Is this teaching biblical?
Todd Bentley claims a female angel named 'Emma' floated into a church, pulled gold out of bags, and distributed 'financial and prophetic anointing' to the congregation. This encounter was prompted by Bob Jones, a discredited 'prophet' from the Kansas City movement. Scripture never describes female angels. Biblical angels deliver God's messages and direct attention to God — they never distribute 'financial anointing' or gold dust. Paul explicitly warns against the worship of angels and those who are 'puffed up by visions.' The mixing of financial prosperity with angelic encounters echoes Simon Magus, who tried to purchase spiritual power with money.
What did Todd Bentley say?
"In walks Emma. The Lord said, 'Here's Emma.' She floated a couple of inches off the floor, emitting brilliant light and colors. She carried bags and began pulling gold out of them, putting gold dust on people. I believe Emma released a financial and prophetic anointing."
Speaker: Todd Bentley
Source: Bentley's own written testimony about a service in Beulah, North Dakota
What does Scripture actually teach?
Colossians 2:18
"Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."
— NKJV
Paul warns directly against those who take 'delight in worship of angels' and intrude into visions, being 'vainly puffed up by the fleshly mind.' Bentley's detailed descriptions of Emma — her appearance, floating, gold bags — are exactly the kind of angelic fascination Paul condemns. The angel becomes the focus, not Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
"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."
— NKJV
Paul warns that Satan can appear as an angel of light. A glowing, floating figure distributing 'financial anointing' and gold dust is not a test anyone should fail — yet Bentley accepted this encounter uncritically. The fruit of this 'angel' was not repentance, holiness, or the centrality of Christ — it was money and spectacle.
Revelation 22:8-9
"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that... Worship God.'"
— NKJV
Even genuine angels in Scripture refuse worship and redirect attention to God. Bentley's 'Emma' does the opposite — she becomes a spiritual celebrity in Bentley's ministry, the source of 'anointing,' and a selling point for his events. Biblical angels point to God. Bentley's angel points to Bentley.
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