Darkness Visible: Lightning from the East”

by Tony Lambert

In this issue we present further evidence of the evil nature of the “Lightning from the East” cult (hereafter referred to as LFE). Some of our readers may wonder why we continue to publish material on this subject. We noted with interest that Time magazine recently carried a long article on this cult (quite a long time after we first drew the attention of our readers to it!). If a major secular magazine is taking note of LFE, then it seems reasonable to study the phenomenon in detail. In fact, there is mounting evidence from China that this cult has become a nationwide menace.

We have seen a detailed report of the infiltration of existing Christian churches in China by LFE originally written by a house-church Christian leader in Shandong. The following report has been edited, with some incidental details omitted (for reasons of lack of space) but otherwise is as received. The details are alarming and show the classic symptoms of a cult: distortion and denial of the Bible, lies, deceit, brain-washing, sexual temptations and physical ill-treatment.

In February 2000 we had a co-workers conference and then I went traveling for three months. LFE had already been branded a cult by the law so we had grown complacent. The way they infiltrated churches was roughly the same everywhere. First the LFE cult member would claim he was from another cult such as “Sanbanpuren” [Three Grades of Servant] or “Erliangliang” [Two Grams of Rice] saying he did not know the Bible. Unable to leave him in error the brethren would happily accept him, care for him and enthusiastically teach him the truth. Thus the cult member was brought into the church with no qualms. He would then proceed to the next step of “Spying and being a Bridge.” He would act like an obedient sheep for a long time, learning hymns, praying — even in Jesus’ name. But it was all an act. He would take special note of whom were the leaders and important workers in the church, as well as any grudges. He would look out for zealous Christians such as those who came early to service, took notes etc. He would even read books by Wang Mingdao, Watchman Nee, Samuel Lamb etc.

These “moles” also spy out the financial status of the leaders (there is a How to attack Church Leaders in their secret handbook.) After spying, they begin to “bridge-build,” trying to get Christians to “change perspective” and feed them the teachings of LFE. This took a longer time: the undercover cultist in our church spent about nine months in preparation.

After I had left to preach, the cult leader approached the remaining leader saying that he had just returned from Lanzhou where there were hundreds of people in darkness. He said, “I plead with you to go to them and let them know the gospel.” The church became excited and threw away all caution. He chose four people (two brothers and two sisters) to go with him.

When they reached Lanzhou there were three people to welcome them — two “brothers” from Lanzhou and one “brother” from Xi’an — (in reality they were all LFE members.) The “brother” from Xi’an said: “The Lord gave me a vision that there will be two female disciples who will come to revive the church in Xi’an.” Another “brother” called Paul said to one of our brothers: “This is the fourth time we have met as I have seen you three times before in visions. The Lord spoke to me telling me you are one who really loves God. I have been patiently awaiting your arrival for you to preach here, just like Paul who had a vision of the Macedonians.” To an undiscerning Christian such words can make him careless. Man’s carnal nature is pitiful, always hoping for acknowledgement of past achievements for praise. At this point the person from Xi’an said: “You only care for your own congregations. The lost in Xi’an are even more plentiful! What is more we were brought here by a vision. As there are four of you why don’t two of you stay here [in Lanzhou] while the other two follow me [to Xi’an]?” Our four workers objected: “We do not put too much trust in visions. We should pray about it.” The Xi’an “brother” replied, “I will respect your decision. We shall all pray. I will pray that God will move your hearts.” We can see these liars are professionals as the two Lanzhou “brothers” then improved upon the act, adding: “Our need is great as well. We are also rather selfish, wanting a bigger piece of the pie as we are not willing to let them split up.” One side argued that “it was we who invited them” while the other complained “we were brought here by a vision.” It was a perfect plan!

The argument extended into mealtime during which an “elder” from Paul’s church entered. He announced: “I am brought here by visions and revelations.” Our two brethren immediately responded: “Sorry, we do not put too much trust in visions.” The elder then backed down saying he would not say any more. But later he said: “I cannot deny the working of the Spirit. I have seen this vision for two nights. I saw a person in white robes who rebuked me: ‘Why do you obstruct the work? You prevent my two female disciples from going to Xi’an.’” When Paul outlined our discussion, the elder exclaimed: “Praise the Lord! No wonder I was so restless at home. Brother Paul, there should be no more obstruction. We may not understand, but the Lord does. Look, even a brother from Xi’an is here!” Our brethren were finally convinced and decided to split up. So this was their first success in splitting up the brethren. Later, using the same methods, the two brothers who stayed in Lanzhou and the two sisters who went to Xi’an were convinced to split up again.

One of the brothers who went to Lanzhou was asked to preach (it was said there were hundreds coming) but in the end there were only five, who, of course, were members of LFE. After his sermon there was a rapture of praise and they delayed their meal to ask him to continue to preach. After speaking for two days they told him they had a “brother” who went away in search of the truth for two years, but had now returned. “Would you like to hear what he has to preach?” So this new preacher began, saying: “It does not matter whether it is charismatic or if it is LFE — we should take a look to see which is best. As long as we pursue God there will be no error.” He then explained the three LFE dispensations — of Law, Grace and the Kingdom. A few days later our brother was left alone in the house with a female LFE member. She said: “I’ve seen you before in a vision…” (The same tactic as before, but cruder.) “I was wearing my swimming costume, swimming, when a large crocodile chased me. I shouted for help. Just at this moment, you appeared and took me to safety. I have always wanted to see you, my gracious saviour! Brother, are you tired? May I wash your feet?” This was a temptation of the flesh but our Lord was merciful to our brother, and he refused. But later the LFE preacher accused the brother of bringing the sin of fornication among them. He asked: “Who leads your church?” In reality he already knew that it was I who was the person who had brought them up in the faith. He announced: “So it was he that was teaching you all this while, it was he who imparted this evil spirit of fornication! Your preachers have uncountable wives.” They pretended to take it hard, threatening to put him on the train to get rid of him. He was led to hear more of the brainwashing teachings of LFE and his mind ended in a state of complete confusion.

Now our two sisters were welcomed by two women in Xi’an. One used the same trick of “visions” to split them up. After separating they never saw each other for four months. One sister was asked to preach and the LFE members all praised her. On the fourth day while she was preaching two members made a scene to act as though they were possessed by devils, rolling on the ground. This lasted two weeks and looked extremely realistic. Our sister tried in Jesus’ name, laying hands on them, to cast out the devils. But they retaliated, sitting on her and beating her. One of them maniacally mocked her: “You still pray in Jesus’ name? Jesus’ name became useless long ago.” The LFE congregation also mocked her. They then managed to take more than 1,000RMB from her supposedly to send these two to a mental institute. She was not allowed to report the matter to the police. Then a preacher from Zhejiang called Wang Enguang came in. The two women immediately fled into the corner, hid under a table, shouting: “The Light! It’s glaring! I’m so afraid…” After some coughing they stiffened, and the devils were presumed cast out. “Preacher Wang” then took the opportunity to explain the teachings of LFE.

Their methods of indoctrination are systematic, with much reference to the Bible. The sister was now confined, and having taken away all her money there was no escape. Every night they removed her shoes and clothing, and people kept watch while she slept. She was never allowed out of the house. The second way after “breaking the escape” was “changing perspective” (actually, brainwashing). This sister reached such a stage she actually wanted to tell her family about LFE. The other sister stood firm, especially after they mentioned the “female Christ,” but she was so confused she was unable to think. The third way was through “sexual desire.” Every night two other girls slept beside her and in the middle of the night one would shout verses from the Bible. On another day, one woman claimed she saw a vision of a scroll on which was written “Ruth chapter 3 verse 7” (when Ruth slept at the feet of Boaz). “Tell Sister X to do the same, this is My will.” The purpose was to tell our sister to go in to Wang Enguang and hide under his blanket. One day she was left alone with him and he hugged her forcefully but she resisted. Wang then said, “Why are you still so conservative? I must use the love of Christ to warm your pained heart.” Protected by the Lord, she resisted. The other sister, encountering a similar fate, was hugged and kissed forcefully four times, though she was less courteous returning two slaps. Finally, God helped her to escape to Dongguan and Xi’an. She could not get any clothes when she was escaping and had trouble begging for money, crying continuously in the street. When she finally saw us her tears could not be quenched. Of the four, she was the last to escape; she was away about five months. When she got home she did not look human.

After these people returned, they were unable to pray. LFE forbade them from praying in Jesus’ name, for even in prayer there was always someone beside them eavesdropping. They were only allowed to shout the name of the “omnipotent one.” Surrounded by cultists they were made to swear an oath. If they broke it they were told they would be cursed or have a car accident. When one returning sister was asked to pray with us she could not utter Jesus’ name as she was reminded of the “possessed” people. She was so afraid, tears ran down her cheeks. So we fasted and prayed for her. The fact that LFE forbids the use of Jesus’ name shows they are afraid of it. Many of us spent the whole night fasting and praying while I led her in prayer. We prayed that “from this day onwards I will have nothing to do with LFE.” Then she cried as she was afraid the curses would be fulfilled and she would become mad. Finally, I led her to pray in Jesus’ name which she did with great difficulty. It was a bit like a new believer’s prayer of commitment. After which, we all prayed for her. God heard our prayers and now she is brighter every day.

We have other co-workers who were trapped by LFE and never came back. One, invited to Anhui, switched sides and is now working for them. Another brother who initially really loved God and was under our guidance for a long time, also changed sides. He continuously phoned me asking me to join LFE. He managed to get a sister called Han from another church who was lost for 18 days. We later found out she was confined in a cave in Gong County. Her experience was roughly the same and she came back bruised and beaten so badly she could not get out of bed. In Jinan and Hangzhou I know of some co-workers including old friends who had been serving God a long time, who were trapped by LFE. Two in Lanzhou escaped while a third was freed with help from the police. The situation in Xinjiang is the same. In Puchen near Xi’an there is a sister who was missing for 20 days. Her family paid 200RMB a day to rent a car to travel everywhere to find her. She was finally found, but had already succumbed to the indoctrination of LFE.

We must PRAY in earnest with more zeal that the enemy’s attacks be stopped. PRAY that our brothers and sisters still in LFE’s clutches will be released. PRAY we will be preserved. PRAY the Lord will remove the evil spirit working in LFE, and will blind their eyes and confuse their plans, all to show His power. We are weak, and only by the Spirit can we fight and stand against LFE, a cult from the depths of Satan. Let all Christians be warned.

Copyright OMF International