William Branham Historical Research

Researchers interested in the extra-biblical and sometimes anti-biblical doctrines created during the Latter Rain movement are often surprised to find Latter Rain converts and their splinter groups worshiping the Zodiac and the Pyramid as additional "bibles". Though re-popularized by William Branham in the revivals, this worship of ancient pagan tombs and astrology actually pre-dated Branham by several years. The worship of the Khufu pyramid in pseudo-Christianity originated with the works of C. Piazzi Smyth, who invented the "pyramid inch" (deviating from the English measurement) and claimed that the tunnels of the Great Pyramid held significant spiritual meaning. Smyth believed that the descendants of the Biblical Adam built the Pyramid for a divine purpose. Smyth's works were popularized in the United States through C. A. L. Totten, the foremost British Israelite in the United States at the time. Smyth and Totten collaborated on books and publications mapping out this "divine purpose" as it related to predicting the End of Days. After Smyth's death and as British Israelism began to transition into Christian Identity, David Davidson became the central figure of religious pyramidism. Davidson's book, The Great Pyramid: Its Divine Message and his many other books and publications solidified the movement's belief in a "gigantic prophetic clock" that displayed sacred history through its measurements and architectural design. That design could only have one purpose: to declare to the world that the end was nigh. Pyramid Worship: https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/pyramid British Israelism: https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/british_israelism

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the most horrific events in Message cult history: Paul Schäfer and Colonia Dignidad We discuss: * William Branham's tours through Germany sponsored by Baron Willia T. Frary von Blomberg * William Branham meeting with Ewald Frank and Paul Schäfer * The very close timeline between meeting Jones and Schäfer * Schäfer's criminal activity before, during, and after working with Branham * The migration to Colonia Dignidad about the same time Jones first went to South America * Criminal activity in Colonia Dignidad * Operation Condor * Augusto Pinochet * Covert WWIII In South America

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the massive amounts of money that flowed through William Branham's revival meetings, his mishandling of funds, and his being caught red-handed in criminal tax evasion. This led to one of the most avoided failed prophecies in Branham's ministry: The failed tent vision We discuss: * William Branham's financial scheme * Tax evasion * Lifestyle vs. Stage Persona * Tent Vision

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine a very sensitive subject for both of them: racism. And how it is subtly introduced, secretly taught, and deceptively spread through the "Message" and its splinter groups. We discuss: * William Branham's public doctrines of racism * How cult leaders in the "Message" are trained in the secret versions of those doctrines * How the secret versions are subtly introduced into the general "Message" population * Examples of racism in the "Message" * Events in the Civil Rights timeline that impacted the doctrines

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the splits among different factions of Latter Rain resulting in Jim Jones and other leading evangelists cursing Branham to death. Ultimately, it would be these divisions that lead to Jones abandoning the Latter Rain movement and heading down the path that led to Jonestown. We discuss: * Public battles between Joseph Mattson-Boze's Herald of Faith and Gordon Lindsay/Voice of Healing * Branham's ultimatums by Voice of Healing * Assemblies of God sanctions turning evangelists against Branham * Branham's outcast, forming new alliances.

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the Latter Rain "divine healing" ministry of Rev. Jim Jones, and its similarity to William Branham. We discuss: * Latter Rain conflicts from 1955 through 1957 * Jim Jones practicing "discernment" * Jim Jones preaching with William Branham * William Branham's endorsement of Jim Jones and People Temple * Message sect leaders in attendance at Jones/Branham revivals * Jones staged healings and their similarities to Branham's

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the influence of William Branham's "Race War" theology on Peoples Temple and the group's path to Jonestown. We discuss: * Branham's prophecy of the coming war between people with black skin and people with black skin * The integration of the Red Scare with Race War theology * The compatibility of the Red Scare fear with Branham's theology * Examples of Jones spreading Branham's race war theology -- without his knowing * Jones changing sides of the "war" * The path to Jonestown

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the doctrines of Jim Jones and their similarities to that of William Branham during the Latter Rain version of "The Message." We discuss: * The Latter Rain's "Five-Fold Ministry Doctrine" * The Manifested Sons of God Doctrine * The hierarchy of authority established by Latter Rain that enabled Jones * The reversal of roles for ministers in Branham's new "gospel" * The suppression of personal relationships with God

John Nelson Darby was the central figure for the Exclusive Brethren cult and is considered by most historians to be the father of modern Dispensationalism and Futurism. The pre-tribulation rapture theology was widely adopted due to John Darby's influence, combined with Cyrus Scofield's usage of Darby's theology in the Scofield Reference Bible. Darby's eschatology was a central theme for the Latter Rain revivals as taught by William Branham, and is still being propagated through evangelical seminaries such as the Dallas Theological Seminary and respected religious figures such as Hal Lindsay and John Hagee. Darby had a profound influence on the founders of the Philadelphia College of the Bible, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, The Master's Seminary, Chafer Theological Seminary, The Criswell College, and Emmaus Bible College. Quote: Darby's teachings, ubiquitous in his voluminous writings and through his many discourses, influenced some who would later prove instrumental in the founding of institutions of theological higher education. Philadelphia College of the Bible, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, The Master's Seminary, Chafer Theological Seminary, The Criswell College, and Emmaus Bible College—to mention only a few of the better-known schools—all have theological roots in Darby. - Winston Terrance Sutherland, B.S., Th.M. William Branham introduced Darby's themes of Dispensationalism into the Latter Rain as "divine revelation," plagiarizing the works of Scofield, Clarence Larkin, and others who had adopted Darby's teachings. Among the books in William Branham's library was a series of books written by Charles Henry Mackintosh entitled Notes on the Pentateuch. Mackintosh was one of the key sources for the documentation and spreading of Darby's Theology. John Nelson Darby: https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/john_nelson_darby

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the background of Jim Jones and People Temple before Jones became a leader in William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Jim Jones' childhood in Lynn, Indiana * The Assemblies of God's influence on Jim Jones * The Latter Rain influence on Jim Jones * Jim Jones connecting with Joseph Mattsson-Boze * Peoples Temple Full Gospel

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine William Branham's seven (or eighteen) visions of 1933 (or 1931, or 1932), which were read to his audience from a paper dated 1933 (and also from a paper dated 1932, and also were buried underneath his Branham Tabernacle in the cornerstone) We discuss: * Different versions of the list of "seven" prophecies * Branham's first description of the visions during the 1950s * Their mysterious absence from his earlier publications * Critical flaws with the visions themselves * Visions that failed * Visions that Branham claimed were fulfilled as he introduced them * Cult leaders re-branding the visions, disagreeing with Branham * How Gerald Winrod and Roy E. Davis influenced the visions

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the sudden fracturing of Latter Rain into various splinter groups, some of which play significant roles in the creation of the New Apostolic Reformation. We discuss: * The conflicts leading up to the divisions in Latter Rain * The Assemblies of God resolution, which caused the largest fracture * The aftermath of the Assemblies of God denouncing Latter Rain as heresy * The major divisions and leaders of those divisions * The decline of interest in William Branham's revival ministry * Jim Jones and Joseph Mattsson-Boze salvaging Branham's ministry * The Shepherding Movement * The Assembly of the Body of Christ Movement * The birth of "The Message" as a cult of personality instead of a movement

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the impact that Gordon Lindsay had on the Post WWII Healing Revival and ultimately the New Apostolic Reformation. We discuss: * Gordon Lindsay's erased history * Membership in multiple cults * The line of "Elijah" prophets * Ties to Charles Fox Parham * Joining John G. Lake's cult * Joining Aimee Semple McPherson's cult * British Israelism and White Supremacy

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the antisemitism that was secretly embedded into William Branham's ministry -- hidden in plain sight. We discuss: * Racial slurs and antisemitism * William Branham's hate speech * Gerald Winrod and Wesley Swift's influence on the "Message" * Hidden secrets told only in the inner circle * Secret "tiers of heaven" theology of "heavenly slavery" * Branham's true meaning behind the "Seven Sealed Mystery" * Branham's prophecy of supreme race and coming race war.

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the Great Sedition Trial of 1944, William Branham's involvement, and the connections to several key figures in William Branham's ministry and inner circle. We discuss: * The Great Sedition Trial of 1944 * William Branham narrowly escaping arrest * Why the arrest * F. F. Bosworth's connection * Cadle Tabernacle connection * Paul Rader's connection * Ralph Rader's connection * Roy E. Davis' connection * Congressman William D. Upshaw's connection * Angelus Temple connection and all of its spiderweb of connection * Connections to Sharon Orphanage / Latter Rain

Read more at Jonestown research site: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=123979 After homicide detectives in Kenya stated that Malindi cult leader Paul Mackenzie "brainwashed his converts using William Branham's End of Days Theology", we began investigating Mackenzie's doctrinal teaching and comparing it to William Branham's sermon transcripts. One sermon in particular, "The Oddball" is of interest. This sermon was among the religious tracts published by Spoken Word in Jeffersonville, Indiana, confiscated by officials in Kenya.

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine the moment in which William Branham decided to publically announce the doctrine that was opposed to the Civil Rights Movement. We discuss: * The origins of the Christian Identity Doctrine * Branham re-branding it as "Serpent's Seed." * The rise of Roy Davis * Congressman William D. Upshaw's involvement * The Little Rock Nine event in Civil Rights History

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine one of the fundamental doctrines used as a building block for William Branham's "Message" cult of personality and the splinter groups that branched from it: British Israelism. We discuss: * Origins of British Israelism * Political and religious context of the doctrine * How and why white supremacy groups used the doctrine * How and why many religious cults favor the doctrine

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine William Branham's trip overseas to Germany and the spiderweb of connections to international crime. We discuss: * Paul Schafer and Colonia Dignidad * Ewald Frank * Richard Nixon * Operation Condor * Operation Paperclip * Kacou Philippe

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John examine William Branham's trip overseas and all of the ... unusual ... things that took place -- in Africa and India We discuss: * Message leaders and their personality off-stage versus their personality on-stage * Drinking, dancing, women ... and MEN! * Branham's white-only revivals in South Africa * Failed healings covered up by leaders in the revivals * Visiting the graves of men ... who weren't even buried in the country * Visiting kings who ... were not kings

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John discuss the early history of The Voice of Healing magazine and the religious denomination that William Branham and Gordon Lindsay attempted to organize before Lindsay severed ties with Branham. We discuss: * Branham stealing the name "The Voice of Healing" from a column in the Herald of Truth magazine Branham edited * The original focus of the magazine until Branham's sudden mental health episode * The many "Branham clones" that were created after Branham disappeared, such as Oral Roberts. * The awkward situation created when Branham returned to the revivals * The creation of the Word of Faith Movement * The creation of the Prosperity Gospel * The impact of the Manifested Sons of God Doctrine

After what witnesses describe as a long battle with cancer, Billy Paul Branham has died. He passed on October 19, 2023, at 3:33 am. Billy Paul was at one time a person that I knew and respected. Even from a small child, I was always around him and knew him as "Brother Billy". He worked very closely with my grandfather at the Branham Tabernacle, and I am told by relatives that even after my grandfather strongly condemned the Branhams for what grandpa and his team of deacons alleged to be theft of church property and misuse of funds, Grandpa remained very close to Billy. I am told that even after starting his new church, my grandfather continued private meetings with Billy Paul. Grandpa and Billy were always very close. Though I did not realize the significance of it at the time, when my father was attempting to grow a "Message" community in Kansas, Billy came to help. Dad ran newspaper advertisements headlining Billy coming to town in big, bold letters, "Son of a Prophet". Billy also helped grow and excite the youth at churches near us in Kansas, and we often traveled to see him. In those years, the timing of William Branham's Los Angeles Prophecy was strongly tied to Billy's age, and those of us who attended his meetings all knew that the final destruction of Los Angeles was just around the corner. Billy frequently repeated William Branham's words to him, "you won't be an old man until sharks will swim right where we are standing." As we traveled around to hear him speak, we'd hear Billy Paul proudly exclaim, "I'm not an old man yet!" Over time, as Billy's age began to show, that element of the story began to fade from the memories. I had a much deeper connection to Billy, however. Billy Paul was my friend. He was also my foundation in many ways. My maternal grandfather traveled from Georgia to Kansas and gifted me my first guitar. I suddenly found myself at the center of a family controversy; William Branham was not consistent about his extra-biblical rules concerning musical instruments. He had strongly discouraged my grandfather from stringed instruments, and Grandpa (not fully understanding that the piano was a stringed instrument) strongly forbade instruments that had visible strings. My father rejected the gift and I was very discouraged. Like me, Billy Paul was a lover of music-stringed instruments or not. My private conversations with Billy encouraged me and over time, at the protest of my father and encouragement from my mother and grandfather, I began collecting stringed instruments and learning to play them. When I sent Billy a cassette tape of some songs that I recorded as a one-man-band, four-part harmony quartet, Billy Paul sent me a letter expressing how much he enjoyed it. My mother framed it, and until I left the "Message" in 2012 that letter from Billy hung on my wall in my office. I can thank Billy for the music that I produce in my videos today; without him, I would have suppressed what he considered to be my "musical gift". Billy was also there for me at times when I needed him most. Mental health issues in the "Message" run rampant. I had severe depression while in the religion. I had family members who had what William Branham called "a nervous condition". Billy Paul understood when everyone else in my life demonized those who struggled with mental health. I will never forget the time that I met Billy for lunch at Wendy's in Jeffersonville, barely holding things together because a person very close to me was suffering from Mental health issues. Billy assured me that everything would be okay, and told me that he, too, struggled at times. Billy confided in me that as a young man working with his father, there were times when he struggled so badly that he hid under his desk when people might walk into his office. But he assured me that God had the power to heal, and though times may get tough, God was faithful to be our help in times of need. I already respected Billy, but on that day, I respected him even more. While many of my peers idolized him, I suddenly realized that he was human. That memory has helped me in many ways, still today. I now know that there are many things that Billy Paul Branham could have done to prevent what we see today in the "Message" and all of its splinter groups. He was one of the last remaining men alive who had the respect of leaders in the movement, even among the most divided splinter cells. We will never know if he gave a deathbed confession, but if he did and it was published, not a single person would remain in the Branhamite religion. Many of those leaders have the same power within their individual splinter groups, and I could have strong negative thoughts about each of them. They know the things I know. But Billy taught me a very important lesson that has guided me as I expose the wrongs that are being done and the people that have suffered and died because of those wrongs. Billy Paul Branham taught me that they, like me, are human.

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John discuss one of the most influential people in the Post WWII Healing Revival. William Branham's mentor, fellow revivalist, and former director in John Alexander Dowie's cult of personality, F. F. Bosworth. We also discuss the many ways in which Bosworth was influenced and his influence on Branham and the overall healing revival -- from white supremacy to the Word of Faith Movement. We discuss: * John Alexander Dowie's Christian Catholic Church in Zion * Bosworth's joining Zion and what that meant * Bosworth's brutal beating in Texas * Bosworth's founding of the Assemblies of God * The mystery surrounding Bosworth's early connection to Branham * Bosworth holding two months of revivals at Indiana's Klan headquarters * Early foundation for the Word of Faith movement

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John discuss one of the most destructive doctrines that emerged from the Latter Rain Movement: The Manifested Sons of God. It is widely credited as being introduced by George Warnock, Yet Warnock and Branham shared a very similar theology that emerged about the same time. We discuss: * Manifest Sons of God * Latter Rain * Variations of the Manifest Sons of God doctrine * Covert ways in which the Manifest Sons of God doctrine is taught * British Israelism * John Alexander Dowie's influence on the revival theology * Christian Identity Doctrine / Serpent's Seed Doctrine * Covert ways in which Christian Identity Doctrine is taught

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham In this episode, Charles and John discuss the early origins of the Latter Rain movement and its relationship with the New Apostolic Reformation. We discuss: * The Latter Rain Message and its shorter name, "The Message" * Five-Fold Ministry Doctrine * The Restoration Movement * Manifest Sons of God Sect * Splinter Groups of Latter Rain, such as "The Walk", "The Body", "Shepherding Movement", "New Apostolic Reformation" * Kenneth Hagin and the Word of Faith Movement