The West Coast continues to 'rumble'--Night 53

Today will mark Night 53 of the "West Coast Rumble"--a revival that broke out at churches in Seattle and San Diego. Meetings are characterized by claims of miraculous healings and angelic visitations. The revival is connected to the Azusa Now rally held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on April 9--an event that drew over 56,000 participants.Behind this rally and revival are leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation--a movement led by present-day "apostles" and "prophets" who claim they are part of a new church age. They say they're receiving direct revelations from God that will usher in the largest revival in world history, when a billion souls will be brought into God's kingdom through miraculous signs and wonders. Some prominent NAR apostles and prophets associated with this revival include Lou Engle, Bill Johnson, Che Ahn, and James Goll.Last night, at Seattle Revival Center, Chad Dedmon--from Bethel Church in Redding, Calif.--was the featured speaker. Watch the meeting here, which, oddly, includes participants being urged to drink apple wine--I didn't know there was such a thing! Apple wine has become a symbol of the revival in Seattle, following a prophetic word that God is "releasing the Apple Wine in Washington." A large apple decoration sits on the stage, and the speakers make multiple drinking references, including encouraging members of their audience to find a "drinking buddy" and descriptions of experiencing "drunkenness" in the Holy Spirit.Four weeks ago, I was contacted by a reporter who wrote an article for Religion News Service, titled "Pentecostal revival sweeps parts of West Coast." During the interview, I aimed to put the revival in context for readers, by explaining its connection with the New Apostolic Reformation. See the article here.