The Profile of A Hero

I was watching Benny Hinn interviewing Oral Roberts one day on the television a few days ago. I made a decision there and then to write a hub featuring Benny Hinn, Kathryn Kuhlman and Oral Roberts. Little did I know that this interview was aired on television because Oral Roberts had passed earlier that day as the result of the complications of pneumonia.

I was saddened because I admired him even more in his last days than in his former years. He had aged gracefully. He exhibited great strength of character and a fantastic memory. He even had a tremendous sense of humor.

Even though we will all miss him, he is in a much better place at this time. He has reunited with his wife and his daughter who passed on before him as well as countless others. He will no longer have to suffer as the result of the limitations of his body. As he is absent from his body, he is present with the Lord and he will remain with him for eternity.

Oral Roberts had a unique sense of divine guidance. He obeyed God regardless of the gossip surrounding his life. It should not be surprising that people spoke negatively about him or his life at times. Jesus had a similar experience when he was here on earth. Jesus was perfect, yet people criticized almost everything he said and did. This may be a reminder to Christians all over the world. People will always have something to say about us. If we are living according to God's will and purpose we have no need to be concerned about all the talk. We should be more concerned with their salvation.

He will always be remembered for the outstanding healing ministry he attributed to a gift from God. He declared that God gave him the gift of healing through the anointing in his right arm. Countless people have received healing during his services and television broadcasts. The Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma is the greatest Christian University and the most recent legacy he has left for the world to behold. He will also be remembered for the radio and television programs which made him popular.

On Monday, 21st December, 2009, almost a week after Oral Roberts had passed, the Trinity Broadcasting Network featured the life of Oral Roberts on the Praise the Lord program. There were some outstanding things about his life which were highlighted on this program. Paul Crouch the founder, his two sons, daughter in law and Benny Hinn were on that program celebrating Oral's life. It was a 'bitter sweet' moment as the founder mentioned. Sadly, he is no longer with us, but sweet because he is now with Jesus forever and reunited with his wife.

Oral Roberts and Billy Graham have been two of the greatest evangelists in the United States of America during the twentieth century. It is no coincidence that both have lived into their nineties and they remained very good friends. Billy Graham stated that about three weeks before his death, Oral spoke to him on the telephone and told him that he believed he (Oral) will soon be going home. The night before he passed it was reported that he was singing hymns loudly and rejoicing. He declared that he saw angels, and he was going home.

Kim Clement, a prophet from South Africa had sent a message to Benny Hinn prior to the meeting. He prophesied that after the deaths of Oral Roberts and Billy Graham there will be the start of the greatest revivals that ever existed on earth.

Kathryn Kuhlman and Oral Roberts had a divine gift of healing and they were able to reach thousands through the anointing they received to minister. The advent of the radio and television made it possible for them to reach people who were not able to travel to their meetings.

Paul Crouch stated that the mantle Oral Roberts had to minister healing to his generation was passed on to Benny Hinn. Some people were not aware of this, but Benny Hinn had paid Oral Roberts a salary up to his dying day. The close bond they shared was no secret to those who knew both men well. In fact, Oral Roberts was more than just a friend to Benny Hinn, he was like a spiritual father.

Benny Hinn said he was overwhelmed by all the problems and pressures he was encountering so he was once thinking of quitting the ministry.   He visited Oral Roberts privately for advice.  Benny told him the reasons he was thinking of quitting, and why he felt justified in making the decision. Oral Roberts told him he could not quit.  If he did, God would kill him, since he was entrusted with a great responsibility.

On another occasion, Benny Hinn was excited about going to Liberia to minister. Oral Roberts told him that if he went, he would return to America in a casket and God would judge him for dying early. He decided not to go. About a week later, the country of Liberia was in chaos, and Benny realized that Oral's warning was very accurate.

Oral Roberts, though used mightily by God, had his share of tragedies. His daughter and son in law were killed in a plane crash. His older son committed suicide. Benny Hinn asked him how he was able to deal with that tragedy. He replied that the Lord gave him the strength that he needed. He said it was part of the price that he had to pay. The price was high and the sacrifice would affect his family. He said Jesus painted a picture of heaven. Perhaps he felt the reward far outweighed the pain he had to bare at that time.

The difference between the thief on the cross and the apostle Paul is that the thief could not be entrusted with a crown for good works, but the apostle Paul will receive crowns for all the work he has done to spread the gospel.

Oral Roberts admonished all young ministers of the gospel to read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Acts of the Apostles. He encouraged them to study Jesus' teaching, his words and his miracles. Incidentally, he did practice what he preached. He was admonished by Jesus to study those books and he said he read those books at least three times in their entirety at the beginning of his ministry.

The world has lost a giant in the healing ministry and Christian education. However, heaven has received a saint who has labored to reach thousands for Christ. The Scripture declares precious in the sight of God is the passing of a saint. We also know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We know that he can now rest from all his labor and enjoy the presence of the Lord forever.

Benny Hinn was born in Israel. He migrated to Canada. When he became a christian, he was called into the ministry. It was not until he relocated to the United States of America that his ministry began to take on a new dimension. He is well known for the healing ministry and his anointing from God to heal people of all diseases. Like Oral Roberts and Kathryn Kuhlman, he does not take credit for anyone's healing during his service.

I have had the opportunity to attend his healing service in South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. On each occasion, I was overwhelmed by the awesome presence of God. I think being in his meetings gives us a peek into what heaven must be like. Except healing of course, since there is no reason for a healing service. Our temporary bodies remain on earth as we return to our Maker. He speaks with much authority and conviction, yet he has remained very humble. He is truly an anointed minister of God.

Another feature of his service is the inspirational singing of the mass choir, as well as various anointed singers such as Steve Brock, Alvin Slaughter, Judy Jacobs and a host of others. He minsters internationally on the great continents of Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, North America as well as a variety of islands.

I am very impressed with his sincerity and humility. He stands out as a man of compassion which I think is an indication of what Jesus must have been like while He was here on earth ministering.  A true leader is exemplary by putting their family members first and by being sincere.  In the videos to the right and below, we can see how he has been used by God in many ways and his loyalty to his family is evident. He is truly an outstanding man of God.

Kathryn Kuhlman has been hailed as the most outstanding woman in the United States of America to be used by the Holy Spirit in a mighty ministry of healing.  It has been stated that 'no woman in the twentieth century demonstrated the restoring and healing power of the Holy Spirit to move people than Kathryn Kuhlman'.  God has used other women for sure, but none can claim to have such an impact as Kathryn.  She declared "No man or woman need ever be defeated! You are only defeated when you consent to defeat." 

She emphasized that the greatest miracle anyone could ever experience was the gift of their salvation, but it was the ministry of healing that she was best known.  Like Oral Roberts and Benny Hinn she had an overwhelming compassion for people.

She had an extrememly close relationship with God.  She always started her meetings with an intimate prayer to God.  She totally relied on the Holy Spirit to empower her before she started to minister.

Even though to many she might have appeared totally feminine, fragile and even frail.  She had an inner strength that was envied by millions.  She attracted many people who were desperate and seeking to be healed.  She had many anointed singers minister in her meetings as well.  Much of her teachings have been recorded and published in her book The Greatest Power in The World.  She went home 20th February, 1976.