The Latter Rain Movement is a theological teaching within some Pentecostal and Charismatic churches that the Lord will pour out His Spirit again, as He did at Pentecost, and restore the lost offices of apostle and prophet to the church. The Latter Rain Movement emerged in the late 1940s as a radical fringe of the Pentecostal revival. The term “Latter Rain” comes from Bible passages such as Jeremiah 3:3 and 5:23-25, Joel 2:23, Hosea 6:3, and James 5:7 which speak of the “former rain” and the “latter rain” of the Spirit being poured out.
The Latter Rain Movement holds that the tepid state of the church and perceived lack of spiritual power in recent times is a direct result of the church’s lack of faith and openness to restored apostles and prophets. According to Latter Rain theology, as the church embraces these restored offices and yields to their authority, the church will experience great power and unity in preparation for Christ’s return. The precise origins of the Latter Rain Movement are disputed, but teachings on present day apostles and prophets were promoted by William Branham, Franklin Hall, and George Warnock among others in the late 1940s.
Some key teachings of the Latter Rain Movement include:
- The church has been stuck in a “dark age” since around the time of the Reformation when church leaders rejected the restoration of the offices of apostle and prophet.
- There will be a restoration of the five ministerial roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher). Of these, the foundational roles of apostle and prophet have been missing since the 1st century AD.
- The church must come into unity and maturity under the leadership of restored apostles and prophets before Christ can return.
- There will be an end times revival that will far surpass past moves of God. Miracles and spiritual gifts will abound in this coming wave of the Spirit.
- Praise and worship must be Spirit-led, spontaneous, prophetic, and free-flowing. This brings divine order to services.
- The “laying on of hands” to receive spiritual gifts as seen in Acts 8:14-17 is taught and practiced.
- Spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are seen as still active in the church today.
During the 1950s the Latter Rain Movement came under criticism from traditional Pentecostal denominations who saw its emphasis on restored apostles and prophets as unbiblical. They also criticized perceived excesses and abuses of authority within the Movement. As a result, the Movement lost momentum but its teachings became integrated into parts of the Charismatic Movement from the 1960s onward. Elements of Latter Rain theology can be seen in the ministries of Charismatic leaders like Kenneth Hagin, Earl Paulk, and more recently, C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs and the New Apostolic Reformation.
Most evangelical Christians reject the core Latter Rain teaching on the restoration of apostles and prophets as extra-biblical and dangerous. They point to Bible verses such as Ephesians 2:20 and Jude 1:3 to argue that the foundational roles of apostle and prophet were unique to the 1st century AD and are no longer needed or applicable to the church today. Any persons claiming to hold these offices today are viewed as false teachers by evangelical Christians.
In summary, the Latter Rain Movement emerged out of the Pentecostal tradition in the late 1940s teaching that the church must come under the leadership of restored apostles and prophets before Christ can return. Mainstream Pentecostals rejected these teachings as heretical, but elements of Latter Rain theology went on to influence segments of the Charismatic Movement from the 1960s onward. Most evangelical Christians continue to reject the Latter Rain belief in modern day apostles and prophets, holding that these were unique foundational roles for the early church.
Origins of the Latter Rain Movement
The origins of the Latter Rain Movement can be traced back to revivals that occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada in the late 1940s. Two key figures in the emergence of the Movement were George Warnock and George Hawtin. Hawtin was the pastor of Sharon Orphanage and Schools in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Both he and Warnock reported experiencing deep spiritual encounters with God in 1947 which they believed restored to them truths about the present day ministry of apostles and prophets that had been lost since the early church.
In February 1948, under Hawtin’s leadership, a revival broke out at Sharon Orphanage which became known as the “Saskatoon Revival.” Hundreds gathered to see miraculous healings, prophecies, and ecstatic spiritual experiences. Witnesses claimed to see heavenly manifestations of angels, fire, and glory. Hawtin and his brother Ern were said to function in apostolic and prophetic ministries over the revival.
Warnock left Sharon Orphanage to spread news of the revival and teachings on the restoration of apostles and prophets. In 1951 he published The Feast of Tabernacles which became a key text for the Latter Rain Movement. In it, Warnock taught that the church was entering a new age of the Spirit’s workings. Other important figures who promoted Latter Rain teachings at revival camp meetings in North America included William Branham, Franklin Hall, and Myrtle Beall.
Though disputed, some credit William Branham as one of the founders and most influential voices of the Latter Rain Movement. As an evangelist, Branham drew large crowds in the 1940s and 50s with reported healings and prophecies. He taught on the present day offices of apostle and prophet and shared alleged angelic visitations and prophetic revelations he received, claiming divine authority for his messages.
The Latter Rain Movement was controversial even at its inception. Mainstream Pentecostals rejected its teachings and practices as unbiblical errors that opened the door to spiritual abuse. As a result, the Movement was condemned at the 1949 General Council of the Assemblies of God. But Latter Rain teachings went on to influence parts of the broader Charismatic Movement from the 1960s onward.
Key Teachings of the Latter Rain Movement
Here are some of the key teachings that characterize and set apart the Latter Rain Movement:
Restoration of Apostles and Prophets
The foundational teaching of the Latter Rain Movement is that God is restoring the ministries of apostle and prophet to the end times church. According to Latter Rain theology, the church has been stuck in a “dark age” without the leadership, revelation, and power that apostles and prophets provide.
But now, before Christ’s return, God is pouring out “latter rain” and raising up new apostles and prophets. The church must accept them and submit to their authority in order to mature and prepare for the end times harvest.
Five-fold Ministry
Related to this, the Latter Rain Movement places great emphasis on the five-fold ministry gifts described in Ephesians 4:11 – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They believe all five offices are needed to equip the church for effective ministry. Of these, apostles and prophets comprise the foundational ministry gifts on which the church is built (Ephesians 2:20).
Since the early church, the offices of apostle and prophet have been largely absent or rejected by the church. But now God is restoring these offices in the end times to mature and empower His people.
Unity and Perfection through Apostles and Prophets
Latter Rain teachers believe that as the church comes under the authority of new apostles and prophets, they will bring great unity, order, and power to the end times church. The church will become “one new man” perfectly equipped and unified to walk in its destiny and authority.
Before Jesus returns, the church will walk in maturity, unity and supernatural power as seen in the book of Acts. The church needs present day apostles and prophets to bring this about.
Supernatural Manifestations
The Latter Rain Movement emphasizes the miraculous in their services and revivals. Gifts of tongues, prophecy, healings, words of knowledge, visions, angelic visitations, and other supernatural manifestations are expected to be common and abundant as proof of the Spirit’s outpouring in the last days church.
Spontaneous Praise and Worship
Latter Rain services are characterized by spontaneous singing, dancing, prophecy, and freedom of expression as people respond to the spontaneous flow of the Holy Spirit. This brings divine order in contrast to humanly arranged worship services which are seen as “dry” and spiritually dead.
Spiritual Gifts
Latter Rain teachings affirm that all the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible are still active and vital for the church today. Gifts like tongues, prophecy, words of wisdom and knowledge, discerning of spirits, faith, healing, and the working of miracles are taught and practiced within the Movement.
The Latter Rain Movement looks to Acts 8:14-17 as a pattern for receiving spiritual gifts. The “laying on of hands” serves as an impartation of spiritual gifts and authority to believers.
With these and other teachings, the Latter Rain Movement promotes itself as unlocking greater spiritual power, vitality, and unity for the end times church through the restoration of the ministries of apostles and prophets.
Responses to the Latter Rain Movement
The Latter Rain Movement sparked controversy from its beginnings and was condemned early on by leaders of the Pentecostal denomination Assemblies of God. Here are some of the concerns mainstream Pentecostals voiced regarding the teachings emerging from Sharon Orphanage in the late 1940s:
- Claims of new revelations, prophecies, and visions going beyond the Bible
- Alleged impartations, visitations, and authority given by angels
- Overemphasis on supernatural signs and wonders
- Allowing gifted personalities to wield unhealthy control and influence over people
- Heretical teachings exalting the role of modern apostles and prophets
Pentecostal leaders viewed these problems as evidence of deception and excess. As a result, they prohibited ministers in the Assemblies of God from participating in Sharon Orphanage revival meetings or promoting Latter Rain teachings.
The Latter Rain Movement peaked in the late 1940s and 1950s, then faded from prominence after being condemned as heretical by Pentecostal denominations. But several Latter Rain teachings went on to significantly impact the Charismatic Movement which emerged in the 1960’s and following decades.
Influence on the Charismatic Movement
While mainstream Pentecostalism rejected the Latter Rain Movement, its teachings on the restoration of apostles, prophets, and spiritual gifts influenced segments of the new Charismatic Movement. Significant Charismatic ministries that reflect Latter Rain ideas include:
- The New Order of the Latter Rain founded by Frank Ewart, Earl Lee, and George Hawtin (brother of George Hawtin).
- Kenneth Hagin and the Word of Faith movement he founded.
- The Shepherding Movement, also called the Discipleship Movement, led by Charles Simpson, Bob Mumford, Derek Prince, and Don Basham.
- John Wimber and the Vineyard Movement’s emphasis on signs, wonders, healing, and prophecy.
- Peter Wagner’s teachings on apostles, prophets, and spiritual warfare that influenced the New Apostolic Reformation.
- The Kansas City Prophets and International House of Prayer led by Mike Bickle.
Through these and other ministries, Latter Rain concepts like personal prophecy, church government led by apostles and prophets, spiritual impartation via the laying on of hands, and belief in a radical end times revival were transmitted into segments of the Charismatic Movement.
Criticisms by Evangelicals
Most evangelical Christians view the core Latter Rain teachings on restored offices of apostles and prophets as unbiblical and dangerous. Their key criticisms include:
- The Bible contains no prophecy about end times apostles and prophets leading a super-anointed church.
- Acts and Epistles show the apostolic office ending with the first century church.
- Biblical apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection and commissioned directly by Him.
- Self-proclaimed modern day “apostles” and “prophets” have no legitimate claim to such authority.
- Elevating new revelation from modern day “prophets” can distort the definitive revelation of Scripture.
- The Canon of Scripture is now closed with the writings of the biblical prophets and apostles.
Evangelicals see verses like Ephesians 2:20 and Jude 1:3 as evidence that the offices of apostle and prophet were foundational and unique to the early church. God’s people already have the full revelation they need in Christ and Scripture. Although they affirm the Holy Spirit still imparts gifts to edify the church, evangelicals reject the Latter Rain teaching that He is restoring the offices of apostle and prophet today.
The Latter Rain Movement Today
The Latter Rain Movement as a distinct entity faded in influence after its condemnation in the late 1940s. But it continued on through various branches and influenced segments of the Charismatic Movement with many of its teachings.
Varying degrees of Latter Rain concepts can still be seen today in the New Apostolic Reformation, Kansas City Prophets, International House of Prayer, and ministries which teach modern day apostles and prophets are God’s pattern for proper church government and authority.
Most Pentecostals and evangelical Christians reject the Latter Rain teaching of restored apostolic offices along with other excesses of the Movement as unbiblical. At the same time, the Latter Rain heritage serves as a vital part of the history and development of the Charismatic Movement over the past 60 years.
Though controversial, the Latter Rain Movement has significantly shaped aspects of Charismatic Christianity in recent decades. Its legacy serves as a lesson of how teachings on new prophetic revelations, supernatural experiences, and church authority structure can impact church movements over time.
