Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

The Latter Rain Movement

the revival suddenly began in the largest classroom, where the student body had gathered for devotional exercises." 9 Em Hawtin reported: "Some students were under the power of God on the floor, others were kneeling in devotion and worship before the Lord. The anointing deepened until the awe of God was upon everyone." A revelation was given concerning a certain student's life and ministry, followed by a long prophecy by Em Hawtin detailing the great thing God was about to do. There was strong exhortation to holiness and dedication. Part of Hawtin's prophecy is of particular interest to us (emphasis added): These are the last days, my people.The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and I shall move in the midst of mine own.The gifts of the Spirit will be restored to my church.If thou shalt obey me I shall immediately restore them.... Thou hast obeyed me and I shall restore my gifts to you, I shall indicate from time to time those who are to receive the gifts of my Spirit. They shall be received by prophecy and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 10 During the past six weeks we have enjoyed a great visitation of the Spirit of God.Some of us have been praying for twenty years that the nine gifts of the Spirit would be restored to the church. The Spirit [of] fasting and prayer has rested upon the whole school all winter.Finally the great "Break Through" came and the spiritual gifts began to operate among us ....The revival is spreading all over the province....The Gifts of the Spirit are def initely being restored to the Church.A new era is dawning. 11 News of these happenings spread so rapidly that Sharon's annual camp meeting at North Battleford from July 7-18, 1948, was overflowing with people who had flocked from all over the continent. One of the key attrac tions was that "the North Battleford brethren were successful in impart ing spiritual gifts by the laying on of their hands." 12 Since this approach was not practiced in Pentecostal churches, the lead ership at Sharon had followed the initial prophecy with diligent Bible study to ascertain if they were truly on scriptural grounds. After deter mining that they were, they felt the freedom under God to proceed cau tiously. They did not indulge in a wholesale laying on of hands for any and all who came to the camp. Those present tell of the godly atmosphere and deep reverence mani fested at the meetings. Candidates seeking prophecy and the laying on of hands were instructed to fast and pray, and when it seemed appropriate to the Holy Spirit and the leadership, they would receive ministry. But this cautious procedure did not always sit well with some of the eager visitors. 291. George Hawtin describes those days in early 1948: