It certainly gives me NO pleasure in writing this piece. As a matter of fact, it breaks my heart.
I have wrestled with what I’m about to write for the last week.
I have prayed for God to show me if I was to expose the darkness which has seeped into, and is now permeating the Prophecy community. Today, I felt certain that it is God’s will for me to write about this.
God reminded me that the name of this Blogsite is “Absolute Truth From the Word of God.” How can I not write the truth from the Word of God on a topic of such magnitude and potential harm?
First, I would like to give the reader the link to a well written and solidly Bible-based article by Alice Childs – A prolific and much loved writer for Raptureready.com:
“A Call For Discernment and Accountability” <read Alice’s article here
Steve Berger and his Wife Sarah
Many years ago, the Bergers (Steve and Sarah) experienced the death of their 19 year old son, Josiah. I cannot even imagine the pain this couple endured. The death of a child is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking events that any couple can face.
Before the death of Josiah, Steve Berger was a little known pastor of a small church. After the death of Josiah, Steve and Sarah wrote a book entitled: “Have Heart: Bridging the Gulf Between Heaven and Earth.”
In the midst of their pain and suffering, they wrote a book with the intent of bringing healing to other couples who have lost loved ones. Their emotions overtook them, and although they may have meant well, the Bergers encouraged others in the body of Christ to contact their deceased loved ones and to leave the door open for conversation with their dead.
God Warns About Speaking to the Dead
In 1 Samuel: 28, we are told a story about Saul. Samuel had died and Saul sent all spiritists and mediums from the land. But Saul’s continual state of rebellion against the counsel of God, he called back a medium – the witch of Endor to have her summon the spirit of Samuel.
The practice of speaking with the dead was banned in the land of Israel by God:
“When you come into the land of the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). (emphasis added).
This practice (Necromancy) is nothing but the Occult – Witchcraft – a practice which God has forbidden for His people.
But in this one case in all of Scripture, when Saul entreated the witch of Endor to summon the spirit of Samuel; God allowed it to happen. The spirit of Samuel gave Saul the grave news of his impending death, along with his sons the very next day.
The Berger’s Website
Who are these departed souls who seem to be communicating with loved ones?
I have been asked this question by unbelievers as well as Christians. God forbids us to speak with those who have died. But the mediums who hold these séances insist that they have made contact with the departed souls. It should not be difficult for the child of God to discern these “voices” are certainly not from our loved ones. So, who are they?
They are demons masquerading as the departed souls!
“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11: 14-15).
Amir Tsarfati
I remember the first time I watched Amir speaking at a Prophecy event. He was amazing. I began to research him. I wanted to read about his testimony of coming to Yeshua. I wanted to find out anything and everything I could about this Jewish brother in Christ!
Amir obviously loved the Lord so much and wanted the whole world to know that Jesus is the Messiah. I prayed for the Israeli people to hear Amir speak. I felt such power in his voice, and such excitement about Yeshua. I have loved the fact that Amir came to know Yeshua after watching “The Jesus Film.”
Meeting Steve Berger
I don’t know how Amir met Steve Berger, but recently I have seen the two together, speaking of upcoming events at which they both will be present. Before I knew anything about Steve Berger, I just thought that Amir found a new brother in Christ and is going to minister the Gospel with him.
But then I began reading about Steve Berger being deeply rooted in the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) and if anything could be worse than being steeped in NAR teaching; I found out about the book teaching necromancy which became a best seller.
I also read that Steve Berger, who had pastored a small congregation before he wrote the book in 2010, was now a pastor of over 4000 people!
At first I wanted to believe that Amir did not know about Berger’s book based on necromancy, and also that Steve Berger was a NAR preacher. Amir is a busy man and travels extensively, sharing the Gospel. It was conceivable that he was just not aware of this man’s beliefs.
Behold Israel
But my hopes that Amir was not aware of the NAR teaching and the necromancy came crashing down. I saw many people (quite a few who had been admins for Amir) asking for him to denounce these evil practices and distance himself from Steve Berger, until a time when Steve would also repent.
But instead of having a conversation on Behold Israel with those who were attempting to tell him the truth; I was shocked to see Amir deleting their comments and deleting those who commented.
Steve and Amir Together
The Will of God
Those of us in the body of Christ who are upset and worried by these heretical teachings of Steve Berger, and the anger shown by Amir when anyone brings this up – is more than a bit disconcerting.
Amir has a huge following and many of those people are most likely baby Christians, or even immature Christians. They hang on his every word because he is such a dynamic speaker. I believe that many of us are concerned for the spiritual welfare of these people. They are susceptible to false teaching and do not have the discernment to question these teachings.
We are asking for Repentance
I do not write this article to condemn Amir and Steve. I Am condemning doctrines of devils which the Word clearly tells us will be taught and believed by many in these last days.
Right now, many of us feel that this is being swept under the carpet, with the attitude “This will all fade away if we just ignore it.” THIS is not acceptable to us and especially not acceptable to our Lord Jesus.
I pray that in the coming days we see both Amir and Steve come forward in the Christian community and repent of these wicked ways.
God called David “A man after His own heart.” David had broken every commandment. So, what made God say such a thing about David? It was because David had godly repentance when he sinned, and asked for God’s forgiveness because he knew that he had sinned against Him.
A prayer of repentance by King David
“Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your loving kindness;
According to the multitude of your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).
It is the prayer of my heart that Amir and Steve will have hearts like David – that they will ask forgiveness from God and Repent before Him.
I think that I can speak for the body of Christ when I say that we love these men, but we must ALWAYS love God and His Word more.
Shalom b’Yeshua
MARANATHA!