I find it amazing that people can easily overlook or intentionally ignore obvious false teachings just so they can admire the supernaturalism of a man. I’m speaking about the flagrant admiration of William Branham by the mystically inclined false prophets of our day. Blinded by the pursuit of supernatural power they desire the same abilities as Branham, they consider him anointed beyond anyone of his time, so he is admired.

William Branham was THE main figure of the healing revivals of the late 40's and 50's that extended into the early 60’s until he was killed in a car accident. Nearly all charismatics give a thumbs up William Branham. Considering him a forerunner of many of the “healing evangelists” of today in that he would call out words of knowledge and prophesy.

They believe the message because they are convinced of the presence of the supernatural in his life. Branham’s followers see his "gifts" of prophecy and healing as vindication that his Message is true. Some excuse Branham as a teacher stating he was not called or equipped for that role, he was a prophet and a miracle worker. the bible has a lot to say about false doctrine and one may not be called to be a teacher but they must have right doctrine for God to work miracles through them or there is no true anointing.

Its not just purity of life when one has so many errors (i.e on core doctrine). Though Branham claimed "Don't you never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way. There'll be a work for you to do when you get older” (William Branham, My Life Story p. 24). We find out that this audible voice Branham heard came from a tree where he first saw a whirlwind. He avoided going by the tree from then on. But this same voice accompanied him the rest of his life only he later understood it was an angel, the angel of the Lord.

The teachings of Branham speak for themselves. For those trained in the bible as the word of truth and are unwilling to go beyond its sacred pages Branham brought another spirit into the church. Besides warning of an angel coming with another message (gospel that changes the person, the spirit and the message of Christ). From his experiences of pillars of light, he waited for the angel to be near him in his services before he could do any miracles. He vehemently denied the Trinity. Branham believed in three Bibles; the Scripture, the Zodiac and the pyramids were other revelations of God. Branham mixed other teachings that were occultic in nature with the Bible and came to his own unique interpretations. “The first Bible was in the sky, called the zodiac. … in the zodiac is the virgin. The last thing in the zodiac is Leo the Lion: the first coming of Christ through the virgin; the second coming, Leo the Lion, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (The Spoken Word; p.10-12 ; William Marrion Branham; Blasphemous Names, November 4, 1962, Branham Tabernacle, Jefferson, Indiana Vol. 3 No. 21)

Branham eventually believed he was “the seventh angel from God, and that he was Elijah the prophet. It was not his followers that told them this, he told them. Denying that Eve ate the fruit from the tree God forbid them to, He arrived at the insidious serpent seed doctrine. Instead he spiritualized the event- Eve had sex with the devil which produced Cain. He Denied hell was eternal. And a host of other alterations that affected Scripture.

He taught that denominations were abominations, belonging to any denomination meant you had taken “the mark of the beast” which certainly is overlooked by his admirers today, though embraced by the New Apostolics that believe we are in the post denomination era and use it to promote their movement.

But it is the Latter Rain doctrine that he espoused that so many in the church took to. If one wants to find a source for the Pentecostal waywardness of you can certainly point to Branham for many of the problems in the church today.

It was the book, "A Man Sent From God" by Gordon Lindsay (founder of Christ for the Nations) that introduced many who were unfamiliar with Branham. He introduced Oral Roberts to Branham in April 1948 and Roberts then endorsed him. He commented Later “I think he learned some things” “There is a striking similarity between the manner in which God’s healing gifts work through Brother Branham and Brother Roberts. The power of healing works through Brother Roberts right hand while it works through Brother Branham’s left hand” (Oral Roberts an American Life by David Harrell jr. p.150)

Demos Shakarian Full Gospel Business Men wholeheartedly promoted him until he later learned the extent of his teachings. Ern Baxter, Marilyn Hickey, Earl Paulk, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Rodney Howard Brown, Morris Cerullo, and A. A. Allen, Robert Liardon, Benny Hinn, Paul Cain, Todd Bentley the list of promoters and admirers is ongoing. In fact you cannot be accepted as a prophet in most circles without giving kudos to Branham.

William Branham’s invited Baxter to join him and travel with him. “Branham asked to see me personally. He said that he had been in prayer and the angel of the Lord had spoken to him and told him that I was to be his companion in ministry. He invited me to join him.” He joined Branham in Ashland, Oregon 1947 and left about 1953-54.

The Latter Rain promoter Earl Paulk sums it up “What God is doing today is raising up prophets. I don't have any doubt in my mind that Oral Roberts is a prophet to the Church to bring us back to the healings. Many of them - Branham and many others - I believe that the Hagins and the Copelands, we have varying doctrines here, but I believe they brought us back to understanding the power in God's Word." (Earl Paulk, guest appearance on "Praise The Lord," Trinity Broadcasting Network, March 4, 1986.)

Laughter revivalist Rodney- Howard- Browne said of William Branham: "A true prophet of God.” He considers William Branham to be a "great man of God" ("The Coming Revival", written by Howard-Browne, p. 13)

Che Ahn whose been involved in the Latter Rain revivalism that came to the church as the “Toronto Blessing” told Todd Todd Bentley ‘There’s a Branham anointing on you, a double portion of it.’ 

Yet, it ended up to be double the sin as the outcome of bringing his supernatural circus to Florida. Bentley coveting an association with Branham led him down the road of deception and gave him acceptance to his “Latter rain” peers.

Bentley explains: “an angel appeared to me, the angel said, “I am the angel that has been assigned to your life. I am a healing angel . . . You are going to take miracles, signs and wonders around the world.” “I was with William Branham” (the Voice of Healing movement), the angel said. He told me about William Branham’s angelic encounter in 1946. (DISCERNING THE CALL OF GOD by Revivalist Todd Bentley - [as edited by Kathy Thorne] Part 2 of 2)

Bentley colorfully decorated himself with tattoos like generals with medals and was widely accepted to “near Jesus status” by leading the church to a new level like those (neo) Pentecostals before him, one which was constantly mentioned- Branham.

Some believed that Paul Cain has the same anointing as William Branham. John Wimber certainly was impressed. Paul Cain once called Branham, "The greatest prophet who ever lived." After all he traveled with Branham and was one of his disciples. Paul Cain is connected to Bob Jones who personally influenced Bentley (and others) to a great degree by his visits heaven. But it was Paul Cain who told Bentley that he was the new breed that they have all been waiting for.

Another friend of Bentley, Bill Johnson of Bethel Chuch says [while defending Todd Bentley]: “William Branham. If I mention the name, William Branham, in certain circles, I mean, they almost want to, you know, stone me, because William Branham is known for the heresy towards the end of his life. And yet there are few men that have ever lived, and perhaps no one that has ever lived that carried the anointing and the power that this particular man had.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTCDk2CGNo,

Carried the anointing? Lest we forget, Satan was the anointed Cherub as well, do they consider this? It is often said Branham’s heresy was at the end of his ministry, not so, it only became obvious at the end. It was there before he even claimed to know the Lord and be employed in his service.

We are told that a light, as halo shined on Branham at birth. Branham’s parents were not Christian and it has been found they believed in fortunetelling, this of course meant that William Branham was raised in an environment that was exposed to the occult, which can often influence the next generation.

“When Branham met fortunetellers, they even told him that he was influenced by supernatural powers:

I said, "What do you mean?" She said, "Well, you were born under a certain sign. There’s a Light that follows you. You were born for a Divine call." (William Branham: The Man and His Message, pp. 22-23.-- quoted from FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME My life story" p.77)

"Not long after the commission as the forerunner of the second coming of Christ, Branham was visited by an angel. He was told that he was being given two ministry gifts. He would receive the gift of healing and the gift of the "word of knowledge." Branham came to believe that this angel was the source of all his visions. Branham inquired of the angel why he should believe he was an angel of God. The angel told him that the religious leaders of Christ's day had called Jesus a devil. He should not worry about the opposition from family and fellow ministers. Branham had been told by fortune-tellers in impromptu meetings that he had a special gift of God and was born under a sign. The angel assured him that even devils had confirmed that Jesus was the Christ and not to be concerned by the testimony of fortune-tellers" (Brother Branham, pp. 74, 75, 79)

This was the extent of Branham testing the spirits. Which was lacking greatly for what he was being led h into.

His sermons were at times interlaced with foreign teachings from the Bible: "...But now what if He comes...See, that was the days gone by, back in the Pentecostal days. We're living ahead of that now. We are beyond Pentecost, the same as we are Methodist and Lutheran. We're way on up to the coming of the Lord, where the ministry that Jesus Christ exercised, Himself, has to be exactly. Like the headstone on the pyramid, has to be honed till every stone fits perfectly. And the church has got to get in that condition to receive the Headstone, then take the whole thing in the resurrection, when the Body is raised up... " (The Spoken Word by William Marrion Branham, Phoenix Series 1964; Looking Unto Jesus  4, Vol.22 No.2; p. 25 ) 

Branham was killed in car accident and was buried under a pyramid shaped tombstone in Indiana showing his influence by occultism; that he continued to believe strongly in mixing occult concepts with the Bible till the end.

With discernment at nearly 0 level the church had accepted Branham. Why? The Charismatics motto is- By experience we will travel, by supernatural power we will be convinced.

The roots are what matter; error begets error; the Latter Rain action of laying of hands passes the spirit to others and as they willingly sit under Latter Rain teaching, they are convinced all the more.

Latter Rain teachings have progressive revelation, new revelation, Joel’s Army, Manchild doctrine, Replacement Theology, Post-Millennial Eschatology, Post-denominational Church, Signs and Wonders, Restoration of Apostles and Prophets, and Kingdom Now/Dominion Theology and a host of other unbiblical teachings.

Now we come to the main point – the Elijah List. Don’t let the name of a true prophet being used fool you, they have nothing to do with Elijah or true prophecy- they are a group of men and woman claiming to represent the Lord (as stated in Mt.24) attributing to the Lord anything that comes to their mind.

We live in the days of diminished discernment and the intimidation with fear to judge teaching. Now we have a group of prophets all desiring to be like Branham.

Steve Shultz Founder and Publisher The ElijahList & ElijahRain magazine has numerous of the prophets featured endorse Branham, considering that they call themselves prophets you wonder how they can be so blind to Branham’s departure of Scripture.

On his website- Prophetic TV, Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do psychics have a prophetic gift from God?

After weak explanation by use of Scripture to prove we are born with spiritual gifts (this is not true one must be born again for them)

"...God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

We believe that it is quite likely that people who end up operating as psychics were born with a prophetic gifting from God, which has been turned to a wrong use which the Father did not intend.” http://www.prophetic.tv/faqs.php

This idea certainly opens up one to just about anything as being valid, so it is not surprising that they would accept Branham without any testing of doctrine. It is even more objectionable that these men claim to be prophets (last day prophets) and are unable to discern.

On his website Shultz introduces Paul Keith Davis: "William Branham: A Forerunner Ministry and Prototype of the Bridal Company” by Paul Keith Davis: Mar 6, 2009: WhiteDove Ministries- From the desk of Steve Shultz:

"A divine presence distinguished Branham's life and ministry. He was given glimpses into the plan and destiny of Heaven for individuals and corporate bodies. His ministry was a forerunner model that foresaw the impact of a body of Believers who will emerge in our day and embody the living Word. The signs and wonders that follow will release a bridal revival that will be identified according to John 14:12—a 'greater works' generation."

He then mentions “Operating in the Breakthrough- Forerunner Anointing by Dutch Sheets.

Paul Keith Davis:

This commonplace is what is identified as the prophetic movement- better known by those more astute in the Bible as the apostasy.

“This public display of God's awesome power framed a heavenly intention. No design of Heaven is ever administered futilely. Every word and demonstration that proceeds from the mouth and hand of God will return fruitfully. A Kingdom message for today's Church was sent to that prior generation—and we are responsible for its consummation. The Living Word desires to rest in His Bride. Jesus wants to become flesh once more and demonstrate His Kingdom power and redemptive virtue.

This was what the prophets that were involved with Wimber said that changed the Vineyard church for the worse. Mike Bickle and others spoke of him incarnating in the church- in other words the latter rain teaching of the manifest sons of god. “... when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us we beheld the glories of the only begotten of the Father and when YOU begin to become that Word, I want you to know the world will behold the glory of the Father and that's what we're waiting to see. I want you In now that we're going to have some channeling one of these days, but it's going to be channeled right out of the throne room of heaven" (VINEYARD Prophetic Conference. 1989, transcripts)

The Church IS Jesus Christ come in the flesh (as Early Paulk believed).

As does Benny Hinn “When I stand in Christ - I am one with Him; united to Him; one spirit with Him. I am not, hear me, I am not a part of Him, I am Him! The Word has become flesh in me!”(Benny Hinn The Anointing, p. 520)

The “Day of the Lord” is re-interpreted by the false prophets to mean that Christ will come to His Church and incarnate (become God in flesh) an army of believers” ( JOEL’S ARMYJewel Grewe DISCERNMENT MINISTRIES)

Like Branham that prophesied falsely: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." And may it be again, Lord, that the Word will become flesh, It'll pour through Thy church and Thy people, to fulfill the promises of the hour” (A Paradox, Westward Ho Hotel, Phoenix, AZ, 1965)

Paul Keith Davis goes on bragging on Branham’s abilities. And descents into near idol worship-- Early Supernatural Models

(Paul Keith and Wanda Davis WhiteDove Ministries)

Where do the apostles teach to go into the Spiritual realm? God will occasionally give a vision or dream, if one looks carefully we find these were throughout the course of a lifetime and not lasting for days or months, nor were they consistent in the New Testament that is training believers to walk by the word in this dark world.

Many may not be aware of the similarities of Joseph Smith who also retreated into the woods asking God for wisdom and was approached by unearthly beings that he thought were either angels or Christ himself.

To understand white dove ministries is about one only needs to read their promotion of Branham and Latter Rain.

Paul Keith and Wanda Davis: "Special Bulletin from the Mount of Olives in Israel: Messengers of His Face Are Coming From Heaven"

And I believe, at least for our nation, there has been a curse on our land because of the lack of the honoring of the fathers. I believe we're to honor the fathers of the prior generation as well as the fathers of the apostolic age. …In our conference we honored many people like William Branham and A.A. Allan.

“A divine presence distinguished Branham's life and ministry. He was given glimpses into the plan and destiny of Heaven for individuals and corporate bodies. His ministry was a forerunner model that foresaw the impact of a body of Believers who will emerge in our day and embody the living Word. The signs and wonders that follow will release a bridal revival that will be identified according to John 14:12—a 'greater works' generation." (Paul Keith Davis: "William Branham: A Forerunner Ministry and Prototype of the Bridal Company" by Paul Keith Davis Mar 6, 2009)

What he left out were Branham's failed words, and a real examination of the words of an "angel" that he claimed was the angel of the Lord (who no longer appears to anyone after he became flesh in Jesus Christ who is now at the right hand of the Father). So as we can see we have a theological problem and a supernatural one. For if the angel is not who he said he is then everything done was a counterfeit of a great magnitude. The bridal revival is right out of the pages of the false Latter Rain as is a greater works generation. Jesus said this to all Christians. From the first century on that greater work has been done through gospel preaching that brings people into the kingdom and the Spirit immediately indwelling them.

Barbie Breathitt on the Elijahlist:“I could go on to talk about William J. Seymour, Maria Woodworth Etter, Alexander Campbell, Alexander Dowie, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Finney, William Branham, AA Allen, Jack Coe, Charles Price, etc. etc.; all of whom impacted regions and nations for the glory of God.

Barbie Breathitt:"The Bride is Entering a New Cycle of Anointing - Releasing His Angels All Over the Globe")

“The time to receive mantles like Katherine Kuhlman, Aimee Semple McPherson, John G. Lake, Jack Coe, William Branham and others has come! Ask the Lord to take you to higher heights to receive these heavenly mantles. Barbie Breathitt: "New Winds, Keys and Doors: What He Opens No One Can Shut, and What He Shuts No One Can Open")

Where are we taught to receive mantles in the New Testament? Because it mentions it once with Elisha it now becomes the norm? no one else ever had a mantle passed on. This is how the Latter rain teachers operate, they take phrases or concepts and lift them out of their context, spiritualize them and make themselves sound spiritually insightful.

“On January 16,1956, during the height of the great tent revivals that swept America and the world, William Branham stood up in the church of Philadelphia in Chicago, Illinois, and prophesied that "America had turned down her opportunity with the Lord." Because William Branham was the forerunning prophetic voice of the day, the tent revivals and the move of the Holy Spirit literally stopped at this word. They were offered an incredible opportunity into the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit at that critical juncture that would carry the body further down the road in revival. But America missed her opportunity--she refused God's offer!

Then 50 years later On January 16, 2006, this 50 year destiny door was reopened and another opportunity had been offered to this generation. The number 50 is Jubilee!! The Lord called this door a "Golden Jubilee." This invitation must be understood and apprehended as we pass through the doors of destiny, and encounter the Lord in genuine and experiential ways” (Jeff Jansen: "THE GLORY REVIVAL AND THE NEW CIRCUIT RIDERS" By Jeff Jansen Feb 17, 2007).

This is the kind of teaching that takes place when one departs the word of God into another interpretation often by experience.

How is 2006 the jubilee (a golden Jubilee- Says who? Not God)

The exclusive offer for the opportunity into the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit is now opened but was not before this? This even goes against the false prophets that through the 80’s, and 90’s that said it was taking place. The fact is God never stopped working and the Jesus revival of the 70’s in America counters this false accusation.

However, Bob had a dream on the last day of the fast and told Mike the following: "The Lord spoke to me in a dream last night, and told me He is not going to break loose in the revival in the way that we all thought. God never said that it would begin after the fast. We only assumed it would. The Lord says, 'No! There is an appointed time and appointed season for America, and when the Lord says it's time, it will not be one day late.'"

Todd Bentley also had a visitation on Mother's Day, 2005. He was told that the healing ministry would begin that day. He was also told that the kingly anointing would begin on Mother's Day, and he understood that to be the apostolic ministry. He heard the Lord speak to him audibly "Acts 5:12 begins today." And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, Acts 5:12.” (Kari Browning: "The Appointed Time Has Come" By Kari Browning Jun 9, 2006)

I would think a lot of people want a redo with what they said about Todd Bentley. And who would be those apostles be today? The very ones who are leading us away from the Scripture with supernatural doctrines that are made up, those who promote Branham. They cite Branham but yet Branham said the revival was over when he was alive.

Will the charismatics finally admit they are denying what is written and exalting ungodly supernatural experiences over the word? With mystic teachings like these is it any wonder the church is in such bad shape. People visit the Elijah list website day after day and actually believe that these people are prophets.

Let me leave you with this last quotation by Branham where A newspaper photographer asked permission to take a picture and the result was the famous so called Pillar of Fire seen resting on Brother Branham's 'right' shoulder.

"I'm convinced that the same Angel that come down in the form of a Man and talked to Abraham with His back turned to the tent (yet knowing the thoughts in Sarah's heart), is the same One here tonight. He promised it would be. I believe that that same Angel anoints us, because It was God. Do you believe it?" (CONVINCED THAN CONCERNED, June 10, 1962).

No I don’t! What angel anoints? Could it be the cherub that was over God’s throne that comes as an angel of light. When the church is willing to believe what miracle men say without checking the Scripture.

“….Now, it's (Pillar of Fire) circling the building. The whole building's anointed, the whole place. I'm convinced that the Presence of Jesus Christ will heal every person here. Are you convinced the same? You convinced that I tell you the Truth, God vindicates I'm telling you the Truth?” (CONVINCED THAN CONCERNED, June 10, 1962).

Being convinced of something by experience does not mean it’s actually true, many people are convinced of many different things.  Does this look like the same pillar that protected Israel in the wilderness as a fire at night and as a cloud in the day? Branham says the circle of light is the Holy Spirit? Biblically, this light was the Shekinah glory of God, when Saul on the Damascus road was stopped by its appearance he was converted. He said it appeared brighter than the sun in mid day. How can anyone believe this is the same glory?

The Angel of the Lord does not anoint us, he is no longer functioning. The New Testament does NOT mention THE angel of the LORD (but an angel of the lord sent to announce Jesus’ birth to the shepherds -Lk.2:9, an angel of the lord came to roll the stone away -Mt.28:2 and to free the apostles from jail when necessary.) When the Angel of the Lord shows up there was an awe and worship in the Old Testament. Because he is the pre-incarnate Christ, the Son of God. In Hebrew this angel is called Malach Yahweh, this is why his appearances in the Old Testament are called Theophanies. This Angel had God’s name attached to his title, his nature, He is even called the Lord himself- Exod.3.

This messenger called the Angel of the Lord (Yahweh) 50 times and the Angel of God (Elohim) 5 times is God's mediator for him. Jesus the Son,  is this messenger, he appears as a man in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament He became a man, taking on human flesh permanently (unlike Branham who taught that God always had human flesh). Proof that the Angel of the Lord (Yahweh) in the Old Testament no Longer appears in the New Testament times--Because He became man. The Father who sent the Son in the Old Testament did the same in the New, there are no more Theophanies of the Son.

Branham was convinced it was all God without ever applying a true test by Scripture and he successfully convinced others. After reading just some of Branham’s teachings it is difficult to consider him a prophetic model for our generation. Yet, nearly unanimously, every person that is esteemed in the Charismatic/signs and wonders movement endorses Branham. Support of Branham shows a lack in discernment and how immature tone is in the word. Beware of those that promote him or this kind of ministry.

Websites that shed the true light on Branham

 http://people.delphiforums.com/JohnK63/home.htm

we do not endorse all the links on this site but do think the material on Branham is relevant.