. That happens in a lot of spirit-filled churches. Mxxx
You wrote:
"I consider it very interesting as well that the pastor understood them as, if I am reading the story correctly, he does not normally understand Hebrew."
Maybe. Maybe not. His name and photo tell me he has a Jewish background:
http://www.westpointbaptist.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=33546&PID=315357
Yep, he has a Jewish background: "Student Pastor David Lewkowicz has been at Parkwood for 1 year now. From Shelby, North Carolina, David is a graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. Saved at age 16, David is a Messianic Jew who was raised in a Jewish home. A gifted teacher and preacher of God's word, David leads an active youth group where 11 students have answered the call into full-time ministry."
http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?archive_id=925289815&page_id=1259515327&page_url=%2f%2fwww.parkwoodbaptistchurch.com%2ftemplates%2flif01or%2fdetails.asp%3fid%3d21839%26PID%3d178273&page_last_updated=1%2f27%2f2006+11%3a47%3a31+AM&firstName=David&lastName=Lewkowicz
None of this means he has to know Hebrew, of course, but there is a chance he does know it.
Not sure about that. He may have studied Hebrew. But I think it's unlikely that he'd be used to hearing it. Certainly could have been a miracle. Not sure at the other churches.
Off hand, do you know if these are large parishes? Nearby each other?
In coming months and years, all kinds of characters good and bad will be interrupting church services with all kinds of statements and demonstrations--some with dramatic Holy Spirit miracles of God and some with dramatic hoaxes to lead people astray.
= = =
And you know this how?
= = =
Not sure how to answer that. It's just a deep, very strong conviction I realized I had on reading this thread's beginning doc.
It is logical given my other convictions about End times. But that sense that I described was very strong--a settled fact, as I experienced it in my inner person.
We shall see.
But I personally have no doubt about it.
I understand from JockoManning that you prayed very fiercely for my chest congestion today. Thanks tons. Much appreciated. Doing better. Should sleep well tonight.
LUB,
BTTT
That would explain it. thanks.
Kannapolis is a thriving city of 38,245 people located along the I-85 corridor in the Charlotte-region of North Carolina
Kannapolis, NC, offers fans two opportunities to pay tribute to racing legend and hometown hero Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Tribute Numerology
Some of the thousands of visitors to the Dale Earnhardt Tribute have heard the description of the numerology designed into Dale Earnhardt Plaza. For those who don’t know, make sure to take note of the details when you visit:
Seven steps descend into the Plaza from both entrances on Main Street representing Dale’s seven Winston Cup Championships. The granite base of the statue pedestal is also divided into seven sections representing his championship victories.
The base measurements for the statue were taken from Dale Earnhardt’s brother Danny.
Dale’s 76 Winston Cup career wins are commemorated by the seat wall around the statue square in the center of the Plaza, which is designed for 76 granite sections. The granite sections are not in place, but they are on the fundraising list.
The walk around the Plaza is shaped like an oval to represent a racetrack.
The azaleas and daylilies around the center seat wall are planted in sets of three. The benches along the oval walk are grouped in sets of three. Both represent the three so well associated with Dale.
Eight lights shine on the statue representing the number of the cars Dale’s father, Ralph Earnhardt, and his son Dale Earnhardt, Jr., drive.
The statue of Dale faces his home place and toward “Idiot’s Circle.” Idiot’s Circle is the area of town teens in Dale’s day once drove around on the weekends to socialize. Dale is rumored to have learned to drive and turn left there.
My note: Apparently, it's a thriving, pro-growth area of North Carolina.
I'm curious as to the timing of the "visitations". Any word on how close they were?
As with any situation to which we are exposed, the best way to assuredly perform God's will is an inculcation of Bible doctrine in our thinking processes and then test all thoughts and temptations by that doctrine from Him in our hearts.
There have been many reports now for over a decade that ascribe synthetic abilities to induce thoughts into the minds of others. If such technology exists or is being developed, there will be an incentive to attempt to counterfeit the Holy Spirit in the temple of man in his thinking processes. Such things might begin innocuosly to those with good intentions, but lacking faith in God through Christ.
For example, if a handful of nonbelieving Jews had thoughts placed in their minds to go into churches and communicate these things, some might go ahead and think they were indeed being spoken to by God and proceed to act accordingly on their own volition.
The same might be said of those influenced or possessed by deceiving spirits, although humans might not be as hesitant to employ such deception and fallen angels.
We have had a remarkable period of peace as Christians within the western world, but when adversity comes, historically it may arrive rapidly with little to no warning.
It is of critical importance for believers to rigorously study Bible doctrine today, inculcating His faith in our mind and spirit by the work of the Holy Spirit every moment of our living. The next series of adversity might not be as conventional as we anticipate from past history. Prophecy in Scripture foretells an incredible amount of truth, if one is well studied in Bible doctrine.
BTW, the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher is given to the pastor by God the Holy Spirit. Those who interrupt a church service, if being held by a pastor in fellowship with God through faith in Christ, are not acting in fellowship with God, because God is not a God of confusion. He doesn't give spiritual gifts and authority to one pastor and then interrupt that pastor in fellowship with other speakers.
This is also a good wakeup call for pastors and church leaders to discern and make provisions assuring themselves that they are remaining in fellowship with God through faith in Christ in all things they do. In this fashion, whenever so interrupted, they are free with dognatic authority to remove those who are illegitimately disobeying the authority of the Holy Spirit.
I suspect, we are about to enter a period wherein false supernatural events are perceived, but caused by counterfeit persons. Such tactics if possible will be viewed as a revolution in military affairs and will probably be kept obfuscated in their capacity.
BTW, the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher is given to the pastor by God the Holy Spirit. Those who interrupt a church service, if being held by a pastor in fellowship with God through faith in Christ, are not acting in fellowship with God, because God is not a God of confusion. He doesn't give spiritual gifts and authority to one pastor and then interrupt that pastor in fellowship with other speakers.
= = =
Your rule sounds like a reasonable one IN GENERAL.
However, I have learned in my 60 years that God does not always follow our tidy rules . . . Even in the Old Testament, He tended to kick the sides out of boxes HE HIMSELF CONSTRUCTED . . . David and the shew bread . . . Christ and the disciples corn in the field . . .
Anyway--I think your exhortation about being soaked in Scripture is more crucial. But also it is important to practice hearing the voice of God . . . and discerning it from our thoughts and the enemy's inputs.
Yes, I do not doubt that technologies of the globalists will counterfeit all kinds of things.
But God is faithful. CHRIST SAID, MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE. He did not lie. He means that to be part of our Normal Christian Walk in Watchman Nee terms . . . Practicing hearing and obeying with constant reference to the Biblical standard is important.
But increasingly in times ahead, we will not have time to consult the Scriptures. We must have them in our hearts and minds. But even then . . . we must depend on Holy Spirit to direct to right or the left. To be still and quiet or speak out.
There is no substitute.
In terms of the incidents starting this thread . . . God's order and our order may be two different things. WE must be flexible to flow WITH HIM vs vice versa. Instant in season and out of season is His requirement for us.
Sounds like the churches handled it OK. But there's wisdom in being prepared to shut interruptions down instantly, too.
But there is also wisdom in immediately seeking God and asking HIM whether to shut an interruption down or is it of Him. Such CAN be of Him.
Not sure how to answer that. It's just a deep, very strong conviction I realized I had on reading this thread's beginning doc.It is logical given my other convictions about End times. But that sense that I described was very strong -- a settled fact, as I experienced it in my inner person.
We shall see.
But I personally have no doubt about it.
OK. Permit me some skepticism. I can't tell from here what the source of your convictions is. Bad tuna salad? At least you're not pulling a "God told me so" -- a claim which is profoundly more serious and would peg my skepticism meter.
We have had a remarkable period of peace as Christians within the western world, but when adversity comes, historically it may arrive rapidly with little to no warning.
Actually, I think we're getting plenty of warning right now.
You are welcome to your skepticism.
I've just learned over my 60 years that some senses placed in my inner person with certain characteristics always come absolutely true. My only plausible conclusion is that it is an awareness Holy Spirit has birthed.
Now you can justify ramping up your skepticism meter more. Help yourself. Be my guest.
I'm only a flawed human learning to listen to and obey my Lord.
, I think we're getting plenty of warning right now.
= = =
I agree . . . and few are listening.
Maybe they are the two end times witnesses with an escort? :-)
This pastor speaks Hebrew, although in the interview he seemed a bit surprised that someone would be speaking Hebrew in his church! I also got the feeling that he was downplaying the thoughts of any sort of malicious intent from the fellows who came to the church.
If he was 16 when he became Christian, he would have already had (I assume) his Bar Mitzvah at 13, which involves, if I'm not mistaken, a lot of preparatory study, which means he knows enough Hebrew to have understood what the men were saying.
Thanks for the ping!
I also saw the local coverage of that pastor, Tarheel and agree w/your assessment of his bewilderment as to the purpose of these men entering his church and speaking Hebrew.
One thing to consider is that what they said was extremely fundamental and is just the kind of words that any educated paster would have come across more often than any other. I suspect the word they used for peace was some variant on 'shalom', do you not also think so?
Thanks for the ping. I'd seen this last night, and as I was drifting off to sleep I wondered if Cindy had heard of this, or if there were any other instances reported anywhere else.
It seems clear now that there was no miracle involved. Educated pastors would likely have known at least a good portion of the keywords. Though knowing the words on paper and hearing them is often different for many late 2nd language learners.
Thx
A good read regarding a one-way 'IQ Cap'. I wonder how many versions of a 2-way cap are in development/testing.
http://orthodoxytoday.org/articles/WolfeSoulDied.php
Thanks.
Will check it out.
Still in slow mode trying to store up health and energy for the coming week.
Sometimes you just gotta get 'violent' in your prayers. After all, God has given christians authority over these things and too often we just don't know it. Glad you're better. You WILL continue to get better.
"This just in, crazy people enter church. In other news, sun rises in east."
KANNAPOLIS — Were they, like the Blues Brothers, on a mission from God?
Kannapolis Police say at least seven churches had visits last Sunday from men — strangers to the congregations — who disrupted services or Sunday school before leaving as quickly as they appeared.
They left, according to witnesses, in a large car, possibly a Lincoln.
The disruptions at the churches sometimes involved the men standing up during the services and speaking in what some pastors identified as Hebrew.
Other times, the visitors spoke in broken English or plain English, Maj. Woody Chavis of the Kannapolis Police Department said.
"Each church reported that the individuals seemed to be there to deliver some type of message but were acting strangely and made no sense," a police statement said.
The strangers dressed in casual clothing. Up to three individuals appeared at some churches. One or two men showed up at others.
"They haven't broken the law, but we would like to know who they are," Chavis said.
The Police Department issued a press release Thursday alerting churches to last Sunday's events and seeking more information, if other churches have any.
The men did not make threats or pose a danger last Sunday, Chavis said.
"We certainly don't want to cause any undue alarm," Chavis added, "but we would just like to know who they are so they don't upset the congregations."
Three men walked into Mount Zion First Freewill Baptist Church on Pleasant Avenue as Pastor Walt Lyman delivered the sermon Sunday morning.
One stayed in the church vestibule while two walked to the front of the sanctuary and began speaking in what sounded like Hebrew, Lyman said.
Lyman couldn't understand the men, so he motioned to former pastor J.E. Rahme, who was sitting in the front row. Rahme said he knows a little Hebrew and understood the men to say they wanted to speak right then. He told them, in English, that Lyman was the pastor and they'd have to ask him.
The men then got down on their knees, put their faces to the floor and appeared to pray, Lyman said. Then, they got up and left without saying another word.
Lyman described the two men who came into the sanctuary as young and well dressed. He said they appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent.
He said the men were in the church only a few minutes and didn't seem intent on causing a disturbance but "kinda upset a bunch of my church members."
"Just the way they came in the church kind of upset everybody," he said. "We welcome all visitors irregardless of race, creed or anything, but there's a right way and a wrong way of doing things and that certainly wasn't the right way."
One man showed up at Franklin Heights Baptist Church on Wright Avenue around 9:45 a.m. Sunday, just as Sunday School was starting, Pastor Jim Grigg said.
The man approached some church members and kept repeating a Hebrew phrase. The church members escorted the man to Grigg's office. Grigg asked him questions, but the man just continued to say "Jehovah shalom" — "God is Peace" — over and over.
"He said a lot more, but I didn't have a clue what he meant by it," Grigg said.
Grigg said the man did ask, in English, if he could visit the church. And as he was leaving, the man yelled "Peace" in English several times even as he continued repeating the Hebrew phrases.
Grigg said the man looked to be in his early 20s and was very well dressed. The pastor called the incident "very shocking" but said he didn't think much more about it until he heard of similar instances at other churches.
"Really, it was no trouble caused at all," he said.
As far as officers can determine, Maj. Chavis said, the incidents occurred only in Kannapolis.
"It's rather unusual, and we really didn't know about it until after the fact," he said.
Church officials didn't contact police until late Sunday afternoon — and only after members from different congregations compared stories.
Seven churches were visited "that we know about," Chavis said. Only three or four actually contacted police, who later determined that other Kannapolis churches had experienced similar visits.
The "disruptions" at churches occurred between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to police.
Chavis said the state has an an obscure statute that allows police to charge someone with disrupting a church service.
Meanwhile, police are poised to learn more about the men this coming Sunday, if they make an appearance.
"We're definitely going to be seeing if we can locate them this Sunday, if they intend on making those visits," Chavis said.
Authorities ask anyone with information about the men's identities or affiliation to contact the Kannapolis Police Department at 704-920-4000.
http://www.salisburypost.com/area/308281604395820.php
Though I do not live very far away, I am unfamiliar with any of the churches involved.
From what I understand they were all about 15 to 20 minutes apart.
Please do follow this story, if there's any more information? Thanks! It is a puzzling story.
There are seven churches involved and three persons. I have to wonder about the seven churches and the three angles in Revelations and if it was this message they were trying to relate to.
Revelation 14:6-12
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
True. Fervent aggressive prayers are powerful . . . when the pray-er has a life that backs it up.
Good points.
Let's hope I do! (LOL)
BTTT for watching
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