I have well-documented the unbiblical, blasphemous beliefs and practices of a group I believe is a cult–Bethel Redding. My research and documentation includes information about Bethel’s second-in-command, Kris Vallotton. Today, Vallotton met Pope Francis–head of the apostate Roman Catholic Church and an antichrist. As I write this article, Vallotton’s Facebook photo with the pope has 240 shares, 290 comments, and over 5,700 reactions. Vallotton’s remarks, along with many of the comments attached to the photo, serve as examples of Bethel Redding’s courtship with Belial.
Who is Belial?
The word/name “Belial” appears in only verse in the Bible–2 Corinthians 6:15.
“What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
So, who or what is “Belial?”
I found the following explanation in Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers to be rather fascinating:
“The passage is remarkable as being the only occurrence of the name in the New Testament, all the more so because it does not appear in the Greek version of the Old. The Hebrew word signifies ‘vileness, worthlessness;’ and the ‘sons of Belial’ (as in Deuteronomy 13:13; 1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 25:17) were therefore the worthless and the vile. The English version, following the Vulgate, translates the phrase as though Belial were a proper name, and this has led to the current belief, as shown in Milton’s poems, that it was the name of a demon or fallen angel, the representative of impurity—
‘Belial came last, than whom a spirit more lewd,
Fell not from heaven, or more gross to love
Vice for itself.’—Paradise Lost, i. 490.
‘Belial, the dissolutest spirit that fell,
The sensualest, and, after Asmodai,
The fleshliest incubus.’—Paradise Regained, ii. 204.
“St. Paul’s use of the word would seem to imply that some such belief was floating among the Jews in his time. A strange legend, which possibly had a Jewish origin (it is referred to certain necromantici), is found in an obscure and forgotten book (Wierus: Pseudo-Monarchia Dæmonum), to the effect that Solomon was led by a certain woman to bow before the image of Belial, who is represented as worshipped by the Babylonians. Of that worship there is no trace in history; and Milton seems to have recognised this—
‘To him no temple stood
Nor altar smoked.’
“But if the name had gathered these associations round it, we can understand St. Paul’s using it as representing, or, as it were, personifying, the whole system of impure cultus that prevailed in the worship of Aphrodite at Corinth.”
In his work, Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes explains the term “Belial” this way:
“Belial – Βελίαλ Belial or Βελίαρ Beliar, as as it is found in some of the late editions. The form Beliar is Syriac. The Hebrew word בּליּצל beliya‛al means literally without profit; worthlessness; wickedness. It is here evidently applied to Satan. The Syriac translates it ‘Satan.’ The idea is, that the persons to whom Paul referred, the pagan, wicked, unbelieving world, were governed by the principles of Satan, and were ‘taken captive by him at his will’ (2 Timothy 2:26 compare John 8:44), and that Christians should be separate from the wicked world, as Christ was separate from all the feelings, purposes, and plans of Satan. He had no participation in them; he formed no union with them; and so it should be with the followers of the one in relation to the followers of the other.”
Whether Belial is a demonic entity or a type of person, followers of Christ are to never engage in any spiritual enterprise (prayer, worship, ministry, etc.) with unbelievers, with practitioners of false religions–with Belial, with those who are of their father, the devil.
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty'” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Vallotton professes to be a Christian, yet he lauds the leader and practitioner of a false religion. He does this with seemingly nary a care for the billion lost souls in Roman Catholicism and without a care for the soul of a lost old man he would call “brother.” Why the fascination with Francis?
Vallotton’s Fascination with Francis
Vallotton makes no secret about his man-crush on the pope. “I had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis today with some other pastors. He is really a great man. I love him a ton!” This is how Vallotton captioned his photo of his meeting with the pope.
A great man? How can any professing Christian refer to the present leading antichrist in the world as a “great man?” And how exactly does Vallotton define a “great man,” if the pope (the leader of an apostate religion that spiritually [and sometimes physically] abuses, enslaves, coerces, extorts, and manipulates more than a billion people) as his example?
Earlier this year, Vallotton did a “blog swap” with Lisa Bevere. Lisa is married to John Bevere–the man who takes credit for giving the New Apostolic Reformation its name in 1994 and for being the apostate and blasphemous movement’s “intellectual godfather.”
Earlier this year, writing on Lisa Bevere’s blog, Vallotton penned an article titled Women Leaders in the Church. Vallotton begins the article as follows:
“In a recent interview with America Magazine, the Pope spoke of his concern for women to find their proper role in the Church. He said, ‘Women are asking deep questions that must be addressed. The Church cannot be herself without the woman and her role.’
“I agree with the Pope. I have an amazing wife, two daughters, a daughter-in-law and three granddaughters that wake up every day to a world of discrimination simply because of their gender. But the most troubling aspect of this oppression is that the Church is often found leading it! Many believers have developed a theology that proactively uses the Bible to disqualify women from the most formidable roles of leadership, especially in the Church. I am appalled by the number of Christian leaders who are convinced that women are not as qualified, called, and/or gifted to lead as men are.”
Vallotton, a feminist and an egalitarian, doesn’t even try to hide his cards. He lacks the wisdom and discernment to differentiate between the Roman Catholic Church and the true Church–the Bride of Christ. He lacks the wisdom and discernment to differentiate between a Christian and an antichrist. He sees the pope as a spiritual brother, a “great man” who he “loves a ton.” Of course it’s only my opinion, but I believe the reason is that both Vallotton and Pope Francis are of the same spiritual father–the devil (John 8:44).
Some NAR, Bethel Redding, and Vallotton apologists will no doubt cry foul (they do every time I dare to touch who they believe is one of the Lord’s “anointed”). They will accuse me of faulting Vallotton for “loving” the pope. They will accuse me of not loving the pope. It’s not true. I don’t believe Vallotton is capable of loving the pope with a love that matters–the kind of love that would call the pope to repent and believe the gospel.
Vallotton’s Lost Sheep Followers of Belial
As disturbing as Vallotton’s man-crush on the pope is, the comments of Vallotton’s lost sheep followers of Belial are just as bad–if not worse. Here are a few low-lights:
“I’m glad you love him [the pope]. So do I ..He has such a heart for the Lord.”
And…..
“We are one in the spirit
We are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity
May one day be restored.“We just sang that at Azusa. Look at us now!”
And…..
“Please tell me you gave Him a word. That would be incredible to honor him that way. Awesome to see this.”
And…..
“Not a false teacher at all. Some would toss those claims towards Bethel as well. Just because you read your bible differently, doesn’t make it false… Careful how tight you hold water/theologies. The tighter you grip the more you loose.”
And…..
“Can’t we just agree that this was an historic moment without offering our opinions” (Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson–leader of the Bethel Redding cult).
It’s the blind leading the blind. It’s a wolf leading deceived sheep (or goats). These quotes are heartbreaking examples of people who may very-well one day hear Jesus say:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Closing Thoughts
Kris Vallotton has once again shown himself to be a friend of Belial and not a follower of Christ. Vallotton lacks the wisdom and discernment to recognize Pope Francis as an antichrist, likely for the same reason a billion Roman Catholics fail to do so. He is lost and needs to repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ. I hope and pray he does while God has given him time.
If after reading this article you’ve come to realize that Bethel Redding and Kris Vallotton have led you astray, if after reading this you are questioning what you believe, please take the time to read Our Message.
Alfredo Lopez says
Great Insight Tony. Keep up the great work! I’m just curious, what would Tony Miano do if he met Mr. Francis mano a mano?
Michael Powell says
Great job! Thank you …
Tony Miano says
I would hope I would lovingly yet firmly proclaim the gospel to him, and call him to repent and believe the gospel.
Sola Scriptura says
Excellent article. We cannot sit at the table of demons(which the catholic church and it’s Nimrod and Semiramis worship is) and the table of God and we cannot have fellowship with Belial and have fellowship with God. I have many, many friends lost in the occultic sophistries of Bethel, and especially Vallotan.
https://followingjesuschrist3.com/2015/11/30/high-treason-against-the-living-god/
Julius King says
I agree with this article. It is so interesting to see how “Born Again” Christians are supporting the agenda of Satan in the Catholic Church. How can a true believer fail to see that the Catholic Church is truly anti-Christ, especially following the false and apostate message that the pope has himself been proclaiming, supporting immorality and apostasy? The MESSIAH truly is coming.
David from Louisiana says
The most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16. The second is Matthew 7:1.
As followers of Christ, we are to be fruit inspectors, discerning between the true and the false. Todd Friel from Wretched TV and Wretched Radio has recently written a good book called Judge NOT., a book about discernment.
I recommend this book for your enlightenment.
Keep up the good work, Tony.
A fisher of men, until the nets are full,
David
Vidal says
Not on any particular side but according to the author, valloton can’t say he loves someone because they’re not a Christian? If valloton seeks to fight gender discrimination against women that automatically makes him a feminist? Valloton Can’t meet the pope because the pope is according to him, an apostate? So a Christian must stay in his Christian bubble? Criticizes bethel for lack of bible supported theology yet his whole Belial thing are the investigations of one man. Valloton Can’t consider a person great if they aren’t Christian? How is Francis different from any other sinner? Because he’s the face of another religion he’s an antichrist? In my opinion the writer comes across TO ME as someone who is simply angry with someone that doesn’t follow the theology he believes in. Let me guess, from the USA probably. Anyways, my first time reading this blog.
Not on a particular side. My questions are genuine, not trying to stir up any kind of fight. Just trying to objective.
Mitchell Douglas says
It’s tough to be helpful in all the mess NAR has left behind, but, hang in there Tony.
Steve says
I’m concerned about the tone of this article. John (and Lisa) Bevere are amazing people, that I have listened to for years. How can you say such negative things about your fellow brothers and sisters, or are you claiming they are not? You should not label anyone an antichrist while going about “accusing your brethren” and stirring discord in the church…
Kim h says
Just wondering if its true that this church is a bethel church? Congregates of the Mount Zion General Assembly in South Africa. The pastor, Lethebo Rabalango Killed a woman in a faith demonstration. I heard it was on the radio. I tried to find out but was unable.
Elizabeth says
I do believe that we are not called to Judge and should pray for the Pope as well as all non believers to come to know Jesus personally. We are called to love our enemies not to judge and discuss them on a platform where they are not able to defend themselves, it puts us in the same league as the Pharisees. Vallotton might have erred but sin is sin who are we to cast the first stone?
Tony Miano says
Sadly, Elizabeth, your comments cannot be supported by the Word of God.
Maria Kehoe says
Elizabeth was wrong about putting someone out there where they can’t defend themselves. A letter from apostle Paul to Timothy warned about the two that were not spreading the truth. 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 17.
Not only is Kris blind to the truth about the Pope in my opinion pride comes into play on his part. Hobnobbing with the Rich and famous gets his name out there. As I said that’s my opinion.