On October 24, 2023, over one thousand theaters in the United States featured the film, The Domino Revival. This film was said to ” takes moviegoers on an extraordinary journey with Mike Signorelli and a group of revivalists during a pivotal period in our nation’s history.” With the rise in fascination of the supernatural, stories from leaders and influencers featured in this film were said to “capture the essence of spiritual hunger and deliver a profound cinematic experience.” At the end of the film, a simulcast was conducted, claiming to turn movie theaters into tabernacles, and Mike Signorelli proceeded to share the gospel, led people in deliverance, and encouraged those who considered self-harm to cancel their intent to do so.

Prior to the lead up of its release, several leaders featured in this film made prophetic declarations, stating that mantles of fire would be released in movie theaters, people would trace the inception and heritage of their ministry to the film, and Elijahs would be revitalized, and Jezebel would be dismantled. There was even a declaration that Halloween would be canceled for 2023. Other participants in the movie focused on the power of worship and body chemistries changing in the presence of God. One stated that Mike’s film is the key to revival, and another would prepare her people to pack water bottles in preparation for baptisms in theaters.

Following its premiere, Mike Signorelli took to YouTube the next day to announce numerous reports of revival meetings, healings, deliverances, salvations, and suicide cancellations. He stated that the film would have an encore showing on November 13th, and those who were partially delivered and partially healed in the first showing would be completely healed and delivered when attending the next showing. He also expressed his disappointment in pastors and churches who did not attend the showing, claiming that a spirit of Jonah had overtaken them.

I actually attended the premiere of this film on October 24th so that I could provide some thoughts to consider regarding this movie. While sitting in a local movie theater, I listened to the personal stories from each individual, recounting their beginnings in ministry and how their influence had grown. They shared difficulties, trials, and personal victories. They shared testimonies of people being healed online and in public gatherings. They focused on revival and spiritual warfare. Among these things discussed, a couple things caught my attention.

The first was the appeal to personal experience and to a man or woman claiming authority and anointing. Though I do understand that we can be encouraged by another’s testimony of what God has done personally, our testimony is not the gospel. It may provide an opportunity to minister the gospel, but without the proclamation of the gospel according to Scripture, there is no good news. I heard the word gospel stated a few times, but I never heard a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Admittedly, after exiting the hyper charismatic/ New Apostolic Reformation movement, one thing that became quickly and painfully evident was the inability to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ according to Scripture. The greatest concern I had when watching this film was the unclear presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ and the false sense of security in “making a decision for Jesus”.

Sadly, the focus in presenting an “unapologetic gospel” was placed on personal surrender. The statement was made more than once in this film, “99% surrender is 100% disobedience.” There was an emphasis on people having to give up personal items that were holding them in bondage, and though this may seem good, it essentially becomes a works-based salvation.

The truth is that none of us are able to give 100%. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that none of us are righteous, and no one seeks after God (Romans 3:10-12). We are law breakers and dead in our sins apart from Christ, and the prince of the power of the air is at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-1-3). But there is One who gave all once for all (Hebrews 7:27,10:1-18). He paid a debt we owed for our rebellion against God by shedding His blood on the cross. He satisfied the wrath of God on our behalf (Romans 5:8-9), and He lived a sinless life, something we are incapable of doing on this side of heaven. He has reconciled us to the Father (Romans 5:11), and He has given me the promise of eternal life. For those in Christ, we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to His Kingdom by Christ’s redemption, and our sins are forgiven (Colossians 1:13,14). His Spirit lives within those who are His, conforming them to the image of Christ. The call is repent and believe. Turn to Christ to save you and to reconcile you. To be fair, Mike did proclaim Romans 10:9,10 to those listening, and it is true. But the gospel is not centered on your surrender, your all, or your obedience. The Gospel is centered upon Christ. Obedience is a product of salvation in the life of a born-again believer.

I wish myself and others had heard this message in the theater, but that is not the message. Rather, it was, “Are you ready to give your all to God? Are you ready to surrender once for all? 99% surrender is 100% disobedience. Many of you have become good at confessing, but not repenting. Some of you are going to have to give up some things in your pockets and purses.” Mike Signorelli led people in a prayer of salvation after this altar call, assuring them of salvation and in all fairness acknowledging Jesus dying on the cross and washing away the sins of those who place their faith in Him to save them. I suppose my question would be, why was this not the focus of the call to salvation? Why was there such an emphasis on the person surrendering their all? Does this not perpetuate a works-based salvation to where an individual will gauge their level of surrender to the validity of their salvation?

My friend, if you are reading this and your works are the emphasis, there is far greater news that comes in the proclamation of the gospel. Yes, those who are in Christ are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10), but our faith is in one work alone to save us, and that is the finished work of Christ on the cross and a resurrected Savior (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). It is God’s finished work, not our own. That brings great peace and rest while understanding the joy of His salvation.

They compared themselves to “generals of the faith” in the film, stating that Jesus paid the ultimate price for salvation, but it is the people who pay the price and show others what is possible. According to Signorelli, to be one of God’s generals is to find a way of retracing ancient paths. My friend, if you are reading this and hold fallible men and women on pedestals such as these “generals”, know the true history of those who are esteemed in the Charismatic movement from days of old. You may be surprised to find out some things and look to Christ as the Author and Finisher of your faith. You do not need a person’s mantle. You need Christ, and the Holy Spirit has anointed all believers, not a select elite (1 John 2:20,27).

A statement was made in the film that echoed long after leaving the theater, and not in a positive way. Truthfully, I grieved for those who heard it and believed it. One lady stated, “If your Christianity is boring, then you’re likely not a Christian.” I pondered on that for quite some time, wondering how many people were measuring themselves up once again to their actions and exploits, and how many were measuring themselves to those in this film. I wondered if it brought condemnation to those who are raising children at home and who are doing the daily things to take care of their family. Is that boring Christianity? Is the gospel not sufficient? Romans 1:16 assures us of the power of God in the gospel to save. If your understanding of Christianity is excitement and evidence of signs and wonders in your life, then my friend, there is a great misunderstanding of the gospel. It is Christ and His work in salvation that marks us as believers. It is His Spirit that seals us for the day of redemption. When salvation is based on what we do and continue to do and the level of excitement in life, we are surely in spiritual peril.

There are many other things I could say, including the concern of a call to unify around this message with those involved who hold to teachings affiliated with the New Apostolic Reformation, such as territorial spiritual warfare, modern-day apostles and prophets with governing authority and such, but I will leave you these thoughts and concerns expressed here and to encourage you that God is moving in the earth. He is very much active in regenerating people, and He is active by His Spirit in the lives of people doing day-to-day things. I do want to see revival in the hearts and lives of people according to Scripture. What I cannot partner with is this movement and the undercurrent of revivalism. True revival cannot be manufactured or conjured up in emotion and hype. True revival does not sacrifice the true gospel in the name of personal surrender as the lynch pin to salvation. Proclaim the Word of God and His glorious gospel. It is sufficient to revive the spiritually dead because God is faithful to His Word (Isaiah 55:11).

Listen to this in-depth episode concerning The Domino Revival: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: A Look at The Domino Revival on Apple Podcasts