William Branham, A man sent from God

1. William Branham's Supernatural Calling Began at Birth

The life of William Branham was a life that was lived almost continually in the supernatural realm.

A peculiar child. William Branham's life was marked by the supernatural from his birth on April 6, 1909, in a humble Kentucky log cabin. His parents, Charles and Ella Branham, witnessed a Pillar of Fire hover over their newborn, a divine confirmation of his unique destiny. This early manifestation set the stage for a life intertwined with the unseen world, distinguishing him from his peers and foreshadowing his future role.

Early divine warnings. At the tender age of seven, while resting under a poplar tree, William heard a distinct Voice amidst a rushing wind, instructing him: "Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, for I have a work for you to do when you get older." This warning recurred throughout his youth, often accompanied by the sound of rushing wind whenever he attempted to engage in forbidden habits. These experiences, though frightening and isolating, were God's early attempts to guide and preserve His chosen vessel.

Poverty and isolation. Growing up in extreme poverty, William often felt like a "black sheep" due to his peculiar experiences and his refusal to partake in common vices like drinking and smoking. This isolation, however, inadvertently protected him from worldly influences, preparing him for a life of singular devotion. His humble beginnings, much like those of biblical prophets, underscored God's pattern of choosing the "foolish things of the world to confound the wise," ensuring that "no flesh should glory in His Presence."

2. Personal Tragedy Forged His Obedience to God's Call

Brother, God is so great He will find you, I don't care where you are.

Running from the call. Despite early supernatural encounters, William Branham initially resisted God's call, seeking to escape his destiny by going West to work on a ranch at age 19. However, even amidst the vast Arizona prairie, the conviction of God's presence pursued him, reminding him of his spiritual state. This period of resistance was punctuated by personal tragedies that served as divine interventions, drawing him closer to surrender.

A series of losses. A hunting accident at 14, the death of his brother Edward, and a severe gas poisoning incident that led to near-fatal appendix surgery, all contributed to a profound spiritual crisis. During his near-death experience in the hospital, he heard the familiar rushing wind and the Voice repeating, "I called you and you would not go." This direct confrontation with mortality and divine calling finally broke his resistance, leading him to promise to preach the Gospel.

The ultimate sacrifice. After his conversion and the birth of his son, William made a "fateful decision" under pressure from his mother-in-law, choosing to remain a pastor in Jeffersonville rather than embark on the evangelistic work God had called him to. This disobedience led to a period of spiritual barrenness and immense personal sorrow, culminating in the devastating 1937 Ohio River flood, which he had prophesied. The flood claimed his beloved wife, Hope, and their infant daughter, Sharon Rose. In his deepest despair, contemplating suicide, he experienced a vision of Heaven, where Hope and Sharon reassured him, and Hope extracted a promise that he would fulfill his divine commission.

3. An Angelic Commission Launched a Global Healing Ministry

When the Angel commissioned Bro. Branham in 1946 he said that Jesus was coming very soon, and that this commission was one of the signs of the nearness of His coming.

Refined by fire. Having endured profound personal suffering and learned obedience through affliction, William Branham was finally ready for God's greater purpose. In May 1946, after a period of intense spiritual desperation, he retreated to a cave, seeking clarity on his peculiar life and ministry. It was there that an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, initiating the most significant phase of his calling.

The divine mandate. The Angel conversed with Brother Branham for about half an hour, explaining his ministry and commissioning him to take a message of Divine Healing to the world. This visitation was not merely a vision but a tangible encounter, echoing biblical precedents of angelic ministrations to prophets. The Angel assured him that if he remained sincere and got people to believe, nothing, "not even cancer," would stand before his prayer, and that the Angel would be with him wherever he went.

Global impact. This angelic commission marked the beginning of a worldwide prophetic ministry that would profoundly impact the Christian world. The Angel's words emphasized the urgency of the hour, declaring that this ministry was a sign of Christ's imminent Second Coming. This divine mandate propelled Brother Branham from his humble origins onto an international stage, where his ministry would shake the foundations of the church and challenge the faith of believers globally.

4. The "Two Signs" Authenticated His Prophetic Ministry

The Angel told Bro. Branham that he would be given "Two Signs" to take the Message of Divine Healing around the world.

The first sign: discerning disease. The Angel revealed that Brother Branham would be endowed with "two signs" to authenticate his ministry. The first sign involved a physical manifestation in his left hand, where he could discern the presence and nature of "germ diseases" through vibrations. This unique ability allowed him to identify illnesses, often without direct contact, providing tangible proof of a supernatural power at work.

The second sign: secrets of the heart. The second, and arguably more profound, sign was the ability to discern the "secrets of the heart"—knowing people's past, present, and even future thoughts and actions. This "Open Vision Ministry" was comparable to that of Old Testament prophets like Samuel and, most notably, to the ministry of Jesus Christ Himself, who discerned Nathanael's character and the Samaritan woman's life story. This sign served to:

• Encourage the faith of devout Christians.
• Expose unconfessed sins or backslidden lives on the platform, leading to immediate repentance and healing.

Scriptural precedent and vindication. The book emphasizes that these signs were deeply rooted in Scripture, drawing parallels to Moses' two signs before leading Israel and Christ's discerning ministry. This prophetic anointing, though often misunderstood, served as a powerful witness, confirming that William Branham was "A" son of man (prophet) revealing "THE" Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, calling the Bride of Christ back to the Word.

5. Divine Vindication: The Houston Coliseum Photograph

To his surprise every one of the negatives turned out to be absolutely blank with the exception of the one which had been taken of Rev. Branham.

A public challenge. In November 1949, during a campaign in Houston, Texas, Brother Branham's ministry faced a public challenge. A hostile clergyman, opposing divine healing, initiated a newspaper debate with Rev. F.F. Bosworth, who was speaking at Branham's meetings. The debate, held in the Sam Houston Coliseum, drew a vast audience, with many testifying to their healing and belief in divine intervention.

The supernatural photograph. During this contentious meeting, the opposing clergyman had hired professional photographers, James Ayers and Ted Kipperman, to document the event. Astonishingly, when Mr. Ayers developed the negatives, all were blank except for one taken of Brother Branham. On this single negative, a supernatural halo of light appeared directly over Brother Branham's head. This inexplicable phenomenon, captured by a skeptical photographer hired by an opponent, provided undeniable scientific proof of a divine presence.

Scientific confirmation and impact. The negative was submitted to George Lacy, a renowned authority on questioned documents, who conducted exhaustive scientific tests. Lacy certified that the photograph was absolutely genuine, untouched, and not a double exposure. This "Amazing Houston Coliseum Photograph" became a powerful symbol of divine vindication, widely reproduced and inspiring countless testimonies, including that of a Catholic convert who witnessed the light firsthand and was subsequently healed and saved.

6. Miracles and Deliverances Defined His Campaigns

As the meetings continued from night to night miracles of even a more outstanding nature took place.

A continuous stream of wonders. Following the angelic commission, Brother Branham's campaigns became synonymous with extraordinary miracles and deliverances. From his first healing campaign in St. Louis in June 1946, where a dying girl named Betty Daugherty was instantly healed, to subsequent meetings across the United States and Canada, the supernatural became a constant feature. Crowds of thousands, often exceeding building capacities, flocked to witness God's power.

Diverse manifestations of healing. The scope of healings was vast and dramatic, encompassing a wide array of afflictions:

• Cripples walking: Individuals confined to wheelchairs or crutches for years would rise and walk unaided.
• Blindness cured: People blind from birth or cataracts would regain their sight, often immediately.
• Deafness and muteness reversed: Deaf-mutes would hear and speak their first words, sometimes learning English as quickly as Finnish.
• Cancers vanishing: Tumors and growths would disappear, often leaving physical evidence of their former presence.
• Insanity restored: Violently insane individuals, even those from institutions, would be brought to their right minds.
• Raising the dead: In one remarkable instance in Kuopio, Finland, a child killed in an automobile accident was raised to life, fulfilling a vision Branham had received two years prior.

Unwavering compassion. Despite the immense physical and nervous strain, Brother Branham's compassion for the sick remained unwavering. He often prayed for individuals until the early hours of the morning, sometimes collapsing from exhaustion. His ministry was characterized by a humble spirit, always attributing the healings to Jesus Christ and the faith of the individual, never to his own power.

7. His Ministry: A Fulfillment of End-Time Prophecy

As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the First Coming of the Lord so you are sent to forerun his Second Coming...

A prophetic parallel. The core of William Branham's ministry was understood by his followers as a direct fulfillment of end-time prophecy, particularly Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 17:30, and Revelation 10:7. The Angel's commission explicitly stated that just "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the First Coming of the Lord so you are sent to forerun his Second Coming." This established his role as a prophet preparing a people for Christ's return.

Elijah-type ministry. His ministry drew strong parallels to the Old Testament prophet Elijah:

• Appeared on the scene: Like Elijah, he emerged from obscurity, not mainstream religious circles.
• Wilderness man: He was a man of humble, unpretentious background.
• Powerful anointing: He operated with extraordinary divine power.
• Challenged unbelief: Fearlessly called out sin and unbelief in churches and among clergy.
• Authority over evil: Demonstrated authority over devils and demons.

Progressive unfolding. The Angel further revealed that his ministry would unfold in "Three Phases or Three Pulls," culminating in the "Third Pull." This final phase reached its climax in February 1963, when Seven Mighty Angels commissioned him to preach the Mystery of the Seven Seals from the Book of Revelation. Brother Branham considered this period the "most glorious time of all my life in services," surpassing even the great healing miracles in importance, as it revealed deeper spiritual truths for the Bride of Christ.

8. A Call for Unity and a Return to the Word

God had commissioned him to give a special message to all believers, that they should forget their differences, and unite themselves in oneness of mind and heart in preparation for the soon Coming of Christ.

Beyond denominational divides. A recurring theme in Brother Branham's ministry, and a burden on his heart, was the call for unity among believers. He envisioned a church transcending sectarian ideas and doctrinal divisions, where Christians could fellowship in godly love, regardless of their denominational affiliation. This vision was explicitly shown to him early in his ministry, symbolized by planting branches from different "trees" (churches) into empty pots, which then grew into large trees reaching heaven.

The Voice of Healing. This emphasis on unity led to the establishment of "The Voice of Healing" magazine, edited by Gordon Lindsay. The magazine's purpose was to avoid controversial doctrinal debates and instead proclaim the Great Commission, God's last call to the unsaved, and the healing of His people, all with the aim of uniting them in spirit and preparing them for Christ's Coming. It became a platform for many healing ministries, many of whom found their inspiration in Branham's campaigns.

Back to the Word. Ultimately, his ministry was designed to direct believers "back to the Word for Rapturing faith," providing a message of warning before judgment. He challenged the prevailing formalism and worldliness in churches, urging a return to the dynamic power of God rather than relying on substitutes like emotionalism or sensationalism. His life and ministry served as a powerful testament to Jesus Christ, "the Same yesterday, today and forever," calling an age to repentance and preparing a people for the imminent return of their Lord.