I just read an interesting article entitled “Jesus as “Lover”?” which describes the new, unbiblical Christian movement of switching focus from having the agape kind of love for Jesus to possessing a kind of eros love for Him. Of course this “Jesus as a Lover” doctrine doesn’t seem as twisted when you phrase it as “yearning for greater intimacy or emotional attachment” than when you use the words “eros” over “agape.”
Andrew Strom, the guy who wrote the article, points out how ironic it is that many people who are drawn to this doctrine are “seeking Revival.” They really believe that this is the kind of “intimacy” God desires. Coincidentally, there has been a recent influx of Song of Solomon type themed songs. Although Strom would argue that these people take being the “Bride” of Christ as to mean we are to have the same kind of passion an earthly husband and wife have for each other, I am not sure most people espousing this doctrine view it to that same degree. I have witnessed this movement, however, and, as with all new movements, it is worthy of examination because of the “Revival” impact it is creating.
This article was written by a guy who has studied revival for many years. He finds their talk of revival ironic given the old Revivalists prayed to a God who is very different than what is described here. Understanding “who God is” is at the crux of obtaining Revival.
Strom writes:
They prayed to a God of holiness and majesty and awe –a God of glory who hates sin, yet sent His son to die for sinners. The God that the old Revivalists prayed to was the "throneroom" God that Isaiah described- "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple... And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." (Is 6:1-5).
This is the "throneroom" God who is described again in Revelation chapter 4 - where we are told that the four beasts cry, "Holy, holy, holy" day and night without ceasing, and the 24 elders cast down their crowns before His throne - over and over again. It is "HOLINESS" that is the chief characteristic of God! No other characteristic is ever repeated three times together in the Bible - let alone over and over, day and night! -"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY."
And actually, the full title of the book of Revelation is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ". So in other words, it is a 'revealing' of who Jesus is and what He is really like. And when John (the 'beloved' disciple) first sees the glorified Christ in Revelation 1, we are told that such is His terror-inducing holiness and glory that John fell at his feet "as though dead." -This is the true Jesus - as He really is.
In every true Revival, it is the God of majesty who reveals himself. For Revival is the "Glory of God" coming down. It is His very 'throneroom' presence coming down amongst men. Thus, even His own children should approach Him with awe. And if we do not pray to this God, then we should not expect Revival at all. -That is one of the basic lessons of Revival history. -We must pray to the 'RIGHT GOD' if we are going to see true Revival.
Incidentally, the 'Bride of Christ' in Revelation is described as a 'holy city' - a "new Jerusalem" coming down from heaven. (Rev 21). So it is clearly a 'CORPORATE' entity that exists at the end of the age. -Not some individualized "girlfriend of Jesus" in the here-and-now.
It is a very serious thing to tamper with our understanding of 'WHO GOD IS' and how we relate to Him. In a lot of ways it is like preaching "another Jesus". -It really is that bad. If you hear phrases today like 'Lovesick for Jesus', 'Bridal Paradigm', "Bridal intimacy", "Inflamed heart", 'Romancing', "Ravished", 'Fascinated', etc, then you can be pretty sure that you are being exposed to this deceptive doctrine. I believe it is serious error, and I urge you to flee from it as far as you can, my friends.
