What is your opinion about the Latter Rain Movement?
In the late 1940's God began to move powerfully in the nations. For the
first time in over 2500 years Israel was formed as a sovereign country when,
in 1948, the United Nations made a resolution to recognize her as a nation.
Along with that major prophetic event coming to pass, there was a parallel
in the church. Great evangelists reached national prominence overnight.
The Latter Rain Movement: In February of 1947 there was an outpouring in
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada that spread to many parts of North
America. Later it was centered in Bethesda Temple in Detroit. It was
characterized by a restoration in worship, personal prophecy, and the five
ascension gift ministries of the apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, and
evangelist.
There was a change in leadership. In the 1940's major leaders were gathered
home: Dr. Charles Price, Amy Semple-McPherson, Smith Wigglesworth, and a new
dimension of leadership was brought into the Body of Christ.
Many healing evangelists (as many as 200 in America) were projected into a
great release of the healing ministry. Unfortunately, many of these
individuals became casualties because they did not have character
foundations in their lives as the gifts of the Spirit were restored to the
church.
As the Latter Rain Movement began to be born it came into disrespect because
of problems with the leadership and some extreme teachings. Nevertheless, it
unleashed a new dimension of God's power.
Some of the more known ministers in this healing revival were William
Branham, T. L. Osborn, Oral Roberts, and F. Bosworth.
Also there was a small meeting of about 300 people a few weeks later in a
tent. A man named Billy Graham was preaching in Los Angeles. The owner of
the Hearst newspapers showed up, decided he liked Billy Graham and told all
of his papers across the country, "Puff Graham," and he was catapulted from
a mediocre-sized evangelist into national prominence overnight.
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