Was William Branham the “seventh angel messenger” and “Elijah the prophet” to the Gentile church?
The Bible instructs us to,
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
If anything needs to be proven or tested for authenticity, it is the many unusual claims that the late American preacher and faith healer, William Marrion Branham, made about God, the Bible and his life and ministry.
Although William Branham died in a car accident in 1965, his unique ministry and unusual claims continue to be followed to this day by people around the world primarily by the audio recordings and transcribed texts of his sermons.
His ministry has had far-reaching appeal based on his humble demeanor, powerful style of preaching and claims to have received direct communication and revelation from God.
The many “signs and wonders” that were associated with his universal healing campaigns in the 1940s and 1950s have also contributed to the appeal of his ministry. During those years, countless sick people he prayed for were purportedly healed and devils cast out.
In addition, the appeal of his ministry was generated by his repeated claims of supernatural events occurring in his life such as a light shining at his birth, seven angels in a 26-mile high cloud, a halo-like light in a photograph, receiving instructions from angels and seeing many prophetic visions.
However, the manifestation and claims of “signs and wonders” are not actual evidence that God has accepted and vindicated a person or his ministry. As Jesus Christ himself stated,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.
“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.” Matthew 24:24.
Among William Branham's most unusual teachings are his ones that God will send Elijah the prophet of Malachi 4:5-6 and the seventh angel “messenger” of Revelation 3:14 and 10:7 to the Gentile church with the final, end-time “message” to prepare it for the rapture. Through those teachings, he led countless people to believe that he was Elijah the prophet and the seventh angel “messenger.”
Because William Branham led people to follow him as the final “prophet” and “messenger” to the Gentiles, it is important to not only “prove all things” related to his ministry, but it is also important to,
“...believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
William Branham's advice in that regard is correct,
“How can you tell the spirits apart? Just give them the Word test... God never placed signs ahead of the Word.” “Seven Church Age Book”, pp. 175-6.
On this site, some of his more significant claims and teachings are “given the Word test” and, in fact, demonstrated to be entirely untrue including those related to Elijah the prophet of Malachi 4:5-6 and the seventh angel “messenger” of Revelation 3:14 and 10:7 to the Gentile church.