For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV)

The leaders in New Apostolic Movement (NAR) today and those who have come before them in the same vein, are all “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” Though they may ultimately believe their own disguise, they are no less culpable and responsible for causing people to fall away from truth to embrace the lies they peddle. Of course, Paul points out that Satan is an angel of light (v. 14), and naturally, his (human) servants use disguises to hide the truth about themselves.

Previously, we highlighted the New Order of Latter Rain and we also included a very brief look at the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 in that same article. Let’s now learn about a movement that was big in the 1950’s and gave birth to others like the main person who started it; Voice of Healing Movement (VOHM).

For all intents and purposes, the biggest name in the VOHM was William Branham. He was a minister within Pentecostalism where a variety of signs and wonders encircled him wherever he preached. In fact, Branham was known for his “pillar of fire” that would at times rest on above him, on a shoulder, or move around the crowd in which he ministered. Branham put great stock in his “angel” who he said was always with him. It wasn’t necessarily God that worked through Branham, but his angel.

It is so unfortunate that within the prophetic signs and wonders movement, there is so much doctrinal error and it persists today. What is even more tragic is the fact that the error is so routinely accepted as truth by so many. People are sheep, easily following one person or another without much thought. It is due to one fact and one fact only: the teachings presented come with signs and wonders. Instead of using the Bible to corroborate whatever is being taught to them, people willingly accept the teaching as though from God based solely on the presence of signs and wonders. How easy is Satan’s job where some are concerned?

Yet, reading through the Bible (something I highly recommend, not just once, but on an ongoing basis!), we learn that Satan is a very powerful supernatural being. His intellect alone far exceeds that of the smartest human being. He exists in the spiritual realm, unseen by human eyes, though he can affect what occurs in this realm (Job 1). He does what normal human beings cannot do and he has the advantageous cloak of invisibility that works in his favor remarkably well.

When Satan masquerades as an angel of light, he does so for only two purposes. First, it is an attempt to imitate of God (Isaiah 14). Second, it has a great chance to overcome people with deception (2 Corinthians 11:14).