Is Jimmy Swaggart For Real?
What do you mean is Jimmy Swaggart for real? You may be asking this question, ‘what in the world am I talking about? Quickly turn to the Book of Genesis chapter 3, and read what God’s Word has to say concerning Lucifer [Satan, that old serpent], and the ability Lucifer has at being subtle [v1]. The Oxford Dictionary defines subtle; ‘pervasive or elusive owing to tenuity; evasive, mysterious; hard to grasp or trace; [subtle magic, charm, power, art, poison]; having delicate perception; acute [subtle senses, insight, intellect mind]; ingenious, elaborate, clever, crafty, cunning [the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field]. Without a doubt Lucifer [also the serpent] is a very talented adversary as portrayed in Chapter 3 of Genesis. After being misled by Lucifer [Satan], causing her [Eve] to sin, this is what Eve had to say after ‘the Lord God said unto the woman, ‘What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat [v13]’. The Oxford Dictionary defines beguile as; to delude, cheat, charm, amuse; to divert attention from; or to deceive. One can add to this list the word lie; meaning intentional false statement; deceive without verbal lying; speak falsely; lie outrageously of infamously; be deceptive; get oneself into or out of a situation by lying.
Ok, now that we have an understanding concerning the subtleness of our enemy, lets just ask Father God to bless us before we continue with this message. “ Father, I praise Your Wonderful Name, because you are worthy. Thank you for the very breath in our lungs, so that we are able to speak the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord that we can call on the Precious name of our Savior anytime. Help me to always speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Bless each and everyone who will be touched by your Word, as I ask it in Jesus Name…Amen
Without a doubt Jimmy Swaggart is one of the most talented persons on planet earth. He is an accomplished piano-player and singer. He is also a seasoned speaker, preacher and teacher as far as the Word of God is concerned. Many of you have over the years heard Jimmy Swaggart play his piano with such skill; and many of you have sat mesmerized watching him do it with ‘savoir-faire’. In other words the man can play the piano.
Have you read ‘To Cross a River’ written by Robert Paul Lamb, on the life of Jimmy Swaggart. Chapter 5 of that book is titled, ‘The Anointing of the Devil.’ Listen to what Jimmy Swaggart says, ‘I had only played a few bars of ‘Drinking Wine Spo-Dee O Dee’, a song old Sam played frequently, when this strange feeling came over me. I was able to do runs on that piano I hadn’t been able to do before. It seemed like a force beyond me had gripped and charged my body. My fingers literally flew over the keys. For the first time in my life, I sensed what it felt to be anointed by the devil. It was unlike anything I had experienced before in my life. I knew it wasn’t from God.
Bro’ Jimmy then goes on to describe the reaction that came from the crowd. Also when Jerry Lee sang and played, he drew the identical reaction from the crowd. That same demonic anointing that I experienced was also on Jerry Lee. [Bear in mind that bro Swaggart was backslidden at the time this occurred, and that his promise to the Lord was he would never play the piano for the world]. Can one still assume that the same demonic anointing is on him today, as was on him those many years ago.
Reading a little more in chapter 5, one cannot but notice bro’ Swaggart speak of old Sam. ‘For many hours Jerry Lee and I would sit and watch Old Sam play. Old Sam never actually taught us, but we could watch and learn what he was doing. Jerry and I both began to develop our left hands to play somewhat as Old Sam did’. Bro’ Swaggart promised the Lord he would never play for the world, yet reading this book one cannot but notice his talent developed by way of Old Sam; and practicing with Jerry Lee Lewis [Jimmy’s cousin] whom we know became one of the pioneers of the ‘Rock ‘n Roll’ era of the 50’s and 60’s.
Those of us who has followed Jimmy Swaggart’s ministry, saw it grow from nothing into most probably the largest organization that circled the entire globe during the late 70’s and 80’s. God was surely blessing Jimmy Swaggart Ministries to reach the world with the message of the Cross of Calvary. I personally followed the JSM, and truly enjoyed listening and watching this servant of God, as he sang and played his piano on the world’s platforms, developing into this accomplished singer and seasoned preacher.
And then the unimaginable happens! Jimmy Swaggart fell of the pedestal that many people all over the world had placed him on. The entire Pentecostal world went into shock and disbelief. What dis-appointment! Many people [so called Christians], turned their backs on God, even blaming the Lord for this. Instead of keeping their eyes on Jesus, they kept their eyes on this talented piano playing, fire and brimstone preacher. I was also saddened, but thank God I kept my eyes on Jesus, instead of this fallen hero.
Many of us who followed these sad events at the time, remembers well that bro’ Swaggart did not step down from the pulpit for a time of restoration and healing which he should have done. The crusades continued, and songs were recorded for distribution.
As I mentioned earlier in this message, that Jimmy Swaggart is without a doubt one of the most gifted men on planet earth as far as singing, playing the piano and preaching God’s Word is concerned. With many years to develop these talents, one can say that Jimmy Swaggart is seasoned in these abilities. He has become a mature performer of good talents. As the old saying goes, plenty of practice makes perfect. The Lord would have me share with you all, something I have not really shared with, but maybe two people.
[Please believe me when I tell you about these happenings]. About ten years ago I had a dream concerning Jimmy Swaggart. First of all I could not understand why I would dream about Jimmy Swaggart, seeing as he lives on the other side of the world, and me living in South Africa. But hold on before you think I’m crazy or something! I had the same dream over and over every few months. This kept on for about two years. Bro’ Swaggart was in every dream holding crusades, and I was also present. There was no specific venues that I could remember where these crusades were held. But what I noticed was that when Jimmy Swaggart sang or preached that he was drunk [intoxicated]. What was amazing is that the people [audiences], did not notice him in this state of drunkenness, but yet he continued ministering the Word of God and singing.
WOW!! I could not understand that this servant of God could be doing this and people not noticing it. I pondered on this many a time, asking in my heart how can this be possible, and what all this meant.
At the time some answers came through only very vaguely. One verse that came through, but which I did not understand at the time can be found in Colossians 2v4, ‘and this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words [refers to being deceived by subtleness].
As the dreams came to an end after two years, I kind of left it at that, but always thought of them over the years. I never discussed them with anyone lest people [brethren] think me crazy. A year ago I decided that I wanted to experience camp-meetings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
At this time, through the leading of the Spirit of God, I happened on the website of FMHCCI. All of the sudden a lot of unanswered questions fell into place. Bro Bruce Hallman who is called of the Lord to be a voice in the wilderness [A prophet], and I were able to correspond on some of the mentioned issues. The Lord has instructed bro’ Bruce to speak words of correction to Jimmy and Frances Swaggart, which of course they have rejected as not, ‘thus saith the Lord.’ By way of these corrections, God the Holy Spirit has made it very clear to me what those dreams meant. Jimmy Swaggart was not drunk as such with strong drink [as it seemed in the dreams], but Jimmy Swaggart was drunk within himself, thinking he could beguile God’s people with his own ability and talents [playing the piano, singing and preaching].
Jimmy Swaggart was doing the above in his own abilities after many years of practice. [Thus the old saying practice makes perfect] Folks, what I am writing here is not things I am sucking out of my thumb; I truly believe the Lord has given me these insights to share with you and to warn people to be careful.
As Lucifer beguiled Eve into believing his lies, so we must be alert for the deceit of the enemy [Satan]. Another truth that the Holy Spirit has revealed is that Jimmy Swaggart is a very stubborn man [full of pride], and will not receive correction from any of God’s prophets. Proverbs 16v18 says, ‘pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 29v23 continues, ‘a man’s pride shall bring him low; but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. Obadiah 1v3 says, the pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that says in his heart, who shall bring me down to the ground?
Obadiah 1v4 continues, ‘though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest amongst the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.
WOW! With a warning like this from God Almighty, do you still feel you want to be filled with pride and a stubborn spirit.
My sincere prayer for people that have fallen into this trap of the devil, and believe they can operate on their own abilities and talents, you are living in a fools-paradise.
Repent of your sin and allow the Holy Spirit to restore your God-given talents to be used for the Glory of God. My prayer is that Bro’ Jimmy Swaggart will see the error of his ways, and ask God to forgive him for his stubbornness.
Please believe me the writing of this short message gives me no pleasure, but is done out of obedience to the Holy Spirit. Lets wake up Church of Jesus Christ, to the cry of MARANATHA!!! Behold…Jesus is coming soon.
God Bless
William
