In every Christian's life there comes a genuine challenge
to their intellectual honesty and, more importantly, to their
commitment to God's truth. Such a challenge is all the greater
when prompted by the realization that men and women whom we've
held in high regard are inadvertently or even knowingly leading
us astray.
It isn't too difficult to accept the truth about the aberrant
teachings and dangerous practices of non-Christian cults; Christian
bookstores are replete with publications on cult belief systems
and activities. But the same bookstores sell materials containing
false doctrines under the guise of "deep truths" and "new revelations."
Many of these teachings are gaining acceptance among a growing
number of evangelical Christians, and are increasingly finding
expression in the Christian Media. Because this report strikes
at the false teachings (often undiscerned) within the heart
of the Christian Church, it has been with a great deal of pain
and personal soul-searching that it was written.
Certainly this report will have an impact upon those propagating
these false teachings, as well as upon those who learn from
the teachers. Certainly it will cause loyalties to be broken.
On the other hand, I'm well aware that it may cause loyalties
to this ministry to be broken. So be it; if any loyalty to
this or any other ministry takes precedence over loyalty to
God and His truth as revealed in Scripture, then that loyalty
should be broken.
Jesus taught this very thing when He said, "He that loveth
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that
loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew
10:37).
In Luke 14:26 He goes even further, saying that if we love
even our own lives more than we love Him we are not worthy
of Him. If we are expected to hold allegiance to Jesus whom
we have not seen, even above allegiance to our own families
and our very lives, how much more should we be loyal to Him
above others, no matter how they impress us with their knowledge
and eloquent oratory.
Are those who teach us humble? Jesus is more humble. Are they
wise? Jesus is more wise. Do they love us? Jesus loves us more.
Whatever virtues they possess, the greatest teachers in the
Church are in poverty compared to Jesus. When He trod this
earth as a man, having relinquished all privileges of His eternal
Godhood, Jesus was approached by one who addressed Him as "Good
Master." His response should humble all who hold themselves
or others in high regard: "Why callest thou me good? there
is none good but one, that is, God" (Matthew 9:16-17).
Though the words I bring you may be hard to bear, I implore
all who read them to pray that God will illuminate their minds,
and also for His protection from the enemy who would distort
the truth of these matters as well as my motive for bringing
them to light. This is written with full awareness of my own
vulnerability. For I admit that the things I have witnessed
from those whose teachings I question herein have caused me
to wonder whether they might not be from God.
It is a fearful thing to contemplate the thought that I might
in all sincerity cast aspersion upon true men of God whose
work I may not understand. But I am convinced that what I present
to you is the truth, given with a heavy heart for those who,
by necessity, must be named for their errors.
I urge you therefore to lay aside prejudices and personal
preferences for teachers and teachings. Receive this message
in the spirit in which it is written, not as an attempt to
sow discord among the brethren (of this I am sure to be accused),
but as a humble attempt to shed the light of God's truth upon
the darkness caused by teachings contrary to His Word. I encourage
you to put this writing to the test. But no less do I encourage
you to put to the test those teachings with which it deals.
Let God judge men's hearts; that is not my intention. But
each of us is responsible to judge what we are asked to believe.
With every move of God comes a countermove of Satan to snatch
the seed of truth from those who desire to glorify God with
their lives. From the very start of the Church Age Satan has
attempted to destroy the work of God and bring liberated souls
back into bondage to man-made religion.
Yet in spite of the awesome power Satan's emissaries in the
spirit realm display, the gates of hell have not prevailed
against the Church - nor will they ever. It may seem at times
that the Church has been subdued. But even during the twelve-hundred
years of oppressive rule by the Roman papacy under the claim
of apostolic authority, there were faithful saints who kept
their relationship with God pure - even if at times perfect
understanding may have been withheld from them. Certainly we
cannot say that God's grace was nullified during that time.
Even the Reformers of the sixteenth century and after sorely
lacked the full understanding that would have allowed them
to lead their followers into paths of complete harmony with
God's Word. Yet line upon line, precept upon precept, here
a little, there a little, God has shed more understanding upon
His Word.
The Azusa Street (Los Angeles) revival of 1906 marked the
beginning of today's Pentecostalism. During the outbreak of
that revival the Baptism with the Holy Spirit became widely
experienced and many Christians spoke in foreign languages
with interpretations, extolling the glories of God. Out of
this move of God came the establishment of large churches that
broke from the formalism of a stagnant Protestantism.
Various Pentecostal denominations such as the Assemblies of
God, and the Church of God, were born virtually overnight,
and found great success as memberships burgeoned. Many independent
Pentecostal churches sprang up as well. The Church as a whole
realized a new surge of vitality and enthusiasm for God. And
if people were healed of sickness and delivered from demons
in the process, so much the better.
But with this move of God came a counterattack by Satan's
forces. Recognizing that people were hungry for demonstrations
of God's power, and that in their enthusiasm many had neglected
to ground themselves in the Scriptures for protection against
deception, Satan, as an angel of light, began to manifest his
own demonstrations of power. By this means he sought to beguile
Christians away from their Lord, and focus their attention
on the benefits they could derive from personal "experiences"
- in Jesus' name, of course.
I believe the Pentecostal explosion that occurred in 1906
was a mighty move of God to prepare His Church for the unique
challenges that the twentieth century has presented, and to
demonstrate to the world that Jesus is not dead, but alive
for evermore.
The manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit are as valid
for us today as they were for the first-century Church. If
anything, they are more needed today than ever. We must jealously
guard the gifts, and not misuse them as has been the custom
of many who, overcome with zeal, have thwarted the work of
God in their lives.
Signs and wonders, miracles and healings are good when they
originate with God. The problem lies in our inability sometimes
to distinguish whether they are from God or Satan. For Scripture
gives us ample proof that Satan, as well as God, can perform
marvelous miracles (Exodus 7:8-15; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22;
II Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:11-18).
It's not a question of counterfeit versus real; Satan's miracles
are not counterfeits any more than foreign currency is a counterfeit
of our own currency. Counterfeit "miracles" are those feats
of legerdemain performed by professional magicians, and charlatans
who create ruses to bilk people out of money. A miracle from
the spirit realm is genuine, whether from God or Satan. Satan's
healings are not illusory; they are real. That's what makes
them dangerous.
The reason people believe teachings when they are accompanied
by signs and wonders is that they don't believe Satan or his
demons can perform genuine miracles. Therefore they think that
any teaching accompanied by signs and wonders must be from
God.
There are inherent problems in every system of theological
expression. Fundamentalism is often fraught with a legalism
unintended by God and unsupported by Scripture. The Reformed
churches have given us, among other things, "Liberation Theology"
- a "social gospel" that bears little resemblance to the dynamic
of true Christianity.
These have sprung up to a large extent because orthodox Christianity
has been content for centuries to cling to a formalism that
denies the power of godliness. In short, every discipline within
the Church has allowed deception to enter in.
What makes Pentecostalism vulnerable to deception is the emotionalism
that has become attendant to it. Not that Pentecostals don't
love Jesus and desire to keep their doctrine true. But unless
they test all teachings by the Word of God and recognize that
experience must be secondary to truth, deception has an open
door.
I remind the reader of Paul's warning to the Corinthian Church
in speaking of false apostles and deceitful workers transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ: "...for Satan Himself
is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers
of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works"(II
Corinthians 11:15-15).
Satan's ministers will preach righteousness, morality, and
family life. They will preach against pornography, crime, homosexuality,
abortion, and the corruption of the world system. While these
are legitimate issues of vital importance, they are irrelevant
in determining whether the voice is from God or from Satan.
Many cults stress righteousness and morality. The only means
we have to test the spirits is rightly dividing the Word of
Truth. Even the preaching of Christ crucified and resurrected
is no longer a means of determining if the spirit speaking
is of God or Satan.
Many cults call Jesus "Lord and Savior," and "the only Way
to the Father." Mormons believe in the Lord's bodily Resurrection.
They and Jehovah's Witnesses testify that they are saved by
grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But these declarations
are nullified by deeper teachings to which adherents are gradually
indoctrinated. Satan uses this same tactic through various
"new revelations" within the Church itself.
The tares are truly among the wheat. For this reason, today
more than ever, Christians must learn to distinguish between
the words of a teacher, and the spirit behind those words.
Often the purity and simplicity of the Gospel will be encroached
upon by other teachings that, in aggregate, nullify the Gospel
and lead the hearer astray into doctrines of demons (I Timothy
4:1).
True humility on the part of any person should prompt recognition
of his vulnerability and raising of safeguards. This should
be especially true of Pentecostals and others who believe in
God's continual working through supernatural means. Because
we are more receptive to supernatural input we should recognize
our vulnerability to the spirit realm - both God's working
and Satan's. God's Word tells us that "a little leaven leavens
the whole lump" (I Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9).
All the wonderful preaching and spiritual insight a man brings
is nullified if he has the leaven of false doctrine sprinkled
among ninety-nine percent truth. That's not to say that every
man is unsaved who has succumbed to deception and, overcome
by its "spirituality," spreads it to others. No man has all
truth, and all are tempted to make Scripture fit their personal
biases and pet theories.
However, greater is the condemnation upon those who teach
if they lead others astray, even in the name of righteousness
(James 3:1). Many desire to be teachers, but they do not know
what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm:
(I Timothy 1:7 NIV). This is why Jesus commended the Ephesian
Church for trying the words of those who call themselves apostles
(Revelation 2:2).
These truths must be kept in mind as we study this phenomenon
called "Kingdom Theology" and its impact upon the Church.
Within the "Kingdom Theology" camp are several movements whose
teachings are remarkably similar over all, yet divergent on
some points. These movements - though to a greater or lesser
degree disavowing association with each other - are sufficiently
homogenous in their eschatalogical and theological viewpoints
to place them all under a common banner: what I refer to as
"Kingdom Theology."
These movements are built upon the same foundation: the neo-
Pentecostalism of the mid-twentieth century. They draw from
one another the support needed to develop their strategy for
gaining preeminence among Christians. All zealously propagate
their "new revelations" which allegedly are to prepare the
Church for "the next move of God," bringing us closer to the
Kingdom Age (the rule of God on earth).
Positive Confession
Throughout the course of this study we'll be examining these
movements and their major proponents. But first it's important
that I give a general outline of Kingdom Theology itself
and its dynamic.
The Teachings
The basic premise of Kingdom Theology is that man lost dominion
over the earth when Adam and Eve succumbed to Satan's temptation
in the Garden of Eden.
God "lost control" of the earth to Satan at that time, and
has since been looking for a "covenant people" who will be
His "extension," or "expression," in the earth and take dominion
back from Satan. This is to be accomplished through certain
"overcomers" who, by yielding themselves to the authority
of God's apostles and prophets for the Kingdom Age, will
take control of the kingdoms of this world.
These kingdoms are defined as all social institutions, such
as the "kingdom" of education, the "kingdom" of science,
the "kingdom" of the arts, and so on. Most especially there
is the "kingdom" of politics or government.
This naturally implies the concentration of military and
police power in the hands of those in control during the
Kingdom Age. They are referred to as the "many-membered man
child," whom Kingdom Theology adherents believe will be the
fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-5: "And there appeared a great
wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon
under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars....And
she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations
with a rod of iron."
Those who hold to Kingdom Theology assume that the Church
(some believe only a small group within the Church, called
"overcomers"), under submission to the latter day apostles
and prophets, is that man child, and that it has the responsibility
to put down all rebellion and establish righteousness. This
necessitates the utilization of supernatural power and the
full implementation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This theory is based upon the idea that all authority in
heaven and on the earth has been given to Jesus. Since believers
are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus, we
have all authority in heaven and on the earth; we have the
power to believe for and speak into existence things that
are not, and thus we can bring about the Kingdom Age.
The many-membered man child must take control of the earth
before Jesus can return. Necessary to the Kingdom Age is
"the Restoration of the Tabernacle of David,"defined as the
completion of perfection of the Bride of Christ - a Church
without spot or wrinkle.
During the Kingdom Age (or after all else is subdued during
that time) Satan and all enemies of God will be put under
the feet of the many-membered man child. This will be the
fulfillment of I Corinthians 15:25-26: "For he (Christ) must
reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
The rationale that the many-membered man child will put
God's enemies under 'its' feet is that Jesus is the head
of Christ and the Church is the body of Christ. And where
are the feet but in the body? Many in the Kingdom Theology
movements insist that when this Scripture refers to Christ
it is really referring to the Church who is the Body of Christ.
Therefore it is necessary for them to establish within the
minds of Christians the idea that, as the Body of Christ,
we are Christ.
In other words, we have His divine nature. Notice that this
idea, similar to that of mind science and other false religions,
separates the anointing of "Christ" from Jesus and bestows
it upon all who come into a place of certain knowledge and
spiritual attainment. This is a heresy that is as old as
the Church. It is rooted in the Greek school of philosophy
known as Gnosticism.
No Rapture
Critical to hard-core Kingdom Theology is the denial of
"the Rapture" - the teaching that the Church will one day
be caught up to meet the Lord in the air so that we will
be with Him in Heaven when God's wrath is poured out upon
the earth.
This event is explained away as a feeling of rapture or
excitement when the Lord returns to receive the Kingdom from
our hands. In other words, everyone will be "caught up" emotionally
when He returns. This explanation ignores the fact that such
an application of the term "caught up" is strictly an idiomatic
expression peculiar to English, not Greek.
"I was all 'caught up' in the movie" (or other excitement)
is not the equivalent of 'harpazo' in I Thessalonians 4:17,
II Corinthians 12:2-4, and Revelation 12:5, used to describe
the catching up bodily into Heaven, and Acts 8:39 where Phillip
is bodily "caught away" by the Spirit to another location.
Consequently, since there will be no bodily catching away
- or "Rapture" - of the Church (some say not until the Church
has taken dominion in the face of adversity), there will
beno restoration of the nation of Israel.
The proponents of Kingdom Theology are correct when they
say that the Church is spiritual Israel, but they fail to
acknowledge that God has promised to restore national Israel
and deal with her during the coming seventieth week of Daniel.
All prophecies regarding future Israel - both in the Old
and New Testaments - are made to apply to the Church.
The restoration of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-11 is said
to be the Restoration of the Church out of Babylon (denominationalism)
into perfect unity. All believers will possess the same mind,
same thoughts, and same goals delineated by the apostles
and prophets of the Kingdom Age through new revelations.
The Church Has Failed
Another eschatological viewpoint of Kingdom Theology is
that the Great Tribulation is seen not as a time when anti-Christ
will reign and war against God's people, but rather a time
of tribulation for the world brought about by God's judgment
through His people.
Anti-Christ, in fact, is considered by some not to be a
person, or even a system of government, but a spirit of rebellion
against God's constituted authority - the coming of Jesus
in the flesh of the apostles and prophets, according to their
interpretation of I John 4:2 and II John 7.
Since there will be no "Rapture," and no Second Coming of
Jesus until the Kingdom has been established by the Church
under the direction of the apostles and prophets, most Kingdom
Theology adherents are mid- or post-millennialists: Jesus
will come back after the millenium has begun or after it
has been completed.
Some are amillennialists, believing He will never come back
personally, or that He already came back to His own generation,
leaving the Church to take dominion over the earth. Thus
they see the Church as having failed in what they consider
its commissionto take dominion over the kingdoms of the earth.
The reason the Church has failed is because it has not understood
what Jesus meant when He told His disciples that they would
be witnesses of Him throughout the earth.
To be a witness means to demonstrate the Kingdom on earth:
to take dominion, bringing all things into obedience to Christ.
In order to demonstrate the Kingdom, the Church must not
only be united under the apostles and prophets, but must
be prosperous, having taken control of all the material wealth
of the earth.
Since "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein"(Psalm 24:1), the
world is ours as joint heirs with Christ. This sounds good,
but without Jesus here to establish the dominion, we are
left at the mercy of men who, according to their thinking,
will have "overcome" all faults and will be operating according
to the perfect will of God.
Since all enemies, including death, will be put under the
feet of the "overcomers," it is therefore necessary that
dominion include "immortalization" (or at least living in
"divine health" as well as "divine prosperity").
The Cloud Of Witnesses
To accomplish the great task of taking dominion over a rebellious
world, the Church must have supernatural help not only from
God, but from angelsand from the "great cloud of witnessess"
(the dead in Christ) who have preceded us.
A unity between their spirits and our spirits will create
a communications link by which revelations will be conveyed
that will guide the Church in its mission.
The apostles and prophets especially will have contact into
the spirit realm through appearances of Jesus, angels, and
departed saints. In fact, such contacts have already been
reported in the Christian media.
Essentially then, Kingdom Theology sees the Second Coming
of Jesus in two stages:
- first through the flesh of the believers (and in particular
the flesh of today's apostles and prophets), and then
- in person to take over the Kingdom handed to Him by
those who have been victorious (the "overcomers").
In some circles it is believed that the overcomers will
have become immortal - they will have attained what is called
"resurrection life."
Whether immortal or not, it is generally agreed in Kingdom
Theology that the overcomers must purge the earth of all
evil influences. "Evildoers" must be converted or they will
be punished and/or "destroyed from off the face of the earth."
"Evildoers" have been variously described as drug pushers,
murderers, child molesters, thieves, prostitutes, and other
such "scum" that Jesus died for. It will interest the reader
to learn, however, that for many who teach Kingdom Theology,
the term "evildoer" applies to anyone who refuses to submit
to God's authority(the latter day apostles and prophets).
Those who do submit will be sealed with the "mark of God"
in their foreheads, and will escape the coming judgment.
Some Differences
As we deal with these teachings individually in successive
chapters, keep in mind that some movements are more extreme
than others, and each is somewhat unique in its approach
to the basic tenets of Kingdom Theology.
In fact, not everyone within each movement is necessarily
in agreement with each other, let alone with those in the
other movements. Still, each movement has teachings that
are sufficiently aberrant as to warrant careful testing by
the Word of God. Each in its own way has its part in propagating
some or all of the elements of Kingdom Theology.
Other teachings not detailed here are quite bizarre, and
add to the overall occult flavor of Kingdom Theology. We'll
be dealing with them as we progress.
It's important to understand that not everyone in the various
movements mentioned believe all Kingdom Theology teachings.
Many are innocently fraternizing with those whose doctrines
would horrify them if they were aware of them.
Yet while the adage "guilt by association" does not always
hold true, a consistent pattern of fraternization and support
are sufficient grounds to at least question whether one holds
the views of those he supports and with whom he seeks unity.
Some Terminology
As in all fraternities, there is certain terminology peculiar
to Kingdom Theology. Knowledge of that terminology can alert
us to the possibility that we are hearing from an adherent
to those teachings.
A few occasions of word usage prove nothing, of course.
But a pattern of usage and dependence upon terminology peculiar
to Kingdom Theology is reason for concern and further investigation
of a teacher's doctrines. Many will hide their true beliefs
to all but those within their inner circle lest they be prematurely
exposed to the Body of Christ at large.
Once you become familiar with their terminology I urge you
not to judge arbitrarily, but to seek further knowledge of
the teacher's true beliefs (Acts 17:11).
Meanwhile, be cautious until you do know what he or she
believes. The following Kingdom terminology should be cause
for concern even though much will be defended as "scriptural"
by those who use them:
- Dominion
- Overcomer(s)
- Word-Faith
- Spoken Word
- Five-fold ministry
- Latter Rain
- Tabernacle of David
- Feast of Tabernacles
- Many-membered man child
- Manifestation of the Kingdom
- Manifestation of the Sons of God
- Ongoing Incarnation
- Birthing in the Spirit
- Get this into your spirit
- Unity (of the Body)
- Serpent's Seed or Seed of the Serpent
- Faith in faith
- God's faith
- God-like faith
- Kingdom language
- Kingdom principles
- Christ principles
- Elijah Company
- Bride Company
- The Christ
- Ecclesias
I wish to reiterate that the use of some of these words
- at least moderately - is not grounds for judging harshly
the speaker or writer (see John 7:24). I stress this because
I know I'll be accused of jumping to conclusions and lumping
everyone together. I urge caution in accepting or rejecting
anyone on the basis of their terminology alone.
By the time you've read through this report, however, I'm
certain you'll see why these terms are good indicators of
the teacher's beliefs. At the end of the final installment
you'll find a sample questionnaire which you can use to test
any teacher's position relative to Kingdom Theology. This
may be used as a precaution against erroneously prejudging
anyone - teacher or disciple.
This said, we will examine now the roots and the effects
of Kingdom Theology and its various movements.
THE LATTER RAIN MOVEMENT
It becomes apparent through study that Kingdom Theology
had its beginning in the teachings of the more prominent
leaders of the mid-twentieth-century phenomenon known as
"The Latter Rain Movement."
These teachers blended Pentecostal fervor with supernatural
manifestations which, when examined, are found to have been
heavily influenced by occult activity. The unwary believers
of that time, whose lives were touched by these supernatural
phenomena, were unversed in the occult sciences and accepted
these manifestations of power as from God.
Now we are seeing at the same time within Pentecostalism,
both the true manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the occult
manifestations of Satan. To determine which are of God and
which from the adversary, it helps to know the history of
this movement called the Latter Rain.
Therefore I have endeavored to lay out in a semblance of
chronological order the various influences the teachers of
that period had upon each other, and how those influences
are affecting the Church today.
FRANKLIN HALL
In the fall of 1946, a "major fasting and prayer daily revival
center" was established in San Diego, California. Under the
leadership of Franklin Hall (assisted by Jack Walker, father
of child evangelist "Little David" Walker), the teaching
of fasting as a means of bringing about revival and the "restoration"
of the Church spread throughout the Pentecostal world.(1)
Other ministers who helped establish the fasting and prayer
center were: Dr. Waltrip (Kathryn Kuhlman's husband); Stanley
Comstock; Earl Ivy; Tommy Baird; Myrtle Page; and Franklin
Hall's brothers, Delbert, Harold, and Virgil. (Delbert Hall
and his wife, Florence, were pastors.) (2)
According to the Summer, 1985, issue of Franklin Hall's
newsletter, 'Miracle World,' in which is revealed some of
the early history of his ministry, "A fasting chain came
about. Several were on major fasts around the clock. Many
were fasting for not only days but weeks at a time. One lady,
Sister Mary Sommerville, fasted without food for eighty-three
days. She was so strong on this notable fast that she ran
and danced all over the place, being drunk on both the inner
and outer filling of the precious Holy Spirit." (3)
Hall claims more than one thousand converts during the first
year of the center's existence, with scores being healed
of diseases, through fasting and prayer. Alleged appearances
of the Holy Ghost in fire and smoke are also related in Hall's
newsletter:
"Once or twice the Fire department was briefed by folk seeing
the Holy Smoke and Fire through the windows upstairs. They
came running up the steps with the hoses to put out the fire.
Some of the firemen, seeing that it was not a natural fire,
sat down in the large revival center hall and worshipped
the Lord getting saved." (4)
Spreading The Word
Hall and his wife, Helen, sold off some assets and borrowed
against their home to finance the printing of "millions of
pieces of literature" to send to people all over the world.5
The Hall's claim this mail campaign resulted in the great
healing revivals of the late forties and early fifties.
It was during this time (1946) that Franklin Hall wrote
his book, 'Atomic Power With God Through Fasting and Prayer,'
which was to have a significant impact upon the world of
Pentecostalism.
Many people, little known at that time, were greatly influenced
by Hall's literature. Gordon Lindsay's publication, 'Voice
of Healing,' helped spread the fasting message, as well as
did Thomas and Evelyn Wyatt's worldwide radio broadcasts.
Hall's newsletter records how others received his message:"Rev.
Walter Frederick, former Assembly superintendent in Canada,
sent Brother Hall's literature to every Pentecostal preacher
in Canada....A few of the others (not too well-known then)
ministers [sic] who had major fasting experiences by our
writings in the 1946, 1947 to 1950 fasting era and who also
became famous are:
- Wm. Freeman
- Gordon Lindsay
- A.A. Allen
- O.L. Jaggers
- Gayle Jackson
- Oral Roberts
- David Nunn
- Wm. Branham
- W.V. Grant
- Wm. Hagen
- Dale Hanson
- Tommy Hicks.(6)
Hall's writings on fasting and diet as a means to spiritual
restoration might easily be seen as the primitive beginnings
of today's "Christian holism."
Occult Influences
As evidence of God's favor upon those who fast, Hall points
out that even the prayers of pagans will be answered by God
if they are accompanied by fasting:"Many, if not all, the
American Indian tribes sought revelation of the Great Spirit
through Prayer and Fasting. When they had famines, food shortages,
lack of rain, etc., the Great Spirit was sought through prayer
and fasting, and their prayers were answered." (7)
Hall uses this as an example of how fasting is necessary
to have our prayers answered. In fact, he states that "Without
fasting, prayer becomes ineffectual." (8)
In other words, those who pray to demons will have their
prayers answered if they fast, but Christians will not have
their prayers answered if they don't fast. At the least,
it would seem, they would be hindered greatly.
This is a good example of how a person can extoll a faith
in Christ while negating all the effects of that faith and
the relationship with God it entails. By giving credit for
answered prayer to the demon gods of pagan religions, Hall
displays a mindset characteristic of occult science.
That there is a definite occult influence on Hall's career
is evident in other writings. His book, 'The Return of Immortality',
suggests that Christians can learn how to become immortal
through stages of spiritual growth. This involves experiences
with "UFO's, and the UIO gravitational and levitation control."
(9)
His teachings on attaining immortality in this life through
psycho-spiritual exercises and righteous living were the
foundation upon which many in the Latter Rain and subsequent
movements based their immortalization theories. Hall's main
point in his immortalization theory is that "the sleeping,
so called, unfoundationally built church"must awaken to "a
real cause and calling, that when God's word is completely
acted upon and complied with, will result in bringing about
the real gushers and torrents of the long, past due, RAIN
OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, a rain of IMMORTALITY UPON THE EARTH that
so many prophets have written about and portrayed in their
prophesies". (10) (emphasis Hall's).
Hall's premise is not, however, predicated upon God's promise
of immortality for the faithful after their resurrection.
This is evidenced by his following words: "Permanent, lasting
freedoms from all sickness, harmful accident things and defeat
will come about. Freedom from the imprisonment of all gravitational
forces will also be brought upon the whole man. This study
teaches one the power and secrets of space flight. Space
floatation [sic] and hovering ability. It gives the Bible
formula for weightlessness, the 'raising up' power of those
who come to immortality." (Jn.6 chapter and Rom.2:7)."(11)
In his book, Hall gives "evidence" of his already having
attained a degree of "immortality" (which allegedly affects
everything that comes in contact with the immortal person's
body): "Brother Hall's light colored jacket is seven years
old and has never been pressed or cleaned or aireated in
7 years, since new, yet it has been worn repeatedly in many
overseas countries and regularly in all crusades everywhere
(excepting one). It has been on more than 200 airlines in
travels. It has no spots, stains, discoloration or body odors
anywhere on it or inside it - similar to the children of
Israel's clothes under the Glory, Immortality Cloud of Fire
Power." (12)
The attainment of "Immortality blessings" are alleged by
Hall to be more successfully attained through open-eye prayer.
"Coming with closed eyes," he stated, "destroys faith." (13)
Hall claims that there is an"Immortal Substance" that comes
upon the believer who feeds upon it "from within Christ's
now body" - the "FIRE - IMMORTAL - PACKED - BODY"(Emphasis
Hall's).
This "Immortal Substance" is claimed to be seen on those
who attend Hall's meetings, as a fine gold and silver, sparkling
material that emanates from sometimes visible "Immortal Heavenly
Objects" (IHO's), "Unusual Heavenly Objects" (UHO's), and
"Unidentified Flying Objects" (UFO's).
In Hall's words, "The sparkling shining FINE GOLD and SILVER
are seen upon their SKIN, brought about through the faith-power
of impartation. The polished brass, the beryl stone appearances
are even now manifested today."
He challenges the reader to see and behold these phenomena
by attending "the International Holy Ghost and Fire Seminars
of Brother and Sister Franklin Hall." (14)
This sparkling material Hall calls, "The shiny metal like,
Jesus' substance."(15) While Hall has many excellent things
to say about fasting from the standpoint of good health,
when it comes to spiritual matters he often transcends sensibility
and delves into areas of the occult.
The book upon which many healers of the Latter Rain period
publicly acknowledged their dependence,'Atomic Power With
God Through Fasting and Prayer,'is evidence: "In the zodiacal
sign, 'Scorpio,' which is the eighth sign of the Zodiac,
we have a picture of a scorpion with its stinger lifted ready
to strike. This is the sign of death, and is supposed to
govern the sex area. Just before this sign in the heavens,
there is a sign of the Judge, Jesus, who is the giver of
LIFE. Jesus proceeds toward death and pulls the STING OUT
OF DEATH. 'O, death where is thy sting? O, grave, where is
thy victory?" (16)
There is today a growing acceptance of the idea that the
Zodiac is a representation of the Gospel. More will be said
about this when we examine the teachings of some current
Kingdom Theology proponents. But I feel that I should a least
point out at this time that the Zodiac is an arbitrary assignment
of images to certain stars by the priests of the Babylonian
mystery religion. No matter how one tries to make it fit
Scripture by claiming Genesis 1:4, there is no scriptural
evidence that the "signs and seasons" spoken of in God's
Word have any relation to the astrologists' Zodiac.
We have the more sure written Word of God for guidance;
we tread on dangerous ground when we try to accommodate His
Word to occult science, or try to make the two equal. Hall's
penchant for a form of "Christian astrology" is evidenced
further in his statement that, "In 1848 A.D. the Aquarian
Age was introduced to the world." (17)
Those familiar with the New Age Movement, will recognize
the Aquarian Age as the "Golden Age" of enlightenment when
mankind will take a quantum leap in his evolutionary stages,
to immortalization. The Aquarian Age will not be completely
entered into until around the year 2000 A.D. Hall's writings
are replete with strange, even weird statements difficult
to decipher. The following, though a bit lengthy and poorly
written, are examples:
.
"So much has been said about the travels of the astronauts,
about conquering space and even going to Venus or Mars,
about the power behind the saucers. The overcoming saints,
however, are hundreds of years ahead of our scientists.
These heaven projected saints will be so clothed and covered
with the Immortality, supernatural, ZOOMING sparkling Substance,
that it will be no more trouble at all for them to take
off.
"Where will they go?
"They will fly right into the Glory Cloud residence of
our Lord and Savior, Heaven in Him. Into His Cloud Fire
Body. (Rev.12:5)
"What distance will they go?
"The distance, at first, may not be very far away, however,
as the 8th church from out of the 7 churches of revelation,
called the 'overcomers,' become more and more adjusted
and acclimated to Holy Ghost Space flight, great distances
taken, will seem like no distance at all.
"Jesus taught a small, but precious group of His followers
- those who were able to bear it, that gravity would be
completely loosed from them, in the last days, when they
learned how to train their appetites into a different channel.
We must learn to labor for the meal that endures unto everlasting
(IMMORTAL) life. The meat that draws us away from gravity
holding things. Jn.6:27.
"The 'not-perisheth' menu is the menu of Immortality,
weight releasing power. The 'endureth unto everlasting
life' menu.
"...The quickening power of the Holy Spirit brings about
Immortality REVERSE ENERGY EMPOWERMENT." (18)
"Gravity-freed, great people will run up walls, not break
rank, and if they fall on a sword, the Immortality power
from Jesus' body, on them, will protect them. It appears
that, they also can walk or run upside down. See Joel 2:3-11."19
(emphasis Hall's in all quotes).
.
In an ad for another of his books, 'Formula for Raising
the Dead,' Hall cautions the potential purchaser, "This volume
is only for very advanced Holy Ghost people. Do not order
unless you are open to an apostolic teaching and have read
four other books by Bro. Franklin Hall." (20)
I would not question Hall's sincerity and desire to attain
spiritual enlightenment. But the heavy flavor of occultism
in his teachings should have been sufficient warning even
back in 1946. Yet many prominent teachers credit the empowerment
for their ministries (especially healing ministries) on his
book on fasting and prayer. It's clear that Hall's teachings
are a blend of occultism with Christianity. And since his
teachings formed the basis of those that came after, and
since the influence of those teachings upon neo-Pentecostalism
is so great, close scrutiny of every ministry they touched
is necessary.
WILLIAM BRANHAM
Inscribed on a pyramid-shaped tombstone in a Jeffersonville,
Indiana cemetery, are the names of the seven churches of
Revelation, "Ephesian" at the base representing the beginning
of the Church Age, "Laodicean" near the top the end of the
Church Age. On the opposite face are the names of seven men
whose impact on the Church throughout its history has been
significant.
Were the two faces of the pyramid juxtaposed one over the
other, we would see the names of the churches superimposed
over the men's names in the following order, from bottom
to top:
- Ephesian - Paul
- Smyrnean - Ireneaus
- Pergamean - Martin
- Thyatirean - Columba
- Sardisean - Luther
- Philadelphian - Wesley
- Laodicean - Branham
Among most major proponents of Kingdom Theology these men
are considered the great reformers of the various stages
of Church history.
To many Kingdom Theology proponents William Branham was
perhaps the greatest "prophet" for the Church's final age.
In 1948, Branham, a Baptist preacher turned Pentecostal,
and influenced by Franklin Hall, gained notoriety for his
teachings on what he called, "God's Seventh Church Age" (supposedly
the final move of God before the manifestation of His Kingdom
on earth).
Branham based this teaching primarily on Joel 2:23 and Revelation
1:20-3:22, the latter recording Jesus' messages to the seven
churches in Asia Minor. Branham claimed that the angels (messengers)
to the churches were men who appeared at various times throughout
Church history to usher in revelations that would lead the
Church in new directions according to the purpose of God.
As indicated on his tombstone, Branham was thought to be
the angel to the Church of Laodicea - the end-time Church.
In his teachings on Joel 2:23, Branham defined the "latter
rain" as the Pentecostal Movement of his day. God's promise
to restore what the locust, cankerworm, caterpillar, and
palmerworm had eaten, he defined as the "restoration" of
the Church out of denominationalism (which he equated with
"the Mark of the Beast").
Although denying he was a believer in the "oneness" doctrine,
Branham had his own form of "oneness" teaching that defined
God as one person who manifested Himself as three different
"attributes": the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rather
than three Persons comprising one Godhead.(21) He believed
the doctrine of the Trinity was the "Babylonian Foundation"
of the denominations, inherited from Roman Catholicism.(22)
Branham also believed that the Word of God was given in three
forms: the Zodiac, the Egyptian pyramids, and the written
Scriptures. (23)
The Zodiac theory was not new, having been put forth by
Franklin Hall previously, and as early as 1893 by historian
E.W. Bullinger in his book, 'The Witness of the Stars.' The
idea that the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was constructed
by God (possibly through Enoch) is at least as old as the
Zodiac theory, and is popular with the Dawn Bible Students,
an offshoot of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
It can be said of Branham that he had a simplicity and apparent
humility which attracted many followers. "Gordon Lindsay
told of how he impressed audiences with his utter and complete
consecration." (24)
The Serpent's Seed
In spite of his apparent humility and consecration, Branham
had great difficulty controlling a strident, hateful attitude
toward women. In his own poor English, transcribed from a
sermon, Branham stated, "But I remember when my father's
still up there running, I had to be out there with water
and stuff, see young ladies that wasn't over seventeen, eighteen
years, up there with a man my age now, drunk. And they'd
have to sober them up and give them black coffee, to get
them home to cook their husband's supper. Oh, something like
that, I said, 'I...This was my remarked [sic] then, THEY'RE
NOT WORTH A GOOD CLEAN BULLET TO KILL THEM WITH IT.' That's
right. And I hated women. That's right. And I just have to
watch every move now, to keep from still thinking the same
thing."(25)
This attitude toward women may have played a part in the
development of Branham's bizarre "Serpent Seed" teaching.
This was based on a twisted interpretation of Genesis 3:13,
where Eve is recorded as saying, "The serpent beguiled me,
and I did eat." The word "beguiled" Branham defined as "seduced
sexually." He claimed that Satan and Eve engaged in an adulterous
affair out of which Cain was born. Since that time evil has
passed from generation to generation through women, who keep
the seed of the serpent alive.(26)
He seemed to think that women are responsible for the evil
in the world because of their enticements. The "Serpent's
Seed" teaching obviously indicated that Branham didn't take
the Scriptures literally, where we read, "And Adam knew Eve
his wife; and she conceived and bare Cain..." (Genesis 4:1).
His animosity toward women led to the preaching of a rigid
moral code that lambasted them on their manner of dress,
and may have been responsible for his "revelation" that allowed
for divorce.(27)
Supernatural Manifestations
From the time of his infancy it was evident to his parents
that William's life had upon it the touch of the supernatural.
Born in 1909 in a mountain cabin near Berksville, Kentucky,
William Marrion Branham's childhood was spent in extreme
poverty. His father was only eighteen years of age, and his
mother fifteen when he came into the world weighing a scant
five pounds, the first of nine boys and one girl. (28)
The following account may be legend or fact, but it was
part of Branham's testimony from the start: On the day of
his birth, after being washed, he was placed in his mother's
arms by the midwife who then went to a window to open the
shutter. (There was no glass in the Branham house in those
days.) As dawn broke sending a few rays of light into the
room, there was seen a small circular halo about a foot in
diameter, above the bed where little William lay in his mother's
arms.(29)
Thousands of people have supposedly seen this halo, which
is ostensibly revealed in a photograph taken in Houston,
Texas, during a January, 1950, campaign. (The best we've
been able to obtain is a photostatic copy of a copy which,
though poorly reproduced here, will allow the reader to see
what has been taken for a "halo."
Whether this is a halo or a flaw in the negative - whether
it is a manifestation from God or Satan or poor photography,
we will leave to the reader's judgment.) When he was three
years of age, Branham experienced for the first time what
he called "the Voice." At age seven "the Voice" commanded
him, "Don't you never drink, smoke, or defile your body in
any way. There'll be work for you to do when you get older."(30)
This "Voice" accompanied Branham throughout his lifetime,
and eventually made itself known as an "angel" that directed
him in every aspect of his personal life.(31)
During healing services Branham would often fall into a
trance during which his angel would work through him. Asked
once if the healings were done by the Holy Spirit, Branham
replied, "No, my angel does it." (32)
Branham was one of the foremost proponents of the theory
of healing and imparting the Holy Spirit through the "laying
on of hands." He would often feel a heat in his hand as he
touched affected parts, and exhibited a remarkable clairvoyancy
in knowing intimate details of the lives of people he had
never seen before. No doubt this was due to the angel's possession
of his mind.
Difficulties With The Brethren
Branham's unorthodox methods of healing and allegedly imparting
the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands came under
severe criticism by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
These practices became major sources of controversy between
the Latter Rain Movement and the established Pentecostal
denominations who held to their belief that one must "tarry"
in prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In spite of his bizarre healing methods and aberrant doctrines,
Branham enjoyed remarkable popularity among many Pentecostals,
and was warmly received by such notables as Demos Shakarian
(founder of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International),
Oral Roberts, W.V. Grant, A.A. Allen, Gordon Lindsay (founder
of Christ for the Nations), O.L. Jaggers, George Warnock,
and Franklin Hall. Although many Pentecostals were willing
to embrace Branham as an "apostle" and "prophet" while overlooking
his aberrant teachings, his popularity declined in the late
1950's after his numerous bold proclamations of "thus saith
the Lord" to establish his doctrines. Many Pentecostal churches
became reluctant to allow him to speak. (33)
No one conversant with Pentecostalism will deny that, for
better or for worse, William Branham had a tremendous effect
on the neo-Pentecostalism of his time. From all accounts,
he did exhibit remarkable healing powers which no doubt played
a significant part in giving credibility to his teachings.
Branham was warmly welcomed by Pentecostal churches and organizations
such as the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International.
This organization in particular provided his most reliable
support. In 1961, the editor of FGBMFI's magazine, 'Voice,'
wrote, "In Bible Days, there were men of God who were Prophets
and Seers. But in all the Sacred Records, none of these had
a greater ministry than that of William Branham." (34)
It should be noted that often what Branham taught as a guest
speaker differed from what he taught at his own church, Branham
Tabernacle, where he felt freer to disclose his more aberrant
teachings. Toward the end of his career, however, Branham's
public espousal of his strange doctrines became even more
controversial and he was used less and less by the FGBMFI,
though for several years his speaking engagements were underwritten
by local chapters. For years he had been a frequent speaker
at regional and national conventions.
Eulogies
Branham's life ended abruptly. While on a trip to Arizona,
his car was hit head-on by one driven by a drunken driver.
For six days he lay in a coma and, on Christmas Eve, 1965,
he passed away. The entire Pentecostal world was shaken by
the tragedy. "A number of old friends - Oral Roberts, Demos
Shakarian, T.L. Osborn - telephoned their concern."35
When Branham died, Demos Shakarian wrote, "Rev. Branham
often made the statement that the only Fellowship to which
he belonged was FGBMFI. Often, when called upon to speak
at various conventions and chapter meetings, he has traveled
long distances to keep those engagements. His spirit of service
was an inspiration."36
Many of Branham's followers believed that he had truly come
in the spirit of Elijah; some believed him to be God, born
of a virgin. (37)
They fully expected him to rise from the dead and come back
to them at the end of three days. Five days after his passing,
William Branham was buried, and his grave was soon marked
by the pyramid-shaped tombstone. To date, William Branham's
body is still in the grave. But his occult approach to healing
was picked up by hundreds of pastors and teachers who have
traded on it to a greater or lesser degree.
THE SHARON BRETHREN
In the fall of 1947, two former pastors for the Pentecostal
Assemblies of Canada, George Hawtin and Percy G. Hunt, joined
with Herrick Holt, a pastor of the North Battleford, Saskatchewan,
Church of the Foursquare Gospel, in an independent work.
That work - Sharon Orphanage and Schools which Holt had originally
started in a large residence in North Battleford - had come
to occupy about one thousand acres of farmland about ten
miles distant from the city limits.
With Hawtin and Hunt came seventy students from Bethel Bible
Institute where both had formerly taught before Hawtin was
asked to resign for lack of cooperation, and Hunt resigned
out of sympathy.
George Hawtin's brother-in- law, Milford Kirkpatrick, and
Ernest Hawtin, George's brother, soon joined in ministry
at Sharon.38 Herrick Holt had been preaching that God was
going to be doing a "new thing" in accordance with the prophecy
of Isaiah 43:18-19:
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the
things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; Now it shall
spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way
in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Of great influence upon the work at Sharon were the teachings
of William Branham. Several of the school's brethren visited
one of his campaigns shortly after George Hawtin and P.G.
Hunt had come on staff.
With renewed fervor, the brethren took Branham's teachings
back to Sharon, unaware that the supernatural power bestowed
upon them by Branham would make their ministry the focal
point of the Latter Rain Movement for several years to come.
(39)
Another influence, on the Hawtin brothers in particular,
was J.E. Stile's book, 'The Gift of the Holy Spirit,' which
asserted that if one were truly repentant, and believed on
the Lord Jesus Christ, all that was necessary for him to
receive the Holy Spirit was for another believer to lay hands
on him (40)
Franklin Hall's book was especially utilized at Sharon.
Ernest Hawtin wrote: "The truth of fasting was one great
contributing factor to the revival. One year before this
we had read Franklin Hall's book, entitled 'Atomic Power
With God Through Fasting and Prayer.' We immediately began
to practise [sic] fasting. Previously we had not understood
the possibility of long fasts. The revival would never have
been possible without the restoration of this great truth
through our good brother Hall." (41)
On February 11, 1948, a young woman at the Bible school
prophesied that a great revival was about to break out. The
next day, according to Ern Hawtin, the Holy Spirit fell with
great power. "Day after day the Glory and Power of God came
among us. Great repentance, humbling, fasting and prayer
prevailed in everyone."(42)
Because of the manifestation of power at North Battleford,
news of the outbreak spread, and soon people were coming
from everywhere to receive that power. They believed that
the long drought was over for Pentecostals, whose use of
the gifts had gradually declined since the advent of Pentecostalism
at the turn of the century.(43)
A striking characteristic of the Sharon revival was the
effort to avoid the establishment of another denomination
as had happened during the earlier Pentecostal Movement.
George Hawtin was especially adamant about this and labored
to instruct those who were touched by his ministry not to
fall into that trap. He felt that the unity of the Church
was essential to bring about its restoration, and therefore
encouraged the establishment of autonomous, local congregations.
It became a hallmark of the Latter Rain Movement that innumerable
independent churches sprang up with no denominational affiliation.
This did not set well with the Pentecostal denominations,
who lost many members to this "new thing."
A major point of controversy between the North Battleford
brethren and some Pentecostal denominations was the teaching
by the former that there are present-day apostles and prophets
for the Church. (44)
And though George Hawtin wrote in the June, 1948, issue
of 'The Sharon Star' (the school's newsletter) that "no church
exercises or has any right to exercise authority of jurisdiction
over another church, its pastors or members," the travelling
"presbytery" from Sharon, of which he was a part, did indeed
exercise authority over people in other congregations through
personal "directive prophecy." (45)
In spite of the Sharon group's insistence upon autonomy,
they eventually became sectarian to the extreme, holding
to the notions that no teaching was valid unless it originated
with them, no fellowship was to be engaged in with anyone
outside their own confines, and they alone were the purveyors
of God's truth.
If anyone would be an "overcomer," it must be through obedience
to their authority. Even some who were endorsed as apostles
and prophets by the Sharon group eventually became disillusioned
and broke ties from Sharon.
Among these was Reg Layzell who wrote: "At the first camp
meeting you were made a member of the Body of Christ by the
Spirit of God. And even if you said you were not in the Body
you still were. No man could put you in or take you out.
Now the error: they claim you are only put in by them and
can be put out by them."46
A significant event in the history of Sharon Orphanage and
School was its July 7-18, 1948 Camp Meeting, during which
thousands of people from Canada and the United States flocked
in hopes of receiving something special from God. Residents
from at least twenty states attended, and the great Latter
Rain Movement burst upon the world. From that time the movement
spread rapidly and Sharon shortly became just one of many
centers of teaching for the Latter Rain Movement.
In his thesis on this movement, Richard Riss states:"It
should be noted however, that prior to the revival, these
practices [laying on of hands and acceptance of apostles
and prophets] were already commonplace in some places, including
Elim Bible Institute, which was at that time in Hornell,
N.Y., and which, until the revival, had not had contact with
North Battleford." (47)
"It should also be noted...that prophecy was a major distinguishing
mark of the Latter Rain Movement, whereas, in the case of
the healing evangelists, healing was more prominent, and
in the case of the early pentecostal revival, tongues had
prominence." (48)
Elim Bible Institute was for years prior to the outbreak
of the Latter Rain Movement a center for neo-Pentecostal
teachings. Although it was Sharon Orphanage that gave real
impetus to these teachings, it is Elim Bible Institute that
has continued even to this day with its influence, while
the Sharon group has largely been relegated to obscurity.
GEORGE WARNOCK
Among those present at the Sharon Camp Meeting in July,
1948, was George Warnock who at one time had been personal
secretary to Ern Baxter (an associate with William Branham's
healing ministry).(49)
At this meeting one of the teachers, James Watt, made a
passing remark that the third of Israel's feasts, the Feast
of Tabernacles, was yet to be fulfilled.(50) This struck
Warnock and he began to associate it with the end-time ministry
of the Church, and the concept of restoration. In the fall
of 1949 Warnock took up residence at Sharon, "assisting in
the office work, and helping in the Bible School and in the
local church." (51)
In 1951 Warnock wrote his book, 'The Feast of Tabernacles,'
in which he layed out a specific doctrine for the Latter
Rain Movement, and those who came after. He taught that the
Church was about to usher in the completion of God's feasts
for Israel, through perfection of the saints and their dominion
over the earth.
Essentially, this Latter Rain teaching implies that the
three great annual feasts of the Lord in Israel's worship
(Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles) pre-figure and typify
the whole Church Age, beginning with the death of Jesus on
the cross, and consummating in "the manifestation of the
Sons of God" - the "overcomers" who will step into immortality
and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. (52)
Warnock teaches that this will be accomplished through the
restoration of the Church in unity and, once done, the saints
will "eat the Lord's Supper in reality." (53) (as if we are
not doing so now).
"Unity" as defined by Kingdom Theology entails the putting
on of "the mind of Christ" so that we all think, say, believe,
and confess the same things. (54) What we will think, say,
believe, and confess will be told to us by the apostles and
prophets. Unity without regard to "doctrine" (except the
doctrine of those imposing the unity) is the great cry among
those today who think that the Body of Christ has thus far
failed in its commission.
We will deal with these teachings in more detail later.
THE LATTER RAIN CONTINUES
Many teachings of the Latter Rain Movement have been retained
in the Church through the influence of various men and women,
many of whom are still alive, and active in groups that spun
off from the Latter Rain Movement.
Although the Latter Rain Movement has had lasting effects
upon Pentecostalism in general, its effects upon the major
Pentecostal denominations was minimal after the mid-1950's.
This was due in part to the role the Assemblies of God played
in confronting the Latter Rain extremes. That denomination,
as well as others, lost many pastors and members to the Latter
Rain as a consequence of their opposition.
Today, the influence of the Latter Rain Movement upon traditional
as well as Pentecostal denominations is growing. And although
by all appearances the name has died out, the Latter Rain
Movement has surfaced under other names and is held together
by a network of teachers and organizations which are finding
new acceptance on a wide scale in the Christian media.
(Continued in Part 2) (click link to
go direct to part two)
NOTES
- Franklin Hall, "Miracle Word" (Phoenix; Hall Deliverance
Foundation, Inc., Summer, 1985) p.10.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid, p.9.
- Ibid.
- Franklin Hall, 'Atomic Power With God Through Fasting and
Prayer' (Phoenix: Hall Deliverance Foundation, Inc., 5th
Ed., 1975), p.19.
- Ibid., p.9.
- Franklin Hall, Catalogue of Publications (Phoenix: Hall
Deliverance Foundation, 1986).
- Franklin Hall, 'The Return of Immortality' (Phoenix: Hall
Deliverance Foundation, Inc., 1976), pp.2-3.
- Ibid., p.3.
- Ibid., Inside Front Cover.
- Ibid., p.10.
- Ibid., p.48.
- Ibid., p.20.
- 'Atomic Power With God Through Fasting and Prayer', pp.29,31.
- Ibid., p.7.
- . Ibid., p.53
- Ibid., p.55.
- Catalogue of Publications.
- William M. Branham, 'Adoption' (Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken
Word Publications, 1960), p.21.
- W.illiam M. Branham, 'The Serpent's Seed', taped sermon,
undated.
- 'Adoption', pp.31,104.
- David E. Harrell, Jr., 'All Things Are Possible' (Bloomington:
Indiana University Press, 1976), p.162.
- William M. Branham, 'My Life Story' (Spoken Word Publications,
undated), p.27.
- 'The Serpent's Seed'.
- 'All Things Are Possible', p.162.
- 'Brother Branham' (Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken Word Publications,
undated), p.19.
- 'My Life Story', p.21.
- Ibid., p.24.
- Kurt Koch, 'Occult Bondage and Deliverance' (Grand Rapids:
Kregel, 1972), p.50.
- Ibid.
- 'All Things Are Possible', p.159.
- Ibid., p.161.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid., p.164.
- Richard Riss, 'The Latter Rain Movement of 1948 and the
Mid-twentieth Century Evangelical Awakening' (Vancouver,
B.C.: Thesis), p.79.
- Ibid., p.80-81.
- Ibid., p.83-84.
- Ibid., p.86.
- Ibid., p.89.
- Ibid., p.89-90.
- Ibid., p.101.
- Ibid., p.102.
- Ibid., p.154.
- Ibid., p.108.
- Ibid., p.116.
- Ibid., p.104.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- George Warnock, 'The Feast of Tabernacles' (Cranbrook,
B.C.: George Warnock, 1951), p.14-20.
- Ibid., p.22.
- Ibid., p.23.