One of the unique heresies coming out of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is the idea that the self-anointed, self-appointed “apostles” and “prophets” can issues DECREES. This doctrine teaches that these particular leaders have the power to make decrees that assist their “kingdom-building” efforts. These decrees, proclamations, and pronouncements are said to be endued with heavenly authority. In fact, the leaders even claim that they can bring heaven down to earth in this manner.
A recent example from the Elijah List is from Paul Keith Davis: “Decrees and Proclamations.” Based on Isaiah 51:16, Davis asserts that:
“This particular passage has been one the Lord has utilized often through prophetic experiences to illustrate a function of His end-time army. The Bible promises that He will put a prophetic word in our mouths that is full of both life and power. This word comes directly from His heart and establishes the revelation of His Kingdom.
“. . . According to Isaiah 51:16, when the Lord puts His Word in our mouths and covers us with the shadow of His hand, the resulting prophetic directive is intended to do three things:
1. To establish the Heavens
2. To found the earth
3. To say to Zion, ‘You Are My People.'”
Notice that Davis is claiming that there is a new prophetic power to “establish the Heavens” and to “found the earth.” To illustrate this point further, Davis asserts under the subtitle “A Prophetic Commission,” that this power “has been delegated today to accomplish the same purpose and model”:
“The prophet Jeremiah was once privileged with an incredible face-to-face encounter with the Lord. The Prophet records that, “The LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. (Jeremiah 1:9-10.)
“As it was with Jeremiah, Kingdom authority has been delegated today to accomplish the same purpose and model as in his day. We are being appointed with spiritual oversight to root out, pull down, destroy and overthrow, but also to build and plant. That is the directive of Isaiah 51:16.
“What is established in the Heavenly places will be released on the earth. When this takes place, there will be a calling out of the Bridal company to take her rightful position of power and authority for the great harvest. The Holy Spirit is speaking to the seeds of destiny, resident in the Zion company saying, “you are My people.” We will be identified as bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh to accomplish the same mandate given to Him by His Father…to bring the message of redemption and to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8.)“
In the paragraph above Davis claims that we have “the same mandate” as given to Jesus by God. He is also espousing the new doctrine popularized by C. Peter Wagner of the NAR that Jesus did not defeat Satan on the cross, and that it is up to the Church on earth to accomplish this. These are Latter Rain heresies which have much to do with the concept of Joel’s Army.
Davis begins his conclusion, “Our Mandate,” with the claim that God “will fill our mouths with decrees and proclamations” for kingdom-building purposes.
“Many Christians are being positioned to experience this commissioning. The Lord is stretching forth His hand to fill our mouths with decrees and proclamations direct from His heart. Like Jeremiah, the anointed words of God’s people will uproot the forces of darkness and plant the revelation of His Kingdom. When this takes place, there will be an abundant harvest of souls and the Lord Jesus will begin to receive the full measure of His great reward. (Revelations 5:9.) [All emphases added, except for Scriptural references]
The Truth:
These NAR false prophets and apostles believe that they are uttering new words of God that have the same force and power of the Word of God. This is utter blasphemy!
It is important to look at these verses from the Old Testament in their context. Isaiah 51:16, cited by Davis, says: “And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou are my people.” This passage is speaking about God’s Word. Matthew Poole, in his old 1600s Commentary on the Holy Bible (Hendrickson Publ.), states:
“I have put my words in thy mouth; these great and glorious promises which are in thy mouth are not the vain words of man, a weak, and inconstant, and unfaithful creature, but the words of the almighty, unchangeable, and faithful God, and therefore they shall be infallibly accomplished. These words are manifestly spoken by God, either, 1. To Isaiah, by whom these promises were delivered. Or, 2. To Christ, of whom and to whom many things are said in this prophecy, as we have already seen, and will further appear. Or rather, 3. To Israel, to God’s church and people, to whom he speaks both in the foregoing and following verses. For God’s word is frequently said to be put into the mouths, not only of the prophets, but of the people also, as Isaiah 59:21; as also Deut. 30:14; Josh 1:8, etc.”
“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;” (Isaiah 10:1)