Becker Bible Studies Library

The Latter Rain

A post war movement within the Pentecostal Churches

Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs

Introduction

The Latter Rain Church does not exist. Apparently there were a small number that started in the fifties but they did not last. The Latter Rain is not a denomination, but rather a spiritual movement based on a spiritual concept. This is based on the belief that the Lord revealed visions and prophecies in the late forties concerning the end time latter rain to bring the harvest of souls and Jesus.

The Latter Rain concept can be found in many different denominations where there is an acceptance of prophetic visions. This influence can be seen in those that teach the gift of love being elevated over any other gift. Focus is placed on harvesting souls and producing fruit for the harvest, to which the Latter Rain is the prelude.

The Latter Rain was a post war movement within the Pentecostal Churches. The Azusa Street Revival reinforced the belief of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit before the rapture of the church. There were two distinctive Latter Rain references: The Latter Rain Revival which took place from 1947 until 1952 and the Latter Rain Movement which took place from 1952 until well into the 1960’s.

William Branham started his independent healing ministry in 1946, claiming he was inspired by an angel. He held meetings for pastors and teachers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The Latter Rain Movement began as a revival in 1948. George Hawtin and P.G. Hunt who were Pentecostal Assemblies of God Ministers and Herrick Holt the Four Square Gospel Minister assembled a group of students for a revival at Sharon Orphanage and Schools in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. The movement paralleled the Healing Movement that arose after World War II as part of the evangelical awakening.

Oral Roberts was a Pentecostal Holiness Preacher that started an independent healing ministry in 1947 and his Healing Movement was similar to the Latter Rain Revival in that they both emphasized the unity of the the body of Christ along with their eschatological doctrines concerning the human soul in its relation to death, judgment, heaven, and hell, with the hope that Jesus Christ was coming again. Both William Branham and Oral Roberts believed Pentecostalism was deficit in the expression of the Spiritual gifts. The Latter Rain Revival focused entirely on the Spirit.

The Latter Rain is professed to be the End Times ministry from God. They believe the concept is revealed in the Bible and profess the restoration of the church to its rightful place. Latter Rain Believers say the last day revival will soon come, along with the harvest of souls before the great Day of the Lord. They believe the Latter Rain is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. They claim this is promised in the last days along with the restoration of apostolic and prophetic gifts. It is believed the Latter Rain is promised by God and learned through the study of the Bible and that God has revealed this to His people in the last days through the prophetic spirit.

There are many web sites and different organizations devoted to spreading the Latter Rain, as well as many who are devoted to discredit the Latter Rain. Those people who believe the Latter Rain to be a heresy usually are against the Pentecostal movement as well. (Pentecostal faithful believe that God is revealed in a mighty way. They believe to deny this also denies the third person of the Trinity.)

The Assemblies of God Church, who is also Pentecostal in nature but different in structure of most Pentecostal organizations, is one of their biggest critics and condemns their Latter Rain doctrine as heresy. The Assemblies of God believe their theological error occurred with the teaching of the "glorification of men" theology as well as the advocating of the post-millennial theology rather than the pre-millennial scenario of the End Times. The Assemblies of God Church states that Pre-tribulation Rapture is the correct theology.

History

Following World War II there was a contemporary evangelical awakening started by Billy Graham, the Healing Revival started by Oral Roberts and William Branham. William Branham was never a part of the Latter Rain, but it was the Branham meeting which triggered the start of the Latter Rain. There were several Pentecostal leaders in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada who fasted and prayed for a deeper dimension to Christianity. Later that same year revivals occurred among many Pentecostal believers across Canada and the United States. The Latter Rain Movement came from the doctrine formed by the revivals.

The Latter Rain movement began with Pentecostal power during the time many conservatives denied the Baptisms of the Holy Spirit. The year 1948 was a defining year for the Latter Rain Movement from the prospective of the end time thinkers. The year 1948, according to the Latter Rain Movement, is the beginning that signals the end times. Politically, 1948 saw the formation of the United Nations and the establishment of the State of Israel as well as the Prophetic and the Evangelistic Movements gaining power.

Billy Graham and Oral Roberts were two of the strong Gospel Evangelists that helped spread the spirit that was created at the Sharon Orphanage. The prophetic movement had the Five Fold Ministry Gifts and the Laying on of Hands with power. It was these foundational doctrines that started the restoration of the apostolic mandates. It is important to note that there is no official Latter Rain theology , but just the expectations of the outpouring of the Spirit in the believers.

Those people believing in the Latter Rain take hold of the spirit then attempt to walk daily with the Lord by His Spirit. They believe when there is a unity of their spirit with His, that it will reveal the manifested sons of God. The main idea is that the Latter Rain is controlled by God and is not taught by God to those God wants to teach.

The Latter Rain movement was Pentecostal in nature, but contrasting the old Pentecostalism. The leaders of the Latter Rain believed Christianity was disintegrating and only they could be used by God to restore the churches and actually become divine themselves.

William Branham had nothing to do with the Sharon Orphanage outpouring except that he did minister to a few people that witnessed the prophecies. William Branham taught his followers to only follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. William Branhams is accused of turning his followers against the Latter Rain Movement calling them heretics. The followers of William Branhams believed him to be the final Elijah.

The founder of the Vineyard Movement, John Wimber, introduced the Signs and Wonders movement that was based on the concept that it was a necessity for manifestations of supernatural powers to authenticate the Gospel. Wimber claims a vision of an upcoming army of the “Dread Champions” that will unleash a power of unprecedented magnitude.

Wimber is one of many who teaches before Christ returns there will be a company of youths who will conquer the nations. He teaches they will have authority to dispense judgment on the ungodly and those who reject their leadership. This is believed to confirm the teachings of the Latter Rain and teaches that evangelization would result from the supernatural power which will be given to believers.

Belief

The Latter Rain believes in the Ascension and Exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the throne of the Father. They believe the Lord Jesus Christ proclaims His present rule and reign over the universe. They believe His Kingdom is revealed on earth through His Body, the Church, and results in a glorious Church and a global harvest at the end of this age. They believe the Lord Jesus Christ will be finally revealed both personally and physically, where He will shortly return. They also believe in resurrection of the dead during this upcoming return of Christ. They believe God is continually restoring truth and light to His Church.

The most distinctive aspect of the doctrine of the Latter Rain is its spiritual atmosphere. The basic belief comes from the interpretation of Joel 2:23. They teach the expression of the “former rain” was established by the churches and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. They teach the current movement of the Spirit is the “latter rain” this they believe will bring the work of the Church to completion and usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The Latter Rain is among the ranks of many Pentecostal Churches and is premillennialism in doctrine. They emphasize the Church must save souls before the anti-Christ appears and their victory to the end when the church will come to full stature. This belief is shared by many of the branches of the Charismatic denominations.

The Latter Rain believes in unity among the believers not only in the church services but also in their regions and throughout the entire world. They believe it is the teachings of God that the organization of the church is not just denominational but also geographical throughout the utter most parts of the earth. They believe there will be various Christian denominations that will dissolve away and the true church will emerge into a city wide church under the leadership of the newly-restored apostles and prophets.

The Latter Rain teaches there will be a restoration of the five ministerial roles which are that of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teachers. They believe the roles of the apostle and the prophet have been lost since the fist Apostles because of the Dark Ages. They believe God is restoring these ministries in these modern days. Charles Peter Wagner claims this restoration is the present day New Apostolic Reformation.

The Latter Rain teaches and believes as the end of the age approaches the “overcomers” will arise within the Church. They believe they are the Manifest Sons of God who have come into the full stature of Jesus Christ and will receive the spirit without measure. They claim they will be as Jesus Christ was when He was on earth. They claim they would receive a number of divine gifts which includes the ability to change their physical location, speak any language through the Holy Spirit, perform divine healings and other miracles. They believe they will complete the work of God in restoring man to his rightful position with God. They believe they will be coming into the full stature of Jesus Christ to usher in the millennial reign of Christ.

The Latter Rain believes the laying on of hands was practiced in the New Testament and is part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. They believe the laying on of hands comes from the baptism of the Holy Spirit and is used for healing the sick, dedicating children, and ordaining ministers. They believe and teach the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be imparted on a believer by another believer through the laying on of hands.

The Latter Rain believes all Christians are called into a life that is separated from sinful practices and they are expected to take every opportunity to promote righteousness and godliness. They believe holiness is the release of Christ within each and every believer and that it changes them into the image of Christ, from glory to glory. They believe it is commanded that every Christian should spread the Gospel to the lost world. They are expected to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching the lost world to obey everything God commands. They believe evangelism can be accomplished through prayer, living their lives in their faith, and preaching the Word and sacrificial giving.

The Latter Rain believes divine healing is contained within the work of atonement and the great gift of salvation of Christ. They believe they receive the gift of divine healing as a gift by the grace of God.

The Latter Rain believes in personal prophecy and the typological interpretation of Scripture, the restoration of the five fold ministry they do not believe there is a pre-tribulation rapture. They teach the Jewish feasts as types, they distrust denominations, and they also believe there will be a last day revival and an outpouring of the spirit of God in the last days.

The Latter Rain believes God has been rising up an army of warriors from the younger generation referred to as the Joel’s Army. They teach that Joel’s Army is people who are tired of religious and church programs and choose rather to personally accomplish the real works of Jesus. They teach Joel’s Army is an End Time’s army with the purpose s to take ground for the kingdom of God under the authority of Jesus Christ, who they consider the Dread Champion. They believe they are spiritual warriors whose lifestyle is of obedience, holiness and that God gives them supernatural powers. They believe this Army has been in training for years and many are ready to mobilize to establish and advance the Kingdom of God on earth. They believe this army is empowered by the Holy Spirit that stands for righteousness and truth and is not a military army but a spiritual army. They believe the weapons they use are love, righteousness, truth, prayer and most of all the power of God that has supernatural signs and wonders. They believe this army will be marked by a passionate love for Jesus and for people. They believe God will pour out His Holy Spirit on them and they will prophesy, see visions, and even be used to release awesome signs and wonders.

A special note of caution from Becker Bible Studies Teachers to their students...

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:4-31)

Free Downloads

Test for False Teachers - Worksheet to reveal false teachers and false teachings against the Word of God.

Test for False Prophets - Worksheet to reveal false prophets and false prophesy in these last days.

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