Tangled in the Miracle Net

By Steve Mitchell (Power To Stand Ministries)

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India and indeed all of Asia is being inundated and invaded by the worst false teachings imaginable exported from beyond its shores. Unfortunately, bad seed from the Word/Faith heretics and the Third Wave false teachers are finding fertile soil in Indian churches nationwide.

In truth, I must make two apologies on behalf of the West to beloved India: I am sorry on behalf of my country for professional wrestling and Christian TV programming.

I know that sounds a little harsh but please hear my heart on this one. I'm not against people hearing the Gospel or being taught the Bible. The problem that exists with the phenomenon of Christian TV broadcast stations like the Miracle Net and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is that Satan has and is currently using the airwaves to introduce to the Church many heresies and false teachings. He is using the platform of Christian television to reach an unprecedented viewing audience of well-intentioned but largely uninformed believers with a new "gospel" that worships Mammon and prosperity rather than emphasizing the Nature of the triune God and His call for doctrinal purity.

The Word/Faith prosperity teachings are an unhealthy dose of man-centered, self- centered greediness packaged in Christian terminology and marketed with Satanic savvy. There is an unbalanced over emphasis on miracles, signs, and wonders and the Gospel now carries with it a primary benefit of being financially and physically healed. Less and less by the day is being said about the crucified life Christ referenced (Matt. 10:38) and the good work that trials do in testing our faith (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6-9).

Worse yet, this TV "gospel" has been proven time and again of being not all that it is presented to be. For example, the multitudes that are proclaimed healed are never verifiably trustworthy and the bizarre worship practices of "holy laughter", "slaying in the Spirit", wild hysterical twitching and emotion-driven power worship make for two more types of rotten fruit on the TV tree.

False teaching abounds about "the anointing", prophecy, the nature of God, Christ, man, sin, and finances. Whereas the Bible clearly states in Deut. 18:20-22 that only one false prophecy seals the case for someone being a false prophet, today's televangelists rampantly get it wrong and yet are never rebuked nor do they repent and recant teachings that can only be labeled abominable. Rather, one can easily see the stardom and celebrity status that many of these men have in the eyes of naive church folk.

I say all this because India is tuning in and turning on to the same mess that's already left spiritual calamity and destruction in its wake in America. And MIRACLE NET is bringing it right to your homes!

Now I realize these are harsh statements. I want to be careful in what I say but, at the same time, someone's got to be forceful and very few are standing against this swelling flood of apostate teachings. I must speak out because of the strong statements made in God's Word concerning the false teachers that will surely come in these last days. Look at these verses:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

(Matt. 7:15)

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars."

(Rev. 2:2)

"For false christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand."

(Matt. 13:22-23)

"Now I urge you brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."

(Rom. 16:17)

"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."

(2 John 1:9-11)

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:16)

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (Eph. 5:11)

It's clear that Christ and the apostles didn't think it wrong to confront and warn about these threats to the truth. Can I mention names? Sure I can and I will. Biblical backing? Check out these examples from Jesus and the writers of Scripture (Rom. 16:17, 2 Tim. 2:17, 2 Tim. 1:15, 2 Tim. 2:17, Gal. 2:11-14, Matt. 3:15-17, Matt. 3:7).

I think you will agree with me that as this article progresses; something is clearly going wrong in the Church here and worldwide. India needs to come to terms with these approaching attacks to biblical truth. The frightening thing is that some of what is being broadcasted on Miracle Net is true and it is smothered within and "laid alongside of" subtle erroneous doctrine (2 Peter 2:1). That's what heresy is: Truth laid alongside of error and that's why it's so dangerous.

Indian believers must stand up and study Gods Word. They must test all things by it and use discernment and the real anointing that every believer has (1 John 2), in order to avoid being tangled and strangled by the Miracle Net.

What is Miracle Net?

If you don't have a clue what I'm referring to, then I will explain briefly. The Miracle Network is the satellite TV network that is India's and much of Asia's official source for Christian programming. It's the Asian offshoot of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). According to information on their website, they send tele-evangelical preaching programs into 40 million homes in Asia. That's over 400 million viewers by their estimation! That's a lot of people and far more than see these programs in America or Europe.

The network is hailed as "A Move of God" (from the website: http://www.miraclenet.tv/prog_receive.html ) that is currently being hosted by and overseen by Dr. J. Michael Hughes and his wife Mrs. Sarah Hughes. An interesting fact about this couple is that he is an American married to an Indian woman. No problems there and they seem like a couple that are linked in unity to their ministry to India and elsewhere in Asia. He often uses this fact to show how much he loves India by saying, "I'm married to India" via his wife Sarah, of course.

I definitely have no problem with that fact but one staggeringly scary thing must be addressed. The "ministry" of Miracle Net is largely responsible for infiltrating and indoctrinating India with false teaching on a nationwide level. False doctrine spreads like cancer but woe to those by whom it spreads. Sadly it seems that Dr. Hughes and his wife are playing a part in the stumbling and leading astray of God's people here on a massive scale.

I don't doubt their sincerity. It's their discernment and knowledge of the truth that is questionable. That fact will become clear as we discuss these things further.

One thing is true: Many people listen and learn whatever Dr. Hughes and his wife teach and endorse as evidenced by the many churches that have them in. They claim to be anointed and empowered to bring signs and wonders to India on a biblical level and many believe those claims.

In Demand and Loving It...

One need not watch Miracle Net for hours to hear how popular it is. You will be reminded time and again by Dr. Michael and Sarah about how much God is doing through Miracle Net. In case you miss any of the action, a stream of updated miracle reports and praises runs along the bottom of the screen during much of the programming.

According to latest reports, whole countries in Asia are coming to the good Doctor and asking or begging that Miracle Net be beamed to their countries also. Apparently, word travels fast and this network is in demand among government leaders and churches who want the blessings of God in their countries too.

According to Michael Hughes, Miracle Net's calling is to "Bless the people, leaders, and countries" that need what it promotes. He says, "That's our job" to "bless the people"(Miracle Net broadcast Oct. 25, 2002).

Well, that sounds great and it would be were it not for the fact that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is muddied with so much aberrancy that it is even eclipsed by confusion in major areas. I would rejoice that so many want the Lord also through this network if it could be demonstrated trustworthy and safe for spiritual consumption. Here's an example of a concern:

"Our job is to bless the people of Asia, the leaders of these countries and all the people. It doesn't matter to us and to Jesus what religion they are, what country or what race. God wants to bless them."

(Dr. J. Michael Hughes, Miracle Net broadcast, Oct. 25, 2002).

Actually, it most certainly does matter to Jesus Christ what religion someone has embraced. Miracle Net's vision is to bless all nations and people whether they are even saved or not and that is extremely problematic.

The blessings of God should not be casually dispensed and spoken over people who are not yet saved. We are not to pray that God blesses a Hindu that will remain in Hinduism or "add Christ" to his faith. We are not to give this watered-down view of the tolerance of God towards nations and individuals who want only His blessings and material benefits while sidestepping their acknowledgment of sin and the need to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus.

I want to emphasize that I am not judging the hearts and intents of these millions of viewers. I believe many are sincere Christians who are hungry for God, but it doesn't take long to enter into the deception that is a package deal with the Word /Faith prosperity "gospel" that Miracle Net promotes.

Is that really what Dr. Hughes is implying? I'm not sure but here's Word/ Faith false revivalist Rodney Howard-Browne in a similar appearance on the Miracle Network Friday night, October 25, 2002. He is appealing for Miracle Net viewers to give money to the network for its work in Asia. After stating that India is a very wealthy country, he exhorts any business man saved or not, to give $10 million dollars to the work:

"You may not even know God but if you send this gift you can get a breakthrough in your finances or business."

He then prophesies that God will do this great work through Miracle Net and reach many for the kingdom. What's the problem? Browne is notoriously an enemy of the truth of God's Word and calls himself the "Holy Ghost bartender". He has been wickedly "anointed" to bring the most insane behaviors to those who come to his crusades and his home church The River at Tampa, Florida. His gimmick is "holy laughter" and other out of control antics associated with false worship and anyone can see a lethal dose of that stuff on his program regularly featured on Miracle Net.

To tell a non-Christian businessman to send his cash to the Miracle Network demonstrates the shameless money raising tactics these guys employ to get their empires built. Rather than an appeal for the listener to get saved, Browne, under the sanction of Dr. Hughes, asks for his money. What's the real focus here? It must be noted also that Dr. Hughes and his wife have made a pilgrimage of sorts to Browne's church in the USA, and Indian believers who send their rupees in to these people are partially funding that trip! Not wise stewardship on the part of the givers. I think everyone should chip in and ask Brother Hughes to step down from public ministry and attend Bible College at a school that teaches the Word in truth. India definitely doesn't need any more "gifts" to its church from a man like Rodney Howard-Browne.

The Focus of Miracle Net: Miracles!

Yes, it's true. Miracles, miracles, miracles. That's the buzzword for this network. That's mostly what Michael and Sarah talk about in terms of content. In their sit-down viewer addresses and their on-site sermons in Indian churches, the signs and wonders are promised, guaranteed, "loosed", referenced, and yet never verified on any credible level.

It is clear from watching for any length of time, that this network and its hosts are virtually fixated on seeing miracles and making sure you get your miracle. That's the angle that the Gospel is presented from also. Rather than strong teaching on sin and repentance, theirs is a "gospel" that focuses on you getting what you need and want from the Master's table. Prosperity and its proclaimers abound as representatives for their idea of the Christian life.

In discussing salvation, almost every reference to being saved contains with it the promise that if you come to Christ, you will experience miracles. The lure for being a Christian is signs and wonders and we need to read what Jesus said about people focused on that:

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign,…" (Matt. 16:4)

I'm sorry but salvation is the miracle we should seek above all others. I'm not saying Michael would disagree with me here but he saturates the invitation until it becomes little more than a mantric prayer to get those promised blessings and have all your problems solved. What did Jesus say about those who would follow Him? Death might come to them and persecution would result if they desired to live like He did (Matt. 10:38; John 15: 18-21).

Its crystal clear that Jesus didn't focus on the miraculous blessings and total healing that everyone who comes to Him will allegedly get. The road to salvation in the Word/ Faith camp is the key to riches and perfect health but Jesus never promised that, did He?

No, what results from this kind of over emphasis on healing and miracles is a "gospel" of greed called the "health and wealth gospel". The teachers featured on Miracle Net that serve to back up Hughes' miracle message have taught this heresy for years and it eventually deteriorates even further into gimmickry and slick sales pitches. Hey, like this one:

"If you send in your love gift to Miracle Net...Your Miracle jar can be your path to prosperity and blessing."

(Commercial frequently seen on Miracle Net)

This is no different than the TBN logo jewelry, anointed prayer cloths (which are also endorsed on Miracle Net), or bottles of water from the Jordan River as offered on Trinity Broadcast Network in America. The Gospel becomes the gateway to goods and reverts to "snake oil" gimmickry. Beware this stuff.

Miracles or Manipulation?

What types of miracles just seem to be abounding among Miracle Net viewers? Physical healing of course! With the astounding claims of the Word /Faith and Third Wave movements, it’s a wonder that anyone is still sick at all in the Church. Or is it?

That's right, I need to emphasize I believe that God can divinely heal today for sure. I pray that He does many times in my ministry here in India but always according to His will. That's a "no-no" actually in Word/ Faith doctrine though, and that's where Hughes is being influenced.

You see, he has bought the line that it is God's will that all of us be healed:

"Jesus healed all the people all the time! Jesus wants all to be healed because He healed everybody!"

("Jesus Our Savior" program, church service, aired Oct. 25, 2002)

Hughes says this statement regularly on his speaking programs in some form or fashion. He often reads the several passages in the gospels where Jesus was said to have healed everybody who came to Him. We know, however, that, taking all of God's Word in context, there were many people in Jesus' day and in the apostle's day that weren't healed and God never promised everyone physical healing.

Hughes, like all the other Word- Faithers quotes Is. 53:5 as proof that Jesus died so we could guaranteed be physically healed, even though the context of that passage is spiritual healing rather than physical (Read all of Isaiah 53). But context doesn't matter much compared to the point Hughes is trying to prove. He insists that everybody will be healed at his meetings when Jesus shows up.

But what evidence is there of the abundant healings claimed by Dr. Hughes on Miracle Net? One is hard pressed to find anything more than the standard TV tales of healings that can never be medically verified, not to mention the cheapened view of miracles that is presented by Hughes.

For example, one viewer wrote in to proclaim that God had done a mighty miracle because their family had been watching Michael and Sarah on Miracle Net. The miracle? Their son had passed his ninth standard exams and was promoted to the next grade! Unless their son had been slain and rose again to enter the next grade, then we can’t really put this occurrence on the level of biblical miraculous intervention by Almighty God. Passing school is the best verifiable evidence of "great miracles" and 'mighty anointed programming?"

Michael and Sarah used this viewer letter as evidence of great miracles happening in India, but I think one has to be desperate to really see that as a miracle on a biblical scale. It's actually no different than Bro. Dhinakaran's "miraculous" intercessory prayers for students to pass their exams. How many young people put their faith in the prayers of false teachers like Dhinakaran instead of doing what God wants them to do by praying to Him themselves and studying hard. Furthermore, how many people in India are being sold this low version of what a miracle is?

Here's a hint to all Christian young people in school: God honors study and hard work. Listen and prepare for exams and thank God for the abilities He has given us to pass our classes, but this is a pretty sorry example of a "sign" or "wonder" as claimed by Miracle Net. Don't cheapen the miraculous but don't overemphasize it either or you will find yourself tangled in the Miracle Net.

On the Miracle Net program "Healing With Dr. J. Michael Hughes," (aired Aug. 27, 2002), we see a terrifyingly vocal Dr. Hughes railing against demons of sickness and disease at the Miracle Net Trust Healing conference. He does a lot of screaming in the typical hyper-charismatic learned behavior and says:

"God heals and blesses everyone when He comes...If your knees are sore, God will do a miracle and heal your knees so you can kneel down. God will heal you as you kneel. Your healing will take place as you kneel...put your hand where you need healing now! Receive the gift of healing Now! Receive the gift of healing now! Heal in the name of Jesus now!"

It should be noted that he is screaming as loud as he is able when he does this. I am quite frankly amazed that people can seriously watch this man in action and then proceed to give him money. Nonetheless, he is still on the air.

After "loosing" the healing of God on people's knees, he lines them up Benny Hinn style and begins screaming "FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" over and over. Unlike Hinn however, who also does the same thing, no one falls over in this Aug. 27 meeting but the same attempts to manipulate the audiences by words and actions are done to these dear Indian believers. What a shame.

But what are the results of this evening's chaotic spectacle? Well, after trying to heal blind eyes by putting his thumbs on them (like Jesus did, he says) and screaming some more (by the way Sarah Hughes is giving her husband back up ecstatic utterance in wild tongues with no interpretation throughout the service), the results were, of course unverifiable. Two girls are filmed "being healed" of blindness. One still has foggy eyes even after her alleged healing; the other precious little girl is reading the Bible as she holds it approximately 1 inch from her eyes. Is this healing? Shouldn't she be able to read words from a normal distance if her eyes were really healed? An older woman steps up and rejoices saying that her eyes used to hurt when she looked at the lights and now they didn't. Healed of blindness? She wasn't even blind to begin with.

Good readers, I really hope you can see what is happening here. This couple is merely following in the footsteps of the fake and falsified healing nonsense that the American Word/ Faith pastors do. They have assumed the same roles as Paul and Jan Crouch on TBN; the patron saints of bad fashion and worse teaching. I am thankful that the Hughes still have a good appearance though and their TV sets are tasteful but how long can they walk in the same pattern and not be conformed by the removing of their minds? I pray they stop their descent in to deception and not follow in the footsteps of Paul and Jan Crouch who are now officially heretical. (Paul Crouch says, "I am a little god! Critics be gone!!" ("Praise The Lord" program, TBN, 7/7/86)).

God can heal, but these men and women cant. That's not opinion. It is fact based on the evidence or actually the lack of evidence. At the end of the day, Dr. Michael Hughes and his wife end up looking like fake healers rather than faith healers because they too are ensnared in the phony beliefs and false claims of the teachers they promote on Miracle Net. Don't be deceived!

Holy Spirit Spectacle

Some of the more frightening aspects of the ministry of Dr. Michael and Sarah Hughes involve the flagrant abuse of the gifts of the Spirit. Whether or not you believe they are for today is an issue for another article but our point here is that what are being demonstrated as the gifts of healing, tongues, word of knowledge, and prophecy are NOT those things but a diabolic counterfeit done by sincere well meaning people who need to be allegiant to Scripture and not fads from the Charismatic Church.

Sarah Hughes is obsessed with the Holy Spirit. Don't get me wrong, I love Him too and He is real in my life. What I mean with that statement (which she would probably agree with) is that whereas her husband is always hammering the healing miracles, she takes the quieter (sometimes) role as singer and worship leader but always places overemphasis on invoking the Holy Spirit as well as attributing to Him the spectacle that follows.

Although criticized by several churchgoers here for allegedly taking Hindi film songs and rewriting them (which I don't have a problem with by the way), I think the worst aspect of her part of the ministry is her endorsement of Word/ Faith ideas and her personal touch when it comes to tangling with tongues.

I've seen her many times on the TV meetings absolutely beside herself with tongue speaking. She doesn't seem to feel the need to have an interpretation given most of the time and her phonetics are of the same type as the famous Word/ Faithers on TBN (she even used the word "Shandala" or "Chandala" which is common usage in the twisted vocabulary of the worst false teachers from my country).

It gets a little scary when her husband is screaming and "loosing" things as she provides the background music with her "gift of tongues" that is little more than gibberish and ecstatic utterance. You are allowed that right in your prayer closet (although I don't think ecstatic utterance is acceptable there either) but should refrain from this practice in public worship when done in this style.

When Sarah starts talkin' the place starts rockin'. I've seen her at women's conferences where the other strange manifestations begin to occur when she starts speaking in tongues. The women gyrate wildly with their hands, weep uncontrollably, and fall in the spirit as Sarah ethereally sings and speaks in tongues. Although she seems to love Jesus, many of her prayers are directed rather to the Holy Spirit and having His "fire" fall and showing Himself in great power.

What's the problem? Nowhere in the Bible are we taught to directly pray to and invoke the Holy Spirit to show up. He lives inside us and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Furthermore, He never testifies of Himself but always points us to Christ (John 15:26; 16:13,14). The scary part is, we are not guaranteed that the strange manifestations that seem to happen in some of these meetings are from the Holy Spirit at all. Why would He validate the ministries of two people who abuse His gifts, teach false things, and endorse proven false teachers?

Why would the Holy Spirit cause the disruptions and strange tremors and slayings when it clearly takes away from the decency and order (1 Cor. 14:33,40) that God wants in our public gatherings? Why would the Spirit violate the fruit of self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) by causing these strange phenomenon that are no different than what happens at false revivals like Toronto and Pensacola?

The sad truth is Michael and Sarah Hughes are packaging and promoting these erroneous worship practices to the great nation of India under the guise of being a "move of God" that churches here should embrace. The "river of revival" Miracle Net endorses is dirtier than the Ganges. Don't swim there.

Add to these behaviors the loud screaming and railing against demons that Michael Hughes does and we have the makings of an all out Word/ Faith fiasco. Here's a sample of a screaming prayer from the mouth of Dr. Hughes:

"Jesus baptize me in your Holy Spirit and fire! FIRE NOW! FIRE NOW! FIRE NOW!" (Miracle Net Trust healing conference Aug. 27, 2002)

Does he realize the context of the passage he is quoting? I fear not. The phrase Hughes is screaming is taken from a warning by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16), who seems to be referencing Malachi's prophecy (3:1-3) concerning judgment that the Messiah will bring on the corrupt. Fire is a picture of judgment in this context: (Luke 3:7-9, 16-17).

Even if Hughes means this terminology as reference to the cloven tongues of fire over the heads of the 120 in the upper room at Pentecost (which I assume is his understanding of what he's asking for), Hughes still is not qualified to receive that visitation because he is in league with false teachers and largely devoid of spiritual discernment, not to mention that it was a unique manifestation on the birthday of the Church. His meetings bear no resemblance to the fervent and reverent waiting and praying of the 120 on that glorious day as recorded in the Book of Acts 1-2.

"Fire Now!" is not something we need to invoke on others or ourselves and that's not where he stops. Check this out:

"Receive the gift of miracles. I loose the gift of miracles now. I loose the gift of tongues! I loose the gift of discernment of tongues NOW!" (Ibid)

I've got to ask what is Dr. Hughes justification for thinking he has the power to bestow these gifts on people? That's the Spirit's ministry (1 Cor. 12:4-11). By the gift he mentioned as "discerning of tongues", I assume he means "interpretation of tongues". Dare I say it? Perhaps he should "loose" that gift on his own wife every time she allegedly speaks in tongues because there is seldom accompanying interpretation to what she utters forth. In addition, I think that the true gift of discernment, if exercised by these two, could diminish the amount of unbiblical teaching they teach and endorse from others. He needs that gift "loosed" on the whole of Miracle Net.

At times, Hughes seems hopelessly confused concerning his faulty viewpoints of "binding and Loosing". Speaking to "demons of illness and disease" he screams:

"We bind you according to Matthew 18:18…Loose the people now! Loose them now! I loose you, Holy Spirit of the Living God. I loose your power!!" (From a conference in Paul Thangaiyah's Church, Bangalore, aired on Miracle Net Oct. 27, 2002)

Note how he uses the word "loose" in the above series of declarations. Hughes uses this term in two senses, so we must ask "Which sense of 'loosing" does Matt. 18:18 refer to?" He tells demons to "loose" God's people and then turns right around and "looses" the Holy Spirit on the people. Apparently, Hughes doesn't do a lot of distinctive discerning when he's "in the anointing".

At the core of all this, Hughes is also conveying his blatant misunderstanding of yet another passage of Scripture about "binding and loosing" (Matt. 18:18, 16:19). This refers to apostolic authority for setting doctrine and church discipline (seen in action in the apostolic declaration found in Acts 15:22-29). It has nothing to do with decreeing to God what you have decided to allow in terms of the function of spiritual gifts. It should be noted that those in the Third Wave Spiritual Warfare Movement also abuse the "binding and loosing" passages in terms of attacking the Devil and his demons. Hughes also does this regularly when he "binds" and banishes "demons of sickness" and Satan himself:

"I bind every foul generational curse...I bind demons of sickness, illness, infirmity...I bind Satan...I loose a creative miracle in you right now!!" ("Jesus Our Savior" program, Miracle Net Oct. 25, 2002)

Yes, it is apparent that he has also bought into the mythology of C. Peter Wagner's Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare Movement. He ascribes most diseases to demons and "binds and looses" at will in typical hyper-charismatic style. He needs to "bind " God's Word as a reminding "sign on his hands" (Deut. 6:6-9) and "loose" himself from the deception that he has entered, bought and believed and is now trying to peddle to India as well. (I speak figuratively of course just making the point he needs to follow more closely to what is written in the Bible).

Improper Prophecy

Now enter the world of Michael Hughes concerning his alleged "ears to hear" the voice of God. Dare I say, I think he listens rather well in some areas as some of his Gospel presentations are pretty good and he has, by admission, read the Bible cover-to-cover 15 times through. But I think these next statements will clearly show he needs to read it one more time and slowly:

"Holy Spirit give us the gift of prophecy! Make us prophets now!!…[He erupts into wild tongues with no interpretation]… The Lord God Almighty spoke to me while I was speaking in tongues. The Lord God Almighty says: 'I'm loosing My Holy Spirit across India, Asia, around the world. Now, we're gonna show the world the power of the Holy Spirit. The love of the Holy Spirit, the miracles of the Holy Spirit coming from Asia. Jesus came from Asia. Prophecy NOW! The final move of the Holy Spirit is coming from Asia!'" (Miracle Net Trust healing conference Aug. 27, 2002)

Throw this screaming all together with too much tongues to transcribe and you've got what amounts to an extremely impassioned prophecy from Michael Hughes. I'm left with saying that I just don't trust that he is hearing from God on some "inside track" far beyond the rest of the Church. If this is a true prophecy, it is definitely a strange one. I find it very unlikely that God will make His final move from Asia based on the fact that Jesus came from Asia. This whole prophecy really doesn't sound like anything God would say. Why would God speak to Hughes while in an unbiblical abusive outburst of tongues? He was perverting a public gift and yet was able to receive from God a clear prophetic message during that act? I don't think so.

Hughes is not alone, though in believing that God's final move will be from Asia. Rodney Howard- Browne has stated that he believes that one of the greatest harvests is coming from Asia (and he's credible right?). Kenneth Copeland even prophesied that a billion Muslims would be saved and I assume that they will be coming from Asia:

"And there are going to be multiplied millions upon millions, there's going to be close to a billion people that have been trapped in that religion, that over the next few months are gonna to come into the kingdom of God. (Cheering) That's gonna happen, you watch and see what I'm telling you. Because its been ... I'm telling you Satan's fat is in the fire he pushed it over the line, and God has moved, and for over a hundred years the United States has been an instrument of judgment in the hand of God. That's one of the reasons we're blessed, amen? I'd like to get in there and walk around a while but I don't have the time but I can tell you this, that thing has come to an end, its over, I'm talking about Islam and every, all that that stands for. That's over with. Now, God is making His move." ( http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/copelandmuslims.html  )

Oh, did I mention? Kenneth Copeland is a proven false prophet and even this prophecy failed in the time frame that was specified. I mention Copeland because his website is linked on the Miracle Net site and he's been on before.

Obviously, Michael Hughes has also bought into the same deception and claims that God spoke to him and revealed that:

"God told me that there will be three Christian networks in Asia…God will get 1 billion souls saved through Miracle Net…" (Miracle Net, message from Bangalore, aired Oct. 27, 2002)

Even an African evangelist, Bro. Emmanuel has prophesied locally that India will become a Christian nation. Hmmm. Either these guys are hearing from the Lord on a level that few others ever will or they are hearing from the same source that just so happens to validate their unbiblical practices and false views.

God protect us from those who would lead us astray and we pray to You on behalf of those who are already departing from Your Truth.

Dear India, on this subject, I must say that, while I believe many are and will be getting saved from this country and Asia, I don't believe any country on earth will be Christianized in the way these "prophets" are claiming. The Bible predicts apostasy rather than revival yet these guys are saying the opposite to the Word of God. How long will we put up with this stuff? Its hard to tell those who believe they are hearing God's voice directly but perhaps I can appeal to all believers reading this article who hold God's Word as authoritative beyond the views and opinions expressed by false teachers.

Yes, Michael claims to hear from God but he doesn't always listen. He believes that Jesus talked to him in an audible voice:

"Jesus said "Read Your Bible". You know it's from God if you hear a voice tell you 'read your Bible'." (Miracle Net, Oct. 25,2002)

"God told me" and "God spoke to me" are also favorite catch phrases employed by the Hughes team. If it’s not Sarah getting visions and dreams its Michael hearing God's voice. This is suspect based on the fact that almost all today who claim to hear the actual voice of God are involved in the Third Wave, Word/Faith movements or worse. Why, if God is speaking so regularly and audibly to these men and women, does He never lead them away from the obviously heretical teachings they promote and believe. This is a relevant subject because either these people have this super connection to God and they really are anointed beyond the Church at large or they are deceived and dreadfully so.

These voices have direct bearing on the path Miracle Net will take as announced on Oct. 25, 2002 in a viewer address. Here's where God says Miracle Net needs to go next as a ministry to India. Brace yourself:

"God's been telling me for years that you should model this on Miracle Net…I thought He told me at least three times, talk on cell groups today…"

Let me elaborate. The new plan for Miracle Net to spread in India is to institute cell groups based in individual homes. Now, we need to look at something before we get into this subject. Dr. Michael Hughes shared that God had been telling him for years to start Miracle Net cell groups but he never did before. Why? If God really told you to do that, why wait several years if this was something truly on God's heart. I just want to draw your attention to the fact that Hughes believed it was God talking to him for a few years and he deliberately didn't obey. This is why I don't think he is hearing from God as loud and clear as he claims. If he is, he has been like Jonah for a long time because he has failed to follow the voice of God he hears.

Any way you slice it, Hughes' discernment still doesn't make the case that it is the True God of the Scriptures that is talking to him. But back to the issue: How did Michael know that October 25, 2002 was the day to unveil his plan on cell churches? According to him, he randomly read the verse in Rom. 16:5 or Col. 4:15: "Give greetings to the church that is in your house."

Well, that settles it. That's typical Word/ Faith guidance. Open the Bible or come across a verse that moves you and make it the proof text for your proposal.

I know many readers are saying that I am being way too harsh. No, here's why. My concern for the Indian Churches lies in the way Michael Hughes wants to organize and implement these cell churches. He says that one of the main functions of these cell groups will be to see increased numbers of miracles. It's the same old pitch that is used for the Gospel on Christian TV. "Come to Christ and you'll get your miracle." This idea is "Come to cell church and you'll get your miracle". It's the same thing. I'm concerned that he wants such abundant growth that will result in little more than a pitch for home fellowships as the key for signs and wonders.

God's been telling him for years to do this and now he's ready to listen and implement an added feature to typical cell churches. Don't get me wrong, I think home fellowships, working in unity with a good Bible-believing local church are a great thing. As long as the emphasis is on good teaching of God's Word, prayer, and biblical fellowship, there seems to be no problem but what Hughes is proposing is quite different.

Rather than emphasizing coming together under a qualified Biblically literate teacher to aid in healthy spiritual growth, Hughes says the new Indian cell churches should be:

"Ecumenical, interdenominational cell groups…" (Ibid.)

As for teaching qualifications and who should come:

"It doesn't matter as long as you love Jesus." (Ibid.)

It feels like I'm talking to a YWAM leader as they attempt to rationalize the presence of some very bad teachings within their organization. Unfortunately, this criteria is so vague and ill-defined that it leaves huge gaps for error and the probability of being led astray by just anyone who says they “Love Jesus”. When any group or ministry (or TV network) begins to tow the ecumenical line, watch out! So much unity today is not unity around the truth of God's Word; it is unity in dysfunction around false teaching. "As long as you love Jesus" sounds so pure and noble but it opens the door for all manner of misinterpretations and wayward doctrine. YWAM is a good example. It is now a huge mixture of an organization that has become so ecumenical that it is being ravaged from within by false teachings from the Third Wave and New apostles/ prophets' movement among other winds of doctrine. It's easy for the enemy to come in and settle down when there is no clear unity around doctrine.

You see, the Mormons "love Jesus" as do the New Agers, Jehovah's Witnesses, and even some Hindus. Mormons love the spirit -brother of Lucifer "Jesus". New Agers and some Hindus love the "good teacher" and enlightened avatar that was "Jesus". JW's love "a god" named Jesus. Still others in the Word/ Faith movement love the filthy rich, "signs and wonders" showman and personal servant "Jesus".

Without clear doctrinal guidelines, ideally cherished and promoted in a healthy church, these groups can all come under the banner of an organization that promotes the muddy waters of the Word/Faith agenda combined with some Gospel truth and a lot of cleverly packaged heresies and faulty practices. These will spread even more here in India if watchmen do not rise up and confront it. That's why I believe you are reading this article and have read it this far, because you may know that something is not too good about furthering Miracle Net style Christianity in its current form.

Of course doctrine will be a tiny issue anyways, in Hughes plan. He says the cell group leader

"Won’t really preach. You just teach a little. 10 minutes or so. 15 minutes is too long." (Ibid.)

The main practice there would be relegated to an open discussion about what the mini sermon means to each person gathered. Can you see that this is a breeding ground for the spread of misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and strange teachings?

Let’s get this straight: No real substantive Bible teaching, no qualified teachers teaching a group with no set doctrinal standard, and the final court will be determined according to personal feelings of this random collection of interdenominational ecumenists who got the idea from Miracle Network? I pray this thing gets thought through better before implemented.

Last concerns about the cell group thing involve the fact that Hughes made an appeal to his viewing audience that maybe some of them who were interested in starting cell groups were involved in churches with a pastor who doesn't care about them that much or doesn't receive Michael's "word from the Lord' about starting these groups. If that discontented viewer is you, then fear not! A provision has been made.

Miracle Net itself has plans to start a dangerous mentoring program where you can be taught by "qualified" and "anointed" Miracle Net staff in a small interdenominational ecumenical "Only Jesus loving" group setting.

This idea is more frightening to me than the idea of just releasing this program from church to church. If the program content on Miracle Net is any indication, then the unwary will be sitting under some of the worst false teachings and practices imaginable. This is not a safe environment and a good development. Dr. Michael and Sarah Hughes and most others on that station have not demonstrated good biblical understanding or the ability to operate in the gift of discernment. People who make the statements they make, abuse the gifts and engage in the gimmicks they do don't deserve to teach others concerning the Scriptures. They are unqualified because they have not demonstrated prior proficiency in "cutting straight"(2 Tim. 2:15) the Word of God.

At Home With Rome

This next segment will deal with what many in India might consider extremely touchy. That's why we will deal with it in a straightforward fashion starting with this statement: the "gospel" of the Roman Catholic Church and the Gospel according to the Bible are vastly different and need to be viewed as such. Here’s a quick summation of some features that show the irreconcilable differences between Roman Catholicism and biblical Christianity:

1) Catholics pray to the Virgin Mary and other saints. They kneel before statues and light candles and have fetish rosaries and mini statues they address.

Christians are commanded never to kneel before graven images or practice idolatry, pray to anyone other than God, and forbidden from Necromancy (Praying to the dead).

2) Catholics view Mary as a co-redeemer with Jesus Christ and the mediator between God and man.

Christians are told that there is only one Mediator between God and man- Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). Christians are forbidden to ascribe perfection or any other divine attributes to anyone but God.

3) Catholics revere the actual words of the Pope (who is called the Holiness of God) on the same level as the Bible. In fact when the Pope contradicts the Bible, his word is actually preferred above Scripture.

Christians view the Bible as their authority for doctrine and practice.

4) Catholics believe that salvation comes not by faith alone through grace alone, but by going to Mass, reading the catechism, and practicing the Eucharist.

The Bible teaches that Christians must trust God alone for their salvation and believe that Jesus paid the price for their sins on the cross. Eternal life is a free gift and cannot be attained through works.

5) Catholics believe that the Eucharist (the bread and the cup) actually become the body and blood of Jesus. Christ is re-sacrificed every time a priest administers communion.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ died "once for all"(Hebrews 9:12, 26-28; 10:10) and doesn't ever need to be resacrificed again and again. Christians view the bread and the cup according to how Jesus described it in the Bible: a symbolic practice that commemorates the death of Christ for sins rather than actually mystically re sacrifices Him.

6) Catholics believe that one must tell their sins to a priest and then the priest in turn goes to God as your mediator to grant forgiveness of sin.

Christians believe that we can pray directly to God and that we are commanded to seek only Christ as our mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5).

There are many other areas of difference but what is clear is: If trusted in, received, and believed, only one of these constructs can save you.

We must affirm and establish right now, dear reader, that "Christian" does not include Roman Catholicism as taught by Rome. I do believe that there may be some naïve but truly saved believers within certain segments of the diverse Roman Catholic Church but they need to "come out of her" and walk in biblical allegiance to Jesus' teachings. There is no hope in Pope!

Having said that, this is not an article about the differences between the two faiths, but Roman Catholicism relates to the Miracle Network in that this station does not seem to differentiate between the beliefs of evangelical Christianity and Roman Catholicism, and, anyone in India knows the huge amount of confusion that exists because Roman Catholicism and Biblical Christianity are ill-defined and seldom differentiated from each other here.

Nothing is ever addressed by Dr. Michael and Sarah Hughes concerning the distinction and for a reason; they are united with the Roman Catholic Church in India on very public levels.

Miracle Network does a lot of charity work, which I think is good. We all know and affirm that India has great need. We can also join in affirming that to help orphans and widows is a commandment in the Bible. On a social level and in humanitarian efforts Miracle Net is doing some wondrous things here feeding the kids and building orphanages.

But concerns arise because; nuns in full garb (thereby testifying to the fact that they are devout Roman Catholic) oversee almost every orphanage that the Miracle Net viewer is funding. Watch the orphanage visits that the Hughes do and you will see nuns galore. It is obvious that the orphanages Michael Hughes and Miracle Net work with are Catholic and they even say such on their website:

"Dr. J. Michael Hughes and Mrs. Sarah Hughes, our 10,000 orphans and nuns we are helping are praying for abundant blessings for you and your family." ( http://www.miraclenet.tv/mercy.html  )

Even when Michael and Sarah are away they can always count on the Catholics:

"If our family has a problem, we have the nuns pray and God answers prayer." ("Jesus Our Savior" program, Miracle Net Oct. 25, 2002)

One has to ask to whom are those nuns praying on behalf of the blessings for Miracle Net families. If they are true Roman Catholics we can assume they bow in prayer to Mary, Jesus, and a host of other saints. I'm afraid this is necromancy (praying to the dead) and idolatry of a very sinister kind and Miracle Net is endorsing it. Even if these are all non-Marian Catholics, there is no distinction made on the programs or the website or any facet of the ministry.

Hughes preaches to the orphan kids and has some pretty good gospel messages (until he tries to heal everybody and starts screaming), but the sad thing is these beautiful Indian children (and I love the children here in India) are being shown a false unity without being equipped to distinguish the difference between the two faiths and this is dangerous. How many of those children say the Mary prayers with sisters and also the prayers to Jesus with Bro. Hughes when he comes? It's as if these children are caught between two worlds and little is being done to correct the situation.

One possible remedy would be to have an outreach to the nuns and priests that oversee these kids rather than buying them things and using them to endorse Miracle Net and give the picture that all of Christianity includes ecumenical unity with Roman Catholics. This is a shameful practice that confuses believers and non-believers alike when they view Christianity here in India.

Of course this unity with Rome by professed evangelicals is not a new problem. It is just a worse problem. The day is coming and now is, in my opinion, when we need to stand up and again protest the abuses and twisted doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. People need rescued from that religion not funded to continue in it. Yes, ministering to orphans is a good thing but more needs to be done to lead the leaders to Christ (and not the Word/Faith "Christ") and away from the Roman Catholic Church so these children can truly be saved. This is a dangerous unity.

Bad Company

Speaking of dangerous unions, this is the last concern concerning Miracle Net that we will look at in this article. This is perhaps the one aspect that has been the most influential in leavening the church in India who tunes in to this station. Miracle Net features the programs that should not be allowed on the air bearing the label "Christian".

I feel somewhat qualified to comment because most of these pastors and ministries hail from my country or are currently ministering there. I've seen several of these high-profile charlatans live and in full color as they twist Scriptures, extort money from the poor, and promise time and again to heal but just can’t seem to deliver. Their scandals and money scams are found out and exposed by the secular media and therefore, TBN has made Christianity a household joke in the eyes of most in America.

How many more false prophecies will my country overlook and choose to ignore before these ministries are disciplined and these false teachers removed from ministry? How many more ministers in money suits and multi-million dollar homes do we need to see before American Christians wise up to the fact that they are being led astray? How many more young people have to be damaged by these distortions?

Now, welcome to the circus, dear Indian believers. I pray that many here will not swallow what's being brought to your shores by Dr. Michael Hughes and his dear wife. Wait a minute. Oh dear, it's too late. Yes, many people here in India have already gone after the signs and wonders that Miracle Net and their featured speakers have packaged for mass consumption in Indian churches.

I write this with a grieved heart because of the huge numbers of Indian pastors that I have already met to date who are heavily influenced by the Word/Faith prosperity lie. They come to me with many questions about the "prophet" Benny Hinn and the "signs and wonders" that they so desperately want to duplicate here in this country. The far-reaching effects of these programs have also been strengthened by Dr. Dhinakaran's visit with Benny Hinn and his subsequent promotion of his teachings. It appears that Satan has already gotten a great foothold in ministries and churches here. Of course the latest grievous tidings concern the imminent visit of Benny Hinn to Mumbai in a few months (summer of 2003). Do we have any real reason to believe that his visitation here will be a positive effect on the thousands that will turn out to be spiritually attacked? 

Miracle Net aligns itself with such false teachers such as Kenneth Copeland, Ulf Eckman, Benny Hinn, T. D. Jakes, Rev. H. Kong, R.W.Shambach, Creflo Dollar, Rodney Howard-Browne, Joyce Meyer, Roberts Liardon, Morris Cerullo, and Art Sepulveda. Recognize any of those names? (For more on this cast of characters go to http://www.geocities.com/Bob_Hunter/tbn.htm ).

Many of the abovementioned endorse faith teachings and each other's ministries. Many have been caught in open scandal (Roberts Liardon has been exposed as having had a short-term homosexual affair recently: www.deceptioninthechurch.com/fprophets.html#rliardon  ). T.D. Jakes has espoused Oneness Pentecostalism viewpoints (denial of the Trinity: www.geocities.com/Bob_Hunter/jakes.html  ). Art Sepulveda is from my native place and his Word of Life Christian Center in Honolulu, Hawaii is where Ken Copeland gave his outlandish "Billion-Muslims saved" prophecy that has failed to come true. Rodney Howard Browne showcases the most sickening displays of sensual activity in the church today in the forms of holy laughter, spirit slayings, being glued to the floor, and uncontrollable shaking to name a few.

Dr. Christian Harfouche teaches that when he gets in the anointing, God may tell him to punch someone for their healing. It should also be noted that Mr. Harfouche has a special relationship with Dr. Michael Hughes. Read here from Harfouche's website:

"About a decade ago we met a gentleman, Michael Hughes who had been in some of our meetings. He shared with us the vision that God had given him to purchase satellites with the intent of beaming the gospel to God's 'unreached'. No one else had done this. Sometime later, while we were dining in a restaurant with Michael and his wife, agreeing in prayer with this vision, a lady sitting at the next table suddenly dropped dead! Her pulse had stopped, her breathing had stopped and her family was hysterical. Michael and I went over to her and I commanded life to come back into her body and that night, along with Michael Hughes, we raised this woman from the dead." (Taken from: www.globalrevival.com/partner.html  )

Well, that's quite a story. If it is true, it still cannot be verified that the woman was clinically dead. That can only be documented in a hospital and her brain would have to be totally dead with no measurable activity. But this event became the sign that Miracle net would come about:

"Michael Hughes said the Lord had spoken to him and his wife, that the International Miracle Institute was to be the official Bible School of the 10/40 window. He said there were many miracle ministers but there were not any miracle ministries that he had been able to locate, that could not only perform the miraculous in the name of Jesus, but could impart into other people the power and the anointing to perform the miraculous." (Ibid.)

Having seen Mr. Harfouche "in person" twice as well as watched his TV ministries, I can say assuredly, that, although he is eloquent and a charismatic speaker, he has some seriously frightening Dominionist and Word/Faith doctrine in his teachings. He not only lined everyone up and knocked them over very forcefully when he visited Red Hill First Assembly in Moanalua, Hawaii, but he also encouraged and "imparted" holy laughter, wild, uninterpreted tongues, and slaying in the Spirit. His "healings" were unverified and, at least in one majorly obvious case, non-existent. He also made some interestingly anti-Semitic remarks in his message, such as "Don't Jew your pastor out of his money." Here's a pastor of Arabian descent, mocking Jews.

Most shocking is Dr. Harfouche's teachings on the anointing and how he cannot be held liable for what he does when God takes over. If he cause physical violence to you at a meeting, don't sue him because he was being controlled by the "anointing". (For more on Harfouche, go to this article: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/fprophets.html#charfouche  ).

I think its clear that God would not tell Michael Hughes that Christian Harfouche's ministry and school should be the official tutoring agency of Miracle Net to all of Asia. This is preposterous and damaging and doesn't show an ounce of discernment. Beware the doctrinal dirty deeds of these ministries. It is leaven and will poison the purity of the Truth.

These are just some of the names and a few of the practices that Miracle Net is introducing here. It is the desire of Dr. Michael and Sarah Hughes that these trends and tragedies become part of India's churches as manifestations of this "new move" of God that is being prophesied is to come from Asia.

India, because of its huge population and religious diversity is being targeted by these false ministries and invaded by their missionaries because, if the Church here can get mobilized to move, then the end time super army will arise that can help God return and usher in the great revival.

That's where all this is heading (Dominionist Theology) but I want to end with a sincere warning concerning the ministries of the Hughes team and Miracle Net…

Closing Cautions

Please, dear reader, do not enter into the sins associated with this network and its policies. There are good features about some of the programming and the Gospel is given (sometimes) but we must never excuse or overlook the majority of bad teaching and false instruction that characterizes most of Miracle Net's programming. We have seen, through the practices of Michael and Sarah Hughes, ecumenical unions with the Catholics and others, disregard for biblical practice of the spiritual gifts, the lack of verifiable healings but mass claims to the contrary, and the constant promotion and perpetuation of Word/Faith prosperity doctrine, that Miracle Net must be labeled hazardous for the general public consumption. This truth laid along side error is what the Bible calls heresy and states that many will secretly introduce these poisons in the last days (2 Peter 2:1).

It is time for each reader and Indian believer to draw a line in the sand over which they determine not to cross. It is time to stop sending money and booking speaking engagements for these people until reparations and repentance is made for the false teachings they've been pushing.

It is time for churches to get seriously acquainted with what the Word of God says about things over and above what so-called "anointed" teachers say is reality.

It is time for pastors to begin to be vocal here concerning the invasion of these programs. They need to make clear concise and confrontive stands to their congregations and warn of the danger that sitting in front of heresy actually is. And for the sake of the Truth, stop leading your people by example in following after this "road to nowhere" that is hailed as the "move of God". Study and teach the Word of God in purity and with diligence. Let the Bible be your authority, and not the Hughes, Hinns, Hagins, or Howard- Brownes of this world.

In short, dear India, be Watchmen and test all things by the Scriptures. Come out from among ministries and churches that refuse to follow the counsel of the Bible on these issues and find churches that will stand for truth even when most will and are going after these dark deceptions. (If you want to start a home fellowship that is expository teaching from God's Word as well as informative and equipping for your spiritual health contact PTS).

So the next time you feel like tuning in, turn it off and take time to read God's Word. By receiving that guidance for your Christian walk, you'll be able to avoid the snares of the false teachers and not get tangled in the Miracle Net.

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1).

"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." (Matthew 24:10-11).

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position." (2 Peter 3:17).

Steven Mitchell is a missionary with Gate Way Ministries India currently ministering in India. He is the Director of Answers For India.com and Power To Stand Ministries and has a heart to see India's Churches grow in love for one another as well as reach their people for Jesus Christ. Thanks for reading. We do seminars! Alohasteve2002@yahoo.com

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