THE
MESSAGE
OF THE
HOUR
RONNIE MILLEVO
THE
MESSAGE
OF THE
HOUR
RONNIE MILLEVO
Pastor, Spoken Word Christian Assembly Quezon City, Philippines www.endtimemessage.inFo
A Quick Reference Guide To The MESSAGE-OF-THE-HOUR
Published By
SPOKEN WORD CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
P.O. Box 1630, Quezon City Central Post Office, 1156 Quezon City, Philippines
URL: www.endtimemessage.info
PHILIPPINE COPYRIGHT, 2008
By Ronnie Millevo, MillevoMedia
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, except brief quotations for a review, private study or research, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act of 1988, without permission in writing from the author.
Every attempt has been made by the author to contact other copyright holders of articles used as reference in this book. Any that may be inadvertently overlooked are given my apologies and should contact the publisher as soon as possible so that due credit and acknowledgment can be given to them.
Book Cover and Graphic Design By Ronnie Millevo
PREFACE i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii
CHAPTER 1 – THE END-TIME MESSAGE 1
Signs Of The End, 1* End-Time Destruction, 2* End-Time Scenario, 3* Perilous Times, 5* Israel As A Nation, 5* The New World Order, 6* Knowledge Shall Increase, 6* Commercialism And Moral Decay, 7* End-Time Apostasy, 8* Restoration of the Bride Tree, 9* Admonition to Laodicea, 11* Elijah Ministry And God’s Seventh Angel, 11*
CHAPTER 2 – THE END-TIME MESSENGER 13
The Word Comes To The Prophet, 13* The Spirit Of Elijah, 14* A Twentieth Century Prophet, 15* The Life Story Of William Marrion Branham, 16* Childhood Days, 16* The Commission From God, 17* Visitation Of An Angel, 17* The Pillar Of Fire, 18* Two Vindicated Signs, 18* Worldwide Ministry, 19* Prophetic Ministry, 20* Seven Sealed Book Revealed, 20* The Mystery Cloud, 21* Hebrews 13:8, 21* Seven Visions, 22* Witnesses To The Branham Ministry, 25* William Branham Resources, 26*
CHAPTER 3 – AN EXPOSITION OF THE SEVEN CHURCH AGES 27
The Seven Stars and the Seven Candlesticks, 27* The Ephesians Church Age/Saint Paul, 28* The Smyrnean Church Age/Saint Ireneaus, 28* The Pergamean Church Age/ Saint Martin, 29 * The Thyatirean Church Age/Saint Columba, 30* The Sardisean Church Age/ Martin Luther, 31* The Philadelphian Church Age/John Wesley, 32* The Laodicean Church Age/William Branham, 33*
CHAPTER 4 - THE REVELATION OF THE SEVEN SEALS 36
The Seven Sealed Book, 36* Daniel’s Vision, 37* John and the Mighty Angel, 37* The Seventh Angel-Messenger, 38* An Open Book, 38* What Those Seals Contained, 39* The First Seal – White Horse Rider, 39* The Second Seal – Red Horse Rider, 40* The Third Seal – Black Horse Rider, 42* The Fourth Seal – Pale Horse Rider, 43* The Fifth Seal – Souls Under The Altar, 44* The Sixth Seal – Tribulation Period, 45* The Seventh Seal – The Coming of the Lord, 46*
CHAPTER 5 – THE TRUTH ABOUT PREDESTINATION 49
God’s Foreknowledge, 49* The Fall of Man: A Permissive Will, 49* Jesus Died For The Elect, 50* How Can The Pot Say To The Potter?, 50* The Gospel Is Hid To Them That Are Lost, 50* Not Everyone Shall Enter The Kingdom, 51* Quotes on Predestination, 51*
CHAPTER 6 – THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE 54
A Book of Records, 54* The Lamb’s Book of Life, 55* A Record of Names, 55* The Word Bride, 56* The Foolish Virgins, 57* The Borderline Believers, 58* The Reprobates, 58* The
144,000 Elect Jews, 59* The Righteous and the Wicked: Sheep & Goats, 60* God’s Sovereignty & Omniscience, 61* The New Birth Pulls Your Name Out of the Old Book, 62* Adam Forfeited the Book, 64* Jesus, the Second Adam, Redeemed the Book, 65* The Lamb Was Slain Before the Foundation of the World, 66* You Were Chosen Before the Foundation of the World, 68 * The Book of Redemption, 69* John Had A Preview of the Book, 69* The Mighty Angel Brings Down the Open Book to the Earth, 70* The Seventh Angel Declares the Contents of the Book, 71* The Bride Must Eat The Book, 71* The Ministry of the Bride, 72*
CHAPTER 7 – THE TRUTH ON THE GODHEAD 74
Three Major Beliefs – Trinitarianism, Unitarianism, Dualism, 74* The Correct Understanding of the Godhead, 75* God is a Spirit, 75* God’s Thoughts & Attributes, 75* God’s Thoughts Expressed Into Word (Logos), 77* God Manifested in Flesh, 78* Jesus, the Image of the Invisible God, 79* Three Dispensations of the One God, 79* The Spirit of Jesus in the Church, 79* Jesus is Both Man and God, 80* Jesus, Back to a Pillar of Fire, 81* Jesus is Jehovah Made Flesh, 81* Quotes From Brother Branham Regarding the Godhead Teaching, 83* The Wheel of Prophesy, 85* Conclusion, 88*
CHAPTER 8 – THE TRUTH ON WATER BAPTISM 89
Titles or Name?, 89* The Apostles Had a Correct Revelation, 90* Were St. Peter and Paul Wrong?, 91* Three Titles to One Name, 91* What About Matthew 28:19?, 92* A Solemn Invitation, 92* Historical Facts & Records, 92* The Truth About “Infant Baptism”, 93*
CHAPTER 9 – THE BIBLE AS OUR ABSOLUTE 94
The Bible as An Ultimate, 95* Thus Saith The Lord, 97* The Word is God, 93* God’s Sole Standard, 101* Wisdom and Reasoning Against the Word, 104* Creeds And Dogmas, 108* Denominationalism, 109* God’s Chosen Place Of Worship, 116* The True Church, 120*
CHAPTER 10 – THE WAY OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE 122
Is Church Attendance A “Must”? 123* Church, Order and Conduct, 125* Works Versus Grace, 126* The Genuine Christian, 128* The Sin Question, 135* Do Christians Backslide? 138* On Love and Brotherly Kindness, 143* Admonition to the Church, 145* On Disfellowship and Ex-Communication, 146* Grounds For Disfellowship, 148* Being “Unequally Yoked” With Unbelievers, 148* The Parable of the Eagle, 151*
CHAPTER 11 – THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY 154
Know Your Calling, 155* Church Order, Conduct And Doctrine, 156* Church Sovereignty, 156* Seven Qualifications of a True Minister, 157* A Brief Description of the Five-Fold Ministry, 158* Prophet, 158* Pastor, 159* Evangelist, 160* Teacher, 160* Apostle, 161* Duties and Responsibilities of a True Minister, 161* Ordaining of Ministers, 165* Training of Ministers, 165* The Goals and Mechanics of Preaching, 166* A Checklist in Preaching, 167
*Ten Basic Elements of A Sermon, 169* A Solemn Warning Against False Ministers, 169* Nicolaitanism and Balaamism, 170* Corruption of the Clergy, 170* Divide and Conquer, 171* Man Over Man, 172* Leading by Fear, 174* Money-Making Schemes, 174*
CHAPTER 12 – THE PERFECT FAITH 175
The Just Shall Live By Faith, 175* Faith is A Revealtion, 176* You are Saved By Faith,177 * True Faith Is Built Upon the Word of God, 178* Faith is Positive, Never Negative, 178* Faith Masters All Circumstances, 179* Fear and Doubt are Contradictory to Faith, 180* Divine Healing is Based on Faith, 180* True Faith Comes by the Holy Ghost, 181* Faith Gives You Power and Authority Over the Devil, 182* John 14:12 in Action, 183* Human Wisdom and Reasoning are Against Faith, 184* Scriptures on Faith, 187*
CHAPTER 13 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NEW BIRTH 189
For All Have Sinned, 189* Three Stages Of The New Birth, 190* First Stage- Justification, 191* Second Stage- Santification, 192* Third Stage- Baptism of the Holy Ghost, 192* Sabbath To Our Souls, 194* Beware: Impersonation of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, 195* The Wheat and the Tares, 196* Not Everyone that Saith “Lord, Lord” Shall Enter into the Kingdom, 196*
CHAPTER 14 – THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST 198
A Biblical Description, 198* Spirit of Power and Truth, 198* Spirit of Revelation, 200* Holy Spirit is a “Seal”, 201* You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, 202* Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the Real New Birth, 203* The Holy Ghost is the “Oil” That’s Required for the Rapture, 204* The Holy Ghost Is Poured Upon All Flesh, 205* Are Gifts Considered as Evidence? 206* Are Sensations and Emotions Considered as Evidence? 207 * Is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost Allotted to a Special People? 209* Does Having Love and the Fruits of the Spirit Signify as Real Evidence? 211* Is Receiving the Message for the Age the Real Evidence? 212* Is Holiness Part of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost? 213* Forgiveness and Travail for Souls as Evidence, 214*
CHAPTER 15 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RAPTURE 215
A Secret Catching Away, 215* Three Comings of Jesus, 216* The Wise and the Foolish Virgins, 217* Six Raptures in the Bible, 219* The Shout, the Voice, the Trumpet, 224* Signs that the Rapture is At Hand, 225* As It was in the Days of Sodom/Noah So Shall It Be in the Coming of the Son of Man, 225*
CHAPTER 16 – THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS 226
Oil Symbolizes the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, 227* A Midnight Cry, 228* The Word “Virgin” Applies To All Sanctified Christians, 228* The Foolish Virgins Did Not Receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, 229* Only the Wise Virgins Made it Into the Rapture, 229* The Foolish Virgins Will Be Left Behind in the Tribulation Period, 230* The Foolish Virgins Will Miss the Rapture, 231* The Foolish Virgins Will Not Take the Mark of the Beast But Will Die For Their Faith, 231*The Foolish Virgins Will Be Saved In the Second Resurrection, 231* Will There Be Foolish Virgins Amongst the Ranks of the Message? 232* The Three Kinds of Believers, 233* Left Behind, 235 * Die or Compromise, 236*
CHAPTER 17 – THE SEVEN FEAST DAYS OF THE LORD 237
Christian Significance, 237* Israel is Blinded Until the Fullness of the Gentiles Be Fulfilled, 238* Seven Seals to the Gentiles, Seven Trumpets to the Jews, 23* The Feast of the Pass Over, 240* The Feast of Unleavened Bread, 240* The Feast of First Fruits, 240* The Feast of Weeks, 241* The Feast of Trumpets, 242* Two Sets of Trumpets, 242*
The Feast of Atonement, 243* The Feast of Tabernacles, 244* The Millennium, 244* Heathens In the Millennium, 246* Satan Bound for 1000 Years, 249* Will There Be Sin In the Millennium? 250* A Holy Convocation – The Eighth Day, 251*
CHAPTER 18 – THE THREE REALMS OF MAN 253
The Soul: Man’s Control Tower, 253* The Soul Dwells in the Heart of Man, 255* Sin Marred That Soul, 256* For All Have Sinned, 257* The New Birth is Required, 257 * War of the Flesh Versus the Spirit, 258* The Physical Body, 260* The Sixteen Elements of Man, 263* The Believer’s Soul is Eternal, 263* Theophany: Our Celestial Body, 265* The Holy Ghost Baptism is In the Soul, 267* Anointing versus Indwelling, 268*
CHAPTER 19 – THE DOCTRINE OF THE “SOUL CHANGE” 270
Some Scriptures on the “Soul” Being Saved, Purified, Healed and Redeemed, 270* Key Points to Consider, 271* The Believer’s Souls is Eternal, 271* Your Soul Came from God,
Not From Satan, 272* Satan Perverted Man’s Soul through the Sex Birth, 272* Spiritual Amnesia, 273* You Were Never a Sinner to Begin With, 274* Two Natures, Not Two Souls, 274* Old Nature: Works of the Flesh, 276* “Passing from One Form to Another”, 277* The Control Tower is Not Replaced But The One Who Controls It, 278* Resurrection, Not Replacement, 279* “The Soul That Sinneth” Applies to Unbelievers, 280* No Annihila- tion of Souls Today, Not Yet, 280* Old Nature Versus New Nature, 281*
CHAPTER 20 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MARK OF THE BEAST 283
Let No Man Deceive You, 283* The Spoken Is the Original Seed, 283* Anti-Word Means Anti-Christ, 284* Denominations: Man-made Systems of Worship, 284* Salvation Is an Individual Affair With God, 285 * The Birth of Denominations, 285* All Cannot Be Right, 286* Religion is a Big Business, 286* God is Not an Author of Confusion, 286* Traditions, Creeds and Dogmas, 287* The New World Order, 288* The Call For a False Unity, 289* The Mark of the Beast, 290* The Wheat and the Tares, 290* A Message to God’s Elect, 291*
CHAPTER 21 – MYSTERY BABYLON, MOTHER OF HARLOTS. 292
Who is This Treacherous Woman? 292* Which Religious System?, 293* Rome is Not Doing It Alone, 295* A Mother With Harlot Daughters, 296* Are You Part of the Body or the Part of the System? 296*
CHAPTER 22 – THE TEN HORNS OF REVELATION 298
The Beast and the Woman, 298* Seven Hills of Rome, 299* Mystery Babylon, 299* Roman Emperors, 300* The Ten Horns, 300* Ten Magnum Regions of the World, 301* One World Constitution, 302* Ten Dictators Will Bomb the Vatican, 303* Communism: A Tool of God? 303* The Destruction of Rome, 305*
CHAPTER 23 – AMERICA: THE LAMB WITH TWO HORNS 306
Civil and Ecclesiastical Powers, 306* Kansas Prayer, 307* The First and the Second Beast, 307* The World Council of Churches: An Image Unto the Beast, 308* Vicarivs Filii Dei, 309* America and Rome Tandem, 309* A Moment of Decision, 310* The Jews Will Be Trapped By Rome, 310* A Woman Will Rule America, 311* American Pope Prophesied, 312* New York Tragedy Prophesied, 312* Los Angeles Will Sink Beneath The Ocean By An EarthQuake, 312*
CHAPTER 24 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ORIGINAL SIN 315
Was It An Apple? 315* The Seed of the Serpent, 315* The Seed of the Woman, 316* The Missing Link Between Man and Animal, 316* Scripture’s Twins, 317* Enoch, the Seventh From Adam, 317*
CHAPTER 25 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SABBATH 318
Sabbath means “Rest”, 318* Seven Means Completion, 318* The New Birth is our Sabbath, 319* Harden Not Your Hearts, 320* Saturday or Sunday? 320*
CHAPTER 26 – THE TRUTH ABOUT TITHES AND OFFERINGS… 322
Origin of Tithings, 322* The Difference Between Tithes And Offerings, 322* A Blessing and a Curse, 323* A Test of Obedience, Stewardship and Discipline, 324* A Controversial Issue, 325* Tithing as an Obligation and as a Christian Duty, 325* Brother Branham Paid Tithes, 326* Abraham as Our Example, 327* Nothing Will Substitute Tithings, 327* Tithing Goes to the Minister, 327* A Challenge to Obedience, 328* Can a Pastor Take a Part-Time Job? 328* Some Related Scriptures On “Work”, 329*
CHAPTER 27 – THE TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN PREACHERS 330
Knowing Her Rightful Position, 330* An Issue of Usurpation of Authority, 331* Women in the Five-Fold Ministry? 331* A Woman Can Sing, Testify, Speak In Tongues, Prophesy, But Not To Teach or Preach, 332* A Woman Must Not Invade the Pulpit, 333* The Woman, Not the Man, Was Deceived in the Garden, 333* She Shall Be Saved in Child Bearing, 334* A Real Woman is a Jewel, 334* Being a Dominating Female is Anti-Christ, 335*
CHAPTER 28 – SCRIPTURAL TEACHING ON “HAIR” 336
The Principle of Authority, 336* Spiritual Significance, 337* The Covering, 337* Contention, 338* Conclusion, 338*
CHAPTER 29 - CONTENDING FOR MODESTY AND HOLINESS 340
A Biblical Principle, 340* Abomination Through the Wrong Use of Garments, 340* A Response to God’s Grace, 341* The Protection of Modesty, 342* On Tattooes, 342* On Make-Up’s, 343* On Earrings, 343* Immorality of Women In The Last Days, 344*
CHAPTER 30 – ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE 347
Two Schools of Thought, 347* God’s Original Plan: One Man, One Woman, 348* Key Terminologies, 348* Frequently Asked Questions: Does the Vow Marry a Couple Before God? 349* Can A Woman Remarry Only After Her Husband is Dead? 349* What is the Difference Between Fornication and Adultery? 349* Is it OK For a Man to Take Back His Previous Wife Who has Been Married to Another Man? 350* Is it OK for a Man to Take Back His Previous Wife Who has Remained Single? 350* Can a Believer Leave an Unbelieving Partner and Re-Marry a Believer for the Sake of Serving the Lord? 351* Can a Man Leave a Woman Who has Been Untrue Before Marriage and Has an Unconfessed Sin of Fornication and then Marry Another? 352* Can a Minister Marry a Widow? 353* Can Pastors and Deacons Have More than One Living Wives? 353* How Can a Case of Adultery Be Made Right Before God? 353* Will Christians Today Who Are Found Living in Adultery Be Still Forgiven by God? 355* Can A Believer Marry an Unbeliever? 356* Key Highlights on Marriage and Divorce, 356*
CHAPTER 31 - CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: TRUTH OR MYTH?. 363
Ancient History, 363* Christ Pointed Us to His Death, Not to His Birth, 364* Jesus, the Lamb Was Born In April, 364* The Roman “Sun-God” Festival: Saturnalia, 364* Commercialism, 366 * Christmas is a Myth and a Pagan Celebration, 367* Santa Claus, 368* The Proper Christmas Perspective, 369*
CHAPTER 32 – ON DIVINE HEALING 371
With His Stripes We are Healed, 371* Scriptures on Divine Healing, 372* Sickness and Sin Go Together, 374* Repentance is a Requirement for Healing, 375* Devil Tormentors, 376* No Man Can Heal, 378* Go And Sin No More, 381* Healing By Confession, 381* The Testimony of John Rhyn, 384* Is Medicine of God? 385* Major Scriptures on Healing, 386*
CHAPTER 33 – ON “TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS” 387
Five Uses of Problems, 387* God Has a Confidence In You, 389* Tried and Tested, 389* Liberation From Worldlyism, 391* Growing Pains of His Grace, 391* God Purging Our Character, 392* Satan Can Never Take Your Life, 394* Molding Us Into Christ’s Character, 394* The Benefits That Trials and Testing Bring Us, 396* Sources of Trials, 397* Circum- stantial Trials, 397* Persecution, 398* Satan As Permitted By God, 399* God’s Proving Grounds, 399* Self-Made Trials, 340*
CHAPTER 34 – THE SEVEN DIMENSIONS 401
Light, 402* Time, 402* Matter, 402* Science, 403* Hell, 404* Heaven, 405* God, 407*
CHAPTER 35 – THE FOUR GUARDS OF GOD’S TABERNACLE. 408
The Throne in Heaven, 408* The Old Testament Tabernacle : East Side-Judah-Lion* South Side- Reuben-Man* Inside-Levites* West Side- Ephraim-Ox* North Side-Dan-Eagle, 409* The New Testament Tabernacle: The Four Gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark and John, 411* The Tabernacle of the New Heaven and Earth, 413*
CHAPTER 36 - THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL 414
The Prophecy, 414* Historical Context, 415* The Subject Of The Prophecy, 415* The Objectives of the Seventy Weeks, 416* The Prophetic Chronology, 416* The Coming of the Prince, 417* Three Segments, 417* The People of the Prince Who will Destroy the City, 419* The Remaining Half of the 70th Week, 419* The 144,000 Jews, 420* Seven Years Covenant With The AntiChrist, 422*
CHAPTER 37– THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN TRUMPETS 426
What Those Trumpets Signify, 426* Israel: Blinded For A Season, 427* Feast of Trumpets Comes Right After the Feast of Pentecost, 427* The Seven Trumpets Sounded Under the Sixth Seal, 428* Seven Trumpets Pertain to the Persecution of the Jews, 429* The Coming of Moses and Elijah: The Two Prophets of Revelation 11, 429* The Sixth Trumpet : World War II, Hitler, Stalin and Mussolinni, 430* Roman General Titus Destroys Jerusalem, 431* The Three Woes: World Wars I, II & III, 432* The Seventh Trumpet is To Call the 144,000 Jews Back to Jesus Christ, 434* Outlining the Seven Trumpets, 436* A Summary Of World History Related to the Trumpets, 446* Revisiting the Nazi Holocaust, 448*
CHAPTER 38 – THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN THUNDERS 450
What is a Thunder? 450* The Voice of God, 451* The Seven Thunders Are Already Written in the Bible But Was Missed Back There, 451* Brother Branham Can No Longer Add Any New Teaching to the Bible, 452* The Seven Seals and the Seven Thunders Go Together, 452* The Thunders As “Mystery-Truths” Contained Inside the Seven Seals, 453* The Thunders and Their Interpretation, 454* The Shout, The Voice, The Trump: The Coming of the Lord, 457*
CHAPTER 39 - THE SEVENTH SEAL BY OWEN JORGENSEN 458
(A Special Feature) The Ten Point Coverage of the Seventh Seal, 465* The Seventh Seal in Three Parts: Shout, Voice and Trumpet, 465* The Seventh Seal is a Span of Time, 465* The Seventh Seal is Composed of Many Accelerating Events and the Culmination of Many Events, 465* The Seventh Seal is the “King’s Sword”, 467* The Seventh Seal is the “Third Pull”, 468* The Seventh Seal is the “Tent Vision”, 470* The Seventh Seal is the Coming of the Lord, 471* The Seventh Seal is the Headstone Capping the Pyramid, 472* The Seventh Seal is Revelation 10 Fulfilled, 474* Scriptural Correlations, 475* Appendix, 479*
CHAPTER 40 – THREE PHYSICAL DIVINE ORDINANCES 482
Water Baptism, 482* Feet Washing, 483* Communion, 483* The Meaning Of Communion, 484* The Materials, 485* An Open Communion, 485* Communion Is Not A Tradition, 485* Be Reverent, 486* It’s a Christian Requirement, 486* Repentance Before Communion, 487* Setting the Communion, 487* Presenting the Bread, 487* Presenting the Wine, 488* Closing Prayer, 489*
CHAPTER 41 - ON THE “HOFMANN’S HEAD OF CHRIST” 489
What Brother Branham Spoke About the Hoffman’s Painting of Jesus, 489* The Mystery Cloud in Arizona in Relation to Hoffman’s Painting, 490* The “Crucifix”: Is it a Catholic Symbol? 491*
PREFACE
The purpose of the writing of this book is for the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and for the edification of His mystical Body, the Bride. This book was written through the inspiration of God for the sole purpose of introducing the Message-Of-The-Hour to the world, to win back lost souls for Christ, and to furnish God’s five-fold ministry with a “Quick Reference Guide” leading to a clear understanding of the end time revelations which God’s end-time messenger has brought about in this last generation.
This book started as a personal compilation of the author which contain essential information relating to faith and salvation as gleaned from the numerous passages of the Bible and from the more than 1,100 sermons of God’s prophet to this last age, William Marrion Branham. This book has been the result of the author’s many years of searching, praying and preaching and has now been finally printed as a labour of love and as a fruit of the author’s ministerial effort to bring unity in the faith.
It is the goal and objective of the author to present a balanced view of the End- Time Message by simply staying with what the tapes say and dovetailing them with Scriptures to project a clear and direct agreement between God’s Word and Brother Branham’s teachings. This book does not in any way intend to replace the unabridged sermons of Brother Branham but rather serves as a complementary reference to the most important doctrines which he has preached over the years as were recorded in his taped sermons during his earthly ministry. Bible verses and sermon quotations used in the topics in this book were properly annotated, citing titles and dates of the referenced tapes or sermons to direct the reader to where and what source they were extracted from.
Seeing the urgent need and demand among young ministers of the Message today for a brief, concise and straightforward synopsis of the End-Time Message for evangelistic or mission work, such need has led the author to conceive this handbook. Being one of the regular keynote speakers in the “Mystery Expo” countrywide seminars in the Philippines through the auspices of the Association of Fellow Labourers of Christ (AFLC) International Inc., the author has constantly come across a lot of inquiries from amongst the young converts regarding ways on how they could be able to quickly digest the fundamental “mystery truths” sorrounding the 1,100+ sermons of God’s prophet, William Branham, in the quickest possible manner. It has been observed in these seminars that once a predestinated son of God is born again by catching the revelation of the hidden Manna for today, they are immediately quickened to life and are found craving for more of the fresh kill of the Word.
Yet given the constraint of time to be able to listen and learn from the more than 1,100 sermons of the prophet, plus the lack of available materials to nurture their newly- found faith, most of these brethren would press for requests and would ask questions such as, “Will you provide us with a manual whereby we can quickly absorb more of the Message in a jiffy?” Or “Don’t you have a quick reference guide to the Message so that we can effectively study and share this truth amongst our constituents with ease and confidence?” These enlightened ones, being aware also of the exigency of the soon coming of the Lord, would also press for more of what’s in store for them in the Message to redeem the time that they’ve wasted in the denominational systems that they were in.
Having felt the burden and necessity to address such compelling need among young ministers, the author has, therefore, painstakingly accumulated all the essential
information presently available through tapes, books and CD’s that might lead to the attainment of such goal and aspiration - that is, to come up with a handbook that will present the nitty- gritty of the Message in a nutshell. It is the desire of the author to be able to “fill-in the gap” between ministers and the need for teaching modules to equip the Bride ministry with as much Word-material so that its ministers are able to effectively feed the flock of God with the spiritual food in due season through this handbook. Finally, after some time of praying and working, the author was able to put together most, if not all, pertinent quotations that can now serve as building blocks to rapturing faith, by the grace of God. This “Quick Reference Guide” is now made available for anyone wishing to take a full course menu of today’s Gospel. The author likens this book to a “fast food” chain that is readily available to satisfy one’s hungry soul, to feed a thinking man’s filter, and to suit a holy man’s taste.
It is not the intention of the author, however, to educate anyone. The author firmly believes that no man can impart revelation to another man. That work is done solely by the Holy Ghost (John 14:26, John 16:13). Without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, one can never have his eyes opened to a true spiritual revelation of the Word; for a man without the Spirit is blind to God and His truth (The letter killeth, it’s the Spirit that giveth life). This book, therefore, is meant to serve as a handy resource and reference only for everyone who’s wanting to work for the Father’s business of soul-saving. Though this book is presented to the public, yet only Holy Ghost-filled individuals are the ones who would truly benefit from it. This book does not in any way make a preacher out of whosoever reads it. The author believes that true ministers are predestinated by God, not self-made nor self-appointed. The Bible tells us that “gifts and callings are without repentance.” Gifts are in-born, not acquired. Some people are just called to live their sermons and to serve as “living epistles” read of all men.
It is true that ever since this Message was issued in, it never compelled its preachers to undergo formal education nor did It ever required its ministers to train under any man-made theological seminary but to solely depend upon the leading and revelation by the Holy Ghost. Understandably, though some were reared under the guidance of elders who were “faithfully taught”, yet the author strongly believes that it is still a “must” for every preacher to personally dig directly into the Messages of the prophet since God deals with each minister individually in one’s unique calling. The author believes that true ministers are God-called men, not merely appointed by his fellow men. The heritage of preaching is not an issue of personality, nor of popularity, but an issue of authenticity. That is, any doctrine we bring must always flash with God’s Urim Thummim of today, the Bible. Let every man’s word be a lie, and God’s Word be the truth.
Inasmuch as there are over one thousand tapes of sermons by the prophet, this handbook does not contain all the quotes relative to the subject matters stipulated herein. Any mistakes found in these quotes are not intentional; they were preached correctly. It is suggested, therefore, that the reader further read the referenced books or tapes, and check the statements immediately after the quotes in order to avoid getting a “slanted picture”. No claim is made to originality. Those familiar with writings about the Message-Of- The-Hour will notice that many of the important ideas, concepts and principles found in this book came from the prophet of Malachi 4, from the Holy Bible, and from other different sources with only some sprinklings of the author’s original ideas. The author is, therefore, expressing his thanks ang gratitude to all authors whose ideas, concepts, and principles have been used to enrich the contents of this handbook.
Finally, it is the sincere prayer of the author that God will open the eyes of understanding of all who reads this book. May they see Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever, in the pages of this handbook.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing this handbook required the help of various individuals and organizations from around the world. This handbook could not have been published without the help of many wonderful people who deserve to be given credits.
First and foremost, thanks to Brother Joseph Branham, president of the Voice of God Recordings, Inc. (www.branham.org) for doing a good job in making the books, tapes and CD’s of God’s prophet, available to ministers and believers worldwide. Special thanks go to Neil Halava for creating the CD-ROM technology of the Folio Bound Views of both the Bible and the Message Infobase and making the Message available to us in digital format. Appreciation also goes to Pastor Eddie Byskal of Cloverdale Bible Way (www.bibleway.org) for spearheading the latest technology of the “Message Hub”, a “print-on-demand” system of the Message on-line in collaboration with www.thefreeword.com.
I also wish to acknowledge with gratitude the invaluable contributions of Owen Jorgensen, for his account on the lifestory of Brother Branham and for his outstanding article on “The Seventh Seal”; to Pastor Gerald Lush for his inputs on the “New Birth”; to Pastor C.W. Wood for his articles on the “Third Pull” and “Seventh Seal”; to Pastor Gerd Rodewald for his “Spiritual Building Stones” series; to Pastor Cernan Banagan for his collaborative studies on the “Seven Trumpets”; to Pastor Nestor Espanola for his inputs on the “Millennium”, and to Word Aflame Press of Hazelwood, Missouri for their invaluable tracts on “hair” and “modesty”.
My sincerest gratitude also goes to the following people who had encouraged me to push through with this project and for their invaluable help in funding the printing of this book, namely, Brother William “Bill” Selover of Florida, USA; Pastor Ken Boyer of Calgary, Canada; Pastor Brian Loch of Scotland, United Kingdom; Pastor Albert Greene of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago; Pastor Gerd Rodewald of Germany; Brother Russel Jones of the USA; the Villabate-Palermo brethren in Italy, namely, Toni Frenda, Giuseppe D’ Angelo, Angelo D’ Angelo, Antonella D’ Angelo, Mariella Spataro, Giusi Marra, Mauricio Frenda and Maria Dragotta; to Vina Saguid and to the Magbitang Family, to Joey and Rhoda Rance, and to Sister Virgy Salcedo and to Pastor Harold Beckett of Cape Town South Africa.
Appreciation and thanks are also due some precious brothers who continually support the mission work in the Philippines namely, Pastor Ted Posedly of Arizona, USA; Pastor Harold Hildebrandt of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (www.inthedaysofthevoice.com); Pastors Jeff and Lonnie Jenkins of Ohio, USA (www.bcfellowship.org); Neil Murray of Australia; Donny Reagan of Tennessee, USA (www.happyvalleychurch.com); Pastor Samuel Dale of Georgia, USA (www.spokenwordchurch.com); The Lafontaine Family, to Alan Ram, to Ptr. Andrew Furlonge of Trinidad and Tobago, to Patrick Ethington, and to Cyril Sukhdeo Mahadeo of South Carolina, USA.
I also wish to thank Evangelist Ernie Villanueva of Washington DC, USA, for spearheading the “Mystery Expo” in the Philippines; and to the officers and board members of AFLC, for their continued effort in holding the Mystery Expo seminars all over the country, to Pastors Ross Franco, Ismael Roel Soriano, Manny Peralta, and Danny del Mundo. Also to the officers of Bible Believers Philippines, to Pastor Vernon Manahan and Rexy Borja, for their untiring effort in serving the Bride of Christ in the Philippines; may God’s blessings rest upon you all.
Ronnie Millevo
Author
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people all over the world today have already heard the Message of Christ from these media and through missionaries who have the means to travel around the globe via the latest means of transportation, and via technology that allows us to communicate with people on the other side of the world right from our very own homes, churches and offices.
The Holy Bible has a lot to say about the end times. Nearly every book of the Bible contains prophecy that points us to the end time generation. The Holy Scriptures state a lot of examples of signs that should serve as a warning to us that we are now coming to the
end of the age. Prophecy is being fulfilled daily and at a very fast pace than ever before. We can now see the beginning of birth pains through natural upheavals, distress among nations, pestilences, wars and rumours of war. Truly, end time events are beginning to take effect upon us all. It is increasingly obvious that the time of our Lord’s coming is drawing near. We are the last generation and we are seeing the symbolic prophecies of the past becoming a literal reality right now. The final elements of God’s judgment are taking shape with each passing season and year. And God has never failed to give us a warning of the approaching end of the age through many scriptural signs which have now come to pass and many of which will still be fulfilled in the near future.
SIGNS OF THE END
Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues on how we can discern the approaching of the end times, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.” An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters – all these are sure “signs” that the end time is here.
The seven signs given by Jesus to indicate His soon appearing and the end of the world are: (1) false christs and false prophets appearing, (2) wars and rumours of wars,
(3) famines, (4) earthquakes in diverse places, (5) pestilences, (6) tribulations, and (7) the Gospel being preached throughout all the world.
Matthew 24:14 states,“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.” There is no doubt that this prophecy of gospel propagation has already been fulfilled through television, radio, the translation of the Bible into many languages, and through the internet. Majority of the
LUKE 21:25-28 also states, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
END-TIME DESTRUCTION
In Malachi 4 verse 1, the last chapter of the Old Testament, God warned us of the end time destruction that will take place upon the earth at the end time. ”For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”
The same warning was spoken of by Apostle Peter in the New Testament. II Peter 3:10-12 states, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
The earth has been in existence for almost six thousand years, and every 2,000 years, destruction comes upon it. The first two thousand years was ended by flood waters in the time of Noah.
Genesis 6:5-8, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 7:19-22 “And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, of all that [was] in the dry [land], died.”
The second two thousand years of the earth ended when Jesus Christ came and shed His blood at the Cross on Calvary. God, sending General Titus of Rome to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, scatterred the Israelites amongst all nations because of their rejection of the Messiah. “How did the Israelites condemn themselves? By blaspheming the Holy Ghost, and calling the Spirit of God an unclean thing. They made fun of Him when the Christians were dancing in the Spirit, and so forth, on the day of Pentecost. Titus killed them in there, and their blood run out the gatesway. They ate their own children and everything in that same century. One of the greatest nations of the world become the lowest, and scattered to the four winds
of the earth. Because why? Unbelief.” (WMB, LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE; 60-1211E) “Titus brought this great army of Romans and Greeks, and compassed the walls of Jerusalem, penned those people in there, and they starved to death. They ate the bark from the trees, Josephus, the great historian, tells us. And they ate the grass off the ground. They even boiled one another's children and eat it (See?)” (WMB, UNITING.TIME.AND.SIGN; 63-0818)
The last two thousand years is upon us now. At the time of the writing of this book (year 2008), we have already exceeded 8 years from what is supposed to be the standard timeframe for God’s wrath outpouring. We have had two world wars already, and a third one is coming up. It will be the Battle of Armageddon which destroys all things. It will be when Israel is attacked by Russia and Iran (God and Magog) which will trigger a third world war. “We've had several wars, wars, and rumors of wars, and V-days. It will finally wind up into the great battle of Armageddon. That'll be the last of it. When she comes to the battle of Armageddon, that'll settles the whole thing. Just before the great millennium, Armageddon is to clean off the earth. She repurifies herself with this atomic blowing, and the volcanic ash, and thing sinks this soaked blood of men upon the earth, and sin, and crime. She sinks beneath the earth. The volcanic breaks out again, and renews, and cleans the earth for the great millennium.” (WMB, VICTORY.DAY; 63-0421)
“See, the world has now almost six thousand years old. See, and every two thousand year it's had a destruction. See? First two thousand, the flood came, and He baptized it with what? Water. Next two thousand, Jesus come to sanctify and claim it, dropped His Blood upon it, called it His. All right, "I'll come again," now, as King with His Queen. And the second two thousand years what does He do? He comes and gives His rest period and then burns her off and claims it for His own, puts His Own back on it. And notice, not the perfect world, this millennium is a type of the seventh day. Then comes the white throne judgment. See, we still have judgment; we're still in time in the millennium. It's a day, one thousand years. It's a time element.” (WMB, FUTURE.HOME; 64-0802)
END-TIME SCENARIO
Our age today is well-identified in the Bible as the Laodicean Age, the very last Gentile Church Age wherein God is calling out a Bride for Jesus Christ just before Jesus returns back again to earth and reveal Himself to the 144,000 elect Jews. In Revelation 3:15-17, God addresses our age:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
“Our age claims to be “rich in goods”, “spiritually wealthy”, and had “need of nothing”. Truly, we can see that the world church today in general is wealthy. There never has been such a show of wealth today as compared with other past generations. Our beautiful sanctuaries are multiplied in number as never before. The various denominations vie with each other to see who can build the biggest and the loveliest. They build education centers worth unestimated millions, yet those buildings are used only an hour or two a week. Money has poured into the church until different denominations own stocks and bonds, factories, oil wells, and insurance companies. They have poured money into welfare and retirement funds. But it has become a snare to the ministers, for if they decide to leave their group for more light or the love of God, their pensions are lost to them.
Religion today is known to be a big business. It is an absolute fact that they are placing business managers in the churches to take care of finances. There are radio programs, television programs, and numerous church endeavors that are costing millions and millions of dollars. Wealth pours and pours into the church, the membership increases along with the money, yet the work is not being done as it was done when there was no money, but men rested solely on the ability given them by the Holy Ghost. There are paid preachers, paid assistants, paid ministers of music and education, paid choirs, paid custodians, programs, and entertainment - all costing great sums, but for all that, the power is decreasing. Yes, the church is rich, but the power is not there. God moves by His Spirit, not by the amount of money or talent in the church.” (WMB, 342-5 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH AGE BOOK CPT.9)
Yet God saw our age otherwise. He said, "You don't know this, but you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." When a people are that way, especially naked and don’t know it, there has to be something awfully wrong.
Reverend William Marrion Branham further described our age as follows: “This age boasts of its tremendous stores of worldly goods, but the people are
less happy than ever. This age boasts of its spiritual attainments, but the people are less
sure of themselves than ever. This age boasts of better moral values and it is more corrupt than any age since the flood. It talks about its knowledge and science, but it is fighting a losing battle in all fields, for the human mind and soul and spirit cannot comprehend or keep abreast with all the changes that have come upon the earth. In one generation we have gone all the way from the horse and buggy age to the space age, and we are proud and boastful about it; but inside is a dark void cavern that is crying out in torment, and WITHOUT A KNOWN REASON men's hearts are failing for fear and the world is so darkened that this age could well be called the age of neurotics. It boasts, but it cannot back it up. It cries peace, and there is no peace. It cries that it has a great amplitude of all things, but it keeps burning with desire like an unsatisfied fire! "There is no peace," saith my God to the wicked. TWhat God saw was entirely different from what our age is proclaiming.
The whole world's in neurotic condition. The world has become so neurotic that even the psychiatrists themselves are having nervous breakdowns. The great men of science don’t know what is taking place. They are staggering under the evil influences of war nerves that is taking place in the universe. Every city, every farm, every street, and every place, you encounter the same evil atmosphere of darkness that is relentlessly enveloping the earth. But the Spirit-filled child of God is aware of what is going on. He knows the answer - the Lord is coming soon. And the Word of God is fulfilling Itself with such rapidity that only the true born-again Spirit-filled, Spirit-led Christian can keep up and above board in this hour.
It is strange; but in this age of plenty and opportunity, when everyone has so much and there is so much more to be had, what with all the inventions to do our work and so many things to give us pleasure, SUDDENLY, we find mental illness taking such a toll as to alarm the nation. When everybody ought to be happy, with really nothing to be unhappy about, millions are taking sedatives at night, pep pills in the morning, rushing to doctors, entering institutions, and trying to drown out unknown fears by alcohol.
The world is dilly-dallying along, knowing something is wrong but seeing no solution because they have no light to lead them to a solution. So they rock and roll it out in one grand time in order to forget and to escape the nervous tensions that encumber them. Rather than praying to God to remove the evil that plagues the world and be free of it, they
would rather endorse relaxing and watching TV, have suppers and sewing parties, run to swimming beaches and places of worldly gatherings, preach sermons on flowers and bluebirds, and totally lay aside the real issues and the blessings of God - that He can heal and perform miracles and raise the dead, and all other truths they have stopped preaching.”
(SOURCE: As the Eagle Stirreth Her Nest & The Laodicean Church Age)
Our age is also described in Zechariah 14:6-7 as a gloomy and dismal day - “And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the light shall not be clear, [nor] dark: But it shall be one day that shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.”
“The prophet Zechariah promised that there'd be a day come, that it wouldn't be neither night nor day, be a dismal. But said, "In the evening time, it shall be Light." What happened? Geographically, the sun raises in the east and sets in the west. Civilization has traveled with the sun. And the Holy Spirit, the Son of God, His goodness fell on the Eastern people first. That's the rising of the sun. Now, there's been a day that's passed over, that it's not dark; it's dismal. We've had enough knowledge of the Word in God to get people saved, join the church, so forth. But it said, "In the evening time it shall be Light," on the Western people, just like it was on the Eastern people. The same sun that raises in the east, sets in the west. We're at the closing of the Gentile age. This is a Western people. And the same Holy Ghost that came in a Man called Jesus Christ, and performed miracles, promised that at the setting of the sun, that He would return back, and would do the very same things that He did when He was here with the Eastern people. And the same Son of God that manifested and appeared in the east is appearing in the west now at the evening time, evening Light to the Church that's called out and filled with the Holy Spirit. He's done come through justification, Luther Age, Sanctification, Wesley Age, Pentecostal Age, done placed His gifts into the church, and now, appeared to us in our flesh as Jesus said He would.” (WMB; AS THE EAGLE STIRRETH.UP.HER.NEST;59-0815 / FORGOTTEN.BEATITUDE; 61-0425E)
PERILOUS TIMES
The last days are also characterized by Apostle Paul as “perilous times” because of the increasingly evil character of men and people who actively “resist the truth”. II Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
For anyone who has watched television or has read today’s newspapers, it is quite obvious that this prophecy has been truly fulfilled in our generation. Our leaders are often corrupt; our cities are filled with crimes of rape, kidnapping, murder, brutality, and our billboards and neon signs are proclaiming sinful and godless advertisements such as that of liquors, cigars, casinos and night clubs. We are truly living in Satan’s eden. Satan is the god of this evil age, the “prince of the power of the air”.
ISRAEL AS A NATION
The most prominent sign of the end times, however, is the nation of Israel. All end time prophecies are centered around the nation of Israel. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state for the first time since 70 A.D. The nation of Israel did not exist before
except as a dispersed people throughout the nations. The soon return of the Lord could never happen if they will remain scattered throughout all the world. Since their founding, this last generation has seen the final restoration of Jacob, as her people begin to return to their promised land. This generation that sees Israel become a nation, according to the Bible, shall not pass away untill all things be fulfilled. The Bible points to Israel as the “fig tree”. Mark 13:28-30, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.” Isaiah spoke of a day when the nation of Israel would be born in one day.
Paul in Romans 11:25-27 states, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
Having Israel as a nation in its own land, therefore, is of great significance in light of end-time prophecy since God’s timeline for the world’s kingdoms is based upon Israel’s seventy weeks of Daniel (Read “70 Weeks of Daniel” in Chapter 36). Other sure signs connected with the nation of Israel would include a rebuilding of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, increased hostility towards Israel (Isaac’s lineage) by the Moslems and Arab nations (Ishmael’s lineage), and a soon coming Judeo-Vatican-American covenant for a one-world religion and a one-world government.
THE NEW WORLD ORDER
Witnessing the founding of the United Nations and the founding of the World Council of Churches in 1948, the same year when Israel became a nation, signalled the ending of the age. The creation of the World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN peacekeeping/police force, numerous UN NGO’s, and other global agencies, are but preliminary steps to the formation of a new world order. We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in the one world government which, according to the Bible, will be headed by the antiChrist. The increasing terrorist threat and the Middle East conflict will only speed up the formation of these governing bodies as fear and promises of better security make more people more willing to give up their national sovereignty for global governance. There will be an economic sabotage for “No man can buy or sell except he that has the Mark of the beast”. “Beast” signifies “power”; that will be the power of the ruling body of the soon coming one-world government.
The mission-vision of the New World Order is described by the Committee of 300 as follows: “Global governance aspires to provide to every person on earth security from threat of war, environmental degradation, and from the injustice of poverty, intolerance, and disease. The oppressed people of the world surely take great hope from such noble aspirations. The central theme of global governance is embodied in the concept of “sustainable development”: the integration of economic activity with social justice and environmental protection.”
KNOWLEDGE SHALL INCREASE
We can add three more other clues as stated in the Book of Daniel concerning this
last generation. First, there would be a population boom. Secondly, this generation would be the most traveled generation due to the advancement in transportation sytems. And third, this generation would experience tremendous increase in knowledge due to the technological advancements in computers. Daniel 12:4 states, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
In October of 1999, the world passed the 6 Billion mark for the world population of people living in this planet. At that moment, we exceeded the number that no one has ever imagined. We now have more people alive on the earth at this time than any other age that has ever existed upon this earth. At this moment in the history of earth, more than 50% of the people that have ever lived on it are alive at this time. Clearly, this generation (like no other) has so many people in it.
This generation has also seen travel increase exceeding anything ever dreamed of in the past generations. In 1969, we have put men on the moon and brought them back. People have gone to the North and South Pole many times. Men have climbed the highest mountain Mt. Everest. We have traveled internationally from nation to nation on a daily basis in a matter of hours due to supersonic airplanes. No other past generation can even approach us by comparison in this field alone.
Finally, this generation has seen the volume of world knowledge double more than seven times in our own time. The knowledge of the world didn’t double the first time until 1958. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, they can’t keep up with the ever increasing knowledge. They claim that the knowledge of the world is doubling every 22 months. Sociologists have characterized this generation alone as being the “Knowledge Age”. Only one generation has experienced these so many changes due to increased knowledge. The Bible says that the last generation will be characterized by this phenomena.
COMMERCIALISM & MORAL DECAY
Our age can also be well-characterized by its booming trade and commerce, marriage and divorce cases, and an increase in moral decay. The Bible types our age with that of the days of Noah and Lot. Noah’s highly scientific age was finally destroyed by water. Lot’s generation of Sodomites was finally destroyed by fire and brimstone.
LUKE 17:26-30 declares- “ And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
Here is one latest American Statistics:
. 60% of marriages in the United States end up in divorce.
40 million abortions have taken place in the U.S. since 1973.
Number of hours per day that TV is on in an average U.S. home: 6 hours, 47 minutes
Homosexuality was once a crime, now taking a stand against it, is considered the crime.
It is currently estimated that about 10% of the population is homosexual. The U.S. Census 2000 reveals Households headed by unmarried partners
grew 72%.
Sex is the number one reason adult Americans use the Internet. One-third of all visits are to sexually oriented Web sites, chat rooms and news groups
21 million Americans visit one of the more than 60,000 sex sites on the Web at least once a month.
More than 4 out of 10 young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20—nearly one million a year.
Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintended and 80 percent are to unmarried teens. Nationwide, 40% of our ninth graders, 48% of our tenth graders, 57% of our eleventh graders and 72% of our twelfth graders have had sex.
The average age at which American children first engage in sexual activity is currently 15 for American girls and 14 for American boys.
Lotteries have become a multi-billion dollar industry throughout the U.S. Canada and California has approved marriages between homosexuals.
END-TIME APOSTASY
Aside from the seven major signs that Jesus made mention in the Books of Matthew 24 and Luke 21, the Apostle Paul also warned us that the last days would bring a marked increase in false teaching. He wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1, “In the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” ( II Timothy 4:3-4).
In II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Paul gives a stern warning, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
“Falling away” in the above verses simply mean putting the Word of God aside in exchange for creed, dogmas and traditions. “Falling away” simply means having the Holy Spirit deposed for popes, bishops, presidents, and counselors, and the Saviour set aside for a works program, or church joining, or some type of conformity to a church system. This is what the word “apostasy” signifies. This kind of scenario in the end time has opened the door to the antiChrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition.
Reverend William Branham describes apostasy in the religious realms:
“The Roman Catholic Church calls herself today as the Mother church. She calls herself the first or original church. That is absolutely correct. She was the original First Church of Rome that backslid and went into sin. She was the first that organized. In her was found the deeds and then the doctrine of Nicolaitanism. No one will deny that she is a mother. She is a mother and has produced daughters. Now a daughter comes out of a woman. A woman robed in scarlet is sitting on the seven hills of Rome. She is a harlot and has borne daughters. Those daughters are the Protestant churches that came out of her and then went right back into organization and Nicolaitanism. This Mother of the daughter- churches is called a whore (Revelation 17). That is a woman who was untrue to her marriage vows. She was married to God and then went off fornicating with the devil and in her fornications she has brought forth daughters that are just like her. This mother and daughter combination is anti-Word, anti-Spirit and consequently anti-Christ. Yes, ANTICHRIST.”
(WMB, 200-5 PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“You know we are living in the end time. It is in this age that the churches are going to come together. And as they are even now controlling world politics, they will soon control the finances of the world. Then, if you don't belong to the world organization of churches, you won't be able to buy or to sell.” (WMB, 314-1 PHILADELPHIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.8)
And they're going to bring a persecution on pretty soon and shut up all the churches. In the next few years, all organization religions will be forced to take a stand. And they will have a union of churches, and a great boycott will follow this union of churches. All denominations will be forced into it: all of them. If they don't, there'll be a horrible boycott. Nearly every one of them today has not knowingly joined that World Council of Churches, selling their birthrights: Protestant brethren with the mother Catholic of Rome. The Bible said that the tares would be bound, bundled first. They're bundling all in one great group now. And the Bible said they'd make an image unto the beast.
The ecumenical move that has started on what seems such a beautiful and blessed principle (fulfilling Christ's prayer that we all might be “one”) becomes so strong politically that she will bear pressure upon the government to cause all to join with her either directly or through adherence to principles enacted into law so that no people will be recognized as actual churches unless under direct or indirect domination of this council. Little groups will lose charters, privileges, etc., until they lose all property and spiritual rights with the people. For example, right now unless the local ministerial association approves in many, if not most cities, one cannot rent a building for religious services. To become chaplains in the armed services, hospitals, etc., it is now almost mandatory to be recognized as acceptable to the trinitarian ecumenical groups. As this pressure increases, and it will, it will be harder to resist, for to resist is to lose privilege. And so many will be tempted to go along, for they will feel it is better to serve God publicly in the framework of this organization than not to serve God at all publicly. But they err. To believe the devil's lie is to serve Satan, even though you may want to call him Jehovah. But the elect will not be deceived. As this move becomes the "IMAGE ERECTED TO THE BEAST," the saints will be gone in the rapture.
For the church system of the Roman Catholic and the Protestant in coming together will control the whole wealth of the world system and force the whole earth into its religious trap, or will kill them, by refusing them the privilege of buying and selling whereby they would make a living. This will be accomplished simply, for the harlot's daughters are all but gone back to her. In the meantime, Rome has acquired nearly all the supplies of gold. The Jews have the bonds and all the paper. At the right time, the harlot will destroy the present day money system by calling in all the paper, and demanding gold. With no gold, the system falls. The Jews will be trapped and come into the alliance, and the harlot church will take over the whole world. (WMB, 314-1 PHILADELPHIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.8)
RESTORATION OF THE BRIDE TREE
Despite all the negative scenarios we are seeing relative to the end of the world, God in this last age has a glorious plan for those who love His appearing. He will fully reveal Himself in this final age to the Bride of Jesus Christ to proclaim His glorious deliverance amongst His elected people, and to make a way of escape for them, out from the plagues that will soon engulf this earth. He will be sending His seventh angel-messenger to call out His elect out of denominationalism. His angel will be crying, “ Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4-5).
There will be a “catching away” of the church before the Great Tribulation takes place upon this planet. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Joel 2:23-26 says, "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, That hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed."
The Book of Joel says that God is going to "restore". Why? It’s because that the church of the last days has seemingly lost God’s power. There have been some awful cold drafts blowing on the church in this generation, and her eyes have sort of frozen shut and she is blind to what God has in store for her. She needs some hot oil of the Spirit of God to open her eyes. Unless she receives the Spirit of God she will go on substituting program for power and creed for Word. She counts numbers for success, rather than to look for fruit. The doctors of theology have shut the door to faith and forbade all to enter. They neither go in, nor let anyone else go in. Their theology comes out of a text book on psychology written by some unbeliever. There is a text book on psychology, one we all need; it is the Bible. It is written by God and contains God's psychology. We don't need any doctor of divinity to explain it to us. Receive ye the Holy Spirit and let Him do the explaining. The Holy Spirit wrote the Book and He can tell you what is in it and what it means. That’s the Message of restoration today, “Back to the Word; back to the Bible.” (WMB, 352-4 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
God will take the Church of the end time right back to original Pentecost, back to the original outpouring of the Holy Ghost. These insects in Joel 2 are but only one specie in four different stages: locust, cankerworm, caterpillar and palmerworm. They have eaten the life out of the original Bride Tree of Jesus Christ. These is the antiChrist spirit manifested in organization, denomination and false doctrine throughout the ages. And the poor little root and stalk of God’s original Tree which started in Pentecost is going to be restored back by God for the final harvest. God isn't going to plant a new Church, but is going to bring His original planting back to original seed. What did these insects do? The first thing it did was, it took the fruit off, “brotherly love”, off of the church. The next worm came around and eat off the joy, the leaves, the “fellowship”. The next came along and it ate off the bark, the “protection”. Then the last stage of the worm sucked the very Life right out of it, and made a conquer of the laity. It was the Nicolaitan system and Balaamism that cankered the church of God throughout all the ages. The Nicolaitan doctrine was “the corruption of the clergy as they sought political power amongst themselves”. While “Balaamism is the subjection of the people to their system of creed and worship in order to hold them.” And that very same spirit and doctrine is right amongst all Catholics and Protestants today, and it is called DENOMINATION. Nicolaitanism is “organization, humanizing the leadership of the church, and thereby deposing the Spirit”. Balaamism is “denominationalism which takes the church manual instead of the Bible”. God’s hatred upon these systems is clearly stipulated in Revelation 2:14-16 -” But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou
also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
ADMONITION TO LAODICEA
God’s plan of deliverance for the lukewarm age of Laodicea is stipulated in
Revelation 3:18-22,
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
God is saying to His own, "As many as I love, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN." To rebuke is to reprove. To reprove is to `expose with a view to correction.' Chasten does not mean to punish. It means to "discipline because the subject's amendment is in mind."
Many of God’s children today are still in those false churches. They need to repent. They are those of whom it speaks in Ephesians 5:14, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." To be asleep is not to be dead. These are sleeping amongst the dead. They are out there in the dead denominations. They are floating along with them. God cries out, "WAKE UP! Repent of your folly." There they are lending their influence, giving their time and their money, actually their very lives to these antiChrist organizations, and all the while thinking it is all right. They need to repent. They need to have a change of mind and turn toward truth.
ELIJAH MINISTRY AND GOD’S SEVENTH ANGEL
The call of God in this last age can well be summed-up as the “End-Time Message”. It pertains to the revelation of the Seven-sealed Book mystery of the Bible which is to be made known to the Bride of Jesus Christ through God’s end-time messenger. This book is also known as the “Book of Redemption”, a book that’s been sealed in the days of Daniel and yet was shown to John by an angel, as revealed in the succeeding Scriptures:
Revelation 5:1-10, “And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
True believers in this last age will receive a clear understanding of God’s hidden mysteries as the Lord sends to them His end-time messenger who will be in the spirit of Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6). This messenger will turn back the hearts of the people to the Pentecostal blessings. And as the seventh angel himself, this same prophet will also reveal to us the mysteries behind the seven-sealed Book of Revelation and will manifest to us the “Son of Man ministry” as stipulated in Luke 17:30, “In the day when the Son of Man is revealed”. It will be through healing and miracles (first pull), discernment and prophesy (second pull) and speaking things into existence (third pull) that He will proclaim and declare that Jesus Christ is “the same, yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Two major scriptures play important roles in the end time as God sends down his end-time messenger for our age. These are Malachi 4:5-6 and Revelation 10:7:
Malachi 4:2-6 : “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, [with] the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
Revelation 10:7 - “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”
The same prophet in the spirit of Elijah will also be God’s seventh angel-messenger to Laodicea. It will be through this seventh angel’s ministry that the mysteries of God will be revealed to the Bride of Jesus Christ to give them rapturing faith for the catching away of the church, as stated in I Thessalonians 4:16-17.
As Jesus authenticated John, and the Holy Ghost authenticated Jesus, we can well expect that this man will be authenticated by the Spirit working in his life in acts of power that are indisputable and found nowhere else. The very return of Christ will prove that this man indeed was the forerunner of His second coming. It will be too late then for those who have rejected him and his Message.
The church today has received its last sign before the whole world and the Gentile kingdoms are destroyed by the fire and wrath of God. A prophet is a sign to the people. When God send prophets, look out. Judgment is at hand!
Message Quick Reference Guide
what he says comes to pass then hear it." That's the way the Bible. In the Old Testament, God said, "If they speak not according to the law and the prophets, it's because they have no Light in them.” That's right. They have to speak according to the law and the prophets.
INTRODUCTION
We find that in the sacred Scriptures all the way through, that just at the ending of the old age and a new one’s coming in, God sends His messenger.
God's law is to receive a vindicated servant. John 13:20 states, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receives whosoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.”
We can only serve God as we do and believe the servants that God sends. You can only serve God on earth as God's servants that's sent on earth by Divine inspiration interprets the Word to you. In I Corinthians 14:16. Paul said, "You follow me as I follow Christ." Jesus said in Luke 10:16, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despises you despises me; and he that despises me despises him that sent me.” That just proves that God speaks His message through His servants. He always has.
And as always, every time that a messenger comes, it's always a call back to the Word. Remember that the Bible is the complete revelation of Jesus Christ. There cannot be nothing added to It or taken away from It (Rev 22:18-19). The Bible is the complete revelation of Jesus Christ. And the only way that we can ever be sure on whether a message is right or wrong, is by comapring it with the Bible, which is God’s Urim Thummin of today. If it is contrary to Biblical revelation, then it’s wrong. It must be back to the Word, and always a calling back to the full Word.
THE WORD COMES TO THE PROPHET
Amos 3:7 states, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” The reason that God sends prophets is because they have the Word of the Lord. The Word of the Lord comes to the prophets. A prophet himself is a sign. When God sends a prophet, look out, for judgment follows it. It always has, and it always will. And a true prophet never fails to stay right with “Thus Saith the Lord”. Moses stayed with the Word of the Lord. He was a sign to Israel that their day of deliverance was at hand. He was also a sign to Egypt that their end was coming.
All prophets are predestinated. We know that gifts and callings are without repentance. God said to Jeremiah, "before you were even conceived in your mother's wombs, I knew you, and sanctified you and ordained you as a prophet to the nations." Jesus Christ was the woman's seed as spoken from the garden of Eden. John the Baptist, seven hundred and twelve years before he was born, Isaiah saw him and said, "He's the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord." Gifts and callings ain't laying hands on one another. Born from birth, those gifts are right in them when they're born.
God said, "If there be one among you, a prophet or spiritual, I'll speak to him, and
Prophecy, or anything else, must always be according to the Word. If it isn't, then it's wrong. In order to be a prophet, Moses had to meet God face to face and talk with Him. And another thing, what he said must come to pass or no one else would have believed him. So no man has a right to call himself a prophet until he has talked face to face with God himself.
God always deals with an individual messenger. He did in the days of Noah. He did in the days of Moses. He did in the days of Joshua. It's always been an individual, because two men are not alike. Everybody didn't have to be Moses. They just followed God’s vindicated servant for their age. So it must be today.
God’s end-time promise of the day has arrived. “As it was in the days of Sodom, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man”. Malachi 4 states, "The righteous shall walk upon the ashes of the wicked.” Yet before such things take place, we have a promise in Malachi 4:5-6 that says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH
Malachi 3 spoke of John the Baptist coming, as Jesus referred to him as "My messenger." But remember, there’s another one coming in Malachi 4 where God said He'd burn the earth with heat, and the righteous would walk out upon the ashes of the wicked. We know that wasn't John because the burning never happened when John came. But that Elijah is prophesied to come in the end time.
The first Elijah of Malachi (John) was to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children which was referring to the old Jewish Orthodox church being introduced to the new Gospel Message of grace at Pentecost. But there’s a conjunction to tie the verse together, “and” the hearts of the children back to the fathers. This portion refers to the Elijah that was to come in the last days who will take the hearts of the children (new generation believers) back to the fathers (which is back to the Original Apostolic Faith Message of Pentecost again, as it started).
Jesus clearly spoke of John the Baptist as “Elijah” in Matthew 17:12-13, “ But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” But Jesus also made mention of another Elijah who was to restore all things as stated in Matthew 17:11-” And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” John never restored anything but only introduced repentance and water baptism, which is the first step to the New Birth (Acts 2:38). True restoration will only come through the ministry of the seventh angel-messenger of Revelation 10:7 when all the mysteries of God “should be finished”. This seventh messenger will be an earthly prophet who is set to appear during the seventh church age of Laodicea.
When that seventh angel sounds out every mystery, it's over. All those things, like Rome being the whore, and all the Protestant churches denominating after her has become her harlots, and all those mysteries that the prophets spoke of will be revealed right here in
this last hour when this seventh angel rises in the Laodicean age and begins to sound forth the true trumpet. And because his teachings will be contrary to denominational creeds and traditions, nominal Christians won't believe it. But it'll be an inspired prophet from God. Men are still trying to figure out the trinity and go gray-headed. People still believe that Eve ate an apple. Truly, no one can explain these mysteries in the Bible except for God’s vindicated prophet. It will have to be a Divine-led prophet who will be able to straighten these teachings for the Word of the Lord comes to him with the true interpretation thereof.
Once more God has revealed the truth of the Bible to us today as He did to Paul. In the days of the seventh messenger, in the days of the Laodicean Age, its messenger will reveal the mysteries of God as revealed to Paul. He will speak out, and those who receive that prophet in his own name will receive the beneficent effect of that prophet's ministry. And they that hear him will be blessed and become part of that Bride of the last day who are mentioned in Revelation 22:17, "The Spirit and the bride say come." The corn of wheat (the Bride Wheat) that fell into the ground at Nicaea has come back to original Word Grain again. Listen to this authenticated prophet of God who appears in this last age. What he says from God, the Bride will say. The Spirit and the prophet and the Bride will be saying the same thing. And what they will say will have already been said in the Word. They are saying it now, "Come out from among her (harlot system) now and be ye separate." The cry has gone out. The cry is going out. How long will the voice cry? We do not know, but one thing we do know, it won't be long, for this is the last age. The church today has received its last sign before the whole world and the Gentile kingdoms are destroyed by fire and by the wrath of God. A prophet is a sign of judgment.
A TWENTIETH CENTURY PROPHET
William Marrion Branham was one of the most influential Bible ministers of our time, considered by many to be the initiator of healing and charismatic revival that began in 1947. End-time believers believe him to be God’s seventh angel-messenger to the Laodicean church age and God’s endtime Elijah who was to restore the hearts of the children back to the faith of the Pentecostal fathers.
From 1947 until the time of his passing in 1965, the powerful ministry of William Branham was well known and considered unparalleled in the history of gospel meetings. The impact of the supernatural ministry of this one man was felt not only in North America, but also around the world.
Untold thousands of verified cases of all manner of healing were manifested in the U.S.A., Canada, Africa, and all around the world through the prayers of William Branham. The blind received their sight, cancer patients were made well, the maimed, the crippled, and the halt were made fully whole. No disease stood in the way as God proved to millions, that He is still God today, the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) in the ministry of His end-time messenger to our age.
But most significant of all, William Branham brought us an End Time Message which restored all the loose-ends of the Bible which, even if all the Bible scholars in the world were combined, would never be able to unveil to us. These teachings include the Mystery of the Godhead, the Truth on Water Baptism, the Original Sin, the mystery of Predestination, the Revelation of the Seven Seals, the New Birth, the Mark of the Beast,
Mystery Babylon, and more. These truths have now been restored to the church today in order to prepare the Bride of Jesus Christ from every nation to make ready for the Rapture, which is the Second Coming of the Lord.
THE LIFESTORY OF WILLIAM BRANHAM
The world knew him as Reverend William Marrion Branham. Those who loved him call him “Brother Branham”. As far as being a prophet - judge for yourself. God didn’t vindicate His servant in a closet, or some “secret chamber”, but the world saw the proof, yet perceived it not. Newspapers and magazines around the world had proclaimed it, but not with understanding. Hundreds of thousands of eyewitnesses around the world bear record of who he was, though few realized the meaning of the evidence before their eyes.
CHILDHOOD DAYS
William Branham was born in the hills of Kentucky in a crude log cabin, April 6, 1906. Those present witnessed a strange hazy light hovering over him, although it was before daylight.
When he was 3 years old, he told his mother he heard a voice speak to him out of the woods, saying, “You will live near a town called New Albany.” His mother laughed. But amazingly, over a year later, his family moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, a town that’s a few miles away from New Albany.
His first vision occured when he was seven. While playing on the banks of the Ohio River, he suddenly beheld a bridge rise up and form across the water, as if under construction. As he watched, 16 men fell from that bridge and died in the river. Twenty-two years later, a bridge was built in that exact spot and 16 men fell from it, losing their lives during the construction.
There was no form of religion at all in the Branham family. William’s early life was filled with much hardship and poverty because his father drank heavily. His father also bootlegged whiskey during the Prohibition. One time, he made his son carry water to his still. As William was passing under a poplar tree, he heard the sound of a wind. It puzzled him for the day was calm. Looking up, he saw a strange whirlwind in the branches and a voice spoke out of the whirlwind and said, “Don’t ever drink, smoke or defile your body in any way, for when you get older there’s work for you to do.” It terrified him, and he never forgot that incident.
Several years later, his father called him sissy because he wouldn’t take a drink. Determined to prove himself a “man”, he raised the bottle of whiskey to his lips, but he heard that whirlwind again. Fear gripped him. He dropped the bottle and ran. In like manner, several years later, his friends called him a “sissy” because he wouldn’t smoke. Angered, he grabbed the cigarette, but again that whirlwind stopped him short.
Yet, despite these and many more similar experiences, he has not yet known God intimately. While working for the gas company at the age of twenty, he was overcome with gas, became very ill, and had to have an operation. As he lay in the hopital, near death, he had a vision. He saw himself in the vision standing in a forest, and far away he heard the sound of wind rustling leaves - coming closer, and closer. He thought it was death. Then that voice said again, “Never drink, smoke or defile your body in any way. I called you and you wouldn’t go” (as in Jonah 1:1-3). “Lord,” cried William, “if that is You, let me go back to earth again and
I’ll preach your Gospel from the house tops and street corners.” The vision then faded. Miraculously, William recovered.
He made a promise and he set out to keep it. Yet he knew nothing about finding God. Realizing that God dwelt in nature, he wrote a note and tacked it to a tree so God would read it. When that didn’t work, he entered a woodshed and, weeping for his sins, he prayed desperately, “God, I’m no good! Help me!” A cross of light appeared before him then. As he realized that his forgiveness lay in the Blood of Jesus Christ shed upon the cross, the joy of salvation flooded his soul.
THE COMMISSION FROM GOD
Because he was aware of a strange call on his life, he went into the ministry by preaching the Gospel. It was a hot day, June 11, 1933. He had just held his first revival and was down in Ohio River baptizing some 130 people in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As he came to the 17th person, a blazing light appeared in the sky above him and a voice spoke to him from heaven saying, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ, so are you sent to forerun His Second Coming.” There were 4,000 amazed, frightened witnesses to bear record of this.
Not even Brother Branham understood then what it meant. Nor could he yet understand his peculiar life. All the ministers he knew told him the visions he so frequently saw were of the devil. However, when they were of a future event, the visions never failed to be fulfilled exactly the way he saw them and they always glorified God by helping God’s children. To make things more confusing, every time William Branham came in contact with a devil-possessed person, such as astrologers or fortune tellers, they would tell him that they see a light following him, that he was born under a sign, and that there was a divine gift in his possession. These incidents troubled him greatly.
On May 7, 1946, as he was coming home from work, a mighty wind started in the top of a maple tree and came rushing down, nearly knocking Brother Branham over. Desperation struck him and he said to his wife, “For over 20 years, I’ve not been able to understand this ministry or myself. I can’t go on like this. Is this of God? Honey, I’m going to go into the woods and seek God with my Bible and prayer and find out, or never come back!”
VISITATION OF AN ANGEL
In a cave in the woods, he cast himself down and cried all his heart out to God. At about 11 o’ clock that night, a star of Light filled the cave. Fear gripped William’s heart. He heard footsteps. A man, clothed in white, walked out of the Light and said, “Fear not, I am sent from the presence of the Almighty God to tell you that your strange life and misunderstood ways have been to indicate that God has sent you take a gift of Divine Healing to the people of the world. If you will be sincere and can get the people to believe you, nothing shall stand before your prayer, not even cancer.”
For half an hour, this angel explained to Brother Branham about the past and told him of his future. He explained why the ministers couldn’t recognize a gift of God in William’s life, yet the devil could. It was the same in Jesus’ day: the religious leaders said Jesus had a devil, yet the devils at Gadara recognized Him (Mark 3:22; John 7:20). The angel also told Brother Branham that, even as Moses was given two signs to prove he was sent from God (Exodus 4:1-8), so he would be given two signs also. First, he would be able to diagnose diseases by their vibrations, which would cause his hand to swell. If the swelling went down after he prayed upon the person, he could say, “Thus saith the Lord, you are
healed.” The angel said that time would come when Brother Branham would be able to discern the very secrets of men’s hearts (Heb 4:12; John 2:24-25).
Millions of people bear record that the words of the angel were fulfilled exactly (as in Acts 27:21-25). As the sign in his hand was manifested, which when seen would raise the people’s faith to be healed, his ministry grew nationwide, then worldwide. Then it came to where the Spirit of Christ would reveal to him the very thoughts of men’s hearts, reveal their needs; reveal unconfessed sins that were not cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ; reveal things about their lives that Brother Branham himself couldn’t possibly know. Not mindreading or psychology, but rather he would see a vision of it - the things actually enacted before his open eyes (Joel 2:28). And when he spoke under the anointing, out of hundreds of thousands of times all over the world, the words spoken to total strangers never failed to be exactly the truth. And the prophesies — of healing, of future events, small to great, thousands and thousands and thousands of times - not once was one even partly wrong! It was a literal, “THUS SAITH THE LORD!”
THE PILLAR OF FIRE
The photograph at the left with the PILLAR OF FIRE above Brother Branham’s head was photographed at Houston, Texas, in January of 1950. This Light had accompanied Brother Branham since his birth in 1909. And during a 1933 baptismal service at the Ohio River at Jeffersonville, Indiana, this SUPERNATURAL BEING appeared before hundreds of people saying to him, “As John the Baptist foreran the first coming of Christ, you will forerun His second Coming.” This picture is displayed today at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and was examined and certified as genuine by Mr. George Lacy, a federal examiner of Questioned Documents in the U.S., to be the only authentic documetation of the supernatural in this generation.
TWO VINDICATED SIGNS
The angel also told Brother Branham that, even as Moses was given two signs to prove he was sent from God (Exodus 4:1-8), so he would be given two signs also. First, he would be able to diagnose diseases by their vibrations, which would cause his hand to swell. If the swelling went down after he prayed upon the person, he could say, “Thus saith the Lord, you are healed.” The angel said that time would come when Brother Branham would be able to discern the very secrets of men’s hearts (Heb 4:12; John 2:24-25).
Millions of people bear record that the words of the angel were fulfilled exactly (as in Acts 27:21-25). As the sign in his hand was manifested, which when seen would raise the people’s faith to be healed, his ministry grew nationwide, then worldwide. Then it came to where the Spirit of Christ would reveal to him the very thoughts of men’s hearts, reveal their needs; reveal unconfessed sins that were not cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ; reveal things about their lives that Brother Branham himself couldn’t possibly know. Not mindreading or psychology, but rather he would see a vision of it - the things actually enacted before his open eyes (Joel 2:28). And when he spoke under the anointing, out of hundreds of thousands of times all over the world, the words spoken to total strangers never failed to be exactly the truth. And the prophesies — of healing, of future events, small to great, thousands and thousands and thousands of times - not once was one even partly wrong! It was a literal, “THUS SAITH THE LORD!”
Over the next ten years Brother Branham circled the globe seven times, holding some of the largest meetings in history. Some 100,000 people heard him in Durban, South Africa. Seven truckloads of crutches, wheelchairs, canes, etc.. were hauled away after the healing services. Many individuals of public influence, including Congressman Upshaw of the U.S.A. and King George VI of England, were healed as a result of his prayers.
WORLDWIDE MINISTRY
Over the next ten years Brother Branham circled the globe seven times, holding some of the largest meetings in history. Some 100,000 people heard him in Durban, South Africa. Seven truckloads of crutches, wheelchairs, canes, etc.. were hauled away after the healing services. One healed was a poor deformed beggar, who had never in his life been able to walk erect, but walk all bent over on both hands and feet. This beggar was widely known, because those who cared for him exhibited him as a curiosity, putting a collar and chain on him and having him dance like an animal in the streets. Brother Branham saw a vision of this man standing upright, so he challenged the people and they agreed that if this man was healed in Jesus’ Name, Jesus was indeed God. As soon as Brother Branham prayed, the man stood erect, (as in Luke 13:11-13). Is it any wonder that 30,000 people surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ that night?
Once, God showed Brother Branham a vision of a little boy being raised from the dead. Brother Branham told the vision to 2,000 of people, describing the scenes, and telling them to write it down for it was “Thus saith the LORD!” Two years later, while they were on a campaign in Finland, they came a across a car accident in the mountains. And a little boy lay on the road, crushed, bloody, having been dead for half an hour. It was the boy of the vision. Brother Branham faced the crowd standing around and said, “ If that little boy isn’t on his feet in five minutes, you can run me out of Finland as a false prophet. But if he is, you owe me your lives to the Lord Jesus Christ!” As he prayed, life came back into that dead boy (as in Luke 7:11-16).
While preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Portland, Oregon, a huge, demon- possessed man strode to the platform, calling Brother Branham a fake, an imposter, a deceiver, threatening to break every bone in his body. As the man drew near to execute his threats, Brother Branham said softly, “Satan, because you have challenged the servant of God - in the Name of Jesus Christ, you shall fall at my feet.” The powerful man struggled to come nearer, but couldn’t. He sank to the floor and had to be carried out by ushers because he fell on his face in front of God’s vindicated servant.
In Bombay, India, where some 400,000 came to hear the Gospel, there was a blind beggar brought before Brother Branham for prayer. In a vision, Brother Branham saw who this beggar was, where he lived, and that he had become blind by staring at the sun, which he worshipped as God. Then Brother Branham challenged the various heathen Indian priests in turn saying, “If your god be God, then come up here at the platform and have him open this man’s eyes and we’ll fall down and worship your god.” None moved. “But if my God, the Lord Jesus Christ, be God and opens this man’s eyes, will you forsake your powerless gods and accept Jesus as your Saviour?” To this they agreed. The reason for this prophet’s fearless confidence was because he had already seen the man healed in a vision, and the these visions never failed him. When the beggar’s eyes came open that he could already see all the people in that meeting, pandemonium broke loose as those poor people strove just to touch Brother Branham to be healed.
It was in Mexico that the simple faith of a woman caused God to work a mighty miracle. The doctor wrote out a sworn statement that her baby had died at 9:00 in the
morning of pneumonia, but because she had seen God give a blind man back his sight in Brother Branham’s meetings the night before, she carried her dead baby around all day, believing that if she could just get it to Brother Branham, God would raise it up. That night, where Brother Branham was having a meeting, he saw a vision of a Mexican baby being cuddled by her mother, alive. There he prayed in Jesus’ Name and laid hands on the baby. Immediately the infant began to cry and was restored back to life. The news packed the article and the doctor who issued the death certificate could not believe what had transpired.
There was a time when Brother Branham stopped his sermon, looked at a man in a wheelchair and said, “Sir, I perceive you have faith to be healed. Rise up and walk,” (as in Acts 3:2-10). And Congressman Upshaw who had been confined to a wheelchair for over 60 years, rose up and walked down the aisle praising Jesus Christ. Returning to Washington, D.C., Congressman Upshaw was not ashamed to declare William Branham to be a prophet of God to the 20th century.
PROPHETIC MINISTRY
These are but a few (and by no means the most outstanding) of the miracles God used to vindicate His servant. Space fails us to record the hundreds of thousands of times that “THUS SAITH THE LORD” has been manifested in our generation without one flaw! Did not Jesus say that, “if you can’t believe Me simply because the Words I speak are the truth, then believe Me for the very works’ sake, because they testify of who I am.” (John 10:37-38). The same is true of every prophet of God. Is not the same true of William Branham? He had to be sent of God, “for no man can do these miracles except God be with him” (John 3:2).
Why then is not William Branham widely acclaimed today? No true prophet was ever accepted by the majority of people in their day. Yet a true prophet strikes against the corruption of their day, and people don’t like to change from their carnal ways. Only a few will know and believe, just as it was in the days of John the Baptist.
Notice this: as long as Jesus Christ (who was the God-Prophet) was healing the sick, multitudes swarmed to Him. But when he began to bring forth strong doctrine, rebuking the Saducees and Pharisees, the Bible records: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him,” (John 6:48-68). Likewise, as long as God used Brother Branham to heal the sick and afflicted, millions followed his ministry. But when God through His prophet began to restore the WORD, most people loved the miracles but hated the Word. Howbeit, that the Word had to be restored before Jesus Christ could take His Bride, for she must be a pure Word Bride, and the true meaning of the Word of God has been so distorted down through the centuries until today; as Jesus said, “In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ... making the Word of God of none effect through your traditions” (Mark 7:6,7,13).
SEVEN-SEALED BOOK REVEALED
On December 22, 1962, Brother Branham had a vision where he was standing near Tucson, Arizona, picking a sand burr out of his pants leg, when a tremendous explosion occured. He told this vision to his congregation in Jeffersonville, Indiana on the 31st of December (the sermon was tape recorded).
Then he moved to Tucson, Arizona. Over a month later, on February 28, 1963, while out hunting, he noticed a sand burr in his trouser. As he reached to pull it off, a tremendous blast rocked the mountainside. Looking up, he saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid sweeping towards him, and for a time he seemed to be caught up in their midst. These seven angels represents the Seven Messengers to the Seven Church Ages as written in Revelations Chapter 2 and 3. Then a voice cried out, “Go back east,” and Brother Branham knew it was time for the opening of the mysteries of the Seven Seals in the Book of Revelation (Daniel 12:4,8-9; Rev. 5,6 & 8).
The angels returned into the sky and formed a cloud some 50 miles long and 30 miles wide, which was visible for hundreds of miles around. Many pictures were taken of this peculiar Cloud, some appearing in Life Magazine (May 17, 1963 issue); some in Science Magazine (April 19,1963 issue), along with a scientific report of how it was scientifically impossible for such a cloud to exist. The highest clouds form at about 10 miles, but this phenomenal cloud was 26 miles up, at which altitude water vapor does not exist.
THE MYSTERIOUS CLOUD
The original glossy prints of the Cloud reveal the full face of the Lord Jesus Christ as the picture is viewed from the right side angle “like unto the Son of Man, His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” (Rev.1:13).
Brother Branham returned to Jeffersonville, Indiana wherein for seven days, as he waited on God, the voice of God spoke out the Pillar of Fire, revealing the exact Truth of the Mysteries sealed up in Revelations 5 through 8; which revelation was contrary to what everyone (including Brother Branham) had previously supposed, yet was perfectly in line with the rest of God’s Word.
As Brother Branham preached seven consecutive nights on these Seals (March 17-24, 1963) his sermons were tape-recorded: Thus the Scripture is fulfilled in our
day saying, “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to His servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7).
William Branham died in December of 1965 when his car was hit by a drunken driver. It was a death which he had already anticipated by a vision. But the MESSAGE God used him to bring lives on and cannot die. There are over 1,100 different tape-recorded sermons of Brother Branham today and most of these have been printed out in book form circulating around the globe today, crying out against perversion, warning souls that Jesus Christ is coming very soon, mapping out the truth through God’s Word, and preparing a Bride for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is the “voice of the seventh messenger” and the final Word-Message to our age.
HEBREWS 13:8
Think not that these things exalt a man, CHRIST ALONE IS EXALTED!
Brother Branham of himself could do nothing (John 3:27). It was Jesus Christ performing
(through a humble prophet) the same works he did when He walked in human flesh upon this earth (Heb. 13:8). So look not at the man, but at the Message which he brought forth, for that Message will point you to the pure Jesus Christ, free from all denominational creeds and traditions. Did not the apostle Paul say, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ,” (1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16).
When you obey Paul, you are not following a man, but the Holy Spirit speaking through him. “And today,” as one man wrote, “this man, William Branham, has had literally thousands of manifested vindications from God, and with his life containing all the other factors that make up the prophetic office, he ought to be received for what he is - he must be received for what he is. “Thus saith the Lord” in his mouth by the Holy Ghost, is absolutely no different from the “Thus saith the Lord” in the mouth of Paul, for it is the same Holy Ghost.”
But would you have recognized Paul had you lived in his day? Or if you had lived in the days of Noah? Or Elijah? or Jeremiah? Would you have recognized them as prophets and heeded their Message? How about if you had lived in a remote part of Palestine and heard reports about somebody called Jesus who was performing mighty miracles? Would you have recognized Him for who He was, or would you have been like the Pharisees, who believed what God did in the past, but could not accept what God was doing in their own day! They even called Jesus “Beelzebub, the prince of devils”. “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees,” cried Jesus, “hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, if we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets, wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets!” (Matt. 23:29-31).
So God has once again visited this last generation with a mighty prophet. A humble man, who desired neither fame nor wealth, who never failed to give every bit of the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Briefly this essay have sketched his life, and briefly his vindication. Yet, this has not even touched yet on the Message which he brought forth, even though it is that Message that is most important. Now it is up to you to dig on these treasures. Books and tapes are available upon request, but you must be sincere to check it out, weigh the evidence, examine the Word, and then pray it through. If it is the Truth, God requires you to believe it.
SEVEN VISIONS
In the year 1933, God gave Brother Branham a continuous vision of seven major things that must transpire before the Lord Jesus Christ would come again.
The first (1) vision was that he saw a dictator rising up in Italy that would invade Ethiopia. He saw Mussolini and his shameful end where the people turned on him, before it ever transpired in actual event.
The second (2) vision was shown to him by God where he saw a young Austrian named Adolf Hitler who would gain power in Germany and would lead the world into war, but that Germany would be defeated and Hitler would come to a mysterious end.
In the third (3) vision, he saw three great ISM’s in the world: Fascism, Nazism and Communism: but that the first two would be swallowed up into the third one -
Communism.
Then on the fourth (4) vision, he beheld the tremendous advances in science that would follow World War II. He saw an automobile looking like an egg that’s being run not by humans but by remote control.
The fifth (5) vision showed him the horrible moral decay of the world, centering mostly around women. He saw women cutting her hair, smoking cigarettes, drinking, wearing pants and indecent clothing. (Remember these five things were shown to him in 1933, years before they occured).
In the sixth (6) vision, he saw a beautiful, yet cruel woman rise in America, dominating the land with authority.
And in the last (7) vision, he saw the land of America in smoldering ruins. As far as the eye could see there was no life, only craters and smoking piles of debris. He also saw Los Angeles, California sank beneath the ocean caused by a major earthquake. Then these visions faded away.
Brother Branham testifies of his ministry in the following quotations:
“Not for one moment do I bring a message to the people that they may follow me, or join my church, or start some fellowship and organization. I have never done that and will not do that now. I have no interest in those things, but I do have an interest in the things of God and people, and if I can accomplish just one thing I will be satisfied. That one thing is to see established a true spiritual relationship between God and men, wherein men become new creations in Christ, filled with His Spirit and live according to His Word. I would invite, plead and warn all to hear His voice at this time, and yield your lives completely to Him, even as I trust my heart that I have given my all to Him. God bless you, and may His Coming rejoice your heart.” -(381-3 RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.10)
“I know there's a lot of fanaticism in the world. I'm not responsible for other men's testimonies. I only have to answer for mine. I'm on the witness stand in a defense for God and His Word, that I know it's true. And His Word... When I heard Him tell me that, I would not have believed it if He hadn't showed me in the Bible that it's promised for this day.” (COURT TRIAL. BIRMINGHAM.AL 64-0412)
“I was called when I was just a little boy. And in this was a visible, audible sign given me: a--a Pillar of Fire hanging in a bush, at seven years old, right here on the Utica Pike. My father was working for Mr. O. H. Wathen, that just recently died. And you've read the book; you know the story. And from that time... Down on the river then, It appeared visibly before the people, and now... It's had the picture taken many times, and it hangs in the Washington, D.C. as a copyright in the Religious Hall of Art as the only supernatural being that was ever scientifically proven to be photographed: same Pillar of Fire, exactly in the same look and every way, that brought Israel out of Egypt. I believe It's Jesus Christ in Spirit form in the Sonship of God.” (MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. JEFF.IN V-3 N-13 65-0221M)
“Scientific world testifies of it. That George J. Lacy said, "I often said it was psychology myself, Mr. Branham." But said, "I've had it under ultra-ray and every kind of infrared and everything that I could find. The light struck the lens, and this lens won't take psychology." So if I live or die, it's true anyhow. The church knows it's true. Science knows it's true. Now, what about you? Remember, it's not me; it's Him. It's not me. I'm nobody but just one of you all. It's Him. He has to get somebody. Nobody's worthy of it, but somebody has to do it. Remember, it's not a easy job. But it's a glorious job to know that your Lord is here, and
you can tell your brethren the truth. But it's hard when they won't believe it. But that, we all have to confront that.” (COURT.TRIAL BIRMINGHAM.AL 64-0412)
“ That great Angel of the Covenant, that One Who was with Moses in the wilderness, that One Who come to Paul on the road to Damascus, that same One permitted His picture to be taken with us; the same One that was in the picture in the "Life" magazine the other day, the same Word by the same God, through the same channels, by the same way, by the same promise: "Wherever two or three are gathered in My Name, I am there in their midst." Then He's here. The Angels of God are encamped about those who fear Him, that hangs only to His Word.” (CHRIST IS.THE.MYSTERY. JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
“Oh, and I remember when He swept down there in that big Light, standing yonder at the bottom of the river, 1933, in June, when He said, "As--as John the Baptist was sent forth and forerun the first coming of Christ, I send you with a Message to the world to forerun the second coming of Christ." And around the world she's went, when revival fires had been built for fifteen years on nearly every mountain...?... Divine healing across the nations, and the power, and restoration... And now, I believe she's ready to strike that final climax yonder to bring forth a faith that'll rapture the Church into glory (It's the truth.), and She's laying in the Messages. We're really at the end time.” (ABSOLUTE, THE. JEFF.IN V-3 N-18 62-1230M)
“We’re at the end, friends. Soon it shall be time run out. Millions will lose their lives. Millions that now believe they are saved will be counted fodder for the atomic age. We are living at the last hour. By the grace of God, by His help we speak to His people that they might look forward to the soon appearing of Christ.” (SEVENTH.SEAL.THE. JEFF.IN 63-0324E)
“People has called me a prophet. I don't call myself no prophet, because I'd be daresn't to say that. But I have say--I can say this, that the Lord has let me foresee things, tell things that has happened, will happen, is happening; and not one time has it ever failed in the tens of thousands of times. Everything that He said would happen, happened. We all know that. If there's a person in this visible audience this morning or anywhere could say one time it failed, you're at liberty to stand up and say so. But if everybody knows that every time, of the thousands of times it's been perfectly right, say, "Amen." [Congregation replies, "Amen."--Ed.] (MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. JEFF.IN V-3 N-13 65-0221M)
“Now, look at today, brethren. See, we have a--we know we have a move of God. We know it's performing miracles. It's healing the sick. It's even raising the dead. It's casting out devils. It speaks with tongues and interprets tongues. It sends forth prophecies; they happen. He showed us dreams, interpretations, perfect, strictly. Then isn't it a strange thing that great leaders would say we was a bunch of crazy people when they're the leaders of the nation, the leaders of churches? That's a marvelous thing. What is it? It's still jealousy. The Spirit and power and Word of God in these last days is showing up their dogmas and creeds (that's all there is to it) that they got men blinded by.” (TAKING SIDES.WITH.JESUS. JEFF.IN COD 62-0601)
“And so there He spoke to me and said, "The Seven Seals will be opened. The seven mysteries, sevenfold mystery of the Bible that's been closed up since the foundation of the world will be revealed." And we, yet a humble little group compared with all the world, we've enjoyed these blessings and hearing those mysteries: Marriage, Divorce, Serpent's Seed. All those different questions has been completely revealed to us, not by man but by God Himself, that's opened those seven mysteries of what the church was, how it was in Christ at the beginning, and how it would be revealed in the last day.” (RISING.OF.THE.SUN. JEFF.IN V-3 N-12 65-0418M)
“I wasn't the One that appeared down on the river; I was only standing there when He appeared. I'm not the One that performs these things and foretells these things
that happens as perfect as they are; I'm only one that's near when He does it. I was only a voice that He used to say it. It wasn't what I knew; it's what I just surrendered myself to, that He spoke through. It isn't me. It wasn't the seventh angel, oh, no; it was a manifestation of the Son of man. It wasn't the angel, his Message; it was the mystery that God unfolded. It's not a man; it's God. The angel was not the Son of man; he was a messenger from the Son of man. The Son of man is Christ. He's the One that you're feeding on. You're not feeding on a man. A man, his words will fail, but you're feeding on the unfailing Body-Word of the Son of man.” (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME. JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65-0725M)
“I'm not here for popularity. If I would, I'd have radio programs and television, have all this on televised and everything. They had to beg the people for their money and things like that; I don't want that stuff. I want favor with my God; that's all. I want to be, where if He sends me to where there's only five people in a church, and says, "Stay there for six months," I'll stay right there. I have nothing to tie me. That's right. If He sends me overseas to a hundred million people, I'd be right there. Some way He'll take care of it; He always has and He will.” (SUPER.SIGN. GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 141 62-0708)
“When the Lord spoke to me down on the river that day, it spearheaded that revival around the world, from there come every one of those great evangelists. They went right back with their brethren (See?), those denominations in which they come out of. They come out here and hold this meeting, mixed up with the denominations, and go right back into them again. They got a lot of favor, big names on radio, papers, and everything. Everybody speaks well of them. But all men has forsaken me because I've took a true Word, and stood by the Word. I've stayed right here to what He said to me, preached the Word, not a denominational philosophy. "Preach the Word," that was my commission; "stay with the Word." And, brethren who's listening to this on tape, I was a great guy when I come among you just healing the sick, speaking of visions, and showing things. But when I went to tell you the Truth about the Word, what did you turn your back on me for? Do you realize it's just fulfilling what the Scripture said? Yeah, it does that way.” (PRESENT.STAGE.OF.MY.MINISTRY. JEFF.IN V-11 N-2 62-0908)
“And some people have said, "You condemn organization." No, I don't. I--I condemn the system of organization, not the people in there, the group of people that makes the organization, you know; but the system they're governed by, that's what I condemn, Catholic and Protestant the same. And them people, a Catholic, or Jew or whatever it is, they're a human being off the same tree that we come from. See? That's right. They are--they are a people who love, and eat, and drink, and sleep and--just like anybody else. And so we mustn't never condemn individuals, no, no one. We mustn't condemn individuals, but as a minister, I have to strike that serpent out there that's biting into those people. But if a Catholic, Jew, or whatever he was, come here... If he was a Mohammedan, Greek, or orthodox, or whatever he might be, if he come here to be prayed for, I would pray just as sincerely for him as I would for my own. That's right. Certainly, because it's a human being. I've prayed for Buddhists, and Sikhs, Jains, Mohammedans, and--and every kind (You see?), like that. And I don't ask them no questions; I just pray for them because they're somebody, a human being, that wants to get well, and try to make life a little easier along the road for them.” (FIFTH.SEAL.THE JEFF.IN 63-0322)
WITNESSES TO THE BRANHAM MINISTRY
The following are certified testimonies from well-known preachers and evangelists from around the world concerning the ministry of William Marrion Branham:
JAMES MORRIS - “It was Branham, more than any other evangelist, who started the post- World War-II fundamentalist healing revival following his encounter with an angel on May 7,
1946. Word radiated in every direction that all manner of diseases and afflictions were healed instantly by the little Indiana preacher. Even cases of raising the dead were published.” (-The Preachers)
GORDON LINDSAY - “Never had we known of any preacher calling deaf, mutes and blind people to pray for, and then to see those people delivered on the spot... a ministry that was beyond any that we had before witnessed.” (-The House that the Lord Built)
TOMMY OSBORN - “ God has chosen diverse and mysterious ways to reveal Himself to His servants especially those called for dispensational purposes as was Brother Branham’s call. In short, the man we know as William Branham was sent to demonstrate God again in flesh. (-William Branham Memorial Service)
JACK MOORE - “The most gifted of all the evangelists.” (-All Thingsare Possible by David Harell, Jr.)
ORAL ROBERTS - “A humble devout man of God.” (-Healing Waters, July 1948)
F.F. BOSWORTH - “When the gift is operating, Brother Branham is the most sensitive person to the presence and working of the Holy Spirit and to spiritual realities of any person I have known.” (-A Prophet Visits South Africa)
GEORGE EKEROTH - “God called this humble man and anointed his ministry to a degree that within a few short years his name was known in the most remote jungle outstation. Wherever you would go in this world you would find that the name of this messenger has preceded you.” (-Introduction of Morris Cerullo’s Book, Wind Over the 20th Century)
DAVID EDWIN HARRELL JR. - “Most of the participants of the healing revival that erupted in 1947 looked upon Branham as its initiator. William Branham became a prophet to a generation. Night after night, before thousands of awed believers, he discerned the diseases of the sick and pronounced them healed. The power of a Branham service remains a legend unparalleled in the history of the Charismatic Movement.” (-All ThingsAre Possible)
THOMAS R. NICKEL - “In Bible days, there were men of God who were prophets and seers. But in all the sacred records, none of these had a greater ministry than that of William Branham, a Prophet and Seer of God, whose photograph appears on the front cover of this issue of Full Gospel Men’s Voice. Branham has been used by God, in the Name of Jesus, to raise the dead.” (-Full Gospel Men’s Voice Magazine, February 1961)
JOSEPH MATTSON-BOZE - “Sometimes I was scared because of the deep sense of holiness that penetrated the meeting, but I never failed to see the gift of God in operation through His servant and feel the warmth of love that flowed through his ministry.” (-The Herald of Faith, February 1966)
WILLIAM BRANHAM RESOURCES
There are almost 1,100+ book-sermons and tape recordings of Rev. William Marrion Branham available today for anyone interested in the End Time Message. Books, Tapes and MP3 CD’s of Brother Branham’s sermons can be ordered from Voice of God Recordings, P.O. Box 950, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47131 U.S.A. Website: www.branham.org. Other websites that feature the ministry of Brother Branham are as follows: www.endtimemessage.info; www.spiritualbuildingstones.info; www.bibleway.org; www.dewitttabernacle.org, www.wmb1.com; www.nathan.co.za; www.inthedaysofthevoice.com; www.williambranham.com; www.spokenwordchurch.com; www.happyvalleychurch.com.
Message Quick Reference Guide
Paul wrote most of the Epistles in the New Testament benchmarking the “Grace Dispensation”. Here in this chapter, I wish to lay out the times of the seven church ages along with their corresponding messengers for the benefit of the readers, as preached to us by Reverend William Branham, God’s messenger of the age.
THE EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE (A.D. 53 to A.D. 170) STAR-MESSENGER: SAINT PAUL
Revelation 1:20 - “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
THE SEVEN STARS AND THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS
From the above prophetic verses, we can read that there are “seven stars” or seven angels that represent God’s seven spirits sent forth by God to bring forth the light unto seven Gentile churches. Revelation 1:11: “Saying, I am
Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
John had seen this vision which was an event that was to transpire to seven Gentile churches in Asia Minor. The whole of the church ages is God dealing with the Gentiles, and caling out a “Gentile Bride” to Himself. That makes the “Church Ages” and the “Fulness of the Gentiles” one and the same thing.
This event was actually God, sending seven messengers to seven church ages, which was to transpire right after the Book of Acts until the second coming of the Lord. These Seven Gentile Church Ages were to last within a period of more or less 2000 years before Christ comes back for the literal rapture of the church. During this brief period, Jesus Christ is set to gather all His elected Gentile Bride from among all nations and denominations to prepare them for the “catching away” of the church as spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
After the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, God then started to deal with the Gentiles for their day of salvation. The Gentile grace period started from A.D. 53 till this day. When the Spirit of God left the Jews on their own due to their rejection of the Messiah, He sent Apostle Paul to preach salvation unto the Gentiles. “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles”, were the words of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:44-48. And in Romans 11:25, Paul declared, -”For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Endtime believers have witnessed the true fulfillment of this prophesy today as we have identified who these seven messengers are and what the exact dates of these seven Gentile church ages were. Most Bible scholars know for sure that it was Apostle Paul who paved the way to where God’s Gospel ministry to the Gentiles was started. Apostle
Revelation 2: 1-7 reads:
“Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
The messenger (angel) to the church of Ephesus was the apostle Paul. That he was the messenger to the first age of the Gentile era cannot be denied. Though to Peter was granted the authority to open the doors to the Gentiles, it was given to Paul to be their apostle and prophet. He was the Prophet-Messenger to the Gentiles. His prophetic office, by which he received the full revelation of the Word for the Gentiles, authenticated him as their apostolic messenger.
Paul founded the church at Ephesus about the middle of the first century. This enables us to set the date of the beginning of the Ephesian Church Age about 53 A.D. Paul was absolutely true to the Word. He never deviated from it no matter what the cost (Galatians 1:8- 9). His ministry was in the power of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:1-5). And he had
the evident fruit of his God-given ministry (2 Cor 11:2). The death of Paul, before the Revelation was given to John, does not at all annul the fact that he was the messenger to the Ephesian Church Age, for the messenger to every age, regardless of when he appears or goes, is the one who influences that age for God by means of a Word-manifested ministry.
THE SMYRNEAN CHURCH AGE (A.D. 170 to A.D. 312) STAR MESSENGER: SAINT IRENAEUS
Revelation 2: 8-11 reads-” And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
The name of the second church age was Smyrna, which means “bitterness or myrrh.” It was associated with death, because the Christians here were dying. A persecuted church, the church of Smyrna passed through the fiery furnace of tribulations, but was a sweet-smelling savor unto Christ. The great ten days of tribulation means “ten years of the bloodiest persecution” which happened in this era. It was the bloodiest one of all of the persecutions since Nero in 67 A.D. Diocletian was the emperor in this age, which reigned during the year 303 to 312 A.D.
Irenaeus was the star-messenger to Smyrna. He was God’s messenger because he was the one who swept the country, into France (Gaul), establishing churches, and every one of them were established upon the baptism of the Holy Ghost, in speaking in
tongues, raising the dead, healing the sick, stopping the rains, and performing miracles daily. Ireneaus knew that the living God lived among His people.
THE PERGAMEAN CHURCH AGE (AD 312 to A.D. 606) STAR MESSENGER: SAINT MARTIN
Revelation 2: 12-17 reads: “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan’s seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].”
The third church age is called Pergamos. And the date that this church existed was from A.D. 312 to 606. The age was the age of “false doctrine, Satan lying, the foundation of papacy rule, and marriage of church and state”. And the star, the angel of this church, was Saint Martin.
The life of Saint Martin is one of the greatest miracle- filled lives of anybody in the church ages. Martin was born in 315 in Hungary. However, his life work was in France where he labored in and around Tours as a bishop. He died in 399. This great saint was the uncle of another wonderful Christian, St. Patrick of Ireland. Saint Patrick was Saint Martin’s nephew; Saint Martin’s sister was the mother of Saint Patrick. He was a soldier to begin with. One day he was coming by and there was someone, a man laying cold and shivering, and all the people that was able to help the man just
passed him by, like the priest and the Levites did in the Good Samaritan. But when Saint Martin come by, realizing his duty as a Christian believer, he had one coat, a cloak over his
shoulders; he cut it in two with his sword and gave half of it to the beggar; he took the other half. And that night began his career, for Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision, wrapped in that same robe that he cut half in two; which fulfilled the Scripture, “Insomuch as you have done unto these little ones, you have did it unto Me.” St. Martin stayed with the Word, just like Paul did. He was the messenger to this church age.
A biographer wrote of Martin on this wise. "No one ever saw him angry, or disturbed, or grieving, or laughing. He was always one and the same, and seemed something beyond mortal, wearing on his countenance a sort of celestial joy. Never was anything on his lips but Christ, never anything in his heart but piety, peace and pity. Often did he weep for the sins even of those his detractors, who when he was quiet and absent attacked him with viperous lips and poisoned tongues. Many hated him for virtues they themselves did not possess and could not imitate; and alas! his bitterest assailants were bishops."
THE THYATIREAN CHURCH AGE (A.D 606 to A.D. 1520) STAR MESSENGER: SAINT COLUMBA
Revelation 2: 18-19 states: “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;
and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
The fourth church age, “Thyatira,” means “to be laxed, loose, or hazy.” The star-messenger was Columba, from Ireland and Scotland, which was a nephew to Saint Martin. His ministry began about sixty years after Saint Patrick.
The word, Thyatira, means a “Continual Sacrifice“ - a continual presentation of the sacrifice of Christ. It also means the continual sacrifice in lives and labors of the true believers of the Lord. This age is called the “Dark Ages” because it was indeed the darkest period of all history. It was the age of Pope Innocent III who claimed that he was the “vicar of Christ —supreme sovereign over the church and the world,” who instituted the inquisition which under his direction shed more blood than at any other time in history except in the Reformation.
Thyatira was also the age of Pornocracy, the rule of harlots. The popes were not only guilty of immoral sex acts (fathering scores of illegitimate children, committing sodomy etc.) but were guilty of selling priestly offices to the highest bidders. Those who
would not agree to the Roman Catholic Doctrine in this age were were fed to lions, burnt, tortured and persecuted. Surely these Thyatirean saints were the “cream of the crop”, full of the Holy Ghost and faith, created unto good works, showing forth His praise, holding not their lives dear unto themselves, but gladly giving their all as a sweet sacrifice unto the Lord.
Columba was born in County Donegal, North Ireland, to the royal family of Fergus. He became a brilliant, consecrated scholar, committing to memory most of the Scripture. God called him in an audible voice to be a missionary. After he had heard the voice of God, nothing could stop him, and his miraculous ministry has caused many historians to acclaim him next to the apostles. So great was his ministry with the supernatural signs following that some (especially students in Rome) have thought the accounts were exaggerated. Saint Columba was the founder of a great Bible school on the island of Hy (off the S.W. coast of Scotland). From this Bible-centered island went forth mighty scholars endowed with wisdom and the power of God.
THE SARDISEAN CHURCH AGE (A.D. 1520 to A.D. 1750) STAR-MESSENGER: MARTIN LUTHER
Revelation 3: 1-6 reads: “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Sardisean church age began in 1520 and ended in 1750. It is the age of what we call “Reformation Age”. Sardis means a “marriage”, the marriage age of church and state.
When Leo X become pope, and John Tetzel came to sell indulgences for sin in Luther’s time, Luther had no choice but to rise up against this anti-Scriptural teaching. First, he thundered from the pulpit against it and then wrote his famous 95 theses which on October 31, 1517 he nailed to the door of Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany, exposing and protesting the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church. From that date the Reformation set in; and the reformation fires begin to fly. He protested the abuses of the Catholic church and its mass saying, “Is this be the holy body of Christ? It’s a wafer and a little wine.” And whammy, he throwed it on the floor. Martin Luther spearheaded the Reformation Age by printing Bibles. This was also the time when Guterberg invented the printing press.
As Luther crystallized the doctrine of justification by faith in this age, the Catholic Church held on to works, penance, prayers and other unscriptural means. We see in this historical age that the pagan worship of Sardis was the worship of the woman. It is Cybele alone, not Cybele and Deoius. The mother has literally taken the place of the Son, endowed with the merits of Godhead. And as the freed Christians glorified the Son in this era, the Roman Catholics increased their deification of Mary.
THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH AGE (A.D. 1750 to A.D. 1906) STAR-MESSENGER: JOHN WESLEY
Revelation 3: 7-13 states: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
The messenger to the fifth church age was Martin Luther. His name is so familiar to the Bible scholar, or the teacher, or the laity of today. Martin Luther was a brilliant scholar of gentle disposition. He was ordained as an Augustinian priest at Erfurt. Luther saw the futility of the Roman church's imposed works that were to bring salvation. The Word of God struck home to his heart, and was convinced that "The just shall live by faith." That was Luther’s message - justification by faith. Luther was a mighty preacher and teacher of the Word, and insisted especially in his first years of public eminence, that the Word was the sole criterion. Thus he was against works as a means of salvation and baptism as a
means of regeneration. He taught the mediation of Christ apart from man as was the original and Pentecostal concept. He was a man given to much prayer and had learned that the more work he had to do, and the more sorely he was pressed for time, the more of his time he gave to God in prayer in order to ensure satisfactory results. It is recorded of Dr. Martin Luther in Sauer's History Vol. 3, page 406 that he was, "a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, interpreter, in one person, endowed with all nine gifts of the Spirit."
Christ.
The sixth church age is called the Philadelphian Church Age. The Philadelphian Church Age lasted from 1750 to about 1906. This age, due to the meaning of the name of the city, has been called The Age of Brotherly Love, as Philadelphia means, "love of brethren". This age was a great missionary age and an “open door age”. And the reward for this age was a pillar, and the revelation of three Names: the Name of God, the Name of the City of God, and God’s New name.”
The star or the messenger to this church age, we believe, solemnly, with all of our heart, to be John Wesley. John Wesley, a little Anglican man from over in England, that belonged to the Anglican church, saw the light on the Gospel. It was the hour for that Philadelphian age to come forth. And when he did, he preached the second works of grace, a sanctification by the Blood of Jesus.
John Wesley was born at Epworth, June 17, 1703 and was one of nineteen
children born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. His father was a chaplain in the Church of England; but it is more than likely that the religious turn of John's mind was based more upon his mother's exemplary life than upon his father's theology. John was a brilliant scholar. He drew up a spiritual guide of works, such as giving to the poor, visiting the sick and the imprisoned. For this they were called Methodists, and other derisive titles. John Wesley traveled multiple thousands of miles as did his circuit riders who carried the Gospel near and far. In fact Wesley traveled 4500 miles per year by horse. He was a believer in the power of God and he prayed for the sick with great faith and wonderful results. Many of his meetings saw the manifestation of Spiritual gifts. Wesley never did desire to build a work upon a denominational or sectarian basis. Though he was an Arminian in his beliefs, he did not want to separate himself from brethren on the grounds of doctrine. He was a good candidate for James: He based his eternal life on faith and works, or the living of the life, rather than simply accepting a creed or a doctrinal statement.
THE LAODICEAN CHURCH AGE (A.D. 1906 - Rapture) STAR-MESSENGER: WILLIAM BRANHAM
Our age is the fulfillment of Revelation 3: 14-22: “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
The Laodicean Age began around the turn of the 20th Century, perhaps 1906. The name, Laodicea, means, "people's rights" or `justice of the peoples.' There never was an age like the 20th century wherein we see all nations rising up and demanding equality, socially and financially. Our age, the Laodicean church age, is an age of the communists where all men are supposedly equal, though it is only so in theory. This is the age of political parties who call themselves Christian Democrats, and Christian Socialists, Christian Commonwealth Federation, etc. and the age of labor unions, women’s rights, gay rights, and other cause-oriented groups.
In every attribute, ancient Laodicea is found reborn in the 20th Laodicean Age. Historic Laodicea was a rich city, endowed by
the wealthy. It was full of culture. Science abounded. How like today. The churches are rich. The worship is beautiful and formal, but cold and dead. Culture and education have taken the place of the Spirit-given Word, and faith has been superseded by science, so that man is a victim of materialism. Frequent earthquakes finally caused Laodicea’s complete abandonment.
The messenger to the Laodicean Age, according to Scriptures, is going to be a prophet. He will have the prophetic ministry. It will be based solidly on the Word because
when he prophesies or has a vision, it will always be "Word oriented" and it will ALWAYS come to pass. He will be vindicated as a prophet because of his accuracy. The proof that he is a prophet is found in Revelation 10:7 "But in the days of the voice of the seventh messenger when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished as He hath declared to His servants, the prophets." This one here in Revelation 10:7 is the seventh age messenger and it is a man, and he is to bring a message from God, and his message and ministry is going to finish the mystery of God as declared to His servants, the prophets. That is what Paul was in the first age, and the last age has one, too. Amos 3:6-7, "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants, the prophets."
It was in the end-time period that the seven thunders of Jesus will come forth. Revelation 10:3-4, "And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." What was in those thunders no one knows. But we need to know. And it will take a prophet to get the revelation because God has no other way of bringing out His Scriptural revelations except by a prophet. This messenger of Malachi 4 and Revelation 10:7 is going to do two things. One: According to Malachi 4 he will turn the hearts of the children to the fathers. Two: He will reveal the mysteries of the seven thunders in Revelation 10 which are the revelations contained in the seven seals. It will be these Divinely revealed `mystery-truths' that literally turn the hearts of the children to the Pentecostal fathers.
Not only do we see this messenger coming here in Revelation 10:7, but we find that the Word speaks of Elijah coming before Jesus returns. In Matthew 17:10, "And His disciples asked Him saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" And Jesus said, "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things." Before the coming of our Lord, Elijah must come back for a work of restoration in the church. This is what Malachi 4:5 says, "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
After an in-depth evaluation of all the men of God that has evangelized the world in our age, none of the rest can compare to the life and ministry of William Branham, a seer and a prophet of God to our generation. William Branham, this writer believes, is the angel- messenger to the Laodicean Church Age.
The Full Gospel Men’s Voice, (now, Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International), in its February 1961 issue wrote about William Branham: “In Bible Days, there were men of God who were Prophets and Seers. But in all the Sacred Records, none of these had a greater ministry than that of William Branham, a Prophet and Seer of God, whose photograph appears on the front cover of this issue of Full Gospel Men’s Voice. Branham has been used by God, in the Name of Jesus, to raise the dead!”
One historian of that movement stated that William Branham was “a prophet to our generation”, and a Pentecostal Historian wrote, “Branham filled the largest stadiums and meeting halls in the world.” On June 11, 1933, while William Branham was baptizing the 17th person amongst hundreds of converts in the Ohio River near Jeffersonville, Indiana, a bright fiery Light suddenly appeared over him and a voice spoke out, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ, so are you sent to forerun His second coming!”
The next edition of the Jeffersonville Evening News reported and published the incident with the subheading, “Mysterious Star Appears Over Minister While Baptizing”.
In May of 1946, as William Branham prayed alone late one night, an angel of light appeared to him, saying, “Do not fear. I am sent from the presence of Almighty God to tell you that your peculiar birth and misunderstood life has been to indicate that you are to take a gift of Divine healing to the peoples of the world. If you will be sincere when you pray and can get the people to believe you, nothing shall stand before your prayer, not even cancer. You will go into many parts of the earth and will pray for kings and rulers and potentates. You will preach to multitudes the world over and thousands will come to you for counsel.” This was literally fulfilled in the years that followed, for his ministry took him around the world seven times and many individuals of public influence, including Congressman Upshaw of the
U.S.A. and King George VI of England, were healed as a result of his prayers.
To know more in-depthly about the Seven Church Ages, I advice you to read the Book entitled “AN EXPOSITION OF THE SEVEN CHURCH AGES,” by William Marrion Branham.
CHAPTER FOUR
INTRODUCTION
We can read in the Bible that God has a book that’s been sealed with SEVEN SEALS holding the seven hidden mysteries of God which were kept secret through the ages. What could be the significance of this Book to us, Christians?
Revelation 5:1, “And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a Book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”
Revelation 6:1, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.”
The prophet Daniel of the Old Testament saw this Book in his visions but was asked to seal up the words thereof until the time of the end. The content of this Book was also seen and heard by John in the Book of Revelation Chapter 10.
Yet unknown to many today, these seven seals have already been loosed and the mysteries contained therein are already open to us. Yet only the predestinated people of God are qualified to understand the contents of the Book. It is hid from the unbeliever’s eyes. Jesus clearly said it in Matthew 11:25: “ I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.”
The reason why this book has been revealed today is to get the people of God ready for the second coming of the Lord. If your name is written on this Book, you will surely heed the end-time call today and will dig on these mysteries to make your “election and calling sure”.
THE SEVEN-SEALED BOOK
The seven-sealed Book is presented by John in Revelation 5: 1- 7, ”And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a BOOK written within and on the backside, SEALED with SEVEN SEALS. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, WHO is worthy to OPEN the BOOK, and to LOOSE the SEALS thereof? And NO MAN in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the BOOK, neither to look thereon.”
”And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the LION of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to OPEN the BOOK, and to LOOSE the SEVEN SEALS thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a LAMB as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the SEVEN Spirits of GOD sent forth into all the earth. And HE came and TOOK the BOOK out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.”
Amidst these symbolisms, we can conclude that it is no other but our Lord Jesus Christ who is being referred to here as the Bloody Lamb, the Root and Offspring of David, and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who took the BOOK out from the Father’s throne. It is Jesus alone who is worthy to take and claim this Book and to loose the seals thereof. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9)
This Book was what Adam and Eve forfeited at the Garden of Eden when they chose to partake with the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil rather than staying with the Tree of Life. The Book contains the names of God’s elect all through the ages, those who were chosen and predestinated in Christ before the foundation of the world according to Revelation 13:8 and which are the direct subjects of God’s redemption. It is them also of which Romans 8:29-30 speaks about: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did ‘predestinate’ [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” This Book is also known as the “Lamb’s Book of Life”.
DANIEL’S VISION
The prophet Daniel saw the BOOK in a vision but was told of God to seal it up until the time of the end, as we read in the following verses:
”But thou, O Daniel, SHUT up the words, and SEAL the BOOK, [even] to the time of the END: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]? And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the WORDS [are] CLOSED up and SEALED till the TIME of the END.” (Daniel 12:4,8,9)
JOHN AND THE MIGHTY ANGEL
John the beloved had seen and heard the messages in the Book in the form of the “seven thunders” and saw the OPEN BOOK being delivered down to the earth by the Mighty Angel of Revelation 10.
Revelations 10:1-4, “And I saw another Mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a Little BOOK OPEN: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud VOICE, as when a LION roareth: and when he had cried, “SEVEN THUNDERS” uttered their VOICES.And when the SEVEN THUNDERS had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a VOICE from heaven saying unto me, SEAL UP those things which the SEVEN THUNDERS
uttered, and WRITE them NOT.”
This event started to take place in the year 1963 during our time. On February 28, 1963, over in Arizona, U.S.A., the coming of this Mighty Angel transpired. A Mystery Cloud, showing the face of Jesus Christ formed from a constellation of seven angels, which were the seven spirits of God, which appeared to Reverend William Marrion Branham in the form of a ring shaped-Cloud. These seven angels came from the presence of God revealing to William Branham the hidden mysteries of the SEVEN SEALS which were sealed in the time of Daniel to inform the people of God of the perfect will of the Father in preparation for the oncoming millennial reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth.
It was as these seven angels left Brother Branham that they formed this mysterious cloud which Life Magazine had featured in their May 17, 1963 issue, and Science Magazine in their April 19, 1963 issue. The original glossy prints reveal the full face of the Lord Jesus Christ as the picture is viewed from the right side angle “like unto the Son of Man, His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” (Rev.1:13).
THE SEVENTH ANGEL-MESSENGER
If we continue reading in the succeeding verses of Revelation 10:1-7, we will notice that the Mighty Angel, which was Michael, delegated the revelation of these mysteries to the seventh angel which was the messenger to the Laodecian Church Age. This seventh angel is an earthly messenger who was commissioned by God to fulfill the final work of revealing these mysteries contained in these seven-seals to God’s elect in these last days, as clearly stipulated in the 7th verse of Revelation 10:
Revelation 10:7 states, “But in the days of the VOICE of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, ALL the MYSTERY of God should be FINISHED as he hath declared to His servants the prophets.”
Jesus told John to send this Book to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:11): “What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. I have discussed already in the previous chapter that these seven angels who were commissioned by God were seven men sent through the seven church ages to bring enlightenment to each of these age. The first angel or messenger to the church at Ephesus was Paul. The second angel to Smyrna was Irenaeus. The third angel to Pergamos was St. Martin. The fourth angel to Thyatira was Columba. The fifth angel to Sardis was Martin Luther. The sixth angel to the Philadelphian church age was John wesley. The seventh angel to Laodicea is none other than William Marrion Branham.
Hear the seventh angel’s “VOICE” today and learn of the hidden mysteries of God for you to be counted worthy to go in the rapture before this world is destroyed by the fire and by the wrath of God.
AN OPEN BOOK
To those who believe in the End Time Message, the unveiling of the Seven-sealed Book is already history to us. This mysterious book has been opened to us by a prophetic ministry which started the THREE STAGES of the coming of the Lord.
We have learned from Brother Branham that the Rapture or second coming of
the Lord comes in three stages: (1) There has to be a “shout”, which is a Message, calling the people of God out from Babylonian confusion (Rev. 18:4 & Matthew 25:6); (2) there has to be the voice of the “archangel”, and (3) there has to be a “trumpet” sounding. That’s according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a “shout”, with the “voice of the archangel”, and with the “trump” of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
WHAT THOSE SEALS CONTAINED
Here now is a brief summary of what the mysteries of the SEVEN SEALS contained as preached to us by Rev. William Branham.
THE FIRST SEAL - The WHITE HORSE RIDER
REVELATION 6:1-2 explains the opening and the contents of the First Seal:
“And I saw when the Lamb OPENED one of the SEALS, and I HEARD, as it were the NOISE of THUNDER, one of the FOUR BEASTS saying, Come and SEE. And I saw, and behold a WHITE HORSE: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
Please take note that the first FOUR SEALS, which involve events that transpire within the timeframe of Pentecost until our current day, are announced by the FOUR spiritual CREATURES of God. These creatures are (1)the LION, (2) the CALF, (3) the FACE of a MAN, and (4) the FLYING EAGLE.
Revelation 4:7 speaks of these beasts: “And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.” God raised up these beasts to counteract the power of the four horse riders, which is Satan himself, riding through the seven church ages.
The FIRST SEAL talks about Satan’s DECEPTION. Yes, “White Horse” symbolizes an “impersonation of Christianity.” Many
Bible theologians throughout the ages thought that this white horse rider symbolizes the Holy Spirit coming forth to the church. But the revelation to the seventh angel proves them wrong. The White horse rider is Satan, riding through with his false teachings in the early church thorugh “false prophets and false teachers to deceive the very elect if it were possible” (Matthew 24:24).
Notice that this rider had a “bow”, but he had no “arrow”. It just goes to show that he is just a “bluffer”. He is a deceiver and a liar. Notice also that he was “crowned”. The “crowning” refers to the founding of the “Deeds of the Nicolaitanes”, a force that brought hybrid doctrines and creeds injected into the true church of God. “Nicolaitan” is a Greek word which was coined from “Nikao”, meaning to “conquer”, and “Laus”, meaning the “laity”. This transpired when politics started to pollute the church and propagated the “man-over-man hierarchy”, perverted men (grievous wolves in sheep’s clothing) invading the church of God by teaching “man-made creeds and dogmas”.
With the introduction of Nicolaitanism, the leadership of the Holy Spirit was superseded by human hierarchy. The pure Word of God and its free benefit to all men was deposed for creeds, dogmas, and church orders. The worship in the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit and all that which pertains to true community fellowship of the saints was cast aside for liturgy and literal idol worship and pagan feasts. Men began to vie for the office of bishop with the result that this position was being given to the more educated and materially-progressive and politically-minded men. Human knowledge and program began to take over Divine wisdom’s place and the Holy Spirit no longer controlled. This was indeed a tragic evil, for the bishops began to maintain that it no longer required a transparent Christian character to minister either the Word or the rites in the church for it was the elements and the ceremony of the church that counted. This allowed evil men (seducers) to rend the flock.
God hated such a man-made system, as evident in His words in Revelation 2:6- “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate”, and also in Revelation 2:15-” So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
As all Israel is NOT Israel, so all Christians are NOT Christians. Thus we learned that the church is made up of two vines, the true and the false. The two vines are motivated by two kinds of spirits; one has the Holy Spirit while the other is endued with the spirit of antichrist. “Just as the prophet showed us that ‘antichrist’ means ‘anti-Word’ so these false prophets come perverting the Word, giving it a meaning that fits their own devilish ends. Have you ever noticed how the people who lead others astray bind them closely to themselves by fear? They say that if the people don’t do what they say, or if they leave, then destruction will follow. They are false prophets, for a true prophet will always lead one to the Word and bind the people to Jesus Christ and he won’t tell the people to fear him or what he says, but to fear what the Word says.” (-WMB, Seven Church Ages Book)
The whole time frame of the First Seal refers to the ensuing ministry of Apostle PAUL when he started ministering unto the Gentiles, which then started the Ephesian Church Age. The WHITE HORSE RIDER is none other than the ANTICHRIST spirit, bringing an impersonation of the Truth, trying to deceive the elect if it were possible.
This evil force of the White Horse Rider was combatted by the LION Spirit from God. “Lion”, which was the first beast that announced the opening of the first seal, signified “BOLDNESS of the preaching of the Gospel”. This overpowering spirit was released through apostle Paul, to counteract the force of this white horse rider. It was evident that Paul was fearless in preaching the Gospel. He rebuked and reproved all those who were claiming to be Christians but were fake. This boldness of Paul was evident in his preaching such as that of Galatians 1:8-”But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
THE SECOND SEAL - The RED HORSE RIDER
Revelation 6:3-4 “ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”
The SECOND SEAL revealed a RED HORSE RIDER. It was the same rider, Satan himself again, just changing horse from “White” to “Red”. This was the next stage of Satan’s trail. It was a fulfillment of prophesy wherein Christians will be persecuted for their
faith as it is written in Matthew 24:9 which states, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
”RED” Horse symbolized persecution and tribulation leading to the Holy Inquisition of Rome. It was the time when the Roman Church began to persecute the Christians. Millions of Christians were burnt at stake, fed to the lions, and tortured to death by the Roman Catholic Church, which even included Joan of Arc and St. Patrick.
As recorded in history, from the time of St. Augustine in 300 AD until AD 1850, 68 million Protestants have been killed by the Roman Catholic Church just because of disagreeing with their doctrine. This was the time when Satan rode the “Red Horse” to kill them all with the sword of affliction.
The Nicolaitane system moved on throughout this age. It ex-communicated the righteous teachers and burned the scrolls. The false church said, “It takes a special education to read and understand the Word. Why even Peter said that many things Paul wrote were hard to understand.” Having taken away the Word from the people, it soon came to the people listening only to what the priest had to say, and doing what he told them. They called that God and His holy Word. They took over the minds and lives of the people and made them the servants of a despotic priesthood. Those who fought this terrible anti-Christ church were destroyed. Those who stayed with it found themselves the pawn of the church whether they be peasants or kings. Their lives were not their own, and neither were their lives Christ’s, but they belonged body, soul, and spirit to the Church of Rome.
The name, Christian, which originally brought persecution, now became the name of the persecutors. It was in this age that Augustine of Hippo (354-430) set forth the precept that the church ought and must use force if necessary to bring her children back into the fold, and that it was in harmony with the Word of God to kill the heretics and apostates. If you want to refer to the writing of Schmucker, the Schmucker’s “The Glorious Reformation,” here’s what it stated, that “From the time that Saint Augustine of Hippo passed this verdict to the Catholic church, it throwed the doors wide open for them to kill anything they wanted to then, that denied that pagan church. And from the time of Saint Augustine, about three hundred years after Christ until 1850, the great massacre of Ireland, there was eighty-six million Protestants killed by the Catholic church.” That’s recorded on the Roman martyrology.
Yet while Satan through the Roman Church was destroying the Christians during the Smyrnean, Pergamean and Thyaterian ages, his evil power was then counteracted by God’s higher standard – God’s second BEAST, the CALF – which is the spirit of a “beast of burden, a beast of sacrifice”. The saints during this time willingly gave their lives for the
Gospel no matter what the cost. It was given to the Christians in this age that they should bear the ‘OX” spirit, to bear the “burden of sacrifice” till death. Though they were persecuted, tortured, burned at stake, fed to lions, they still were so courageous and were faithful until death, giving their lives gladly for the sake of the Word of God. Surely this RED HORSE is driven by a blood-hungry devil. HEBREWS 11:36-38 talks about the saints in this age - “And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword...”
THE THIRD SEAL - The BLACK HORSE RIDER
REVELATION 6:5-6 -“ And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”
The THIRD SEAL revealed the coming of a BLACK HORSE RIDER. Satan was not contented with just persecuting the Christians, here he changed his horse again from Red to Black. Introducing a new way of squeezing the lives of Christians during the succeeding ages - The Sardisean and the Philadelphian Ages.
“BLACK” is a color which signified the “greed and abuse” of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church began charging money for novenas, and charging money to get souls out of Purgatory, when there’s no such thing as a Purgatory in the Bible. The Roman pope began to sell “indulgences” to rich individuals, offering positions in the church in exchange with properties, gold and land. These symbolized the “PAIR OF BALANCES” that the Black Horse Rider was holding in his hand.
The Roman church began acquiring properties from the people in exchange for spiritual favors. The whole thing explains the phrase “A MEASURE OF WHEAT FOR A PENNY, and three measures of barley for a penny”. The Roman church started to weigh the goods that she can get from the people and made salvation an expensive “commodity”. They turned religion into a big business and were teaching creeds and dogmas out of man’s ideas instead of the pure Bible. They taught that people can only be saved by “works” and “obedience” to the tenets of the Catholic church, rather than by believing by faith in the Word.
The wealthier of them found it a happy situation when Pope Leo X allowed them to buy indulgences for sins not yet committed so that they with ease of conscience could plan their awful crimes and then proceed to carry them out, knowing that the pope had already remitted their sins. The Word of God was kept from them, so who was to know the truth! Since truth comes only from the Word, the people were shut up in a dungeon of the Roman Church, awaiting death, and after death the judgment. But the great whore, drunk with the blood of martyrs and with no thought of the judgment, reeled savagely on to kill men with both spiritual and physical death.
Yet in this age, God’s people cannot be defeated. God raised up again the standards of the true Christians by giving them out the spirit of a “MAN”. “Man” is gifted with “wisdom and knowledge”. Man is “smart”. And so, this age started the AGE of the “REFORMERS”. It was the “Age of Reformation”. An OPEN DOOR was set by God before the Christians in
this age to evangelize the whole world with the truth of the Bible. Revelation 3:8 states, ”Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name.”
This was also the time when “separation of church and state” was finally enacted as a law. It made the way for the reformation of the church by men who were filled with the Holy Ghost. This was also the age when the “Printing Press” was invented in Germany by a man known as Gutenberg. It made way for Bibles to printed again which made way for the truth to come out.
This age was the age of Martin Luther, a Catholic priest who protested the Roman Catholic Church by exposing the abuses of the papacy and its false teachings through his “95 thesis”. He spearheaded the printing of the Bibles in this age. He introduced the doctrine of “justification”, teaching the people that “the just shall live by faith”.
This age was also the age of John Wesley, who introduced ‘sanctification” or “holiness” to the church of the living God. Other well-known evangelists that appeared in this “MAN” age were Knox, Calvin, Moody, Sankey, Finney, along many others. These men blasted out the injustices of the Catholic Church and exposed the follies of their teachings. Truly, “touch not my anointed” was the message which God has for the DEVIL. The verses “hurt not the oil and the wine” has a spiritual connotation - “Oil” signifies the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit which God gave these reformers, while “wine” signified the “stimulation of revelation” which these men experienced in knowing and delivering the truth for their age.
THE FOURTH SEAL - The PALE HORSE RIDER
REVELATION 6:7-8 -“ And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. “
The Fourth Seal revealed a Pale Horse Rider. This is the final ride of Satan during the seven Gentile church ages.
The color “PALE” is nothing but a mixture of “white, red and black”. It is the combined forces of the power of Satan mixing WHITE (deception), RED (persecution), and BLACK (spiritual famine) into ONE. it’s the AntiChrist turning into a false prophet, riding his last trail, his final stage of leading his people to the “Mark of the Beast” which is happening in our age right now.
Notice that “Death and hell followed him”. This speaks of both natural and spiritual death. To receive her teachings, dogmas and creed, means death or “eternal separation” from God.
Sword, hunger, pestilence, and death are what Satan brings the people today in his final ride, a true fulfillment of MATTHEW 24:7- “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes,
in divers places.”
The PALE HORSE RIDER is riding in our our age right now, controlling politics, military, economics and religion. He is the “prince’ of the power of the air.” EPHESIANS 6:12 states-” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].” “High places” mean rulerships, governments, nations and kingdoms.
But God cannot be defeated by Satan. God in this last age, has raised His standards once again by giving his people the power to overcome the evils of the PALE Horse Rider. God gave the Christians of this age the power of the “FLYING EAGLE” – the spirit of “prophetic utterance”, the spirit and capability given to today’s believers to dig deep down on the revelations of God, to soar and understand the deep mysteries of the Bible, until one is filled with the Holy Ghost ready for the “catching away” in the rapture! This is our age, my friends, the Eagle Age.
THE FIFTH SEAL - SOULS UNDER THE ALTAR
REVELATION 6:-11 -“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.”
The FIFTH SEAL revealed the SOULS UNDER THE ALTAR. These were the Jews that died under the cruelty of Eichmann, Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini during the Jewish Holocaust. We can read in these verses that they were asking for revenge and were crying for vengeance against the cruelty which they received from these dictators when they were killed, tortured in gas chambers and in firing lines.
Yes, they held on the “Law of Moses”, which was the Word of God for them. And for the testimony which they held as being ‘Jews”, they were killed and martyred and here they are “the souls under the altar”.
Brother Branham describes them as follows, “These souls that’s been martyred down through here, real true Jews, they had their name on the Book of Life, they lived the right life, and done the right thing, lived Judaism to the dot; and they were martyred by Eichmann and many others. Honest people, millions of them down there and them Germans shot them to death, and murdered them, and killed them, and hung them on fences, and burned them up, and cremated them and everything else. That bloodless, blood-hearted hungry, Hitler and Stalin and Mussolini, and all them people that hated them Jews... God hardened the hearts of these dictators to kill these Jews, just like God hardened the heart of Pharaoh in the time of the great Exodus of the Jews. Why? It’s because they had, in their
blindness before, martyred their very own Messiah, and here they were reaping what they’ve sown. They were guilty of murder, so they got murdered, too.” We remember that these Jews cried out in the time of Jesus, “Crucify Him! Let His blood be upon us and upon our children.” And here they are, they reaped what they’ve claimed.
Yet it was promised unto them by God to wait for a little while for their TWO prophets - Moses and Elijah of Revelation chapter 11. These two prophets will call out their fellow brethren, the 144,000 Jews that have to be summoned out from Judaism back to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ during the tribulation period, before God could avenge their blood against them that killed them. This final vengeance will take place during the Armageddon
War when God shall fight for Israel and the remnant Jews against Gog and Magog - Russia, Iran, and the Arabs who will attack Israel, along with the great Whore and her daughters comes World War III (Revelation 19:11-16).
THE SIXTH SEAL - THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
REVELATION 6:12-17 - “ And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief
captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
The sixth seal is three-fold. First, it is the TRIBULATION PERIOD, the purging of nature. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, nuclear weapons, will purify the earth in preparation for the coming millennal reign of Jesus Christ.
II Peter 3:10,12 -”But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up... wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? The “righteous shall walk upon the ashes of the wicked” after that.
Secondly, it will be a purging time for the FOOLISH VIRGINS of Matthew 25. The foolish virgins are those Christians who are left behind, missing the rapture. They missed to heed this End Time Message, and were devoid of the “OIL” or the baptism of the Holy Spirit that’s why they were left behind, weeping, wailing and gnashing their teeth. They will be hunted down like dogs by the AniChrst and will be tortured to death during the Tribulation Period. They have to shed their blood in order to attain their salvation.
Thirdly, it will be the CALLING of the 144,000 Israelites back to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. When God is through with us Gentiles, He will turn back to the Jews and open their eyes to the true Gospel of salvation. God will send His two prophets, Moses and Elijah (the 2 olive trees of Revelation 11), to call upon the elect of Israel. Jesus will be
preached to them and they will accept Him as their Messiah. This event will be like that of Joseph revealing himself again to his brethren, yet in nail-scarred hands, while they wail in sackloth with tears in their eyes, realizing that it was JESUS CHRIST really whom they crucified who was their real and true Messiah.
THE SEVENTH SEAL - The COMING OF THE LORD
REVELATION 8:1 -“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.”
Rev. Branham said this, “The Seven-sealed Book is revealed at the time of the Seven Thunders of Revelations 10.” (The Breach). Thus, we can say that Revelation 10 is the SEVENTH SEAL.
When the SEVENTH SEAL was unveiled, it revealed a MIGHTY ANGEL coming down with an OPEN BOOK (Read Revelation 10:1- 6), and there was silence in heaven for half an hour. There was HUSH in heaven for there were no angels singing because Christ came down on earth during this time bringing the OPEN BOOK to God’s seventh angel-messenger in Sunset Mountain. From a bloody LAMB, He shifted
to a LION a-roaring, revealing the mystery of the “seven thunders” to His prophet.
Reverend Branham, gave us this information regarding what the “THE SEVEN THUNDERS” was about:
“Now this messenger of Malachi 4 and Revelation 10:7 is going to do two things. One: According to Malachi 4 he will turn the hearts of the children to the fathers. Two: He will reveal the mysteries of the seven thunders in Revelation 10 which are the ‘revelations contained in the seven seals’. It will be these Divinely revealed `mystery- truths’ that literally turn the hearts of the children to the Pentecostal fathers. Exactly so.”
- (LAODECIAN CHURCH AGE CHAPTER 9.) “This seven-sealed Book is revealed at the time of the Seven Thunders of Revelations 10.” (BREACH.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0317E)
The seven thunders, therefore, are the “mystery-truths” contained in the SEVEN SEALS. These are the “mystery truths” that will bring rapturing faith to the church. The seven seals were just coverings of the Book, but the inside contents within those seals were the seven thunders, as we have read them above.
We can now therefore conclude that the first “thunder-mystery” was the “White Horse Rider”. Who was this white horse rider? Before, we thought it was the Holy Ghost. Now, after the seals were opened, we know that it was the AntiChrist spirit being crowned as a Nicolaitanes doctrine. That was the “mystery-truth” behind the first seal. The second thunder-mystery exposed who the “Red Horse Rider” was. Then, the third thunder-mystery revealed who the “Black Horse Rider” was. The fourth thunder-mystery revealed who the “Pale Horse Rider” was. The fifth thunder-mystery revealed who the “Souls Under the Altar” were. The sixth thunder-mystery revealed a “Tribulation Period”. And the seventh thunder- mystery revealed the “coming of the Lord” in three stages: the shout, the voice and the trumpet”. Spiritually knowing all these mysteries will surely give you the rapturing faith needed for the catching-away, as we obey and live out this manifested Word for our day.
In the Question and Answer series, Brother Branham concluded this (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830E): Q-395. “Have the SEVEN THUNDERS which
EQUALS SEVEN MYSTERIES already been revealed? Were they revealed in the Seven Seals, but are yet—but are yet NOT known to us as the thunders yet?
Answer: No, THEY WERE REVEALED IN THE SEVEN SEALS; that’s WHAT the THUNDERS
WAS ABOUT. They was TO REVEAL... The SEVEN THUNDERS that had uttered their VOICES and no one could make out what it was... John KNEW what it was, but he was forbidden to write it. He said, “BUT the SEVENTH ANGEL, in the days of his sounding, the SEVEN MYSTERIES of the SEVEN THUNDERS would be REVEALED.” And the SEVENTH angel is a “MESSENGER” of the SEVENTH church age. See?”
The Seventh Seal is also a time spoken of also in Luke 17:30, “In the days when the Son of man is revealed again”. The SON of MAN came down to minister to His Bride on earth through the body of a prophet (This event has began to take place in 1963 and is continuing to transpire until now, for God is still looking for the last elected seed whose name is written in the Book of Redemption. As it was in the days before Sodom was destroyed with fire, God came down to Abraham through His theophany body - Melchisedec, to prepare him for the promised son, Isaac. Today, God has come down to Abraham’s royal SEED through the body of a prophet to prepare them for the coming of the Promised Son, Jesus Christ. Then and only then can the rapture take place when the last name on that Book is declared upon this earth.
In order to be God, He knew from the very beginning who will be saved and whowill not be saved. God was not willing that anyone should perish, but that all might come to repentance. But He, being infinite, knew the end from the beginning. And therefore, He knew who would accept and those who would not accept His provided way of salvation. He knew who would go to heaven and those who would go to hell. If He didn’t, then He isn’t God. But God is unlimited. He is infinite and He makes no mistakes. His works are perfect; and He knows all things. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
JESUS DIED JUST FOR THE ELECT
Did you know that God foreknew all things from the very beginning and that He foreknew each and everyone of us even before the foundation of the world?
Yes, the Bible said that God is infinite and omnipotent that He foreknew every gnat, every fly, every sparrow, and every man that will ever be born upon the face of the earth. And that included YOU and me. The Scriptures say that God can hear your prayers even before you open up your mouth; the hairs on your head hath He numbered; and that He hath engraved your name on the palm of His hand.
GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE
Ephesians 1:5-6 states that God hath “predestinated us according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace.”
Romans 8:30 further emphasizes this election saying, “Whom He did predestinate, THEM He also called; and whom He called, THEM He also justified; and whom He justified, THEM He also glorified” (past tense). And “their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world” (Rev.13:8)
If you are a true child of God, you are foreknown of God even before there ever was a star or moon in the entire universe. Jesus said, “All that the Father has given Me will come to Me and NONE of THEM will be LOST.” The Bible says, “All things work together for good to them that love God”, and that “the footsteps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.” Surely, you have to recognize yourself today whether you are God’s predestinated or not, for if God has elected you to eternal life, “nothing can pluck you from out of His hand.”
THE FALL OF MAN: A PERMISSIVE WILL
Did you know that it was God’s permissive will for SIN to come into this world? Strange, but true. He permitted sin in order for Him to display His great attributes of being a SAVIOUR and a REDEEMER. He allowed Adam and Eve, our first parent, to be deceived by the serpent in order to make way for His great redemptive plan of salvation. God Himself wanted to be glorified. He could not have been glorified as a Saviour if there was nobody to be saved in the first place. There had to be sinners first, before He could ever display His attributes of being a Saviour. In the same manner that He had to create sons and daughters in me and you first, so that He could become a Father. Man’s existence and fall, therefore, had made God both Father and Saviour to us, and a Blessed Redeemer, too.
God sent Jesus Christ for only one specific purpose : that’s to save and redeem those who God foreknew will be saved; and not the rest of the world. Yes, sir. Notice Jesus in His prayer to the Father in John 17:9-10, “I pray for them: I pray NOT for the world, but for THEM which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in THEM.”
To “REDEEM” simply means to “TAKE BACK” what was originally God’s own. Jesus, as a Redeemer, was to take back only those who once belonged originally to God but were trapped in sin by the natural birth. Jesus shed His precious Blood only for those who had been foreknown of God, and for those whose names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world. Jesus could never redeem the Devil’s children, for they are not of God. They were simply predestinated unto eternal damnation, and were basically created for that purpose. Yes, though this might seem to be a hard saying, but the Scriptures support this truth.
HOW CAN THE POT SAY TO THE POTTER?
Don’t you realize that even sinners and reprobates are predestinated by God? Yes, In 1 Peter 2:8 and it says, “Even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto they were appointed.” Jude 1:4 says it, too: “Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness”.
Talk about Judas, Cain, Pharaoh and Balaam - all these men had played their significant part as God’s adversary in God’s greatest drama series, the Bible, without them even realizing it so. “How can the POT say to the POTTER, ‘Why hast Thou made me thus?’ Hath not the Potter power over the clay to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Romans 9:21), these words pertain to predestination. God raises evil to fulfill his glorious purpose of greater good. God said in Isaiah 45:7-”I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
THE GOSPEL IS HID TO THEM THAT ARE LOST
Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21) saying, “I thank Thee Father, O Lord of heaven and earth, for Thou hast HID these things from the eyes of the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” This blessed Gospel is, therefore, revealed only to His elected ones. God hid His truth from unbelievers.
Did you know also that one of God’s permissive will has been to allow sickness to afflict mankind? Yes, He sometimes permit sickness and diseases in order for Him to manifest Himself as a Healer. Exodus 16:26 states, “For I am the Lord that healeth thee”. Isaiah 53:5 states this also: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are HEALED”. Doctors simply make the stitches and give us prescriptions, but it’s still God Who
does the real Healing, which is multiplication of new cells in the body, which is creation by nature. God truly foreordained all His godly attributes to be displayed unto men and all these attributes were finally fulfilled when God Himself became MAN through His Son Jesus Christ and took the penalty for our sins so that by believing in Him we may be justified and forgiven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father except by Me.”
Your salvation and my salvation, therefore, is truly dependent upon God’s choosing and approval. Romans 9:16 states, “It is not him that willeth or him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy”. For God saith unto Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” God hath even declared, “Jacob have I loved, and Esau I have hated”, even before the two children were born from their mother’s womb, not having done neither good nor evil. That only proves God’s election to us.
The apostle Paul finally concluded, “But if our gospel be hid, it is HID to them that are lost” (2 Cor. 4:3). Truly, in this day, “Many will be called, but only very few are chosen.” Sincerity and being just religious is not enough. The Pharisees and the Saducees were so sincerely wrong. They spent all their lives studying God in the synagogues yet when the very Messiah-God came to them, they dubbed Him as “Beelzebub” to the extent of crucifying Him on the cross.
NOT EVERYONE SHALL ENTER THE KINGDOM
“Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven,” saith Jesus in Matthew 7:21, “but he that doeth the will of My Father.” The Bible says that we are not saved by any of our good works nor by any of our own personal merits. We are saved by faith alone in the finished atonement of Jesus Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT of WORKS, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).
Only God’s ELECTED few will be able to receive the full understanding of these mysteries in the Scriptures. Others who are not, will simply continue to hold to man-made dogmas, creeds, rituals, and religious traditions to merit their own salvation. “In vain you do worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men”. That’s what Jesus told the Pharisees. “There seemeth a way that’s right to a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.” It’s always death to trust in the sinking sands of man’s ideas. The elect will only walk in the way of God’s Bible. The elect of God will hunger and thirst only for the fresh manna of the Word that’s revealed in the age that they are living in. And this is that Word. Receive it.
BROTHER BRANHAM SPEAKS ON “PREDESTINATION”
“And "predestination" is a hard word among a congregation of people, because predestination... Really "foreknowledge" is a better word. And predestination looks back to foreknowledge, and foreknowledge looks on to destiny. That God, being infinite, in the beginning knew the end from the beginning, therefore He knew what people would do, so He could foretell what would take place, for He knew what would be. Therefore He... Before Esau or Jacob, either one was born, God could say, "Esau I've hated, and Jacob I've loved," because He foreknew what they could be. He never made Esau the way he was. He wasn't willing that Esau would be that way, but Esau, by choice, God knew would take that way. So that's how He knows us today. He knows your heart. You might be able to fool your neighbor; you might be able to fool your pastor; but you'll never be able to fool God, 'cause He knows your heart. (FAITH.OF.ABRAHAM.title SAN.FERNANDO.CA 55-1118)
“It’s the elected who God, before the foundation of the world seen every one of them. And He sent Jesus to redeem that people, not the whole world. He wanted to, but He had to make a way for those. And the only way He could do, was to send Christ, that He might come the propitiation of our sins, that those who’ve been elected, He could bring to Him in glory…Now, if God did that, predestinated us before the foundation of the world, and knew every one of us by name before the foundation of the world, and elected us to Eternal Life, and sent Jesus Christ to redeem us, that six thousand years ago He saw us, that we might appear to His praises in glory, how can you ever be lost? Now, if you’re saved, you’re saved. If God saves you tonight knowing He’s going to lose you ten years from today, He’s defeating His own purpose. The infinite, almighty, eternal, everlasting wisdom God doesn’t know enough then to know that, whether you will hold out or whether you won’t. Then when He saves you, you say, “Well, I’ll give Him a try; I’ll see what He’d do,” then He does not know the end from the beginning. God knows what He’s doing; don’t you never worry about that. It’s you and I stumbling along. God knows what He’s doing. And He knew we’d—whether we’d hold out, or what we would do.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E)
“He came to die for those that God had ordained to Eternal Life. See, see? By His foreknowledge He saw them, not by His own will. His will was that none should perish, but by His foreknowledge He knew who would and who would not. Therefore as long as there was one name hadn’t never yet been clared— declared in earth, Christ had to stay there as an Intercessor to take care of that name. But as soon as that final name had been splashed in that Clorox or bleach, then His intercessory days was over. “Let him that’s filthy be filthy still. Let him that’s holy, he’s holy still.” See? And he leaves the sanctuary, and then it becomes a judgment seat. Woe unto those outside of Christ then. (FIRST.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0318)
“All these things is God’s foreknowledge. When He spoke of them what would be, He foreknew it. Now, God, in order to be God, at the beginning He had to know the end or He wasn’t the infinite God. God’s not willing that any should perish, certainly not. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. But at the beginning of—the beginning of the days, the—the world, God knew just exactly who would be saved and who would not be saved. He didn’t want the people to be lost, “It’s not His will that any should be lost, but it’s His will to save everybody,” but He knew from the beginning who would and who would not. That’s the reason He could foresay, “This thing will happen. That thing will happen,” or, “This will be that. This person will be that way.” See? And I believe that God knew before the foundation of the world, chose His church in Christ, and slayed Christ before the foundation of the world. The Scripture said so, “He was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.” See? And Jesus said that He knew us before the foundation of the world. Paul said that, “He—He knew us and predestinated us unto the adoption of the children by Jesus Christ before the world was ever formed.” That’s God. That’s our Father. See? So don’t worry, the wheels are turning just right, everything’s coming just in time. The only thing is, get in the turn. And that’s the—that’s the good part about it, then you know how to work when you’re getting in the turn.” (HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME.title CHICAGO.IL FOOTPRINT.BOOK 55-0117)
“And if you’re ordained to Eternal Life, Jesus said, “No man can come to Me anyhow except My Father draws him.” That’s right. And if you’re ordained to Eternal Life, to see and believe, you will. If you won’t, it’s just like pouring water on a duck’s back. It’ll do no good at all. No matter how much you try to explain it, those who God has chosen before the foundation of the world... And if you are chose in God, you were chosen not here, you were chosen before the world began.” (BEING.LED.OF.THE.HOLY.SPIRIT; MINNEAPOLIS.MN 56-0219)
“Now, remember Jesus came to be a witness as a Saviour of the world.
never even knowed nothing about it, went right on just like the world knowed nothing about it, but all the time, that was going on in the world. See? Why didn’t He let them know? He came and the ones that was predestinated to Eternal Life was the ones that received Him. It’d been no good to say anything to the rest of them, because He could not have redeemed them, because they wasn’t even redeemable.”
(QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
“So has the Messenger, the Holy Ghost of God, in this last days, seeking out the Bride. He’s had to deal with the church that calls itself the mother, the Catholic; and the brother, the preacher. That’s exactly. He had to deal with those two. They was the one that kicked up a fuss about it. And today, if that Light of God, that Holy Spirit ever strikes a—a predestinated seed, whose name was put on the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world... The Bible says that. That’s right. The Light will shine. You can preach to some, and it seems like it’s just like water on a duck’s back, falls off. But let it once strike that seed, and watch what happens quickly, something’s there right now. Why? It’s predestinated seed coming forth. It’s got to come. And when that Light, the Gospel, strikes it, they get it. The rest of them will get up and walk away; it’s not for them. The Bible said that men were foreordained to condemnation: Book of Jude. All Scripture’s by inspiration. (SUPER.SIGN.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 141 62-0708)
“God hid it from the eyes of the wise and prudent and promised to reveal it to the sons of God in the last days, when the sons of God would be made manifest. When God’s sons that rejoiced with Him before the foundation of the world, when the great revelation of the Godhead and things would be brought down in the last days, He would manifest these things to the sons of God. You know the Scripture teaches that. And here we are. That’s the reason that God is opening these things to us. God is bringing His sons into manifestation.” (SERPENT’S.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-4 58-0928E)
“Your prayers, your fastings, your repentances—no matter what you present to God—none of that will gain you the privilege of sitting in that throne. It will be granted only to the WORD Bride. As the throne of the king is shared with the queen because she is united to him, so only they who are of that Word even as He is of that Word will share that throne.” (361-1
LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“No. Nothing will be saved, only those whose names were put on the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world, Jew or Gentile. See? That’s all; the Book holds that mystery, and the Book is only unfolding it now, not each one’s name, but what the mystery of the Book is while it’s calling those names. There might be thousands saved. I don’t know. I hope everyone of them is saved (See?), but I don’t know. But here’s the way I want to believe it: I’m that one. You believe the same for you. If you don’t, then there’s something wrong with your faith. You’re not sure what you’re doing.” (QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
“There were two million people come out, sung, shouted, done everything.. and give God glory, and danced up and down the sea, and done everything that all the rest of them did. But there were only two went into the promised land: Caleb and Joshua, only two. That’s one out of a million. It’s one out of a million in natural birth. Everyone of them had the same blessing. Oh, you Pentecostals, I hope you don’t wake up too late. One out of a million. Look, there’s supposed to be five hundred million so-called Christians in the world today. If Jesus would come, there would only be five hundred go with Him then, if that statistic would run true.” (INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
“You were in Christ before the foundation of the world. He came to redeem His own, His own that was in Him (Hallelujah.), His children, that was in Him. He never came to save the devil’s children. They never will know it. And they are so shrewd in the ways of their intellectual learning, that you can’t compare with them at all. You can’t out-talk them. But by faith you see it.” (KNOWETH.IT.NOT.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-10 65-0815)
CHAPTER SIX
A BOOK OF RECORDS
God is the Author of Life and Life is a sacred thing to God. Life, therefore, is recorded in a Book. God in heaven owns a Book which consists of two parts: one section is called the “Book of Life” and the other section is known as the “Lamb’s Book of Life”. Every person that was ever born and will ever be born upon this earth, man or woman, boy or girl, good or bad, rich or poor, righteous or wicked, are all written in the Book of Life, with the exception of the reprobates who are spoken of Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the beast), whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
All who are listed in the Book of Life will have to face judgment in the General Resurrection Day and will be judged according to the works that they’ve done in their body. Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Revelation 20:12b also makes it plain -“And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works”.
The names of people who are written in the Book of Life can remain in there or be blotted out depending on their attitude and subjection towards God’s laws and statutes. Generally, the Book of Life is also called the “Book of Deeds” which is our old record, our old union with carnal nature, before we were ever born again by the Spirit of God.
EXODUS 32:33 - “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my Book.”
REVELATION 3:5 - “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will NOT BLOT out his NAME OUT of the BOOK of LIFE, but I will confess his NAME before my Father, and before His angels.”
REVELATION 20:11-15 - “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away: and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works, And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
54
THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE
On the other hand, the “Lamb’s Book of Life” is a special section of the Book of Life. It contains the names of the elect of God, the chosen ones, the predestinated seed, the Brideof Jesus Christ, as spoken of in Ephesians 1:4-5, “According as HE hath CHOSEN US in HIM BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having PREDESTINATED us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
These people are foreknown of God and are redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Crist who was the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (past tense).
Also, it is not a question of simply involving ourselves with two groups of people both of whom had opportunity to receive eternal life, wherein one group received it and had their names placed on record while the others who refused did not have their names so placed. Brother Branham had shown us by Scripture that multitudes who were not even born again will go into eternal life. As strange as this may sound, it is certainly true. We will also show that there is a group of people whose names having been placed on that record before the foundation of the world, CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE THOSE NAMES REMOVED; but will also show that another group WHOSE NAMES WERE ON THAT RECORD BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD WILL HAVE THEIR NAMES REMOVED.
The following is an account of the six different types of people in the records of God:
A. THE WORD-BRIDE: THE WISE VIRGINS
Romans 8:33 states- “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth.” These people were ordained to eternal life and their names can never be blotted out of the Book because they were especially created to be the Queen of Jesus Christ, which is composed of a many-membered Body also known as the Church, the Wife of the King, who is destined to live with Christ in the Millennium and in the new heaven and earth. They were foreknown of God before the foundation of the world as evident in how God addresses his son Job in Job 38:4,7 –“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding…When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Those that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will undergo the New Birth in their appointed time on earth. They will be cleansed, regenerated and forgiven and justified, as II Corinthians 5:17 states,“Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Those that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are what the Bible calls the “overcomers” and are more than “conquerors” in Christ Jesus. Only those people that belong to this group are able to resist the devil and can never be deceived no matter what comes and goes. “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.” (Matt. 24:24). The elect can never be deceived because their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That is clearly stipulated in Revelation 17:8, “The BEAST that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose NAMES were NOT written in the BOOK of LIFE from the foundation of the world…” “And ALL that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the Beast), whose NAMES are NOT written in the BOOK of LIFE of the LAMB SLAIN from the FOUNDATION of the world” (Revelations 13:8).
A RECORD OF NAMES
The following notations were extracted from the sermon SARDISEAN.CHURCH. CPT.7 by Rev. William Branham:
At the very start of this study, let it be known that there is NOT ONE Scripture that teaches that God is presently compiling a record of names. This was all done before the foundation of the world.
FIRST of all we know most assuredly that the purpose of God stands in ELECTION. It was purposed in Himself. It was God’s purpose to bring forth a people like unto Himself that would be a Word-Bride. She was chosen before the foundation of the world IN HIM. She was foreknown and beloved before she was ever brought forth during the ages upon the earth. She was redeemed by His blood and can NEVER come into condemnation. She can never be in the judgment because sin cannot be imputed unto her. Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” But indeed she shall be with Him in His throne of judgment, judging the world and even angels. Her name (each of her members) was written in a section of the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world. (281-1 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.7 )
Brother Branham describes the Word-Bride follows:
”It’s the Elected who God, before the foundation of the world, seen every one of them. And He sent Jesus to redeem that people, not the whole world... And then, Christ died to save those who God, by foreknowledge, elected to meet Him yonder without spot or wrinkle. Before the foundation of the world, He seen you in Glory. That’s what the Bible said, Ephesians, the 1st chapter. 5th chapter, the 1st verse. God predestinated by foreknowledge. Now, if God did that, predestinated us before the foundation of the world; and knew every one of us by name, before the foundation of the world; and He Elected us to Eternal Life; and sent Jesus Christ to redeem us; that, six thousand years ago, He saw us, that we might appear to His praises in Glory! How can you ever be lost? Now, if you’re saved, you’re saved. If God saves you tonight, knowing He’s going to lose you ten years from today, He is defeating His Own purpose; the infinite, Almighty, Eternal, everlasting wisdom, God, doesn’t know enough then to know whether you will hold out or whether you won’t. Then, when He saves you, you say, “Well, I’ll give Him a try. I’ll see what He do,” then He does not know the end from the beginning. God knows what He’s doing, don’t you never worry about that. It’s you and I stumbling along. God knows what He’s doing. And He knew we... whether we’d hold out, or what we would do.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.SIX.2_ JEFF.IN HEB SUNDAY_ 57-0908E )
The WORD-BRIDE will sit with CHRIST in JUDGMENT. I Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”
See, the Bride is with Christ in the throne. As she is to judge the world she has to be sitting in the judgment with Him. That is exactly what Daniel saw. Daniel 7:9-10, “I beheld
till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
See, it is the same scene, for the thousand thousands who are ministering to Him are the Bride, for who ministers to the husband but the wife? She is part of Him. She is in the throne. She can never be judged. Every one in the Bride is a member of Him and He loses none.
B. THE FOOLISH VIRGINS
Secondly, there is another class. Their names are also in the Book of Life and they will come up in the second resurrection. Such are the foolish virgins and the righteous as are spoken of in Matthew 25. In this class also are those who do not worship the beast or become involved in the antichrist system but die for their faith even though they are not in the bride, not having been born again. But they will come up in the second resurrection and go into eternal life.
”Virgin” means “purity.” They were all good people, everyone of them virgin, sanctified vessels of God. But those who had oil in their lamps went in. And the others was left out. They were all virgins, everyone people that you couldn’t put your finger on for anything wrong. They everyone believed in the coming of the Lord. They were ready to go meet Him, but some of them let their oil go out… Ten virgins went out to meet the Lord, all sanctified, all holy, every one of them sanctified. Five were dilatory and let their lights go out. Five had oil in their lamps. “And, behold the Bridegroom cometh.” And the five that had oil in their lamps went into the wedding supper. And the others was left outside , where they were weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Be ready, for you don’t know what minute the Lord comes. Have... What is the Oil represented in the Bible? Holy Spirit.
The FOOLISH VIRGIN didn’t know until she come back and found the WISE VIRGINS GONE. Then she was LEFT for the tribulation period. No good teacher believes that the church, the BRIDE... The church goes through the tribulation, but NOT the Bride. The church goes through for purification, sure, under the sixth seal. Right. ISRAEL does the SAME thing, for the hundred and forty-four thousand, but NOT the Bride. There’s... The bride’s forgiven. She goes STRAIGHT to glory in a rapture. That’s right. She’s... My opinion, the last member will be caught up one of these days. It might come, and you wouldn’t know nothing about it. Remember, it’s a SECRET, secret catching away. He’ll come an hour that you think NOT. You won’t know nothing about it; she’ll be gone, be too LATE then.” (GOD HIDING.HIMSELF.IN.SIMPLICITY.title ALBQ.NM 63-0412E)
“Now, if you were with us in the last teachings in Revelation, you find out there that those virgins, the-the five foolish virgins were not lost; but they were not permitted to go into the wedding supper, but they suffered persecution, and was martyred, and raised again at the general resurrection in the last day. Those are the people where He separated the sheep from the goats (See?); they stood before judgment. You say, “Well, Brother Branham, don’t we stand, the Church?” No, sir. We do not stand before the judgment. We are now standing before the Judgment. God put our sins upon Christ, and we... “He that heareth My Word (St. John 5:24) and believeth on Him that sent Me has Eternal Life, and shall not come into the judgment but has passed from death unto Life.” No more judgment for the Church, it’s took up in the rapture, and comes back to pass judgment upon the people who did not receive the Holy Spirit. Does not
Paul say that he dares any of us to take a-a matter to the court, to the unjust magistrate, when, “know ye not that the saints shall judge the earth?” We will set with Christ and judge, kings, and priests, and judge these people that we preached to and told them about the baptism of the Holy Ghost and they refused to receive It. Think of it. No, they were not lost, but they will never be in the Bride. They were come in the second resurrection, but never be in the Bride, to be judged according to the way they treated the Light that they received. Now, that part will be up to Christ. They were not lost though.”
(QA.GOD.BEING.MISUNDERSTOOD.title JEFF COD 61-0723E)
The Foolish Virgins will have to go through the tribulation period. And the reason of it is, is because she has rejected the Atonement in Its fullness. She is a believer, a professed believer, but she will have to go through the tribulation period. She’s not the Bride, but it’s the church, the pure people that didn’t have the opportunity, maybe, to receive the end-time message, or in some way that they were blinded by these false prophets, and they didn’t get a chance, and yet they’re really sincere in heart, and God knows their heart, and here they’re purged during this time. (SEVENTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0324E)
It is the second resurrection wherein the five foolish virgins come up. Notice that they were virgins. They did not have the Holy Spirit (oil) so they missed being in the Bride, while the five wise who had oil became a part of that bride. But these people, being a separated, God-loving people, and trying to abide in the Word, according to what they knew of it, and being a help in the work of the Lord will come up at the end of time. They will miss the millennium. (279-2 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.7)
C. THE BORDERLINE BELIEVERS
Thirdly, there are the borderline Christians such as we saw in Israel coming out of Egypt. These had their names in the Book of Life and their works written in the books. These having failed to obey God and being void of the Spirit, though even the signs and wonders were amongst them, will have their names removed from the Book of Life. Amongst this group will be the ones like Judas who though entirely void of the Spirit, but are religious, will have manifestation in their lives, and though on the books were not the elected IN HIM. Such also as Balaam will be in that group. Judas was numbered with the twelve and actually had a part with them in the ministry previous to Pentecost. Acts 1:16-17, “Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” The part that Judas obtained amongst the twelve and then lost was neither inferior to the ministries of the other eleven, nor was it a devilish foreign ministry interjected amongst the ministries of the others. Acts 1:25, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostle-ship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” Judas, a devil, lost a God- given Holy Ghost ministry, and killed himself and WENT TO HIS OWN PLACE. His name was even in the Book of Life. But his name was blotted out.
D. THE REPROBATES
Fourth are the ones whose names have never been or will ever be written on the books. Such are found in Revelation 13:8 and Revelation 17:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not: and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”
Jesus said that a certain group would accept one who came in his own name. That one is the antichrist. And that is exactly what it says of them in Revelation 13:8, and 17:8. These were ordained of God but not unto election. And with this group is such that are as Pharaoh. It says of him, “Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up. Vessels of wrath fitted for destruction.” Romans 9:17 and 22. None of these would be placed on the records of life. I am not saying that there is no record of them. No doubt there is some kind of a record of them, but NOT IN THE RECORDS OF LIFE. Their purpose ofexistence has been dealt with slightly in the rest of this book but we can add four more Scriptures. Proverbs 16:4, “The Lord hath made the wicked for the day of evil.” Job 21:30, “The wicked is reserved to the day of destruction, they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.” In 1 Peter 2:8 and it says, “Even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto they were appointed.” Jude 1:4 says it, too: “Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness”.
E. THE 144,000 ELECT JEWS
And out of that JEWISH bunch that’s there now to be the 144,000, God will call with these prophets... What is it? The Spirit of Elijah off of this Gentile church will just continue right on into that Jewish church, go right on in and call Moses with him. Hallelujah. You see it? And he’ll preach the same message of Pentecost to those Jews, that they rejected the Messiah. Amen. You see it? It’ll be the same Pentecostal message that these Jews will preach right over to them. And they’ll hate those Jews so bad till they’ll kill them. And they were hated by all nations, and in the midst of the week...
Because that they’d raised up a great powerful 144,000... They had the Holy Ghost, and brother, you talk about doing miracles; they did them. They stopped the heavens, and it didn’t rain in the days of their prophecy, smote the earth with plagues as oft they wanted to. They give plagues and everything else. They’ll give them Romans a hard way to go. But finally they’ll be killed.
Now these 144,000 are NOT in the BRIDE. In Revelation 14:4 they are called virgins and they follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. The fact that they have not defiled themselves with women shows that they are EUNUCHS (Matthew 19:12). The eunuchs were the keepers of the bridal chambers. They were ATTENDANTS. Notice that they do not sit in the throne but are before the throne. No, they are not in the bride, but will be in the glorious millennial reign..
Now getting back to the story of Joseph meeting his brethren. You recall that not all the brethren came. Joseph knew that and insisted that all the brethren appear before him, or he could not make himself known unto them. Finally they brought the one that was missing, little Benjamin. It was little Benjamin, the full brother of Joseph, that set his soul on fire. And when our Joseph, even Jesus, will come to the people who have kept the commandments of God and who have gone back to Palestine, His soul will be set on fire. Little Benjamin typifies the 144,000 Israelites from all over the earth who have gone back to Palestine for their redemption. They will be standing there ready to receive Him, Whom to know aright is Life eternal. They will say, “This is our God for Whom we have waited.” Then they will see Him Whom they have pierced. And they will cry out in dismay, “Where did these awful wounds come from? How did it happen?” And they will wail and cry, every family apart, everyone apart in the agony of sorrow.
When the Jews rejected Jesus there was a literal turning away of God from them to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46-48, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but
seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
This is not to suggest that there will be no more names from the tribes of Israel remaining in the Book of Life, for many of these (but not multitudes) through the principle of election will be in the Gentile church age and come into the body of Jesus Christ, showing that their names did indeed remain in the Book of Life. Also, as we will show, according to the fifth seal multitudes of martyred Jews will be given white robes and eternal life by the Lord. Also the hundred and forty-four thousand will be sealed at His coming, proving that their names were not deleted either. But it is even as most accurately set forth in Psalms 69 that it is the wicked or unrighteous rejecters of Christ and the destroyers of His people whose names are removed.
As Israel (chosen people of God) in majority forfeited their rights in the Book of Life by rejecting Jesus, so the majority of the Gentile church will also come into condemnation with the resultant removal of their names from the Book of Life by rejecting the Word and thereby entering into the world ecumenical movement which is the Image erected unto the Beast.
“We have a perfect type of Israel leaving Egypt. All Israel is NOT Israel. And all but a tiny minority had their names blotted out of the Book of Life. When Israel left Egypt, there was approximately two million people left at the same time. Every one of them heard the message of a prophet. Every one of them saw the Pillar of Fire. Every one of them was baptized to Moses in the Red Sea. Every one of them shouted in the Spirit, beat the tambourines, and run up-and-down the bank with Miriam, when Moses sang in the Spirit. They every one drank from the same spiritual Rock. They every one eat fresh Manna every night, every one of them. But there was two made the land: one out of a million. ONLY TWO WERE TRUE OR REAL BELIEVERS. That is correct because the Word tells us that the rest died because of unbelief; and because of unbelief they could not enter in (Hebrews 3:19). Then since that is so, and only TWO ENTERED, then the rest were not true believers. What made the difference? Two stayed with the Word.”
When the hearts of the ten spies failed at Kadesh Barnea, Joshua and Caleb did not stagger for they believed the Word and said, “We are more than able to take the land.” They knew they could because God had said, “I have given you the land.” What was the test? the other ten came back and said, “We can’t make it. The people are like... We’re like grasshoppers to them, their great walled city. The opposition’s too great.” But Joshua and Caleb stilled the people. They said, “We’re more than able to do it.” Why? God said before they left the promised land, “I’ve given you the land. I’ve give it to you. It’s yours.”
F. THE RIGHTEOUS & THE WICKED - THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
In the great White Throne judgment there will be a separation of people. The Book of Life will be opened and another book will be opened. Matthew 25:31-46, “When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger and ye took Me in: Naked and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered and fed Thee? or thirsty and gave Thee drink: When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: Naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not: Then shall they also answer Him saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer them saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not unto Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
THE SHEEP ARE THOSE WHO WERE GOOD TO THE BRIDE
To further clarify this, notice specifically the words of Matthew 25:31-46. It does not say that a shepherd is literally separating sheep from goats, but it is AS a shepherd dividing sheep from goats. These are not sheep in this particular area of time (White Throne Judgment). The sheep are in His fold, they heard His voice (Word) and they followed Him. THEY ALREADY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND CANNOT COME INTO THE JUDGMENT. But
these do NOT have eternal life, and they are in the judgment. They are allowed to GO INTO eternal life. But upon what grounds do they enter into life eternal? Certainly not upon the fact that they already have His life as does the Bride, but they receive it because they were kind to His brethren. They are not His brethren: that would make them joint- heirs with Jesus. They are NOT heirs to anything but life. They share no throne, etc. with Him. THEIR NAMES MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE AND NOT REMOVED. Now
because of their love of the people of God they are recognized and saved. No doubt these served and helped the children of God. Perhaps like Nicodemus and Gamaliel they stood for the children in a time of trouble.
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
The sovereignty of God which sets forth that GOD IS GOD, and because He is God, one cannot defeat His counsels or thwart His will and purpose. But He, being omnipotent, is ruling in ALL affairs and is doing whatever He will with all His creation because all were created for His good pleasure. Therefore, as Paul says, “If God should take of one lump of clay and make of that same lump one vessel unto honor and another vessel unto dishonor, who can be offended and cry against Him?” That He has the right to do this on the grounds of creation alone, we cannot deny. Yet He went even further, for according to Romans 14:7-9, we have the irrefutable proof that Jesus paid the purchase price of the whole world, and therefore He can do as He wills with His own. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord BOTH OF THE DEAD AND LIVING.” (Ownership; NOT relationship is meant here.) This is also set forth in John 17:2, “As Thou hast given Him power OVER ALL FLESH, that He should give
eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.”
GOD’S OMNISCIENCE
Now, if we impute omniscience to God, we must also accept that He is perfect in wisdom and righteousness. This plan of election and reprobation is the wisdom of God revealed in all ages even, as it says in Ephesians 1:3-11, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him. In love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all WISDOM and prudence, Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him; In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.”
CONCLUSION
Thus, if God has so designed that there be those whose names are placed in a section of the Lamb’s Book of Life and cannot be erased for they are the names of His Bride, then we must accept that. If it also states that there are those whose names were placed in the record of the Book of Life but in the foreknowledge of God they were to fall and have their names removed we must accept that. And if there are those whose names were NEVER placed upon a record of life, we must accept that, also.
And if there are those who will enter into life eternal after the White Throne judgment solely on the grounds of being good and kind and just to the elect of God who are His brethren, then we cannot but accept that. FOR WHO KNOWETH THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? Rather let us be subject in faith to Him Who is our Father and live. (Extracted from the sermon SARDISEAN.CHURCH. CPT.7 by Rev. William Branham)
THE “NEW BIRTH” PULLS OUT YOUR NAME FROM THE OLD BOOK
We, Christians, need the New Birth in order for us to be restored back to what we were in the beginning, the spotless, blameless, Bride of Jesus Christ. Only when we are born again can we rest assure that our names are truly written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The new birth frees us from God’s wrath and judgment.
JOHN 3:3 – “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
Brother Branham explained this whole process of the New Birth in the Message INVISIBLE UNION OF THE BRIDE, (1965-1125) :
“Your name of your first nature was born and put in a Book of Life, and all your deeds was wrote in it, too. Everything you done under that nature was put in a Book called the Book of Life. The first life or your first union, you were joined in at birth by nature. A natural act, a natural human being associated, man and woman together, associated together in sexual affair which brought your first life here, and that’s associated with sin and death. It was nature associated with death.
Your first husband that had rule over you was your nature by natural birth. Naturally, you love the world, because you are the world and part of the world. Is that right? Your desires was by nature to love the world which you’re a part of. You’re a part of nature. You believe that? And that’s your natural thing. That’s the reason you have to be born again (JOHN 3:3). You have to separate. You have to die to that first husband. You can’t live with it. You just can’t say, “Well, I’ll divorce him and hang him up here till the occasion.” No, sir, no writing of divorcement. He dies. The nature of the world has to die. Every speck of him has to die. You have to be reunited again with another nature.
You were separated from your first union by spiritual death. Now, you are born again or remarried again to the new spiritual union of, not your natural life of the things of the world, but of Eternal Life. That Germ that was in you at the beginning, found you. Now, your old book is gone with your old union. Now, your name has been transferred. Now, you say, “Do you mean to tell me, that my old book.” God put it in the sea of His forgetfulness. You stand perfectly before God. Now, your name is now in the new Book, not in the Book of Life, but the Lamb’s Book of Life. What the Lamb redeemed, not the old book of your natural union, but you’re new Bride. Hallelujah! Your new Life is in the Lamb’s Book of Life, your marriage certificate (Hallelujah.) where your true eternal germ from the beginning takes hold.
Now, you’re not only forgiven, but you’re justified. Glory! Justified: Romans 5:1 said, yeah, Romans 5:1 said, “Therefore being justified by faith...” Look up the word. The word don’t mean forgiven. The word means justified. It don’t mean you’re forgiven. But the word “justified,” as though you never done it. Amen. It’s not even regarded at all. How’s it done? In God’s Book of the sea of forgetfulness, your old book and marriage is divorced and dead and is not even in the memories of God. Amen. You are justified. Therefore being justified... You were accused; you never done it in the first place. The old union’s in the sea of God’s forgetfulness. You wasn’t married to it to begin with. He, the Bridegroom bore your shame Himself for you in your place. He took your place, for you were predestinated for Him to be in His Bride before the foundation of the world. The Bible said so. You are the predestinated Seed.
How did you come to do this? You were deceived into it by your first marriage, to your adulteress parent Eve. It’s no fault of your own. By your natural birth, you come after Eve, who committed adultery. That’s the reason you was born an adulternous. You were a sinner to begin with. That’s right. You was deceived into it. You had no... No, it ain’t your fault. You never did it, because that little Germ that was in you, was to be YOU before the foundation of the world. God put your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
You’re standing completely. You never sinned in the first place. God don’t even know... It’s in the sea of forgetfulness. You never did it. You were accused of it by the accuser; but really from the beginning you were predestinated to be a
son or daughter of God. You’re standing there washed, and your old book of divorcement’s put away and is dead, absolutely out of existence even in the mind of God. You are the virtuous Bride of Christ, washed in the Blood of Christ: precious, virtuous, sinless, Son of God standing with a pure, unadulterated Bride Word that He washed by the Water of His own Blood that become flesh and manifested that He might take you, which were predestinated in the bosom of the Father before the beginning, the same as He was.
ADAM FORFEITED THE BOOK, THE “TITLE DEED” TO ETERNAL LIFE
Adam, in the beginning, was given power by God to have jursidiction over all the earth. When God put Adam on earth, He gave him the jurisdiction over all nature, all animals, all life everywhere. Adam was an amateur god.
GENESIS 1:26-27 –“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
GENESIS 2:19 -”And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.”
But Adam, our father, forfeited it to Satan. Adam lost the rights of that Book. He forfeited it when he listened to his wife, and she listened to Satan’s reasoning in the stead of the Word of God. (REV.CHAP.5.PT1.BRUISED.SERPENT JEFF.IN ROJC 717-746 61-0611 )
See, Adam lost his inheritance: the earth. Now, it passed from his hand to the one he sold out to: Satan. He sold his faith in God to Satan’s reasonings. Therefore, his Eternal Life, his right to the Tree of Life, his right to the earth belonged to him, and he forfeited it every bit to the hands of Satan. He passed it from his hand to Satan.
(BREACH.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0317E)
Now, notice. What did we lose? Well, it was given to Adam to have Eternal Life, as long as he eat from the trees he had Eternal Life. And we notice again that Adam was the... He—he inherit the earth. He was like an amateur god over the earth. The earth was his. Everything was given unto his hand; he could do with it whatever he wanted to. He named it, and called it, and done whatever he wanted to. He was truly a son of God. Now, in the fall Adam forfeited the title deed to that. He forfeited it to Satan. Satan took the title deed. Adam was very slothful, and he did not redeem his right for he could not redeem his right. But Satan, which does not rightfully own it, but he possesses that, he is the god of this earth. The Bible said so. He possesses that. Not because that he really rightfully gets it, but he possesses it. Now, do you get it? Satan possesses that; he holds it into his hand. Death is in his hand; the earth is in his hand; the world belongs to him; every nation belongs to him; he governs and controls the whole world and everything in the world. Satan does.
The Title Deed to the earth and to Eternal Life, when Adam forfeited it, then Satan’s dirty hands could not take it; so it went back to its original Owner,
God Himself. The Title deed to Eternal Life, abstract title deed to Eternal Life, when Adam forfeited it for wisdom and instead of faith, it went back to the hands of the Owner: Almighty God. (BREACH.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0317E)
God made us to live forever. But sin brought on death. The sin of Adam and Eve brought sickness upon mankind. Without sin, there is no sickness, no death. The human race, as we’re taught in the Scripture, didn’t have any sickness before sin came in. Sickness was issued in as an attribute of sin, which had to bring death. Sin is death.
JESUS, THE SECOND ADAM, REDEEMS THE BOOK FOR HIS BRIDE
I Corinthians 15:22 - “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
ROMANS 5:14, 16-19, “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
I Corinthians 15:45, 47- “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.. The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.”
When Jesus died at Calvary, He settled the sin question for ever before the Father, because He was a perfect Sacrifice for our sin. He was our Kinsman Redeemer. Just like Boaz, he had to be a kinsman redeemer to redeem the lost estate of Ruth. And he had to make a public testimony. And then everything that Ruth had fell to him as he redeemed all of her possessions. When he redeemed Naomi, why, he got Ruth in, which is a type of the Gentile Bride, and so forth. But he was a kinsman redeemer. Now, God, Who is in Spirit, in-veiled Himself in a body of flesh, which was His Son, Christ Jesus. And God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and become kinfolks to human beings to suffer the penalty that He had put on the human Himself. And He became Kinfolks and a Redeemer. In other words, like this. We was put in the devil’s pawnshop, and Jesus paid the price and brought us out. See? The price was already paid. Now, when Jesus died at Calvary, He saved every sinner in the world that— or ever would be in the world, as far as God was concerned. Now, Jesus didn’t come down and die just for me, or die just for you. He settled the sin question. But it’ll never do us any good until we accept it. It’s your accepting of Him as your personal Saviour. And it’s by faith that you receive it and believe it. (MANIFESTATION.OF.THE.SPIRIT.title TOLEDO.OH 51-0717)
Jesus Christ pulled the stinger out of death and sin at Calvary. By His stripes we are healed. Jesus took the stinger out of sin. He has redeemed us from death. Eternal life has been restored unto us by Jesus Christ. God promised to resurrect the body of the believer in the last days. We rest in that assurance. Jesus possessed every gate. He conquered every sickness. He conquered every sin, He conquered every temptation. He
conquered death, He conquered hell, He conquered the grave. He took the keys of death and hell from Satan. And we in Him are more than conquerors now.
The devil put us in the pawn shop, but Jesus redeemed us. He’s our kinsman Redeemer, God made flesh, kinfolks to us, in order to redeem us from the curse of sin and sickness, and tonight, has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with the church, and show signs and wonders of healing and salvation, until He returns again. (GOD.PROVIDING.HEALING.title CHICAGO.IL 54-0719E)
THE LAMB WAS SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
“Where was Jesus slain at? At Calvary? No, sir. Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world. “Behold the Lamb of God that was slain before the foundation of the world.” God in the beginning when He saw the sin, He saw what was happen, He spoke the Word and Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world. And every person was saved, was saved (according to the Bible) when the Lamb was slain in the mind of God before the foundation of the world; you were included in salvation then. So what are you going to do about it?” (HEBREWS CHAPTER 7 PT 1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915E)
It’s God. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. “It’s God that worketh; not him that willeth or him that runneth, but God showeth mercy.” If Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world, it taken four thousand years before it actually happened. But when God spoke it back here, every Word of God is steadfast. It’s immutable; It’s impartable; It cannot fail. And when God slayed the Son before the foundation of the world, He was just as much slain then as He was at Calvary. It’s a finished product when God says so.
And remember, when the Lamb was slain, your salvation was included in the Sacrifice, because the Bible said that your name was written on the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world. What about that? Then what are we going to do? It’s God that showeth mercy. It’s God that called you. It’s God that chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world. Jesus said, “You never chose Me; I chose you. And I knew you before the foundation of the world.” There you are.
So, see, that takes the scare out of you. “Oh, I wonder; if I could keep holding on, I’ll make it. Bless God, if I’ll just keep holding on...” It’s not whether I hold on or not; it’s whether He held on or not. It’s what He done. Not what I done; it’s what He did.
And it’s Christ that God looks at, not you. It’s Christ. So if there’s no fault in Him, how can there be fault? How can He find fault when you’re dead and your life is hid in Christ through God, sealed by the Holy Ghost? “They that are born of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin.” How can he sin when a perfect Sacrifice is laying in his place? God never looks at me; He looks at Christ; because we’re in Christ.
Now, if I love Christ, I’ll live with Him. He’d never brought me in ‘less He knowed. If God saved me today, knowing He was going to lose me six weeks from today, He’s defeating His own purpose. Right. He don’t even know the future then, if He saved me knowing... What’s He want to save me for, knowing He’s going to lose me? God doesn’t do things and then take it back and too weak to keep His promise. When He saved you, it’s for time and eternity. (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915E)
Oh, isn’t He wonderful? Now, with our confessions, our belief, our confession of our sins, believing that all of our sins is in the sea of forgetfulness. He that will confess his sins, God is just to omit them. See? They’re in the sea of the Blood of Jesus Christ, never to be remembered no more. How many of you women know what bleach is? All of you. Now, let’s just take a great big washtub full of Clorox; that’s one bleach, a great big tub full of Clorox. And then you’re going to take a little eyedropper, and you got one drop of black ink in that eyedropper; that’s your sins. Stand right up over the tub, and squeeze it down, then look down in the tub and find it. What become of it? What become of the ink? When it struck that bleach, it was so powerful it just took the coloring right out of it; it can never be no more. What is it? It’s gone, it’s eternally lost. What is it? The ink itself becomes Clorox. That’s the Blood of Jesus Christ to every confessed sin. What is it? It’s forgotten; it’s done; it’s finished; it’s omitted; it’s divorced; it’s put away.
It can never be remembered against you no more. (POSSESSING.ALL.THINGS.title JEFF.IN V- 10 N-4 62-0506)
Think of it. Before Jesus was ever born, four thousand years before He came on earth, and several thousand years before you come on earth, Jesus in God’s mind died for the sins of the world, and the Book of Life was made; and your name was put on that Book of Life before the foundation of the world. That’s the Bible truth. See? Your name was ordained of God and placed on the Book of Life before the foundation of the world. You were there in His attributes. You don’t remember it, no, because you’re just a part of His life. You are a part of God when you become a son or a daughter of God, just as you are a part of your earthly father. That’s right. You are... The male carries the hemoglobin, the blood. And when that has gone in the egg, then you become a part of your father, and your mother is a part of your father also. So you’re all a part of your father. Glory! (WHO.IS.THIS.MELCHISEDEC.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-10 65-0221E)
It’s the elected who God, before the foundation of the world, He seen every one of them. And He sent Jesus to redeem that people, NOT the whole world. He wanted to, but He had to make a way for those. And the only way He could do, was to send Christ, that He might come the propitiation of our sins, that those who’ve been elected, He could bring to Him in glory. And then, Christ died to save those who God, by foreknowledge, elected to meet Him yonder without spot or wrinkle. Before the foundation of the world He seen you in glory. That’s what the Bible said, Ephesians the 1st chapter, 5th verse. God predestinated by foreknowledge.
Now, if God did that, predestinated us before the foundation of the world, and knew every one of us by name before the foundation of the world, and elected us to Eternal Life, and sent Jesus Christ to redeem us, that six thousand years ago He saw us, that we might appear to His praises in glory, how can you ever be lost?
Now, if you’re saved, you’re saved. If God saves you tonight knowing He’s going to lose you ten years from today, He’s defeating His own purpose. The infinite, almighty, eternal, everlasting wisdom God doesn’t know enough then to know that, whether you will hold out or whether you won’t. Then when He saves you, you say, “Well, I’ll give Him a try; I’ll see what He’d do,” then He does not know the end from the beginning. God knows what He’s doing; don’t you never worry about that. It’s you and I stumbling along. God knows what He’s doing. And He knew whether we’d hold out, or what we would do. (QUOTES EXTRACTED FROM THE MESSAGE “HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E”)
YOU WERE CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
You see the Book actually was planned and written before the foundation of the world. This Book, the Bible was really written before the foundation of the world. And Christ, being the Lamb, was slain before the foundation of the world. And the members of His Bride, their names were put in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world, but it’s been sealed up. And now it’s being revealed whose names were in there, all about it. (FIRST.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0318)
He came to die for those that God had ordained to Eternal Life. See, see? By His foreknowledge He saw them, not by His own will. His will was that none should perish, but by His foreknowledge He knew who would and who would not. Therefore as long as there was one name hadn’t never yet been declared in earth, Christ had to stay there as an Intercessor to take care of that name. But as soon as that final name had been splashed in that Clorox or bleach, then His intercessory days was over. “Let him that’s filthy be filthy still. Let him that’s holy, he’s holy still.” See? And He leaves the sanctuary, and then it becomes a judgment seat. Woe unto those outside of Christ then.” ( FIRST.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0318)
Your name was put in God’s Book before the Lamb was slain. When His program was laid out, the whole thing, you were recognized in that program because you got Eternal Life. The word eternal, never did begin and neither can it end, and you are an attribute of God’s thinking before the world was ever created. That’s the only way you can have Eternal Life. And that Life, that He was thinking of you, is in you now. There’s no way to separate it. It’s in there to stay. (GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.title DALLAS.TX V-19 N-10 64-0306)
And God in the beginning knew every person that would ever be on the earth at the beginning. He knew every fly, every flea, everything that would ever be. He’s infinite, and He knew everything. And so therefore, the day that our name’s on the Lamb’s Book of Life, they were placed there before the foundation of the world. Just think, of everyone of you in here today that’s got your name on the Lamb’s Book of Life, you never put it there; and your preacher never put it there; neither your church put it there; but God put it there. And when did God do it? It’s written in the Blood of the Lamb. How many believes that? There isn’t enough ink remover, or whatever it is, in the world to get it out of there. Look. God put your name on the Book of Life at the foundation of the world, the Bible said. We’re just nothing. You never had nothing to do with it; I never had nothing to do with it; God, Himself, did it at the foundation of the world when He slew the Lamb. By foreknowledge He knew that Christ would be here, and He was called the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world. And the beast will deceive all that dwells upon the earth whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world.
And the Gospel to be preached is nothing in the world but the seining all of the fish out of the lake, as Jesus said. The Kingdom of heaven’s like one that’s cast the net in and pulled it. Now, there’s so many fish in that lake, and when the last one’s brought out, that’s the end of it. Now, a preacher he just throws in the net; he pulls. In that great net, the Bible teaches, he brings in everything. He brings in water spiders, frogs, snakes, lizards, terrapins, tadpoles, and fish. Now, it’s not for me to determine or to judge, to say which is fish and which is tadpoles. You watch a Gospel message go forth. Many will come up around the altar. Sure, the net’s got them. Just a little bit they’ll be an old Brother Terrapin will stick his head up to say, “I just didn’t believe it in the beginning.” He was
a terrapin to start with; that’s all. And the snake will say, “You know, there’s just something about that old holy-roller stuff I can’t stand.” Snake to begin with... That’s right. And the old water spider starts plop, plop, plop, clung, clung, going back. It was that to start with. When the net went over them, they were that. That’s exactly right. But the fish was fish when the net went over it too. We are seining for fish. God’s the One to determine.” (WHY SOME PEOPLE CAN’T KEEP.VICTORY.title OAKLAND.CA 57-0324)
Brother Branham said, “I different with our great famous Brother Billy Graham in his message the other day. He said that the antichrist has already deceived the elected. But I do not believe that, because it’s not possible. They were elected and their names put on the Book of Life before the foundation of the world when the Lamb was slain. Now, who it is, I don’t know. See? But the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world, and the antichrist will deceive all upon the earth who’s names were not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world. So you see, we’re pulling and seining to try to find where those people are that their name was put in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All that He foreknew He called, those that knew... called, He justified. Those who He justified, He has already glorified. (IT.WASN’T.SO.FROM.THE.BEGINNING.title BLOOMINGTON.IL 61-0411)
And Noah in his great intellectual age, God came down to save the elected people. Do you believe God has an elected church? Certainly He does. And He comes to save that elected. The rest of them, it’s just common cannon fodder. But He knows that there’s going to be so many of them saved because He put their names on the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world. That’s exactly according to the Scripture. And the antichrist in the last days will deceive every one whose names were not written on that book before the foundation of the world. The Bible said so. The antichrist, so close, it’ll be Pentecost to the dot. See? But it’ll deceive those whose names are not written on the Book of Life from the foundation of the world when the Lamb was slain.
(GOD.HIDING.HIMSELF.IN.SIMPLICITY.title ALBQ.NM 63-0412E)
THE BOOK OF REDEMPTION
The Book of Revelation shows us that the Lamb’s Book of Life has been sealed with seven seals, holding the hidden mysteries of God that needed to be revealed in these last days. Such a Book is the “Abstract Title Deed” to the earth and contains the NAMES of the Bride of Jesus Christ who needed to be called out in these last days by the seventh angel messenger of Revelation 10:7.
JOHN THE BELOVED HAD A PREVIEW OF THE BOOK
John the beloved has seen the Book which was claimed by the bloody Lamb from the One sitting on the throne.
Revelation 5:1-10 - ”And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a BOOK written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the BOOK, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the BOOK, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the BOOK, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the LION of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to OPEN the BOOK, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a LAMB as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And HE came and took the BOOK out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the BOOK, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the BOOK, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
We can see that this Book was sealed with seven seals. But then a bloody Lamb claimed the Book from the One sitting on the throne. Now, that was our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. Unto Him is handed down the seven sealed Book of redemption from the original Owner, Almighty God. When we lost it at the garden of Eden, through Adam, it went back to the original Owner. But there’s been a poacher on the land, a squatter; that’s Satan. This earth don’t belong to him; it belongs to God. But now the Title Deed is being handed back to us again by God. Jesus had defeated Satan and had confiscated from him the keys of death and hell.
This seven-sealed Book is our title deed to our redemption. It’s the title deed and Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God breaks the seals, reveals, gives His inheritance back to His people. He gives the inheritance that He inherited by becoming Kinsman Redeemer, and freely gives it out to us. It all belonged to Him. He was the One Who redeemed it. But instead of keeping it to Himself, He gives it back to the people. That’s His love for us. Its redemption means all legal possession to all that was lost by Adam and Eve are restored back unto us. Its legal possession to the abstract deed, title deed of Eternal Life means that you possess everything that Adam and Eve lost. That book is title deed to redemption of the whole heavens and earth.
THE MIGHTY ANGEL BRINGS DOWN THE OPEN BOOK UPON THE EARTH
In Revelation chapter 10, we then see a Mighty Angel carrying this OPEN BOOK upon the earth. This mighty angel delegated to the 7th angel of Revelation 10:7 to fulfill the final commission of revealing the mysteries contained in those seven-seals upon God’s people.
REVELATION 10:1 -7 - ¶ And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a CLOUD: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little BOOK OPEN: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the SEVEN THUNDERS had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”
( See Chart Illustration “The Trail of the Book of Life” on page 214 )
THE SEVENTH ANGEL’S VOICE DECLARES THE CONTENTS OF THE BOOK
Revelation 10:7 - “But in the days of the VOICE of the SEVENTH ANGEL, when he shall begin to sound, the MYSTERY of God should be FINISHED, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”
This mysterious Book has now been opened to us by a prophetic ministry which transpired and was fulfilled in the life of William Marrion Branham, the seventh messenger to the Laodicean Age. This seven-sealed Book was revealed to Him by a constellation of angels in the Sunset Mountain of Arizona, USA, in February of 1963. Our Bible has become a New Bible because all the loose ends in It were perfectly dovetailed now when the seven-sealed mystery BOOK was finally opened. Salient doctrines such as the Godhead, the Original Sin, Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and many, many more others were restored and corrected.
With this open Book, names of those people who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are being called out one by one out of every nation, tongue, and race. When the MYSTERY of this End Time Message is supernaturally revealed to you and you accept it by faith and live for it, that just proves that your name is on the LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE. It’s the Deep calling unto the deep. It’s the Midnight CRY of Matthew 25 waking up the sleeping virgins. The New Birth is a clear understanding of the Message. This End Time Message brings us the OIL necessary for the Wise Virgins for her to be able to enter into that Wedding Supper of the Lamb. The prophet said that the evidence of being baptized with the Holy Ghost today is when you can receive the Message that was sent for the day in which you live.
“But thank God, at this moment, this age is not over. He is yet crying. And His cry is not only in the spiritual ears of men by His Spirit, but once again a prophet is in the land. Once more God will reveal the truth as He did to Paul. In the days of the seventh messenger, in the days of the Laodicean Age, its messenger will reveal the mysteries of God as revealed to Paul. He will speak out, and those who receive that prophet in his own name will receive the beneficent effect of that prophet’s ministry. And they that hear him will be blessed and become part of that bride of the last day who are mentioned in Revelation 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say come.” The corn of wheat (the Bride Wheat) that fell into the ground at Nicaea has come back to original Word Grain again. Praise God forever. Yes, listen to the authenticated prophet of God who appears in this last age. What he says from God, the bride will say. The Spirit and the prophet and the bride will be saying the same thing. And what they will say will have already been said in the Word. They are saying it now, “Come out from among her now and be ye separate.” The cry has gone out. The cry is going out. How long will the voice cry? We do not know, but one thing we do know, it won’t be long, for this is the last age. (365-2 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
THE BRIDE MUST EAT THE BOOK
Jesus, the Lamb of God, has done loosed the seals of the Book thereof and has revealed the contents to the Bride of Christ through His seventh-angel messenger. Now, that the seventh angel is gone, the BOOK has been delegated to the Bride of Jesus Christ to feast upon it, to nurture and to harness it, and to get rapturing faith out of It. The Bride of Christ must “EAT” the BOOK. She must digest the contents of the BOOK spiritually to bring her to the full stature of a Perfect Stature that’s required of Christ.
That is the ministry of the Bride today. To be pregnated by the Word and to get ripened under the S-O-N, the WORD-MESSAGE-of-the-Hour.
Brother Branham told us that John types the Bride. When the seventh angel left the scene, John took the Book from the angel and ate the Book (Revelation 10:8- 11). It was sweet in His mouth (just as the revealed mysteries are sweet to our spiritual taste buds), but It was bitter in his belly (just as the trials and persecutions that go along with receiving this Message is “bitter” in its strictest sense of the Word). But the Bride is commissioned to “prophesy” again unto all nations, tongues and kings.
To “prophesy” means to preach and to testify about the same Message that was preached to us by the seventh angel. That is our mission today. To propagate the Message unto all the ends of the earth... “Ye shall be My witnesses unto all the world”, saith Jesus, “Preach the Gospel”. That is the Word being fulfilled in our midst today before the rapture ever takes place. Brother Branham said that “there’s no more future but the coming of the Lord”.
THE MINISTRY OF THE BRIDE
These last verses of Revelation 10 is a continuation of the end time commission of the Son of Man Ministry (Luke 17:30) but it’s for the Bride. “She has become Him.” Brother Branham said that, “When the denominations failed, God raised up His Bride Tree and so it has gone on through the years until in this last day there is again another people in the land, who under their messenger will be the final voice to the final age.”
“Sure. That’s what’s going on right now. See? The Bride of Christ... Certainly. It is the Message of the hour (See?), the Bride of Christ. Sure, She’s consist of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. Is that right? That’s the Bride of Christ. Sure, She’s got a ministry, great ministry; it’s the ministry of the hour; it’ll be so humble...”
( QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
Since John types the Bride, REVELATION 10:8-11 pertains to the ministry of the Bride, to declare the Message of the Hour unto all the world in these last days. The Bride has to continue with the ministry of Christ until every predestinated seed has heard the Gospel.
REVELATION 10:8-11, “And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go [and] take the little BOOK which is
open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”
“This ministry of the Christ Himself impersonated among His people with the very same things that He did when He was here on earth; in His Body, the Bride, which is part of Him, doing the same things, as Husband and Wife, or King and Queen, just before the marriage ceremony”. ( ONE.IN.A.MILLION LA.CA 65-0424M)
“It has to be, because a woman and her husband become one. They become one, and so does the Bride and Christ become One. The ministry of the Bride and the ministry of Christ is the same”. (TOKEN.THE JEFF.IN. 63-0901)
“In the days of the seventh messenger, in the days of the Laodicean Age, its messenger will reveal the mysteries of God as revealed to Paul. He will speak out, and those who receive that prophet in his own name will receive the beneficent effect of that prophet's ministry. And they that hear him will be blessed and become part of that bride of the last day who are mentioned in Revelation 22:17, "The Spirit and the bride say come." The corn of wheat (the Bride Wheat) that fell into the ground at Nicaea has come back to original Word Grain again. Praise God forever. Yes, listen to the authenticated prophet of God who appears in this last age. What he says from God, the bride will say. The Spirit and the prophet and the bride will be saying the same thing. And what they will say will have already been said in the Word.“ (365-2 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“Those in the Bride do only His will. No one can make them do otherwise. They have ‘thus saith the Lord’ or they keep still. They know that it has to be God in them doing the works, fulfilling His own Word. He did not complete all His work while in His earthly ministry so now He works in and through the Bride. She knows that, for it was not yet time for Him to do certain things that He must now do. But He will now fulfill through the Bride that work which He left for this specific time”.
( 172-4 PERGAMEAN .CHURCH AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“And if it does something different from the Groom, it isn't the Bride, because She's flesh of His flesh, bone of His bone, Life of His Life, power of His power. She is Him. As man and woman are one, and woman taken from his side, She has taken His Spirit (the feminish Spirit from Him), the flesh from His side, made both mechanics and Dynamics, the Wife--the Spirit of Him and the flesh of Him and put it together and made mechanics and Dynamics.” (RISING.OF.THE.SUN.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-12 65-0418M)
“It's called the eagle age in the Bible. God calls His prophets... Eagle age... We realize over in the Bible, we find in Malachi 4, that we're promised that in the last days. Now, He likes His prophets to eagles. He calls Himself eagle. He's the great Jehovah-eagle.He's able to achieve to Himself a Bride. He's going to in the last days be able to get a Bride, that with a ministry that's so exactly that... Like a man and his wife becomes one. And when Jehovah gets His people like Him, then He lives in His people. They are one. It fulfills the Scripture, exactly what He said in St. John 14:12, "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he also." It also fulfills what Jesus said would take place, "As it was in the days of Sodom, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of man." (COUNTDOWN.title BAKF.CA V-22 N-9 64-0209)
“The Church is ready. She's sealed in, ready to come. There will be a big outpouring of the Spirit, yes, sir, to grab that Church and take her into the skies. Exactly. Because see, the Church, the Word, the Bride... And, Christ, His ministry is in His Bride, which is His Body, the celestial Body, or I mean to say, the--the supernatural Body of His here on--the spiritual body on earth, His Spirit is in there living His Life right out, until Him and the Church becomes one in the wedding. See, they become one. He takes them, just a little minority in the last days.” (WORLD.AGAIN.FALLING.APART.title SHP.LA V-17 N-4 63-1127)
CHAPTER SEVEN
INTRODUCTION
The doctrine of the “Godhead” is a central theme of the Bible, both for the Old Testament and the New Testament. The classic expression of the doctrine of “One God” is found in Deuteronomy 6:4. “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD.” This belief in only one God is called monotheism, which comes from two Greek words: monos, meaning alone, single, one; and theos, meaning God. Anyone who does not accept monotheism can be classified as any one of the following: an atheist who denies the existence of God; an agnostic - one who asserts that the existence of God is unknown and probably unknowable; a pantheist - one who equates God with nature or the forces of the universe; or a polytheist
- one who believes in more than one God. Ditheism, the belief in two gods, is a form of polytheism, and so is tritheism or trinitarianism, the belief in three gods. Among the major religions of the world, three are monotheistic: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
THREE MAJOR BELIEFS
The three most common beliefs on the Godhead, however, are (1) Trinitarianism,
(2) Unitarianism, and (3) Dualism.
TRINITARIANISM
The premise of the Trinity Doctrine is that there are Three PERSONS in ONE GOD, sharing the same powers, occupying three thrones in heaven. Trinitarians use the diagram of a triangle to explain that the three corners represent the three members of the Trinity,
while the complete triangle represents God as the whole trinity. The Discrepancy, however, in the Trinity doctrine is that THREE PERSONALITIES equals THREE GODS. This belief breaks the very First Commandment of God that says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”. Revelation 4:2 states that there is only “one throne” in heaven. How can three persons be one God?
UNITARIANISM / ONENESS
The premise of the Oneness Doctrine is that JESUS, THE MAN, IS ALL THREE (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). The Discrepancy, however, in the Oneness doctrine is that Jesus cannot be his own Father. If Jesus was the Father, why did Jesus pray to the Father if He is already His own Father? Why did He cry at the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” Was Jesus just acting it out? Obviously not.
DUALISM / TWONESS
The premise of the Twoness Doctrine is that there are TWO GODS: THE ETERNAL FATHER & THE ETERNAL SON; making the HOLY SPIRIT just a POWER and MESSENGER OF THE TWO. The Discrepancy, however, in the TWONESS doctrine is that a ‘SON” is ‘BEGOTTEN’. The word “SONSHIP” signifies a ‘BEGINNING”. There is no such thing as an “eternal son”. The word “ETERNAL” means no beginning and no end”.
THE CORRECT UNDERSTANDING ON THE GODHEAD
God, all throughout the Old Testament did not have a body, but appeared to the people in different forms, such as the Burning Bush to Moses, the Cloud by day, and the Pillar of Fire by night, to the children of Israel. Though He sent His angels to many who appeared as men, but no one ever saw God in physical form until Jesus Christ was born. John 1:18 says, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him”.
GOD IS A SPIRIT
The Scripture states that, “God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24). In Isaiah 43 and 45, we can read that God the Father said that He alone is God... “And [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside Me.”(Isa. 45:21) “Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] No Saviour.” (Isa. 43:10-11)
In these Scriptures, we can clearly see that there is only one God, (not two or three) for in His very First Commandment, Elohim (the self-existing One) solemnly said that “Thou shalt have NO other gods before Me...” (Exodus 20:3)
GOD’S THOUGHTS AND ATTRIBUTES
Way back in eternity, before there ever was a star, a moon, or a galaxy, Elohim has eternal thoughts and attributes that He wanted to express and manifest for His own pleasure and glorification. He hath seen all things from the beginning, for He is infinite and all-knowing.
Elohim wanted to be God. The word “God” means “an object of worship”. But there was no one that worships Him at that time and so He then created the angels first, so that He as God is worshipped and is proclaimed as the Almighty.
Elohim also wanted to become a Father. Yet how can He be called a “Father” when He Himself has no children? And so in God’s mind He wanted to create sons and daughters unto Himself so that He could become their Father. Thus, we know that this plan of God was fulfilled and manifested later on. He created Adam and from him He took Eve. It’s a type of the church which was taken from the body of Christ, for the Bible says, “we are flesh of His flesh, and bones of His bones.”
Elohim wanted to become a Saviour. But you see, how can He become a Saviour when there’s no one to be saved in the first place? There has to be a fallen entity first before He could ever display his attributes as a Saviour. We can therefore conclude from this case that God hath foreseen the fall of man and He permitted man to fall from grace in order for God to fulfill His majestic plan of saving them. Man was
placed as a “free moral agency” to choose for himself between good and evil. Adam and Eve fell for the wrong choice. But God prepared the solution for sin even before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 tells us that the “Lamb was slain “before” the foundation of the world” to act as an atonement for sin. And God wrote our names (God’s elected seed) in the Lamb’s Book of Life even before man could ever commit sin. Christ came to redeem these predestinated seed.
Elohim wanted to be a Healer, too. Yet how can He become a Healer when there’s nobody that’s sick? There has to be a sickness first before He could become a Healer. Which was first, the sickness or the Healer? We can then conclude from here that sicknesses and afflictions are part of God’s permissive will unto men in order to show and manifest to mankind His attributes of being a Healer. Psalms 103:2-3 states, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth ALL thy diseases.” Consider the afflictions of Job, blind Bartimaeous, the woman with the blood issue, and more. Through their affliction, they have declared the glory and healing power of God and served as testimonials of God’s grace through their generations.
God also wanted to manifest Himself as a King, as a Priest, and as a Judge. So there has to be a kingdom set-up, a holy tabernacle set-up, and a judgment bar set up. These are His eternal thoughts and intentions before the foundation of the world, to get glory unto Himself.
Yet God knew that as a Spirit He will never be able to fulfill these plans of his without having a “body” that will act out His plans. For example, it is written in His Law that “Almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Redemption requires death. Can a Spirit bleed and die?
It takes BLOOD, therefore, to pay the penalty for sin. Yet no man’s blood, no angel, no priest, no animal’s blood, was ever worthy to redeem man in his fallen estate. God must do it Himself, for there is no Saviour but Him alone. He must do it in order to show that He alone is the ONLY Redeemer. In Isaiah 45:22, God said, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, for I AM God, and there is none else.” “Thou shalt know no God but Me; for there is NO SAVIOUR BESIDE ME”. (Hosea 13:4).
God, therefore, is the only Saviour there is. The key to the whole mystery of the Godhead is this: God knew that He, as God, could not die and bleed in the Spirit, for a Spirit has no flesh and bones. But His own law required blood for an atonement. So in order for God to fulfill His plan of redeeming mankind, He had to put on a veil of flesh, in order to taste death and pay the penalty for His own law, to justify the ungodly. That is to fulfill Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph.2:8,9).
GOD’S THOUGHTS EXPRESSED INTO “WORD” (LOGOS)
God, then began to express Himself from eternity, by His spoken Word. Time began when God started speaking. This great Fountain of Spirit which had no beginning or no end, began to express His attributes by the Spoken Word. Out of the existence of the Father went out the “Logos”, which was the Word, which was God’s “Theophany”. It was was a visible body of the great Jehovah God going forth in the beginning. It was called the “Logos”, which in the original Greek, means “something spoken; which includes the thoughts of the Speaker”.
That Logos was God’s “express image”. It was God Himself made into Word. That Logos that went out from the great eternal Spirit was called the “Son” of God. It was the only visible form that this Spirit had. And It was a “theophany”, which means a celestial body, and that body was like a “man”.
Time, then, began when that “Logos” came out of God, as evident in the succeeding scripture. John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made” ..And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” (John 1:1-3,14).
From that “theophany” is where man was also created by God, after His own image, which was a “spirit-man”:
“And God said, Let US make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”(Genesis 1:26,27).
The “Let US make man in OUR own image” in the above verses refer to God the Father (the great Spirit) talking, speaking to His Theophany Body, which was His begotten Son. We can see here that man was created from that pattern, with both spirit and body realms. We were never created in the image of angels.
Rev. Branham taught us this: “You will never be an Angel. God made Angels, but God made man. And what God does is off of God, which is as eternal as God is. And man’s just as eternal as his Creator, because he was made from eternity. (HEBREWS CHAPTER
5 AND 6, JEFF, IN 57-0908M).
“Brother, I’m telling you; I believe in the resurrection. God will speak one of these days, and we’ll come forth in His image and in His likeness, men and women, not angels, but men and women. God made Angels; we’ll never be Angels. We wasn’t made for Angels. Men are made men. God made man. He intends him to be man. It’s God’s pattern.” (EL.SHADDAI.title LA.CA 59-0416)
The “theophany”, which was the Son, is also what’s spoken of in Colossians 1:15-17, which reads: “Who is the IMAGE of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and He is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
That theophany of God was then made FLESH on earth later on in the Person of Jesus Christ through the womb of Mary.
In the following paragraphs, Brother Branham relates to us about the mystery of the Godhead in the Message LAODICEAN CHURCH AGE - CPT.9, 336- 2:
“Revelation 3:14 speaks of Jesus as the “Beginning of the Creation of God”. That is Who the Lord Jesus says He is. But those words don’t mean exactly as they sound to us. Just taking them the way they sound has made some people (in fact multitudes of people) get the idea that Jesus was the first creation of God, making Him lower than Godhead. Then this first creation created all the rest of the universe and whatsoever it contains. But that is NOT right. You know that doesn’t line up with the rest of the Bible. The words are, “He is the BEGINNER or AUTHOR of the creation of God.”
Now we know for a surety that Jesus is God, very God. He is the Creator. John 1:3 “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” He is the One of Whom it is said, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”. Also it says in Exodus 20:11, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” See, there is no doubt that He is the Creator. He was the Creator of a FINISHED PHYSICAL CREATION. Surely we can see what these words mean now. To have any other interpretation would mean that God created God. How could God be created when He, Himself, is the Creator?” (WMB, 336-4 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE -
CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
GOD MANIFESTED IN FLESH
And thus, God fulfilled His plan of salvation, the fulfillment which is written in 1 Timothy 3:16 which states: “And without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness, God was manifest in the flesh.”
When did God manifest in flesh? It was when Jesus Christ was born through a woman; without any resulting sexual act but it was God Himself making both hemoglobin and egg cells in the womb of Mary, God Himself taking the form of a man.
Jesus Christ was the FLESH of God, none other than God Himself creating a BODY of His own. That fleshly BODY was called the “SON”, while the SPIRIT indwelling that body was the “FATHER”. Not two Gods now, but God veiling Himself in FLESH. That’s the reason Jesus said “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30). Philip, the apostle, one time said to Jesus (John 14:8-9), “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” And Jesus answered him saying, “ Have I been with you so long and
yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
The name “Jesus” means “Jehovah has become our Saviour”. Jesus was also called “Emmanuel”, meaning, “God WITH us”, God dwelling with men.
When the Father decided to come down as our Saviour, He put on a robe of flesh and planted Himself, as a seed, in the womb of Mary. This seed was to produce the flesh and blood of the Body He would dwell in as the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God becoming man, to redeem man back to Himself. God could not die in the Spirit because He’s eternal. But He had to put on a MASK and ACT the part of death. He did die, but He couldn’t do it in His God form. He had to do it in SON form, as a Son
of Man on earth. (UNVEILING.OF.GOD.title JEFF.IN V-9 N-1 64-0614M)
JESUS, THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD
The Apostle Paul says this about Jesus in Collosians 2:9-10: “For in HIM all the FULLNESS of the GODHEAD dwells BODILY, and ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power”...”In Whom we have REDEMPTION through His BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins : Who is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD... And He is before all things, and by Him all things consists” (Collosians 1:14,15,17).
JESUS, therefore, is the EXPRESS IMAGE of the unseen God, God creating a FLESH-BODY of His own. Men could have never seen God except through Jesus Christ, the FLESH of God.
THREE DISPENSATION OF THE ONE GOD
“God ABOVE Us” - that’s how God was known in the Old Testament, in the Fatherhood dispensation. God dwelling in the heavenlies, where no man could ever touch Him.
When the the time for the Sonship dispensation came, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah 9:6 which says, “For to us a child is born, for to us a SON is given: the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty GOD, and everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace”, these all pertain to the FLESH of God - JESUS, being God Himself becoming Emmanuel, which being interpreted “God WITH us” - God Who can now be touched by the feeling of our infirmities.
It was God also fulfilling Isaiah 53:5, “But He (God) was WOUNDED for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him: and by His stripes we are healed” - all fulfilled and completed at the Cross of Calvary.
In these last days, after Jesus has been resurrected and glorified, God has sent us back His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to indwell every believer. Thus, we are now living in the HOLY GHOST Dispensation - “God IN Us”. As 1 Cor. 6:19-20 states, “What? Know ye not that your body is the TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost which is IN YOU, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify GOD IN YOUR BODY, and in your spirit which are God’s.”
THE SPIRIT OF JESUS IN THE CHURCH
JESUS is that self-same Holy Spirit; as He has attested in John 14:18, saying, “I will not leave you comfortless, “I“ (Personal Pronoun) WILL COME TO YOU.” “I will be with
you, even IN YOU until the end of the world.” Galatians 4:6 states this, too, “And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the SPIRIT of His SON into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” FOREVERMORE!” Who was that? That was the same God Who also said, “ I have power to lay my life down, and raise it up again” (John 10:18).
Jesus’ own Spirit is now “God IN Us”, the “Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27). It is the SELF-SAME GOD all the time, never changing His power, just changed His form from the heavenly to the earthly, and then back again as the Great Spirit, after having fulfilled His great redemptive story.
He was “GOD ABOVE US” in His Fatherhood dispensation; “GOD WITH US” in His Sonship dispensation; and now “GOD IN US” in the Holy Spirit dispensation.
Jesus said, “ I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, Which IS, WHICH WAS, and WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY” (Rev.1:8) Not
three persons in One God but ONE GOD in three dispensations, in three manifestations.
JESUS IS BOTH MAN AND GOD
Jesus, talking to the Jews one day, said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he was glad.” Then said the Jews unto Him, ‘thou art not yet fifty years old and hast thou seen Abraham?’ Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I
say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:56-58).
Who was the great “I AM”? Remember the burning fire that talked with Moses on the holy mountain? That was the “I AM”, the self-same Jesus speaking to the Jews. They could not see that Jesus was their own God VEILED IN FLESH.
”The Jews answered him saying, “For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that Thou, being man, makest Thyself God” (John 10:33). They really failed to see that He was the Emmanuel - both MAN and GOD. Jesus also is the WORD that became FLESH and dwelt amongst us (John 1:1,14).
JESUS certainly was a man weeping at the grave of Lazarus. But when He shouted, “Lazarus, come forth!”, and a dead man, four days and stinking, arose and
lived again - that was more than a MAN! Who can raise the dead but God alone.
He was a man hungry that night looking on a tree for something to eat. But when He took five bread and two fishes and feed five thousand - that was more than a man. That was the creator, JEHOVAH!
He was a man laying on the ship that night, tired and asleep, while the waves come up. But once he arose and rebuked the winds and the waves and said, “Peace be still!”. That was more than a man. That was God Who can control all nature.
It was a man crying for mercy at the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” But on Easter morning, when He broke the seals of death, hell and grave, and rose up again and said, “I AM HE that was dead, and behold, I AM ALIVE
OREVERMORE!” Who was that? That was the same God Who also said, “ I have power to lay my life down, and raise it up again” (John 10:18).
JESUS, BACK TO A “PILLAR OF FIRE”
Let us remember that after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, Jesus ascended up into the heavens. And when SAUL of Tarsus was on His road to Damascus to persecute the Christians (Read Acts 9:1-5), a BIG LIGHT, a PILLAR of FIRE struck him, and he asked, “LORD, who are You?” SAUL knew that It was the same Pillar of FIRE that appeared to Moses, but that Pillar of FIRE answered him, saying, “I AM JESUS, whom thou persecutest.” See, He had TURNED BACK, exactly back to THE SAME FORM before He took on a tabernacle of FLESH - the Pillar of FIRE that met Moses in the wilderness.
Remember, It was the SAME Pillar of Fire that came to PETER that night and loosed him out of the prison cell (Read Acts 12:5-7).
That SAME Pillar of Fire (Cloven Tongues of Fire) appeared on the Day of PENTECOST and set on each of those at the upper room, dividing Himself, giving part of His Spirit among His church (Acts 2).
Peter declared in Acts 2:36, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that SAME JESUS, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST”. There He is - LORD (Fatherhood), JESUS (Sonship), CHRIST (Anointed Holy Ghost)
- The LORD JESUS CHRIST, the complete manifestation of the ONE TRUE GOD.
Finally, consider this: Who was the FATHER of Jesus? Matthew 1:18 says, “She (Mary) was found with child of the HOLY GHOST.” But Jesus Himself claimed that GOD was His FATHER. Therefore, God the Father and God the Holy Ghost make the Father and the Spirit ONE, OR ELSE JESUS HAD TWO FATHERS. But notice also that Jesus said that “I and My FATHER ARE ONE”, NOT TWO. That makes ONE GOD, NOT THREE.
The entire Bible does not say a thing about a First or Second or Third Person in a ONE GOD. The mystery is found in 1 Timothy 3:16: “And without controversy, great is the MYSTERY of Godliness, GOD was manifest in the FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles; believed on in the world, received up into glory”. The ONE TRUE GOD was manifest in the FLESH. That’s how SIMPLE it is. GOD CAME IN A HUMAN FORM. That didn’t make Him another God. He was GOD, THE SAME GOD.
If you cannot accept this TRUTH of the Godhead, but refute it, Jesus said that you are still living in SIN; for He said in John 8:24, “For if ye believe NOT that I AM HE (God), ye shall die in your sins”. “He that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
JESUS IS JEHOVAH MADE FLESH
JEHOVAH of the Old Testament is JESUS of the New Testament. That is the great MYSTERY of the Godhead. NOT THREE GODS, but THREE DISPENSATIONS and three OFFICES of the same ONE GOD. Never can we find any Scripture that declares that there are THREE GODS in the Holy Writ. If you do, you are breaking the First Commndment which says, “I alone am GOD, thou shalt have no other Gods before Me.” GOD Himself declared in Isaiah 45:21 that, “There is NO GOD BESIDE ME; a just God and Saviour, THERE IS NONE BESIDE ME..”
JESUS confirmed this truth in Mark 12:29 saying, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE LORD”.
The whole thing was JEHOVAH GOD condescending Himself from His heavenly estate to an earthly body He called JESUS, fulfilling His sovereign purpose of becoming Saviour, Redeemer and Healer by shedding His OWN BLOOD as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. ”Of Whom as concerning the FLESH, CHRIST came, Who is OVER ALL, GOD Blessed Forever” (Romans 9:5). AMEN.
Here are some Scriptures that tell us that JESUS, THE MAN, ACCEPTED WORSHIP : (See Scriptures: Matt. 8:2, 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, 28:9, 28:17; Mark 5:6; Luke
24:52; John 9:38)
MATTHEW 8:2-3, “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
MATTHEW 9:18, “ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”
MATTHEW 14:32-33, “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
MATTHEW 15:25-27, “Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.”
MATTHEW 28:9-10, “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
MATTHEW 28:16-17, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”
MARK 5:6-7, “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”
LUKE 24:51-52- “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
JOHN 9:35-38, “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped
him.”
WHAT BROTHER BRANHAM TAUGHT REGARDING THE GODHEAD DOCTRINE
1. Brother Branham believed that Jesus Christ is God Himself made man: “JESUS was GOD in the form of a man. That’s hard for people to swallow..
He wasn’t nothing less than God. He was GOD manifested in FLESH. He was the Creator in His own creation.” (God’s Gift Always Find Their Places/63-1222)
“I believe HIM to be GOD: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. That He wasn’t just a prophet, that He wasn’t just a man, that He wasn’t just a teacher or a good man, HE was the DIVINE JEHOVAH GOD living in a BODY of Flesh.” (Who
Is This?/59-1004)
“The Beginning Of The Creation Of God.” That is Who the Lord Jesus says He is. But those words don’t mean exactly as they sound to us. Just taking them the way they sound has made some people (in fact multitudes of people) get the idea that Jesus was the first creation of God, making Him lower than Godhead. Then this first creation created all the rest of the universe and whatsoever it contains. But that is not right. You know that doesn’t line up with the rest of the Bible. The words are, “He is the BEGINNER or AUTHOR of the creation of God.” Now we know for a surety that Jesus is God, very God. He is the Creator. (336-2 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - FATHER CREATED a BODY
which was GOD THE SON, and LIVED in the SON. See?” (A Court Trial / pp. 31)
John 1:3-”All things were made by Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” He is the One of Whom it is said, Gen. 1:1 - “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”. Also it says in Ex. 20:11, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” See, there is no doubt that He is the Creator. He was the Creator of a FINISHED PHYSICAL CREATION. Surely we can see what these words mean now. To have any other interpretation would mean that God created God. How could God
be created when He, Himself, is the Creator? (336-2 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.9)
2. Brother Branham believed that the BODY of JESUS was GOD’s own flesh: “That’s exactly what HE was. “We handled God,” the Bible said. 1 Timothy
3:16, “Without controversy, great is the MYSTERY of Godliness, GOD was manifest in the
FLESH.” We handled HIM with our hands. That body was God. Certainly was. He was God all over, in the form of a human being.” (The Token/64-0308)
“It wasn’t the blood of a Jew. It was the Blood of God that saved us, not the blood of a Jew. He wasn’t no man’s Blood. He was the creative Blood of Jehovah God, Who created the Blood cell. He wasn’t neither Jew not Gentile by Blood. He was God. God’s Blood saved us.” (WITNESSES_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 54-0303)
“And there, God, the Creator, wrapped around Himself and created a Blood cell, the virgin not knowing any man. If you don’t believe that, you’re still in sin. She had nothing to do with a man. God, Himself... Christ was not a Jew. His Blood wasn’t a Jew, neither was it a Gentile. It was God’s Blood. The Blood cell come from the Male, and the Male was God. The Bible said we’re saved through the Blood of God, no sex into it at all. There it is.” (CHRIST_ PHOENIX.AZ MONDAY_ 55-0221)come down from glory, revealed Himself.”
(God’s Gift Always Find Their Places/63-1222)
“And you Catholic people, not to disagree with you, but call her, “Mary, mother of God,” how could God have a mother? She was an incubator. You say, “Well, the—the egg come from the woman.” But the egg didn’t come from Mary. If the egg come from Mary, then there had to be a sensation. Look where you put God. God created both egg and blood cell. He was neither Jew nor Gentile. He was God, nothing less.”
(ZACCHAEUS.THE.BUSINESSMAN_ TUCSON.AZ MONDAY_ 63-0121)
“And God came down in the image of man, in the Man Christ Jesus, to suffer pain. God could not suffer pain in the Spirit. How could He suffer physical pain in the Spirit? He couldn't do it. So God unfolded Himself and was made in the image of man, to redeem the man that was lost. See? And then God suffered in the flesh. I Timothy 3:16, "Without controversy (that's argument), great is the mystery of godliness; for God was manifested in the flesh.”
(QA.ON.GENESIS.title JEFF.IN COD 53-0729)
“God could not suffer in Spirit. He had to become flesh to feel the pain of sickness, to feel the temptation of lust, to feel the temptation of want, to feel the temptation of hunger, to feel the power of death, that He might take it upon Hisself to stand in the Presence of the great Spirit Jehovah (the Spirit, not the man, the Spirit), to make intercessions to this life. And Jesus took that in order to make intercessions for us, for He knows how it feels. When you get sick, He knows how you feel. When you're tempted, He knows how you feel.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.2.PART.3.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0828)
3. Brother Branham believed that JESUS is the very PERSON of GOD:
“So you see, JESUS was GOD. He was not NO third person, fourth person, second person, HE was THE PERSON, HE was GOD, see? He was GOD Immanuel, God come down from glory, revealed Himself.” (God’s Gift Always Find Their Places/63-1222)
4. Brother Branham believed that GOD DIED in His SONSHIP FORM:
“GOD veiled in JESUS to do the work of REDEMPTION at the cross... GOD could NOT DIE in the SPIRIT; He’s ETERNAL. But HE had to put on a MASK and ACT the part of death. HE DID DIE, but He couldn’t do it in His God FORM. He had to do it in SON form, as a Son of Man on earth.” (Unveiling of God/ 64-0614m)
“Your BODY has to LIVE by DEAD SUBSTANCE for natural life, then you’ve got to have something DIE SPIRITUALLY to SAVE your SPIRITUAL LIFE. And GOD BECAME MATERIAL, FLESH, and DIED that WE MIGHT LIVE.” (Sir, We Would See Jesus / 62-0724)
“And then God became material in a Man called Jesus Christ which was His Son. This Son gave His Life that He might bring other sons, that God might become tangible, working in all in all. "In that day you'll know that I'm in the Father, the Father in Me, I in you and you in Me." (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
Scripture: 1 JOHN 3:16 - “Hereby perceive we the LOVE [of GOD], because HE laid down HIS LIFE for us.”
5. Brother Branham believed that GOD had NO BODY until HE became JESUS: “GOD is a SPIRIT. He had no hands till He become JESUS. He had no feet,
arms, legs and so forth, till He become JESUS... HE come to a stable, borned over a manure pile. And Little JEHOVAH crying in a manger, little JEHOVAH playing as a boy, little JEHOVAH toiling as a man, He crossed His cast with us. GOD BECOME HUMAN. When JESUS CHRIST was born, GOD was HUMAN on earth... He toiled and labored and felt for the teen-ager. HE went through every temptation that we go through. GOD DID IT, that He might do His own
THE WHEEL OF PROPHESY
judgment justice.” (Show us the Father/ 60-0731)
“It come to a place that HE was TRANSFORMED. See? That means HE CHANGED His way. HE was GOD Jehovah. And God JEHOVAH changed Himself FROM a SPIRIT and BECAME A MAN. He’s the SAME JEHOVAH GOD living in a BODY of FLESH.” (Let Your Light Shine
Before Men/ 64-0614m)
6. Brother Branham believed in only ONE GOD; NOT TWO OR THREE:
“There is NO three or four Gods. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. There is THREE ATTRIBUTES of GOD: Father, Son and Holy Ghost, BUT they’re NOT THREE GODS. GOD the Father was in the wilderness, as a PILLAR of FIRE. All right. GOD The SON: GOD the FATHER CREATED a BODY which was GOD THE SON, and LIVED in the SON. See?” (A Court
Trial / pp. 31)
and His NAME - LORD JESUS CHRIST, and you baptize for ONE GOD and only ONE... If JESUS is BOTH LORD and CHRIST, then HE (Jesus) is, and cannot be else but “Father, Son and Holy Ghost” in ONE PERSON manifested in FLESH. It is NOT “GOD in THREE persons, Blessed Trinity,” BUT ONE GOD, ONE PERSON with THREE MAJOR TITLES, with THREE OFFICES manifesting those TITLES. HEAR IT ONCE MORE - This SAME JESUS is “BOTH LORD and CHRIST”. LORD (Father) and CHRIST (Holy Spirit) are JESUS, for HE (Jesus) is BOTH OF THEM (LORD AND CHRIST). If that doesn’t SHOW us the TRUE REVELATION of the GODHEAD, NOTHING WILL. LORD is NOT another ONE; CHRIST is
NOT another ONE. THis JESUS is LORD JESUS CHRIST - ONE GOD.” (Seven Church Age Book/ pp. 29) “And there, God, the Creator, wrapped around Himself and created a Blood cell, the virgin not knowing any man. If you don’t believe that, you’re still in sin. She had nothing to do with a man. God, Himself... Christ was not a Jew. His Blood wasn’t a Jew, neither was it a Gentile. It was God’s Blood. The Blood cell come from the Male, and the Male was God. The Bible said we’re saved through the Blood of God, no sex into it at all. There it is.” (CHRIST PHOENIX.AZ MONDAY_ 55-0221)
7. Brother Branham believed that GOD lived in Jesus Christ, Body, Soul, and Spirit:
“But the first thing YOU ARE a TRIUNE BEING, just like Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Father, Son and Holy Ghost is THREE TITLES going to ONE PERSON, which is JESUS CHRIST. And YOU’RE soul, body and spirit. But it takes THOSE THREE to MAKE YOU. With just ONE of them, you’re NOT YOU. IT takes THREE to make YOU.. YOU’RE living in a HOUSE - SOUL, BODY and SPIRIT. THAT’S THE WAY GOD LIVED in JESUS CHRIST, both SOUL, BODY and SPIRIT.” (Inner Veil/ 56-0121)
“Now in my HOME, I’m THREE different PEOPLE. In my home my wife has claims on me as HUSBAND. My daughter out there, she doesn’t have any claims on me as HUSBAND; I am her FATHER. And my little grandson there, I’m GRANDFATHER to him; so he has no rights to call me FATHER. I am his grandfather, BUT I’m still the SAME MAN.” (Mighty God
Unveiled / 64-0629)
8. Brother Branham believed that JESUS is JEHOVAH even from BIRTH:
“You know, HE was once a BABY HIMSELF. Talk about a SIGN, Isaiah 9... When they asked for a SIGN, God gave them a SUPERSIGN: “A virgin shall conceive and bear a child. His NAME shall be called Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty GOD, the everlasting FATHER. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN STRIKING - JEHOVAH, a baby; JEHOVAH GOD, a baby
crying in a MANGER. It ought to have been striking: JEHOVAH, a TEENAGE BOY playing; JEHOVAH, driving nails as a carpenter. Oh, my! And ABOVE ALL: JEHOVAH NAILED TO A CROSS TO SAVE SINNERS, it should have been striking!” (Unbelief Does Not Hinder
God/ 62-0128)
9. Brother Branham believed that JESUS is the Creator:
“And that great CREATOR BECAME my SAVIOUR, come down to a little BLOOD CELL, NOT through a man, but come virgin to a woman; and took thils little pollen from the woman, and FORMED HIMSELF A LITTLE HOUSE and LIVED IN IT. Oh, it - it ought to be striking. JEHOVAH over a pile of manure in a barn, crying: JEHOVAH in a MANGER of straw. That’s an EVERLASTING SIGN.” (Smyrnean Church Age/ 60-1206)
10. Brother Branham believed that MELCHISEDEC was JESUS Himself:
“If there were THREE Gods, you might as well baptize for a FATHER, and a SON, and a HOLY GHOST. But the REVELATION given to John was that there is ONE GOD
“Now, MELCHISEDEC, the King of Salem, the Priest of the Most High, the King of Peace, which was NONE OTHER THAN THE FOREPART of the LORD JESUS
CHRIST, and when HE met Abraham, He fed Abraham the COMMUNION and blessed him.. WHO WAS THIS PRIEST? NONE OTHER THAN THE INCARNATED LORD JESUS CHRIST. In His
magnificent power He was the same ONE a LITTLE LATER ON, after HE met Abraham, and gave him, as being a COVENANT PEOPLE, the COMMUNION.” (Melchisedec the Great Prince/ 55-0109m)
“When Jesus was manifested in the Old Testament in a theophany, in the Person of Melchisedec, not a priesthood, but the Person, the Man... See? For this Man Jesus had yet not been born, but He was in a theophany so He had no father, no mother. He was God Himself. He was manifested in the form of a Man called King of Peace and King of Righteousness. See King of Salem, which is? He was Melchisedec. He had neither father nor mother, beginning of days of ending of life. See? It was Jesus in a theophany in the form of a man.” (CHRIST.REVEALED.IN.HIS.OWN.WORD V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
11. Brother Branham said that GOD in His “FATHERHOOD” office was the indwelling Spirit; while the “SONSHIP” office was His human flesh, Jesus.
“Jesus said that God was with Him, “I and My Father are One. My Father dwells in Me.” Not Jesus, and being one with God; but God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. And you Oneness brethren, many of you get off the wrong track when you try to think that God is one like your finger is one. He can’t be His Own Father. He can’t be.” (Palmerworm Locust Caterpillar 59-0823 140)
“Now, it’s many times it’s been said that no man can see God at anytime, the Bible said so. But the only begotten of the Father has declared Him. Philip, here was very inquisitive; he wanted to see the Father. Says here He said, “I’ve been so long with you, Philip, and you don’t know Me?” Said, “When you see Me you see My Father.” In other words, you see the Father express Hisself through the Son. Him and the Father were one in the sense that His Father was dwelling in Him, not Him doing the works; He was a Son, Himself, the immortal, virgin born, Son of God. And then in Him was dwelling the God the Father, expressing Hisself to the world, His attitude towards the people. See? Well, that’s how Christ and God were one. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Now, He said, “When you see Me, you see the Father, and why do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ (SHOW US THE FATHER IT’LL SATISFY 56-0422 E-36 )
“That’s the reason people couldn’t understand Him. Sometime it was Christ speaking... or was the Son speaking. Other times it was the Father speaking. He was a dual Person. He was one Man, the Son. God was in, which was tabernacling in Him. But what did He do? Did He go around saying, “I’m the Healer.” Very contrary, He said, “I’m not the Healer.” He said, “It isn’t Me that doth the works; it’s My Father that dwelleth in Me.” (JEHOVAH JIREH 56-0429 053).
12. Brother Branham was neither Oneness, Twoness nor Trinitarian:
“Now, some people have said, "Brother Branham, you are a 'Jesus Only.'" I want to say that that is in error. I am not a "Jesus Only." Somebody says, "Brother Branham, are you a trinitarian?" No, sir. I am not a trinitarian; I'm a Christian. See? The word "trinitarian" don't even mention in the Bible--the word "trinity." And I do not believe that there is three individual gods. I believe there is one God in three offices: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. That's exactly why we were commissioned to baptize in the Name of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. I believe that it's God condescending, coming down.” (GODHEAD.EXPLAINED.title
CHICAGO.IL V-2 N-24 61-0425B)
“Now, the Oneness took it, the oneness group of people, and try to make Father, Son, Holy Ghost, just one office and one place, and like your finger, one. That's wrong. God could not... Jesus could not been His own Father. If He was, then
He was a... Well, how could He been His own Father?” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.4.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901E)
“And you Oneness brethren, many of you get off the wrong track when you try to think that God is one like your finger is one. He can't be His Own Father. He can't be. But He is God. God is Jehovah, the Spirit; Christ was the House that He dwelt in.” (PALMERWORM LOCUST.CATERPILLAR.title JEFF.IN V-14 N-1 59-0823)
“Now, when I come into Pentecost, the Pentecostal people, I found one was a Oneness, and one was a Twoness, and one was a Threeness, and one's baptized this a way and that way, and one was this, and one was that; they were broke up in one Assembly, and one United, and one this. And you know what I did? I didn't join with any of them. I stayed free from their denominations and stayed between them so I could love them all the same time and bring them together. That's right. See?” (MINISTRY.EXPLAINED.title CHICAGO.IL 56-1001)
“And when you Catholic people say, "Eternal sonship," where do you get such a word? It doesn't make sense to me. How can He be eternal and be a son? A son's something that's begotten of. How can it be eternal? Eternal never did begin; it never does end, so how could it be eternal sonship? (CALLING.JESUS.ON.THE.SCENE.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-8 63-0804E)
13. Brother Branham said that if people can’t believe the true REVELATION of the GODHEAD, they wont be able to understand the mysteries of the Bible:
“If people CAN’T SEE the TRUTH of the GODHEAD, but FIGHT it; they can’t ever see the rest of the TRUTH because the REVELATION is JESUS CHRIST in HIS CHURCH and His works in the MIDST of the Church Ages.” (Seven Church Age Book/ pp. 309)
CONCLUSION
Brother Branham never taught us TWO OR THREE PERSONS in a one ONE GOD. God’s prophet taught us that there are THREE “MANIFESTATIONS” OR “THREE OFFICES” of the ONE GOD, but not TWO or THREE PERSONS in a ONE GOD. The “Fatherhood” is an office, the “Sonship” is an office, and the “Holy Ghost” is an “office”. Yet God is all of them. You can’t cut God in TWO or THREE PIECES and give Him to a Jew. The Jews always believed in only One God as was stated in the First Commandment that was given to them by God through their prophet Moses. Yet they missed seeing that that One God came down and manifested Himself in a human flesh. That’s why they could not believe in Jesus when He said, “I and My Father are ONE.”
The teaching of multiple gods came from Pagan Greek and Pagan Roman Empire (Zeus, Jupiter, Hermes, Venus, Mercury, etc) and was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, and by most of the Protestant churches today.
Yet God is not ONE like your finger one, as the ONENESS GROUP of people teaches it. The ONENESS denomination makes Jesus the MAN as the Father also. Brother Branham said it could not be. JESUS was the BODY-FLESH of GOD called the SON, while the FATHER was the indwelling SPIRIT dwelling inside that Body. God could not die in the Spirit, so he created a BODY for Himself in order to redeem us from our sins. “For without the shedding of BLOOD, there is no remission of sins.” A Spirit could not die, so God made Himself a human body and wrapped Himself into it. That’s the mystery of the Godhead. Yet that does not mean that Jesus the flesh is NOT God just because He died. Jesus was both God and man. He was the first of His kind. But we will be like Him after this corruptible body has put on incorruption and this mortality has put on immortality, for Jesus is the firstborn amongst many brethren. The mystery of Godliness is this, “For without controversy, God was manifested in FLESH” (1 Tim 3:16).
Man needs to get the exact revelation about the Godhead or else he will fall into serving a God he personally does not know.
Now, Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, never told us to baptize in the NAMES, but in the N-A-M-E, (singular). The clue here is to find what NAME the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost possess. Take note that the word “Father” is not a NAME. “Son” is not a NAME either; neither is the Holy Ghost a NAME. These are but TITLES of the ONE true GOD.
If we trace God’s Name back in the Old Testament, we will find that God the FATHER was always called the “LORD”, capital “L-O-R-D”.
Unto what Name were you baptized? Were you baptized using the
God.
In the New Testament, we find that “JESUS” was the name given to the SON of
In this our age, the dispensation of grace, when the Holy Ghost was given since
Titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost or using the Name of Jesus Christ? Is there any difference between the two?
INTRODUCTION
WATER BAPTISM is a basic requirement to a Christian’s salvation. MARK 16:16 states, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be SAVED; but he that believeth NOT shall be damned.” I Peter 3:21 also reads, “The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now SAVE us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
A series of questions usually arise in Water Baptism: “What is the Biblical way of doing it?” Is baptism performed by sprinkling? Or is it by immersion in water? Is it using the TITLES of Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19), or using the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ? (Acts 2:38)?
the Day of Pentecost, He is called the “CHRIST” or the “Anointing” of God.
We can now therefore conclude from these basis that the TITLES of “Father, Son and Holy Ghost” refer to only one compound NAME, which is the only Name which was given on earth whereby man must be saved (Acts 4:12) - and that NAME is nothing else but the NAME of the “LORD JESUS CHRIST”, the complete NAME of GOD.
We can read all throughout the Bible that ALL of Jesus’ disciples used His NAME in Water Baptism (References: Acts 2;38; Acts 19:1-5; Acts 10:46-48; Acts 8:14) .
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus at the age of thirty at the River Jor- dan. The sacrificial Lamb had to be washed before being offered up to die at the Cross.
The Bible cannot contradict itself for it is the Word of God. What we need today is a revelation from Almighty God in order to for us to understand and dovetail every word in it correctly. Let us therefore take a closer look upon this all-time controversial issue.
The word “baptize” originated from the Greek Word “baptizo” which means to “IMMERSE” in water. For the first thirteen hundred years from the death of Christ, baptism was always performed by IMMERSION of the person UNDER WATER. Acts 8:39 states this, “And they went both DOWN INTO the WATER, both Philip and the Eunuch; and he baptized him”. John 3:23 also states, “John also was baptizing at Aeneon because there was MUCH WATER
NEVER can we find in the entire pages of the Bible where anybody was ever baptized using the TITLES of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Look it up for yourself and you’ll NEVER find one. There’s a million dollar reward today for anyone who can find one verse that states just that.
The apostles understood that baptism in those TITLES was not a LITERAL command, just as when Jesus told them, “Except you EAT My FLESH and DRINK my BLOOD, you have NO Life in you”. Nowhere in the Bible can we find that they literally ATE the flesh of Jesus nor DRANK his blood. Literally eating Jesus’ FLESH and literally DRINKING His BLOOD would make them cannibals and vampires if such command was followed to the letter. But the thing is that it was revealed unto them that eating His Body means “partaking of His Word” and drinking his Blood meant “receiving His Atoning sacrifice” into their lives. In Water Baptism, It was revealed also unto them WHO really was the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and what the NAME of God really was. “Lord Jesus Christ”, that’s the complete
there”. “They came up OUT OF THE WATER” (Acts 8:39).
It is therefore evident from these very scriptures that Water Baptism was originally performed by “immersion” of the individual person underwater.
TITLES OR NAME ?
In Matthew 28:19 we can read Jesus’ great commission unto His disciples saying, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, BAPTIZING them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Name of God.
THE APOSTLES HAD A CORRECT REVELATION
Apostle PETER, having been given the keys to the Kingdom, commanded the JEWS, saying, “REPENT everyone of you and BE BAPTIZED in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38) “and you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
The same FORMULA was used by Saint PAUL. Paul himself REBAPTIZED the disciples
of John the Baptist (Acts 19:1-5) in this same manner, saying, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed? They said, ‘We know not whether there be any Holy Ghost.’ Paul said, “How was you baptized?” They said,’ We’ve been baptized unto John.’ Then said Paul, “John verily baptized with baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him that should come after him, that is on CHRIST JESUS.” WHEN THEY HEARD THIS, they were baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS”. PETER AND JOHN did the same to the SAMARITANS as well in Acts 10:48,” And he commanded them to be BAPTIZED in the NAME of the LORD JESUS”.
The GENTILES who were in the house of Cornelius who first received the Gospel were also baptized in this same manner (Acts 10:46-48) , “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnified God. Then answered PETER, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? AND HE COMMANDED them to be BAPTIZED in the NAME of the LORD JESUS” (NIV).
ALL true believers in the Bible, both Jews, Gentiles and Samaritans, were ALL baptized in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, for that is the genuine and Biblical way of doing it. What about you?
It was the Roman Catholic Church that brought forth such false baptism of sprinkling, and changed it from the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to Father, Son, Holy Ghost after the year 325 A.D. Majority of her daughters, the Protestant churches, had taken the same dogma till this day and are observing blindly the same formula without realizing it so. (Read historical facts at the end of this chapter).
WERE ST. PETER AND PAUL WRONG?
No. These apostles knew what most religious leaders of today FAIL to recognize.
First: That the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ is the FAMILY NAME of all Christians both in heaven and on earth (Read Eph.3:15). Second: There is NO OTHER NAME under heaven whereby we must be SAVED only in the Name of JESUS (Acts 4:12). Third: That the FULLNESS of the Godhead dwelleth BODILY in CHRIST (Col. 2:9). And fourth: That BAPTISM must be performed in the NAME of the CRUCIFIED (Read 1 Cor. 1:13).
The Bible tells us that “Whatever you DO in word or in DEED, do ALL in the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Col. 3:17). JESUS even taught us that “REPENTANCE and REMISSION of sins should be preached in HIS NAME, beginning at Jerusalem, unto the uttermost parts of the world” (Luke 24:47).
THREE TITLES TO ONE NAME
Father, Son and Holy Ghost are THREE TITLES. Yet there is only ONE NAME. It was revealed unto the apostles that salvation alone goes in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST (Acts 4:12).
The Bible teaches that there is NO salvation in any other name, title or places, ONLY in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST (Acts 4:12). Yet He is the “Rose of Sharon”, “Lily of the Valley”, “Morning Star”, “Alpha and Omega” - HE IS ALL THESE THINGS, yet there’s NO SALVATION in any of these titles; ONLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
God has so many TITLES: “Our Righteousness”, “Our Peace”, “Ever-Present”, “Our Father”, “Our King”, “Prince of Peace”, “Son”, and “Holy Ghost”. BUT He has ONLY ONE HUMAN NAME, and that NAME is JESUS - by which Name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Everyone, therefore, that is BAPTIZED with the TITLES of Father, Son and Holy Ghost is baptized in NO NAME AT ALL. They are TITLES like Minister, Reverend, Doctor, whatevermore, Father, Son, Daughter, Wife - TITLES. You may say it does not make a difference. Then try putting your TITLE on your check and not your NAME, and see whether the BANK would encash it - say, “I sign this check in the name of the Husband”... That just make sense as it would to disbelieve God’s Word when the revelation is laying right here before your eyes.
That NAME is the Password to heaven. It is also the KEY to all the heavenly blessings and supernatural gifts that God has given to the church. “In my NAME you shall cast our devils, In My NAME you shall speak with new tongues, in My NAME you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18). “If ye shall ask any thing in my NAME, I will do [it].” (John 14:14).
WHAT ABOUT MATTHEWS 28:19?
The above-given Scriptures (Book of Acts) are not given to refute Matthew 28:19 where Jesus told the apostles to baptize in the NAME of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They merely show HOW the command was interpreted and obeyed by the disciples in the entire Bible.
A SOLEMN INVITATION
If you have not been baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST yet, YOUR BAPTISM IS WRONG. You have to be REBAPTIZED AGAIN in the NAME of Jesus Christ in order for you to receive the Spirit of God.
Acts 2:38 plainly says, “REPENT, everyone of you, and BE BAPTIZED in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST for (What?) the REMISSION OF SINS - (You are still in your sins if you are not baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST for no other Name is given whereby we must be saved), “AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST”.
If you are God’s predestinated seed, you will not wait long until you are baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Get right with God now while mercy and grace is upon your reach. “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
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HISTORICAL FACTS AND RECORDS
BRITANNICA ENCYCLOPEDIA - “Everywhere in the oldest sources, it states that baptism took place in the Name of Jesus Christ.” (11th Edition/Vol.3/p.82)
CANNY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION - “The Early Church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity Doctrine in the 3rd Century.” (Pp. 53).
HASTINGS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION - “Christian Baptism was administered using the words “In the Name of Jesus”. The use of a Trinity formula of any sort was not suggested in the early church history. Baptism was always in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the time of Justin Maryr when triune formula was used.” (Volume 2/PP. 377-378.)
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THE TRUTH ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM
Most Christian churches today baptize babies by sprinkling water on them and calling it “infant baptism”. But nowhere in the Bible can we find where the Apostles of Jesus ever baptized babies. Infant Baptism is not a Biblical teaching; it is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. There's nobody ever sprinkled in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, we will find that the the high priest circumcised the babies on the 8th day. Leviticus 12:2-3, “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
But in the New Testament, the only way the apostles dedicated the babies unto God is by bringing the little ones to the Lord Jesus. Jesus lifted them up in His hands, and blessed them, saying, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom." (Matt. 19:13-15; Luke 18: 15-17). Thus, this is the correct Biblical formula for dedicating babies unto the Lord.
Water Baptism is a confession that an inward work of grace has been done. Yet little infants has no knowledge of sin. Of course, the baby is borned in sin, shaped in iniquity, comes to the world speaking lies, and they're sinners by nature. But when Jesus died at the cross, He died to take away the sins of the world. And when a baby becomes a human being and is born into this world, they have no sin of their own. The Blood of Jesus Christ already atones for the baby’s sin. And therefore they have no repentance to be done and no water baptism is required of them, not until they reach the age of accountability. The baby comes to the age of accountability between the age of 12 to 13 years old. During such age, the child knows already what's right and wrong. Therefore, it’s the proper time for him or her to repent for what he/she has done. And when he/she repents, then's that’s the time to undergo water baptism (Acts 2:38 - “Repent and be baptized..”) by immersion.
Brother Branham explains it to us this way: “A little child, no matter what kind of a parent it's got, how sinful they are, that wouldn't make any difference, for the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses its sin. That baby cannot repent. It doesn't know how to repent. It has no reasons of being here of its own. It can't tell you why it's here. But God sent it here. And the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses it the very moment that it comes into the world, and it's until it's the age of accountability, and then it knows right and wrong. And then what it does, it's got to repent for what it knows that it's done wrong. And then the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses and makes an atonement for that child. If it dies, he perfectly goes right into the Presence of God. And if it was born from the most sinful parents in the world, until it's the age of accountability where it knows right and wrong, and then what it does from then on, it's got to be forgiven for that. It's got to ask its own repentance from then on.” (WMB, ENTICING.SPIRITS,
55-0724)
“And now, because a baby is, ‘far as sin, it has none. Jesus died to take the away the sins of world, and the baby has done no sin. Only it was--it's a sinner. It's borned in sin. But, when Christ died at Calvary, He took away the sins of the world, and the baby is not responsible until it becomes the age of accountability. And any little baby, no matter how sinful the parents are, as soon as it dies, it goes straight to the arms of Christ. See? Because He paid the price. No matter if it was a baby borned in sin, and by adultery, or whatever it is. Makes no difference at all. That baby is safe with Christ, because He died to take away the sins of the world. And, when it gets old enough now that it's done personal sin, then it has to repent for what it has done. But it has no personal sin until it's old enough to commit sin, to know which is right and wrong.” (JOSEPH.MEETING.HIS.BRETHREN JEFF.IN 56-1230)
INTRODUCTION
There is no other book in the world, ancient or modern, that tells us where we came from, where we are going, and where we are now in God’s plan, like the Holy Bible. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books written by forty different authors over a period of 2,000 years, yet it is clearly one Book with perfect unity and consistency all throughout. The individual writers, at the time of writing, had no idea that their message was eventually to be incorporated into such a Book, but each nevertheless fits perfectly into place and serves its own unique purpose as a component of the whole Scripture. Men of old, inspired by the Holy Ghost, wrote the Bible.
II Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The one consistent theme of the Bible, developing in grandeur from Genesis to Revelation, is God’s great work in the creation and redemption of all things, through
His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 5:39 - “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Anyone who diligently studies the Bible will continually find remarkable structural and mathematical patterns woven throughout its fabric, with an intricacy and symmetry incapable of explanation by chance or by human wisdom. The Bible is God’s Word recorded throughout all generations: II Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous- ness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Matthew 4:4- “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The Bible include books of law, such as Leviticus and Deuteronomy; historical books, such as Ezra and Acts; books of poetry, such as Psalms and Ecclesiastes; books of prophecy, such as Daniel, Isaiah and Revelation; biographies, such as Matthew and John; and epistles (formal letters to the churches) such as Titus and Hebrews.
The Old Testament has 39 books; 929 chapters; 23,214 verses; 593,493
94
words, while the New Testament has 27 books; 260 chapters; 7,959 verses; 181,253 words.
The Bible’s books can be arranged by type, rather than chronologically. There are the books of Moses and the Law, also known as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Then the History books, which talks about God’s
chosen people - Israel : Joshua,
Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2
Samuel,1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.
There are also the Wisdom Books namely, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Then the Book of the Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
The Gospels pertain to Jesus’ life and ministry and the way of salvation - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The History of the New Testament Church are written in the Book of Acts. Paul’s letters or epistles are: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2
Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews. Other letters are that of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2 &3 John, and Jude. The last chapter is about apocalpyse called the Book of Revelation.
THE BIBLE AS AN ULTIMATE
Brother Branham, God’s prophet and messenger of this age, has always stayed true to the Bible teaching and has never departed from true Scriptural foundations in all of his sermons. Never at one time did he ever deviate from what the Holy Scriptures teach us in delivering the Message of the Hour to us. Through God’s revelation to him, he has made clear to us all the loose ends of the Bible which theologians and Bible seminaries have messed up in their man-made interpretation of the Holy Script throughout the ages.
In the succeeding quotes, you will find a list of nuggets wherein Brother Branham evidently pointed us back to the Bible as his absolute and must be our absolute, too.
“That’s all I know to tell you, that this Bible I believe with all my heart, if I know my heart, to be the perfect unadulterated Word of God. By this I live. By this I stand. And if I had ten thousand lives, I’d like to give every bit of it for this Word, for it’s the
Word of Jesus Christ. And I don’t care how much they can try to disprove It, how much science tries to say It—It isn’t trustworthy, and so forth, to me It’s the only thing in the world I can trust is this Word.” (SATAN’S.EDEN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-20 65-0829)
“How you going to know what’s right and wrong? Give it the Word test. That’s the way to tell whether it’s right or wrong. That’s it; just—just give it the Word test. See what it says about the Word. Any spirit, see what it says about the Word. If it denies the Word, it’s not of God. See? No matter what it is, if it denies the Word, it’s not of God. Look, give it the Word test and see what happens. Jesus warned us of these things: Matthew the 24th chapter and the 35th verse. heavens and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away. (See?)” (SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N- 1 62-0318M)
“I don’t care if I have to stand alone, with nobody but God alone, I’ll preach the truth of God’s Bible and stand for it. If I die, I’ll still stand for the truth. Certainly. We want truth. I’ll measure up not according to the church, but according to the Word of God I want to measure up.” (DECEIVED.CHURCH.BY.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN CH 67 59-0628M)
“Now, the only way that a church can be built, the only way that a man can have faith is not by his denomination, not by his affiliation; but his faith rests, not upon the theology of some man’s ideas, ‘cause it’s more or less, altogether, man... But the only way faith can find its solemn resting place is upon the immovable and unchangeable Word of God. “Faith cometh by hearing, hearing the Word.” (HEBREWS CHAPTER 6 AND 7..title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915M)
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches of each age.” In every age it was the same cry. Hear what the Spirit says. If you are a Christian, you will get back to what the Spirit is teaching, that is, the Word of this age. Every messenger to every age will preach that Word. Every fresh and true revival will be because men have gotten back to the Word for their age. The cry of every age is the rebuke, “You have left the Word of God. Repent, and come back to the Word.” From the first book in the Bible (Genesis) to the last book (Revelation) there is only one reason for God’s displeasure—leaving the Word; and there is only one remedy to regain His favor—back to the Word.” (157-2 SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“I love the Word. The Holy Spirit feeds on the Word of God. Christians should always read the Bible, for the Holy Spirit feeds... Its food is the Word of God. “Man shall not live by bread alone (Amen. There it is.), but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” That’s what the Christian lives on, the Word. And the Holy Spirit loves the Word, and He’s here tonight to receive the Word. And It’s in you. And as the Word comes forth, then the Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and reveals It.”
(EXPECTATIONS.title CLEVELAND.OH 50-0810)
“Now, remember, the Word of God is what the Holy Spirit feeds on. It don’t feed on enthusiasm. It don’t feed on education. It doesn’t feed on church going. It doesn’t feed on theologies. There’s a lot of difference between an inspired something and a theological standpoint of it. (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-09190)
“Now, sheep will only grow as you give them sheep food. Now, if you’d fry up a big hamburger and give it to a sheep, he couldn’t grow on that, ‘cause (See?), that’s not sheep food. See? And—and if I would fry up or be a—have a nice T-bone steak fixed up, give it over to a sheep, it—it’s not sheep food. He just couldn’t eat it, that’s all, because he’s a sheep. But sheep like sheep food. Well then, when you’re to feed the flock of God, don’t
feed them on some manmade theology; feed them on the Word; for that’s where the sheep grow from. Feed the Word. (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 61- 1015M)
“Now, we must prove all things by the Scripture. Not what... If It’s contrary to my faith, and yet the Scripture says so, the Scripture’s right and I’m wrong. See? The Scripture’s always right; and the only way you can do anything, is come back to the Scripture.” (ISRAEL.IN.EGYPT.title JEFF.IN IC 1-34 53-0325)
“Now, the entire Bible is set up on revelation. Now, you'll never know the Bible just by some cold hearted reading It. You've got to read the Bible in the Spirit. You've got to be in the mood of reading. You've got to love to read It. And the Bible is written so that the wise, smart, educated, will never understand It. Jesus thanked God and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou has hid these things from the wise and the prudent, and will reveal them to babes such as will learn." Oh, I'm so glad of that. You don't have to be somebody in this world to know God. You just have to have a willing heart, and God will go to dealing with that willing heart, if you are willing.” (LAMB.AND.THE.DOVE.title
OAKLAND.CA 57-0325)
THUS SAITH THE LORD
“The only thing you can put your trust in is THUS SAITH THE LORD from the Bible. Now, Church, that is exactly where I have tried to keep you, my children. And if something happens to me and God takes me out of this earth, don’t you never fail. Remember this with all your heart: stay with that Word. Don’t you leave that Word. Anything contrary to It, leave it alone, no matter what it is. Then you know It’s right. See?”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
“God’s Word comes only by the Bible. God’s Bible is the printed form of the Son of God, because the Bible said that it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It’s God revealing Himself through Christ, and Christ is the Word. And it takes the Light of God
to shine upon that Word to vindicate It, to prove that God still speaks Life—Eternal Life, He speaks.” (MAN THAT CAN TURN ON LIGHT.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-1 63-1229M)
“Stay with God’s Word; It’s THUS SAITH THE LORD. Stay with His Word. To separate from It is breaking your fellowship with God, God’s oneness by the Holy Spirit. Then if you say you got the Holy Spirit and it’s not in agree with the Word, then you’re not oneness with God. Now remember, the Devil takes a whole lot of that Word, pretty near ninety-nine and ninety-nine percent of It. Ninety-nine hundredths and ninety- nine percent of that hundredths, he’ll make It just exactly right, but then he’ll jump off here,
and that’s the one that causes death right there. That breaks the chain right in the middle; down you go. Every Word. What did Jesus say? “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word.” Not by a few of God’s Words shall he live, not by ninety-nine and ninety-nine percent of God’s Word. But by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, man shall live by That.” (ONENESS.title JEFF.IN V-10 N-2 62-0211)
“The Bible is not a book of systems. No, sir. It is not a book of systems, nor a code of morals. The Bible is not a book of systems, so many systems and so forth. No, sir! It is not a book of morals. No, sir, It is not. Nor is It a book of history altogether, or neither is It a book of theology, for It is the revelation of Jesus Christ. So the Bible is the complete revelation of Jesus Christ, and It was wrote by prophets, Hebrews 1:1, “In... God, Who in sundry times spake to the fathers by the prophets, in this last day speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ,” which was the prophets, all of them put together. Jesus was Malachi; Jesus was Jeremiah, Isaiah, Elijah. All that they were, were in Him. And all that you are, and all I am, is in Him: Words, witnesses of the Word. So It is not a book of systems, a code of moral ethics, neither is It a history book, or a book of theology. It is not. But It’s the revelation of Jesus Christ: God Himself revealed from Word to flesh. That’s what It is. The Bible is the Word, and God is the flesh. God in... God is the Word, rather, and Jesus being the flesh, It’s a revelation how God, the Word, was manifested in human flesh and revealed to us. It was written by forty different writers. Forty men wrote the Bible over a space of sixteen hundred years apart and at different times, predicting the most important events that ever happened in world’s history, and many times hundreds of years before it happened. And there is not one error in the entire sixty-six Books. Oh, my. No author but God Himself could be so accurate. Not one word contradicts the other. Remember, sixteen hundred years apart, the Bible was wrote, from Moses to—to the death of—of John at Isle—or the Isle of Patmos: sixteen hundred years. And was wrote by forty different authors. One didn’t even know the other one, and they never had It as the Word. Some of them never even seen the Word. But when they wrote It, and was understood to be prophets, then when they put their prophecies together, each one of them dovetailed one to the other.” (CHRIST REVEALED IN HIS OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“And a borned again Christian is tied to Christ, and the Bible is the Anchor. It's the thing we're tied to. Let the organizations, let the different thing, let the science, let the educators say anything they want. As long as that Word says it and promise it, we're tied to That. There's something won't let us move from it. That's right. A real born Christian, they stay with that Word. If It says a certain thing to do, and a way to do it, that's the way we must do it. No matter what anybody else says, that's what God said. We are tied to That, a Christ- centered life.” (ABSOLUTE.AN.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-17 N-10 63-1201M)
THE WORD IS GOD
“And remember, the Word is God. God is no more than His Word. And we’re no more than our word, and if we make... ‘Course, now, you and I in a different stance—sense, ‘cause we can—we can say, “Oh, I’ll do a certain thing.” We mean that in our heart, but circumstances can arise that we can’t—we can’t do that what we said we would do. But God can’t do that, because He’s infinite, and He knows everything, and everything that ever was, will be, or... So He can’t make a statement ‘less He knows He can back it up.” (CHURCH.AND.ITS.CONDITION.title JEFF.IN CH 1-34 56-0805)
“When God first set the human race in—on earth, He told them they live by His Word. Now, the Word of God is like a chain, you’re passing across hell with It; and its chain is only its best at its weakest link, and God wants us to keep every Word of It. Now,
that was the first of the Bible; just to break one Word, plunged the human race into a darkness of death. Jesus came in the middle of the Bible, and He said that, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word.” Not just part of the Words, or ninety-nine out of a hundred; but every Word, just like Eve and Adam was. And in the last of the Bible, Revelation 22:18s, He said that, “Whosoever shall take a Word out of This, or add one Word to It...” So why do we need to inject in Here somebody’s ideas of things, when this is God’s own Idea about it? We want to take what He said. And it’s also written, “Let every man’s word be a lie, and Mine be the Truth.” (BROKEN.CISTERNS.title PHOENIX.AZ V-19 N-4 65-0123)
“God wrote three Bibles. One of them was the Zodiac in the skies. That's the first Bible. Man was to look up to realize that God is from above. Follow the Zodiac; did you ever study it? It even gives every age, even the cancer age. It gives the beginning, the birth-
-the birth of Christ. What is the first figure in the Zodiac? The virgin. What's the last figure? Leo the lion. The first coming and the second coming of Christ, all of it is written in there. Then the next Bible was written, was in stone, called pyramid. God wrote in the pyramids. If you study them, watch the ancient histories and wars, how they were built before the antediluvian destruction. The third was wrote on paper, the Bible, for the great, smart intellectual world to come. Now, as God has moved down through the age, we're at Leo the lion. We're at the capping of the pyramid. We're in the Book of the Revelations at the last chapter. Science says we're three minutes before midnight.”
(ADOPTION.OR.PLACING.title JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 60-0522E)
“This world was made by the Word of God. It’s framed together by the Word of God. That’s the only thing that’ll ever keep it together, is the Word of God, for Hebrews said, “We understand that the world was framed by the Word of God.” People doubt the Word of God, and the very dirt that you’re setting on is the Word of God made manifest. The very seats that you’re setting in is the Word of God made manifest. God speaks it, and it has to happen, because it’s the—the Word of God.” (WORLD.IS.FALLING.APART.title NY.NY V- 18 N-10 63-1115)
“All the Word that God has spoken, It must be fulfilled." God cannot say anything without having it fulfilled. When He has spoken It, it is a finished work. It's already finished when God speaks It. God never speaks until He's ready for it to be; and, when He speaks, it's just as well as already happened. Now, if that wouldn't give us a basis to put our faith on this morning. When God speaks a Word, it's already finished. And what about His promises that He's given to us? Everything that He has said, it's already a finished work. So therefore, when we receive His Word into our heart, it's--it's already done, it's completed.”
(IT.BECOMETH.US.TO.FULFILL.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-4 61-1001M)
“Now, II Timothy 3:16. Let’s see what it says in 3:16. “All Scripture... (Yeah.)... is given by inspiration of... (Prophets? No. Inspiration of what?)... God, and is profitable for doctrine, and reproof, and correction, and instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may stand perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.” All right then, all Scripture is wrote by inspiration. Jesus here on the earth said that heavens and earth would pass away but His Word wouldn’t. He said all Scripture must be fulfilled. So then, the Book is not a book of man’s writings; It’s a Books of God’s writings.”
(CHRIST REVEALED IN HIS OWN WORD; JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“God wants rugged Christians who takes God’s Word live or die. It’s the same thing. Amen. “God said so.” That’s Abraham’s Seed, born of the Spirit and the Word of God. That’s what stands. “Heavens and earth will pass away, but My Word shall never pass.” That’s it. What God promised, God’s able to do. God don’t fail. He can’t fail, There’s one thing God can’t do, and that’s fail. He cannot fail; that’s the only thing He can’t do. But He can’t fail. When God promised it, it’s the Truth. It’s there forever. It’s completely settled
forever. When God speaks a Word, it’s already settled. This world was made by just a Word of God. He just said, “Let there be,” and there was. Amen. The very dirt that you’re setting over tonight, the very wood that you’re setting on, is nothing but the Word of God made manifest. Hallelujah. (JEHOVAH.JIREH.PT.1.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 37-72 62-0705)
“One little deviation from that Word was a step away from Christ. People say they love God, they go to church, they even shout and rejoice and sing and have a great emotional time. But when it is all over, watch and see if they are in that WORD, walking in it, living in it. If they go through all the other and then don’t walk in that Word, they can say they love God but their lives tell another story. I wonder if John didn’t see a lot of that before he died; people saying they loved God but not obeying His Word.” (89-3 EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.3)
“While the Lord of the harvest is going by, He ain’t looking to big buildings, big steeples, well trained choirs. He’s looking for individuals: men and women who are dedicated and made a clean-cut for Christ, consecrated themselves to His service, “God, I believe It, every Word of It. When Your Word says anything, I stay right with It. That’s Your Word. I believe It, every Word.” That’s what He’s looking for, the Lord of the harvest. That’s what He wants, to give the Holy Spirit to those who are hungering and thirsting. “Blessed are ye that hunger and thirst, for ye shall be filled.” He’s trying to find that church today.” (KINSMAN.REDEEMER.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-8 60-1002)
“We want what the—God said at the beginning, and anything added to it or taken away from it, even your name will be taken off the Book of Life, to add one word to It or take one word away from It... We want what He said, not what the church said, what Dr. Jones said, what somebody else said; we want what THUS SAITH THE LORD said, what the Word said. .. We cast down reasonings; we believe God, no matter what anything else says; we believe God. We don’t reason what God says. You can’t reason with It. You have to accept It by faith. And anything that you know, you don’t have to reason anymore. I don’t know how He does it; I just believe He does it. I don’t know how He’s going to keep that promise, but He said He’d do it; I believe it. I accept it on the basis that I believe that it’s the Word of God.”
(DOES.GOD.CHANGE.HIS.MIND.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-9 65-0418E)
“Just believing the Word just the way It’s wrote. Don’t take any hearsay, what this guy says It’s this way, and this guy says It’s that way. You believe It just the way It’s wrote. If He has got to judge you by the way It’s wrote, then why take somebody else’s interpretation for It, ‘cause that’s the way it’s going to be judged, just That; That’s His standard. He’s watched over His Word. There’s nothing wrong with it. That’s just exactly the Word. That’s what we’ll be judged by, and This is God’s Word. “And if ye abide in Me,” that’s the faith, “My Word abide in you,” ‘cause He is the Word, “then ask what you will.” (PARADOX.A.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-3 63-0801)
“I said, “God is the Word. And if the church is contrary to the Word, then I don’t believe the church.” I let every man’s word be a lie, whether he be priest, pope, whatever he might be, and God’s Word be true. (GOD.OF.THIS.EVIL.AGE.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-9 65-0801M)
“But we find out God gave His children His Word for their Defense. Their... We have no other Defense than the Word of God. That is our Defense. There's no bombs, no shelters, no hiding places, no Arizona's, or California's, or wherever it is; there's only one Defense we have, and that is the Word. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, which is Christ Jesus; He is our only Defense. Being in Him we are safe.”
(SEED.OF.DISCREPANCY.title PHOENIX.AZ V-12 N-5 65-0118)
“There’s only one place that spiritual death cannot strike; that’s the Word. Death can’t strike the Word, because It’s a living Word of God. But when you put creeds with It, the Word moves out to Itself. It’ll separate like water from oil. You cannot mix it together. Therefore you see, when the creed comes into a denomination, they all go after the creed, and the Word dies out and goes on with somebody else and increases It more, picks up a momentum as It go from justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost, and on out into the grain. Do you see the path God has trod, bringing His Name all the time right down the same way, because He is the Word. Church, wherever you are, what you belong to, makes me no difference. But there’s one thing you must know. You’ve got to be in Christ or you’re dead. You can’t live outside of Him. Your church might be all right as a building; your fellowship might be all right as men; but when you deny the Body, the Blood, the Word of Jesus Christ, you’re dead the minute you
do it. It’s God’s chosen place of worship. There’s where His Name is exactly. There’s where He chose to put His Name, not in the church, but in the Son Jesus Christ.” (GOD’S CHOSEN PLACE WORSHIP JEFF.IN V-5 N-7 65-0220)
“But remember, the Bride will be a called-out, separated, and different, filled, Holy Ghost born, washed in the Blood of the Lamb; She’ll abstain from everything that’s filthy around her Husband. She’s a chaste virgin, pure by the Word. The Word and her are the same as a man and his wife becomes one in union. So does the real genuine Church of God. When it becomes in Christ, the Bible is punctuated with an “Amen,” every promise. Don’t make
any difference what the denomination says, the soul that’s in the believer punctuate it, because it is the Word in him speaking out. The Word’s sharper than a two-edged sword, a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Bible said so. That’s how it’s vindicated and known.” (SCRIPTURAL.SIGNS.OF.THE.TIME.title BIRMINGHAM.AL 64-0410)
GOD’S SOLE STANDARD
“God’s got to judge the church by something. God’s got to judge the world by some standard. You believe that? Well, if He’s going judge it by the church, which church? If He judges it by the Roman Catholic, the Greek’s gone. If He judges it by the Greek, the Roman’s gone. If He judges it by the Methodists, the Baptist is gone. If He judges it by the Baptists, the Methodist is gone, vice versa. If He judges it by the oneness, the twoness is gone. If He judges it by the twoness, the threeness is gone. If He judges it by the threeness, they’re both gone. There you are. If God judges the world by the Catholic church, the Protestant’s lost. If He joins it by—by the Protestants, which one? If He judge by the Catholic church... It’s many different fears of the—spheres of the Catholic church. So which one is it going to be? You see, a person would be confused; you wouldn’t know what to do. But here’s what God will judge them by: the Word. That’s the standard. “Heavens and earth will pass away but My Word shall never fail.” Upon this I take my stand. All other grounds is sinking sand, all other grounds is sinking sand. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other grounds is sinking sand.“(CONFERENCES.title TUCSON.AZ 63- 0608)
“Now, He’s got to judge the church someday. And if He judges it by the Catholic church, which they say He will, then which one of the Catholic churches will He judge it by? They different one from the other. If He judges it by the Methodist’s, you Baptists are gone. If He judges it by the Pentecostal’s, the rest of you is gone. But He won’t judge it by the church. The Bible said He’ll judge the world by Jesus Christ, and Christ is the Word. So you see we’re without excuse; it’s
the Word of God that He judges; so no matter how small, one word significance to This, said Revelation 22:18...First, I’ll begin in Genesis. God gave the human race His Word to fortify themselves from death, sin, and sorrow, or any disaster: a chain, of His Word. “Thou shalt not touch this certain tree, for the day you eat thereof, that day you die.” And a chain is only its best at its weakest link. And our souls are pulled over hell, holding to this chain; break one of them, that’s all you have to do. Eve never broke a sentence; she broke a Word, by Satan. That was the first of the Book. In the middle of the Book come Jesus and said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word,” not part of them, just one here and there, but every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God... And then on the 22nd chapter, the last chapter, the 18th verse, He said, “Whosoever shall take one Word out of this Book, or add one word to It, his part will be taken from the Book of Life.” See? So we believe that man lives by every Word of God. I believe it and I know it’s true. How little, it doesn’t matter. It just takes one word to do it.” (DOORS.IN.DOOR.title FLAGSTAFF.AZ V-17 N-3 65-0206)
“The church can’t give you Eternal Life, not your neighbor, not your pastor, not your priest, not your creed; only Jesus Christ Himself can give you Eternal Life. See? No—no matter how good you are, what you quit doing, what you start doing; you’ve got to accept the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then when you do that, He is the Word, and then your life fits right in the Word and it manifests itself to this age that you’re living in. Jesus alone can lead you to that Eternal Life. There’s no church, no denomination, no preacher, no priest, no nothing else can lead you to It; you must be led by Him, the only One that can lead you. Could you imagine Him leading you out of His Word, which that’s Him? And if He is the Word, and you’re a part of Him, won’t you be a part of the Word? (LEADERSHIP.title COVINA.CA V-7 N-7 65-1207)
“But not one word in the Bible contradicts the other. Not one prophet ever contradicted the other one. They was every one perfect, and when one come in and did prophesy, that real prophet raised up and called him down. Then it was made manifest. See, see, see? So the Bible is the Word of God to all true believers.” (CHRIST REVEALED IN HIS OWN WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“God in sundry times and divers manners spake to the fathers through the prophets. And He said on this writing, that not one jot or tittle shall ever pass away until It’s fulfilled, and then It’s manifested. Then It will pass, because It’s manifested, and It can’t pass then. But just the Word Itself is made flesh. “Jot” means “small word.” “Tittle” means “small mark.” Not even one punctuation, one expression, anything shall ever fail in the Word of God. It can’t fail, because It’s God, God manifested in the form of a human flesh. For it’s God Himself in letter form, prophet form, manifested in flesh. Now, that’s the reason Jesus could say, “The ones who spoke to you, you call them gods, who spoke to you by the Word of God,” said; “and they were gods.” Those prophets when they were anointed with the Spirit of God and brought exactly the Word of God, then they were gods. It was God’s Word speaking through them.” (CHRIST.REVEALED.IN.HIS.OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“God never does one thing this way, and another way do something else a different way. See, His first decision is perfect because He’s God. See? His Word cannot be altered. He—He—He didn’t learn more in these six thousand years that we have of human history. He never learned more than He did back there, because He’s infinite to begin with. See? And He never changes His—His—His—His Word. He must...He chose to save man by the shed Blood of an innocent one. We’ve tried to educate them; we’ve tried to denominate them; we’ve tried everything in the world, and social life, and it’s every bit failed, and will continue to fail till we come back under the Blood. That’s the only place there’s fellowship.” (SIGN.OF.THIS.TIME.title NY.NY V-18 N-8 63-1113)
“You have to depend on the Holy Spirit because this Bible is wrote in riddles. You just can’t set down and read It like a newspaper. It’s hid. Yes, sir. How would you ever justify God when He told Moses up there, said, “Now, don’t you make any engraven images,” in His commandments, “don’t you make anything like heaven, any—any Angel, or anything else; don’t make any engraven images,” and yet on the same day told him to mold two Angels out of brass and put them right at the mercy seat, where mercy’s at? See? You have to know God and His Nature before you can understand His Word. He—He— He has the key to that Word Himself, and He—He’s the only One can—can handle It and open It, and so He’s the One has to reveal It.” (WARNING.THEN.JUDGMENT.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
“He said, “My words are Spirit and Life.” Jesus said that. Again, “The Word is the Seed that a sower sowed.” We know what that’s true. It’s God in Word form, and It can only be interpreted by Himself. The human mind is not capable to interpret the mind of God. How can the little—a little finite mind interpret the infinite Mind, when we can’t even interpret one another’s mind. And you notice, He is the only One can interpret It, and He interprets It to whom He will. It didn’t say “Mortals of old as they strode across the earth in sundry times and divers manners.” God in sundry times and divers manners revealed Himself to His prophets. See? And notice. To whom He will reveal It... And He so designed that He could hide Himself in the Scriptures to the smartest theologian there is. Oh, my. He can just hide Himself, set right there in the Scripture, and you look all day long and never see it, look a lifetime and never see it. He can just hide Himself setting there. Now, please, everywhere, let that soak in, that God in the Word can hide Himself so in the Word, that there isn’t a theologian or a school in the world could ever find Him. And yet He’s setting right there. You say, “Is that right, Brother Branham?” How about the Pharisees and Sadducees? How about in every age? He’s done it. Sure. He’s done so in every age. Now, we could check that. Let’s think about the days of Noah, smart, intellectual age, how He hid Hisself in His promised word; in the days of Moses how He hid Hisself; in the days of Elijah how He hid Hisself; in the days of Jesus how He hid Hisself. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came to His own; His own received Him not.” See? He hides Himself from the smartest, intellectual man there is on the earth.” (CHRIST REVEALED IN HIS OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“Oh, God, if Christians of today could only see that. “I’ll take my way with the Lord’s despised few. I’ve started in with Jesus, O Lord, take me through.” Under trial, troubles, heartache, death, sickness, sorrow, I’ll still cast my lot on Jesus Christ to take my stand. “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other grounds is sinking sand.” Everything else is sinking. Kingdoms will fall, and nations will break, and denominations will scatter, and theologians will die, but God’s Word will ever remain the same.”
(IT.BECOMETH.US.TO.FULFILL.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-4 61-1001M)
“He was the Word, and they rejected the Word. That’s one point I want you not to miss, I want you not to miss. He was the Word, and when they rejected Him, they rejected the Word. And when they did reject Him, they finally crucified Him. And that’s what they’ve done today: reject the Word of God, and accepted their creeds, and has crucified publicly before their congregations, the working of the Holy Spirit. And they’re guilty, and I indict them in the Name of Jesus Christ.” (INDICTMENT.THE.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-19 63-0707)
“And the only one way we can come by the Word, is by the Blood. Only place that anybody ever worshipped God, had to come under the Blood. There’s no other preparation at all. You can’t come under the name of Methodist; you can’t come under the name of Pentecost; you can’t come under the name of Catholic. There’s dozens of Catholic churches different—different from one another, the Orthodox, and Greek, and Roman, and they’re as broke up as bad as the Protestant. The Protestants, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, oh, every, they’re all different kinds. And there they are. See? But there’s
one ground for fellowship, that’s under the Blood. And the Blood is the Life, and it’ll always agree with the Word, always with the Word.”(JEHOVAH.JIREH.PT.1.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 37-72 62-0705)
WISDOM AND REASONING AGAINST THE WORD
“The only way you can ever be a sinner is to deny God’s Word. What is sin? Unbelief. Unbelief in what? God’s Word. See? You have to deny the Word first. Jesus said that man lives by the—every Word, every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Who said that? Jesus. Is that right? He said, “If any other man said anything different, let him be a liar, His Word be true. heavens and earth will pass away, but My Word shall not.” There you are.” (WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401)
“If wisdom is with the Word, and proves to be with the Word, and the Word produces Itself by the same thing, then it is the Word. But if wisdom is against the Word, and not with the Word, but trying to find something to add to It or take from It, it’s of the devil... “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die”: See what it presents? What is it? Trying to make the Word say something that It doesn’t say. See? God said, “You shall die!” Wisdom, as Satan was presenting to her, said, “You shall not surely die!” See? It’s trying to make the Word say something that It isn’t so. That’s what wisdom is today. Oh, brother, how we’d tarry on that. Seminaries, schools of theology, that’s their very nest; that’s their grass roots, is trying to make God’s Word say something that It doesn’t say. I challenge anybody to show me the Apostles’ Creed in the Bible. I challenge anybody to show me “communion of saints” in the Bible. Both Protestant and Catholic believe it. I challenge you to show me any of those things in the Bible. See? It’s the grass roots of wisdom trying to reason.”
(WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401)
“Death come by a crossbreeding. Death can’t come by God’s Word. Death comes by crossbreeding It to denominations and creed. Instead of Christ, dogma, instead of the Word. It doesn’t come by the Word. The Word is Life. Jesus said, “My words are Life,” and the Spirit quickens that Word and makes It Life. To crossbreed It, there’s where the death comes from. And when the church of Jesus Christ was perverted in the time of Rome, after her virgin birth, and was given to Christ at Pentecost, she... What did she do? She crossed herself with Roman dogma. And the Protestant church has done the very same thing. She can’t wait. that’s what’s the matter with the people today. They can’t wait for the real Holy Spirit to take the church in position. They’ve got to manufacture something, work up something: initial evidence, speaking in tongues to get more members in the church, all these kind of tommyrot instead of waiting upon the Lord for the real manifestation of the resurrection of Christ making Himself known among the people. She can’t wait. What did she do? She went out and become pregnated with denominationalism. First was the Assemblies of God; then come the Oneness, then come whatmore after that. Now, the so-called bride is pregnated with all kinds of tommyrot, disgrace. The women won’t pay a bit more attention to what God’s Word says than nothing in the world, neither will the men, or even the preachers. Then call that a bride... What is it? She’s pregnated. Christ’s bride has become pregnant with the world: dressing like the world, acting like the world, big churches, fine... What... It shows what she is. She’s of the devil. That’s what Satan done at the first place, was try to build a big beautiful kingdom in the heaven and was kicked out for it, excommunicated from heaven. That’s what Christ’s modern bride is; she’s kicked out, because she’s excommunicated from God, because she is a whore and not a virgin. It’s deep, but I hope you get it.” (SPOKEN WORD ORIGINAL SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-2 62-0318E)
“Notice, through that brought death, through trying to take the Word of
God and mix some wisdom with It. See? You’re not supposed to do that. Whether you believe it’s—got wisdom to explain it, just say, “God said it, and that settles it” And God said so, and that’s all there is to it. If you can’t explain it, leave it alone, but just say it’s so because God said so. See, just say, “God said it.” Now, notice. Now, it will not mix. It must not be tampered with; God will punish the one that does it; and It will not hybreed to nothing else. It’s God’s Word alone. God don’t need your word with His. We’re not supposed to speak our own word; we’re supposed to preach His Word, God’s Word.” (SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-1 62-0318M)
“Besides, any teaching of any church, let it be Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, or whatever it may be that don’t stay letter by letter with this Bible is wrong. .. You try to make the Word of God say something to fit your organization, you’re taking the jewels out of the great King’s Body and making a image of dog, or a fox, or a hog, or something, out of it. And you deceive the ignorant of the Word. Where It said, “Baptize in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” they make “Father, Son, Holy Ghost,” three gods out of It. They take all kinds of dogmas and make up all kinds of things, and sprinkling instead of immersing: everything. Make some kind of a manmade wallow out of it instead of putting it in the Jewel in the great King, Christ. Oh, hallelujah. That’s God incarnate: Christ. They corrupt the ways of God, let the people come in the church, women with bobbed hair, wearing makeup, dresses on that looks scandalous: men so sissified, let a woman lead them around by the ear. Come to the church, and playing bunco and bingos, and all kinds of corruption things. And preachers and so forth out on banks with naked women dressed in bathing suits and going swimming, smoking cigarettes, and calling themselves servants of God, when this temple is a holy temple dedicated to God, not to filth of the world... What’s the trouble today, they have so many revelations and false things. It’s prostrating themselves out there, and opening up their heart to devils instead of staying with God’s Word. That’s where the trouble lays. That’s what’s the matter. People, honest, sincere, good people, but you can’t tell them. “Why, we believe this as Pentecostal people.” “We believe this, as Baptist people.” I believe This because It’s the Word of God. I challenge anybody to correct me in It. See? That’s right. This is the Word. Stay with This. This is true.” (CHRISTIANITY VERSUS IDOLATRY.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 61-1217)
“They want something; they want something how they could live anyway they want to. They... That’s what the church world’s a-looking for, somebody that—that they can go to the biggest church in the city where all the celebrity of the city belongs. They can have the highest spire on the building. They can have the best organ. They can have the—the pews. They can have a minister that won’t say a word to them about the way they live: if they want to dance, they want to put on some kind of show, they want to wear shorts, they want to bob their hair, or they want to do these things; they can smoke cigarettes or just practice social drinking. That’s practices in the churches: just modern drinking, just teach your children to drink, but not too much, not to be excessive with it; smoke, but not—not to the excessive. Wear anything you want to, but just—just try to keep yourself as decent as you know how or can. See? Oh, that hypocrisy, that anointed devil, that thing called denomination, that thing called religion, it’s of the devil. Back to Christ and His Word. Save yourself from this untoward generation. Repent, every one of you, before it’s too late to repent.” (FALLING.APART.OF.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN V-10 N-6 62-1216)
“Now, we have a sacred trust. You know what a trust is. And we have a inheritance, a heritage that we inherit as believing children. It’s a sacred trust. And that sacred trust and our sacred heritage is the Word of God that’s been given to us, the full Word of God. The Word Itself is the Vitamin, the Word Itself, God’s Word. That’s where, reason I’m so dogmatic, as I would call it, on standing on this Word. No matter what anything else says, if it’s not with the Word, then I don’t believe it. See? If
you want to believe it, it’s all right. But to me it takes the Word, ‘cause, “Heavens and earth will pass away, but My Words shall never fail.” Therefore, it takes that Word. I live by the Word. Jesus said, “It’s written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” And this is It. And That is given to us as a heritage. It’s our inheritance, the Word. O God, let us think of It in the deepness of It. It’s—it’s our privilege. It’s this sacred trust that God has put to His Church. God gave His Word to His Church. And that sacred heritage is ours. It’s a gift from God, not to just compromise on this, and cut this out, and throw this out, and add this in to suit our own taste; but to preach the full Word, the whole Gospel. We are duty bound as Christians to take It and believe It. When we know, “If our hearts condemn us not, then we know we have favor with God.”
(COMFORTER.THE.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-5 61-1001E)
“It will not hybreed. Today is a great day of hybreeding animals, corn, wheat, making a better looking product, but it’s no good. It’s rotten, no life in it: dies, can’t reproduce itself. It’s dead because everything that we have on earth today in its original form is a spoken Word of God. That’s why that a mule, a bastard-born animal with a crossbreeding cannot breed itself back again. God made a horse and He made a donkey. You breed them two together, you got a mule. It’s a hybrid; therefore it can’t breed itself back.”
(SPOKEN WORD ORIGINAL SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-1 62-0318M)
“Just as we showed you that ‘antichrist’ means ‘anti-Word’ so these false prophets come perverting the Word, giving it a meaning that fits their own devilish ends. Have you ever noticed how the people who lead others astray bind them closely to themselves by fear? They say that if the people don’t do what they say, or if they leave, then destruction will follow. They are false prophets, for a true prophet will always lead one to the Word and bind the people to Jesus Christ and he won’t tell the people to fear him or what he says, but to fear what the Word says.” (331-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
I don’t care what they don’t teach. If the Bible teaches it, the Holy Spirit in you, It’ll feed on the Word. No matter how smart a man is and how he can try to explain it away, they can explain away. A infidel can take the Bible and explain God away from you. Therefore, no man has any right to preach the Gospel unless he’s been like Moses, back yonder on that sacred sands where him and God alone stood, until a man’s born again and stands there face to face with God, and knows. There’s no infidel; there’s no psychology; there’s no explaining; there’s no scholar in the world can take that away from you. You were there when it happened. Yes, sir. You know what taken place... Eve just doubted one little Word, not all God said, just one little Word, and it caused every heartache and heartbreak, and death, and sin, and battles, and everything else, every grave, every ambulance ever screamed, every hospital was built for the sick. Her one little doubting one little Word of God caused all of this.” (WHY AGAINST ORGANIZED RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“Many people take the Bible and understand It intellectually perfect, but that’s—that’s not it. That’s not what we’re talking about. No matter how well you can explain It, you’ve got to meet the Author of It personally. Then’s what brings faith, for the Author lives in you after you’re borned of Him.” (PERSEVERANT.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-4 63-0802)
“Follow the instructions, not the emotions; the instructions. If Moses would’ve followed the emotions of the people, they’d have been running all over the mountains, screaming, and Pharaoh’s army would’ve got them. But they followed instructions. God said, “Stand still now and see the glory of God.” Just stand still. You don’t have to get excited; stand still and see the glory of God. “For this day God will fight, and you’ll stand still.” They just walked across the sea. Then the—the uncircumcised, them impersonators trying to do
so, drowned in the sea.” (REVELATION.BOOK.OF.SYMBOLS.title JEFF.IN V-13 N-6 56-0617)
“What if your father told you... And you are a loyal son to your father, and he told you, “Son, don’t you go in that water out there, swimming, because there’s ‘gators in that water.” And a fellow comes back and says, “Surely, such pretty water as that, there’s no ‘gators in it.” Now, who are you going to listen to? If you’re a genuine son, you’ll listen to your daddy. And a genuine son or daughter of God takes God’s Word first. I don’t care what anybody else says about it; they take God’s Word first. There’s poison in the cup, and they believe it. Having faith in all His Word, His Seed, brought a Eden of holiness, love, and Eternal Life.” (SATAN’S.EDEN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-20 65-0829)
“Remember, them people of Israel, the Bible said after he had called the people out and saved them out of Egypt, He destroyed them because they didn’t follow the Message. See? They eat manna out of heaven. They eat manna that God rained on the earth for them to eat, and stood in the presence of the messenger, and seen the Pillar of Fire, and heard the voice of God, and seen it confirmed, and then because they wanted to believe Korah: “There could be more holy men. There can be this, that, or the other. We got to be holy too. We got to do all this. All the people’s holy.” God said, “Separate yourself. Get away from there.” Moses said, “All that’s on the Lord’s side, come with me.” That’s right. See? And He just opened up the earth and swallowed them up. See? They were good people too. Sure they were. They were fine people. Yes, sir, but that didn’t do it. Not all that saith, “Lord, Lord, but the one that doeth the will of My Father.” (SOULS.IN.PRISON.NOW.title JEFF.IN. V-2 N-22 63-1110M)
“There’s no reasoning to it at all; it just takes the—the Word and holds on to It. Now, if this is the Word of God (you believe it?), then why doubt any word of It, any promise of It? How can you say that this is part, and this is no good, and this is that; pick out what you want? You can’t do it. It’s either all good, or It’s none of It good. That’s right! So as soon as you see that It’s the Truth, take ahold of It. Don’t turn It loose, no matter what circumstances, how they try to reason, “Why, you can’t...” Don’t, don’t do that at all. Stay right with It; God promised it.” (WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401)
“And if you're taking it on tapes or anything, then you stay right with that tape teaching. Don't say nothing but what that tape says. Just say just exactly what the tape says (See?), now because some of those things... We're going to understand a whole lot about this now, why it's misunderstood. See? And you be sure to say just what the tape says. Don't say nothing else (See?), 'cause... I don't say that of my own. It's Him that says it. You see? And... So many times confusion, people will raise up and say, "Well, so-and-so said it meant so-and-so." Let's just leave it just the way it is. See, that's the way we want the Bible. Just the way the Bible says it, that's the way we want it, just--just like that. Don't put own--no interpretation to it. It's already interpreted.” (GOD.IN.SIMPLICITY.title JEFF.IN 63-0317M)
“People have it all. They know it all. They cannot be taught. If a point of truth from the Word comes up and a man tries to explain his view to one with an opposing view, the listener is not at all listening that he might learn, but is listening only to refute what is being said. Now I want to ask a fair question. Can Scripture fight Scripture? Does the Bible contradict the Bible? Can there be two doctrines of truth in the Word that say the opposite or oppose the other? NO. IT CANNOT BE SO. Yet how many of God’s people have their eyes open to that truth? Not even one percent, as far as I know, have learned that ALL Scripture is given by God and ALL is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, etc. If all Scripture is thusly given, then every verse will dovetail if given a chance. But how many believe in predestination unto election and reprobation unto destruction? Those who don’t, will they listen? No, they will not. Yet both are in the Word, and nothing will change it.” (348-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“And the greatest robbery that was ever done to the church of Jesus Christ is done by false light, a glare of some other age, and rejecting the Light that’s predicted for this age. Amen. False light, a glare of yesterday, don’t walk in the glare of yesterday. Walk in the warmth of the Son today. Don’t pull yourself down into a denominational shade, saying, “The days of miracles is passed.” Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe: in My Name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. These signs shall follow them.” They say, “It’s all right for the apostles, not for us.” That’s a glare. Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe to all the world.” Yes, sir.” (TURN.ON.THE.LIGHT.title PHOENIX.AZ V-22 N-3 64-0125)
“But to the elected, God’s calling. To the elected, they know it. Calling the virtuous Bride, the Word, the last day church, the elected Lady of our Lord Jesus Christ, Word. If Jesus is the Word... How many believes that? All right. then the Bride is always part of the Bridegroom. So the Bride will not be a denomination; it’ll have to be the Word manifested to be the Bride of Christ. He promised to do it. “ (INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
“He built It upon the revelation of Who He was. He said, "Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonas, flesh and blood never revealed this to you, but My Father which is in heaven has revealed this to you." Not by knowledge, you didn't learn it by books. You didn't learn it by joining church. You didn't learn it in the shops. You didn't. But the Holy Ghost Itself has brought the Person of Jesus Christ to you then, "Upon this Rock I'll build My church, and the gates of hell can't prevail against It." (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-0919)
“Look, Christ in you makes Him the center of Life of the revelation. See? Christ's Life in you makes Him the center of the revelation. Christ in the Bible, makes the Bible a complete revelation of Christ. Christ in you makes you the complete revelation of the whole thing. “ (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
“God is known by simplicity and of revelation of Jesus Christ in the most illiterate person. See? Not your theology; it's a revelation of Jesus Christ. "Upon this rock, I'll build My Church." No other rock's accepted; no other thing's accepted; no other Roman rock; no other Protestant rock; no other school; no other nothing; but on exactly the revelation of Jesus Christ in a new birth. He born in there and injects His own Life, and your life is gone, and the Life of Christ is projecting Itself through you with the preeminences to the people that they see the very Life, and works, and signs and wonders that He did is doing the same thing through you. Outside of that, the rest of it's not even called to at all.”
(CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
CREEDS AND DOGMAS
“What was it that bound the people to the nominal church and thereby destroyed them? It was the creeds and dogmas formed into church tenets. It was the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. They were not given the true food, the Word. They were given the food that came from idol worship, Babylonian paganism wrapped up in Christian terminology. And that very same spirit and doctrine is right amongst all Protestants and it is called DENOMINATION. Nicolaitanism is organization, humanizing the leadership of the church, and thereby deposing the Spirit. Balaamism is denominationalism which takes the church manual instead of the Bible. And right to this hour, many of God’s people are caught in the snare of denominationalism and God is crying to them, “Come out of her My people, lest ye be partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.” You see they are ignorant. But if the rapture should take place at this moment, ignorance would be no court of appeal from the judgment of God for being in the wrong ranks. For the clergy to organize themselves with one rank over another
until they are finally headed up by a president is a manifestation of the antichrist spirit, regardless of how wonderful and necessary it may seem. It is nothing but human reasoning taking the place of the Word. And any person who is in the organized denominations is right in the midst of an antichrist system. Now let me say this and make it very plain. I AM NOT AGAINST THE PEOPLE. I AM AGAINST THE SYSTEM.” (372- 1 RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.10)
“Them denominations added dogma. And to do this, to add dogma, the only way that any church, the only way that any denomination can ever get away from the Word of God, is to add dogma instead of the sacred Scriptures, is to try to make your tradition or the doctrine of your church, though it be contrary to the Scriptures. Dogmas is a lie to begin with. And when you accept a denomination, you've already got a dogma, because it's something added. It's not in the Scripture. It's not in the Scripture.” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“And that is what the church has constantly done through the ages. She has left the Word of God and taken her own creeds and dogmas; she has organized and joined herself to the world. Thus is she naked, and God is judging her lewdness. The only way she can get out of this dread situation is by obeying the Lord to come back to His Word. Revelation 18:4, “Come out of her My people.” II Corinthians 6:14-18. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” There is a price to pay for those garments, and that is the price of separation.” (352-3 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“What is a whore? Same thing as a harlot. It's a woman that lives untrue to her marriage vow. And any church that claims to be the Church of Christ, and denies God's Word, she's untrue to her marriage
vow. Then she commits adultery by adding dogma, whoredom with the world and her wisdom, instead of accepting Christ and the power of His resurrection by the Holy Ghost.” (WHY
AGAINST ORGANIZED RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V- 12 N-1 62-1111E)
DENOMINATIONALISM
“And the Bible never speaks of a denomination. The
denominations come from the Catholic church. She is the first mother of denomination and each denomination has come right down... But I--I want you to see that denominations wasn't borned or ordained of God; it was ordained of the Devil. God's church is a... We are not divided; all one body we. One hope and doctrine, one in charity. That's the Church of the living God. Regardless of what they, them things, we're one together. That's right. Whether he's Methodist or Baptist, brother, if he's borned again and filled with the Holy Ghost, he's my brother, we're walking shoulder to shoulder. Right. Yes, sir. Don't make any difference.” (WHY ARE WE NOT A DENOMINATION?.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-7 58-0927)
“Denominations are not of God. They never have been and never will be. It's a wrong spirit that separates the people of God into hierarchy and laity; and it's, therefore, a wrong spirit that separates the people from the people. That's what organization and denominations do. In organizing they separate themselves from the Word of God, and bring themselves into spiritual adultery.” (206-6 PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE
- CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“The minute the church moved toward form and ceremony, and toward priesthood by organizing the ministers into a group that decided leadership apart from the Holy Spirit and His Word, that very moment death entered and she started to get sick, and as she got sick she changed to a powerless group of people whose only weapon was argument. She could produce nothing in the Spirit, for her hopes were built on program and not on faith in His Word. They sowed program so they reaped program. They sowed perversion so they reaped perverted children.” (127-1
SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“Now, the Spirit is not active in any denomination. It’s not interested in making organization, because the Spirit Itself is contrary to the organization. The organization are looking for worldly things, the mind of the world, and they make big temples and polished things, and great polished organizations, and polished preachers, and so forth like that, and the best class in the city. Where the Spirit is trying to find honest hearts where the Spirit is anxious to manifest and prove that every Word of God is Truth. How can you... How can the Spirit work in an organization when it’s denying, taking creeds instead of the Word? Can’t do it. So, you see, it’s dead. God don’t go to them kind of places to find His, a—a group of men to work for Him, ‘cause they’re already dead. They’re unbelievers in the Word or they wouldn’t be in there. See? Now, we are active in the things from above. Now, the Spirit minds the Word. Now, that’s right, ‘cause the Spirit gives the Word Life. See? “The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life.” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“What is it that all these denominations are based upon?--the claim to originality, and that of God,--the claim that they are right. Now they ALL cannot be right. In fact NOT ONE of them is right. They are whited sepulchres, full of dead men's bones. They have no life. They have no vindication. God has never made Himself known in any organization. They say they are right because they are the ones that are saying it, but saying it does not make it so. They need the vindicated "Thus saith the Lord" of God, and they don't have it.” (356-1 LAODICEAN CHURCH AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“When any man turns from the Word of God and joins a church instead of receiving the Holy Spirit, that man dies. Dead! That is what he is. Don’t join a church. Don’t get into organization and get taken up with creeds and tradition or anything that takes the place of the Word and the Spirit or you’re dead. It’s all over. You’re dead. Eternally separated from God!” (206-3 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“As long as you hold to man's traditions of denominations, you are called in God's Word a adulternous. As long as you're a denominational creed-seeker, belonging to a denominational church that denies the Word, you are an adulternous. That's what the Bible said. Jesus said, "You cannot serve two gods at the same time. You either serve God or mammon. (Mammon's the world.) He that loves the world or the things of the world, the love of God's not even in him." The Seed of God can't be in him the same time.”
(INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
“Lucifer, at the beginning, wanted to build himself a kingdom which was greater and more beautiful than Michael's Kingdom, Christ. He want... That
was his ambitions to achieve something like that. And what did he get to do it by? He took fallen angels who had lost their first estate. He took that to do it with. And today Lucifer has got into the church, and taken away the Word, and injected denominations, and he's building a church, the ecumenical move that's going on now, to unite all the Protestants together, and altogether come into Catholic. And this pope they got in now, to do the same thing, exactly what the Scripture said it would do. And what's he doing it by? He's doing it by men of those great ecumenical moves, who does not know God; and the many of them in the Pentecostals, 'cause they're doing the same. What is it? He's doing it with fallen angels, fallen Lutherans, fallen Methodists, fallen Pentecostals, that lost their original estate from the Word of God, and going right back in to make a great big ecumenical move. Fallen messengers, messengers who once stayed with the Word, but sold out their birthrights and joined in with the world... The same thing, it's at the last day.”(ONLY.ONE.WAY.PROVIDED.BY.GOD.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-2 63-0731)
“Cold denominations can never bring Life to the Word of God, because it brings life to the denomination. We've got more professed Christians right now... The church never did begin at Nicaea, Rome; it begin at Pentecost. See? At Jerusalem is where the church begin.” (MAN.THAT.CAN.TURN.ON.LIGHT.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-1 63-1229M)
“People say, "Now, you've got to belong to this or that," an organization, a certain organization. "If your name isn't on our book, you're lost." Now, that's cult. See? That's cult. See? There's only one way you can be saved, and that is not him that willeth or him that runneth, him that... That is God Who shows mercy. And God by His foreknowledge predestinated a Church to His glory, and that's the ones that's saved. That's right.”
(QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
“We don't belong to the church. We belong to Him. His Word is law. Creeds, dogmas, by-laws and constitutions have no effect on us. Yes, it is Jesus ALONE Who walks in the midst of the churches. It is God in her, willing and doing of His good pleasure. Never forget that. You have only one relationship to God and God has only one relationship to you--that is JESUS, and JESUS ALONE.” (79-2 EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.3)
“Many sincere persons go join an organization, or a group, or a cult of some sort, and there they die spiritually. You can't tell them nothing. They get that stuff drilled into them: "Why, these bishops said this, and this said this; this said this." You show them right here in the Word of God where it's THUS SAITH THE LORD, "But our pastor..." I don't care what your pastor says, don't care what I say, or anybody else says. If it's contrary to God's vindicated Word, the hour, the time, the Message, and so forth, forget it. Stay away from it. And I've got to stand before every one of you in the day of judgment, and you know that. And little would I say that, knowing I'm an old man now. I'll... It ain't that I know something, but He knows. I just follow what He says. Look today at the big crusades that we've had across the land; it's proven that it's been in vain. And didn't Jesus say here now, Luke 7:7, "In vain do they worship Me (In vain did David bring the ark up. In vain did Ahab train them prophets. In vain did Balaam take that money.), teaching for doctrine the commandments of men"? It's the commandments of God that counts. No matter how sincere..."Them people are really sincere." You hear that so much. "They are so sincere." Well that don't mean nothing. Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, and all those cults get out here on the street and do things that one of us wouldn't do. Catholics stand on the corner and beg and so forth, those orders of it like that, and worth billions time billions times billions of dollars, still beg for it: sincere, no doubt. Churches go and--and preach and so forth, and ministers stand in the pulpit and do everything they can to get new members into their church; but it's a new ark. There's only one Ark to follow; that's the Word of God. Anything contrary to that Ark, stay away from it; it's on a new cart and not on the shoulders of God. (TRYING.TO.DO.GOD.A.SERVICE.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-8 65-0718M)
“I’m fully persuaded that the people are not getting to Christ. And I believe that it’s the enemy that’s throwed this hindrance, because... The reason I believe this, He is not the object that they had been pointed to. They have either been pointed to a dogma, or a doctrine, or a party, or experience, or a sensation, or something like that, instead of being pointed to Christ the Word. That’s why I think that people are resting their eternal destination upon some dogma or some sensation, like some say, “I danced in the Spirit,” or; “I spoke with tongues”; “I—I—I felt fire run over me.” And do you know, all those things can be impersonated by the devil? There’s just one thing that he cannot impersonate; that’s the Word. In the debate between he and Jesus, each time Jesus defeated him, “It is written,” the Word. And I believe today that the reason that people are not coming to Christ, is because they’re pointed, many of them, to a—a—a denomination. “You come join our church,” or; “You read our catechism,” or; “Believe our doctrine,” or—or some system of some sort. They’re pointed in the wrong way. And their actions and the life that they live without Christ proves in their own life, is vindicated by that very thing.” (GOING BEYOND THE CAMP JEFF.IN V-6 N-3 64-0719E)
“That's what's the matter today; it's membership. Yes Members, big
membership, big Sunday school classes, pay prizes for somebody can proselyte and bring somebody else from some other church over, who's got the most. You know, that's Phariseeism. And then make a big brag about it, "We beat them last Sunday." If you've got to a place where you have to make the Church of God a rat race, then it's time to close the doors and go home.” (EVENING.MESSENGER.title MESA.AZ V- 8 N-5 63-0116)
“Today they say, "Come, join the church, put your name on the book, or bow down and say, 'I confess Christ as the Son of God,' get up." The Devil does the same thing. Certainly. The Devil was baptized when Judas was baptized. The Devil went out and preached the Gospel when Judas went out and preached the Gospel. But the Devil didn't get the Holy Ghost. That's it.” (DECEIVED.CHURCH.BY.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN CH 67 59-0628M)
“There's only one Church, and you don't join that. These are lodges. See? You join the Methodist lodge, the Baptist lodge, the Presbyterian lodge, the Pentecostal lodge, but you're borned into the Church. See? These all are lodges; they're not churches; they're lodges. No such a thing as Methodist church or Pentecostal church. No, there isn't such a thing. No, that's all wrong. See? They're. That's right. They-
-they're lodges that people join, but you're born into the Church of the living God, and that's the mystic body of Jesus Christ being formed.” (GOD.IN.SIMPLICITY.title JEFF.IN 63-0317M)
“The church without spot or wrinkle," don't mean a denomination; it means the persons, the individuals without spot or wrinkle. "Be two in the bed, I'll take one and leave one; two in the field, I'll take one and leave one." (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V- 16 N-6 65-0919)
“You Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God, Oneness, Twoness, Threeness, whatever you are (See?); don't care. That don't matter
nothing to me; I don't think it does to God. See, you're an individual; you're a unit. You'll never go to heaven as a church, a--a--a denomination. You'll go to heaven as one single person, between you and God. That's all. I don't care what church you belong to.” (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-0919)
“If you've only trusted in your church, there was nothing that could redeem you. If you trusted in the intercessions of some saint, you're still lost. If you have trusted in the works of your hands, something that you've done, good
works, you're lost. If you have trusted within the--within the prayer of your mother or the righteousness of your mother, your father, if you've trusted in that, you're lost. If you've trusted upon some sensation, some strange feeling, some emotion of speaking with tongues or dancing; if that's all you've trusted in and don't know the Lamb personally, don't know Him, then I charge you before God: make that thing right now with God. Down in your heart pray and just be simple, because God hides in simplicity.”
(BREACH.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0317E)
"Strait is the gate," said Jesus, "and narrow is the way." And you that think millions, and all you Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterian, Pentecostals going in, you'll be fooled at the day. Jesus said, "Many will come and set down in the Kingdom, say, 'I've a right to be here.'" He said, "But the children of the Kingdom shall cast them out. There'll be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth." It's better take inventory this morning, Christian. There'll be ten times millions times billions of professed Christians, staunched in their life, that'll miss the gate. Jesus said so.” (STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35- 66 59-0301M)
“If a man is a Catholic, and he's depending on the Catholic church for salvation, he's lost. If he's a Baptist, depending on the Baptist church, he's lost. Or a Pentecostal, depending on the Pentecostal church to save him, he's lost. But... And any church... But if that individual is solemnly resting upon faith in the finished works of Christ at Calvary, he's saved; I don't care what church he belongs to, "Because by faith are you saved, and that by grace." (REVELATION.CHAPTER.ONE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 9-67 60-1204M)
“Today a denominational preacher, though you show him in the Word the Truth, he don’t know what to do. He’s afraid he’ll lose his meal ticket. We need men and women today that’s burly with the Gospel, somebody that’ll stand and tell their convictions, point out what’s right and what’s wrong, whether the Word of God’s right or whether the denomination’s right.” (GOING.BEYOND.THE.CAMP.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-3 64-0719E)
“Churches today are trying to get more members into them, make their organization greater. Instead of accepting the revelations of God, they pull off and make a sectarian thing out of it. That's what's the trouble, any organization. I am not against my brethren in organization. I love my brethren. But when an organization writes up their documents and signs it with a period... If they'd sign it with a comma, it would be all right. If you say, "I believe this, plus all that God will add to it," amen, that's good. But when you say, "We believe this, and this is it, and we won't--don't want nothing else into it," then you law God right out of the picture when you do that. That's right. Oh, a super denomination... They've tried to educate people. Education is a good thing, but it'll never take the place of salvation. It cannot. God's program is not education, civilization; but salvation. But man has tried to make a super church. The Baptists wants to be the biggest group. The Presbyterian wants to be the biggest group. The Pentecostal, the Oneness wants to be the biggest group. The Assemblies wants to be the biggest group. The rest of them wants to be the biggest group. Let's get that out of our head. There's only one group, and that's the Blood-washed saints of the living God, that's been predestinated since the foundation of the world. And no seed, I don't care what it is, if it's not germitized, it will not come up. I don't care how many times you join church, how many denominations you belong to; unless that life of yours is germitized by the Holy Spirit, you'll never go in the rapture; you'll never raise from that place that you go beneath the grave.”
(SUPER.SIGN.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 141 62-0708)
“God has people in every organization there is; but He don't accept the organization. He accepts the individual in the organization. And the--it doesn't take an organization; therefore, when people get so bound around organization, then they can't
see nothing else but just what that church says. You see? And that makes disfellowshipping with others, and it's a system that God is not pleased with, and it's a worldly affair never ordained of God.” (SEVENTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0324E)
“If the churches today believe what they're talking about, they would practice what they say. How could we be building great statues of buildings, and millions of dollars in buildings, and great spreading of organizations, and things like that, and preaching that Christ is coming at any time? How could we continue look upon our congregations and see them separating from the power of God, and going into worldliness, and bringing it into the church, and mingling it together, and we permit it? Because of popularity, and because of popular opinion, and denominational differences, trying to outgrow the next organization, how could we practice what we preach? And the world sees that; they know that. So religion has became a thing of just a--like merely a belonging to some order or belonging to a society of something. Religion... The salvation of Christ is not a society; it isn't joining something; it's a living experience.” (TRUE SIGN THAT'S OVERLOOKED.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-2 61-1112)
“Do you know that religion today is known as big business? It is an absolute fact that they are placing business managers in the churches to take care of finances. Is this what God desires? Did not His Word teach us in the Book of Acts that seven men full of the Holy Ghost and faith served the Lord in business matters? You can surely see why God said, "YOU say you are wealthy; I never said so." There are radio programs, television programs, and numerous church endeavors that are costing millions and millions of dollars. Wealth pours and pours into the church, the membership increases along with the money, yet the work is not being done as it was done when there was no money, but men rested solely on the ability given them by the Holy Ghost. There are paid preachers, paid assistants, paid ministers of music and education, paid choirs, paid custodians, programs, and entertainment-
-all costing great sums, but for all that, the power is decreasing. Yes, the church is rich, but the power is not there. God moves by His Spirit, not by the amount of money or talent in the church. Now I want to show you how diabolical this urge for money has become. The churches have gone all out to get a membership, especially of the wealthy. Everywhere there is the cry to make religion so attractive and appealing that the rich and cultured and all who have worldly prestige will come in and be active in the church. Can't they understand that if wealth is the criterion of spirituality, then the world already has God, has all of God, and the church has nothing?” (342-6 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“The Baptists wants to outdo the Methodists. The Methodists wants to outdo the Lutheran. The Lutherans want to outdo the Catholic. They're every one wants to outdo--outdo somebody. See, that's the... That's the spirit of the organization. Jesus said, "But few there'll be that will be saved. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, but few there'll be that'll find it." Just a few. If He said few , that's the Word of God, that Seed, there'll be a few. Won't be no tens of billions and billions. It'll just be a few that'll find it. Them that's predestinated to it, they hear it.” (SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-2 62- 0318E)
“You’ve got to have an ultimate somewhere. Now, for instance, if I was a Baptist man, and you come down and told me I must—I must be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, it’s in the Bible. Well, first thing you know, I’d say, “I’ll ask my pastor.” And I go to the pastor, and he says, “Oh, that’s something back yonder. (See, see?) We Baptists; here’s what we believe: We believe that we should be immersed in the titles of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. That’s the way all the churches done it. Since John Smith founded it, that’s the way it’s done.” Well, if that’s your ultimate. “Heck with what that guy said.” What if you’re
a Methodist, and sprinkling is your system, and you’re told you must be immersed? See what I mean? You go back to the Methodist pastor; he will write and ask the bishop, “So-and- so said, so-and-so about this.” “But we, the Methodist church, which was founded three or four hundred years ago in England by John Wesley, and Whitfield, and all the rest of them there, and Asbury; we founded this document following John Wesley, that we are to be sprinkled, because it’s just an outward form. And we think that sprinkling is just as good as it is the other way.” If you’re a real... If the Methodist church is your ultimation, that’s as far as you go. If you’re Catholic... And I’ll tell you, it’s not in the Bible not to eat meat on Fridays and all these things like this, and the holy eucharist isn’t a wafer, because it’s a Spirit and so forth, and you go to your priest, and the priest say, “Here it is wrote right in our document.” And if the church is your ultimate, you don’t give a hoot what anybody says. That’s your ultimate. Oh, God help this to sink in. To me, the whole thing’s wrong. God’s Word is the ultimate. Whatever that Word says, then that’s right.” (KNOWETH.IT.NOT.title JEFF.IN V- 2 N-10 65-0815)
“And then if God's Word doesn't speak of a denomination, but speaks against the denomination, then we must speak with the Word. Regardless of what bishop, what anyone says, what anyone thinks, what a good man says, what anything says, if it's not according to God's Word, then it's wrong. See, it must be; the Word must be the last thing. God's Word must be the final Amen. “Now remember, I'm not unchristianizing anyone (you understand that) in denominations. There's tens of thousands of precious souls in all those denominations, who are God's children. But to separate them and segregate them, I'm against it. And God's Word's against it.” (WHY.ARE.WE.NOT.A.DENOMINATION?.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-7 58-0927)
“Revelations 17:3. Now, listen. And he conducted me, in the Spirit, into a desert; and I saw a woman setting upon a scarlet colored beast--beast, full of blasphemous names...That's a lot different from "names of blasphemy" to "blasphemous names." What is it? Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and all, calling themselves churches of God: blasphemous names. It's those blasphemous names that call themselves Churches of God, and Churches of Christ, and churches of Methodist, and churches of... It's lodges, not churches. One Church, that's the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what is it? The mystical Body of Jesus Christ in operation on earth, made up of a member of any of these congregations, that would be a member of Christ's Body. You have to be born into It, not joined into It. And to--to join in it is blasphemous names. They are not churches; they are lodges; people join them. But you cannot join the Church of the living God. You're borned into It by the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And when you're baptized with the Holy Ghost, these virtues are sealed in you by the Holy Ghost; and therefore, "He that's born of God does not commit sin." (BLASPHEMOUS.NAMES.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-21 62-1104M)
“And some people have said, "You condemn organization." No, I don't. I-
-I condemn the system of organization, not the people in there, the group of people that makes the organization, you know; but the system they're governed by, that's what I condemn, Catholic and Protestant the same... And them people, a Catholic, or Jew or whatever it is, they're a human being off the same tree that we come from. See? That's right. They are-
-they are a people who love, and eat, and drink, and sleep and--just like anybody else. And so we mustn't never condemn individuals, no, no one. See? But... But as a minister, I have to strike that serpent out there that's biting into those people... Just me in myself, I wouldn't do that if it wasn't a commission from God that I'm duty bound to do it (See?), and I must hold that true and faithful. But if a Catholic, Jew, or whatever he was, come here... If he was a Mohammedan, Greek, or orthodox, or whatever he might be, if he come here to be prayed for, I would pray just as sincerely for him as I would for my own. That's right. Certainly, because it's a human being. I've prayed for Buddhists, and Sikhs, Jains, Mohammedans, and--and every kind (You see?), like that. And I don't ask them no
questions; I just pray for them because they're somebody, a human being, that wants to get well, and try to make life a little easier along the road for them.” (FIFTH SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0322)
“I might disagree with your organization, not you, but the system of your organization. I do not disagree with the Catholic people. I do not say that I don't like Catholic people; I don't like organization people; that isn't it. I love all people, but I disagree with that system that's keeping you bound down. That's what, the system of it. That's it. I wasn't against Germany; it was the Nazism. I wasn't against the Italians; it was against the-
-the Fascism.” (SEVENTY.WEEKS.OF.DANIEL.title JEFF.IN DA 89-141 61-0806)
“There's nothing against the Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, ever what you are, Catholic. I'm not against those things. I'm not against those people. It's the system that holds them, is what I speak against. Nothing against the individual, they're all human beings which Christ died for: Catholic, Jew, whatever he may be. It's the system. Like the Mohammedan, Sikhs, Jain, or whatever it might be; it's the system. Buddha is a system. See? Not the people that--that worships Buddha; it's the system that draws them off. That's the same thing. Jesus wasn't against the people. He died for them. But was those systems that was keeping Him away, keeping them away from Him... That's the thing now.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.PART.3.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 107-140 62-0707)
“And now, when you hear me sometimes under the time of anointing kinda rake down the curtain on organization, I--I don't mean that against your pastor or against any brother, sister in church, because after all, God has people in every organization there is; but He don't accept the organization. He accepts the individual in the organization. And the-
-it doesn't take an organization; therefore, when people get so bound around organization, then they can't see nothing else but just what that church says. You see? And that makes disfellowshipping with others, and it's a system that God is not pleased with, and it's a worldly affair never ordained of God.” (SEVENTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0324E)
“We believe that all churches ought to be fellowshipping together, not segregated away, the Methodists to their group, and the Baptists to theirs, and the oneness, and the trinitarians, and what we have, all separated out. We believe that it should be together as one great, united group of the Body of Jesus Christ waiting for that glorious coming. They should not be separated at all. And what separates it, there's bound to be some basic reason that we're not together. In studying it, I realize in studying it, it's not the colors of our skin; because yellow, black, brown, and white all separate in different organizations. It's not the kind of food we eat; we all eat the same food; we wear the same kind of clothes, and so forth. But I see where it basically it's at: is men who's got off the beaten path of the teaching of the Gospel. Each man... And there ought to be some way to definitely show which is right and wrong. And the only way you'll ever do it, is not put any interpretation to the Word, just read It the way It is, and believe It that way. Each man putting his only--own interpretation makes It say something different... And we all claim to be the Bride of Christ, and yet so untrue. What would make the untrueness? By living contrary to the--the discipline that God has laid out for His Bride to live by (That's my own opinion.), the Bible. And It is the infallible Word of God, I believe. ” (INDICTMENT.THE.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-19 63-0707)
GOD’S CHOSEN PLACE OF WORSHIP
Brother Branham preached the following in his sermon “God’s Chosen Place of Worship”, February 20, 1965:
“God chose to meet man was not in a church, not in a denomination, not in a creed, but in Christ. That's the only place that God will meet a man and he can
worship God, is in Christ. That's the only place. No matter if you're Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, whatever you might be, there's only one place that you can correctly worship God; that's in Christ. Romans 8:1 said, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." That's the Gospel. We can different upon creeds; we can different upon manmade theories. You can go to a Methodist church, you have to be a Methodist; a Baptist, a Baptist; the Catholic, a Catholic; but when once you're baptized into Christ and become a member of His Body, there's no differences. The middle walls of partition is tore down and you're free because you're in Christ Jesus; and you worship God in Spirit and in Truth when you are in Christ Jesus. It's God's plan for you to worship Him in Christ Jesus.”
“God refuses any other place besides in Jesus Christ. You cannot worship Him anywhere. He said, "In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." Today we have creeds, dogmas, and everything that teaches, "This is the way," and "That is the way," and Jesus said; "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man can come to God except by Me." In other words, "I am the Door to the sheepfold. All without are thieves." He is the only approach. He's the Door; He's the Way, the Truth, the Life, all that there is, the only Entrance, the only Place, the only Worship, the only Name. Everything is tied to Jesus Christ. All the Old Testament is tied to Him, the New Testament tied to Him and the church today is tied to Him by the Word of His Commandment. There's not another place or another Name, or anywhere where God ever promised to meet a man, only in Jesus Christ, His chosen Place of worship.”
“There is not another Name given under heaven for salvation, but the Name of Jesus Christ. Acts the 2nd chapter says that: "For be it known unto you, there's not another Name given under heaven whereby a man must be saved," only in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I hope you get it. The Name of Jesus Christ, every highest heaven is named Him. All the family in heaven is named Jesus, the Bible said. And all the family on earth is named Jesus. So that's God's chosen Name and where He's put It. That's His place of worship, is in Jesus Christ. Now, we know that to be so. No other place to worship but in Him. There's no another name under heaven given among men whereby they must be saved. His is God's Name of redemption. God has a name called Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-rapha, Jehovah-jireh, "the Lord forgives all thy sins," Jehovah- rapha, "the Lord heals all thy diseases." He had many titles, but He's got one Name of Redemption that belongs to the human race, and that is the Name of Jesus. That's His Name He chose to put... Where did He put it? He put it in Christ. All the other church names, creeds, titles, is death to trust them. You're trusting in the Methodist church to take you to heaven, you're lost. If you're trusting in the Pentecostals, the Pentecostal church to take you to heaven, you're lost: in the Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, any other church, you're trusting in their name, or their title, or their creed, you are lost, because you can't even worship until first you come into the Place of worship. Amen. That's the only place God meets the worshipper is the place He chose to put His Name. All others, you trust in them, you'll die.”
“My friends, I don't want to hurt feelings, but I'm responsible for a Message, and that Message is "Come out of this mess." And if I asked you to come out, where am I going to take you to? Would I take you to the Branham Tabernacle? It's as much fault as any of the rest of them. But there's one Place I can take you to, where you're safe and protected from death, that's in Jesus Christ, God's Place of worship. That's the Place I'm introducing to you tonight, where God put His Name, where He promised He'd meet every person that come in there; He'd worship with him and feast with him; that's in Christ. Not in no church, no tabernacle, but in Christ, He is God's Tabernacle. He is the place that God came Him into Himself and dwelt in Him: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am pleased to dwell in." There's where God tabernacled, brought His Name, and placed It
upon, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, His Name was put in a Man, His Son, Jesus Christ, in which He tabernacled Himself. And in that Tabernacle, where in a type, the old Jerusalem, the old feasts, the old temple was a type, when the smoke come in, the day that the ark went in, of the Covenant, and settled down, and the Voice of God was heard from it. So did the Voice of God be heard coming into the Tabernacle Jesus Christ, which the old natural was a type and a shadow of the new. And when He come into Christ, He said, "This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I'm pleased to dwell in. And I'll choose the place where I'll put My Name, and where I will meet men, and where I will worship at." God chose the place, not in no church denomination, but in Jesus Christ. Yes, sir.
God's Name ain't Methodist. God's Name ain't Pentecostal. God's Name ain't Baptist. God's Name ain't Catholic. Stay out of the doors then. See, see? See? "But in a place where I choose to put My Name..." Now, there's not another place in the Bible given where that God ever put His Name, only in Jesus Christ; for He is the Son of God taking the Name of God, and God's human Name. "And there's not another name given under heaven whereby you must be saved." I don't care, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, catechisms, or whatever you want to do; only through the Name of Jesus Christ where every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to it, Him being Lord. There's how you come in.”
“And that's the way the Word of God is in the church, what makes the church the Bride. Not a denomination, that's of the Devil, every one of them. I ain't calling the people in there that; there are poor deceived people, like Jesus said, "Blind leading the blind." And He could not call them out. Oh, church, oh, people, sinner friend, don't trust in nothing else but Jesus Christ. Don't trust in any preacher. Don't trust in anybody else to save you. Trust not in any church, any creed, any denomination; trust only in Jesus Christ, for He is the Light of the hour.”
“Pity the poor people who are in this last day ecumenical move, for they call it the move of God, when it is of Satan. Pity those who do not know the curse of organization. Pity those who have so many beautiful churches, such lovely parsonages, such grandly trained choirs, such a show of wealth and such a sedate and reverent form of worship. Pity them, don't envy them. Back to the old store buildings, back to the dimly-lit rooms, back to the cellars, back to less of the world and more of God. Pity those who make their great claims, and talk about their gifts. Feel for them as objects of pity, for soon they will be objects of wrath.” (347-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“Salvation alone goes in the Name of Jesus Christ. 'Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the Name of Jesus Christ.' There's not another name, no church, no hierarchy, no titles, or nothing else; yet He is the Rose of Sharon, Lily of the Valley, Morning Star, Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, Jehovah-jireh, rapha, Manasseh, all these. He's all these things, but yet He--there's not no salvation in any of those titles: Jehovah, no salvation; Rose of Sharon (yet He is), no salvation; Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, no salvation; only the Name of Jesus Christ. And then the Bible says that repentance and remission of sin must be taught in His Name, beginning at Jerusalem, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." (RISING.OF.THE.SUN.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-12 65-0418M)
“God is unchangeable. Malachi 3 said, "I am God, and I change not." God's first way of doing anything, that's God's ever way of doing anything. God decided He would save man by the shed blood of an innocent one in the garden of Eden, and He has never changed it since, and cannot change it. We try by education, by buildings, by systems, by denominations, by ethics, and everything else, and it's all failed. But there's only
one place that God meets man; that's under the shed blood of the innocent. Only by the blood, that was His first decision.” (FEAST.OF.THE.TRUMPETS.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-16 64-0719M)
“Those Jewish rabbis, oh, they thought... They were starch, and they was D.D.'s and Ph.D.'s. They thought they had it all sewed up in a bag, but they was the worst of sinners. Oh, they might... You couldn't put a hand on--on their life; they were clean, moral, and just, that way. But they were disbelievers... There's only two factions; that is, a believer or an unbeliever. That's a justified person or a sinner. That's all. If you're an unbeliever, you're a sinner. No matter how good you are, how much you go to church, or even if you're a preacher, you're still an unbeliever. Those Pharisees were preachers, and they were unbelievers, and in hell today for it. Just as religious as they could be, and pious, but they didn't believe Him. And they called Him a devil, and disputed His Word.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
“Why did they do this? They were jealous of Him. That was what's the reason they tried to belittle Him. They were jealous of His ministry. And that's the reason they were trying to belittle. But He had the ministry of God and they knew that, but it was contrary to their creeds, so they were trying to belittle Him... So, the people tried, them Pharisees, and Sadducees, and hypocrites, and Herodians, and all tried to cast a shadow on Jesus; but them true believers, that was predestinated to hear that Message, heard It and seen no fault in It at all. Same now, those who believe Him love Him, those who believe Him see no fault in Him. They don't see any heresy; they don't see anything wrong; they don't see anything wrong with His Word; they don't see anything wrong with His people; they just see Jesus and that's all. They're--they're--they're predestinated to Eternal Life, so they just take sides with Jesus and stay there.” (TAKING.SIDES.WITH.JESUS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0601)
“As all Israel is NOT Israel, so all Christians are NOT Christians. Thus we learned that the church is made up of two vines, the true and the false. The two vines are motivated by two kinds of spirits; one has the Holy Spirit while the other is endued with the spirit of antichrist. Both claim to know and be known of God. Both purport to speak for God. Both believe certain very basic truths and differ on others. But since both bear the name of the Lord, being called Christ-ians, and by such name-bearing obviously claim a relationship to Him (God calls it marriage), God now holds them both responsible to Him and therefore speaks to each.” (366-3 RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.10)
“Very strange thing to think that, that in a evil age like this that God then would be calling His Bride. Did you notice? He said a people, not a church. Why? Yet it's called the church, but He would call a people. Now, a church is a gathering of many people of all different makeups. But God is calling one here. He didn't say, "I'll call the Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal"; He said He'd call a people, what for? His Name (See?), a people. One from the Methodist, one from the Baptist, one from the Lutheran, one from the Catholic (See?), but He's calling not a church group, but a people for His Name, that receives His Name, engaged in His Name, going to a wedding to be married to Him, to become part of Him (See?) by predestination.” (GOD.OF.THIS.EVIL.AGE.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-9 65-0801M)
“And I'd liken that generation to this today when we got millions joining churches, we've got tens of thousands. And God comes down to live in His church again, and to do the same things that He did there to make Himself the same yesterday, today, and forever, and people turn their backs from it constantly, some to be popular, some to keep from making a choice. It's forced to the people. You have to make a choice. You can't stand neutral. You've got to say "yes" or "no.".. Let me warn you this morning, church, be careful. It takes time today in our self-righteous, self-sufficient generation of hypocrisy that we're living in, an hour that when men and women stand in the churches and in the pews, and sing the anthems of God, and walk out of that church, and smoke cigarettes, and drink whiskey,
and go to dances, and--and live for the world, and tell dirty, smutty jokes, and call themselves Christians. And men and women can walk from the pulpit or from the church, and from the place of the power of the resurrection, where that same Messiahic sign is a-moving among them, and not be a new creature in Christ, there's something wrong. When the papers can blast it; and from coast to coast, back and forth, from the frozen regions of the north to the tropical jungles of the south, God sends it, and people constantly turn their back upon it. Then what can we say? What can we do? We turn back to the Scriptures where He said, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, and but few there'll be that'll find it."
(STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M)
THE TRUE CHURCH
“The very word "church" means "called out of." As Moses called a nation out of a nation, the Holy Spirit is calling a Bride out of a church. A church out of a church, members from every denomination making up a Bride, Bride Tree, it's in the--in the tape, the Bride Tree, a Bride coming out called... And that's the one that the Bride Tree is the--the Bride, rather, is the one that's going to be in the rapture, that alone, nothing but the Bride, the elected one foreknown by God from the beginning, the Father's spiritual gene.”
(RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
“That original church was not organized by men. It was led by the Holy Ghost. It wasn't very big. It was hated and despised. It was oppressed. It was persecuted unto death. But it was true to God. It stayed with the original Word pattern.” (68-1 EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.3)
“God's church is free. God's church is bound by no boundaries, because from sea to sea is God's; every human being under the earth belongs to Him. Whether he's been Catholic, Protestant, or whatever he is, God seeks those with an honest heart. And we're saved by faith, believing Him. That's the church. Now, you see, the church is not an organization. And every time you see organization, just remember, "antichrist" is wrote over it.” (FIVE.IDENTIFICATIONS.title JEFF.IN V-9 N-5 60-0911E)
"The church without spot or wrinkle," don't mean a denomination; it means the persons, the individuals without spot or wrinkle. "Be two in the bed, I'll take one and leave one; two in the field, I'll take one and leave one." (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-0919) “The character of the church that Jesus looks for; not whether it's big buildings; whether it's great denominations; whether it's big membership. He promised to meet with wherever two or three are gathered together. Truly. That's where the true believer rests his hopes, is upon that Word of God being vindicated in truth, what it is. Choose by His Word. Not a worldly loving group, they hate that.” (CHOOSING.OF.A.BRIDE.title LA.CA V-2 N-28 65-0429E)
“These last days, true church Bride comes to the Headstone, will be the super church, a super race. As they near the great Headstone they will be much like--so much like Him, even they will be in His very image in the order to be united with Him. They will be One. They will be the very manifestation of the Word of the living God. Denominations can never produce this. This will be... They will produce their creeds and dogmas mixed with the Word and--and brings a hybrid product.” (SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-2 62-0318E)
“That little church has been always in the minority, the Pentecostal. Now, I am not meaning the denominational Pentecostals; I'm not meaning... And--but the people with the Pentecostal experience... Pentecost is not an organization, Pentecost is an experience that goes to whosoever will: Catholic, Jew, Proselyte, Methodists, Baptists, whosoever will, let him come. It's an experience that the individual... God doesn't deal with
a denomination, neither does He deal in the Gentiles as a--a race or a people; He deals with individuals. Whosoever will, let him be white, black, yellow, brown, Methodist, Baptist, Protestant, Catholic, whatever he is, let him come, whosoever.” (REVELATION.CHAPTER.ONE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 9-67 60-1204M) “Well, you know when Aquila and Priscilla, that great revival that Apollos was having over there, there was only about six or eight men and women in that bunch. That whole church meant six or eight. You got five or six, seven times as many here tonight as they had then. You know, Jesus only had twelve apostles. We always thinking for something big, but God don't deal in them big numbers. It's in these little groups is where He gets it. You see? Look all down through the age, at any time He ever met with men, it was in small groups (See?) and spoke with them and ordained them. It's God's good pleasure to do that, that's the way He likes to do it. And now, we just want to keep God in our midst and go do these things.” (TAKING.SIDES.WITH.JESUS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0601) “And the true church was in the minority, always was and always has been. I'm just going to wait a minute, let that soak real deep. See? Remember, the true church has always been the little bitty group that's been pushed out of the other churches. The true church never was organized, because it's not an organism; it is the mystical Body of Jesus Christ living on earth, the Holy Spirit moving in these members. So you can't organize Christ, you can't do it.” (PERGAMEAN.CHURCH.AGE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 229-285 60-1207)
“One of the greatest curses on the full gospel church, is not positionally knowing what they are in Christ Jesus. I've always said, "I meet two classes of people. And one of them is the full gospel, and the other is the fundamental." Fundamental knows where he's standing positionally, only he's never been borned again, just the fundamental teaching alone, so he doesn't have any faith. And the full gospel has been borned again but don't know where he stands. So it's just, if I could ever get full gospel pentecostal faith and fundamental believers, or either fundamental believer-
-fundamental doctrine in the pentecostal faith, we'd have it made. It's like a man that can write a check, but he hasn't have any money in the bank. The other one can write--can't write it, and when they can write a check, hasn't got no money in the bank. The man that can't write a check has money, but he don't know how to write the check. That's the way it is. What's he going to do? One's got money in the bank, but he can't write a check. The other one can write a check, and ain't got no money in the bank. Then what can he do? You got to get those two together.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.title PHOENIX.AZ 55-0222)
“Not long ago a man said to me that the Roman Catholic church had to be the true church as it had been true to what it believed over all the years, and kept on growing and not changing. That isn't so at all. Any church with the government behind it, and with its own creed which isn't the Word at all, and with no manifested ministry to cause the devil to get aroused, could surely carry on. That was not a criterion. But when you think of that little group whose members were sawn asunder, fed to lions, persecuted and driven from pillar to post and yet stayed true to the Word--now definitely that would have to be God. How they survived their battle of faith and carried on still: THAT is a miracle.”
(59-3 PATMOS.VISION - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.2)
“We believe, as the Church, that the Gospel has been just about completed. We believe that the great messengers through the ages has, in these last days, last several hundred years, has fought for these great things; the justification by faith, Luther; sanctification by Wesley; the baptism of the Holy Ghost by the Pentecostals. We believe that those elements goes to make up the complete body, like the natural and the spiritual.” (EVENING.MESSENGER.title MESA.AZ V-8 N-5 63-0116)
“The church doesn't make you a Christian. The church only helps you to be a Christian, helps you to remain what you've been borned into, helps you to contain your experience, while you're fellowshipping together with brethren of like precious faith.”
(ONCOMING.STORM.title PHOENIX.AZ V-15 N-2 60-0229
The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and believes that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been elected before the foundation of the world (Ephesians
1) and has received eternal life because his or her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and full obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
As born-again believers of the Message, our whole attitude changes when we come in contact with the revelation of
the God’s Word. Our whole outlook changes from earthly to heavenly. We no longer live for this world. We now live for God and for His kingdom. We now love to serve Him, to seek His
perfect will, and to fellowship with God’s people. We have learned to love to go to church and to fellowship with other believers. By faith, we begin to overcome the things of the world. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, these things are dead to the true believer. Jesus said, “If you love Me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). He gave us the greatest commandment of all, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all they strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).
The Apostle Paul admonished us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- fast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Romans 13:11-14, “And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in
the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].” Drugs, drinking, parties, dirty movies, even defiling our body with alcohol and cigarettes, all these have become repulsive to a true Christian. Illicit sex, lying of any kind, cursing, jealousy, rumor-mongering, and other fruits of darkness and unbelief, we endtime believers have grown to hate these things.
Brother Branham, God’s prophet to this age, has restored to us some important issues concerning the Christian way of life. This chapter deals with what is most significant to every true end-time believer.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE IS A “MUST”
Brother Branham admonished us in the following quotations regarding church attendance:
“We feel that every person is duty bound to attend some church and belong to some church as a Christian. Many people say, “Oh, I stay home and read my Bible. I’m just as well off.” No, the Bible said we shouldn’t forsake to
assemble ourselves together. We’ve got to do that; we’ve got to stand together, and all the churches.” (WHAT VISION ARE; SPINDALE.NC 56-0421)
“A man that’s borned of the Spirit of God loves to go to church, better than he loves to eat his dinner when he’s hungry. The spiritual man on the inside has got to be fed. If that man isn’t fed, he will die. The outward man isn’t fed, he will die. And so will the inward man. He’s got to be fed on...” (I.WILL.RESTORE.title DES.MOINES.IA 54-0620A)
“We so love all of our activities. We can go out a-riding. We can go shopping. We can go hunting and fishing, or whatever we might do in pleasures, but oh, when the church opens, we want to meet our Lord. That’s greatest of all things.” (HOW.CAN.I.OVERCOME.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-12 63-0825M)
“Every man ought to have a church home. You ought to have a place, not just to float about from pillar to post, but have somewhere that you go to church and you call it your church, somewhere you pay your tithe, and somewhere that you help support the cause. Take your choice, but then don’t never disfellowship the other man because he don’t belong with your group. See? Discern his spirit and see if he’s got the same purpose in heart, then you got fellowship one with another. You’re working for one great cause. That’s the cause of Christ. I think that that is absolutely true.”
(DISCERNMENT.OF.SPIRIT.title PHOENIX.AZ)
“Don’t stay home. If God is in your heart, you can’t hardly wait for them doors to open out yonder to get in here to fellowship with your brothers. If you don’t—don’t feel that way, then I tell you, it’s time you got to praying, ‘cause we’re in the last days where the Bible exalted us—exhorted us to—to much more as we see that day approaching, to love one another with Christian love and Divine love, to assemble ourselves together in heavenly places in—in Christ Jesus and love one another. “This will all men know you’re My disciples when you have love one for the other.” (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V- 3 N-7 63-0728)
People say, “I can stay at home, be just as good a Christian as I can at church.” You can’t. The Bible said, “Not forsake our assemble ourselves together, and that much more as we see the time coming.” If you’re a Christian, you long to go where other Christians are, and fellowship with other Christians. So you cannot stay away from church and live the same life. You—you can’t do it, because it’s like, “I’m hungry, but I’ll never go to a table. I just... I’ll never eat. I just—I ain’t going to do it.” See? You’ve got to go and feed on the Word of God, and fellowship one with another. We need one another more now than we ever did need each other, is now. When you get yourself singled out from the rest of them making yourself just a little different, you don’t want to associate with them because they believe this, and don’t want to associate with that, you’re getting on dangerous ground, right then, keeping away from church. Find the one of your choice, and remain there, and be a Christian brother to all of them. That’s the way to be a real Christian. Then we’ve got fellowship, protection; people love you and pray for you. (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
You say “You have to love the Lord; you ought to go to church.” You don’t have to tell them people that. They go anyhow. They’ll walk through rain. They’ll go to... They’ll go through death to go to church. Sure. They love it. They just got to get there. That’s all there is to it. It’s their life. If they don’t, they—they feel like their perishing. Sure. Yes, sir. You just got to get there. (GOD.KEEPS.HIS.WORD.title JEFF.IN 57-0407M)
“Oh, I know there’s many rise up, and go out, and say, “Oh, I don’t need to go to church anymore. Praise God, the Holy Ghost has come; He’s the teacher.” When you get that idea, you’re just wrong. For why did the Holy Ghost set teachers in the church if He was going to be the teacher? See? There are first apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. The Holy Spirit set teachers in the church, so He could teach through that teacher. And if there’s—it isn’t according to the Word, God doesn’t confirm it, then it isn’t the right kind of teaching. It must compare with the entire Bible, and be just as alive today as It was then. There’s the real thing made manifest.” (HEBREWS CHAPTER 5.AND.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908M)
“You go to church. Don’t sit at home, go hunting, fishing and so forth on Sunday, dishonoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ… Go to church wherever the Church door opens, you take off as hard as you can go. Don’t join, go on down there.”
(QUESTION AND ANSWER, 08-23-64M)
“We must love in our hearts to come to church. If we don’t love church, love God, coming together... What we call “church” is coming together to worship. See? If we love Christ, we worship together.” (ORDINATION.title JEFF.IN 62-1104E)
“It’s a joy to go to church, under any circumstance. Whether it’s hot, cold, indifferent, whether the people are fussing, growling, whatever they’re doing, it’s still a joy to hear the Word of the Lord. Then you’re in love then with Christ (See?); you love to go to church. (EVER.PRESENT.WATER.title JEFF.IN V-14 N-6 61-0723M)
“Love, not a duty; Christ is not a duty to serve Christ; it’s a love that serves Christ. It strains you, constrains you, till every pulsation of your life beats with Him.” (STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M)
“God wants you to go to church, and He wants to manifest something to you through His Word, through some move that He’s making. You fail to go, you’ll miss seeing something.” (HEAR.YE.HIM.title CHICAGO.IL 56-0930)
“God must have first place in your heart, first place in your life, first
place in everything that you do or what you are. God must be first. He doesn’t want the second place. He doesn’t deserve the second place. He deserves the best, and the first, and all that we got. He deserves it. Blessed be His holy Name. Oh, we need to seek the will of God, not the favor of your neighbor, not the favor of your children, not the favor of your husband or your wife; but seek the will of God. You do that first. Then everything else, the will of the wife and the will of the children, will fall right in with it. But place God first.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.2.PART.2.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0825E)
“A real born again man or a woman that’s got discernment of the Holy Ghost will find his place in church, worshipping, and crying out and doing all that’s in his life to try to bring sinners. Certainly.” (DISCERNING.BODY.OF.LORD.title CHATAUQUA.OH V-2 N-25 59- 0812)
“I’d rather you belong to church and be a sinner, than to not go to church at all. You’re doing well with what you’re doing. But now, why not come and be a real Christian? Why not get that real Love of God in your heart, that drives you to the—to the post of duty.” (HEAR.YE.HIM.title YAKIMA.WA 60-0806)
“For if you love God, you can’t—you couldn’t wile you away from church. They couldn’t chain you away from it. They can’t hide a believer from God.”
(ABRAHAM.AND.HIS.SEED.AFTER.HIM.title CHICAGO.IL 61-0423)
“But if a man loves God, he will fill his seat of the church every time. He can’t stay away from it. That’s right.” (INVASION.OF.THE.USA.title JEFF.IN V-26 N-1 54-0509)
“Today we have to beg and plead, and pat and beg, and persuade and promise Christians to come to church, “If they come to church, we’ll do so-and- so.” Jesus, when He was on earth, He had too many with Him. He looked around and seen the congregation; He wanted to get rid of them, He said, “Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His Blood, you have no Life in you.” Could you imagine a doctor setting out there? “Why,” said, “this man wants us to be a human vampire. Drink his blood? Nonsense. All you people walk away and leave that crazy man alone.” They walked away. He never explained It. He didn’t have to explain It. He shakes your faith sometime to see what you’ll do. And He’s doing the same thing in this day. Yes, let it seem spooky to you a little bit to see where you stand, whether you really believe.” (GOD.IDENTIFIED.BY.CHARACTERISTICS.title BEAUMONT.TX V-13 N-1 64-0311)
“Don't profess a Christian and live something else; you're the biggest stumbling block the world's ever had. If you're a sinner, admit it and go on, get right with God. If you're a Christian, hold fast your confession; stay there.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.4.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901E)
CHURCH ORDER AND CONDUCT
“The first place, if you want Scripture, the people are supposed to come to the house of God for one purpose; that is to worship, to sing songs, and to worship God. That’s the way God expects it. He doesn’t expect us to come into the house of God to talk about our—or something else, or talk about one another, or talk about what we got to do through the week; He expects us to come to worship Him. It’s a house of worship. “And everything should be done decently and in order,” said Paul in the Bible. Everything’s supposed to be right. There’s supposed to be message.” (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS; JEFF.IN COD 54-0103E)
“We don’t come to church to occupy a pew. We do not come to church to hear a good sermon or good music, though they all have their place. But what we
better do is come to church to check up with God and our soul’s salvation, for the day of redemption is here. The church had better be examining themselves by the Word. It is time we took inventory of our purity, loyalty and devotion.” (SECOND.COMING.OF.THE.LORD. JEFF.IN V-9 N-2 57-0417)
“This is worship. We don’t come to church just to hear a message. We come to worship. Just forget the person next to you. Just worship Him. Oh, how beautiful, how wonderful. Just tell Him in your... You don’t have to tell Him loud. Just tell Him in your heart, “I love You, Lord. Forgive me of my sins.” Oh, my. “ (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.3.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901M)
“The beauty of the church is the character of the people. By a consecrated life is the only way we can do it. We should never buy or sell in the house of the Lord. It should be a place of worship, holy, consecrated for that purpose. It’s not a place to visit, it’s a place of worship. We should never murmor a word inside of here, outside of worship, to one another unless it’s absolutely necessary. We should never rally around. We should never run through the building or let our children run through the building.
We do not come into the sanctuary of the Lord to meet each other, we come here to worship God. This sanctuary is dedicated to worship. Stand outside; talk anything you wish to as long as it’s right and holy. Go to one another’s home. Visit one another’s place. But when you enter that door, keep quiet.
If you desired to, silently you come to the altar and pray silently. You walk back to your seat, open up your Bible. What your neighbor done, that was up to him. You had nothing to say. If you want to talk to him, say “I’ll see him outside. I’m in here to worship the Lord.”
Of course, somebody worshipping the Lord, that’s expected. That’s what it should be. That’s what you are here for, is to worship the Lord. Yes, if you feel like praising God, or shouting, just go right on, because that’s what you’re here for, is to worship the Lord in your own way of worshipping. As soon as the service is dismissed, leave the auditorium. If you’ve got something to talk with somebody, to see them, why, you go with them to their home or whatever it is, but don’t do it in the auditorium. Let’s dedicate this to God. This is His meeting place where we meet Him. And the law goes forth from the sanctuary of course. And I believe that would be pleasing our heavenly Father.” (GOD IN SIMPLICITY, March 17, 1963, pp. 3-8.)
WORKS VERSUS GRACE
EPHESIANS 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
ROMANS 3:23-24, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
ROMANS 11:6, “ And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
GALATIANS 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
JAMES 2:17-18, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
“Grace is what God did for me; works is what I do for God. Now, they’ll make a doctrine out of it; they think that works is what wins your merits. If it is, it isn’t a free gift. Grace is what God did for you; by grace you’re saved. And works is what you do in appreciation of the grace that He showed to you. And if you love Him, you like to do the works of the Lord, certainly, because then, you—you love Him.” (HEBREWS CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E)
“Now works are fine, but they don’t save you. They don’t make you perfect. It is Christ or perish. And it is not even Christ AND works. It is Christ alone. This age began the years of Arminianism that does not believe in Christ as the REALITY. It does not sing of “Nothing but the Blood,” for it sings of “Nothing but the blood AND my own conduct”. Now I believe in good conduct. If you are saved you will do righteously. We have already gone over that. But let me tell you now, salvation is NOT Jesus PLUS. It is Jesus ALONE. SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. From start to finish it is all GOD.”
(294-1 PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.8)
“Now works will never take the place of faith in God for our salvation. But works will show forth our faith already placed in Him. Good works won’t save you, but they will come forth out of a saved life as fruit unto the Lord. I believe in good works. Even if a man is not saved, he ought to do good works and do the best he can. Yes sir, if you are a Christian you are going to do what is right. Your works will show that your heart is right. And it won’t be something that you put on, for you will do His will when no one but God sees you, and you will do His will even if it costs you your life.” (222-3 THYATIREAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.6)
“Not eating meats, and doing this, and perfecting the body, you’ll never have it. And you’ve got to quit this, and do this, and do this, and do this, that’s law. That’s legalist. We don’t believe in the legal forms of salvation. We believe it “by grace are we saved.” And it’s not you; you have nothing to do with it; it’s God’s election that does it. “No man can come to Me except My Father draws him.” That’s right. And He... All Jesus come to do was to get these that the Father foreknew and predestinated them before the foundation of the world to become sons and daughters of God. Amen. “Not him that runneth or him that willeth, but God that showeth mercy.” It’s God that does it. You can’t brag at all. There’s not a thing that you did; God, by grace, saved you, not you, yourself. If you do, you got something to brag about. But you haven’t nothing to brag. All praises goes to Him. It’s Him. Then He’s give you this sure hope, swore by an oath, the impossibility for His children to ever be lost.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.AND.7..title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915M)
“So don’t you see, brother, sister, the whole thing is grace. All of it is grace. It’s not what you do anyhow. It’s what He’s already done for you. Now, you can’t do one thing to merit your salvation. Your salvation is a gift. Christ became sin that you might become righteous. And He’s the right kind of a Chief Captain for our salvation, because He suffered just like we suffered. He’s been tempted just like we’re tempted. And He’s not ashamed to be called our Brother, because He knows what we go through with. Oh, blessed be His Name. And that’s the reason that Christ, God, had to become kinfolks to us. And He come down and was a man. And He suffered temptation. And He was laughed at, and made fun of, and persecuted, and ignored, and called Beelzebub, and—and scoffed
at, and suffered death under capital punishment. See, He had to be kinfolks to us. He had to be falsely accused, because you’re falsely accused. He had to bear sickness, because you’re sick. He had to bear sins because it was your sins. And He had to become kinfolks. That the reason He become this, that He might be sympathetic with you who are— have your ups-and-downs and your little ins-and-outs, and your temptations get so great you can’t hardly stand it. He knows how to sympathize with you. He sets there to make intercessions. He sets there to love you. And though you go astray, He won’t forsake you. He’ll still come after you and knock at your heart. There’s not a backslider in the building but what know that God knocks at his heart daily. And He will do it as long as you’re a mortal on this earth, for He’s loved you. He redeemed you.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.2.PART.2.title JEFF.IN HEB 57- 0825E)
“ If you profess to be a Christian and have not been that kind, you're still a sinner, no matter what life you--you've done or how you try to make yourself. What you do is not accepted. It's what He done. Your own righteousness won't be accepted. If you quit smoking just because you said, "Well, I better quit smoking because I profess Christianity," God don't accept it. If you quit lusting after women just because that you're making yourself do it, God don't accept it. That's something you do; that's works. It's grace that saves you. Has God come to you and taken the whole thing out of you? That's the next thing.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.4.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901E)
“The law, the legalist (See?), “Aw, you have to do this. If you don’t do this, you’re not a Christian. And if you don’t keep the sabbath. If you don’t... If you eat meat. If you do these things,” all these legal ideas. “You’ve got to go to church. If you don’t, you pay a penalty for it. You have to do a novena.” That stuff is nonsense. You’re saved by the grace of God, by the foreknowledge of God, by His predestination. God called Abraham by predestination, by foreknowledge. He called... He hated Esau and loved Jacob before either one was born. That’s right. It’s—it’s God’s foreknowledge that knows these things.You say then, “What’s the use of preaching the Gospel?” Now, I’ll say to you this: Paul answered that, or Jesus did, rather. Here’s Jesus; He said, “The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that went to this—a— a pond or a lake and throwed in the net. He pulled in. Out of there he had turtles; he had terrapins; he had serpents; he had lizards; he had frogs; he had spiders; he had scavengers; he had—he had fish.” Now, the man’s just seining. That’s like the Gospel. Here it is now. I’m preaching the Gospel. I just throw the net out. I pull it; I say, “All that will, whosoever, let him come.” Here come some up at the altar; they all hang around the altar; they pray; they cry. I don’t know one from the other; it’s not my business; I wasn’t sent to judge. But there’s some in there that’s frogs. There’s some that’s lizards. There’s some that’s snakes. It’s some’s that’s turtles. And there’s some that’s fish. It’s not my business to judge. I say, “Father, here’s what I pulled out.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57- 0915E)
“If you want to find how great you are, put your finger down in a pool of water, or a bucket of water, then pull your finger out and try to find where you put your finger. You're nothing. God can do without you, He can do without me, but we can't do without Him. We've got to have Him, for He is Life, and He alone. Not to know His Book, not to know this, or know that, or know the creed, but to know Him is Life, know Him as the Person, Christ in you, the Word made flesh in you. That's knowing Him. When He--you and He became--becomes one, like I said last night in "The Super Sign." He's got to come in you: you. God and man must come one. You're conscious of your littleness.” (INFLUENCE.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-17 N-8 63-1130B)
THE GENUINE CHRISTIAN
“Christians are known by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. That’s what dominates a Christian’s life, proves what he is. And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, faith, long-suffering, goodness, gentleness.. patience in the Holy Spirit. Those fruits manifest themselves through Christians.” (END.TIME.SIGN.SEED TIFTON.GA 62-0319)
“That’s the way it is with every born again Christian, when he really gets into God, he watches his life with God’s Word and he realizes he’s lined up with every bit of it. He’s got long-suffering, gentleness, quietness, meekness, power, faith, love, joy, peace. He ain’t tossed about like a troubled seas. He ain’t worrying about every little thing. He ain’t jumping here and there like a bottle stopper on a windy ocean. He’s set. His heart’s pure. His thoughts is pure. His intentions are pure. His alternative’s right. And he knows he lines up with the Word of God. All hell can’t move him. He’s lined with the Word of God. He’s got Divine love, purity in his heart for every man and woman. He’s got his... He’s abstained from the things of the world. They’re dead to him. He don’t want them no more.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS.title JEFF.IN DE 79-112 55-0724)
“Your life will bear witness. I don’t know what your testimony is, but your life speaks so loud, your voice can’t be heard. What your—your living, your every day life will testify what you are. God bears witness. Yes, the Holy Spirit is a Seal, and a seal takes both sides of the paper. They see you standing here and see you when you go away, not only in church but at every day work. You’re sealed on both sides: inside and outside. By the joy that you have and by the Life that you live, you’re sealed in and outside. But you know you’re saved, and the world knows you’re saved by the life that you live, for God bears witness. Blessed be His Holy Name.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.2.PART.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0825M)
“Christianity ain't what you say; it's what you live, what you do; it's an example...You're the salt of the earth. People are watching you; people won't go to church, but they'll read you, see what you do.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64- 0830M)
“Lust for money, lust for big things, lust for popularity, these things are dead to the believer. We don’t care; a tent or a cottage, why should I care? Live or die, sink or drown, this is the thing that I’m interested in: the Kingdom of God. Whether I maintain my home, whether I maintain my family, whether I maintain whatever it is, let me maintain Christ, the hope of glory.” (STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N- 18 62-1014M)
“We profess to be Christians. Let us be like Christians then; not by feeding and things like that. That has very little; that’s—that’s... The ordinary good-hearted person will do that. That’s religion; that’s not salvation. So many people gets religion and salvation mixed up. Religion is to feed the widows and poor and so forth; that’s religion. But salvation is the new birth, being born again. That’s different. Religion, Mohammedan is a religion. There’s many religions. I say, “Are you a Christian?” To be a Christian you must be Christ-like, tabernacling deity in you, with the Holy Ghost like fell on the day of Pentecost. Not some emotion, but I mean a real Pentecost. See? That’s right.” (TRUE.SIGN.THAT’S.OVERLOOKED.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-2 61- 1112)
“And this life means nothing but a tabernacle to preach the Gospel through. I say this with all sincerity, with these two Bibles laying open before me: if my God was through with me preaching the Gospel, and I could do no more for Him, my children was old enough to take care of themselves, and He wants to take me right now, “Amen.” That settles it. Yes, sir. What difference does it make if I’m eighty or if I’m twenty? I’m only here for one thing: to serve the Lord. That’s all. If I can still preach the Gospel like I do now when I’m eighty, what difference does it make whether I’m forty or eighty? There’s a many man eighty years old tonight. And there’s a lot of children will die, when an eighty-year old man will outlive a-many one of them. What difference does it make? It’s your motives, your principles, and we’re here to serve the Lord Jesus (That’s all.) knowing this, that this life is a vapor that a man speaks about, that once was, and then is not. But if we have Eternal Life, God’s promised He’ll raise us up again. And we’ll take the
communion with Him when the days are over, and when He say, “Enter into the joys of the Lord that’s been prepared for you since the foundation of the world.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915E)
“If you are a Christian you are going to do what is right. Your works will show that your heart is right. And it won’t be something that you put on, for you will do His will when no one but God sees you, and you will do His will even if it costs you your life. “ (222-3
THYATIREAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.6)
“For by Christian, you are a sheep; and a sheep forfeits its rights. It lays still and lets you take away from it all the rights it has. But a goat will kick up a storm about it. That’s right. But a sheep forfeits its rights. And a Christian always
forfeits their national rights if it’s contrary to your Christian rights.”
(JEHOVAH.JIREH.PART.3.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 107-140 62-0707)
People say, "Are you a Christian?" "I'm a Baptist." That don't answer the question at all. "Am I a Christian? I'm Pentecost." That don't answer the question. If you are a Christian, you are a borned again creature. You are in a mystic Kingdom of God. Your eyes are not on things of this world, but on things above. And that's when you're in the church. That is the church. It is not an organization; it can never be an organization. Take me on record. The church of the living God can never be any certain group. It cannot be an organization. It has to be a mystical Body, the Holy Spirit.”
(FIVE.IDENTIFICATIONS.title JEFF.IN V-9 N-5 60-0911E)
“And I think any borned again Christian is kind of an oddball to—to the world, because you’ve been changed. You’re from another world. Your spirit’s from across the chasm, and this thing here is such a messed up thing. You’re—you’re not different, there’s something wrong. You’re still too earthbound. You ought to be heavenly minded. Heaven lives by the Word.” (FOURTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0321)
“Jesus lived in a world that no one knowed about; He was a odd Person. He lived in a world of perfect faith in the perfect God, in which He was. If we lived
in a perfect faith of a Christian, to what we are, we'd be a mystic to the world; the people wouldn't understand you. You'd walk in the Spirit. What the Spirit said, you would do. What It forbid, you'd not do. Then the people begin to say... They... And you'd be a--a mystic person to them. That's the way it is to all believers; they're a mystics. The people don't understand, because they live in a world to themselves. Jesus lived in a world that nobody else could touch. The disciples couldn't understand Him. When He spoke to them, they say this. And then they said, "Why, You--You talk in riddles. We--we don't understand this. How can this be?" See, they wasn't in the world that He lived in. See, they couldn't understand Him; nobody could understand Him. “ And so when a man lives by faith and walks by faith, I mean substance faith, he is isolated from the entire world and becomes a new creature in Christ. There, now you're getting into Bride material. You see, see? You're getting into rapturing condition now. That means for each one of us, not just the pastor, deacons, trustees; that means for the laity, every individual walks in a world with God alone. You're baptized into this Kingdom, and there's nobody in there but you and God. See? He gives the orders, and you pack them out. Whatever He says, there's not a shadow of doubt nowhere; you walk right on. If the Lord says this, there's nobody in the world can talk you out of it; you go right on just the same. Now, you're coming into perfect faith, perfect perfection that cannot fail. That faith never fails. Yes, He was a mystic to them with His perfect faith; and so is it now with those who have perfect faith are a mystic to others.” (PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V- 6 N-11 63-0825E)
I said, “The mystical Body of Jesus Christ. By one Spirit we’re baptized into this Body, borned of His Spirit, then we belong to a Kingdom. And our lives are not Americans; we’re not Germans; we’re not nothing; we’re Christians. We are settled and walk in the Spirit, a love slave from the things of the world. And our rights to the world we sold out and bought this Pearl of great Price, and walk and let the Holy Spirit manifest Itself. That’s what His real Church is. That’s what you are, or what I am, if we’ll let ourselves go and serve God by His Word and not by what some creed says.” (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-
0728)
“We are made partakers of His holiness. We, in His image, we are living images of a living God. Then dead to self, raised with Him (Now, listen, listen to this.), His Word made flesh again in us. (O Brother Neville...) Look. What is it? Not the mythical, imaginary god setting out there, but the living God... What is the living God? The Word in you making Itself real. Whew. Glory to God. Oh, I know you think I’m a holy-roller. Maybe I am. But, oh, brother, do you see it? Triumph over every denomination, triumph over all paganism, a living God made manifest in a living temple. And the Word of God, which is God, is made flesh in you. Why? You’re seated in heavenly places, triumphed over all things in Christ Jesus. Amen. Oh, I just love It.” (CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 61-1217)
“We are then perfect through Christ. And we are free from judgment through Christ. We shall never die through Christ. We have lost death and found Life through Christ; not through any church, not through any denomination, not through any fantastic, not through speaking with tongues, not through shouting, not through shaking, not through dancing in the Spirit, but by grace. God calls who He will. And it’s all by election; we find out. We find out that it’s not him that wants to be saved, not him that willeth or him that runneth, it’s God that showeth mercy. And no man can come to Jesus except God draws him first. So what you got to do with it anyhow? You haven’t got nothing to do with it. You’re out of the picture altogether.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E)
“Now, here He is among His church today, made flesh in His church, certainly, Elohim. Now, oh, if you could only realize that you men, you were made to be an amateur god. You’re a son of God. You’re an heir of God, and you have a
domain. Genesis 1:26, He give him dominion over everything in the earth. He made him a god over the earth. That’s right. He give him a domain. He’s a king, god. And where he got his fall. He could speak to the trees, “Be changed, be plucked up and set over here,” to the winds and waves, “Be still,” and it’d stopped. He was god, a amateur god, a son of God, like you’re a son of your father. And all the world is groaning, waiting for the manifestations of the sons of God, waiting for the church to get back in its place again, sons of God to be made manifest, waiting for that hour. Hope that don’t hurt, but I just had to say it. See? The church is so far away from its place. It needs to be back to be sons of God again: rulers, governors of the earth, under the spiritual reign it will be someday, when the chief One comes, Jesus Christ, the great millennium. Nature’s groaning for that day.” (FAITHFUL.ABRAHAM.title RICHMOND.VA 61-0312)
“Remember, we are not on a picnic, but we’re in a battlefield. Many people just think that when they become a Christian that that’s all they need to do, that that settles it forever, as they are a Christian and everything’s going to come easy. Don’t never get that in your head. For I become a Christian to fight, fight the good fight of faith. I become a Christian to get in the battle line. We are Christian soldiers, and we got to be trained, and brought up, and know all the techniques of the enemy, to know how to fortify, to know how to—to fight the fight. And we can only do that as the Holy Spirit will reveal it to us.” (DECEIVED.CHURCH.BY.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN CH 67 59-0628M)
“Our Armor is Jesus Christ. Yes, sir. All devils slide their brakes when they see that. When they see that full armor of God, the true baptism of the Holy Ghost (Amen.), that seen It coming straight from the throne of God, dressed in the full armor of His resurrection... Amen. Not that you’re strong, you’re nothing. But it’s What’s behind you. Why? You are dead. You joined the army. You’ve joined the police force. You’re going to keep law and control of these devils. That’s right. You’re on the police force; the whole thing’s behind you. See, you’re reckoned dead. You’re nothing. You couldn’t stop nothing. But your authority that’s been given you, because you are raised and setting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, the Devil recognizes that. Everything slides its brakes when them hands goes up.” (CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 61-1217)
“There is no halfway Christians. There’s no drunk-sober man, no black- white birds, no, no, no sinner-saints. No, you’re either a sinner or a saint. See? There’s just no in-between. You’re either born again or you’re not borned again. You’re either filled with the Holy Spirit or you’re not filled with the Holy Spirit. No matter how many sensations you had, if you ain’t filled with the Holy Spirit, you’re not filled with It. See? And if you had been filled with It, your life shows It. Goes right up to it. See? Nobody has to tell anybody about it; they see it (See?), ‘cause it’s a seal.” (SIXTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0323)
“God is a God of variety. Did you know that? Why does He make red flowers, blue flowers, pink flowers, all different kinds of flowers? Didn’t... Why didn’t He just make them all white or all red? Why’d He make big mountains, little mountains, palm trees, oak trees? Why did He do it? Because He likes variety. You know what I mean? He likes variety. Why did He make the mountains, then the plains, the real dry desert, then the wet sea? He’s a God of variety. But He wants it all to harmonize. That’s why He made me with ears, nose, mouth, you the same way. It all harmonizes for one body. That’s the way we can do, harmonize. Our different opinions, we still harmonize because we are... The taste has nothing to do with it. We are God’s people, all marching together with one great purpose: to win souls for Christ. He’s got big mountains, little mountains, white flowers, pink flowers, yellow flowers. He’s a God of variety. He has little men, big men. He has a black head, redhead, blonds, and all different kinds. He has deserts. He has— He has lakes. He has seas. See? He’s a God of variety. And that’s the same way it is here today. We’re all God’s servants. And after all, brethren, is it all... A rainbow
represents a covenant. That’s right. We’re in God’s covenant. That’s right. Together as brothers we stand.” (BEHOLD.A.GREATER.THAN.ALL.IS.HERE.title SPOKANE.WA 62-0715)
“You won’t have to tell anybody you’re a Christian, if you are one; they just see it and know it as you talk. You’re sealed inside and out.” (CHURCH AND ITS.CONDITION.title JEFF.IN CH 1-34 56-0805)
“If you’ve got the Token, you create a spirit around you of power, that when you walk, people know that you’re a Christian. They love for you to say something to them. They believe your word; what you say, they hold on to it. See? That is it.” (TOKEN.THE.title JEFF.IN. V-2 N-19 63-0901M)
“And redemption has two different parts: “come out of” and “entering into.” First, you have to come out. Some people wants to bring the world in with them; but you got to come out of the world to enter into Christ. You have to come out of unbelief to enter into faith. There cannot be one thing in your way. To really have genuine faith, you must absolutely leave everything that’s contrary to the Word of God behind to enter into faith.” (GOD.WHO.IS.RICH.IN.MERCY.title PHOENIX.AZ V-19 N-2 65-0119)
“No matter how much teaching you got, you can drum that into you. God’s not in big words; God’s in a honest heart. You might sing or speak big words, like I don’t know what; that doesn’t bring you closer to God. You can stand and practice how to repeat your sermon and say these things; that don’t get you closer to God. You could learn dictionaries till you sleep with one, and it still wouldn’t get you closer to God. A humble, submitted heart, in the simplicity, is what brings you to God. That’s true. Amen. A humble heart, God loves. Now, no matter if you don’t know your abc’s, that don’t make any difference. Just a humble heart, God dwells in a humble heart, not in education, it’s not in schools, not in theology, seminaries, not in all these other different places, not in big words, or not in classical places. God dwells in human hearts. And the lower you can break yourself down, the more simple, you can become greater in the sight of God. Let me give you something. I see your fields are full of wheat out here. A full head of wheat always bows. A little old sprig sticks up there, and flopping around like it knows everything, it ain’t got it in the head. That’s the way with a lot of these guys that think they got a whole lot in their head, and nothing in their heart. A holy head will bow to the power, recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and believe His works.” (DEMONOLOGY.2.RELIGIOUS.title CON.IN DE 41-78 53-0609)
“I think, character, as measured by man, not by the muscles on his arm or by the callouses in his hands, but the bag in the knees of his trousers where he’s prayed. I think that’s what makes men.” (POWER.OF.TRANSFORMATION. PRESCOTT.AZ V- 17 N-1 65-1031M)
“How wishy-washy, that’s what. Too many Christians today are so soft- soaped and everything until they think all they do is join a church, go in somewhere, put their name on a book, or do a little something, jump up-and-down, shout or—or something like that and call it Christianity. Christianity’s a everyday, rugged life living for God in the— this present world. It’s a constant burning of the fire and love of God in the heart that sets you afire and puts you out yonder with the people and making converts to Christ.” (MAN.RUNNING.FROM.PRESENCE.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-8 65-0217)
“Great material things don't always rest in God's will. God makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. But what the world needs today is not a bluff of faith, to try to bluff yourself into something and call it spiritual. Sometimes faith will do great miracles and still doesn't come from a spiritual heart. Did not our Lord say, "Many
will come to Me that day and say, 'Have not I did this and that in Your Name?' and I will confess to them, "Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity." What is iniquity? It's something that you know to do right and don't do it. "I never knew you," He will say. And we're living in that day. What we need today is not a lot of material things; we have that. We don't need greater churches; we don't need greater congregations. We don't need more on radio and on television. We don't need so many more of these things. But what we need today to be spiritual, is a person that will humble themselves before God if they haven't got a penny, and will pray till that spirit within them is satisfied with the goodness of God, and a revival take place on the inside of their heart that changes their attitudes and atmosphere that they live in. You might not have a pair of shoes on your feet. You might be dressed in rags, but something in your heart singing the melodies of God. I'd rather have it than all the money in the world.” (BE.CERTAIN.OF.GOD.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-12 59-0125)
“Oh, now we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us and give His life for us, being the royal Seed of Abraham with the same Spirit of God in us that was in Him. We are more than conquerors. Every gate has been conquered for us. The only thing we have to do is possess it. It’s already conquered. Sickness is conquered; death is conquered; hell is conquered; the grave is conquered; everything is conquered, and we holds the keys by His grace. Are you afraid to stick them in the lock and say, “I come in the Name of Jesus Christ? Ask the Father anything in My Name. I love Him.”
(PATRIARCH.ABRAHAM.THE.title BAKF.CA V-22 N-7 64-0207)
“A messenger, you are a messenger this morning. You’re—you are a messenger of good news or a messenger of bad news. Oh, isn’t it beautiful to know that we are the ambassadors, that we are angels, the messengers of the resurrection. And we are God’s messengers to the sinful world, that Christ lives; in our hearts He lives; in our spirits He lives. And He brings us from the low debauched life of sin and exalts us up, and gives us a “Hallelujah” in our soul, and makes us new creatures. We are messengers, angels of the covenant. How wonderful.“ (HEBREWS CHAPTER.2.PART.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0825M)
“And then if God has sent us to be His ambassadors, all the power that’s in heaven, all that God is, all of His Angels and all of His power stands behind our word if we are correctly an ordained, sent messengers to the people. God has to honor the Word, for He has so solemnly written, that “Whatever you bind on earth, that will I bind in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth, that will I loose in heaven. And I give unto thee the keys to the Kingdom.” Oh, such great promises He’s given the church.” (EPHESIANS.PARALLELS.JOSHUA.title JEFF.IN AD.1 60-0515E)
“How will people know Jesus Christ? When they—he sees Him in you, when they see Jesus in you. For He said, “The works that I do shall you do also. Greater than this shall you do, because I go to My Father.” Is that right? That’s how they, world knows. Not because that the Pentecostal Oneness is greater than the Pentecostal Twoness, or the Twoness is greater than the Threeness, or whatever you have; not because the Methodists is greater than the Baptists; or the Southern Baptist taking the prize this year for all the—all the Baptist churches, all the Protestants. They got more members this year than any of the rest of them, I understand, by the count. That doesn’t make them any different. God doesn’t know you by numbers. The heathen’s got you outnumbered any time. The Catholics got you all. Mohammedanism got all them. See? You are known when Jesus Christ lives in you by His Life and promised Word of this day reflects itself. See? When men see you living like Him, when he sees your character, your conduct with the Word just exactly like He was, the Word being manifested, then men will see Jesus Christ. If Jesus would come today, would He take sides with the Methodists, with the Baptists, with the Adventists, Jehovah Witness, Christian Science,
Pentecostals, Presbyterians? No, sir. He certainly would not. It’s an individual affair: you and God. There’s no two men see eye to eye, together alike: no two thumbs alike. God deals with a individual. Now, how you know whether he’s right or not? Then look back and see if he’s with the Word. If he’s with the Word, then God’s dealing with him; if he isn’t, something else is dealing with him.” (SHALOM.title PHOENIX.AZ V-22 N-1 64-0119)
“When you’re borned again of the Spirit of God, you actually love everybody. Now, you don’t love their ways and things like that, don’t want to partake of it. No, sir. Stay away from the things of the world, but you just keep yourself spotless.”
(YOU.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-5 61-1231M)
“Now, when a man’s been redeemed, he don’t care anymore for scholarship. He don’t care for anymore of the things of the world, the wisdom of the world. He don’t want no choice at all. Christ has been his choice, and that’s all of it; he’s redeemed. He just no more wants to lead himself. He don’t want nobody to talk him into where to go and what to do. He just waits and finds out the choice of his Maker. See? Then he goes in the Name of his Maker, when the Maker tells him to go.” (BREACH.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0317E)
“And if there’s still desire in your heart to sin, you have never been baptized into that body, because you are dead and your life is hid in Christ through God and sealed by the Holy Ghost. Christians don’t sin. They make mistakes, but they don’t sin. Amen. That’s the reason they don’t, for he cannot sin.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-0628E)
“A man that’s born of God, does not commit sin. He can’t sin. For if you’re borned again, the very Holy Spirit that lived in that Body, lives in you, and It can’t sin. The sacrifice is laying before Him. Then if you willfully do it, shows that it’s impossible for you to be into that Body. Amen. That’s the Gospel. There it is.” (HEBREWS CHAPTER 7 -PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
“I might be a sinner in your sight, but if I’m in Christ, God don’t see it, because his sin’s atoned, His Blood atoned for my sins there. See? I can’t sin. “He that’s born of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin. The seed of God remains in him.” See? He—he’s willing to, if he makes a mistake, sure he’s right then willing to confess it. If he’s a real Christian, he will do it. If he holds it back, he shows he ain’t got nothing in the first place. That’s right. He hasn’t got nothing to begin with.” (DEMONOLOGY.1.PHYSICAL.title CON.IN DE 21-40 53-0608A)
THE “SIN” QUESTION
I JOHN 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
I TIMOTHY 1:9-10, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Read what God’s prophet taught about “sin”:
”What is sin? Sin is unbelief. Drinking, smoking, gambling, committing adultery, that isn’t sin; that’s the attributes of sin. You do that because you’re not a believer.”
(HAVE.FAITH.IN.GOD_ NEW.YORK.NY 54-0900)
"Sin is not a creation." There's nothing created but perfection. God created all things good. Sin is not a creation. Said, "Well, that's the very creation of sin." You've heard that. But that's an error, Sin... There's only one Creator; that's God. God could not create sin, because He's holy and there's nothing in Him to make it. Sin is perversion, not creation, but it's perversion. An adultery is the righteous act perverted. A lie is the truth told wrong. Any sin, any sin is righteousness perverted.”
(POSITION.IN.CHRIST.title JEFF.IN AD.3 60-0522M)
“Sin is unbelief. Now, that’s what sin is. There’s no other sin but unbelief. It’s not a sin to do things like drinking and—and smoking and gambling and—and prostitution. That’s not sin. That’s—that’s the result of sin, that the reason you do that is because you are a unbeliever. See? That’s the attributes of sin.” (THE.INSIDE.MAN_ CHICAGO.IL SATURDAY_ 53-1212)
“There never was such a thing as a creation of sin. That didn't go down good, did it? Sin is not a creation. No, sir. Sin is a perversion. There's only one Creator; that's God. Sin is righteousness perverted. What's an adultery? Righteousness perverted. What's a lie? The truth misrepresented. Certainly. What's a curse word? It's God's blessings turned to a curse word, to God, instead of a blessing. Sin is not a creation. Sin is a perversion. So Satan could not create sin; he only perverted what God had created. That's exactly right. Death is only a perversion of life.” (MANIFESTED SONS OF.GOD.title JEFF.IN AD.2 60-0518)
“Like I said the other night about the hog, about the sinner. You can’t blame... A sinner’s a sinner; don’t try to reform him. Don’t try to tell him this, that, or the other. He’s a sinner to begin with. He’s a pig to begin with. He don’t know no different. If he goes to the movies, and he goes on Sunday, and he goes to ball games, and he does all these things; he’s a sinner to begin with. His nature’s like a hog. The old hog stick his nose down in the manure pile and eat all the grains out of it and everything. Well, that’s—he is a hog. You can’t blame him; he’s a hog. That’s the way with sinners. But when you go and call yourself a Christian and stick your nose in with him, then you’re no better than he is; but you’re worse, “Come out from among them.” Let go of the world. Let go. Let God.”
(ENTICING.SPIRITS_ JEFF.IN DE 79-112 SUNDAY_ 55-0724)
“Remember, I said, “God does not condemn a sinner for sinning.” He’s a sinner to begin with. He condemns a Christian for sinning. And then because He has condemned him, Christ took our condemnation. So there’s no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. And if you do anything wrong, it isn’t willfully. You don’t sin willfully. A man that sins willfully, goes out and willfully sins, never come into that Body yet. But a man that’s once in there, he’s dead, and his life is hid in God through Christ, sealed by the Holy Ghost, and the devil can’t even find him; he’s so far back in there. He would have to come out of there before the devil can ever get in, for you are dead. “ (ADOPTION.4_ JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 SUNDAY_ 60-0522E)
“And I said that I don’t condemn the drunkard for going out and getting drunk. He’s all moody; he don’t know. He gets up the morning; he’s got the blues, a hangover; goes out and gets him two or three bottles of beer; goes out and gets him some whiskey, and all of that kind of stuff. Little old cigarette sucker sets back and smoke and
blow it through his nose like he was a freight train. That’s all...?... I don’t blame him; that’s all the joy he knows; that’s all he knows about. He’s a pig by nature.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS_ JEFF.IN DE 79-112 SUNDAY_ 55-0724)
“A sinner doesn’t sin, because he’s a sinner. He’s just a sinner to begin with and that’s all. Here, take the—the back of this book; it’s black, how much of that is black? It’s all black. There’s just no white to it; it’s black. You say, “This much here.” No, it ain’t; it’s the whole thing’s black. It’s all black. That’s the way a sinner is. He’s just condemned to start with. Well, you say, “What about if he commits adultery? What if he ravishes some woman? What if he—what if he—he gambles? What if he shoots somebody?” That’s none of our business. That’s none of our business; we got laws down here to take care of that. We’re not reformers; we’re preachers of the Gospel. We don’t condemn him for what he done; we don’t condemn him for committing adultery. We condemn him because he’s a sinner. If he was a Christian, he wouldn’t do it. That’s right. If he’s been changed, he won’t do that. But because he is a sinner, that’s what makes him do that.” (POSITION.IN.CHRIST.title JEFF.IN AD.3 60-0522M)
“Those Jewish rabbis, oh, they thought... They were starch, and they was D.D.’s and Ph.D.’s. They thought they had it all sewed up in a bag, but they was the worst of sinners. Oh, they might... You couldn’t put a hand on—on their life; they were clean, moral, and just, that way. But they were disbelievers. And you take the word “sin” and find out what it means. The word “sin” means “unbelief.” There’s only two factions; that is, a believer or an unbeliever. That’s a justified person or a sinner. That’s all. If you’re an unbeliever, you’re a sinner. No matter how good you are, how much you go to church, or even if you’re a preacher, you’re still an unbeliever. Those Pharisees were preachers, and they were unbelievers, and in hell today for it. Just as religious as they could be, and pious, but they didn’t believe Him. And they called Him a devil, and disputed His Word.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
“And the greatest devil, and the chief of all devils is unbelief. That’s the only sin there is. There’s no other sin but unbelief. All these little morals and things: smoking, drinking, gambling, and committing adultery; that’s just attributes. You do that because you don’t believe. Unbeliever is what makes you do that. If you was a believer, you wouldn’t do it. That’s right.” (DEMONOLOGY_ OWENSBORO.KY THURSDAY_ 53-1112)
“The church comes in and adopts other things. They have to have a little party where they all lay on the beach to have recreation: a card party to get-together for fellowship. That’s right, have a dance sometime at one of the member’s house, sometimes in the church basement. A dance, adopting, trying to get something to satisfy, what’s the matter? They’re a bunch of pigs anyhow. They’re pigs to begin with. If it ever come in contact with Christ, they’d have so much joy those things would be deader than midnight to them. Gospel, drunk on the Spirit, joy unspeakable and full of glory... Don’t condemn the sinner. Have mercy on him. Let him go ahead and smoke his pipe. Let him drink his liquor. Let him have his card parties; that’s his pleasure. Don’t blame him. Coming home and everything, tired and wore out, he wants some pleasure. The thing for you to do is live such a godly life that you can prove to him that the Gospel holds ten thousand times more than that for him. And if he dies in that state he’ll go to hell on his liquor. That’s the devils intoxication. If he dies dragging on that old pipe, God’s his Judge. If he dies going out here dancing and running around with immoral clothes on, God’s their Judge. But there’s one thing, if you die under the anointing power of the Holy Ghost like Stephen did when he looked up in the face of God, said, “I see heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand.” You are heaven-bound like a martin to its box. Amen.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS.title JEFF.IN DE 79-112 55-0724)
“Shame on you, who profess to be a Christian and rely on such things for joy when the Holy Ghost Gospel is nothing but one great big powerhouse of joy. The Holy Ghost Gospel is a perfect intoxication for every man that’s got the blues. You’ll take a drink of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, be filled with the Holy Ghost you’re drunk until you leave this world. Amen. Joy unspeakable and full of glory... There’s a constant stimulation. It’s a constant intoxication: drunk day and night. Amen. That’s the Word of God.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS.title JEFF.IN DE 79-112 55-0724)
“There is no halfway Christians. There’s no drunk-sober man, no black- white birds, no, no, no sinner-saints. No, you’re either a sinner or a saint. See? There’s just no in-between. You’re either born again or you’re not borned again. You’re either filled with the Holy Spirit or you’re not filled with the Holy Spirit. No matter how many sensations you had, if you ain’t filled with the Holy Spirit, you’re not filled with It. See? And if you had been filled with It, your life shows It. Goes right up to it. See? Nobody has to tell anybody about it; they see it (See?), ‘cause it’s a seal.” (THE.SIXTH.SEAL_ JEFF.IN SATURDAY_ 63-0323)
“Then they that are borned of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin. In the Old Testament each year there was a remembered of sin. But Christ, by one sacrifice He has perfected forever the worshipper. “The worshipper once purged (Hebrews 10)—the worshipper once purged has no more conscience of sin.” So you take these people that run in the church and jump up-and-down, and shout, and speak with tongues, and act just exactly like a Christian, and run out, and the next year they got to come back again, next week. They’ve never come anywhere to begin with. They’re only impersonating, for the Bible said that the Holy Spirit seals us into Christ until the day of our redemption. Hallelujah. That’s what makes me rest assured, ‘cause God promised it. No more sin, the sin question’s settled. That’s the reason sin looks so dirty to a Christian. That’s why women out here with these shorts on look so dirty to a Christian. That’s why vulgarity; that’s a lot of dirty things; that’s why smoking, drinking, gambling, all these uncensored programs on television, all that stuff seems filth. Why? You’re of a different Kingdom. You’re borned into the Kingdom of God and sealed by the Holy Ghost until the day of your redemption. He that’s borned of God commits no sin, for he can’t sin. The seed of God is in him, and he cannot sin. As long as that Holy Ghost is in there, He takes every desire of sin away from you. Amen. You can’t sin; there’s no more desire.” (‘QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS’ JEFF,IN CONDUCT ORDER AND DOCTRINE JUN 28th,1959)
DO CHRISTIANS BACKSLIDE?
Read what the prophet preached about “BACKSLIDING”:
“But on backsliding, remember, you backslide every day. There’s no way at all for you to keep out of it. All right. But you backslide to the people in the church, but not before God... See? You backslide on Christ, but you don’t on God. ‘Cause, if you—when you sin, you’re gone. But you’re constantly falling. Paul had to die every day. Is that right? He had to die every day, repent every day, and just constantly repenting all the time. See? And if Paul had to do that, then I’m going to have to too. Aren’t you?”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 54-0103M)
“Backsliding’s not lost; I want somebody to tell me where backsliding’s lost, and prove it to the Bible. Backslider’s not lost; he’s just out of fellowship. Israel backslid but they never lost their covenant; they lost their—their praises and joy. David lost the joy of his salvation when he took Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, but he never lost
his salvation. He never said “restore to me my salvation”; he said, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0527)
“You’ll make mistakes; you’ll fall; you’ll willfully do wrong. You’ll go out sometime and do things; that don’t mean that you’re lost; that means that you’re going to get correction. My little boy, lots of times... My children will do things, your does too, that you—they know that’s against your—your rules. And they know what to expect when they do it: they’re going to get a whipping for it, sometimes a good one. But it’s still your child, certainly. It’s impossible for that man to ever be gone again, that’s once been born of Eternal Life. God’s not a Indian giver. “He that heareth My Words, and believeth on Him that sent Me, has Everlasting Life and shall never come to the judgment, but’s passed from death unto Life. And I’ll raise him up at the last days.” That’s God’s promise.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.AND.7..title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915M)
“And every man that’s borned of God, you might backslide or fall out, but if you’re borned of God, you’re coming back to the ark sure as anything in the world.” (EARNESTLY.CONTENDING.FOR.THE.FAITH.title CONNERSVILLE.IN 53-0614A)
“And if your heart begins to stray around, you know there’s something that’s happened; go back to the altar and say, “Christ, renew my—the joy of my salvation. Give unto me that love that I once had; it’s leaking out, Lord. There’s something I’ve done; make me holy again.” Stand, “O Lord, nothing I could do; I can’t quit this and quit that. I’m looking to You to take it out of me, Lord, and I love You.” And walk away from that altar a new person in Christ Jesus. Then you won’t have to depend on your church, depend on your priest, depend on your pastor. You’re depending on the shed Blood of the Lord Jesus, “By grace are you saved.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915E)
“And you love the Lord with all your heart; you don’t have to worry about these things. If you make a mistake, you don’t sin willfully, you just done something wrong. See, you’ve slipped back.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0527)
“Now, let me get this. See, temporarily, minor, every one of us backslide many times a day. We know that. We’re all guilty, every one of us; there’s none of us perfected. And as long as we’re in this body, we are still... No matter how much the people try to tell, “I’ve got sanctified; I can kiss this woman or do that,” he’s lying; he cannot. Now, that’s all. I don’t try to say, “Lord, let me see how close I can go.” It’s, “Lord, keep me as far away as I can get.” See? Just stay as far away as... Remember, you are still human beings. See? And... But now, if you make a mistake and do something wrong... You don’t willfully... If you are a Christian, if you’re a borned again Christian, you don’t mean to do wrong. Your intentions and everything is right. But if you do, as she said here, make a mistake and do something wrong, will God let you just go on and go on and die like that and be lost, or will He bring you back to reconciliation? He will bring you back. That’s right. He will bring you back. And if a—and then, if you do anything wrong, it don’t condemn you and you go on like that, on out, remember, you wasn’t saved at the beginning. That’s right. You—you wasn’t—you wasn’t saved; you just had a make-belief; you wasn’t saved. But when you’re saved, you have a different spirit; you’re a different nature. You’re a new creature in Christ, and the old things has passed away, and they are dead and buried in the sea of forgetfulness. You see? And... But being you’re living here in this world here, there’s traps set for you everywhere, and you’re walking with your eyes on Christ. And remember, that when you make a mistake, a real Christian will always come back quickly for reconciliation.
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 61-1015M)
“And you’re bound to be backsliding constantly, so it takes a constant prayer to God. Paul said, “I die daily.” And if Paul had to die daily, how much more am I going—I’m going to have to stay there dead all the time, if—if Paul had to die daily to stay right with God. And so, we’ll all have to do that, just die out to ourself. And that’s getting God’s way. Now, there’s only two ways of anything: That’s the right way and the wrong way. And them ways are your ways and God’s way. And you can’t be in your way and God’s way at the same time. You’ve got to forget your own way to get in God’s way. And you got to get out of your own way to get in God’s way. For as long as you’re in your own way, you’re out of His way. So forsake your way, forsake your thoughts, forsake everything, and just rely one thing, on THUS SAITH THE LORD. That’s all. Then you know you’re right.” (GOD’S.PROVIDED.WAY.title W.PALM.BEACH.FL 53-1201)
“Every man or woman that’s born of the Spirit of God, sure, you can backslide. But, brother, if you’re a child of God, you can’t stand the things of the world no more, ‘cause your digesting things has been changed.” (DIVINE.HEALING.title JEFF.IN V-26 N-10 54-1219M)
“Now, you say, “Well, can’t we backslide?” Absolutely. And when you backslide, you’re going to get it; don’t you worry. Abraham got it, and the rest of them got it, and you’ll get it. Don’t you think it gives you a right to sin; it doesn’t. You’ll pay for everything that you do. You’ll reap what you sow. You do one little sin, and you’ll reap a whole washtub full. That’s right. But, brother, that don’t mean to say that you’re lost. That’s exactly right. Abraham reaped exactly what he sowed. That’s right. But he was still saved.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E)
“You might backslide, but you can’t be lost. And if you stay in that state, it showed that you didn’t have It in the beginning. But if you are a child of God, “The worshipper once purged has no more conscience of sin,” says Hebrews. That’s true. So you can’t—you can’t be a Christian, you can’t have the Holy Ghost and run out and live in the world. “If you love the world and the things of the world, the love of God’s not in you.” So you’re just listening to a false sound somewhere; the Devil got you all puffed up. But if you examine your life by the Word of God, it shows you’re living right down that Bible pages, then you got eternal security. And there’s nothing to be fearing about. What God promised, God will do it. I challenge any person to take that. You just take that and walk with that Word, and watch what happens to you. Brother, It’ll bring to pass everything. God said so. Everything that God promised, it’ll happen.” (REV.CHAP.5.PART.2.title JEFF.IN ROJC 747-793 61- 0618)
“And it's Christ that God looks at, not you. It's Christ. So if there's no fault in Him, how can there be fault? How can He find fault when you're dead and your life is hid in Christ through God, sealed by the Holy Ghost? "They that are born of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin." How can he sin when a perfect Sacrifice is laying in his place? God never looks at me; He looks at Christ; because we're in Christ. Now, if I love Christ, I'll live with Him. He'd never brought me in 'less He knowed. If God saved me today, knowing He was going to lose me six weeks from today, He's defeating His own purpose. Right. He don't even know the future then, if He saved me knowing... What's He want to save me for, knowing He's going to lose me? God doesn't do things and then take it back and too weak to keep His promise. When He saved you, it's for time and eternity.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.1.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915E)
“The Bible said, "He that's borned of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin, for the seed of God remains in him, and he cannot sin." How can I be called a sinner when there's a Sacrifice laying there to take my place? How can I die, when death has been paid for me? How can I die when I got Eternal Life?
And how can I then, as after Christ has died for me and I become His righteousness, because of His grace and love to me, how can I sin when there's something laying between me and God, a Sacrifice? I can't sin, can't do it. God never sees me; He sees Christ. He stands in my place; and when I do anything wrong, Christ takes my place. I made my confession, "I'm wrong; He's right. Lord, You know my heart. You know whether I mean it or not. And I'm wrong, forgive me." God never sees it; the Blood of Jesus got me covered all the time. Then how can God ever see me? And how can sin be--be counted to me, when He can't do it? Just as soon as I do it, it's forgiven. And that's right.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908E)
Remember, I said, "God does not condemn a sinner for sinning." He's a sinner to begin with. He condemns a Christian for sinning. And then because He has condemned him, Christ took our condemnation. So there's no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. And if you do anything wrong, it isn't willfully. You don't sin willfully. A man that sins willfully, goes out and willfully sins, never come into that Body yet. But a man that's once in there, he's dead, and his life is hid in God through Christ, sealed by the Holy Ghost, and the devil can't even find him; he's so far back in there. He would have to come out of there before the devil can ever get in, for you are dead.” (ADOPTION OR PLACING.title JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 60-0522E)
“There's no need of trying. You're lost to begin with, as long as you look to what you've done. But don't look to what you've done, look what that day on Calvary did to you. It paid your price. It settled the question. Your sins be as scarlet, they're as white as snow: red like crimson, white like wool. Then you have no sin. You are perfectly sinless. No matter what you done or what you do, you're still sinless. As long as you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, your sins are forgiven. Anything that's forgiven is remitted and forgot about.“ (THAT.DAY.ON.CALVARY.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-5 60- 0925)
“If the Church has been judged, and they have judged themselves, and have accepted the Blood, how can God judge a man that's perfectly, totally sinless? You say, "There's no such a person." Every borned again believer, true believer, is perfectly, absolutely sinless before God. He's not trusting in his works. In the Blood of Jesus that his confession's dropped into...The Bible says so. See? "He that-
-that is borned of God does not commit sin, for he cannot sin." How can you make a man a sinner when the bleach of the Blood of Jesus Christ is between him and God, that would scatter sin till there'd be nothing left of it. See? How can that pure Blood of Christ ever let a sin pass there? He cannot. Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." And how could we even start the thought of being perfect, but Jesus required it. And if Jesus required it, He's got to make a way for it; and He has: His own Blood.” (FIRST.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0318)
“And notice, not only is the Bride washed, forgiven, but she's justified. See? Did you ever try the word "justify" to see what it means? Now, for instance, if Brother Green heard that I'd been drinking, I'd been doing bad things, then he found out that I didn't do it, then he'd come, say, "I forgive you, Brother Branham." "You forgive me? I never done it. What are you forgiving me about?" See? But if I'm guilty, then I can be forgiven, but I'm still not just, because I did it. But the word "justified" is "though you never done it at all": justified. And then the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us so from sins, till it's put in the book of God's forgetfulness. He's the only One can do it. We can't. We can forgive, but not forget. I could forgive you, but I'll always remember you done these evil things. Then you're not just; you're forgiven. But in the sight of God the Bride is justified. She never
done it in the first place. Amen. Standing there married to the virtuous Son of God, never sinned in the first place. Why? She was foreordained; she was trapped into this. And now when she heard the Truth and come forth, the Blood cleansed her. And She stands there virtuous. See? She's... No sin on Her at all.”
(RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
“You are the pure, virtuous, sinless Bride of the Son of the living God. Every man and woman that's born of the Spirit of God, and washed in the Blood of Jesus Christ, and believes every Word of God, stands as though you never sinned at the first place. You're perfect. (INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
“What if you had committed a crime and you were going to be tried in a federal court, and you knowed that if they found you guilty, that you were going to die, you were going to the electric chair, or the gas chamber, or whatever public execution they were going to have for you: maybe hung or something, lynched, whatever the penalty was, and you knowed that you had--you were guilty... You know you were guilty, and you must die if you don't get some attorney to represent you that--who can get you out of the thing. And now, you'd want the best attorney that you could have. And then, getting an attorney that was a good, shrewd attorney, you'd feel that your case was a little; you could relax a little bit, because you had an attorney. But still there would be a question whether this attorney could change the judge's idea or change the jury. If this attorney with his shrewd speaking, and the knowing of the laws could change that, and could plead your case, and prove that you should live...But yet in all of his great authority and the great speech that he could make, and the impression he could put upon the jury or have with the judge, you'd--maybe you might get a relax for a few minutes; but still there'd be a question in your mind: "Can he do it?" But in this case, the Judge Himself has becomes our Attorney. God became Man. There was no attorney could do it. We couldn't find one. Moses and the law, the prophets, nothing could do it. So the Judge become both Jury, Attorney, and Judge Himself and took the justice of His Law in His Own hands and paid the price of it Himself, how much more secure could we be? and sent His own Life back upon us as a Witness that He's accepted It. How safely. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil: for thou art with me..." When He becomes both Judge, Jury, and--and-- and Attorney, He pleaded our case. We, found guilty by His Own law, and He come and took the guilty person's place that was in the sanctuary. He took his sin. He took it upon Himself, and died, and paid the price, and shed His Blood, and give back His Own Token: His Own Life. Why, we are perfectly... The case is dismissed. There's no more sin to the believer. Oh, God, have mercy. If the people can't see that--that there's no more case. "He that heareth My words, and believeth on Him that sent Me, has Eternal Life, and shall not come to the judgment, but's passed from death unto Life." There's the case. Case dismissed; no more case
to it. Amen. Then safely--safely with the Token applied.” (TOKEN.THE.title JEFF.IN. V-2 N-19 63- 0901M)
“To think, that perfect love casts out all fear. You’re not scared about nothing; you’re just resting. You’re not, “Oh, I may backslide tomorrow. I may backslide next week.” I won’t worry about that. I’m not trying to hold on. I—I... He held on for me. And He put a love in my heart that holds there. It’s Him holding me, not me holding Him. If it was me holding Him, I’d probably turn loose. But as long as He’s holding me, He will never turn loose. He promised He wouldn’t. “I’ll never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Amen. Oh. “He that heareth My words, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath Everlasting Life, and shall not come into condemnation, but’s passed
from death unto Life.” I will rest my solemn soul upon that Word of God and stand and say, “As long as I know there’s something in me, making me love the Lord Jesus so well I don’t want to do wrong.” I’m anchored. Amen.” (LOVE.title SHREVEPORT.LA 56-0726)
ON LOVE & BROTHERLY KINDNESS
JOHN 13:34-35, “ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
I CORINTHIANS 13:1-8,13,“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away...And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”
II PETER 1:5-8, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“And when one member would talk against the other member; you know that’s wrong. You’re commanded to pray for one another, not to talk against one another, but to love one another. And if someone is down, let’s pick him up, help him. Now, that makes us a—a—a unified group of believers. Now, when we don’t obey that, then we don’t obey God and we displease God. And therefore, our church, our people cannot prosper, the church cannot go on, is because we’re disunified together. As Jesus said, “A little leaven leavens the lump.” (TOTAL.DELIVERANCE.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-1 59-0712)
“Amongst a lot of people we find, where emotions and so forth, there becomes tattlings, and backbitings, and all kind of ungodly things. Brother, that’s sulfuric acid in the church; it’s demon power. Spirit of men and women who get among one another and try to push off and say, “This one’s not right, and this one’s not right, and that’s not right.” If you’ll chase it down, nine times out of ten, it’s the very person making the stir that’s not right. Amen. God hates discord among brethren. Be reverent. Be holy. Love God. Stand by Him. And as long as you know your life is divvying up with the Bible with purity of heart, purity of thought, love towards your brother, trying your best to upbuild the Kingdom of God and doing those things, dressing right, living right, talking right, going to right places; then you can have all the emotions you want to, and everybody will believe it.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS.title JEFF.IN DE 79-112 55-0724)
“Now, don’t you listen to one foul thing the devil’s got to say. See? If the devil shows you some, or tells you something evil about one of the members of the body of Christ, don’t you believe it. For as soon as you believe it, you mar your experience. And if you see one of the members of the Body of Christ doing something evil, don’t tell nobody else; but go to that member, and with love, and see if you can’t bring them back to Christ again. And if you can’t do it, then tell one person, or let them go with you. Do it the way the Scripture said. See? But don’t... If somebody said, “Sister So-and-so, or Brother So-and-so,” don’t you believe one word of it. You just leave it go. Because, remember, it’s the devil trying to tear you to pieces. Now, just look for him to come in, ‘cause he’ll do it.”
(SUPER.SENSE.title JEFF.IN V-20 N-7 59-1227E)
“If you can't respect the man, respect the office he holds in God. That's exactly right (See?); respect him. If a minister comes up, your pastor, always respect him. I've heard congregations talk about their pastor, how just talk about him, run him down, ridicule him. How is that pastor ever going to do anything for you? He can't do it. You--you don't--you don't re... I don't say this church, but I mean churches I have seen, that if you... You've got to love your pastor. You've got to know that he's a human being, but yet God has made him His pastor. The Holy Ghost has made him overseer; then you've got to respect him in that manner. And no matter what the pastor's done, if you respect him in your heart as God's servant, God will respect you for doing it.” (RESPECTS.title JEFF.IN V-13 N-4 61-1015E)
“Any church member that’ll side in with such stuff as that and call themselves a Christian, and go out here and live... And the women bobbing their hair and wearing clothes that the Bible says for them not to; men carrying on the way they’re doing now with form of godliness, taking drinks, and smoking cigars, and married several times, and becoming deacons in the church, and even pastors and so forth; and the people that put up with such as that, that sort of life is not worthy of the Gospel. A woman that’ll walk, and get on the telephone and tattle and start fusses in the church and things like that, that isn’t a life worthy of the Gospel that we’re trying to represent. Any person that’ll break up a church and start a feud between the people and things like that, is not worthy of the Gospel that we preach. That’s exactly. It’s a form of godliness, denying the power thereof, the power of God that keeps you from such.” (IS.YOUR.LIFE.WORTHY.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-5 63-0630E)
“When someone says evil about you, say something good. If you can't say something good about them, then don't say nothing. Just let it go. See? And then when you get to yourself, pray for them.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-1223)
“Jesus never lived for Himself. His Life was spent for others. That's perfectly Eternal Life. When you say you go to church and you do good things, that's fine. But when you live your life to yourself, you haven't Eternal Life. Eternal life is living for others. It proved it when He come in the Lamb of God. He lived and had Eternal Life, because He did not live for Himself. He lived for others. And you receive Eternal Life by receiving that day, and you don't live for yourself no more. You live for others.” (THAT.DAY.ON.CALVARY.title JEFF.IN V- 2 N-5 60-0925)
“The hottest boiling thing there is to boil sin out of your life is love. And if you can’t love one another, how you going to love God who you haven’t seen? Love hides a multitude of sin. Get in love with God. Then you’ll love one another. Then you’ll love the church. You’ll love the cause. You’ll love everything that’s godly and you’ll keep away from the things of the world.” (ENTICING.SPIRITS.title JEFF.IN DE 79-112 55-0724)
“THUS SAITH THE LORD, it’ll take perfect love to put you in that place, for that’s all there was there. No matter how many, how much religious
demonstrations, how many good deeds you done, or whatever you done, that won’t count nothing on that day. It’ll take perfect love. So whatever you do, you lay aside everything else, until you are just so filled with the love of God, till you can love those who hate you. I’m just, as I said this morning, I was made... My whole makeup is grace. A lot of people say, “Now, you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. Yeah, you do something for me, and I’ll do something for you.” That’s not grace. Grace is, if your back is itching, I’ll scratch it anyhow, whether you scratch mine or not; you slap me on the face, and say, “my back needs itching, needs scratching,” I’ll scratch it. See? That’s it; do something. I don’t believe in works; I believe that works is love. Works is—works is the manifestation that grace has taken place. I don’t live true to my wife because I believe she’d divorce me if I didn’t; I live true to her because I love her. I don’t preach the Gospel, ‘cause I think I’d go to hell if I didn’t; I preach the Gospel because I love Him. Certainly.” (ADOPTION.OR.PLACING.title JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 60-0522E)
“When you’re riled upon, rile not back. Let Him be your Example. When they said, “If Thou be the Son of God, turn these stones into bread,” He could’ve done it and show He was God; but He had temperance. When they called Him Beelzebub, He said, “I forgive you for it.” Is that right? They pulled handfuls of beard out of His face, and spit in His face, and said, “Come down off the cross.” He said, “Father forgive them; they don’t even know what they’re doing.” .. If you still blow up and sass, and fuss, and stew, and carry on. Huh, uh. You ain’t got no... You can’t add that… But when you can really, with the sweetness from your heart forgive every man, hold your peace; let it be gone (See?), then it’ll vulcanize. You can add that to your faith.” (STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-18 62-1014M)
“Live for that man who hates you. Live for that person who'd kill you if they could. That's what they done to Him. They killed Him, and He died that He might save them. That's Eternal Life. When you--that's in your bosom, you're facing heaven then. But you sacrifice your own things, give them up like the sheep gives its wool. You look on towards Calvary.”
(THAT.DAY.ON.CALVARY.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-5 60-0925)
“Today we got the wrong conception of power. Power is overcoming, returning good for evil, that’s real power. That can love your enemy, do good to those that do evil to you. That’s real power; that’s God power. Yes. Maniacs can break chains. But it takes a real man to return good for evil, from his heart, not because of religious duty, but from his heart.” (FROM.THAT.TIME.title DAWSON.CREEK.BC 61-0520)
ADMONITION TO THE CHURCH
“Love one another above everything. Love one another. Don’t... No matter what the devil tries to say... Now, you’re all one great, big, sweet group now, but remember my warning. See? Satan won’t let that stay that way. No, sir. He’ll shoot everything, if he has to bring somebody in to make his target. He’ll bring some critic or unbeliever in, set him down, and cause him to fellowship with you under the quietness and things. Then he will shoot that guy with some kind of poison stuff, and he’ll start through the church with it. Don’t you take sides with it. Don’t you have nothing to do with anything else. You stay right loving and sweet and kind to one another. Pray for that man that he’ll be saved too, or that woman, ever who it is. Just pray for them and stick one with another and stay with your pastor. See? He’s the shepherd and you give him respects. He’ll lead you through, and—cause, he’s ordained of God to do so. Now, do you remember that? The enemy will come. And when he does, just cling that much closer together. And the one that the Devil is using for an enemy will either get out or come in and be one of you. That’s all. Don’t never clan among one an—or talk,
make yourself clannish; we are one.
I couldn’t say, “Left hand, I’m mad at you; I’m going to take you away ‘cause you’re not a right hand.” He’s my left hand. I want him to stay there. Even the little tip of my finger, I want it to stay right there, every little part of my body stay right there. And God wants us as a Body of believers to stay right exactly with one another, right it with one another.
And now, you’ve got tapes on that. You’ve got tapes on what we believe. You got tapes on discipline in the church: how we behave ourself in the church of God, how we got to come here together and set together in heavenly places. Don’t stay home. If God is in your heart, you can’t hardly wait for them doors to open out yonder to get in here to fellowship with your brothers. If you don’t—don’t feel that way, then I tell you, it’s time you got to praying, ‘cause we’re in the last days where the Bible exalted us—exhorted us to—to much more as we see that day approaching, to love one another with Christian love and Divine love, to assemble ourselves together in heavenly places in—in Christ Jesus and love one another. “This will all men know you’re My disciples when you have love one for the other.”
That’s right. Stay right together. If the brother, you think he’s a little wrong, or the sister, say, “Lord, don’t let me ever have the root of bitterness spring up, ‘cause it’ll—it’ll affect him, and it’ll take the Christ right out of my life.” That poison acids of malice, and jealousy, and hatred, that’ll just take the Holy Spirit right away from you. It’ll run Him from the Tabernacle here. It’ll kill the Spirit of God or drive it away from here, hurt your pastor; it’ll do everything. See? Don’t you do that. You just wax that much closer together. Draw up the... Take the buckle, as the brother testified (a minister here the other night) about having a buckle (seeing it in a vision). Just... That buckles on the whole armor of God; just put it on, tighten up, move right up close to one another. Love one another anyhow. Talk nice about one another. Say nice things about one another, and then God will bless you.” (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
“When a man possesses these kind of things, then the Holy Ghost comes upon him. No matter, you might speak with tongues; you might impersonate any gift that God’s got. You might do that, but until these virtues here go into you, you’re still off the real true foundation of faith. But when these virtues grow in, as you added that to that, then you are a living monument. You are a living, moving idol… Now, that is the house that God dwells in, not a building with a big bell on top of it and a high steeple (See?), but, “a body has Thou prepared Me,” a body that God can dwell in, God can walk in, God can see in, God can talk in, God can work in (Amen.), living instrumentality of God. God walking on two feet in you. Glory. “The footsteps of the righteous is ordered of God,” God walking in you, for ye are written epistles, read of all men. And if the Life that’s in Christ be in you, you’ll bear the Life that Christ bore.” (STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-18 62-1014M)
ON DISFELLOWSHIP & EXCOMMUNICATION
Reverend William Branham, God’s prophet to this age, never disfellowshipped anybody. He drawed bigger circles that included other people’s little circles in his bigger circle. He’s a friend to the Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal and all. Though he condemned the denominational systems that they are in, yet he never condemned the individual. He reached out to them and placed his hopes upon God that somewhere in these systems, God has got a Bride that he, Brother Branham, was sent for to bring back
to the fold of God’s pure Word
Even our very own Lord Jesus Christ in His own words said, “whosoever will, let him come”. Jesus never disfellowshipped the drunkard, nor the prostitutes, nor the tax collector because of them not recognizing His doctrine nor accepting Him as the Messiah. He came to sinners and He had always grace for them. He had longsuffering and patience, thinking that one day these people will give their lives to God in the perfect time alloted if they are really predestinated unto salvation.
God has also, according to the measure of faith, has given us our individual stages in our spiritual walk in life. We should not condemn a baby for stumbling here and there seeing that he or she is still learning how to walk. That should be the case for every Christian brother or sister, too. We ought to help one another instead of putting down the other person just because our level of faith and understanding may seem higher or greater than the other man. Apostle Paul was even given a thorn in the flesh so that he will not be puffed-up by the abundance of God’s revelation that was given to him.
Here are some quotations taken from the sermons of Reverend William Branham pertaining to this issue of “disfellowshipping”:
“I think that everyone ought to take their choice as American citizens to join any church that they want to. And I think that we ought not to disfellowship that person upon their convictions. I think we should all fellowship with one another, asking God’s mercies on us all.” (FROM.THAT.TIME.title PHOENIX.AZ 60-0302)
“Every man ought to have a church home. You ought to have a place, not just to float about from pillar to post, but have somewhere that you go to church and you call it your church, somewhere you pay your tithe, and somewhere that you help support the cause. Take your choice, but then don’t never disfellowship the other man because he don’t belong with your group. See? Discern his spirit and see if he’s got the same purpose in heart, then you got fellowship one with another. You’re working for one great cause. That’s the cause of Christ. I think that that is absolutely true.” (DISCERNMENT.OF.SPIRIT.title PHOENIX.AZ V-9 N-3 60-0308)
“In their wrong... Israel was wrong as wrong could be. They were so wrong, till God give them up, but Moses... I’ve always wondered how that ever come, but It was the Spirit of Christ in Moses. See. See, we’re all wrong. He stood for all of us, when we was in our wrong. No matter how wrong they are, let’s not disfellowship or disassociate ourselves with anything. As long as we can win a soul, let’s go in with “wise as serpent, as harmless as doves” (You see?), and try to win every soul that we can.” (GREATEST.BATTLE.EVER.FOUGHT.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-11 62-0311)
“And we do not disfellowship any church, any member of any church: Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, whatever it might be. We believe that the Spirit of God deals with individual. And in every church there is Christians, throughout the whole church world, as so-called today. I believe there’s Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterian, Lutherans who love God. And the only thing that they know about Him... They live as close as they can, as close as they know how, or are taught to live.” (ORDINATION.title JEFF.IN 62-1104E)
“And I see the Word is the Absolute, and I’m tied to It, and determined I’ll know nothing else but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He had a reason for it, and I’m determined to hold that reason. No matter what anybody else says, I don’t disfellowship them or
discredit them, but I know what I’m tied to. He wanted me like this. He had me like this. I was made like that for a purpose. I had to be made up of all these qualities, and so forth, and all these no-accounts, so He could dig it out of me, put something in there, that was His Word. And I’m determined I’ll know nothing else but Christ.” (ABSOLUTE.AN.SHREVEPORT.LA 63-1201M)
“I got a brother that likes apple pie; I like cherry the best, but I ain’t going to disfellowship him. He can eat his apple pie and I eat my cherry pie. And I put calf slobbers on top of mine. If he don’t want it, why, he can have it. You know that... What is it? Whipped stuff they put on it, you know, whipped cream. I like it. Getting too old now to eat it, but it’s a... But I—I—I... That’s what I like. If he don’t like it, he don’t have to eat it. That’s all right; I’ll eat mine. But he’s still my brother. That’s right. And so I—I like that; I like a fellowship. But when we draw lines like this and say, “No, this is our denomination,” and won’t reach over and shake hands with the next man, and say, “Bless God, brother.” My. That’s when you call fellowship. If you don’t, you get that root of bitterness just like the Smyrnaeans got back there, and you cause the same thing. All right, so their name was “bitter.” (SMYRNAEAN.CHURCH.AGE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 185-227 60-1206)
GROUNDS FOR DISFELLOWSHIP
“I don’t believe that any deacon board has a right to throw anybody out of church, or any trustee board, or any pastor has a right to do it. I think if anybody was to be disfellowshipped , would be because of immoral living, or something like that, that he wasn’t a fit person, like a man coming in here defiling our girls or—or insulting our women, and things like that, and still professing to be one of us here... See? Now, if he’s out somewhere else coming in, why, we have to do something about it, but, when it comes to a person like that, a immoral person trying to make love to our wives, or—or insult our daughters, or, you know, something another like that, or do something immorally around her, or taking our little boys out and making perverts out of them, or something, those things should be taken up, and then that fellow should be excommunicated from the fellowship and not permitted to take communion with it; because we’re not supposed to do that. We’re not. “If any eats unworthily, is guilty of the Blood and body of the Lord,” on that person.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 61- 0112)
BEING “UNEQUALLY YOKED” WITH UNBELIEVERS
God’s Word shows us that a believer is an abomination to an unbeliever and vice versa. Proverbs 29:27 says,”An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.” A born-again believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever. This is very clear and comes as a command in II Corinthians 6:14-18 - “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellow- ship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
God’s Word is telling us not to have fellowship with unbelievers. We are not to be yoked with unbelievers; but we are to separate from all unbelievers. Paul, talks about an
unbeliever in 1 Corinthians 5:11, “Now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother, (note it didn’t say he was born-again, but rather professes to be or is called a brother) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such one no not to eat.” II Thessalonians 3:6 says, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
A believer is to withdraw from fellowship with unbelievers and make-believers that do not obey the Gospel. ll Thessalonians 3:14,15 states, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.” Correct this person, admonish him, and do it in meekness and in the fear of the Lord, the Bible tells us. God’s Word is always perfect and is profitable for correction.
Here are some related nuggets/quotes from Rev. William Branham’s sermons regarding this issue of being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers:
“God had ordained that His people act different from the world. They are not of the world and they don’t look like the world and they don’t act like the world. They are crucified unto the world and the world is crucified unto them. II Corinthians 6:17-18, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (123-2 SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE
- CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“God calls every man to separation, not one exception. Every man that comes to Christ must separate himself from the things of the world. To have faith in God, you can’t walk around where people are, and be in people, and associate with people that’s in the wrong thing and expect to have faith. You can’t get around where Thomases is at and—and all of his children, and where they say, “Oh, the days of miracles is past, and there is no such thing as that.” The first thing you know, that spirit will get on you. Come out from among them the Bible says. Separate yourself; be separated. “Touch not their unclean things and I will receive you, saith the Lord.” The trouble of it is we have got to much Hollywood preaching and not enough old time rough preaching. I like the old time kind that really tears the hide off of you, brings it down to a place where it belongs. To much petting around, we need the old fashion Gospel (Amen.) preached in its power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. That’s what the world needs today.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH_ INDIANAPOLIS.IN WEDNESDAY_ 57-0612)
“When God said, "Separate yourself from everybody," the walk with Christ is an individual walk. You walk, you stand alone with you and God alone. Not you and the pastor, you and God alone. Not you and the deacon. Sometimes you and your wife, you and your husband, but you and God alone. You stand alone on your convictions. Salvation is not a church affair. It's an individual affair. Church is a gathering place where we come and on common grounds and worship God. But salvation isn't because you've joined the church, it's because you've believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as your personal Saviour, and then you have to do more than that now. It isn't just a make-believe.” (ABRAHAM.title BROOKLYN.NY 56-1208)
“Our text tonight takes us back to a little thing to our minds, not to mix with unbelievers. The Scripture says, “Don’t yoke yourself up among unbelievers. Do not be unequally yoked together.” Many places of the Scripture teaches us that we should separate ourselves. The first thing that God required Abraham to do when He called
him, was to separate himself from his people, his kindred, and then He’d bless him. Now, it doesn’t mean you have to leave home; it means just separate yourself from your worldly associates.” (SEPARATION.FROM.UNBELIEF_ PHOENIX.AZ MONDAY_ 55-0228)
“Abraham, it was becoming to Abraham to separate himself from unbelief. Becoming to any believer to separate yourself from unbelief. Abraham, it was becoming to him to walk in a land of his own, him and God alone, ‘cause he was a prophet. The world didn’t understand why Abraham made such a choice. Why did he leave his home? Why did he leave his church? Why did he leave his people? Why did he do such a rashal thing to sojourn in a strange land where there’s no water or food? Why did he go into those bleak deserts where men had not went yet? But it was becoming to him, for he was a prophet, to separate himself from all unbelief and to walk alone with God. God said, “Separate yourself, and I’ll bless you.” When you separate yourself from all unbelief, God will bless you. And it’s becoming to every one of us, regardless of the price, to separate ourselves from the unbelieving world. “Come out from among them and be ye separate,” saith God, “I will receive you.” It’s becoming to us as men and women of God to take our stand in this dark hour that we’re living.” (IT.BECOMETH.US.TO.FULFILL.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-4 61-1001M)
“God called Abraham, and He told him He wanted him to separate himself from all of his unbelieving kindred. And when God calls a man to work for Him, He calls you from total annihilation from all the things of the world, and the sins of the earth: separation. God never did bless Abraham till he fully obeyed Him. He took his father. The old man was always a—a hair in the soup or... excuse that expression. But he was always wrong, and Abraham... And then he got Lot. And then he finally went down there. And after Lot separated himself, then God said to Abraham, “Rise and walk through the land. I’ve give it all to you. It’s all yours.” See? He never fully blessed him till Abraham fully obeyed. And you’ll never be able to get anything from God, and have favor with God, my brothers and sisters, wherever you are, until we fully obey the Word of God. You make yourself miserable by just half-heartedly approaching it. Yes.”
(FROM.THAT.TIME_ SPOKANE.WA FRIDAY_ 62-0713)
“God, when He calls people, He calls for total separation from all the things of the world: annihilation from the worldly things. Separate yourself, and God will bless you. Come out from among them; be not partakers of their sins. Yoke yourself not up among unbelievers, but yoke yourself with believers, fellow citizens of the Kingdom.“ (GOD.HAS.A.PROVIDED.WAY.title LVL.KY V-25 N-9 54-0404)
“Now, the first place, the word “church,” itself, means “the called-out.” Now, Israel was not the church of God as long as they were in Egypt; they were the people of God. And then when God called them out of Egypt, they become the church of God, because they were the called-out. Now, that still remains the same today. The word “church” means “the called-out ones,” those that have been called out, separated, made different.”(FIVE.IDENTIFICATIONS.title JEFF.IN V-9 N-5 60-0911E)
“You separate your thing—yourself from sin, unbelief. There’s only one sin, and that’s unbelief. Committing adultery’s not a sin; drinking liquor is not a sin; telling lies is not a sin; that’s the attributes of unbelief. If you believe, you wouldn’t do those things. Certainly. Jesus said in St. John 5:24, “He that heareth My Words and believeth on Him that sent Me, has Eternal Life”; that’s Zoe, Holy Spirit, because he believes. Correctly. Now, until you receive That, you’re make-belief; that’s in that group. But when they really believe, separating themselves, then when you separate yourself from all your unbelief, and believe God, walk out strictly, carrying the
commandments, doing everything that’s right, then God will say, “Every promise in the Book is yours.” Amen. “All’s yours. Turn from It, from Genesis to Revelations, it’s all yours.” Amen. “If ye abide in Me and My Word in you, you can ask what you will, it’ll be.” What? You got to separate yourself first from your unbelief.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.1_ GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 37-72 THURSDAY_ 62-0705)
“God had ordained that His people act different from the world. They are not of the world and they don’t look like the world and they don’t act like the world. They are crucified unto the world and the world is crucified unto them. II Corinthians 6:17-18, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (FROM.THAT.TIME_ SPOKANE.WA FRIDAY_ 62-0713)
“You see the one difference between Israel and the rest of the nations was God. Put God to one side and Israel was like any other nation. When Samson cut off his hair he was like any other man. Put the leadership of the Holy Ghost aside and the church is NOTHING BUT THE WORLD WITH GOD’S NAME ATTACHED TO IT. The world and the church are all of the same lump, just like Jacob and Esau were of the same parents, but the Spirit of God makes the difference. It doesn’t matter if you call yourself a Christian. Anyone can do that. The point is whether or not you have the Spirit of God in you, for without that Spirit you are reprobate; you are none of His. Amen.” (SMYRNAEAN.CHURCH.AGE
- CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.4)
“And we've got to the place to think that because we're resting upon what our forefathers did, or what upon our great founders of our churches, what their great sacrifice
was to God, which is all right and so much appreciated. But we cannot draw salvation from what they did. Salvation is an individual affair between every person and God. Not with our nation, with our church, but with ourselves before God we answer.” (BE.CERTAIN.OF.GOD.title
JEFF.IN V-5 N-12 59-0125)
THE PARABLE OF THE EAGLE
Brother Branham likened a true believer to an eagle. He talks about God as Jehovah Eagle Who feeds us with His Word. He narrates them in his sermon, “As the Eagle Stirreth Her Nest:
“The heritage of God is likened to a great eagle. I read that in Palestine alone, there’s forty different types of eagles. The word “eagle” means “one feeding with the beak,” which is a very beau- tiful type of how God feeds His children by His mouth with His Word. “Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” God is the Eagle that feeds His little eaglets with His Word. The Bible speaks that the eagle renews its youth. It’s been believed that the eagle every so often, would renew its youth, bring itself back young again, which the eagle, has a long life. We will notice that God often likened His prophets to eagles, and He also likened Himself to an Eagle. He is Jehovah Eagle, and we are His eaglets, His little ones. And does not He feed us with His own mouth? God feeds His eaglets with His
mouth, His Spoken Word.
In speaking of eagles, I’m reminded of a farmer out west who put an eagle’s egg in with a setting of chicken eggs. When it hatched out it was the funniest looking thing. All the other chickens chirped, and he couldn’t understand what they were chirping about because he spoke in a different language. I hope you know what I mean. He watched them and he didn’t know what to do. They all picked on him because they said he was an odd fellow. The old hen would cluck and the little chicks would cluck. But the eagle didn’t understand that cluck. He didn’t come when the others did because he didn’t know that clucking. He didn’t even like the diet she was feeding him. He just didn’t like that scratching in the barnyard; he didn’t have nothing to do with that. He managed to make a living but he was pretty confused about it all. The old hen gets out in the barnyard on a manure pile, and she begins to scratch. Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck. He don’t know nothing
about that. He’s a eagle. So he’s made fun of, with all the little chickens said, “Look at that holy-roller. He ain’t like us.
Then one day, the old mother eagle knowed she had laid so many eggs, and there was one missing. She knew that that eagle was somewhere, so she starts out on the hunt for him. And she circled over the mountaintops, and down in the valleys, and over and everywhere, where he might be. Then the
mother eagle happened to fly over that barnyard. As she flew by, Her great shadow swept over the barn- yard. She looked down and saw her own child. She swooped down with tremendous speed and screamed at the top of her voice for him to fly up to meet her. And when she did, the little fellow turned his head and began to look upward. He had never heard an eagle cry, but when he heard that first scream something in him stirred and he longed to launch out
toward it. But he was afraid to try.
When he looked up, She screamed at him, “Come, you’re not a chicken, you don’t belong there, you are Mine!”
She called on him, “Just make the first big jump and flap your wings!” He screamed back that he was afraid. Again that mother screamed for him to arise in the wind and follow her. Once more she called out, screaming that he try. Then he made the first jump and flapped his wings. Again She said, “Son, come higher, give it another jump and I will carry you on My wings!” Beating his wings he hurled himself into the air, and answering the cry of his mother, he soared off into the blue skies. You see he always was an eagle. He acted like a chicken for a little while but he could not be satisfied. But when he heard the call of the great eagle he came to his own place.
In fact a lot of true Christians are like the story of the baby eagle that was hatched out under a hen. You know that the eagle is a type of the true believer. Though you were born under a denominational barnyard, yet you are an eagle to begin with. But a real-born again child of God doesn’t behave like the people of the world. Others say they belong to a church, but you don’t understand that cluck. You were born an eagle. And once a true son of God hears the cry of the Spirit by the Word, he too, will realize who he is and run to the Great Prophet Eagle and be with Him forever seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. If the Church only knew how to set its wings, its wings of faith, into the promise of God, and not beat from here, beat from there, and join the Methodists, join the Baptist, join the Presbyterian, join the Oneness, join
the Assemblies, every little ‘ism comes along, to join it. That’s not it. It’s just set your wing in His promise and let the Holy Ghost just lift you up, lift you up, on, on, on.
What the church of the living God needs today is to jump away from the barriers of denominationalism, from all the isms, and to cut loose. Nest stirring time has come. But we need another jump. We have gotten so far as the barnyard post. But we need to get free and ride on His wings for a first solo flight. If we could only take the wings of the Bible, God’s written Word, that God give His Church to fly away with, and have as much confidence in the Word of God, by the Holy Spirit, to furnish the breeze to pack us away... If we’d only had as much confidence as the eagle did in his wings... He knew that he could make one jump, and he’d be in that timberline, above that timber.
And when a man or woman has set under creeds and cold, formal religion, if he’s ordained to be a son of God, and he sees the Word of God preached in Its power, and God vindicate It; he’s an eagle to begin with, he’ll run to It as sure as two twos is four. He can’t help it, because his very nature loves the Word of God. I don’t care what anybody else says, when he sees the Word of God being made manifest, he flies to It because he is a little eagle. “Where the carcass is, the eagles will gather.” It’s eagle food. Eagles love eagle food. Sheep love sheep food. And scavengers love scavenger’s food. Buzzards eat buzzards food. And if you love the things of the world, that shows the love of God is not even in you.
Dear God, we see the handwriting on the wall. We’re at the end time. We know that there’s great things laying ahead; but yet somewhere, somewhere out in this mess out here, is still honest people that’s been ordained to Life. It’d be impossible for one man or two men; but, God, all of us together, let us spread in every corner we can, the good news that Jesus is coming, and (See?), just spread a little Bread along, a little Word. Wherever the eagles are, they’ll follow that Food. Whether It comes by a tape, or whether It comes by a word or a testimony, eagles will follow It to Its headquar- ters. For It is written, “Where the Carcass is, there the eagles will gather.” (Luke 17:37)
Dear Jesus, we know that Thou art the Carcass that we eat. Thou art the Word, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. We pray, God, that as we scatter the Word, that the true eagles will find It. Dear Jesus, we know that Thou art the Carcass that we eat. Thou art the Word, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. We pray, God, that as we scatter the Word, that the true eagles will find It. Let us not be ashamed when we stand before people, wicked, indifferent people, religious, whatever it is. As Paul told Timothy, let’s be instant in season, out of season; reproving and rebuking, with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they’ll not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap for themselves together teachers, having itching ears, and will be turned from the truth to fables. (AS THE EAGLE STIRRETH HER.NEST57-0705)
The Bible speaks of a true God-ordained five-fold ministry.
EPHESIANS 4:11-13- ”And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the : (1) perfecting of the saints, for the (2) work of the ministry, for the (3) edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all (4) come in the unity of the faith, and (5) of the knowledge of the Son of God,
(6) unto a perfect man, (7) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Brother Branham ENDORSED the 5-Fold Ministry according to the following sermons:
“And God set some in the Church, first apostles, then prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors, all for the perfecting of the Church. How could we turn one down and say the other one isn’t so? God does it Himself.” (THEIR EYES WERE OPENED.title JEFF.IN ER 89-107 57-0421E)
“Would the Bride of Christ have a ministry before the rapture? Sure. That’s what’s going on right now. See? The Bride of Christ... Certainly. It is the Message of the hour (See?), the Bride of Christ. Sure, She’s consist of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. Is that right? That’s the Bride of Christ. Sure, She’s got a ministry, great ministry; it’s the ministry of the hour; it’ll be so humble.” (QA.ON.THE.SEALS. No.22 JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
“God never intended the church to be run by men. God runs His church, and He runs it through gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit is in the church to correct the spirit. He’s got five ministerial offices in His church. First of them is apostles, or, missionaries. Missionary is the highest calling there is, apostle. The word “missionary” means “one sent”; “apostle” means “one sent.” Why they ever chose to be called a missionary, I don’t know. But they are apostles. All right. Apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors, now, that’s the elected offices of God to His church. Then in each local church there’s nine spiritual gifts that come among the people, that is, knowledge, wisdom, gifts of healing, working of miracles, speaking with tongues, interpretation of tongues. And all these things go in each local body. And every person in the church has an individual ministry, and that individual ministry goes together with the rest of the ministry to edify the Body of Jesus Christ.” (SMYRNAEAN.CHURCH.AGE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 185-227 60-1206)
“God was predestinating by foreknowledge, set in the church these orders. They are of God. God speaks then and a vindicates and proves Hisself by the preachers preaching the Word, by the prophets prophesying, by the seers, and so forth that’s in the church, that God has placed, by the evangelists, pastors, all together to feed and to take care of His sheep.” (HEAR.YE.HIM.title OAKLAND.CA 57-0322)
“Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, five spiritual gifts that’s predestinated, that by foreknowledge God set in the Church. That’s exactly right. Gifts and callings are without repentance. All those gifts are in the Church.”
(JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.title MIDDLETOWN.OH 58-0323)
“Now He set in the church, to keep the church in line with the Word, what? Apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, offices of the church. God-sent, not man-called; God-sent, inspired men to keep the church lined up. Now, what is it? Gifts of the Spirit in the church, not a bunch of fanaticism, but truly gifts of the Spirit in the church.”
(PERSEVERANCE.title JEFF.IN V-10 N-3 62-0218)
“In His army... He presents His army in the form of five offices, first, apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists. That’s His army; that’s His soldiers; that’s His commanding officers, all with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, waiting out there to meet the enemy on any grounds he comes upon; to meet the enemy with the Word of God (Amen.), each one backing one another up, with Him the Chief Captain, not out there in front, up here, above, back behind; but in them. That’s the army. Vindicating, vindicating what? His resurrection, by the proof of His works.” (TAKE ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD; SANTA.MARIA.CA 62-0701)
“Now, His corporal body sets at the right hand of God. You believe that, don’t you? But the Holy Spirit is here working through His sanctified vessels. And God has set in the church what? First apostles, then prophets, then teachers, then evangelists, then pastors (Is that right?), for the perfecting of the church. God has did it. It’s not the preacher that preaches; it’s God preaching through him. It’s not the prophet that sees the vision; it’s God speaking through him.”
(JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.title CHARLOTTE .NC 56-0426)
“What is it? God dressed up in His church. These offices is God’s dress- wear. When you see those offices, pastors, teachers, evangelists, what is that? That’s God’s dress-wear, God’s Presence, God’s Spirit and It’s working through man. And if that office denies any of this Word, then it’s not God-dressing. No, not that. That’s that wolf in sheep’s clothing. Watch that fellow. Beware of Him.” (PUTTING ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD; S.PINES.NC 62-0607)
KNOW YOUR CALLING
“Now, everybody can’t be a preacher, but you got a voice… If you’re a preacher, you’re called to the pulpit to preach. If you’re not, you’re still a preacher, but live the people a sermon. Let your sermon be lived, and it’s the voice of God that’ll bring reproach to them who reject it. See, live your sermons. Don’t try to preach them if you’re NOT called to be a preacher; get all mixed up, anyhow, and messed up, and you’ll get people tangled up, and you won’t know... Well, you’ll—you’ll ruin them and yourself too. Just live your sermon.The preacher’s called to preach his and to live it too. If you can’t live it, then stop preaching it. But you’re supposed to live your sermons.” (REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY.title JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 61-0108)
“ It's a gift. A gift ain't to take, like a sword, and go, punch and jab and pull. That isn't it. A gift is just getting yourself out of the way so the Holy Spirit can work in a human body. Don't try to say, "Glory to God, I got a gift. I got a gift, hallelujah." You'll never get it. If you just know how to let yourself go...” (TRIAL.THE.title TOPEKA.KS V-20 N-6 64-0621)
CHURCH ORDER, CONDUCT AND DOCTRINE
“Every man ought to have a church home. You ought to have a place, not just to float about from pillar to post, but have somewhere that you go to church and you call it your church, somewhere you pay your tithe, and somewhere that you help support the cause. Take your choice, but then don’t never disfellowship the other man because he don’t belong with your group. See? Discern his spirit and see if he’s got the same purpose in heart, then you got fellowship one with another. You’re working for one great cause. That’s the cause of Christ. I think that that is absolutely true.” (DISCERNMENT OF SPIRIT; PHOENIX.AZ V-9 N-3 60-0308)
“There’s something about the—where you go, what church you go to, and what teacher teaches you. Do you know that? It—it’s got something to it. Therefore, we ought to seek out the very best that we can find, so we’re getting the best; not because it’s sociable and so forth, but the real Bible teaching.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.3.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901M)
CHURCH SOVEREIGNTY
“But I believe in the supreme authority of the local assembly. Yes, let each church be its own, choose its pastors, its deacons, its whatever it is. And then, that way, the man in there has no bishop over him. The Holy Spirit wants to speak something to that church, they don’t have to ask anybody about whether they could do this or do that. It’s the individual in contact with the Holy Spirit. Show me by the Bible, what’s greater in the Bible than a local elder to a local church? That’s right. Yes, sir, the sovereignty of the local church, each church in itself... Now, brotherhood, that’s wonderful. All churches ought to be in a brotherhood like that together. But the sovereignty of local church...” ( HEBREWS CHAPTER 5.AND.6. JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908M)
“But the full and complete authority of the church is the pastor. Read that in the Bible; see if that’s not Bible order. That’s exactly right. There’s no one above the elder. I have nothing to do with what Brother Neville does here. That’s up to you and Brother Neville. If Brother Neville wanted to preach Jehovah Witness doctrine, that’s up to him and you. See? If he wanted to preach anything he wanted to, that’s between you and him. That’s all. If the congregation votes for him in there to preach that, that’s all right. That’s up to him.”
(HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
“You all voted a hundred percent on it, so we’ve held right to that. See? The church is sovereign. What the church says, that’s what... Trustees or nobody else... The trustees is just, each one, a vote. The pastor is just one vote. It’s the church, that it’s— it’s the democracy of the church, the sovereignty of the church. The church in whole, speaks. That’s all. And we like that, because we have NO bishops, or hierarchies, or overseers, or so forth to tell us this, that, or the other. It’s the Holy Spirit in the church, does the speaking; I like that rule, and it’s very fine.” (KEY.TO.THE.DOOR.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-6 62-1007)
“And this church is sovereign. There ain’t no board of trustees or deacons going to tell you what to do. This church in a whole vote tells you what to do. That’s exactly right. If there’s a decision... If you don’t like your pastor, and there’s two or three people gets something against the pastor, they can’t raise up. If they’re deacons, trustees, they just... Or what officer they are here they just got one vote; that’s all. If he’s assistant pastor, he’s just got one vote. He’s just like the lay member sets back there. The whole vote of the church settles the matter. And that’s right; that’s—that’s right. No deacon board put a pastor out, or no pastor put a deacon board out. The church does that in a
general vote of the whole thing. It’s sovereign in itself. We have no bishops; we have no general overseers; we have Jesus. Amen. He’s the Bishop. He’s the General Overseer. He’s the head Pastor. He’s the King. He’s the Lord. He’s the Healer. He’s All and All. And we’re just His subjects walking in the Light. Amen.” (BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; JEFF.IN V-5 N-2 58-0928M)
7 QUALIFICATIONS OF A TRUE MINISTER
A TRUE MINISTER MUST BE :
1. CALLED AND ELECTED (foreordained by God) and not by men. Meal ticket must never be an issue in preaching. II PETER 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall .”
2. SENT BY GOD (NOT BY SOME MAN-MADE ORGANIZATIONS) ROMANS 10:14-15, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”
3. CHOSEN of GOD (NOT HANDPICKED BY MEN LIKE MATTHIAS). MATTHEW 22:14- “For
many are called, but few [are] chosen.”
4. GIFTED AND VINDICATED OF GOD (NOT JUST RUNNING WITH SOME SEMINARY EXPERIENCE OR WITH SOME BIBLE SCHOOL THEOLOGY; BUT BY THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST) ROMANS 11:29 - “For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.” MATTHEW 10:7-8 -”And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
5. WALKING IN THE PRESENT TRUTH (NOT WITH DENOMINATIONAL HYBRID TEACHINGS) PSALMS 86:11, “Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth..” II PETER 1:12 – “ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.” …..
6. A HUMBLE SERVANT, NOT ONE THAT’S BEING SERVED
MATTHEW 20:25-28- “But Jesus called them, and said, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“Sometimes great guys get together. You hear them say great So-and-so and great So-and-so, our great... Don’t never do that. There’s no great ones among us. There’s only one great One, and that’s God. We are brothers, sisters. I don’t care if you’re a pastor of a church that’s got five people in it, that don’t make you little; that makes you a brother (See?), if you’re true to God’s Word. I don’t care what, how, you don’t get little. God don’t have little children and big children. He just has children, and they’re all the same.” (TRYING.TO.DO.GOD.A.SERVICE.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-8 65-0718M)
“And isn’t that just the way that people get today? Let God just bless a fellow and put a little confidence in him, and he gets to be a know-it-all. He gets to
be... He’s got to start an organization, or he’s got to do something that’s different. “Why art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer.” It’s... God has a hard time trying to get somebody that He can deal with, that’ll stay humble, and meek, and stay in the place until God calls him to do something (you believe that? See?), a man that God can bless and he’ll still keep hisself a man, not be an angel or a god. As soon as man gets blessed and has a little something given to him, he wants to become a god; he wants to become a—a angel. He wants to become some great person. “What I do, what... Me and me and mine...” all that. That’s the wrong attitude. God’s hunting for somebody who He could bless and pour out the blessings, and—and more He blessed, the littler the man will become. And you’ll never get more of God until you become nothing. You’ve got to belittle yourself. He that will exalt himself, God will bring abase. He that will humble himself, God will exalt. You’ve got to get little before you can get big. And you’ll never be big in your own self; you’ll only be as big as God will be big in you. See?” (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-0628E)
7. NO COMPROMISER OF THE WORD - GALATIANS 1:8- “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ROMANS 3:4- “Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.”
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION of the FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
”A prophet isn’t an evangelist, and an evangelist isn’t a prophet. A pastor isn’t a evangelist, and a evangelist isn’t a pastor. But God has set in the church, first apostles, then prophets, then teachers, then pastors and so forth. God set them in the church and God gave them an office.” (TAKING.SIDES.WITH.JESUS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0601)
THE PROPHET
The prophet is a special man. A prophet is a man of whom the Word of the Lord comes to, because the prophet is so designed life that his sub-conscious and his first conscious is so close together that he doesn’t go to sleep to dream his dream; he sees it when he’s wide awake. See? Now, that’s something God has to do. See, he sees what’s going. A prophet foresees way off (See?) the things that is coming. He sees the cup of God’s wrath, full, before it is filled. See? He can say, “THUS SAITH THE LORD. (WARNING.THEN.JUDGMENT.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
Prophets are foreordained. They’re prophets. Now, there’s a gift of prophecy in the church, that could be on one, then the next one, the next one, the next one, and so forth—of prophecy. Paul said you may all prophesy one by one. But there’s a lot of difference between a prophet and a prophecy. A prophecy has to be judged by three witnesses (two or three) before it can be given or accepted in the church, according to the Scriptures. But a prophet, like the Old Testament prophet, they had the Word of the Lord. The translation was right to them. And they were known, because the Bible said, “If there be one among you spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord, will make Myself known unto him, speak to him in visions, and reveal Myself in dreams. And if what this man says comes to pass, then hear him, for I’m am with him. If it doesn’t, then don’t hear him. I’m not with him. Don’t fear him.” (JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.title TUCSON.AZ 61-0205E)
A SCRIPTURAL PROPHET
DEUTERONOMY 18:22- “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD,
if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not
spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
DEUTERONOMY 18:20- “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.”
A TRUE PROPHET IS : A (1) “SEER” OF VISIONS; (2) HAS “THUS SAITH THE LORD” ; (3) HAS A GIFT OF DISCERNMENT; (4) CAN PROPHESY AND COMES TO PASS; (5) CAN INTERPRET DREAMS; (6) STAYS SOLIDLY IN THE WORD; (7) TAKES NO GLORY UPON HIMSELF
THE PASTOR
In the church there is the pastor, and that pastor is a special person. He’s built to where he can--he can put up with the fusses of the people. He—he— he’s a burden-bearer; he’s the ox of the team. He—he’s a man that can set down when the—somebody’s got something against somebody else, and set down with them two families, and take neither side, and reason it out, and bring it right back into sweetness. See? He—he’s a pastor; he knows how to take care of things. (WARNING THEN JUDGMENT JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
But the full and complete authority of the church is the pastor. Read that in the Bible; see if that’s not Bible order. That’s exactly right. There’s no one above the elder. (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
Now the truth of the matter is the word “elder” signifies who the person is, while the word “bishop” signifies the office of the same man. The elder is the man. Bishop is the office of the man. `Elder’ always has and always will refer simply to a man’s chronological age in the Lord. He is an elder, not because he is elected or ordained, etc., but because he is OLDER. He is more seasoned, trained, not a novice, reliable because of experience and long standing proof of his Christian experience. (197-2 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
And it’s very easy then for he pastor to find the Spirit of God (which is already in the meeting) on the Word of God, as he reads and starts preaching. The pastor then preach anything that the Holy Spirit would put on his heart, whatever he wishes to do, standing there. But the congregation is to only... They can rejoice, as he is preaching, of course, or say “amen” when the Word comes forth. But, as far as getting up and giving a—a messages in tongues and interpretation, while the—the Holy Spirit is working through the pastor, the Scripture condemns that, and said, “The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet.” The pastor then must call this individual down, and ask them to be reverent and to keep their place. The pastor must be a man that has got a very humble way about him, but not too humble but what he could be like the Lord Jesus Christ when He seen wrong going on in the church, He platted ropes and ran them out of the church. And now the Church of God is the highest of judgment, and the pastor is the highest order in the Church. The elder is the highest thing in the apostolic Church, outside of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings His Message straight to the elder, and the elder gives It to the people. (CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN COD.SUPPLEMENT 58-1006)
QUALIFICATIONS OF A PASTOR
I TIMOTHY 3:1-7 - ¶ This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
THE EVANGELIST
The evangelist is a special man. He’s a man that’s burning like a fireball. He runs into a city and preaches his message, and gets out of there somewhere else. See, he’s a special man. (WARNING.THEN.JUDGMENT.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
THE TEACHER
The teacher is a special man. He sets back under the anointing of the Spirit and is able to take the Words and put them together by the Holy Spirit, that the pastor or evangelist either one could not compare with him. (WARNING.THEN.JUDGMENT.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
Bible teaching is usually a little treacherous, a little, you know, kind of walking out on the thin ice; we call it. .. Now, preaching usually catches the sinner, brings him under condemnation by the Word. But teaching places a man positionally what he is. And we can never rightly be able to have faith until positionally we know what we are. (EPHESIANS.PARALLELS.JOSHUA.title JEFF.IN AD.1 60-0515E)
Now, in order to study the Scripture... Paul told Timothy, “Study It, rightly dividing the Word of God which is Truth.” Then there’s three musts in the Scripture. In using God’s Word there is three things that you must not do.. You must not do these things. We tell you all the time how you must do; now, I’m going to tell you what you must not do. Now, you must not misinterpret the Word. You say, “Well, I believe It means this.” It means just what it says. It needs no interpreter. And you must not misplace the Word. And you must not dislocate the Word. And if we would do either of these, it throws the whole Bible in a confusion and in a chaos. (CHRIST.REVEALED.IN.HIS.OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
These three musts, must be: Must not misinterpret or mishandle It, misinterpret or dislocate It. It must be kept just exactly the way God said It was. (CHRIST REVEALED IN HIS OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
And the Scripture is of no private interpretation. It was wrote by the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is the only One Who can reveal it, for it is hid from the eyes of the wise and prudent, and it’s revealed to babes such as will learn. So if you don’t watch, if you don’t use the mind of the Holy Spirit to put it together, you’ll have your scene all mixed up, for instance, just like a cow picking grass in the top of a tree. (HEAR.YE.HIM.title MIDDLETOWN.OH 58-0328)
But if you’re reading between the lines and try to make It say something,
that in between the lines says something different than what the lines says, then it’s wrong. But it’s got to agree, all the way through It. The Bible is just like a great jig-saw puzzle, if you’ll excuse the expression. And if you just try to put it together just the way you look at it, you’ve got to have something over here to look at. If you don’t, you’ll ruin your scene. You’ll have a cow picking grass on top of a tree. So it won’t be right. (JEHOVAH.JIREH.title LA.CA 59-0417)
Oh, I know there’s many rise up, and go out, and say, “Oh, I don’t need to go to church anymore. Praise God, the Holy Ghost has come; He’s the teacher.” When you get that idea, you’re just wrong. For why did the Holy Ghost set teachers in the church if He was going to be the teacher? See? There are first apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. The Holy Spirit set teachers in the church, so He could teach through that teacher. And if there’s—it isn’t according to the Word, God doesn’t confirm it, then it isn’t the right kind of teaching. It must compare with the entire Bible, and be just as alive today as It was then. There’s the real thing made manifest. (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.5.AND.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908M)
THE APOSTLE
And then we find out the apostle is a special man. He’s a—he’s a setter- in-order. He’s a man that’s sent from God to set the things in order. (WARNING.THEN.JUDGMENT.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-3 63-0724)
A word “apostle” means “one that’s sent.” I’ve often wondered why the missionary ever wanted to be called a missionary. A missionary is an apostle. The word “missionary” means “one sent.” “Apostle” means “one sent.” A missionary is an apostle. (POSITION.IN.CHRIST.title CHICAGO.IL 55-0116A)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRUE MINISTER
1. HE MUST EDIFY AND UNIFY THE BODY OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:12-13, “...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
2. HE MUST NOT BRING DIVISION NOR CONTENTION(S) TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
I CORINTHIANS 1:10-13- “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
3. HE MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST
I CORINTHIANS 2:4-5- “And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should NOT stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
His preaching must be INSPIRED BY THE HOLY GHOST; It must come from the HEART, and NOT from an INTELLECTUAL POINT of VIEW. He must live what he preaches, and the REALITY of GOD in his life must be supported by TRUE-TO-LIFE EXPERIENCES. He must be vindicated by the Scriptures.
JOHN 14:12-14 - “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my Name, I will do [it].”
LUKE 9:1-2- “ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
MARK 16:17-18 -”And these SIGNS shall follow THEM that believe; In my Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
“GREATER WORKS ” means “MORE”
“You know the Bible says, same chapter, John 14, “The works that I do, shall he do also; even more than this shall he do, for I go to My Father.” I know the King James puts it “greater.” It couldn’t be no greater; the original says “more.” ‘Cause He stopped nature; He raised the dead; well, it’s just everything. You could do no greater than He did. But the church would do MORE of it, because while we’re having a meeting here, they’re having a meeting in Africa; they’re having them in Brazil; they’re all around the world (See?); ‘cause it could be more. God was manifested in one Person then, His Son Jesus; now He’s manifested in His church universal, but the same Spirit doing the same works.” (LET.US.SEE.GOD.title SAN.JOSE.CA V-14 N-2 59-112)
Jesus said these words, “The works that I do shall he do also.” Saint John, I believe it’s 14:7. “The works that I do shall he do also; greater...” The right translation is “more”. You couldn’t do any greater. If He... A greater in quantity, but not in quality... He raised the dead, stopped nature. He just did everything. So it would more than this, because then the Holy Spirit would be working through the church throughout the universe. “More of the same works will you do; because I go to the Father. And I’ll come again, and be with, in you.” (JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.title SOUTH.BEND.IN 58-0207)
4. HE MUST BE ABLE TO LEAD THE CHURCH OF GOD UNTO PERFECTION
MATTHEW 5:48- “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 - “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there
be] any praise, think on these things.”
There’s no negative at all in Christianity; it’s all positive. (HEAR.YE.HIM.title PARKERSBURG.WV 56-1215)
5. HE MUST LEAD THE CHURCH UNTO PERFECT LOVE
MATTHEW 5:43-47- “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
6. HE MUST BRING CONVICTION TO SINNERS
II TIMOTHY 4:2-4- “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
7. HE MUST BE ABLE TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE
LUKE 4:18-19- “The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
8. HE MUST BRING HONOR & GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST ALONE (not to any man, group, system, nor denomination)
GALATIANS 6:14- “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
I THESSALONIANS 2:6- “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
9. HE MUST WITNESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER (HEBREWS 13:8)
A TRUE MINISTER SHOULD ATTEST TO THE TRUTH OF THE FIRST PULL- HEALING & MIRACLES; THE SECOND PULL- DISCERNMENT & PROPHESY; AND THE THIRD PULL- REVEALING OF THE WORD
10. HE MUST PREACH ONLY THE WORD OF GOD – THE REAL FOOD FOR THE SOUL (NOT MAN-MADE IDEAS)
MATTHEW 4:4- “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
REVELATION 22:18-19 - “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.”
11. HIS PREACHING MUST FOCUS ON THE PRESENT TRUTH
- THE MESSAGE-OF-THE-HOUR
II PETER 1:12 – “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.”
12. HE MUST LEAD THE PEOPLE TO BECOME OVERCOMERS
HEBREWS 12:1-2- “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the RACE that is set before us, Looking unto JESUS the AUTHOR and FINISHER of [our] faith.”
I JOHN 2:15-16 – “Love NOT the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the LOVE of the Father is NOT in him. For ALL that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is NOT of the Father, but is of the world.”
ROMANS 12:2- “And be NOT conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
II CORINTHIANS 10:5- “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
II CORINTHIANS 12:9- 10- “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
13. HE MUST PREPARE THE PEOPLE FOR THE RAPTURE
JOHN 14:1-3- “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.”
MATTHEW 6:19-21- “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
I CORINTHIANS 15:51-54- “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
I THESSALONIANS 4:15-18 - “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a SHOUT, with the VOICE of the archangel, and with the TRUMP of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
ORDAINING OF MINISTERS
“When we ordain these ministers by laying on of hands... Now, we realize that the Scriptural way of ordaining a minister is laying on of hands. I think that’s where our Latter Rain brethren, or the Battleford people, and so forth, got mixed up and—when they seen that laying on of hands to impart spiritual gifts. Now, we do not believe that gifts comes by laying on of hands. We believe that laying on of hands is a sanction to what we’ve already seen. See? It’s a “amen.” See? Now, when they laid hands upon Timothy and upon those brethren, they had noticed in them men was the gift. Remember, “stir up that gift, which was in you, come from your grandmother Lois.” And they seen this in Timothy; and therefore, the elders laid hands upon him, ordaining him, not put hands upon a man that nothing has ever been showed forth. You see? And they just asked the blessings, and we all believe that. So we don’t impart spiritual gifts; we only recognize them and lay hands upon them to sanction them, that we believe that God has done such things for the people.” (INDICTMENT.THE.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-19 63-0707)
TRAINING OF MINISTERS
“Now, I think this church... If you men would, when you build this church, make this like your headquarters and like Brother Neville here being like the senior elder among you. See? And sometimes you get a question that you can’t discuss out with your church out there, then bring it in here to Brother Neville and you all discuss it together. If there— you can’t come to any decision, I’ll be coming by pretty soon, then we’ll all come together with it. And then in there, get training in your own groups other ministers, men that you see that has a calling in their life for the ministry. Train them young men; bring them in here to the elder. All of you set together in a ministerial meeting and there teach the deeper things of God. Don’t go on the bad end. Keep someone who, can have confidence in to be kind of like a—a leader for you. And then sometimes if you don’t see it just exactly the way he does, goes—that’s all right, you’re in the faith anyhow; just move along. Maybe when we come together then, all of us together, we’ll pray, the discernment of God come down, and He’ll give it just exactly what it is (You see?) and let us know just how to do it. And in there, churches can go hear. And training up a group of men. And if I’m in evangelistic work somewhere, there’s places I can place them worldwide.” (TAKING.SIDES.WITH.JESUS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0601)
“Now, everybody can’t be a preacher, but you got a voice… If you’re a preacher, you’re called to the pulpit to preach. If you’re not, you’re still a preacher, but live the people a sermon. Let your sermon be lived, and it’s the voice of God that’ll
bring reproach to them who reject it. See, live your sermons. Don’t try to preach them if you’re NOT called to be a preacher; get all mixed up, anyhow, and messed up, and you’ll get people tangled up, and you won’t know... Well, you’ll—you’ll ruin them and yourself too. Just live your sermon. The preacher’s called to preach his and to live it too. If you can’t live it, then stop preaching it. But you’re supposed to live your sermons.” (REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY.title JEFF.IN ROJC 645-716 61-0108)
THE GOALS OF PREACHING
Preaching is the main work of the five-fold ministry. Preaching has to attain some goals and I personally categorize them as follows:
1. INFORMATION (Creating awareness in people about the Word; introducing the Message-of-the-Hour to the world)
2. INSTRUCTION (Acquisition of Knowledge by the people through a clear understanding the Mysteries of the Scriptures)
3. ACCEPTANCE (By faith, people must be lead to believe and obey the Word of god as their Absolute)
4. MOTIVATION (The building of inspiration amongst the people and offering them an invitation to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour)
5. PERSUASION (The assertion of Biblical truths and principles into people’s lives in order for them to be counted worthy to be called the “Bride” of the soon coming King.
MECHANICS OF GOSPEL PREACHING
(TEN BASIC GUIDELINES WHEN PREPARING TO PREACH)
The following tips and guidelines are not meant to replace the leading of the Holy Spirit in a preacher’s method of preaching. These tips are simply meant to serve as key reminders and are especially addressed to young ministers in their initial calling and practice of the great commission. I respect the dealings of God with each member of the 5-fold ministry. But these tips are just practical notes of mine which I wish to impart to all who might need them with in the goal of equipping God’s generals with some aids in their service to the Body of Christ.
1. BE AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE - The first approach to preaching is to seek God first of his Message for the Day – be prayerful and ask God to discern what His people needs. It may be helpful to go to a quiet place, and to read the Bible, until God leads you to a topical inspiration.
2. PREACHING IS NOT A SHOW OR PERFORMANCE - Remind yourself that preaching is not a “performance”. It isn’t about you nor about your ability to please a crowd into a spiritual frenzy. Any thought that parallels to “what do they think of me?” must be put out of your mind. Focus on God’s Word, not on whether the crowd is being entertained or bored. Don’t impress people by too long prayers. Be specific and be direct.
3. DO NOT OVER-PREPARE - Give some chance for the Holy Spirit to speak out of the “box” (your outline). Do not be tied up to your notes. The Spirit of God will let you sense what is occurring amongst the people. He may lead you to feel a burden, a yearning or to give an outstanding testimony. Merge them with your sermons as you see fit, for God’s glory.
4. BE YOURSELF - Don’t be something which you are not. Be honest. Be humble. Don’t be a smart-aleck or a “know-it-all”.
5. DON’T RUSH - Take time to clarify the context of your sermon. You may need to define a “word” or “phrase”, or simply give a typology to a topic as in a parable. Don’t forget to cite the importance of the topic you are discussing (i.e. New Birth) to the people State some related facts, events, and experiences to build up your topic.
6. PROJECT YOUR VOICE - Don’t mumble. Preaching may not be a performance but you need to be heard and be understood clearly and audibly. Try to emphasize significant points by raising the level of your voice, by shouting, or by simply pounding on the pulpit. (But be sure not to break the pulpit, or else you are under obligation to have it repaired:)
7. BE INTIMATE - Make your sermon personal as if you’re talking to a very dear friend whom you love and care so much. Create and establish a personal relationship with your audience. Show concern to every one by telling them the love of Jesus, and that He died for their sins and is willing to forgive them of their iniquities.
8. ENCOURAGE GODLINESS & ZEAL - Uphold holiness. Set the people’s heart on fire for God. Encourage the weak. Praise the work of those who are tying their best to serve the Lord. Build-up the faith of the people through the Revealed Word.
9. CONVICT PEOPLE OF THEIR SINS IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY - Love the sinner, but hate their sin. Expose the works of the flesh as against the works of the Spirit. Show the contrast of good and evil, and clarify the consequences of both (you reap what you sow). Enumerate Biblical characters that will outline the difference. Be a typologist.
10. OFFER A WAY BACK TO GOD - Win back people’s souls to God through repentance and restitution. Always point out that “whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap.” Show them the way of salvation - what must they do to be saved, and how they can really be assured of their salvation. Show them that Jesus loves them and is longing to have fellowship with them (type them to the prodigal son).
A CHECKLIST IN PREACHING
Since the goal of preaching is to change lives, preaching is the ultimate tool for church growth. But how can you be effective in communication through preaching? Listed below are eight questions to ask about your preaching (Courtesy of PreachIt.Org).
1. WHO WILL I BE PREACHING TO?
Asking questions like, “What are their needs?”, “What are their hurts?”,
and, “What are their interests?”, will help us focus on where the people are. Why ask? Because although there are three things that always get one’s attention:
á Things that threaten us.
á Things that are unusual.
á Things that we value.
“A preacher can only consistently keep people’s attention by focusing on what
people value.”
2. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THEIR NEEDS?
Since the Bible is the Book of Life, is will have the answer to peoples needs. The preacher’s task is to show the Bible to be relevant for today’s needs.
3. WHAT IS THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY TO SAY IT?
Application is the central task in preaching. So, preaching must be practical enough for people to know what to do. How to make preaching more practical?
á Always aim for action.
á Tell the people why.
á Show them how.
Exhortation without explanation leads to frustration. Too often people respond to a message with the expression, “Yes, but how?” In other words, I agree with what you’re saying, but “how do I do it?”
4. WHAT IS THE MOST POSITIVE WAY TO SAY IT?
Jesus never tried to convert anyone with anger. Although the Scriptures clearly warn of judgment, negative preaching only produces negative people.
á Promote the positive alternatives to sin and preach humbly.
5. WHAT IS THE MOST ENCOURAGING WAY TO SAY IT?
Everyone has three fundamental needs:
á To have their faith reinforced,
á To have their hope renewed,
á To have their love restored.
The key to encouraging people is don’t just tell it like it is, but also tell it like it could be.
6. WHAT IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO SAY IT?
Jesus taught profound truth in simple ways. Since a person forgets 90 to 95% of what they hear in seventy-two hours, the sermon needs to be definable in a single thought. How do you simplify the sermon?
á Condense the message into a single sentence.
á Avoid using religious terms.
á Keep your outline simple.
á Make your application fit.
á Never make a point without a picture.
7. WHAT IS THE MOST PERSONAL WAY TO SAY IT?
People today are skeptical and resistant to sales pitches, so the message must be made personal “He’s preaching to me!” How do you preach with impact?
á Honestly share your struggles.
á Honestly share your progress.
á Share what you are learning.
8. WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING WAY TO SAY IT?
To the unchurched, dull preaching is unforgivable. Vary your delivery! Jesus told stories about people and He also used humor. Humor relaxes people, makes painful medicine easier to accept and creates positive emotions. In summary, good effective preaching is not just an accident. It should be thought through. Finally, the most effective key to preaching is simply LOVE PEOPLE.
10 BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SERMON
(Suggested Guidelines for Preachers - A Sample Module)
1. SCRIPTURE READING (Text– “John 3:3,” The New Birth, for example)
2. OPENING PRAYER ( Dedication of the service to God) (Step 1 and 2 can be inter- changeable)
3. TITLE AND DEFINITION OF CONTEXT ( Definition of the “New Birth”)
4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEXT (“Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God”)
5. COMPONENTS OR PROCESSES ( e.g. Three stages: Water, Blood, Spirit/ Justification, Sanctification, Baptism of the Holy Ghost)
6. EXAMPLES (Types and Shadows of the New Birth– to the Earth: Noah, Jesus, Armageddon; to the Wheat: tassel, stalk, shuck, grain )
7. RELATED EXPERIENCES (Birth pains; mess; lust of the flesh versus leading of the Holy Spirit)
8. CONCLUSION (“Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven)
9. CLOSING PRAYER (consecration, benediction)
10. INVITATION ( Altar Call for healing, invite people to come and receive Jesus, the Sabbath of their soul )
A SOLEMN WARNING AGAINST FALSE MINISTERS
Discerning and Identifying the Bogus 5-Fold Ministry
ROMANS 16:17 - “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
II TIMOTHY 4:2-4- “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
MATTHEW 24:24- “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 7:15 - “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
ACTS 20:29-30 - “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. “
REVELATION 2:6- “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
REVELATION 2:15- “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
We are cautioned in the Bible about false ministers who will come to rend the flock of God and become “grievous wolves” in “sheep’s clothings.” They will deceive the very elect if it were possible. They will try to impersonate the true church and the true ministers of God and will lead many astray. Who are these people? And how can we know those who belong to this false five-fold ministry? The messenger of the hour had exposed to us such systems clearly in what is known to be as the “Nicolaitanes doctrine” and the “Balaam” system of worship. I have gleaned some quotes below from the prophet of God regarding their schemes.
NICOLAITANISM & BALAAMISM
Nicolaitane, comes from two Greek words: Nikao which means “to conquer”, and Lao which means “the laity”. Nicolaitane means, “to conquer the laity”. “Now why is this such a terrible thing? It is terrible because God has never placed His church in the hands of an elected leadership which moves with political mindedness. He has placed His church in the care of God-ordained, Spirit-filled, Word-living men who lead the people through feeding them the Word. He has not separated the people into classes so that the masses are led by a holy priesthood. It is true that the leadership must be holy, but then so must be the whole congregation. Further, there is no place in the Word where priests or ministers or such mediate between God and the people, nor is there a place where they are separated in their worship of the Lord. God wants all to love and serve Him together. Nicolaitanism destroys those precepts and instead separates the ministers from the people and makes the leaders overlords instead of servants.” (197-2 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
CORRUPTION OF THE CLERGY
The Nicolaitane doctrine was “the corruption of the clergy as they sought political power amongst themselves”, while “Balaamism is the subjection of the
people to their system of creed and worship in order to hold them.”
Now watch this carefully. What was it that bound the people to the nominal church and thereby destroyed them? It was the creeds and dogmas formed into church tenets. It was the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. They were not given the true food, the Word. They were given the food that came from idol worship, Babylonian paganism wrapped up in Christian terminology.
And that very same spirit and doctrine is right amongst all Protestants and it is called DENOMINATION. Nicolaitanism is organization, humanizing the leadership of the church, and thereby deposing the Spirit. Balaamism is denominationalism which takes the church manual instead of the Bible. ((372-2
RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.10)
And right to this hour, many of God’s people are caught in the snare of denominationalism and God is crying to them, “Come out of her My people, lest ye be partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.” You see they are ignorant. But if the rapture should take place at this moment, ignorance would be no court of appeal from the judgment of God for being in the wrong ranks.
“For the clergy to organize themselves with one rank over another until they are finally headed up by a president is a manifestation of the antichrist spirit, regardless of how wonderful and necessary it may seem. It is nothing but human reasoning taking the place of the Word. And any person who is in the organized denominations is right in the midst of an antichrist system. Now let me say this and make it very plain. I AM NOT AGAINST THE PEOPLE. I AM AGAINST THE SYSTEM.”
(372-2 RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.10)
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
“In order to clarify this even more, let me explain Nicolaitanism in this way. You recall that in Revelation 13:3 it says, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death: and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Now we know that the wounded head was the pagan Roman Empire, that great political world power. This head rose again as the “Roman Catholic spiritual empire”. Now watch this carefully. What did political pagan Rome do that was the basis of her success? She, “divided and conquered.” That was the seed of Rome—divide and conquer. Her iron teeth tore and devoured. Whom she tore and devoured could not rise again as when she destroyed Carthage and sowed her to salt. The same iron seed remained in her when she arose as the false church, and her policy has remained the same—divide and conquer. That is Nicolaitanism and God hates it.” (198-1 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“The Roman Catholic Church calls herself the Mother church. She calls herself the first or original church. That is absolutely correct. She was the original First Church of Rome that backslid and went into sin. She was the first that organized. In her was found the deeds and then the doctrine of Nicolaitanism. No one will deny that she is a mother. She is a mother and has produced daughters. Now a daughter comes out of a woman. A woman robed in scarlet is sitting on the seven hills of Rome. She is a harlot and has borne daughters. Those daughters are the Protestant churches that came out of her and then went right back into organization and Nicolaitanism. This Mother of the daughter-churches is called a whore. That is a woman who was untrue to her marriage vows. She was married to God and then went off fornicating with the devil and in her
fornications she has brought forth daughters that are just like her. This mother and daughter combination is anti-Word, anti-Spirit and consequently anti-Christ. Yes, ANTICHRIST.” (200-5 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
MAN OVER MAN
“Where, oh where, are we spiritually? We are in a wilderness of darkness. How far we have wandered from the first church. Pentecost is nowhere in view and the Word cannot be found. Apostolic succession, which today abounds, is not found in the Word. It is a man-made device. It supersedes illegally the truth that GOD, NOT MAN, has set His leaders in the church. Peter was not even in Rome. Yet they lie and say he was. History proves he was not. There are people who read history, but shrug their shoulders and go back to believing a lie. Where can you find the ‘vicar of Christ’ in the Word? No one takes His place, yet it has been done and people accept it. Where can you find that ‘added revelation’ is accepted by God, especially revelation contrary to one already given? Yet they accept it and rest on it. Where do you find a ‘purgatory’? Where do you find a ‘mass’? Where do you find ‘paying money to get out of hell’? It is not in the Word, but men put it in their own book and by it took over the people, ruling them by fear. Where do you find that ‘man has the power to forgive us as though he were God’? “Grievous wolves,” is hardly strong enough to describe them. Nicolaitanism. Organization. Man over man.” (96-1 EPHESIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.3)
“Then the church got stylish, and fashioned after the political speakers. And they had to give their preachers doctor's degree, everybody had to be a Doctor of Divinity. That was another cord to bind the church. Men go off and study, each seminary tries to produce a better scholar so that their churches can brag, "Our pastor is a Doctor of Divinity." And what did they do, one try to have more knowledge than the other one. Well, that doesn't mean anything in the sight of God. And there's no need for any man to try to take his worldly knowledge and ever please God with it. It's an abomination in the sight of God. You'll never please God with the worldly ambitions and knowledge, because it's enmity to God, says the Scripture. He cannot do it.”
(DECEIVED.CHURCH.BY.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN CH 67 59-0628M)
“But all these men go off to seminaries and they learn great education, how they must stand before the people, how they must present themselves, how they must dress, and how they must act; they should never use the wrong grammar. Now, that's all right for a political speech, but we're not after the enchanting words of men. Paul said, "The Gospel that I preach didn't come like that, but it come through the renewing of the--the Holy Ghost and the power of demonstration." Doesn't come by a right formed speech, that your wisdom would be, or your trust would be in the wisdom of man. But it come through the demonstrations of the power of the risen Christ. That's the Gospel, "To know Him in the power of His resurrection." (DECEIVED.CHURCH.BY.THE.WORLD.title JEFF.IN CH 67 59-0628M)
“Bishops still claim power to control men and deal with them as they desire, placing them where they so will in the ministry. This denies the leadership of the Holy Ghost Who said, "Separate Me Paul and Barnabas for the work where-unto I have called them" This is anti-Word and anti-Christ. Matthew 20:25-28, "But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him
be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 23:8-9, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for One is your Father, Which is in heaven." (198-1 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
“The minute the church moved toward form and ceremony, and toward priesthood by organizing the ministers into a group that decided leadership apart from the Holy Spirit and His Word, that very moment death entered and she started to get sick, and as she got sick she changed to a powerless group of people whose only weapon was argument. She could produce nothing in the Spirit, for her hopes were built on program and not on faith in His Word. They sowed program so they reaped program. They sowed perversion so they reaped perverted children.” (127-1 SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“Now, I respect the order of men, and so forth; but when you make these organizations... Look at the Pharisees, would have nothing to do with the Sadducees, because the Sadducees didn't believe in--in neither angel, or--or spirit, or resurrection, or anything, and the Pharisees possessed both, and they were at war with one another. Now, the oneness believes one thing; the trinity believes another, and the Methodist another, and the Presbyterian another, and you draw little lines. And what have you got? A separation of brotherhood.” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“ Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of a man. And if you've got a spiritual mind... (Now, listen to this revelation). That spirit, that man that he made a revelation of--or he made an image of by his revelation was Daniel--a religious man being worshipped (See it?), because he named him Belzar, wasn't? Or Belteshazzar, which was the name of his god. And he made a image of that god, which was the image of Daniel, and Daniel refused to bow to his own image. See, see? And here it is again. See? Now watch. The Gentile kingdom was issued in in the days of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, a Gentile king, putting church and state together by taking a holy im--a image of a holy man and forcing worship to it. The Gentile kingdom ends in the feet with a handwriting on the wall by a political power that's united church and state together to force kissing images again (You see?), same thing: image of a holy man. Sure.” (QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
“It was Cain's children that had that kind of wisdom, not Seth's; they were humble sheepmen. But Seth's children were godly people. But Cain's children was always smart, high, science, doctors, and great men. That's right. The Bible said so, you know, That teaches that. And very religious, but perished at the end. We become wise by going to school, taking scholarship, and so forth, we become very wise, smart, and can do things, and say things, and sometimes out-talk a man that's Spirit- filled. Didn't Jesus say, "The children of this world is wiser than the children of the Kingdom"? Sure, 'cause they, by their intellects that they can--can talk, and outsmart, and out-talk, and take the Scriptures and twist It to make It say things that It doesn't. "Oh, It doesn't exactly mean that." When a man says that, get away from him. See? God watches over His Word, you know, the Bible said. It's wrote just the way It should be. See? Now, It's put in such a way to deceive, or to make the wise stumble over It. It's so simple; that's the reason they stumble over It. See?” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“A man without character can't reign because power apart from character is Satanic. But power with character is fit to rule.” (117-2 SMYRAEAN CHURCH
AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
ANTI-WORD MEANS “ANTI-CHRIST”
I Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Now in every case you will notice that a false prophet is one who is outside the Word. “Just as we showed you that ‘antichrist’ means ‘anti-Word’ so these false prophets come perverting the Word, giving it a meaning that fits their own devilish ends.”
LEADING BY FEAR
“Have you ever noticed how the people who lead others astray bind them closely to themselves by fear? They say that if the people don’t do what they say, or if they leave, then destruction will follow. They are false prophets, for a true prophet will always lead one to the Word and bind the people to Jesus Christ and he won’t tell the people to fear him or what he says, but to fear what the Word says.” (331-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
MONEY-MAKING SCHEMES
“Notice how these people like Judas are out for money. They get you to sell all you have and give it to them and their schemes. They spend more time on offerings than the Word. Those who attempt to operate gifts will make use of a gift which has a margin of error in it and then ask for money, and neglect the Word and call it of God. And people will go to them, and bear with them, and support them, and believe them, not knowing it is the way of death. Yes, the land is full of carnal impersonators. In that last day they will try to imitate that prophet-messenger. The seven sons of Sceva tried to imitate Paul. Simon the sorcerer tried to imitate Peter. Their impersonations will be carnal. They won’t be able to produce what the true prophet produces. When he says the revival is over they will go around claiming a great revelation that what the people have is exactly right and God is going to do bigger and more wonderful things amongst the people. And the people will fall for it. These same false prophets will claim that the messenger of the last day is not a theologian, so he ought not to be heard. They won’t be able to produce what the messenger can; they won’t be vindicated by God as that last day prophet is, but with their great swelling words and with the weight of their world-wide notoriety they will warn the people not to hear that man (messenger) and they will say he teaches wrong. They are running exactly true to their fathers, the Pharisees, who were of the devil, for they claimed that both John and Jesus taught error. Now why do these false prophets come against the true prophet and discredit his teaching? Because they are running true to form as did their forefathers when in the days of Ahab they withstood Micaiah. There were four hundred of them and all of them were in agreement; and by them all saying the same thing, they fooled the people. But ONE prophet—just one—was right and all the rest wrong because God had committed the revelation to ONLY ONE. Beware of false prophets, for they are ravening wolves.” (331-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
CHAPTER TWELVE
INTRODUCTION
It has been said that “All things are possible to them that believe”. And faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. How are we saved by
faith? And how can we put faith into action?
Faith is a requirement for salvation. We are saved by faith. Faith means believing that God is what the Bible says He is and that He is able to do what His Word says He will do. Faith is a confident and implicit reliance upon God. It is counting Him true and His
Word true, and putting that confidence into action in our lives.
Paul says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Faith works with assurance. He who has faith draws nigh to God with expectation. He knows that God is true and that His promise is for him. He lays hold upon the promise because the promise belongs to him and because God is pleased to have him claim
his rights in the promise. When he takes hold upon the promise, he is sure of the result.
In Galatians 5:22, faith is said to be one of the fruits of the Spirit. We have a natural faculty of faith, the sixth sense, or the power to believe. And the Spirit of God, working upon this natural power, quickens our faith and turns it into channels that lead Godward, and thus God becomes the object of our faith, not upon any system of man or denomination. It naturally follows that the more spiritual a man becomes the stronger will be his faith and the more effective it will be in its action.
THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH
“The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The Christian graces flourish only in the soil of faith. Under the influence of doubt and unbelief, they droop and die. Hebrews 11:6-“ But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”. We should never trust in our works in order to maintain our righteousness. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). That inward, conscious, satisfying knowledge of being right with God can come only by faith in the finished atonement of the blood of Jesus Christ, giving us access to the throne of God.
Brother Branham said, “Remember, you are not saved by wisdom; you are not saved by your education; you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. You're not saved by any good works. You're not saved by shouting. You're not saved by dancing in the Spirit. You're not saved by speaking in tongues. You're not saved by keeping sabbaths. You're not saved by meat-eating. You're not saved by joining church. You're not saved by water baptism. You are saved by faith. Through grace are you saved.” (UNPARDONABLE.SIN.title JEFF.IN V-26 N- 8 54-1024
“FAITH” IS A REVELATION
Let’s read more of what Brother Branham had to say about “faith”:
“Now, “faith” is a “revelation from God.” Now, “faith” is a “revelation.” There’s where I want to stay there just a moment. It’s a revelation. He has revealed it to you by His grace. It’s nothing you did. You didn’t work yourself up into faith. You never had faith; it’s give to you by the grace of God. And God reveals it to you; therefore, faith is a revelation. And the whole Church of God is built upon the revelation.”
(WORKS.IS.FAITH.EXPRESSED.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-7 N-1 65-1126)
“But to the church, the Bride, the rapture is a revelation to her. It's revealed to her, that the revelation, the true Bride of Christ will be waiting for that revelation of the rapture. Now, it is a revelation, for the revelation is faith. You cannot have a revelation without it being faith. Faith is a revelation, because it's something that's revealed to you. Faith is a revelation. Faith is something that has been revealed to you like it was to Abraham, that could call anything contrary to what had been revealed to him as though it wasn't so. Now, faith... That's what faith is, is the revelation of God. The church is built upon a revelation, the whole entire body.” (RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
“Faith isn’t something that’s imaginary thing. I want you to get it. Faith is a direct revelation. See, if you only accept Christ as your Saviour by a intellectual, you haven’t got it yet. You cannot say that Jesus is the Christ, until the Holy Spirit has revealed it to you.” (FAITH.ONCE.DELIVERED.TO.THE.SAINTS.title CHICAGO.IL 55-0501)
“To know Him is Life, the Person, Christ Himself, not comparing. It’s a revelation that God built His church upon. And if we don’t build upon that same church... The Bible said, “Abel, by faith...” And faith is a Divine revelation. See? Faith is a Divine revelation. All right. This whole Thing’s built upon the revelation then, and unless this is revealed to you... Jesus said, “I thank Thee, Father, that Thou has hid these things from the wise of this world, and revealed it to babes such as will learn.” See?” (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-0919)
“I tell you, faith is a great big thing when it comes on the Word of God. He’s not afraid then. Faith’s got hairs on the chest, big muscles. It says, “Shut-up.” Everything else scoots to the corner (That’s right.) when God speaks. “If ye abide in Me and My Words in you, say what you will.” There you are. Oh, I like that. Um. Devils will tremble and sinners awake. Faith in Jehovah will anything shake.” (THY.SEED.SHALL.POSSESS.GATE.title PHOENIX.AZ 62-0121M)
“When Christ died, you know what He did? He gave you a checkbook when you become His child. And at the bottom of every check it’s got Jesus’ Name. Now, the only thing you have to do is co-sign this check with Him. Sure you’re not afraid He won’t keep His—He won’t keep His Word, the bank of heaven won’t honor it. “Ask the Father anything in My Name, I’ll do it.” Oh, my, what a promise. Are you—could you put
your name on the check with Him, tonight. “By His stripes, I was healed. I, William Branham, was healed, nineteen hundred years ago, by His stripes.” He’s got His Name signed in His own Blood at the bottom of it. The Father will recognize that. You just try it once. Don’t try it, just do it. Anybody can try it. It takes somebody who knows what they’re doing to do it. That’s right. It ain’t a try. We don’t go at trying. If you got faith, you don’t try; you go do it, because you know you can.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.2.title YAKIMA.WA 60-0802 )
“Jesus, when they come down off the mount, He says, “Who do men say I the Son of man am?” “Some say You’re Elijah; some say You’re of the prophets, and some say You’re this, that.” He said, “But Who do you say?” Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Watch. “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona (the son of Jonas); flesh and blood never revealed this to you.” Amen. See, it has to come spiritual revelation. Flesh and blood never told Abel that he was wrong—or Cain, that he was wrong, never told Abel that Cain was wrong. But it was a revelation that Abel had. It was blood. We’re coming into that question in a few minutes. It was blood, not fruit, that took us from the garden of Eden. It was blood. And Abel by spiritual revelation was revealed of God that it was blood. “And he, by faith,” Hebrews 11:1 says, “he offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Which God accepted his sacrifice. There you are. See? He offered it by faith, by revelation.” (QA.HEBREWS.PART.1.title JEFF.IN COD 57-0925)
YOU ARE SAVED BY FAITH
“By faith you’re saved.” How many knows that? Though many, how many good men prays over you, how many good preachers preaches to you, you’ve got to have your own personal faith for salvation. Is that right? It’s your own. I don’t care how many good sermons you hear, how many good churches you belong to; it’s your own personal faith that saves you. How loud you cry, how much you beg, how much you scream, how much you dance in the Spirit; you’re only saved by your faith. Is that right? That’s the only way you’re healed. (AS.I.WAS.WITH.MOSES.title JEFF.IN V-16 N-2 60-0911M)
“Remember, you can only be saved by your personal faith. You can only be healed by your personal faith. You believe this to be the Bible? God’s Word. You believe your pastor to be a man of God, whatever church you go to? If you don’t, you should leave it. Get to a man that is a man of God. Then if you believe him, believe he’s telling you the truth, then accept it. Your own personal faith in Christ saves you. No matter how good your pastor is, how godly, saintly your mother is, how—how real the Word of God is, how much you cry, how much you pray; it’s your faith that saves you. By faith are you saved.” (AS.I.WAS.WITH.MOSES.title JEFF.IN V-16 N-2 60-0911M)
“For no matter how much I would pray for you, if you yourself didn’t have the faith, it wouldn’t do any good. That’s right. It takes your faith. And no matter how much I preach to you and how well I brought the Gospel to you, if ye yourself... It’s your own personal faith in Christ that saves you. Is that right? I couldn’t save you, no matter how bad I’d want to. I’ve got brothers that’s not saved. And I’ve tried my best and persuaded, and cried, and begged, and tried to stand in the breach for them. But they’ve got to have their own faith in God. Many of you Christian people here has brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and fathers, and children, and everything, unsaved. Is that right? Raise your hand. Well, you can’t save them. You can’t do what Christ has already done. Christ has saved them. Now, the only thing they have to do is accept that salvation, God’s free gift.” (I PERCEIVE YOU.ARE.A.PROPHET.title CONNERSVILLE.IN 53-0614E)
It isn’t necessary to come up here and kneel down, and pray through until you— until you’re saved. You’re saved already, but you have to accept it. Your praying
doesn’t do it. Your faith is what you’re saved by, not by prayer. But by faith are you saved: same thing by healing. I’m sure we all understand that.” (PARADOX.A.title PHOENIX.AZ V-19 N- 1 65-0117)
TRUE FAITH IS BUILT UPON THE WORD OF GOD
“The Bible said the Gospel came to us not in word only, but through the power, manifestations of the Holy Ghost. In other words, it’s the Holy Ghost taking the Word of God and making It manifest. See? And otherwise the only way that the signs of Mark 16 can follow the believer is that the Holy Spirit Himself takes the Word of God and demonstrates it to the people. That’s it. Now, faith makes that Word live. See, the Word is God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And then Jesus said, “If ye abide in Me and My Word in you, ask what you will and it’ll be done for you.” See? That’s staying with Christ in the Word. Don’t go right or left; stay right with it. See? And then it’s actually not your word then; it’s His Word, and His Word has the power and authority behind It.“ (CONFIRMATION OF THE COMMISSION, TEMPE.AZ 62-0122)
“Now, the only way that a church can be built, the only way that a man can have faith is not by his denomination, not by his affiliation; but his faith rests, not upon the theology of some man’s ideas, ‘cause it’s more or less, altogether, man... But the only way faith can find its solemn resting place is upon the immovable and unchangeable Word of God. “Faith cometh by hearing, hearing the Word.” That’s how it takes. And—and when faith is heard and accepted, it’s forever settled. Nothing no more can ever move it, no matter what comes or goes. Nothing can ever change that faith. Think of that. You’re anchored, and you no more change for time and eternity. You’re anchored forever. For God by one Sacrifice has perfected forever those that are sanctified or called.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.AND.7..title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915M)
“Jesus had perfect faith. He—He had it, and it come because He was the Word. And you become the Word; you become the Word, as you receive the Word. “If ye abide in Me, and My Word’s in you. My Words (which this Word) abides in you, then ask what you will, and it’ll be done for you.” See? “And if ye say to this mountain, ‘Be moved,’ and don’t doubt, but believe in what you’ve said, then you shall have what you said. When you pray, believe that you receive what you ask for, and you shall have it; it’ll be given to you.” Time, space, nothing else will ever change it. You know it’s done. It’s already—it’s already over with.” (PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
“And let’s remember, while we’re obeying the Spirit, one great lesson that we want to learn is never be hastily (See?), take your time, have faith. If we have asked God anything, remember, God answers prayer. He does it in His time, the way it’s best, makes it work just right for us. (POSITION.IN.CHRIST.title JEFF.IN AD.3 60-0522M)
FAITH IS POSITIVE , NEVER NEGATIVE
Now, hope is one thing and faith is another. Faith is a positive sense. It’s not a guess work; you don’t just imagine it. It’s just as real as any other sense of your body, just the same as sight is. Sight is real. Hearing is real. See, taste, feel, smell, and hear, the five senses of the body that control the body, they’re real faculties to you if none of them’s injured. And then, faith is just as real as any of the other five senses, and more real, because it’ll go in and above those five senses.” (MINISTRY.EXPLAINED_ MINNEAPOLIS.MN TUESDAY_ 50-0711)
“When Satan tempts us, we are to resist him in a perfect faith in a perfect Word, like Jesus did. The Word of God is perfect. We’re to have perfect faith in this perfect Word and resist Satan. By His faith in—in His Word we—He conquer— we can conquer anything, both death, hell, and the grave. We know that God is God, that perfect faith in God’s perfect Word, He conquered everything that He come in contact with. Death could not even stand in His Presence. Sickness could not stand in His Presence. And now, “If ye abide in Me (Through Him, He brought the Word
to you.), and My Words abide in you,” then walk in the same kind of a way: virtues flowing from you, the rivers of God’s fountains of blessing just flowing out to the people. See what I mean? And you’re not bluffing it; you’re not imagining it. It’s actually taking place, and you see it. If you’re just imagining it, that don’t do any good; but if it’s really there, it really happened.” (PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
FAITH MASTERS ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
“Notice. Now, notice, perfect faith is a master of all circumstances. Perfect faith masters all circumstances. No matter what it is, it masters it. Now, just watch. When you believe anything, do anything, and you got faith in what you’re doing; no matter what the circumstance is, that don’t have one thing to do with it. See, it masters that circumstance. If it’s in a—a room of sickness, and the Lord’s revealed that this certain thing’s going to happen, you just speak it and go on. “Oh, does the. ” Just don’t ask any questions. It’s already over; just keep going. See? It masters all
circumstances. “Well, if you do this, So-and-so’s going to do...” That. See, it already got it
mastered. See? Faith believes that God will work it out. “I don’t know how He’s going to do it, but He will do it anyhow.” See? It masters all circumstances. And faith and love is relations, because you can’t have faith unless you’ve got love, because your faith is in a God Who is the very essence of love. Faith and love works together.” (PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
“Joshua stopped the sun. Is that true? Somebody said, “All things are possible with God, nothing impossible.” But all things are possible to you also. Nothing impossible to them that believe. All things are possible. Brought right down and made you, if you just know Who God was. Well, I’m afraid that the Church doesn’t know their authority. I’m afraid that Holy Ghost born men doesn’t realize their authority where—or the authority that God has permitted to His Church. “I’ll give unto thee the keys to the Kingdom. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose will be loosed. I give you power over serpents, and over all kinds of diseases, oh, everything, and nothing shall harm you.” Exercise your faith. Let it loose. Let God have His way. God will grant it to you.” (ATTITUDE.AND.WHO.IS.GOD?.title CLEVELAND.OH 50-0815)
Now God, give every man and woman, boy or girl in here faith to believe that. The Word has been spoken. “If you say to this mountain, ‘Be moved,’ and don’t doubt in your heart (The prayer of faith saves the sick.), you have what you ask for.” We know that. We have that confidence in God. If we have any faith at all, if God’s living in us, we believe that.” (TRUE.SIGN.THAT’S.OVERLOOKED.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-2 61-1112)
God is not understood by knowledge; God is understood by faith. Is that right? What if Peter would’ve tried to figure out how deep that water was, and how impossible it was for him to walk on that water; he’d have never walked. See? But he just took Christ at His Word and walked on.”
(MOSES.COMMISSION.title HOUSTON.TX 50-0110)
FEAR AND DOUBT ARE CONTRARY TO FAITH
“Peter, he was doing all right till he got scared. The Word told him he could walk on the water. He was scared first; he thought it was a—a ghost, and he said, “Lord, if it be You, bid me come to You on the water.” Said, “Come on.” Now, that’s just the same as James 5:14, same as Mark 16; it’s the same God said It, said, “Come on.” And so he started walking. He done all right, got down out of the ship, started walking on... He said, “If it’s You, bid me come to You on the water.” Jesus said, “Come on.” And he stepped down, said, “It’s the Lord, I’ll just walk.” But when he got his eyes on the waves, he got scared. What come in his mind? First thing, he... “I’m going to walk, because the Word said for me to walk.” And the next thing, he looked at his... Well, he looked at his symptoms; he looked out there and seen how big them waves was, and he got scared; and when he did, down he went. See? What he feared, happened. What he believed, happened. When he believed he could walk, he walked; when he believed—got scared in his belief, then his substance left him. See? He still professed his faith, but he didn’t have the substance. The substance would have went right over top of that whitecaps and went right on to Him (See?), if he has the perfect faith. See? But he didn’t have it. He thought he did. He did at first; he was willing to venture right out, “Why, the Lord told me to do it; it’s got to happen.” So he just steps right out of the boat and takes off. See? He never thought about the—the—the—the waves, how contrary they was. He never got that in his mind.”
(PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
“In the Book of Job It says here, “Job feared.” And what he feared, it actually happened. What brought it? His fear. That’s what made it happen. His faith would’ve kept him from it, but his fear brought him—brought it to him. He was scared it was going to happen, and it did happen. Now, if it’d been—if he knowed it wouldn’t have happened, it wouldn’t have happened. See what I mean?” (PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
DIVINE HEALING IS BASED ON FAITH
“If I prayed for a person, and I—I’d tell them people they’re going to live. I believe they’re going to live. But no matter if my word was absolutely THUS SAITH THE LORD, and you’d disbelieve it, you’d die anyhow. Certainly. Here’s THUS SAITH THE LORD, and many of them receive it and die. Many of them go to hell, when THUS SAITH THE LORD, you don’t have to. Is that right? Sure. See, it’s what... It’s all based on your faith. And Divine healing is based upon your faith. But according to God’s Word, THUS SAITH THE LORD, that every person was healed when Jesus died at Calvary, “He was wounded for our transgressions; with His stripes we were healed.” That right? We were. The Bible said you were healed. So don’t find fault with me. I’m just a preacher of the Word. You go tell God that He told something wrong, and God will tell you where your weakness is then. You see? So that—it’s your faith. Jesus said, “If thou canst believe... If thou canst believe...” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.7.PT.2.CHURCH.ORDER.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0922)
“The gift of Divine healing was in you if you got healed. It’s you, the one. Any gift operates by faith. And no matter how much gift of Divine healing I got, I believe it with all my heart. But you could stand here and, if you haven’t got the same kind of faith, it don’t do you no good. I could pray for you for hours and weeks and months. It isn’t the preachers with the Divine healing; it’s you that’s got the gift of Divine healing, that believes in being healed, ‘cause it’s by faith. By faith... Every operation of God is by faith. The whole armor of God is by faith. We haven’t got one natural thing of this world. Everything of the Christian church is a faith act. Look at the armor of God, love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, patience. Is that right? Everything’s supernatural, nothing natural. So we don’t look at the things natural, because we’re operating supernatural. And the only way we can base it, is faith, is on what God said was the truth, and we look at the unseen.” (DEMONOLOGY.1.PHYSICAL.title CON.IN DE 21-40 53-0608A)
“In Acts 3:16 when Peter was asked how the mighty miracle had taken place upon the crippled one at the Gate Beautiful, he explained it on this wise, “And His (Jesus) Name through faith in His (Jesus) Name hath made this man (former cripple) strong, yea, the faith which is by (from) Him (Jesus) hath given him (the man) this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” See, there it is. Jesus’ Name, and Jesus’ Faith brought about the miracle. Peter did not claim it was his own human faith any more than he claimed that it was his own name. He said that Jesus’ Name used in the faith which is from Jesus performed that great work. This faith is what the Lord was speaking about in Revelation 22:13. It was HIS faith. It was not faith IN Him. But it was HIS OWN faith that He had given to the believers. Romans 12:3b “According as God hath dealt to every man (according to verse 1 the men are BRETHREN) the measure of faith.” Ephesians 2:8, “By grace are ye saved through faith, and that (Faith) not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” And it also says in James 2:1, “My brethren (notice he, too, is talking to BRETHREN) have not the faith OF (not in) our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” (179-2 PERGANEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.5)
TRUE FAITH COMES BY THE HOLY GHOST
“And if He has never circumcised you yet by the Holy Ghost, He hasn’t received your faith yet. That’s right. That is the circumcision of the heart and spirit. God gives the Holy Ghost as a confirmation He’s received your faith. Now, if you stop believing, and scrumbling around, and just believe God, God will circumcise that heart. And that cuts off all unbelief, circumcises the world and all unbelief away from you; and then you stand, the Word alone, Jesus said, “If ye abide in Me, and My Word in you; then ask what you will; it’ll be given to you.” That’s what’s the matter with the church today. It’s under emotion; it’s under education; it’s under creed. No wonder, it’s smothered down. See? So we need a circumcision to cut the whole thing away. Come back to God and His Word, and believe It the way It’s wrote there, and don’t argue with It. Just stay with It. God made a promise; God keeps His promise. He can’t do nothing else but keep His promise and remain God.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.PT.1.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 37-72 62-0705)
“Now, here it is. I want you to get it. How much more foundation could you place your faith on any level than the Word of God? What more could you put faith in? When He said, “Heavens and earth will pass away, but My Word shall never pass away.”... Then it is a fact that God’s Word is eternal. And the very world that we’re sitting on top of tonight, is nothing more than the Word of God materialized. He spoke the Word, and said, “Let there be,” and the world came into existence. All things that you see was made by faith in the spoken Word of God. God said, “Let there be,” and He believed His Own Word. Well, after redemption, and a taste of God in our souls and heart, how much more ought we to base our faith on what God give us the promise for and sent Jesus to die, to redeem us to that promise.” (EXPECTANCY.title OWENSBORO.KY 53-1108E)
“I’m sure the Holy Spirit is here now. I’m sure of it. And I know that what we ask, we will receive it. It might not come just right now, but it’s got to come. God’s promise is true. We ask Him for anything; we don’t doubt; we believe that what we ask for we get; because we met God’s requirements, given our life to Him, surrendered our will to Him. Our lives, our soul, all that we are we have surrendered to God. Then our heart condemns us not; we can have what we ask for. “If ye abide in me and My word
in you, ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.” That’s His promise. Just be sure that you know God, and know that that’s His promise.” (BE.CERTAIN.OF.GOD.title LA.CA 59- 0412A)
FAITH GIVES YOU POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL
“Oh, IF the great holy CHURCH only realized its POWER to do these things. But there’s so much DOUBT and fear and trembling, wondering if it will, “Could it happen?” As long as that exists, the CHURCH can NEVER stand upright. And when every talk of fear is vanished and the Holy Spirit is completely in control of the CHURCH, then all fears are gone, and that Church has the POWER. See? Why, THEY have EVERYTHING that heaven owns BEHIND them. They’re ambassadors of the throne. Absolutely. An ambassador of Christ has the AUTHORITY, and everything that Christ owns belongs to that ambassador. And He said, “Go ye into all the world; YOU are My witnesses after the Holy Ghost is come on YOU.” And what is a witness? Is an ambassador, is to come and witness something. The WHOLE powers of heavens is right in YOUR hands. Oh, why do we set, and the church is barren, and we set dormant? Is BECAUSE that we DON’T recognize these things.” (JESUS.CHRIST.THE.SAME.YESTERDAY.title JONESBORO.AR 53-0506)
“Then JESUS in His Church today, would be just as POWERLESS as your FAITH is, and just as POWERFUL as your faith is. He’d be limited to whatever God would tell him to do, that he could do. And if Jesus was here tonight, He might stand before you, or you stand before Him, He’d tell you your life. He might know what was going on. He might know what you’ve done, or what sin’s your life, or whatever it is wrong with you. But you’re healing would have to come by God. Is that right? Now, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s in His Church today. He puts His Church in ORDER.” (ATTITUDE AND WHO.IS.GOD?.title CLEVELAND.OH 50-0815 )
“Joshua stopped the sun. Is that true? Somebody said, “All things are possible with God, nothing impossible.” But ALL things are possible to YOU also. NOTHING impossible to them that believe. All things are possible. Brought right down and made YOU, IF you just know Who God was. Well, I’m AFRAID that the CHURCH doesn’t know their AUTHORITY. I’m afraid that Holy Ghost born men doesn’t REALIZE their authority where—or the authority that God has permitted to His CHURCH. “I’ll give unto thee the keys to the Kingdom. WHATEVER YOU bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose will be loosed. I give you power over serpents, and over all kinds of diseases, oh, everything, and nothing shall harm you.” EXERCISE your faith. Let it loose. Let God have His way. God will grant it to YOU.”
(PERFECT.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-6 N-11 63-0825E)
“Now, remember, THEY had the POWER. Jesus had GIVEN them power to heal the sick, to raise the dead, and cast out devils, just a few days before that. They had the power BUT not the FAITH to use the power. Now, there’s the Branham Tabernacle. There’s the CHURCH, the BRIDE today. The Holy Spirit is here with the power, but YOU haven’t got that FAITH to move it. See what I mean? It takes FAITH to move it. Here. I got a shell that I hand loaded. I know what it’ll do by ballistics, like the Word, but I’ve got to fire the gun. The fire has to get to the powder. The powder’s got the power, but it’s got to have the fire to light it off. And the same thing, the powder’s in the shell, but it needs faith to charge it and throw it out. That’s what it takes (See?), perfect FAITH to ignite the power of the Holy Spirit which we have NOW, since He’s come upon us; faith to ignite, to see great things, is to... The faith, something that presents it to you...” (PARDONED.title TUCSON.AZ 63-1028)
Why, this church OUGHT to be a million miles up the road to where it is NOW. Jesus is WAITING on His CHURCH to get ready. His Bride has made herself ready. We GOT the potentials. The Holy Spirit is here. God is here. The POWER to heal the sick, the power to do all the things that Christ did, I’ve seen it demonstrated myself by the Holy Spirit. So the potentials are here. What God’s WAITING for us to get away from is our traditions, and come back under the Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, and become the church of the living God. But remember, He’s triumphed with you; triumphed with you over every bit of it, even if you’re the soles of His feet. Every sickness, every devil, every power, even death itself is UNDER your feet: under YOU. Glory. I don’t feel like I was fifty- two this morning. This is Truth. If I can just get this CHURCH to SEE that, brother, we’ll be a triumphant church. Believers in Him, all evil under Him... Oh, glory.I’m going to check up a little. I’ll start up again the next time. Listen. Listen to this. You say, “Brother Branham, I have NO power.” NEITHER do I. I don’t have any power. “Well, Brother Branham, I’m a weakling.” So am I. But I’m not depending in my strength. It ain’t my strength. I’m depending on my AUTHORITY (See?), my authority given me. It’s not me strong. I ain’t strong. He’s strong, and I—I’m His.” (CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY.title JEFF.IN V-8 N- 2 61-1217 )
“God, we realize that the badge of authority is not a name of a denomination, but it’s the POWER, the power of the resurrection of Christ in EACH individual life. God, may this people here this morning STRIVE to enter in that. And if this tape should ever get out into the country where people are at, Lord, let them KNOW that it wasn’t said to be for malice, ‘cause I’d be wrong myself; but that the Church might be triumphant and realize its place.” (CHRISTIANITY.VERSUS.IDOLATRY.title JEFF.IN V-8 N-2 61-1217)
FAITH WILL BRING JOHN 14:12 IN ACTION
“But He that is in you is Christ! And if Christ is in you, the works of Christ you will do, if Christ lives in you. He said so. Saint John 14:12, “He that believeth in Me, the works that I do shall he do also,” if you was in Christ, or if Christ lived in you. Then, Christ is the Word. Is that right? And the Word come to His prophets. See? And if, you, Christ lived in you, the works of Christ would be done through you, the Life of Christ would be lived through you. The works He did, the life He lived, and everything, it would live in you; just like if Shakespeare, Beethoven, or—or whoever it was lived in you. If His Life! But if you’re still living your own life, then your own works you’ll do. See? But if you’re living the Life of Christ, if Christ is in you, “He that’s in you is greater than he that’s in the world.” If your doubts and flusterations about God’s promise is in you, then Christ isn’t there; see, you’re only worked up. But if the Life, if Christ is living in you, His Word He will recognize and His promise He’ll do. See? He’ll do. When thou prayest, believe that you receive what you ask for, and it shall be given to you. If you say to this mountain, ‘Be moved,’ and don’t doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, you can have what you say. The Father worketh, and I worketh hitherto. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing in Himself; but what He sees the Father doing, that doeth the Son likewise.” See? And when the Father showed Him what to do; walked out there without a failure of anything, and said, “Let it be,” and it was. And that same Christ lives in you. It lives in us. Then His works we’ll do, because Christ is the Word, and the promise of the Word brings healing to you. Do you believe that?” (HE.THAT.IS.IN.YOU_ JEFF.IN V-6 N-12 SUNDAY_ 63-1110E)
“You see, God wants to work in His church. Jesus said, “I’ll be with you always, even to the end of the world. The works that I do shall you do also.” Saint John 12:14, “The works that I do shall you do also; even more than this shall you do, for I go to My Father.” (PARDON_ TUCSON.AZ MONDAY_ 63-1028)
“Now let me give you a great noble paradox here, just a minute. In John 14:12, Jesus said, promised that, “The believer that believed on Him, would do the same works.” Is that right? God, Who makes a law or a promise, must keep that promise, to be God. He does keep it. To think, the God... Why, It’s a paradox, Itself; for God, Who makes a promise and cannot break that promise, to give that promise of the things that He did, to His people, to follow throughout the age until He returned again. “Go ye into all the world, preach the Gospel to every creature; every creature, all the world. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned; and these signs shall follow them that believe.” He has got to keep that Word. And because He said it, it went from His mouth, it’s got to be fulfilled.” (A.PARADOX_ PHOENIX.AZ V-19 N-1 SUNDAY_ 65-0117)
“Then unconsciously your faith is there. You don’t have to worry about whether you got faith enough to do this, or faith enough to do that. It’s just there anyhow. You just do it because the Father said so. And it’s the living Word in you, and God’s in you, manifesting Hisself just like He was in Christ. You say, “As He was in Christ?” Yes, sir. He said, “The works that I do shall you also; even more than this for I go to My Father.” Now, that’s His Word, Saint John 14:12. He gave that promise. Everyone will believe that was inspired. And... ”So a little while and the world will see Me no more, yet you shall see Me, for I will be with you until the end of the age of the apostles?” No. “I will be with you, even in you to the end of the world.” Hebrews 13:8 said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (THE FUNDAMENTAL FOUNDATION FOR
.FAITH_ CHICAGO.IL THURSDAY_ 55-0113)
HUMAN WISDOM AND REASONING ARE AGAINST FAITH
Here’s what Brother Branham told us about human wisdom and reasoning in his sermon WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH. JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401:
“Now, faith and wisdom. Now, to begin with, we'll notice that in Genesis the 1st chapter we find that--that faith was introduced, and wisdom was introduced. And today, them two sources is still introduced to the human race. We find out that God was the Author of faith, to believe--for the people to believe and to trust His Word; and Satan is the author of wisdom, trying to get the people to accept his wisdom and pull them away from the faith that's in God's Word--those two sources.
A wisdom of God is stay with His Word, but Satan in his wisdom tried to twist the Word; so that's the wisdom I'm speaking of. And anything that would try to twist the Word of God, to make It say something that It doesn't, is the wrong spirit (See?), offering wisdom against God's wisdom... If this is the Word of God (you believe it?), then why doubt any word of It, any promise of It? How can you say that this is part, and this is no good, and this is that; pick out what you want? You can't do it. It's either all good, or It's none of It good. That's right! So as soon as you see that It's the Truth, take ahold of It. Don't turn It loose, no matter what circumstances, how they try to reason, "Why, you can't..." Don't, don't do that at all. Stay right with It; God promised it.
Wisdom, as Satan was presenting to her (Eve), said, "You shall not surely die!" See? It's trying to make the Word say something that It isn't so. That's what wisdom is today. Oh, brother, how we'd tarry on that. Seminaries, schools of theology, that's their very nest; that's their grass roots, is trying to make God's Word say something that It doesn't say. I challenge anybody to show me the Apostles' Creed in the Bible. I challenge anybody to show me "communion of saints" in the Bible. Both Protestant and Catholic believe it. I challenge you to show me any of those things in the Bible. See? It's the grass roots of wisdom trying to reason. Our warfare is not carnal, but mighty, casting
away all reasons (See?), pulling down the strongholds of Satan, that great flowerly, beautiful creature. Not a slick greaser, oh, no, that's on the inside; but outwardly sin is twice as pretty.
If wisdom is with the Word, and proves to be with the Word, and the Word produces Itself by the same thing, then it is the Word. But if wisdom is against the Word, and not with the Word, but trying to find something to add to It or take from It, it's of the devil.
Satan could scientifically prove by his wisdom that the soil that he was going to give for the human race to grow in had vitamins. Sure did. He could scientifically prove it. They can scientifically prove anything they want to almost. See? Sure. It had Vitamin P, "pleasure, popularity." ..All the worldly pleasure, all the picture shows, all the dances, all...?... "Go ahead, that's all right, it won't hurt nothing." Sure. See? Popularity. "Well, you're the biggest church there is in the city." All right. It had Vitamin C in it, which he referred to as "common sense." Makes reason. See? It had Vitamin R in it which meant "reasonings." Yeah, he could reason. But you see, that won't work. It had Vitamin B in it, which means "beauty." Satan is beautiful. Sin's beautiful; and as sin begins to get more and more, more beautiful it becomes. How much better house we got today than the log house? How much more prettier is it? How much prettier is our women today than they used to be? See? How much prettier is Florida than it was--now than the way God created it? See? It's got beauty. How many knows that Satan is of beauty, and he desired beauty and tried to create a beauti--more beautiful kingdom and so forth? Sure, we know that. Satan is in beauty. Now, notice! He had Vitamin R which is "reasoning"; Vitamin B which is "beauty"; Vitamin M which is "modern"; "Aw, you want to be modern." But here’s one vitamin he failed to tell them, he had Vitamin D there. That’s the biggest vitamin in there: results “Death”. See?
“Notice, through that brought death, through trying to take the Word of God and mix some wisdom with It. See? You're not supposed to do that. Whether you believe it's--got wisdom to explain it, just say, "God said it, and that settles it" And God said so, and that's all there is to it. If you can't explain it, leave it alone, but just say it's so because God said so. See, just say, "God said it." Now, notice. Now, it will not mix. It must not be tampered with; God will punish the one that does it; and It will not hybreed to nothing else. It's God's Word alone. God don't need your word with His. We're not supposed to speak our own word; we're supposed to preach His Word, God's Word.”
(SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-1 62-0318M)
“Now, It cannot be mixed, and It will not hybreed with nothing else. It will not hybreed. Today is a great day of hybreeding animals, corn, wheat, making a better looking product, but it's no good. It's rotten, no life in it: dies, can't reproduce itself. It's dead because everything that we have on earth today in its original form is a spoken Word of God. That's why that a mule, a bastard-born animal with a crossbreeding cannot breed itself back again. God made a horse and He made a mule--or made a donkey. You breed them two together, you got a mule. It's a hybrid; therefore it can't breed itself back.” (SPOKEN.WORD.ORIGINAL.SEED.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-1 62-0318M)
“Hebrews 11 said, "By faith the world was created." The world was made by faith. God made the world out of things that does not appear. By faith God spoke the world into existence, because it was a, it was a premeditated word. But as soon as He said it, it become life. Now, you can say, "I believe that, Brother Branham." In your heart you can believe it, then express it, "I believe it," and don't never change it at all. Stay right with it. Watch what will grow out of it. It will produce the Word, 'cause it's faith. See? Wisdom takes you away; faith brings you to It.” (WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401)
“How that a black cow can eat green grass, and give white milk, and churn yellow butter. I--I sure couldn't explain that (See?)... I don't know how it's done, but it--it happens anyhow. I don't try to explain it. If you can explain God, then it's no more faith. Everything that you get from God comes by faith. Amen. You can't explain it. You can't explain God. You believe God. Amen.” (PERSEVERANT.title SALEM.OR 62-0719E)
“Who can reason God? No one can reason God. No one can interpret God. God's His own Interpreter. God speaks the Word, and they say, "Well, you got the wrong interpretation." God makes it come to pass. That's the interpretation. Don't need anybody to interpret Him. I just spoke on that in the city below here. God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. It don't need any interpretation. There was light. God said, "A virgin shall conceive." She did. That settles it. So when He speaks anything, and then He--He's His own interpreter. He doesn't need our interpretation of it. The Bible said that the Scripture's of no private interpretation. It's God Himself doing the interpretation of it.”
(WHEN.THEIR.EYES.WERE.OPENED.title TULARE.CA V-22 N-10 64-0212)
“That's what makes the Gospel today. It's the unusualness, because God is unusual. His Word is interpreted unusual to what we sometimes have it interpreted. But as I've said before, God needs nobody to interpret His Word. He does His own interpretation by bringing to pass the things that He said He would do. He interprets His own Word. He doesn't need our interpretation. Our interpretation is our own manmade thoughts that we put with It. When God said, "Let there be light," and there was light, that needs no interpretation. God said, "A virgin shall conceive," and she did. That doesn't need any interpretation. Jesus said, "The Son of man goes up to Jerusalem, and be given into the hands of sinful men. They'll crucify Him; and on the third day He'll raise up again." That needs no interpretation. He said, "A little while and the world seeth Me no more; yet ye shall see Me: for I'll be with you, even in you, to the end of the age, to the consummation." He's here. It doesn't need any interpretation. It's His promise. "The works that I do shall he do also. He that believeth in Me, the works that I do shall he do also." That's found in St. John 14:12, and we know that that's true. So it doesn't need any interpretation.” (INVESTMENTS.THE.title BEAUMONT.TX 64-0314)
“People have it all. They know it all. They cannot be taught. If a point of truth from the Word comes up and a man tries to explain his view to one with an opposing view, the listener is not at all listening that he might learn, but is listening only to refute what is being said. Now I want to ask a fair question. Can Scripture fight Scripture? Does the Bible contradict the Bible? Can there be two doctrines of truth in the Word that say the opposite or oppose the other? NO. IT CANNOT BE SO. Yet how many of God's people have their eyes open to that truth? Not even one percent, as far as I know, have learned that ALL Scripture is given by God and ALL is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, etc. If all Scripture is thusly given, then every verse will dovetail if given a chance. But how many believe in predestination unto election and reprobation unto destruction? Those who don't, will they listen? No, they will not. Yet both are in the Word, and nothing will change it.” (348-1 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“Paul said, "I come not preaching the wisdom of man, that your faith would be in the wisdom of man, but preaching the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost, that your faith might be built up in God." Paul was an educated, smart man. But he said he forgot all he ever knowed, in order to find Christ. That's what we have to do. Just lay aside our theology and stuff, and look right in the face of God, and say, "I believe it." That's all. That's what it takes.” (LOOKING.FOR.JESUS.title PHOENIX.AZ 54-0228E)
“The Bible said, "The Greeks seek wisdom, and the Jews seek signs." Well now, the Greeks still seek wisdom, and the Jews seek signs. But Paul said, "We preach Christ crucified, to the Greek foolishness, to Jews a stumbling block, but to them that believe,
Everlasting Life."(TO.SEE.JESUS.title CHICAGO.IL 54-0718E)
“This is either the Word of God or It's a deceiving Book. That's right. It's either right or It's wrong. And It's either all right or all wrong. Every word is inspired or none of them is inspired. I want to believe it. Paul said, "I never come to you preaching with enticing words and wisdom of men; for if I did, then your faith would be built upon wisdom of men. But I come to you, preaching the Gospel of the power of God, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: that your faith would be steadfast." Paul never come with some seminary experience to polish around, and take out, and add to. He said, "I come knowing only one thing: Christ crucified. I only come knowing one thing, preaching to you the power of the resurrection, that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." And in Galatians 1:8, he said, "If an angel preached anything else, let him be accursed unto you." (PROOF.OF.HIS.RESURRECTION.title JEFF.IN V-26 N-16 55-0410M)
“Look at Moses, the young intellectual man. Oh, he was a scholar. He was so trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians till he could teach the Hebrews. He could teach the Egyptians. He could teach anybody, because Moses was a great man, smart fellow. Oh, he was powerful man. Moses had been a military man. And he thought that the way that he was trained as being a military man, that he could just kill them Egyptians off with his hand, it'd be just as good as doing what God did. And Moses was took into the highest of schooling with such a great education, till he could teach the wisdom to teachers. He could teach the genius. Yes. And God let him get that way so He could display Himself in humility to show that wisdom has nothing to do with it; and Moses miserably failed in his genius. He let him get that way for His purpose, so he'd fail, and he did fail, and he fell. So to show, not by power, not by might, not by the wisdom of Egypt, not by the wisdom of our schools, not by the power of our seminaries, not by the amounts of our organization, not by the power of our scholarly teaching; but "by My Spirit, saith God." His wisdom was vanished and at its end. When he met God in the burning bush there, he took off his shoes and humbled himself to humility and forgot all about his wisdom.
And He let Moses become the highest until he would was the--he'd be the next pharaoh. He was a mighty general. According to history, he conquered (Moses, himself) the countries around. And then when he turned to the work of the Lord with all of his talent, God let him take a headlong topple, so that He could put him out there on the desert and beat all that out of him, and then appear to him in humility, and send him down with a stick in his hand to deliver the people. When he couldn't do it by a military training, by an education, by a scientific education, and by a military force, he could not do it, and He give him an old crooked stick off the desert, and he did it with it: God in humility, simplicity. God was in the stick and in Moses. And as long as Moses had the stick, then God had it, because God was in Moses. Sure.” (GOD.IN.SIMPLICITY.title JEFF.IN 63-0317M)
SCRIPTURES ON “FAITH”
HEBREWS 11:1 -Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
HEBREWS 11:3 - Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
ROMANS 3:24-25 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
GALATIANS 3:11-12 - But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
GALATIANS 2:16 - Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
ROMANS 5:1-2 -Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
ROMANS 3:27-28 - Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
II CORINTHIANS 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
ROMANS 10:17 - So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
HEBREWS 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
EPHESIANS 3:12 - In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
GALATIANS 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
MARK 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
I CORINTHIANS 2:4-5 - And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
I TIMOTHY 6:12 - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
EPHESIANS 6:16 - Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
JAMES 5:15 - And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
HEBREWS 10:38 - Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
HEBREWS 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)
JAMES 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
ROMANS 14:23 - For whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.
ROMANS 4:4-5 - Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
LUKE 7:50 - And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Message Quick Reference Guide
According to the Scriptures, “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. And because we are ALL sinners by virtue of our natural birth - we are all under the curse of death.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, “Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”(John 3:5-6).
“When the new birth is come, you are changed. You don't have to do anything to prove it; your life proves it. As you walk, your love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, patience, that's what you are. And the whole world sees the reflection of Jesus Christ in you.” (-WILLIAM BRANHAM, HEBREWS CHAPTER.5.AND.6.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0908M)
FOR ALL HAVE SINNED
Originally, man was created by God in the likeness of His image (Gen 1:26-27), a “theophany-man”. That man was a “spirit-man”, perfect in the sight of God. It was sinless before God, until God created him a
body out of the dust of the earth for his soul to dwell in (Gen 2:7). Then, that natural body fell by transgression.
Our natural life here is nothing but a perversion. It really should be the right Life to begin with but it was perverted by the natural birth – a curse which resulted from Eve’s illicit affair with the serpent. Man is not supposed to die nor even get sick for he himself possesses eternal life to begin with, which is the very Life (zoe) of God.
But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s Word, all men born of a woman, from then on, were considered “born in sin, shaped in inquity, came to this world speaking lies”, all sinners in the eyes of God.
Man was not supposed to be born through sex. That was never God’s program. God originally created man just by calling him out of the dust of the earth. That’s how God created the first man, Adam. And that’s how God intends it to be. In the first resurrection, God just speaks their names and the dead in Christ shall rise first from the dust of the earth.
Original life, then, was perverted when the serpent unveiled sexual reproduction to mankind. It was the result of Eve partaking of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. In our first life or our first union, we were joined in at birth by nature. A natural act, man and woman together, associated in sexual affair which brought our first life here. That life is associated with sin and death. “Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) That’s why, we need to be born again. We need to be reunited with our original nature - the nature of God.
We needed a Saviour, one born by a Virgin birth and not by sexual conception, to bypass the curse. Jesus is that Kinsman Redeemer, a Perfect One, not born of sexual union but God’s own pure blood (hemoglobin and egg) transplanted in the womb of a virgin. Jesus is the Just One who laid down His life as a Perfect Sacrifice (in our place) to satisfy God’s righteous Law, to justify us, and to redeem us back to God again. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour did that for us. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled. In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:21- 22).
THREE STAGES OF THE NEW BIRTH
Just like the natural birth, the New Birth undergoes three stages – water, blood and spirit.
When a woman gives birth to a child, the first thing that comes forth is water, then blood, then life (spirit). Being born again is a similar process with three stages: (1) Justification by Water, (2) Sanctification by the Blood, and (3) Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These three consists the New Birth in a person.
The same process goes even for the earth’s redemption. The earth was baptized in water in the days of Noah. It was then sanctified when the blood of Jesus Christ was shed on Calvary’s hill. It will be baptized with Fire during the Battle of Armageddon, before Christ can finally dwell on it during the Millennium. The Millennium is still a time element. But when the Battle of Gog and Magog finally comes after the Millennium, God will totally cleanse this earth with Holy Fire from heaven so that the new heaven and earth, the New Jerusalem, can come down finally on earth. The new earth is a type of the rapture of the church, the believers putting on a new glorified body, after they had been baptized with the Holy Ghost. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Brother Branham, is a type of the Promised Land for the believer. Even though a man has been baptized with the Holy Ghost and is in the Promised Land, he still has to fight every inch of ground he is standing on until he is bodily-changed from mortality to immortality during the rapture. Since there will still be time and heathens in the Millennium, Millennium is not yet the perfect earth. The New Jerusalem is the perfect place wherein Christians dwell in an eternal condition.
Just the same way, before God can ever dwell upon a person through the baptism of the Holy Ghost (man- being a temple of the Holy Ghost) that man needs to undergo these three stages. Justification, sanctification, and Holy Ghost Baptism. God will not dwell upon a filthy, unconverted sinner. Man needs to repent of his sins, be forgiven, be cleansed, be justified, be sanctified, before the Holy Ghost, can ever dwell upon him.
“The new birth is like any other birth. It's a mess. I don't care what kind of a birth it is, it's a mess. If it's in a pigpen, or if it's in a barnyard, or in a pink decorated hospital room, it's a mess. So is the new birth a mess. It'll make you do things you didn't think you'd ever do, but out of that mess comes life. Hallelujah. That's it. Out of a mess comes life. Life comes out of a mess. Life comes out of death. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone. But as long as it dies and rots, then out of that rotten mess comes forth life. Until a man or a woman is ready to die to theirselves, die out to their creeds, die out to their own ideas, and out of that rotten mess bring forth a new birth of glories and shouts and
praises of God that makes him act different, changes his nature, changes his life, changes his motives and changes his objectives” (-WMB, WHY.title SHREVEPORT.LA 60-1126)
FIRST STAGE - JUSTIFICATION
The first work of God’s grace in the sinners life is Justification.
Romans 3:24 tells us that we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. Therefore, God sovereignly and freely justifies the sinner by calling him/her by the preaching of the Word to acknowledge that they’re sinners, and to repent and receive Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord. Through the blood of His own Son, God looks beyond our sin, not laying it to our charge, and offers us (free of charge) salvation and deliverance from the power and influence of Satan and the old sinful nature of our flesh - this is Justification. He declares us righteous in Jesus Christ, and through the Gospel He invites us to accept [take possession of] His free gift.
Justification by faith requires believing the Word, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth” (I Peter 1:22). Then, Repentance and Water Baptism must follow it. Acts 2:30 states: “Repent, everyone of you and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Repentance is “sorrow for sin”, “a complete turning away from sin”, and such a “regret over one’s sins so as to decide to change one’s ways’”... “laying aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21-22).
Scripturally, repentance has three main elements: (1)conviction, (2)contrition and the (3)desire to be changed.
CONVICTION
Conviction is God’s red flag of warning us that we are going in the wrong direction. Being born in sin, we continue on in sin, doing that which is right in our own eyes without due regard for what God requires in His Word. Therefore, God, through the preaching of the Word, brings conviction that we need to change our ways to line up with His Word. 1 John 1:8-10 states, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
CONTRITION
Contrition is a “sincere sorrow”, a godly sorrow and brokenness for our sins (2nd Cor. 7:10). The Bible says, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18). Contrition is a sincere regret over past sins and an earnest, humble desire to walk in a new path of righteousness, according to the instructions laid out in God’s Word. Contrition includes ‘humbling’ ourselves to God’s ways. When we stand at the Cross of Calvary and see what our sins cost God, our hearts should be broken and contrite - humbled; and we should cry out like the Publican cried, “God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The Bible tells us that when Peter considered how he had ignored and denied the Lord three times, he went out and wept bitterly because
of his sin (Matthew 26:75).
THE DESIRE TO BE CHANGED
The Desire To Be Changed: This is the third element of “Repentance”. It is the desire for God to change your thought pattern, change your attitude, change your ways, change your motives and objectives in life, to conform to His ways and His will for you. In 2nd. Corinthians 7:10 the Bible says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.”
“A birth means we have been changed from our thinking, changed from our attitudes, changed by something that took place inside. There's not a religion in the world; there's not enough water; there's not enough ceremonies or sermons that could change you. It takes the Blood of God's Son Jesus Christ. You could no more clean yourself by joining church, than a leopard could lick his spots off of him. The more he licks, the brighter they get. He only shows them up. By joining churches and trying to do merits of your own, you just show your lack of hunger on the inside, something that hasn't been filled yet. Quit trying; just receive Him, He leads you to the Light.” (WHERE.IS.HE.KING.OF.JEWS.title JEFF.IN V-16 N-7 58-1221M)
“That's what's the matter people don't receive the Holy Ghost when they're baptized; they just don't thoroughly repent. God's trying to give them the Holy Ghost. He wants you to be meek and gentle, quiet. That's the reason you get up with that same selfishness in your heart. Oh, you might get up, shouting, speaking in tongues, or any, that wouldn't make you have the Holy Ghost. You got to get up from there a different person. You got to get up from there gentle, quiet, and meek, humble, God's Spirit dwelling with you. Next year, look back down the trail and see how far you've come, see you're gaining ground all the time. That's the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, meekness, gentleness, patience, faith. Now, just repent and tell God you want that right now, be real good.”
(CHURCH.AND.ITS.CONDITION.title JEFF.IN CH 1-34 56-0805)
SECOND STAGE- SANCTIFICATION
The second work of God’s grace in the sinner’s life is Sanctification.
The Bible says, “For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification... that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” (1st. Thess. 4:3-4) “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”. (2nd Thess. 2:13).
Sanctification is that grace whereby, at the time after repentance, the vessel of the individual’s life is “cleansed” from all past sins and unbelief and he/she is “set aside for service”. In the experience of sanctification, the individual feels swept, clean, fresh and garnished. All the bad habits and vices are being taken away slowly and the individual’s mind is set towards a life of holiness by the Holy Spirit. The principle of sin [by which we previously lived] is cast out. It’s an absolutely wonderful experience, creating in us the desire to always live a holy and sanctified life for the Lord - always doing what the Word [Bible] says.
THIRD STAGE - BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The third work of God’s Grace in the sinners life is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:8 it says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me”.
From these verses we conclude that Jesus Christ alone is the “Baptizer” with the Holy Ghost; and this Baptism is a Baptism of “Power”. It is a portion of the life of God coming into the believer to guide them into ALL Truth (John 16:13) and to give them power over all the power of the enemy and to be witnesses of Him and His Word. We can find that even though Apostle Peter was called of Jesus Christ and was given the keys to the kingdom, yet we read in the Bible that Peter still denied Jesus Christ three times before the cock crowed. That is because Peter did not have the Holy Ghost yet during that time and he still have to wait for the Day of Pentecost in order to receive the Promise of “fire” baptism in his soul. So we can conclude from here that a man can be baptized in water and be sanctified, yet without the Holy Ghost baptism, he can still deny our God and compromise with His Word. We need the Holy Ghost baptism in order for us to be “more than conquerors” in Christ Jesus. The Holy Ghost is also that “oil” that makes the wise virgins qualified to go into the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Those that are without the Holy Ghost will be left behind in the Tribulation Period, weeping, wailing and gnashing their teeth.
The Holy Spirit is our power over the world (worldliness), the flesh (self) and the Devil. He enables us to live daily for God - making the Word flesh in us. It is the “law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which hath made me free from the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8:2). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost continues the work of Sanctification, separating us daily, from the world and the things of the world. The Holy Spirit (in us) creates in us a “hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God”.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost seals us into the mystical Body of Christ. The Bible says, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13). In the Baptism of the Holy Ghost the believer thus becomes the “Temple of the Living God”. 1st Corinthians 6:19 says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” The Holy Ghost goes right into the soul, moves the old nature aside and takes control, governing our lives, not according to the dictates of the old fleshly nature of our natural birth, but according to the dictates of our new nature. Now, our lives become living epistles of the Word of God - read and known of all men (II Corinthians 3:2-3).
The Holy Ghost will also make the promises of God in Mark 16;17-18 a reality which state this, “And these SIGNS shall follow them that believe; In my Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Every true Christian ought to undergo these three stages of the New Birth for Jesus Christ Himself said that “except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” If you have the Baptism of the Holy Ghost you will LOVE the Lord; believe ALL His Word and with His help, OBEY it, and you will manifest the “fruits of the Spirit”. Don’t try to have any sensation or anything to take the place of the Holy Spirit. When the new birth has come, you are changed. You don’t have to do anything to prove it, your life proves it. As you walk, you are filled with love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, patience, that’s what you are. And the whole world will see the reflection of Jesus Christ in you. (Galatians 5:22-23). Look at the kind of person you were and then look at what you are now - see if there’s a change - see if you have indeed received this “LIFE-CHANGING experience” of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost - an experience that makes you “spiritually minded”, not just “religiously inclined”. Check up on your relationship with God to see if you put more emphasis on the WORD of God than you do the church you attend; see if you really believe the WORD more than you do a man-made dogma or creed;
see if you are really LIVING every day for the Glory of God, giving Him the pre-eminence in ALL that you do.
“What is the new birth then? You say, "Well, Brother Branham, what is the new birth?" It is the revelation of Jesus Christ personally to you. Amen. See? Not you joined a church, you shook a hand; you done something different; you said a creed; you promised to live by a code of rules; but Christ, the Bible... He is the Word that was revealed to you. And no matter what anybody says, what takes place, it's Christ. Pastor, priest, whatever it might be... It's Christ in you. That is a--the revelation that the Church was built upon.” (CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
“Without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, you can never have your eyes opened to a true Spiritual revelation of the Word. A man without the Spirit is blind to God and His truth.” (WMB, 352-4 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
THE NEW BIRTH MEANS “SABBATH” TO OUR SOUL
The Christian faith is based solidly upon REST.
A born-again Christian is not tossed about. He doesn’t run from place to place or fuss and fume and worry about things. A Christian rests. It’s all over. It’s all finished for the believer at Calvary. Sickness, trials and disappointments may come, but the Christian is at rest knowing this, that God’s able to keep that which He has promised, knowing that no matter what the thing is, or how it looks, there’s neither sickness, sorrow, death, starvation or anything that can separate us from the love of God that’s in Jesus Christ. We are at rest. That’s the New Birth. That’s our Sabbath. “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” that’s Jesus’ promise to us (Matt. 11:28). “Let us (therefore) lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of [our] faith” (Heb 12:1-2).
One can only receive the New Birth if their life is expressing the PRESENT TRUTH which is the Word-Message of the Hour that’s allotted by God for the day in which we live in. Jesus said that the evidence of the New Birth is when the Holy Spirit guides you into ALL TRUTH revealed for your DAY and reveals what will come to pass in your age (John 16:13).
If you haven’t received the Holy Ghost yet, and you want to receive Him into your life, I encourage you to follow Peter’s instructions in Acts 2:37-38, and do as those in the House of Cornelius in Acts 10 - Hear the Word, Believe the Word, Receive the Word into your heart and be baptized in the NAME of Jesus Christ by immersion. Rest assured that the Holy Spirit will come to your heart if you will believe all the Word and allow Him to LIVE His Life THROUGH YOU!
“Wait till that satisfaction comes, the satisfaction portion of the fullness of the Holy Spirit comes in, then these joy bells of shouting, and speaking in tongues, and dancing in the Spirit will come. You won't have to do it by the music. You'll do it when you're going down the road in your car. You'll do it when you're sweeping the floor. You'll do it when you're driving nails in the wall, with your carpenter work. Wherever you are, that joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (THIRST.title TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 65-0919)
“What is the promised Land for the Christian today? Just raise up your hand if you know. "The promise is unto you and to your children, to them that are far off. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, your sons and your daughters." And in Isaiah 28:18, "Precept must be upon precept, line upon line; here a little, there a little; hold fast to that what's good. For with stammering lips and other tongues will I speak to this people. And this is the rest (This, the Rest) the sabbath land that I said that they should enter into. And, for all this, they would not hear, but they wagged their heads, and walked away, and wouldn't hear It." See? Exactly.”
(MANIFESTED.SONS.OF.GOD.title JEFF.IN AD.2 60-0518)
BEWARE OF HOLY GHOST BAPTISM IMPERSONATION
In relation to the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Bible forewarns us of the coming of false christs and false prophets which are to deceive the very elect of God if it were possible (Matt. 24:24). They will try to impersonate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to sway people into believing that they are genuinely called. Just as Jannes and Jambres impersonated Moses by producing snakes in the sight of Pharaoh, these people will also be like Balaam who will have access to signs and visions yet their folly will be made manifest. These kind of people will seek after fame, popularity and money, thereby making the Word of God a commodity. Truly, they are called “false anointed ones” in the last days.
“ When Moses went down into Egypt to deliver the children of Israel with only a stick in his hand for vindication, with the God of heaven behind him, he performed a miracle. There come impersonators behind him and doing the same thing he did. See? Now, they come second after he did it first. Then they come around, because they were copying after what he did, impersonating the original. We find that. And now, you say, "Well, that was in the days of Moses." But the same Scripture says that they'll come again in the last days, "As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so will these men of reprobate mind concerning Truth." See? Impersonations, all kinds of things to upset people...” (RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V- 5 N-14 65-1204)
“ Now, remember, I've always told you there's three classes of people. There's three races of people: Ham, Shem, and Japheth: three races, three classes. And I said, that is the believer, make-believer, and unbeliever. It's always been, always will be. See? There was Moses the believer; there was Jannes and Jambres the unbelievers. See? There was Balaam, Moses, always that three classes of people. Three classes: believer, make-believer, and unbeliever. Now, remember the unbeliever, the denominational church, don't believe in any signs at all: cold, formal, starchy, the church in the world, the denomination. But the make-believer is that shuck. That's the guy that makes-believe. And then there is a real believer that's really true.“ (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65- 0725M)
“And it's a genuine anointing. Remember, Caiaphas had it too and prophesied. So did Balaam have it and prophesied, but that don't have nothing to do with this inside. Unless that was God's seed, His gene from the beginning, predestinated, you're finished. I don't care how much you shout, speak with tongues, run, shout; that has nothing to do with it. A cocklebur can count just as much as any of the rest of them. I've seen heathens raise, and shout, and speak in tongues, and--and drink blood out of a human skull, and call on the devil. See?” (RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
“You may say, “How can this be? Would the anointed ones... What were they?” Christs: c-h-r-i-s-t-s, anointed christs and false prophets: anointed ones, but false prophets. Jesus said that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Now, someone might say to me, “Do you believe that that anointing on those people means that it’s anointing of the Holy Spirit?” Yes, sir, the genuine Holy Spirit of God upon a person, and yet they are false. Now, listen close and see what He said: “And they shall show signs and wonders, insomuch that it would deceive the very elected if it were possible.” And they are anointed with the genuine Holy Spirit.” (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65- 0725M)
THE WHEAT AND THE TARES
In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares of Matthew 13:24-30, we are taught that both the wheat and the tares received the same RAIN and the same SUNLIGHT to make them grow. The RAIN and the SUN in the parable symbolize the Holy Spirit. The RAIN falls on the just and the unjust which means that the Holy Spirit can anoint and make a person do things, but that does not mean that the person is saved. Think of Caiaphas; he prophesied exactly regarding the death of Jesus Christ. Judas, who was one of the 12 apostles, went along casting out devils and healing the sick in Jesus’ Name, yet he was the “son of perdition”.
The Spirit can anoint these people yet that does not mean that they’re saved. The weeds can rejoice with the wheat. But it’s what it is at the core (soul) (please refer to CHAPTER 18 - The Three Realms of Man). Christians can act like they’re Christians, and act and be ever so good at it, but that doesn’t mean they’re saved. The Spirit can be there, the real genuine Spirit, but that still don’t mean they’re saved. Only the souls of those individuals who are predestinated by God before the foundation of the world can truly receive the genuine Holy Spirit Baptism.
NOT EVERYONE THAT SAITH “LORD, LORD”
Jesus said, “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.” (Matt. 7:21-23).
These people are anointed yet are false. Remember, the weed receives the same power that falls on the wheat to make it grow, makes the weed shout, too. The little old weed stand right up and just as happy as the wheat is and lives by the same life. And a sinner can stay in the Presence of God, shout the victory, and live like a Christian. But if there isn’t something different in the heart, He could have the same power to cast out evil spirit. Jesus said so. He can preach the Gospel just as good as any other preacher can do. The Bible teaches it. Yes, sir. “Though I speak with tongue of men and angels, though I give my body to be burned as a sacrifice, though I give an my goods to feed the poor, though I have faith to move mountains, I do all these things, I preach in His Name, I cast out devils in His Name,” he said, and still “I am nothing.” So a man could do it, and still be “nothing.” (STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M) (1 Cor. 13).
People can be anointed by the Holy Spirit in their outside body realm and spirit realm, but only the Bride of Jesus Christ can be truly baptized by the Holy Spirit in the soul realm where the predestinated seed of God in the individual person lies.
“ Now, false teachers will bring false births. True prophets will bring the Word, the birth of the Word, Christ. False prophets will bring false birth, the birth of churches, the birth of creeds, the birth of denominations. And here you are, Pentecostal brother, false sent--or sensations, and tell a man he's got the Holy Ghost 'cause he speaks with tongues. I've seen devils speak with tongues, pencils lay down and write in unknown tongues. That don't mean a thing. See, it's got to be a life: by their fruit you shall know them. "Brother Branham, do you believe in speaking in tongues?" Yes, sir. "You believe in shouting?" Yes, sir. To be a Christian, I believe that. I believe God's Word. But if the life isn't there to back it up...” (YOU.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-5 61-1231M)
"Oh," you say, "Well, I been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus." That's correct; that's Bible. But if that life doesn't follow it, it didn't do you much good to be baptized. You say, "Well, I've received the Holy Ghost." That's good; that's what you should've done. But if the life isn't in there...Remember, the weed receives the same power that falls on the wheat to make it grow, makes the weed shout too. The little old weed stand right up and just as happy as the wheat is (That's right.), lives by the same life. And a sinner can stay in the Presence of God, shout the victory, and live like a Christian. But if there isn't something different in the heart... He could have the same power to cast out evil spirit. Jesus said so. He can preach the Gospel just as good as any other preacher can do. That's exactly what; Jesus said so. The Bible teaches it. Yes, sir. "Though I speak with tongue of men and angels, though I give my body to be burned as a sacrifice, I give an my goods to feed the poor, I--I have faith to move mountains, I do all these things, I preach in His Name, I cast out devils in His Name," he said, "I am nothing." So he could do it, and "nothing." Get the idea?”
(STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M)
“There's sure going to be some great disappointment at the judgment. Oh, the bootlegger, he knows where he's going to be at the judgment. So does the beer-hound know where he's going to be. So does the prostitute know where she'll stand. So does the gambler know where he'll stand. So does the drunkard know where he'll stand. He'll not be disappointed. But where the disappointed is going to be, is those who thought they were right. That's where the disappointment. "When they got up there, said, 'Sure, we cast out devils in Your Name. We're preachers. We belong to certain-certain churches. We done great miracles. Oh, we preached... Why, I been a--I been a steward in the church. I been bishop. I been this.' Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity; I never even knew you." There you are. That's the disappointment.” (STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M)
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the indwelling of God’s Spirit in the soul of an individual believer. It is the third stage of God’s saving grace in a Christian’s life. The whole process begins with repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and going through water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ (known as justification). The second stage to being born again is sanctification, which sets the individual for God’s service, God cleansing him from sin and leading him to a life of holiness before giving him the promise of the Holy Ghost. The third stage, is known as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which seals the believer into the kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an indication that God has already completed His work in the life of an individual, dressing him with Christ’s robe of righteousness, and making him assured of the rapture. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is Christ Himself dwelling in the individual person.
This promise of the Holy Ghost Baptism is clearly laid out in Acts 2:38-39:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost. For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
The Holy Spirit is Jesus Himself coming down to the soul of the believer, as He has promised in John 14:18, saying, “I will not leave you comfortless, “ I “ (personal pronoun) WILL COME TO YOU.”… “I will be with you, even IN YOU until the end of the world.”
Galatians 4:6 states, “And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the SPIRIT of His SON into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” And in Romans 8:9, it tells us plainly, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE “HOLY GHOST”
1. IT IS THE SPIRIT OF POWER & TRUTH
ACTS 1:8- “But ye shall receive “POWER”, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
JOHN 14:26-“ But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, he shall TEACH you ALL things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
JOHN 15:26- “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of TRUTH, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of ME.”
JOHN 16:13- “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of “TRUTH”, is come, He will GUIDE you into “ALL TRUTH” for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and He will SHEW you things to come.”
“God needed a leader for the Church. He didn't educate a bishop, neither did He send a high priest, or a pope, or no one else. But He sent the Holy Ghost. A man die, and their systems die, and everything else. But the Holy Ghost is the eternal God, and He cannot die. He give them an eternal Leader, and that is the Holy Ghost. They needed something to guide them, to tell them what to do, how to live, how to meet the public, how to meet the fierceness of the day, how to combat sickness, how to combat this, how to combat sin. Man has drawed all kinds of ways of joining this, and creeds of this, and documents of this, and baptisms of this, and every kind of sensations, and little quivers, and funny feelings, and everything else. But still remains, the Holy Ghost is God's provided Way for His Church. Amen.” (ONLY.ONE.WAY.PROVIDED.BY.GOD CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-2 63-0731)
“But that same power that spoke the world into existence is in those people that's got the Holy Ghost. That's right. Men and women, it's time that we found out who you are. The devil's trying to hide you back, tell you that you're some little trod-down something. You're not. You're sons and daughters of God. The Deity is not in heaven; it's in you. Hallelujah.” (DEITY.OF.JESUS.CHRIST.THE.title JEFF.IN V-20 N-12 49-1225)
“And right now in every believer in here has Life Eternal, which is God's Spirit in you; enough power that'll raise up the dead, that'll heal the sick, that'll set orbits in conditions. But you're... It's controlled by a law, that Spirit that's in you. You are sons and daughters of God. That same Spirit that you've got in you, will raise yourself up at the day of the resurrection.”
(EVER.PRESENT.WATER.title JEFF.IN V-14 N-6 61-0723M)
“You got the power; but it's laying dormant, because you're afraid to use it. See? That's the way... They had power, but they couldn't do it. And every one of you's got power. These crippled people's got power right now to rise from up there and walk. This dying man with cancer's got power to raise up and walk. The rest of you all out there that sick, you got power. You got power; it's given to you. You shall receive power. That's what the Bible said.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH.title LA.CA 59-0417)
“The power that's in you will make... You could speak a world into existence and go live on it. Hallelujah. There you are. That's what power is in the Church now, but it is controlled by a law. And that law is not keeping a bunch of commandments. It's a law of faith. Jesus said, "All things are possible to them that believe." And if you can believe it, whatever God will lead your soul to believe, that is yours. Every place the soles of your foot can set upon by faith, God gives it to you. Amen. It's yours; you possess it, if you can find the key to this law of faith that opens it to you. You see what I mean? That power is controlled by... If you are a son of God, you are a daughter of God, that never leaves you. It's with you all the time. But your faith gets away from It, but It's still there. Hallelujah.” (EVER.PRESENT.WATER.title JEFF.IN V-14 N-6 61-0723M)
2. IT IS THE SPIRIT OF REVELATION
“The entire Church of the living God is built solemnly upon the spiritual revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how educated you are, how smart you may be, how well you may think you know the Bible, Satan knows It just a lot better than you do. But only through the revelation, God through the Holy Spirit your Tutor, revealed to you that He saves you by His grace.” (SPIRITUAL.ADOPTION.title JEFF.IN 56-0923)
I CORINTHIANS 2:9-16- “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him. But God hath REVEALED [them] unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, NOT in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But WE have the MIND of Christ.”
JOHN 14:17-”[Even] the Spirit of TRUTH; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be IN you.”
“A man that's born of the Spirit don't take no thought; he lets God do the thinking.”
(WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“Without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, you can never have your eyes opened to a true Spiritual revelation of the Word. A man without the Spirit is blind to God and His truth.”
(WMB, 352-4 LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.9)
“So many people's got the wrong conception. The--the... To convert people to Christianity and to its government is not God's thought at all... We're not suppose to make converts to Christianity by a government, but by the revelation of Christ in you as God was in Christ. As God was in Christ, Christ in you... Jesus said at that day (that's this day)-
-at that day (when this revelation's made known) you will know that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me, I in you, and you in Me. (When the revelation's made manifest,) at that day, you shall know that I and the Father are One. I'm in the Father, and the Father's in Me. Then when the revelation comes forth, then it's I in you and you in Me." There you are.”
(CHRIST.IS.THE.MYSTERY.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-7 63-0728)
“ That Holy Ghost ought to be more important to you than everything else there is in the world: your prestige, your life, your job, your anything that there is. You should not
cease until you have It. You must receive It.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-1223)
“You are not a Christian because you're a Protestant; you're not Christian because you're a Catholic; you're not a Christian because you're Methodist, Baptist, or Pentecostal. You are a Christian because you've been baptized into Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, not by water. There's one faith, one Lord, one baptism, and that's Holy Spirit baptism. Water baptism inducts you into a fellowship; the Holy Spirit baptism inducts you into Christ. There's the truth.” (MARRIAGE.AND.DIVORCE.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-13 65-0221M)
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A “SEAL”
EPHESIANS 4:30- “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
SEALED unto the day of redemption.”
EPHESIANS 1:13-14 - “In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
A SEAL means three things: (1) security (2) ownership (3) completion.
When you are truly baptized with the Holy Ghost, you now have eternal security within your soul, and you have been accepted in the beloved and have been bought with a price by God through Jesus Christ. You are now complete in Him, a truly heaven-bound creature.
“Seal, what is the seal? What is a seal? A seal is, first thing it shows is a work that has been completed, a completed work. The next thing it shows is ownership. And the next thing it shows is security, keeping it.” (WMB, ADOPTION.OR.PLACING.title JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 60-0522E)
“Now, what is the land promised to the New Testament believer? The promise is the Holy Spirit. "For it shall come to pass in the last days," Joel 2:28, "that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Upon My handsmaids and My maidservants will I pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. I'll show wonders in the heavens above. And in the earth, pillars of fire, and smoke, and vapor." (EPHESIANS.PARALLELS.JOSHUA.title JEFF.IN AD.1 60-0515E)
In the last days there’s going to be only two classes of people. One of them’s going to have the Seal of God, the other one the Mark of the Beast. If the Seal of God is the Baptism of Holy Ghost, then without the Holy Ghost is the Mark of the Beast. That’s what Brother Branham said.
“There’s only going to be two classes of people in the last day. Both of them is going to wear a mark. The mark of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, without a shadow of doubt. I preached that not long ago right here… that the SEAL of God is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 4:30 says, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you’re sealed until the day of your redemption.” Without the Holy Spirit you are not sealed. But the Holy Spirit is God’s Seal. And then, that, all that was not sealed by the Holy Spirit, was took on the mark of the beast. And the mark of the beast is a mark of apostasy, which is rejecting the Holy Spirit. See what I mean?” (WMB, JUBILEE.YEAR.title JEFF.IN V-26 N-6 54-1003E)
“I’ve heard ministers get up with charts and try to explain what the mark of the beast was by some kind of a chart. It doesn’t take a chart. The Scripture says, “All that didn’t receive the Seal of God had the mark of the beast.” There’s only two classes on the earth. One’s got the Mark of God, the other one’s got the mark of the Devil. And all that didn’t receive the Mark of God had the mark of the Devil.”(WMB, UNITY.ONE.GOD.ONE.CHURCH.title JEFF.IN V-16 N-8 58-1221E)
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT: YOU ARE HIS TEMPLE
ACTS 7:48-49- “Howbeit the most High dwelleth NOT in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven [is] my throne, and earth [is] my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what [is] the place of my rest?”
I CORINTHIANS 6:19-20- “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
“Now, that is the house that God dwells in, not a building with a big bell on top of it and a high steeple (See?), but, "a body has Thou prepared Me," a body that God can dwell in, God can walk in, God can see in, God can talk in, God can work in (Amen.), living instrumentality of God. God walking on two feet in you. Glory. "The footsteps of the righteous is ordered of God," God walking in you, for ye are written epistles, read of all men. And if the Life that's in Christ be in you, you'll bear the Life that Christ bore.”
(STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-18 62-1014M)
“What is the Holy Ghost? It's a Seal. What is the Holy Ghost? It's a Covenant. What is the Holy Ghost? It's a Sign. What is the Holy Ghost then? It's the Spirit of Jesus Christ in you. See? "A little while," said Jesus, "and the world sees Me no more, yet ye shall see Me; for I will be with you, even in you to the end of the world."(WHAT.IS.THE.HOLY.GHOST.title
JEFF.IN V-4 N-2 59-1216)
“What is the Holy Ghost? God in you. What's It for? To continue His work among His people; to bring His church together; to bring a church to a place in this day, far beyond the Lutheran, Methodist, and Pentecostal, into a place to a adoption and a rapturing grace, that when this part of the church, when the Spirit moves into this church here, it'll just raise. And it'll bring forth, bring forth all of the redeemed that's touched that Spirit.”
(WHAT.HOLY.GHOST.WAS.GIVEN.FOR.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-3 59-1217)
“That's what the Holy Ghost is to do. It's to make you man turn your head from them half naked women and quit lusting after them. Yeah, church members... That's what It's to do. It's to quit making you smoke, and drink, and be--want to be a big shot. It'll take that out of you. It'll humble you when you do that. That's what the Holy Ghost is for. It's for a holy life (That's right.) make you quit gossiping; make you quit playing cards, shooting craps, and all these other things that you do around the corner. It'll make you quit your carrying on the way you're doing, living untrue to your wife. That's what It'll do. That's right. It'll quit making you want to marry somebody else's wife. That's exactly right. That's what It is. It's to make you live a holy life. That's what the Holy Ghost is power for, to set your affections on things above where God stands.” (WHAT.HOLY.GHOST.WAS.GIVEN.FOR.title JEFF.IN V-4 N- 3 59-1217)
“Then Peter here says first seven things (2 Peter 1:5-7): faith, virtue (See, coming up), knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly love, and brotherly kindness and then the love of God, the Holy Ghost. Christ in the Person of the Holy
Ghost comes upon you in the true baptism of the Holy Ghost, and you got all these virtues sealed in you, then God lives in a tabernacle called the building, the living Tabernacle of the living God's dwelling place. When a man possesses these kind of things, then the Holy Ghost comes upon him. No matter, you might speak with tongues; you might impersonate any gift that God's got. You might do that, but until these virtues here go into you, you're still off the real true foundation of faith. But when these virtues grow in, as you added that to that, then you are a living monument. You are a living, moving idol.” (STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-18 62-1014M)
“Water don't save a man. It takes the Blood of Jesus Christ. There's no Life in water. Life comes in the Blood cell; takes sanctification to cleanse that life, to kill the desire of sin; then the Holy Spirit comes into that clean vessels and sets it aside in work, service. The altar sanctified the vessel, but the--its filling is what put it in service. It was set aside for service; now it's got to be put in service. And the Holy Ghost puts the church in service.” (EVENING.MESSENGER.title MESA.AZ V-8 N-5 63-0116)
“Said, "Well, Abraham believed God; that's all he could do." I said, "True. But then God give him the order of circumcision, as a confirmation that He had received his faith." And if He has never circumcised you yet by the Holy Ghost, He hasn't received your faith yet. That's right. That is the circumcision of the heart and spirit. God gives the Holy Ghost as a confirmation He's received your faith. Now, if you stop believing, and scrumbling around, and just believe God, God will circumcise that heart. And that cuts off all unbelief, circumcises the world and all unbelief away from you; and then you stand, the Word alone, Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me, and My Word in you; then ask what you will; it'll be given to you." (JEHOVAH.JIREH.PT.1.title GRASS.VALLEY.CA JJ 37-72 62-0705)
“No man, no person, no woman, boy, girl--I don't care who he is--is fit to go in the pulpit, or even claim to be a Christian, without being filled with the Holy Ghost. You have no right to the Lord's supper or any Communion or feet washing or anything, until you've been cleansed by the holy Fire of God. No man has a right to preach 'less he like Moses, meets Him out there in that sacred grounds, that Pillar of Fire hanging there, where he knows where he's at. See?” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
“You haven't any business out on the field unless you are filled with the Holy Ghost and preaching the true Gospel in the demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost. If you are not seeing the results that Jesus said you would see, it's because you are not preaching the true Gospel." (304-3 PHILADELPHIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.8)
5. The HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM is the REAL NEW BIRTH
JOHN 3:5- “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN of water and [of] the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
ACTS 2:38-39 - “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost. For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
“There’s three elements it takes to bring our birth. And that’s the three elements that came out of the life of Christ when He died. There come from His body, water, Blood, Spirit. Is that right? Three elements, and that’s the elements we go through when
we’re born again: justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now, that can all be in one act, but it takes... But you can be in a justified state without being sanctified. You can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and still carry your filth with you. But you can absolutely live in a both justified and a clean holy life, and without the Holy Ghost.” (DEMONOLOGY.1.PHYSICAL CON.IN DE 21-40 53-0608A)
“You see, each one of those ages only taken a dip into the Holy Spirit. Justification is a work of the Holy Spirit; sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit, but the baptism is the Holy Spirit.” (QA.ON.THE.SEALS.title JEFF.IN 63-0324M)
6. THE HOLY GHOST IS THE “OIL” THAT’S REQUIRED FOR THE RAPTURE
MATTHEW 25:1-13- ”Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto TEN VIRGINS, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took NO oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”
“Ten of them were virgins. Five was wise that had Oil in their lamps, and the other five was just as pure and holy but they had no Oil. They were sanctified, without the Holy Ghost… But you can be justified without being sanctified. And you can be sanctified without having the Holy Ghost; be clean, live a pure life, and have a form of godliness, and deny the power of healing, and speaking in tongues, and the great gifts of God (and every one of them in there).” (QA.ON.GENESIS.title JEFF.IN COD 53-0729)
“Now, the church that professes to be a Christian church, will have to have that SAME SPIRIT that was IN Jesus Christ. For at the resurrection of the church, Christ and His Bride will come together and dovetail. The writings and promises of God will be made fulfilled there. So it cannot come together unless the same Spirit was in Christ is in you and me. And then if that same Spirit is in there, It’ll do the same works, and live the same kind of a separated life, and do the works that He did. The Bible said so, all the way to Genesis confirms it. It ought to be striking. It ought to make a church member come to Christ and stay until he’s filled with the Holy Ghost. It’s the only PROMISE of the RAPTURE, the only way that the church and Christ can come together, the very Spirit.”
(FAITHFUL.ABRAHAM.title RICHMOND.VA 61-0312)
“I'm persuaded that many of us, friends, have received the Holy Ghost, but we just receive enough Holy Ghost in us to make us to a place where we don't want to lie, we don't want to steal, we don't want to do anything. But God wants to fill every fiber of His church; He wants to fill your thinking; He wants to fill your mind. He wants to fill every bit of you, just make you completely, totally dead to yourself or to your thinking, just so surrendered in God till His Word's just living right through you.” (ONENESS.title JEFF.IN V-10 N-2 62-0211)
“when we're born in the Body of Christ, there's three elements it takes to bring our birth. And that's the three elements that came out of the life of Christ when He died. There come from His body, water, Blood, Spirit. Is that right? Three elements, and that's the elements we go through when we're born again: justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now, that can all be in one act, but it takes... But you can be in a justified state without being sanctified. You can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and still carry your filth with you. But you can absolutely live in a both justified and a clean holy life, and without the Holy Ghost. “ (DEMONOLOGY.1.PHYSICAL.title CON.IN DE 21-40 53-0608A)
7. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE POURED OUT UPON “ALL” FLESH (BOTH JUST AND UNJUST)
JOEL 2:28-29 – “And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.”
Yes, the HOLY SPIRIT is POURED OUT UPON ALL FLESH (both upon the JUST AND the UNJUST), no exceptions. Everyone can feel the moving of the Spirit especially in the last days, for it is typed to the former and latter rain. Just like rainfall, God sends the Holy Spirit to water all plant and animal life. It can fall upon the tares and the wheat, and both can shout halleluiah, but it does not change the seed at the core of the plant. The Spirit only brings to manifestation what is it at the core, for every seed will bring forth of its kind (Genesis 1:11). “By their fruits they ye shall know them”. Once plant life reaches its maturity during harvest time, they are known by their fruit. A son of God will manifest the life of God, while a son of perdition will manifest the works of Satan, and will come to full maturity also, by the same Holy Spirit anointing.
QUOTES from Rev. William Branham concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
“The Spirit can come out here and anoint you to do certain things, and you do it, but that don’t mean you’re saved. But think of it. Caiaphas prophesied. Judas cast out devils. See, the Spirit anointed him. There’s rain falls on the just and the unjust; the weeds can rejoice with the wheat. But it’s what it is at the core. There’s where you can, intellectuals can accept and say, “Oh, sure, that looks good. I believe that.” That still don’t do it. No, sir. And the spirit can actually make witness of it, and still it isn’t so. Because if that soul hasn’t come from God, it can make all the impersonations out here, but it cannot be real. You can act healing; you can act like you have. You can act like you receive it. Christians can act like they’re Christians, and act and be ever so good at it, but that don’t mean they’re saved. That’s exactly right. See? The Spirit can be there, the real genuine Spirit. The Holy Spirit can anoint you; that still don’t mean you’re saved. It’s that inside soul that never dies; it’s got Eternal Life. It always was Eternal Life. See? It come from God; it goes to God; it’s the soul.” (WORKS.IS.FAITH.EXPRESSED.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-7 N-1 65-
1126)
“The true vine and the false vine both had the “same anointing”. The water fell on both of them. No wonder He warned us it would “deceive the very elected if it was possible”. (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65-0725M)
MATTHEW 5:44-45- “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for HE maketh his SUN to RISE on the evil and on the good, and sendeth RAIN on the just and on the unjust.”
MATTHEW 13:30- “Let both grow together until the HARVEST: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the TARES, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the WHEAT into my barn.”
MATTHEW 7:20- “Wherefore by their FRUITS ye shall know them.”
B. DOES HAVING GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (SUCH AS HEALING, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, MIRACLES, VISIONS, ETC.) ASSURE YOU THAT YOU ARE ALREADY BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST?
NOT SO. Though we believe in the nine (9) spiritual gifts as stipulated in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 namely: (1) Prophesy (2) Word of Wisdom (3) Faith (4)
Healing (5) Tongues (6) Interpretation of Tongues (7) Discernment (8) Word of Knowledge (9) Working of Miracles, yet these gifts can be impersonated by the devil. There will be “false anointed ones” and “false christs” in the last days to impersonate and to deceive the very elect if it were possible by using these gifts. Yes, they will be truly “anointed”, but false at the core.
Let’s look at Judas. JUDAS was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. Judas preached along with them and healed the sick, and cast out devils. But Judas he had shown his true colors as the son of perdition when he sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. BALAAM was a prophet. But his true colors were manifested because of the love of money and popularity, he tried to curse Israel. JANNES AND JAMBRES were two magicians who withstood Moses by manifesting the same powers of turning their sticks into snakes in the sight of pharaoh. Therefore, miracles and signs are no true signs that one is a true servant of God. Even Lucifer himself was previously an “angel of light”.
SCRIPTURES:
MATTHEW 7:21-23- “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 24:24- “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.”
QUOTES from Rev. William Branham:
“A false christ is a false anointed, because Christ is the Anointed. How many knows that the “Christ” means “the anointed One”? There will be false anointed ones, and they’ll call themselves prophets. But how will you recognize them? By the Word; that’s how you’ll know it: by the Word, whether they are right. How will we recognize them? Will be by the Word. If they’re... If they say that they have the Word, and then deny the Word, then there’s nothing to it, no matter what they do. They might heal the sick; they might open the eyes of the blind; and deny the Word, stay away from it. Don’t care what it is, stay with that Word regardless (See?), because many times I’ve seen voodoo and all kinds of things take place under—under healing.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64- 0823M)
“You may say, “How can this be? Would the anointed ones... What were they?” Christs: c-h-r-i-s-t-s, anointed christs and false prophets: anointed ones, but false prophets. Jesus said that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Now, someone might say to me, “Do you believe that that anointing on those people means that it’s anointing of the Holy Spirit?” Yes, sir, the genuine Holy Spirit of God upon a person, and yet
they are false. Now, listen close and see what He said: “And they shall show signs and wonders, insomuch that it would deceive the very elected if it were possible.” And they are anointed with the genuine Holy Spirit.” (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65- 0725M)
“No, they wouldn’t stand to be called false Jesus. They wouldn’t be— stand to call Jesus; certainly not. That’s too plain. Anybody would know that. Anyone would know they wasn’t Jesus. ..But they call themself the anointed, and they do signs and wonders almost to deceive the elected. But false christs, anointed ones, shall arise and shall deceive the elected if it were possible.” And remember, Jesus never said that them guy’s would appear. He said there’d appear false christs: christs, plural, “denominations” and so forth, anointed ones, anointed with a denominational spirit and not the Word. You follow it? Not false Jesus, false christs, false anointed ones. See?” (ANOINTED ONES AT END TIME; JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65-0725M)
“ Now, a gift, just like I said last night, "A gift is wonderful, but you can't base your Eternal destination on gifts." You cannot major on a minor, and a--a gift is a minor. And Satan can impersonate any gift God's got; he can make something just exactly like it (See?), exactly. Therefore, we got to watch that. Like sometimes I expressed about shouting; I've seen demons shout. See? Speak in tongues, I've seen demons speak in tongues. Sure, he impersonates It. It isn't a genuine, but it impersonates It (You see?), makes it look like it's real. And people sometime, who don't know the difference, declare this to be real when it isn't real.” (WORKS.IS.FAITH.EXPRESSED.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-7 N-1 65-1126)
“Now, don't say, "I have to shout." You might. Don't say, "I have to speak with tongue." You may do that. Don't say, "I have to dance in the Spirit." You may do that. Don't say, "I have to cry." But you may do that, and you might not. Receive Christ, then all the shouting, crying, speaking in tongues will follow that. But if you have that without Christ, you're only making a mock. Remember, you can have all the gifts and not have the Giver. Get Christ first.” (AS.THE.EAGLE.STIRS.HER.NEST.title HARRISONBURG.VA 58-0316A)
Having the gifts of tongues, prophesy and knowledge, is therefore not an absolute evidence that one is truly baptized with the Holy Ghost already. This truth is attested by Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-10: ”Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
C. CAN FEELINGS , SENSATION OR “EMOTIONALISM” LIKE “CRYING OR SHOUTING IN THE SPIRIT” BE CONSIDERED AS GENUINE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST?
“TASTING” THE HOLY GHOST is far more DIFFERENT from being BAPTIZED WITH IT. A lot of people just “tasted” the goodness of God but in the end they still perished. It’s a type of Israel in the wilderness coming out from Egypt. They have tasted the signs and wonders done by the Holy Ghost through the ministry of Moses. They have seen the mighty works of the hand of God by sending plagues to Egypt, they have crossed and walked over
the dry Red Sea, they ate of the Manna that fell in the wilderness from heaven, they drank from the Rock, and have seen many many more miracles by Moses. Yet only Joshua and Caleb was able to reach the Promised Land. All the rest of the ten spies and their tribes perished. And today, the promise Land of today for the Christian is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. How many will ever get to it? “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life, yet broad is the way and wide is the gate that leads to destruction..”
HEBREWS 6:4-6 - ”For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have “TASTED” of the heavenly gift, and were made PARTAKERS of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.”
“Church, that’s the reason I can’t take the Baptism of the Holy Ghost of crying, shaking, or speaking in tongues, or any sensation. They’re all right now. See? Them—them things are all right, but the devil can impersonate that so real. But the Holy Ghost is Deity, God tabernacled in men. It’s more than a sensation. It’s more than speaking in tongues. It’s more than shouting in the Spirit. It’s more than weeping. It’s more than joining church. It’s God living in men, Deity, God Himself tabernacled into that person, when he can speak and it’s just the same as God speaking; that’s the Church of Jesus Christ.” (TESTIMONY.OF.A.TRUE.WITNESS.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-6 61-1105)
“You might be able to try to say you have; you might be able to show some evidence of some emotion; but unless your life is vindicating what you’re professing to have, you still haven’t got It. No matter how many emotions, how much you jump, run, sensations, speaking in tongues, or shouting, or whatever you might lay it upon (which is all right, I believe in all that too.), but unless your life copes with your testimony, then you haven’t got It. ‘Cause the fruit of the Spirit vindicates what you are, just like the fruit of any tree tells what it is. Jesus said, “By their fruit you shall know them.” (PARADOX.A.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-3 63-0801)
“You say, “Well, I’ve received the Holy Ghost.” That’s good; that’s what you should’ve done. But if the life isn’t in there...Remember, the weed receives the same power that falls on the wheat to make it grow, makes the weed shout too. The little old weed stand right up and just as happy as the wheat is (That’s right.), lives by the same life. And a sinner can stay in the Presence of God, shout the victory, and live like a Christian. But if there isn’t something different in the heart... He could have the same power to cast out evil spirit. Jesus said so. He can preach the Gospel just as good as any other preacher can do. That’s exactly what; Jesus said so. The Bible teaches it. Yes, sir. “Though I speak with tongue of men and angels, though I give my body to be burned as a sacrifice, I give an my goods to feed the poor, I—I have faith to move mountains, I do all these things, I preach in His Name, I cast out devils in His Name,” he said, “I am nothing.” So he could do it, and “nothing.” Get the idea?” (STRAIT.IS.THE.GATE.title JEFF.IN CH 35-66 59-0301M)
“Now, what do I do, Brother Branham? Do I shout?” Not necessary. “Do I speak with tongues?” Not necessary. You can shout and speak with tongues both and still live like a—like a heathen; you still lust for women; you can still smoke and drink and everything else. I seen people speak with tongues and go right out and pull some of the dirtiest, crookedest deal I ever seen. I seen them shout and cry crocodile tears and would steal a—anything he’d get ahold of. I seen them walk out, and
every girl that goes down the street, turn. Uh-huh, that’s one good sign you haven’t got It. That’s right. But, brother, when you’ve passed from death unto Life, all those things become dead, and you’re a new creature in Christ Jesus. If you see something wrong, you’ll pray for it: “God be merciful.” And if you see troubles, instead of going and tattling and trying to make it worse, you’ll try to get to the person and straighten it up and quieten it right quick. That’s the Spirit of God in you. If you make a mistake (You’re subject to them.)... If you make a mistake, you’ll correct it right quick, “Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.” That’s how you know you passed from death unto Life.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.4.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901E)
“A conversion brings experience; and you can't allot it to anything now. Sometimes it might be shouting. Sometimes it might be speaking with tongues. Sometimes it might be weeping. Sometimes it might be groaning. You don't know what it is, so don't try to allot it, because every one of you's proved to be wrong in it, you Methodists, and you Baptists, and you Nazarenes and Pentecostals. I've seen people shout just as hard as they could shout, and steal the gold out of your teeth if they could. Yes, sir. I've seen people speak with tongues like pouring peas on a dry cowhide; and--and honest to goodness, when they chew tobacco on the other side of the mouth, and cut your throat if they could do it. That's right. So them things has... There's no evidence that you can prove it, only by the life the person lives: "by their fruit, you shall know them." (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.3.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0901M)
“People sometimes won't receive the Holy Ghost unless they speak with tongues. I believe in speaking in tongues. Certainly. He's a good God; He'll give you the desire of your heart. But no matter how much you speak in tongues and deny this Word, you're wrong anyhow. See, see? You don't go in by speaking in tongues; you go in by keeping every Word. That's the evidence of the Holy Ghost: when you believe the Word of God. See?” (DOES.GOD.CHANGE.HIS.MIND.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-9 65-0418E)
“That's the reason I can't take the baptism of the Holy Ghost of crying, shaking, or speaking in tongues, or any sensation. They're all right now. See? Them--them things are all right, but the devil can impersonate that so real. But the Holy Ghost is Deity, God tabernacled in men. It's more than a sensation. It's more than speaking in tongues. It's more than shouting in the Spirit. It's more than weeping. It's more than joining church. It's God living in men, Deity, God Himself tabernacled into that person, when he can speak and it's just the same as God speaking; that's the Church of Jesus Christ.” (TESTIMONY.OF.A.TRUE.WITNESS.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-6 61- 1105)
“To be born of the Spirit is to believe and obey the teaching of the Bible by the Holy Ghost. And a man that's born of the Spirit will obey God's Word regardless of what any tradition tells him...To be borned of the Spirit is to believe and behave yourself in the Spirit, is to understand and believe with your heart that Jesus is Christ and This is His Word, that no other words can be added to It or taken away from It without your name taken out of the Book of Life.” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
D. IS THE TRUE “HOLY GHOST BAPTISM” GIVEN ONLY TO A SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE?
Yes. Jesus said that “no man can come unto Me, except the Father draws him unto Me.” Regardless if a man wants to serve the Lord, but if he is not predestinated for it, he can never reach that perfection.
“There’s only one can see it; that’s the one who’s predestinated to see it. Otherwise you’ll never see it. The Jews cannot see that being their Messiah, and yet
they were scholars and theologians, men of great renown scholarship, read the same Bible that you read. Now, after it’s been made know to us, we can see it plain that was Messiah. But they couldn’t see it. Neither can they see it today. They are prophesied to be blinded too.”
(RECOGNIZING.YOUR.DAY.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-1 64-0726M)
”The predestinated is the only one that’s considered in redemption. People might be making like, think they are, but the real redemption is those that are predestinated. Because the very word “redeem” means “to bring back.” Is that right? To redeem is something... To redeem anything is bring it back to its original place. Hallelujah. So it’s only the predestinated will be brought back, because the others didn’t come from there. See? Bring back... “ (WHO.IS.THIS.MELCHISEDEC.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-10 65-0221E)
“He that hath an ear, let him (singular) hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.” Notice here that Jesus (by the Spirit) in EVERY age addresses Himself to ONLY ONE person relative to the Word for that age. Only ONE messenger for each age receives what the Spirit has to say to that age, and that ONE MESSENGER is the messenger to the true church. He speaks for God by revelation to the “churches”, both true and false. The message is then broadcast to all. But though it is broadcast for all who come within range of the message, that message is received individually by only a certain qualified group in a certain way. Each individual of that group is one who has the ability to hear what the Spirit is saying by way of the messenger. Those who hear are not getting their own private revelation, nor is a group getting their collective revelation, BUT EACH PERSON IS HEARING AND RECEIVING WHAT THE MESSENGER HAS ALREADY RECEIVED FROM GOD.” (156-1 SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“There’s many people just can’t believe it, even Spirit-filled people. I’m going to give you one that’ll choke you. The baptism of the Holy Ghost don’t mean you’re going in, not at all, not on that, don’t have anything to do with your soul. That’s the baptism. See? Here’s the inside soul in here, that has to come from God. But then on the outside you have five senses, and five out—inlets to your contact your earthly home. The inside, you have a spirit, and in there you have five outlets: your conscience, and love, and so forth, five outlets to that spirit. Remember, in that spirit you can be baptized with the genuine Spirit of God and still be lost. It’s the soul that lives; that was ordained of God. Didn’t Jesus say, “Many will come to Me in that day, and say, ‘Lord, haven’t I cast out devils, done great and mighty works, prophesied, the great gifts of God?’” He said, “Depart from me, you that work iniquity, I never even knew you. Many will come in that day.” (MODERN.EVENTS.MADE.CLEAR.BY.PROPHECY SBD.CA V-7 N-6 65-1206)
“But when it’s directed from the inside, it throws all the rest of it together. That’s the guidepost. That’s the control tower, the inside of the inside. The soul controls the spirit, the spirit controls the body. So an outside whitewash don’t make any difference. Them religious people back there, that Paul called “whited walls,” and so forth, they were outward just every way the—a believer, and they had prophesies among them, and everything else but the inside of the inside... “The soul that disbelieveth...” That’s the reason I say people can jump up and down, and speak in tongues; people can shout, lay hands on the sick, and heal the sick and so forth by faith; all these great things there by the Spirit, still be LOST. Anointed ones...”
(WORKS.IS.FAITH.EXPRESSED.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-7 N-1 65-1126)
“So when you see people say, “I don’t believe in Divine healing. I can’t see it. I can’t see this baptism of the Holy Ghost,” don’t be angry with them; they are blind. They say, “I can’t see this message of Him coming. I can’t see this baptism of the Holy Spirit. I can’t see this serpent’s seed. I can’t see this stuff.” They’re blind and don’t know it. Just pray for them. All right.” (SIXFOLD.PURPOSE.GABRIEL.VISIT.DAN.title JEFF.IN DA 45-88 61-0730E )
“Don’t, don’t despise the people, but feel sorry for them that they’re in total darkness and blindness, maybe ordained to that condemnation. Then what? That’s bad, isn’t it? So we just feel sorry and just move on, be humble, and be Christians.”
(CONFERENCES.title BLOOMINGTON.IL 61-0410)
E. DOES HAVING LOVE AND POSSESSING THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT SIGNIFY THAT ONE IS TRULY BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ALREADY?
NOT SO. Though I undeniably believe in the 9 Fruits of the Spirit as stipulated in
Galatians 5:22-23 namely: (1)love, (2) joy, (3)peace, (4) longsuffering, (5)gentleness,
(6) goodness, (7)faith, (8)meekness, (9) temperance; yet these fruits can also be impersonated.
QUOTES from Rev. William Branham:
“You can’t rely upon the fruit of the Spirit, because the first fruit of the Spirit is love. And the Christian Science exercise more love than anybody I know of, and they even deny Jesus Christ being Divine. See? There’s only one evidence of the Holy Spirit that I know of, and that is a genuine faith in the promised Word of the hour.”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
“I don't care how much you preach, how well you do this, and how much you love... That's one of the inlets the spirit. You can't love with your body; you love with your spirit. That's one of the inlets. And you can love and even love God, and still not be right. You can cast out devils, and preach, and do these things, still not be right. Jesus said so; said many would come in that day. That Word settles it.” (CHRIST.REVEALED.IN.HIS.OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 65-0822M)
“The evidence, as I said the other day, we try to place evidence. Luther said, “Believe and walk out.” The devil believes too. Wesley said, “Shout, and you got It,” but he found out he didn’t. Pentecost said, “Speak in tongues, and you got It.” They didn’t. Christian Science said, “Love, and you got the fruit of the Spirit,” but they haven’t. They deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ. What is the evidence of It? When that spirit that’s in you can punctuate every promise with a “amen,” and God will confirm it. That’s exactly the way it was with Jesus Christ. Oh, yes. They had—they had more fruits of the spirit. They had all kinds of evidences. You can’t pin any evidence down to anything but God Himself manifests His Word. That’s the only true evidence that there is that you’re a Christian.” (WHAT.SHALL.WE.DO.WITH.JESUS.title PHOENIX.AZ V-22 N-4 64-0126)
“Today I was talking with my good friend Dr. Lee Vayle, who’s present now. And he’s a—quite a theologian. And so we usually have some—have some pretty good discussions on the Scripture. Very smart, and he asked me one time what I thought about the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, was it speaking in tongues? (It’s been many years ago.) I said, “No, can’t see that.” He said, “Neither do I.” said, “though I’ve been taught that.” He said, “What would you think would be a evidence?” I said, “The most perfect evidence I can think of is love.” And so we got to talking on that. And then I thought, “That sounded pretty good.” So I just held that: If a man’s got love. But one day the Lord in a vision straightened me out, and He said that the evidence of the Spirit was those who could receive the Word, neither love nor speaking in tongues, but it’s receiving the Word.” (BROKEN.CISTERNS.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-13 64-0726E)
F. IS RECEIVING THE WORD-MESSAGE FOR OUR AGE A TRUE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST?
YES, IT IS. When Noah had the Word for His day, only those who believed the End Time Message of Noah were saved. Those who rejected his message, regardless if they were kind, loving, patient, and could manifest the gifts and fruits of the spirit, yet all of them perished because they did not heed to recognize the Word-Message of God for their day.
Quotes from Rev William Branham:
“Make no mistake about it, a person that is truly baptized by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ receiving the fullness of the Spirit will be in the WORD ALL THE WAY. That is the evidence of being baptized with the Holy Ghost. Judas failed. Multitudes fail right there. And when they fail to go on in that Word, their names are taken off the Book of Life.” (273-1 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.7)
“See? The evidence of the Holy Ghost is when you can receive the Word, not some system, but have a clear understanding.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V- 3 N-5 64-0802)
“Just as soon as they heard the message, they were sold on it one hundred percent. Now, that could only come by foreordination. It’s the only way it can come.” (KNOWETH.IT.NOT.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-10 65-0815)
“Now we have been constantly saying that the true evidence of being baptized with the Holy Ghost is for the believer to receive the Word for the age in which he lives.” (155-1 SMYRAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.4)
“Now, if you want the evidence of the Holy Ghost, there it is. When that soul of yours will line with the Word of God in every respect, it shows you’ve drawed your life through the thinking man’s Filter—God’s Filter.” (THINKING MAN’S FILTER.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-6 65-0822E)
“We're joined to church--to Christ by the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And the way you know the baptism of the Holy Ghost is 'cause that Spirit in you identifies every Word of God to be the Truth. That's right. "For whosoever shall take one word out of It or add one word to It, his part will be taken from the Book of Life."
(DOES.GOD.CHANGE.HIS.MIND.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-9 65-0418E)
“People sometimes won’t receive the Holy Ghost unless they speak with tongues. I believe in speaking in tongues. Certainly. He’s a good God; He’ll give you the desire of your heart. But no matter how much you speak in tongues and deny this Word, you’re wrong anyhow. See, see? You don’t go in by speaking in tongues; you go in by keeping every Word. That’s the evidence of the Holy Ghost: when you believe the Word of God. See?” (DOES.GOD.CHANGE.HIS.MIND.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-9 65-0418E )
“I’m going to ask you something. How can a man or a woman who claims to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which is the Word (That right?), and how can you be the flesh of that Holy Spirit, has made you part of Him to reflect the Gospel of your age, and deny the Word that He wrote? I don’t care how good you are.” (HARVEST.TIME.title PHOENIX.AZ V-18 N-6 64- 1212)
“Now, there’ll be an elect that’ll go in the rapture. And there’ll be a group of people
that’s good, upright, holy living, God saved people, that will not be in the rapture; and they’ll come up in the second resurrection.” (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS; JEFF.IN COD 54-0103E)
When we have the Word, the fruits of the Spirit will just automatically follow in your life. But we cannot put the cart before the horse. The problem with many people is that they try to impersonate the fruits of the Spirit even though they do not really have the genuine Baptism of the Holy Spirit in their life. What happens is that their follies are made manifest sooner or later when they are subjected to some deep trials or placed in an extremely tight situation. We find out that they really are not that patient at all or that loving after all. They easily explode and givein to pressure. Most of such attitude are just outward holiness, or shall I say, subtle “hypocrisy” wrapped-up with good intentions.
G. IS SEPARATION FROM UNBELIEF AND LIVING A LIFE OF HOLINESS AN EVIDENCE THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS ALREADY WORKING IN ONE’S LIFE?
Yes. The following are Scriptures that should support this concept:
ROMANS 12:1-2- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I JOHN 2:15-16- “Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
II CORINTHIANS 6:14-18- “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
“Now, God said then, “Abraham, in order to walk with Me you’ve got to separate yourself from the rest of them.” God demands a total separation. But you want to bring a lot of the world along with you. When you come in and receive the Holy Ghost, you say, “Well, I was taught to be this, and I was taught the days of miracles is past.” You better leave that thing behind. As long as that holds with you, be like Abraham started out with Lot and his father; there’s trouble in the camp. And God never did bless Abraham until he separated himself and done what God told him to do. And you’ll never receive the Holy Ghost in the fullness; you’ll never walk in the Spirit of God until you totally separate your things from unbelief. Get away from the world. Come out of the world.” (FAITHFUL ABRAHAM.title LA.CA 59-0415E)
1. FORGIVENESS
“If somebody just walked up to you and said, “Hey, you hypocrite.” and smacked you on one side of the face, could you pray for their forgiveness? Now, that’s where trust—test whether you got the Holy Spirit or not. See? When somebody says something evil against someone, sometimes that claims to have the Holy Spirit. “I’ll get even with her if it takes me my last day.” See? Now, there’s where you check about your Holy Spirit. See? “Blessed are you when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My Name’s sake.” But you go get even with them? No. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” See? When someone says evil about you, say something good. If you can’t say something good, then don’t say nothing. Just let it go. See? And then when you get to yourself, pray for them. “ (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-1223)
2. TRAVAIL FOR SOULS
“Now, I’m going to... I’ll give you my estimation of what I think that the closest thing to an evidence that a man is a Christian, than anything I know of. You know what it is? It’s travail of soul, a person that’s always so hungering and thirsting for God. They just simply... Day and night they—they just can’t stand it. They—they—they got to do something for God. They—they’re full of love and they’re just a soul-travail, just travailing all the time. The Bible said, “He that goeth forth sowing in tears will doubtless return again, rejoicing, bringing with him precious sheaves”. (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.1_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 54-0103M)
already:
FINALLY, here’s another couple of proofs that one has the Holy Ghost
(See related notes on Chapter 6 - The Book Of Life, pp.54)
Message Quick Reference Guide
they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
THREE COMINGS OF JESUS
The Rapture of the church refers to that time when a trumpet shall sound, and our Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel, and we believers who are alive at such time will rise to meet our Lord in the air, while our mortal bodies are being changed from corruptible into glorified immortal bodies.
This is a literal future event as prophesied in the succeeding Scriptures:
I THESSALONIANS 4:16-18: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Also in I CORINTHIANS 15:51-54:
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
A SECRET “CATCHING AWAY”
Yet only those who are prepared and are predestinated of God to go in the rapture are the ones that will know of the exact time and actual day of this event, for it will be a “secret” catching away of the Bride of Jesus Christ. This event will take place just before the coming of the Great Tribulation (sixth seal) and right before the Anti-Christ system takes control over all the whole world’s religious and political systems.
I THESSALONIANS 5:1-11: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For
Jesus Christ comes to earth three times. He also comes in three Son’s names namely, (1) as “Son of Man” (Prophetic Dispensation to Israel), as (2) “Son of God” (Holy Spirit Dispensation to the 7 Church Ages), and as “Son of David” (during the 1000 years of His Millennial Reign).
THE FIRST COMING
The purpose of Christ’s FIRST COMING was to “REDEEM” His Bride by the shedding of His blood at the Cross of Calvary.
Revelation 5:9-10 states –“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
THE SECOND COMING
The SECOND COMING will be the Literal RAPTURE of the Church. it is the “CATCHING AWAY” of Jesus’ Bride which literally comes out of the Seven Church
Ages just before the Tribulation Period strikes the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16- 18).
THE WISE VIRGINS
End Time Message believers don’t believe that the Bride of Christ will go through the Tribulation Period. The Bride will leave this earth before the thing takes place. The Bride is forgiven, justified, sanctified and is baptized with the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ already died for her, and her tribulation has already been paid by Jesus Himself at the cross of Calvary. Jesus gave His life in exchange for His Bride. As we are “bones of His bones, and flesh of His flesh”, the Bride therefore, we will no longer go through the Tribulation Period because she has already gone through the sanctification process through the sacrificial Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus was made sin in order for her to be made righteous”. The Bride types the Wise Virgins of Matthew 25 who made it to the Wedding Supper because they had “oil” in their lamps. “Oil” signifies the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” through the revelation of the Word.
“The church will go through the tribulation. But I'm talking about the Bride. The Bride won't, no, it hasn't got a sin against it at all. It's done been bleached out, and there's not even a--a--there's not even smell of it; there's nothing left. They're perfect before God. So what's any tribulation to purify them, but the others do. The church does go through the tribulation, but not the Bride. Now, now, we're just taking it in all kinds of symbols now like the--the church, Noah, the carried over type, went on out into sin. See? Now, they did go over, but Enoch went first. That was the type of the saints that would go in the--in--before the tribulation period.” (FOURTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0321)
“God is fixing to rain out that sixth seal upon the earth, break that seal and turn loose the wrath of God upon the earth. But before He does that, the Church will be gone. The Bride will be gone; the church won't; she'll go through the tribulation, but the Bride will be gone. His little wife won't go through that.” (ONLY.ONE.WAY.PROVIDED.BY.GOD.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-2 63-0731)
“Most all ministers believe that the Church goes through the tribulation period, for purification; I can't see it. The Blood of Jesus Christ is our purification, nothing...?... See, see? I believe that the church, the denominational church and the sleeping virgin, does go through the tribulation, but not the Bride. There's a difference between the church and the Bride. The Bride goes in the rapture.” (PERSEVERANT.title CHICAGO.IL V-21 N-4 63-0802)
“I said, "I believe the church will, but not the Bride." The church will go through the tribulation (Yes, sir.), but the Bride's free from it. She'll go in the rapture, in a moment in a twinkling of an eye she'll be caught up to meet her Lord in the air for the Wedding Supper. She has nothing to go through any tribulation about; her Lord has paid her price. We're so thankful for that.”( WHAT.SHALL.WE.DO.WITH.JESUS.title PHOENIX.AZ V-22 N-4 64-0126)
“The church, the lukewarm, the anything outside of the elected Bride will go through the tribulation period. They will not raise in the first resurrection: "The rest of the dead lived not for a thousand years," just the foreordained, predestinated, elected Bride, God's own elections. "Who is it, Brother Branham?" I don't know? I can't tell you who it is, but I know it's going to be there, 'cause the Lord said they would. See? They are the ones that'll go up from the tribulation, but the rest of them will go through the tribulation, go down, and everything will be killed before the millennium. Then the--the righteous shall come out in the millennium and live a thousand years.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
“Now, the church, the--the nominal believers like Lot, he's going through the tribulation period (See?) and be saved as if it was by fire. Noah went through the tribulation period, carried above it, come out with Ham who polluted the earth again. See? Lot came out, his own daughters slept with him, and had children by his own daughters. See? But Abraham brought forth the Royal Seed, brought forth the Seed of the promise. Enoch went to glory in the rapture, just took a walk and went home. He never went through the tribulation period. You see? There you are. See? And the types can't fail. See? It does not predict that the Bride... Now, the church will go through the tribulation period.”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS
The Foolish Virgins are the ones who will go through the Tribulation Period to die for their faith for they will be left behind. The Foolish Virgins are those Christians who have failed to receive the “OIL” or “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” in these last days because they have rejected this End Time Message. They remained in their denominational creeds and dogmas until one day they will realize that denominationalism is the “Image of the Beast”.
Once they realized such a tragic thing, they will start looking for the “oil” but it will be too late. The rapture must have been past during such time and the door closed. They were left behind “weeping, wailing, and gnashing their teeth”. Being therefore left behind, the AntiChrist will devour them and persecute them for their faith. Nowhere to hide, they will be purged and tortured unto death unless they deny their testimonies as Christians and receive the “mark” in their hand and in their forehead. These events will all transpire during the Tribulation Period, while Israel’s 144,000 elect is also being called out by Moses and Elijah from Judaism into the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 25:1-13 speaks very well of this event:
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
The assurance of being included in the rapture depends on whether you belong to the Wise or to the Foolish Virgins. Faith is a revelation. The foolish virgins will still be saved but they will give up their lives in death, and be given eternal life at the second resurrection (judgement bar). But the Wise Virgins shall rise in the first resurrection and will live and reign with Christ until the Millennium.
Reverend Branham made it clear in the following statements:
“You might different a little with this, but listen close. Just because that you accepted Christ as personal Saviour, that doesn’t mean that you’re going in the rapture. That’s for the elect, that’ll go in the rapture. There’ll be a remnant left here on earth that’ll go through the persecution and the great tribulation. The church will be caught up in the rapture. Now, who places the pattern? God by election. Amen. God by election places the pattern. He said, “Now, I have chosen before the foundation of the world... I place these...” Why, Jesus told the disciples that He was with them, and He had chose them, and knew them before the foundation of the world was ever laid. Is that right? So God places the pattern. Now, there’ll be an elect that’ll go in the rapture. And there’ll be a group of people that’s good, upright, holy living, God-saved people, that will not be in the rapture; and they’ll come up in the second resurrection.” QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.2_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 54-0103E
THE THIRD COMING
THE THIRD COMING of CHRIST refers to ARMAGEDDON WAR until the consummation of history to the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ and His Bride when they come back to earth again to defend Israel against its enemies. This event is stipulated in the following scriptures:
REVELATION 19:11-16 - “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
This third coming of Jesus Christ will also be the time when the earth shall burn and the “righteous walk upon the ashes of the wicked” to commence the Millennial Rule of Jesus Christ. II PETER 3:10-13 spoke about it:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
SIX RAPTURES IN THE BIBLE
Four raptures had taken place already, and there are two more to come.
Three of them took place in the Old Testament.
“There's your three raptures of the New Testament. Three raptures of the Old Testament, all of them past.” (WMB, par 178, RAPTURE.THE.title
YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
THE FIRST THREE RAPTURES
The FIRST RAPTURE was when ENOCH was caught away to heaven before the Flood came in Noah’s days (Genesis 5:24).;The SECOND RAPTURE was when ELIJAH was taken away alive in a chariot of fire (II Kings 2:11) leaving his mantle to Elisha.
The THIRD RAPTURE was when the Old Testament Saints (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and others) rose up from the dead during the time when Jesus shouted with a loud voice at the cross of Calvary. The graves of those saints were opened and their glorified bodies arose and appeared unto many.
MATTHEW 27:50-53 - ”Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
In order for these O.T. Saints to be transported beyond the curtain of time, their sins had to be totally blotted out. The blood of bulls and goats in the Old Testament never had the power to do that. It just covered their sins temporarily and they always had to offer a sacrifice every year in order to maintain their cleanliness before God. They had to wait for that “Perfect Sacrifice” to come, the “Lamb of God” Himself who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus’ precious Blood finally released them from the guilt of sin. All of mankind’s sin problem was settled when Jesus died at the cross (John 3:16)
THE FOURTH RAPTURE
The FOURTH RAPTURE took place when our Lord Jesus Christ himself finally ascended up into the heavens, as it is written in the Book of ACTS 1:9 to 11- “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
THE FIFTH RAPTURE
The FIFTH RAPTURE, is that which is spoken of in I THESSALONIANS 4:16-18 and I CORINTHIANS 15:51-54, which concerns all the true Bible-believing Christians who had lived from the Day of Pentecost throughout the confines of the Seven Church Ages until this day. This Body of Believers is composed of the saints who died for the Gospel during the Ephesian, Smyrnean, Pergamean, Thyaterian, Sardisean, Philadelphian and
Laodecian church ages, along with the living saints that are still in our age, the Laodecian Church Age. All these saints are bound to meet the Lord in the air comes rapture time. They are the ones who are spoken of in “the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which
are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”.
Only the wise virgins are considered in this FIFTH RAPTURE. These are those who have received “OIL” in their lamps, which is the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost,” by heeding and believing this End Time Message and hearing what the Spirit speaketh through the Seventh Angel Messenger of this age. This “OIL” is the basic requirement for one to go in the Rapture.
Read how Brother Branham explain these things to us:
“Looky here. Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Lutherans by the hundreds is coming in seeking the Holy Ghost. Strange. That’s right. Hundreds and hundreds of denominational people coming in, seeking the Holy Ghost. Don’t you know Jesus said when the sleeping virgin come to buy oil, it was that very
it was too late. The foolish virgin didn’t know until she come back and found the wise virgin gone. Then she was left for the tribulation period. No good teacher believes that the church, the bride... The church goes through the tribulation, but not the bride. The church goes through for purification, sure, under the sixth seal. Right. Israel does the same thing, for the hundred and forty-four thousand, but not the bride. There’s... The bride’s forgiven. She goes straight to glory in a rapture. That’s right. She’s... My opinion, the last member will be caught up one of these days. It might come, and you wouldn’t know nothing about it. Remember, it’s a secret, secret catching away. He’ll come an hour that you think not. You won’t know nothing about it; she’ll be gone, be too late then.” (GOD.HIDING.HIMSELF.IN.SIMPLICITY.title ALBQ.NM 63-0412E)
”He makes three comings. He come in three Son’s Names. He come in a trinity, Father, Son, Holy Ghost. See? All of it the same Christ, the same God all the time. Now, we know He come to bring three works of grace: Justification, Sanctification, Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Every thing in God is completed in threes. And so He come first to redeem His Bride; He come second as a rapture to take away His Bride; He comes third with His Bride, King and Queen. After... That’s when many people are expecting the coming. But when He comes this time, hardly none but those who are ready will know when He comes. There’ll just be an absence of people. They won’t know what happened to them. They’ll just be caught away in a moment. And that... They’ll just come up missing, changed in a moment in a twinkling of an eye. So just be ready for that. It’d be horrible some morning to miss a loved one, no one can find them. Wouldn’t it be too bad to know it’s done past and you missed it? So just keep before God. “ (BROKEN.CISTERNS.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-13 64-0726E)
The Bride of Christ is composed of the saints from the Seven Church Ages. She is also known as the “Wise Virgin” of Matthew
hour that the—the Bridegroom come? When she come, and said, “Let us have some of your oil,” said, “We just have enough for ourselves. Go buy.” And when she went to buy the oil (the sleeping virgin) then the Bridegroom come, and the Bride went in. Now, there’s never been
“Well, you say, “Oh, my, there is no need of me trying.” That shows you haven’t got the kind of faith you need. “If there’s just going to go, be one, that’ll be me (Amen.), ‘cause I believe.” See? That’s the way you want to believe it. “Be me.” Sure. I want to live so close to Him that I know He’s going to take me when He comes;
a time that we’ve ever knowed that the denominational world has been wanting the Holy Ghost until right now.” (Uncertain Sound, Spokane, 62-0714)
“The very minute that outside denominational world begins to receive this Message, that’s exactly the hour He’s coming. When they—when they went, the sleeping virgin realized she didn’t have any oil in her lamp. And when she come to knock on the door to get it, that was exactly when the Bride went out, when the wise virgin left. That’s right. They didn’t get in. No. They won’t have the opportunity to, (the) time the message gets around, the church will be gone. So if they’re trying to get in right now, how close are we? When we see as it was in the days of Sodom, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of man.”
(ONLY.BELIEVE.title CHICAGO.IL 61-0427)
This End Time Message has now been made available on-line to give the elect of God the required “OIL” for the Rapture. Believe it and be considered worthy to be able to escape the wrath of God that’s to be poured out upon this wicked and adulterous generation.
Here are some more quotations from the Messenger of this age concerning the Rapture:
“The time is at hand, church. The time is at hand. Don’t—don’t—don’t wait any longer. See, how do you know the rapture’s not going on all the time? First thing you know it’ll be past, one disappearing here, and there. It’ll be gone the first thing you know, and you’ll—judgment will strike the world. You say, “Well, I thought this...” “It’s too late now.” You remember, they didn’t know it until the day they entered into the ark, and then
I believe it. So if there—if everybody else misses it, I’m going to be there by His grace, ‘cause
He promised me that, and I know that I—I’ll be there, ‘cause He can’t lie, and I know my soul and life bears record, and I try to live daily just like He was coming, so I—I’m—I’m going to be that one. That’s the way you want to feel. If there’s going to be eight, I’ll be one of that eight; going to be five hundred, I’m going to be one of that five hundred. Don’t know about the other fellow, but I want to be one of that five hundred. You see? See? That is the way you want to remember it. See? And if you don’t remember it like that, there’s something wrong with your faith. See, you’re not sure you are saved yet then. You’re just guessing at it. Don’t do that.” (THIRD.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0320)
THE SIXTH RAPTURE
THE SIXTH RAPTURE will transpire when the Two Witnesses (Moses and Elijah) of Revelation 11 will have come to Israel to call out the 144,000 Jews back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember that the Jews were blinded to this truth until the fullness of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Moses and Elijah will come to Israel to testify to them about Jesus Christ being their true Messiah. They will show signs and wonders following their ministry.The AntiChrist will hate these two prohets and will kill them, but God will raise them up again after three days and be caught up into heaven. Make no mistake about it. Here it is written in REVELATION 11:3-12:
“And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if
any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy (Elijah): and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will (Moses). And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”
“Now, as soon as this Church, the Bride is drawed together, she’s taken up; in that mystery of the Seventh Seal, or the Seventh Seal, the mystery going. And the JEWS is called by the mystery of the SEVENTH TRUMPET, which is TWO PROPHETS, Elijah and Moses. And they come back, and there’s where the Pentecostals is all mixed up. They’re looking for something to happen, and the Church is done gone, and that’s to the Jews.” (FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS JEFF.IN V-3 N-16 64-0719M)
Now, these two prophets, what will they do? It’s Moses and Elijah. They’ll rise on the scene. They’ll tell those Jews their mistake. And out of that Jewish bunch that’s there now to be the 144,000, God will call with these prophets... What is it? The Spirit of Elijah off of this Gentile church will just continue right on into that Jewish church, go right on in and call Moses with him. Hallelujah. You see it? And he’ll preach the same message of Pentecost to those Jews, that they rejected the Messiah. Amen. You see it? It’ll be the same Pentecostal message that these Jews will preach right over to them. And they’ll hate those Jews so bad till they’ll kill them. And they were hated by all nations, and in the midst of the week... Because that they’d raised up a great powerful 144,000... They had the Holy Ghost, and brother, you talk about doing miracles; they did them. They stopped the heavens, and it didn’t rain in the days of their prophecy, smote the earth with plagues as oft they wanted to. They give plagues and everything else. They’ll give them Romans a hard way to go. But finally they’ll be killed. Our God is a terrible God when He’s angry. But remember, that’s over in the seventieth week, and the church in glory. Amen. The wedding supper’s going on. Yes. Now, notice. That’s where we seen her coming back to the millennial temple over here at the end of the Jewish age—the anointed. Here He come riding on a white horse; those followed Him on white horses (horse, powers), dressed in white, blood—or vesture dipped in blood, wrote on Him, “The Word of God.” He cometh, the mighty Conqueror (Yes, sir.) to set up the millennium—coming to the temple. Glory. There He meets that 144,000. (SEVENTY WEEKS OF.DANIEL.title JEFF.IN DA 89-141 61-0806)
And have power over the waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with plagues as oft as they will... What is it? What can bring these things but the Word? They can do nature anyway they want to. Here it is. They’re the one who brings on this Sixth Seal. They uncover and open it up. It’s the power of God to interrupt nature. See, the Sixth Seal, is completely an interruption of nature. Do you get it now? There’s your Seal. Who does it? It’s the prophets the other side of the rapture. With the power of God, the Word of God, they just condemn nature. They can send earthquakes, turn the moon into blood, the sun can go down or anything at their command. Amen. There you are. There you are. See? See how the Seals opened
down there in the church age, how it showed the martyrs? And now here’s these two prophets standing here with the Word of God to do anything to nature they want to, and they shake the earth. And it shows exactly who does it. It’s Moses and Elijah, ‘cause there’s their ministry reimpersonated again: both men. Oh, my. Do you see it now? See what the Sixth Seal is? It’s those prophets. (SIXTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-0323)
THE SHOUT, THE VOICE & THE TRUMPET
There are the THREE SIGNS that we need to watch out concerning the RAPTURE. While Jesus is coming down to earth, He does all three signs. Revelation 10:1 to 7 parallels with this event. This event is also known as the SEVENTH SEAL, the coming of the Lord. Notice that in the sventh seal (Rev 8:1) there was silence, a hush in heaven, no angel singing or praising, for almost the space of half an hour, because Jesus at this time comes down to earth to finish all His remaining plans for mankind.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God...” (I Thessalonians 4:16)
The “SHOUT” refers to an “END TIME MESSAGE” that will prepare the elect, the Bride of Christ, for the coming Bridegroom. “Come out from among them (denominations), My people, and be not partakers of her (Whore and Harlot’s) sins and that ye receive not of her plagues,” is the shout of the seventh angel, the cry of this last age. The Bride is now being separated from all man-made creeds and dogmas, for Christ wants her virgin to the Word. Not a whore or a prostitute. No, Christ will not marry a denominational pervert. He will come for a Word-Bride, those who stayed pure with the teachings of the Bible.
The “VOICE” here is the voice of the SEVENTH ANGEL as spoken of in Revelation 10:7- “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to His servants the prophets”. This seventh angel is none other than the seventh messenger to the seventh church age of Laodicea, which is William Marrion Branham. He was the one commissioned by God to reveal all the mysteries hidden in the seven seals.
The third symbol, the “TRUMP” of God signifies two things: (1) “CALLING TO A FEAST” or a (2) “PREPARATION FOR BATTLE”.
Once you receive the revelation of this Endtime Message, you enter into both “dimensions” of feasting and warring. One, when you have been converted and been born again by the Message, you have become a “rapture-bound” creature, bound to go into the Wedding Feast in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God in heaven once rapture time takes place. Two, you have been enlisted into God’s spiritual army and you have become a Christian soldier summoned to fight a SPIRITUAL BATTLE against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Religious denominations will begin to hate you. Just like how those Pharisees and Saduccees hated Jesus and His Message in His days, these denominational organizations will also persecute the true Bride of Christ today and will destroy her influence. They will call you bad names such as “holy rollers”, “cult”, “heretic”, for the main reason that this End Time Message exposes their folly of man-made traditions, systems, dogmas and creeds, against the Word. But as Jesus told His apostles, “If the Master of the House was called a “Beelzebub”, a servant is not greater than His Master”.
Truly, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. There’s no question about it. The children of disobedience will call you all kinds of evil things but the Bride of Christ is rest assured by revelation, that Jesus will take her out of this world to be with Him in glory. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.
SIGNS THAT THE RAPTURE IS AT HAND
In Matthew 24, Jesus gave the apostles numerous signs relating to His second coming. He told them that “this generation shall not pass away until all things be fulfillled.” He was referring to the generation that will see Israel “the Fig Tree” put forth its leaves. When Israel becomes a nation again, we are told to look up for our redemption draweth nigh. This generation that will see Israel become a nation will not pass away until all things be fulfilled.
Israel has been back as a nation since 1948. After years of sojourning, God had forced the Israeiltes back to their homeland by hardening the hearts of Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini during the second world war to pressure them and kick them out of Europe and Russia. Israel has her own flag, the Star of David, which is considered to be the oldest flag in the world. She has her own military, monetary system, and economy. Israel has had her Jubilee in 1998. The rapture is already long overdue. But the Bible reminds us about the days of Noah when the ark was closed, yet it did not rain until after seven more days. These silent days were known to be as “preaching to the lost”, and the “third pull”. No one can enter, and no one can get out anymore. “Let the filthy be filthy still, and let the holy be holy still”. William Branham, the last messenger to the Gentile church age, was taken by God off the scene in December of 1965. It was 40 years already in December of 2005 since then. Laodicean Age, which started in 1906, had her centennial celebration last 2006. It’s later than we think.
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF SODOM AND NOAH’S, SO SHALL IT BE IN THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
It is predicted that in the days when the Son of Man will return, the condition of the world will be like “as it was in the Days of Sodom”. Immorality and moral decay shall abound. Isn’t that the very scenario of our world today?
God destroyed the world by flood during the first 2000 years in the days of Noah. He also destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by fire because man’s thoughts were continually evil.
MATTHEW 24:37-39, “ But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
We see the same signs in the world today that she’s ripe for judgment. The rapture will come anytime now. Read Matthew 24 and Luke 21 for they cover most of the signs that signal Jesus’ second coming in our generation.
INTRODUCTION
Matthew 25 speaks of TEN virgins, five of them have OIL in their lamps while five had none. Those with oil were able to enter the Bridegroom’s Wedding Supper
- typing the Rapture of the Holy-Ghost filled Church. Who are the Wise and Foolish Virgins? Are there Foolish Virgins amongst the Message ranks? Or do they simply belong to the lukewarm denominations?
Apostle Paul talks about the Christian church and he likened her to a “chaste virgin” espoused to one Husband, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is considered to be the “Bride” of Jesus Christ.
In II Corinthians 11:2, Apostle Paul wrote: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ”.
The church is supposed to be a “virgin” of the Word, free from man- made dogmas, creeds and traditions. Christ will be coming for a Bride that is without spot, blameless, and without wrinkle. Jesus, as the Bible teaches, comes three times. First, to redeem His Bride at the Cross of Calvary. Second, to claim His Bride in the rapture. Third, to reign with His Bride in the millennium. The church, His bride, ought to be prepared with holiness and zeal right now in order for her to be counted worthy of the great “Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven.” She ought to have worn the wedding garment at this very moment, which is the robe of righteousness of Jesus Christ. Christ is coming like a thief in the night. The Bride must be ready and must free herself from any form of spiritual fornication.
Spiritual fornication takes place when the church accepts hybridized man-made teachings not based on the Bible- the Word of God. A woman that lives not according to God’s Word is considered a “whore” and a “harlot” before God’s sight. The true church must walk in the Light of the Gospel and must be lead by the Holy Spirit. She must proclaim the pure Word of God to this generation. She must bear “the mind of Christ in her,” and not the mind of the world.
This perfect unity of the Bride and the Spirit has been written in the Book of Revelation 22:17 saying, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
John the beloved saw the church in her position as Christ’s wife, for she has been pregnated by the Word of God. In Revelation 19:7, the Word of God exhorts us
saying: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” The Bride is truly “flesh of Christ’s flesh and bones of His bones”.
The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 talks about the two categories of Christian believers in the church-body today. One that’s dilatory and lukewarm, (as evident in her having a lamp that’s gone out of oil), and one that’s on fire for God, having her lamp constantly burning.
“OIL” SYMBOLIZES THE “BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”
“Oil” in the Scriptures symbolizes the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”.The Bride of Christ needs “OIL” desperately today in order for her to walk in the Light, as “He is in the Light”. Those virgins with “oil” in their lamps were able to make it to the rapture. While those virgins without the ‘oil” were left behind in the Tribulation Period, wailing, weeping and gnashing their teeth.
Christ, the Bridegroom, has already appeared today in Spirit form through the ministry of the end-time prophet Elijah as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. His ministry is to set and restore the hearts of the children back to the Apostolic fathers, before this earth is finally destroyed by fire. One day, Jesus will close the door of grace upon those that are without the “OIL” and will rapture only those that have been filled with it.
While the foolish virgins were away trying to find the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost” in their lives, Christ and the true Bride goes away for the “honeymoon” in heaven. She will be taken off the scene for three and a half years while this earth undergoes purging through the Tribulation Period. Today is the most critical hour wherein all the foolish virgins are looking for “oil”. The foolish virgins are those Christians that still belong to the denominations and who are trying their best to be able to speak in tongues, shout and dance in the Spirit, and get into a spiritual revival. And while they are into that situation today, they didn’t know that the wise virgins have already possessed the “OIL” that’s required for the rapture. This “OIL” they have received through the “shout” - the End Time Message which gave them a clear understanding of the hidden mysteries of God, which in turn, gives them “rapturing faith” which is the true Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Once the rapture takes place, the foolish virgins will realize that they were left behind because the Tribulation Period had begun to set in. Caught between choosing whether to receive the “Mark of the Beast” or to die for their faith, the foolish virgins will give their lives in martyrdom and leave their denominations for all denominations will be controlled by the Beast (Rome) and the Image of the Beast (WCC). They will choose to die rather than be damned by the Antichrist system.
Who are the wise and the foolish virgins? Where do you position yourself amongst these two? Are you a wise virgin or a foolish virgin? Find out about it in the succeeding articles.
SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 25:1-13
1 ¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
A MIDNIGHT CRY
Take note that in the preceding Scriptures, there was a “cry” made in the evening time shouting, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him”. A “cry” symbolizes a calling out from a deep slumber or sleep. The people had been sleeping in man-made denominations, and God calls them out. A ‘cry” is a “shout” or a “Message” to call out the Bride from amongst the seven church ages.
Matthew 25: 1-13 parallels 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 which says “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a “shout”, with a “voice” of the archangel, and with the “trump” of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”. This is about the rapture, the catching away of the wise virgins.
The parable of the wise and the foolish virgins applies to our generation, for we are now at the very brink of the coming of the Lord (His physical appearing). Every denominational Christian today is looking for the ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” But according to Matthew 25, not everybody will get it. The wise virgins went in, but the foolish virgins were left behind.
Here are some quotes gleaned from the different sermons of Rev.
William Branham, shedding light on this “ten virgin” mystery:
THE WORD “VIRGIN” APPLIES TO ALL SANCTIFIED CHRISTIANS
“How many of you, all perhaps, have read of the virgins? Some were wise and some were foolish. “Virgin” means “purity.” They were all good people, everyone of them virgin, sanctified vessels of God. But those who had oil in their lamps went in. And the others was left out. They were all virgins, everyone people that you couldn’t put your finger on for anything wrong. They everyone believed in the coming of the Lord. They were ready to go meet Him, but some of them let their oil go out. Don’t let that be your case. Keep oil in your lamp. Oil is the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Never let it drain from you. When you feel your love dying away, your sincerity to Christ, and to the—the cause, quickly go to Him Who has the Fountain of Oil and buy for yourself a filling of the Holy Spirit. (SUDDEN.SECRET.GOING.AWAY.OF.CHURCH.title JEFF.IN 58-1012)
“A woman will take a—a piece of goods and lay it down; well, now, that is what she’s cutting her—or takes her pattern and lays anywhere she desires, which way she’s going to cut that. And then what she has left over is called the remnant, but she chooses to cut it from a certain place by her own free thinking. But what’s left over is called the remnant. Now, if you notice, there were five foolish and five wise virgins; all of them was virgins, made out of the same material. But by election, God chose His Bride by election before the foundation of the world, put their names on the Lamb’s Book of Life slain before the foundation of the world; before the world ever began, God in His mind, being infinite.”
(PATMOS.VISION.title JEFF.IN ROJC 69-130 60-1204E)
“Ten virgins went out to meet the Lord, ALL sanctified, all holy, every one of them sanctified. FIVE were DILATORY and let their lights go out. Five had OIL in their lamps. “And, behold the Bridegroom cometh.” And the five that had OIL in their lamps went INTO the wedding supper. And the others was left outside, where they were weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Be ready, for you don’t know what minute the Lord comes. Have... What is the OIL represented in the Bible? Holy Spirit.” (ADOPTION.OR.PLACING.title JEFF.IN AD.PT.4 60-0522E)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS DID NOT RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
“Time was over. For look, there was seven virgins—or ten virgins went out to meet the Bridegroom, and half of them had oil in their lamp, half of them didn’t. That’s the part of the body that’s dead and the part that’s alive. The five’s wise, when they—the cry come, “Behold the Bridegroom...” they all trimmed—woke and trimmed their lamps to go into the wedding supper. But when the foolish virgin said, “Give us some of your oil, our lamps is gone out. (See?) Give us of your oil,” they said, “Not so, we just got enough for ourself. Go buy it.” And while they went to buy it, the Bridegroom came. When the proclamation went out, the decree, “The Bridegroom’s coming,” everybody wanted to get right, right quick. Ain’t that the hour when the handwriting’s on the wall.”Oh, we want the baptism of the Holy Ghost.” “We want this, that or the other.” But while they went to buy It, the Bridegroom came. The wise went in, and they were left outside where there’ll be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
ONLY THE WISE VIRGINS MADE IT TO THE RAPTURE
“The time is at hand, church. The time is at hand. Don’t—don’t—don’t WAIT any longer. See, how do you know the rapture’s not going on all the time? First thing you know it’ll be past, one disappearing here, and there. It’ll be GONE the first thing you know, and you’ll—judgment will strike the world. You say, “Well, I thought this...” ”It’s too late now.” You remember, they didn’t know it until the day they entered into the ark, and then it was too late. The FOOLISH VIRGIN didn’t know until she come back and found the WISE VIRGINS GONE. Then she was LEFT for the tribulation period. No good teacher believes that the church, the BRIDE... The church goes through the tribulation, but NOT the Bride. The church goes through for purification, sure, under the sixth seal. Right. ISRAEL does the SAME thing, for the hundred and forty-four thousand, but NOT the Bride. There’s... The bride’s forgiven. She goes STRAIGHT to glory in a rapture. That’s right. She’s... My opinion, the last member will be caught up one of these days. It might come, and you wouldn’t know nothing about it. Remember, it’s a SECRET, secret catching away. He’ll come an hour that you think NOT. You won’t know nothing about it; she’ll be gone, be too LATE then.” (GOD HIDING HIMSELF IN.SIMPLICITY.title ALBQ.NM 63-0412E)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS WILL BE LEFT BEHIND IN THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
“Now, if you were with us in the last teachings in Revelation, you find out there that those virgins, the—the five foolish virgins were not lost; but they were not permitted to go into the wedding supper, but they suffered persecution, and was martyred, and raised again at the general resurrection in the last day. Those are the people where He separated the sheep from the goats (See?); they stood before judgment. You say, “Well, Brother Branham, don’t we stand, the Church?” No, sir. We do not stand before the judgment. We are now standing before the Judgment. God put our sins upon Christ, and we... “He that heareth My Word (St. John 5:24) and believeth on Him that sent Me has Eternal Life, and shall not come into the judgment but has passed from death unto Life.” No more judgment for the Church, it’s took up in the rapture, and comes back to pass judgment upon the people who did not receive the Holy Spirit. Does not Paul say that he dares any of us to take a—a matter to the court, to the unjust magistrate, when, “know ye not that the saints shall judge the earth?” We will set with Christ and judge, kings, and priests, and judge these people that we preached to and told them about the baptism of the Holy Ghost and they refused to receive It. Think of it. No, they were not lost, but they will never be in the Bride. They were come in the second resurrection, but never be in the Bride, to be judged according to the way they treated the Light that they received. Now, that part will be up to Christ. They were not lost though.” (QA.GOD.BEING.MISUNDERSTOOD.title JEFF COD 61-0723E)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS WILL REJECT THE ENDTIME MESSAGE
“Now, we find out also in this that the Sixth Seal now being opened, it was for a threefold purpose. Now, here was the purposes: The first thing was that the sleeping virgins had to go through the tribulation period for purification. She had to be purged of her sins of unbelief and rejecting the message. This she was done in the tribulation period. We see they wind up over here in Revelations 7, between the 6th and 7th chapter here, that she had been purged, and she’d been given her robes. Now, she’s not the Bride, but it’s the church, the pure people that—that—that didn’t have the opportunity, maybe, to receive the message, or in some way that they were blinded by these false prophets, and they—they didn’t get a chance, and yet they’re really sincere in heart, and God knows their heart, and here they’re purged during this time.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830E)
“Now, she will have to go through the tribulation period. And the reason of it is, is because she has rejected the Atonement in Its fullness. She is a believer, a professed believer, but she will have to go through the tribulation period. The Bible said, “And the rest of them, the dragon spurted water out of his mouth to go and make war...” And what an hour that is...There’s never been a time in history where that the nominal churches has become so hungry to find the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I—I speak for the Christian Business Men. Constantly, it’s Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, and all, Baptists by the hundreds, Church of Christ, Nazarenes, Pilgrim Holiness, Seventh Day Adventists, every one of them flocking in trying to find... See?’”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS WILL MISS THE RAPTURE
“How many women here doesn’t know that when you going to cut a piece of goods you lay the goods out like this, and lay your pattern on it like this, and you cut the goods just according to the pattern. Is that right? And the rest of the goods is just the same kind of goods that’s in the pattern. Is that right? But this is the kind you take. You might lay that away for farther use, but the—the goods that you cut out of... Now, who places the pattern? God by election. Amen. God by election places the pattern. He said, “Now, I have chosen before the foundation of the world... I place these...” Why, Jesus told the disciples that He was with them, and He had chose them, and knew them before the foundation of the world was ever laid. Is that right? So God places the pattern. Now, there’ll be an elect that’ll go in the rapture. And there’ll be a group of people that’s good, upright, holy living, God saved people, that will NOT be in the rapture; and they’ll come up in the second resurrection.” (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS; JEFF.IN COD 54-0103E)
“Noah was a type that was carried over like the sleeping virgin. But Enoch was translated just before the tribulation struck. And Enoch was took up, and was found not, because God took him: the type of the going forth of the going forth of the church. And Noah watched him. When he seen Enoch go, he knew it was time to enter the ark, for to be carried through the tribulation. The Bible said there was ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom, and five were wise; five were foolish. And they were all virgins, every one of them. But five was wise. And they had oil in their lamp. And they went out to meet the bridegroom. And the bridegroom came. And the ones that had oil, went in. See, the translation, going with the Bridegroom. But those who were left behind, they come and wanted in too just like those who come and knocked on the door of the ark. “Noah, let us in.” But God closed the door.” (LAMB’S.BOOK.OF.LIFE; JEFF.IN 56-0603)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS WILL NOT TAKE THE “MARK OF THE BEAST” BUT WILL DIE FOR THEIR FAITH
“Their NAMES are also in the Book of Life and they will come up in the second resurrection. SUCH are the FOOLISH VIRGINS and the righteous as are spoken of in Matthew 25. In this class also are those who do NOT worship the BEAST or become involved in the antichrist system but DIE for their faith even though they are NOT in the Bride, NOT having been born again. But they will come up in the second resurrection and GO into eternal life.” (279-3 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH AGE BOOK CPT.7)
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS WILL BE SAVED DURING THE SECOND RESURRECTION
“It is the second resurrection wherein the five foolish virgins come up. Notice that they were virgins. They did not have the Holy Spirit so they missed being in the bride, while the five wise who had oil became a part of that bride. But these people, being a separated, God-loving people, and trying to abide in the Word, according to what they knew of it, and being a help in the work of the Lord will come up at the end of time. They will miss the millennium, which you can begin to see by these truths is much more important and wonderful than we have ever thought or believed.” (279-1 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.7)
WILL THERE BE FOOLISH VIRGINS AMONGST THE RANKS OF THE MESSAGE?
This is a salient question that needs a deep analysis. Basing it on the Message of Rev. William Branham, we find out that the FOOLISH VIRGINS will be SAVED during the Judgment Day. But they will go through the Tribulation Period because they never GOT the “OIL”, which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in our day. For this reason, they have missed the rapture and they will have to be purged during the Tribulation Period by the Anti-Christ system. They will be constrained to shed their own blood rather than to take the “Mark” of the Beast on their right hand or on their forehead. The following Scriptures speaks plainly of the penalty and curse that is reserved for those who will take the “MARK OF THE BEAST”:
REVELATION 14:9-11: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
“DILATORY” MEANS “LUKEWARM”
One characteristic of the FOOLISH VIRGINS is that of being “DILATORY”. “DILATORY” means living in a state of a “LUKEWARM” condition. The question comes up now, “Aren’t there also End-Time Message believers who are lukewarm?” Does not the prophet teach us that there are “THREE KINDS OF BELIEVERS” in the church?
Let us take note that not all Israelites who recognized Moses as a true prophet in the days of the Exodus has crossed over to the Promised Land. Let us also take note that not all who followed Jesus our Messiah or have sit under Jesus’ ministry in His days have lived and followed His teachings to the dot. I say, therefore, that not all who follow and believe in the teachings of William Branham will be saved in the same manner. Salvation is an individual affair with God and it has to bring forth a life lived that’s truly worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though the Message is broadcast to all, only the predestinated ones can manifest the life of the Message. Knowing the messenger of the Hour and symphatizing with the End-Time Message does not fully guarantee anyone of the rapture. By their fruits ye shall know them.The rapture will be “two in the bed, one will be taken, one left; two in the field, one will be taken, one left.” The evidence of election and predestination must be a life of the Message lived through us, not just in “word only, but in deed” as well.
Jesus Christ is the Message-of-the-Hour. Brother Branham was just our Eliazar, bringing the Bride (Rebekah) to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ (Isaac). Brother Branham was a son of man (prophet) revealing the Son of Man (God in flesh). Brother Branham stood just like John the Baptist stood: “I must decrease, so that He, Jesus, the revealed Word, can increase.” God wants to see in us the same life that Jesus had. That’s what God is looking for in the Bride of today.
THE THREE KINDS OF BELIEVERS
In the Message of the Hour, Brother Branham said that there will be THREE KINDS of BELIEVERS, that’s in every assembly. Meaning, all THREE will be represented in EVERY LOCAL CHURCH anywhere around the world (with no exceptions).
“That's the unbelievers, the make-believers, and the believers. Them three still exist everywhere across the world. They've always have, and they always will.”
(GO.AWAKE.JESUS.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-17 N-9 63-1130E)
1. THE UNBELIEVER
The UNBELIEVER attends church but without the revelation of the Word. He or she just attends church just to show “a form of godliness” but he/she denies the power thereof. He or she looks at church-going as a mere ritualistic tradition or a sort of enforced duty. The unbeliever joins church just to please his mama or papa, or a boyfriend or girlfriend, or those who had requested his/her presence to be there. (But remember that God has no grandchildren. Everyone must experience the new birth or else you’re not saved). When they hear something from the preaching of the Word that’s hard for them to take, off they go as fast as they can. An unbeliever has no revelation of the Message and is blind to the actual truth of the hour.
“The Word comes to them, the Word falls upon them. Sure It does. Yes, sir. Grows... It--It'll fall on them. They can hear the Word preached. Did you ever see people set in the church? They never will make a move. Preach to women about bobbed hair; year after year pass, still got bobbed hair. Talk to man about smoking, women about drinking; they drink right on just the same. Just like pouring water on a duck's back, they ain't got no place to grow. See? That old pleasure-seeking popularity... Though the Word falls on them, It can't grow.” (WISDOM.VERSUS.FAITH.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-17 62-0401)
“That's the reason that people cannot believe in miracles today, because they don't have anything in them to believe with. They've got to have something in there to believe with. And when the Spirit of God is in a man, he will say "amen" to every Word of God and every miracle of God. But as my mother used to say, "You can't get blood from a turnip, because there's no blood in it." So that's the same way; you can't get belief out of unbeliever, because there's nothing there to believe with. A man said, "I don't believe in Divine healing, no matter what you'd say." Certainly, it's not for him; it's only to those who can believe. If you're going to get blood, get it out from something that's got blood in it. If you're going to get faith, get it out to something that's got faith in it.” (QA GOD BEING MISUNDERSTOOD.title JEFF COD 61-0723E)
“How can you believe when there's nothing in there to believe with? Certainly. How can you get blood from a turnip when there's no blood in the turnip? You've got to be borned again of the Spirit of God or you'll never be able to come on fellowship grounds with the God Almighty, Himself. For it's only upon the basis of the shed Blood does He receive any believer. How can you believe when there's nothing there to believe with, just a carnal mind through mental conception. You can't do it. That's the reason people don't believe in Divine healing, because they've never walked into that Blood stream to the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ. You got an intellectual faith.” (CHRIST.title PHOENIX.AZ 55-0221)
2. THE MAKE BELIEVER
The MAKE-BELIEVER seemingly have the revelation of the Word, is able to impersonate signs and wonders and gifts of the Spirit, but is still a hypocrite and a “borderline believer”. Just like Judas and Balaam, make-believers will betray the Word for money, will always find fault with their pastor, and find fault with the church. If given the chance and the opportunity to be famous and to make it big time, he will betray anyone else for personal gain. A make-believer cannot be trusted.
“Now, the make-believer hangs around and acts just as pious as he can, but down in his heart he's trying to find what--what--see how you do it. Oh, if the country isn't full of that part of the hypocrite. That's a Judas. That's exactly. Hangs around, becomes part of the group, he was the treasurer. See? He stands around; he's always got his hand out for money. You can tell that one thing; he's always fishing for money, and got his hand out for this, and he is a make-believer. He acts like a believer, but down in his heart... You remember, he wasn't fooling Jesus.” (THREE.KINDS.OF.BELIEVERS.title JEFF.IN N-3 N-6 63-1124E)
“There's that make-believer that's just waiting. He'll sing like that, "Oh, I believe this, and I believe this, and I believe this, but oh, you know I heard somebody say so-and- so times..." See? Just long with ears... A real believer don't hear nothing but the Word. That's all. He watches the Word. He ain't looking for no loopholes; he ain't looking for no gimmicks. He believes God, and that settles it, and he just keeps going on. See? There's the believer. The unbeliever fills up in a minute, and he can't stay to listen to ten minutes to the message; he's got to get up and walk out. It's against his creed, and he just won't have no more to do with it, so he goes out. Then the make-believer hangs right on, that Judas. See? That's the deceiver. That's the--that's a rascal (if I have to say such a word). Judas, he hangs around. Sometime these make-believers are very popular with the people (That's right.), these make-believers. See? Some of them are mighty men, educated, doctor's degree, big pay, everything; some of them are great men, shrewd, just like sons of Satan would be. Look how Satan come right up there and agree with every bit of that Word. He's just waiting to find that weak spot in Eve to where he could show his power to deceive her, to betray her. That was--that was Satan, and here Satan is in a form of Judas in that age.” (THREE.KINDS.OF.BELIEVERS.title JEFF.IN N-3 N-6 63-1124E)
“Now, that make-believer is considered the hypocrite. Now, let's take a make- believer. It was Judas. He was the make-believer. And the make-believer hangs on and on, trying to find some way that they can get something on it. They stick around long enough just to find out if they can't find a little fault, then go out and expose it somewhere. "We want to find what kind of a gimmick, what rabbit foot you got that rubs behind your ears. What is the gimmick?" so they can impersonate It or something. That's make-believers. That's Judatarian.” (GO.AWAKE.JESUS.title SHREVEPORT.LA V-17 N-9 63-1130E)
3. THE TRUE BELIEVER
The TRUE BELIEVER is the only one that’s considered in the rapture. He or she believes the full Word of God. Only he or she can manifest the life of Jesus Christ in these last days. The true believers are the ones that’s truly baptized with the TRUE Baptism of the Holy Ghost in the SOUL, and are considered by God as the Bride of Christ, the “Wise Virgins” that will go in the rapture. She is elected and predestinated by God before the foundation of the world to believe the truth.
Brother Branham describes the TRUE BELIEVER as follows:
“FIRST of all we know most assuredly that the purpose of God stands in ELECTION. It was purposed in Himself. It was God’s purpose to bring forth a people like unto Himself that would be a WORD-BRIDE. She was chosen before the foundation of the world IN HIM. She was foreknown and beloved before she was ever brought forth during the ages upon the earth. She was redeemed by His blood and can NEVER come into condemnation. She can never be in the judgment because sin cannot be imputed unto her. Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” But indeed she shall be with Him in His throne of judgment, judging the world and even angels. Her name (each of her members) was written in a section of the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world.” (281-1 SARDISEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.7)
LEFT BEHIND
Only those who are the TRUE BELIEVERS will go in the rapture. Once the RAPTURE had come and gone, those Christians who are LEFT BEHIND will include people who claim to believe this End Time Message yet belong to the first TWO CATEGORIES of (1) UNBELIEVERS or (2) MAKE-BELIEVERS. They have heard of the Message and were raised under it. They will undoubtedly, go on with their church rituals and will still believe they will be saved, even if the TRUE BELIEVERS are GONE already.
Right immediately after the Bride is gone in the rapture, the Mark of the Beast will be implemented throughout all the world. No man can buy and sell except those who have the MARK of the BEAST. Rome along with her daughters, the protestant Churches, will initiate its last and final INQUISITION and will persecute ALL PEOPLES who will not bow down to the IMAGE erected unto the BEAST. Once that happens, the purging of the foolish virgins, along with the purging of the 144,000 Jews, will include in the purging of all so- called “Message Believers” who were LEFT BEHIND. That is a pitiful situation.
Brother Branham explained this scenario in the following quotes: “For the church system of the Roman Catholic and the Protestant in
coming together will CONTROL the whole wealth of the world system and force
the whole earth into its religious trap, or will KILL them, by refusing them the privilege of buying and selling whereby they would make a living. This will be accomplished simply, for the harlot’s daughters are all but gone back to her. In the meantime, Rome has acquired nearly all the supplies of gold. The Jews have the bonds and all the paper. At the right time, the harlot will DESTROY the present day money system by calling in all the paper, and demanding gold. With no gold, the system falls. The Jews will be trapped and come into the alliance, and the harlot church will TAKE OVER the whole world.”
(314-1 PHILADELPHIAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.8)
“This is so because in Revelation 17:3-6 it states that the WHORE, Mystery Babylon is seated on the BEAST. She is controlling the last, or fourth empire. This Roman Church is doing that. With the world church system under her, Rome will be controlling, and this IMAGE (church system) will be obedient to Rome because Rome controls the GOLD of the world. Thus ALL the people have to BELONG to the world church system or be at the mercy of the elements for they cannot buy or sell without the MARK of the beast in the HAND or HEAD. This MARK in the HEAD means that they will have to take the DOCTRINE of the world church system which is TRINITARIANISM, etc., and the MARK in the HAND which means to DO the
will of the world church. With this great power the church systems will PERSECUTE the true BRIDE. This image will try to keep the bride from preaching and teaching, etc. Her ministers will be forbidden to give comfort and truth to the people who need it. But BEFORE the ANTICHRIST (in person) takes over this complete world system of churches the true church will be taken AWAY from this world to be with the Lord. God will CATCH away His BRIDE for the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” (377-1 RESUME.OF.THE.AGES - CHURCH AGE BOOK CPT 10)
“DIE OR COMPROMISE”
The Anti-Christ BEAST SYSTEM will NOT let the people choose to “DENY JESUS CHRIST OR MEET YOUR DEATH” just like they did during the Dark Ages in their most Un- Holy Inquisition when they burnt at stake, fed to lions, the true Christians that stood by the true Gospel. Why is this so? It is because all denominations today, both Catholic and Protestants, all are claiming to serve and love JESUS. Undeniably, all denominations today serve a JESUS of their own creed.
But WHO and WHERE is the REAL JESUS of today? JESUS is none other than the “REVEALED WORD” of the Hour (Luke 17:30) brought about by the End-Time Message of God’s prophet William Marrion Branham (Malachi 4:5-6/ Revelation 10:1-7). The true CHRIST (“ANOINTED ONE” - to whom the Word of the Lord comes to [Amos 3:7]) has always been rejected and persecuted by the people of the world. Every true servant and true prophet that God sent was hated, scorned and persecuted by the modern world. This same Jesus who lambasted the Pharisees and the Sadducees in His day has the same message unto all denominations of today through His prophet. He is crying this same message of rebuke: “By your traditions (creeds and dogmas), you have made the Word of God of no effect to the people.”
THE MESSAGE OF THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL BE...
“DENY THE TEACHINGS OF WILLIAM BRANHAM, JOIN THE WORLD COUNCIL
OF CHURCHES AND TAKE THE “MARK” OR DIE THE DEATH.” That will be the “cry” of the Beast comes Tribulation Period. For there is only one Message that exposes the program of Satan today, and that’s this end-time Message of the end-time prophet William Marrion Branham. Satan, who has been riding his trail for 2000 years, from the “antichrist spirit” to “Nicolaitanism” to “false prophet” and to the “Beast” incarnate, has been unveiled and exposed in the book of Rev. Branham entitled “The Revelation of the Seven Seals”. These truths contain the revelations pertaining to the trail of the four horse riders, how they sowed lies and errors through cunningness and deception throughout the ages.
Those Message believers who will be left behind in the Tribulation period for the plain reason thay they were lukewarm and dilatory, will have only TWO OPTIONS: One is TO TAKE THE “MARK” OF THE BEAST AND COMPROMISE in order to be able to buy and sell, (but their end will be in the Lake of Fire); OR two, TO DIE FOR THE FAITH, (which will entitle them to belong to the category of FOOLISH VIRGINS). They will be saved during the White Throne Judgment. They will belong to the sheep that God will separate from the goats. But they will have no portion with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom. The Millennium is reserved only for true believers, the Bride of Jesus Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 2:12 - “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
four feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Weeks) have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three holidays (Trumpets, Atonement or Yom Kippur, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall within a brief fifteen-day period in the Hebrew month of Kislev. Kislev corresponds to the months of September/October on the Gregorian calendar.
The Seven Feast Days of the Lord, as they were given by God to Israel in Leviticus Chapter 23 should be of great importance to Christians as well for these are types and shadows of the Life of Jesus Christ in the New Testament in relation to His plan of salvation and in taking a Gentile Bride for His Name.
SEVEN FEAST DAYS
which God instituted for His chosen nation of Israel are discussed throughout the Bible both in the Old and the New Testaments.
However, only in one place (Leviticus Chapter Twenty- Three) are all seven holy days listed in chronological order. These holidays are called “the Feasts of the Lord” which simply mean that they belong to God and are His holy days given for Israel to observe.
The term “feasts” in Hebrew literally means “appointed times.” God has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story. These feasts (often called “holy convocations”) are intended to be a time of meeting between God and man for “holy purposes.” Since these seven feasts of the Lord are “appointed times” for “holy purposes,” they carry with them great sacredness and solemnity.
These SEVEN FEASTS are (1) The Feast of the PASSOVER, (2) The Feast of the UNLEAVENED BREAD, (3) The Feast of the FIRST FRUITS (4) The Feast of WEEKS, (5) The Feast of TRUMPETS (6) The Feast of ATONEMENT, and (7) The Feast of TABERNACLES. At the end of this series, we will notice an added feast, the EIGHTH DAY FEAST or HOLY ASSEMBLY, which I will discuss last.
CHRISTIAN SIGNIFICANCE
Unknown to the people of Israel, these Seven Feasts of the Lord which were instituted to them by God through their prophet Moses are types and shadows of the true events that will transpire in the life of their true Messiah, Jesus Christ, and to His Church that’s to be established in the New Testament.
Four of these seven holy days occur during the springtime. The first
As the four spring feasts (holy days) were fulfilled literally and right on schedule in connection with Christ’s first coming, these three fall feasts will likewise be fulfilled literally and right on schedule in connection to the Lord’s second coming. These final three feasts form the basis for what the Bible calls in Titus 2:13: “the blessed hope.”
ISRAEL: BLINDED UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES COME IN
Most end time believers know that until this day, Israel is still blinded to the truth and knowledge that Jesus Christ, whom they crucified, is the True Messiah. God did that for a purpose – to call a Gentile Bride for Jesus Christ. Israel was blinded for a season to give way to the chosen elect Bride of Christ within the Seven Church Ages (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea) for these to receive the Gospel Truth and to prepare Herself for the rapture. Right after the “catching away” of the Bride as spoken of in 1 Thes. 4:16-17, God will once again turn His attention back to Israel to reveal Jesus Christ to the 144,000 elected Jews. Through the ministry of Moses and Elijah, the two olive trees of Revelation 11, these Jews will soon recognize Jesus as their true Saviour and Messiah and Jesus will reveal Himself to these brethren, just as Joseph of the Old Testament revealed himself to his brethren, Jacob’s sons.
God does not deal with the Jews and the Gentiles at the same time. This is evident in the following writings of Saint Paul:
ROMANS 11:1,2,5,7,8,25-29 - ”I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…. EVEN SO then at this present time also there is a REMNANT according to the election of grace. What then? ISRAEL hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were BLINDED. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of SLUMBER, eyes that they should NOT see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this MYSTERY, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that BLINDNESS in PART is happened to Israel, until the FULNESS of the GENTILES be come in. And so all Israel shall be SAVED: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.”
SEVEN SEALS TO THE GENTILES, SEVEN TRUMPETS TO THE JEWS
As the mystery of the SEVEN SEALS applies to the Gentile Bride, so will the SEVEN TRUMPETS apply to Israel. “Seven Trumpets” to Israel will signify the calling of the Israelites’ attention to the Seven Festivities in their latter-day significance.
Nisan 14 Spring
“Passover” speaks of redemption. Christ, the Passover Lamb, has been slain for us.
Nisan 15 Spring
“Unleavened Bread” speaks of sanctification. Christ was set apart; His body would not decay in the grave.
Nisan 16 Spring
“Firstfruits” speaks of resurrection. Death could not hold her foe. On the thrid day, Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave.
50 days after Firstfruits Spring
“Weeks/Shavout” speaks of origination. The coming of the Holy Spirit inaugurated the New Covenant and Church Age.
Tishri 1 (new moon) Fall
“Trumpets” depicts the Rapture of the Church and the judgment of the wicked.
Tishri 10 Fall
“Yom Kippor/ Day of Atonement” points to the calling and purging the 144,000 Jews and the foolish virgins during the Tribulation Period
Tishri 15 Fall
“Tabernacles” speaks of the Great Millennium, when Christ shall reign with His Bride for a thousand years on earth
Moses and Elijah, the two prophets of Revelation 11, will bring a Message to the 144,000 Jews and will reveal to them the significance of the Seven Feast Days of the Lord as given to them by Moses in Leviticus 23 in relation to its real-life meaning and significance in the Life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
AN OUTLINE OF THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEVEN FEAST DAYS OF THE LORD ------
THE 1ST FEAST – THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER
This feast had its beginning in Exodus 12:1-14 where the Israelites were told to kill a perfect blameless lamb on the 14th day of ABIB (April) then displayed its blood on the doorpost of their houses.
Scriptures: Leviticus 23:5 - “In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD’S passover.”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER speaks of redemption; Christ the Passover Lamb was slain at Calvary for the sins of the world. PASSOVER truly pertains to the “DEATH” of Jesus, the LAMB OF GOD that takes away the sins of the world. Notice importantly that Jesus’ death took place on the exact date that the Old Testament Feast Day of Passover, was commanded to be held. The Romans killed Jesus on the Passover Feast Day. He even died on the right date of the Passover, the 14th day of April (Abib).
MATTHEW 26:1-2-“ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.”
THE 2ND FEAST – THE FEAST OF THE UNLEAVENED
BREAD
Scriptures: Leviticus 23:6 - “And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD typed the
“BURIAL” of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Jesus is the PURE unadulterated Word which is our UNLEAVENED BREAD. We commemorate and partake of His Body in what we call “Communion” or the Lord’s Supper”. Unleavened Bread speaks also of sanctification. Jesus was set apart. His body would not decay in the grave.
THE 3RD FEAST – THE FEAST OF THE FIRST FRUITS
Scriptures: Leviticus 23:9-13 - “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath (Sunday) the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. And the meat offering thereof [shall be] two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof [shall be] of wine, the fourth [part] of an hin.
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: THE FEAST OF THE FIRST FRUITS occurs on the
second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits speaks of the Lord’s triumphant “RESURRECTION”; death simply could not hold her foe. On the third day, Jesus rose victoriously from the grave. Jesus also types the resurrection of the GRAIN in the field. Jesus was the first corn of grain of God’s wheat that had been raised from the dead. He was the FIRST FRUITS of them that slept after Adam.
CORINTHIANS 15:20-23 - “ But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
JOHN 12:24-“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Although there are a number of people who are mentioned in the Bible who had been resurrected from the dead (including Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus), they simply died again in their due time. Jesus, however, was the very first one to be resurrected from the dead and the grave, and who’s never to die again. He alone is that “Firstfruit”. JOHN 11:25- 26 states, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
THE 4TH FEAST – THE FEAST OF WEEKS
Scriptures: LEVITICUS 23:15-16- ”And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: THE FEAST OF WEEKS was held 50 days after the day the SHEAF was waved, as God told Moses. Weeks (Shavuot), also known as PENTECOST, speaks of origination. It symbolizes Jesus giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit which inaugurated the New Covenant Church Age. FEAST OF WEEKS is nothing but a type of the DAY of “PENTECOST”, when the HOLY GHOST, the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST, came down to indwell the lives of true believers.
From the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, there had to be 50 DAYS. On the day He ascended, it was after 40 days (Acts 1:3). He then instructed His disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until Power from on high comes upon them. It took them ten days of waiting before the Holy Ghost came down like a mighty rushing wind and divided Itself as tongues of fire amongst the disciples. Make no mistake about it, 40 plus 10, equals 50 days.
Quote: William Branham, Revelation of Jesus Christ, page 778:
“But on the fiftieth day was the Day of Pentecost and the Legal Owner (Christ) came DOWN among them. It was a filling of the Holy Ghost. See, He couldn’t hold it over fifty days. You read that over in Leviticus in the laws there.”
THE 5TH FEAST – THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS
Scriptures: LEVITICUS 23:24 -“ Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first [day] of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: TRUMPETS depicts the “RAPTURE” of the Church.
The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts. The Jewish people call this feast Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “Head of the Year,” and it is observed as the start of the civil year (in contrast with the religious year which starts with Passover) on the Jewish calendar.
The Feast of Trumpets is so important in Jewish thinking that it stands alongside Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”) to comprise what Judaism calls “the high holy days” on the Jewish religious calendar. It begins the “ten days of awe” before the Day of Atonement. According to Leviticus 23:24-27, the celebration consisted of a time of rest, “an offering made by fire,” and the blowing of the trumpets. The ACTUAL DATE of this feast is on the seventh month in the Hebrew Calendar which was TISHRI which corresponds to our late SEPTEMBER to early OCTOBER. This Feast Day is celebrated in Israel today as “Rosh Hashanah”. It is a series of thirty days trumpet blowing.
TWO SETS OF TRUMPETS - FOR GENTILE & JEW
There are two sets of TRUMPETS in the Bible. One set is found in Revelation 8:6 and it has to do with the plagues turned loose on the Jews during the Tribulation Period. But the Great Trumpet for the Bride has to do with the Last Trumpet spoken in 1st Corinthians 15:51-52 & 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17 both referring to the rapture:
I CORINTHIANS 15:51-5- ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 - “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Here are a few quotes from Brother Branham regarding the TRUMPET:
“The first thing is the sounding—or the first thing is the trumpet and a—or a voice—a shout, and then a voice, and then a trumpet. Shout, a messenger getting the people ready... The second is a voice of the resurrection. The same voice that, a loud voice in St. John 11:38 and 44 that called Lazarus from the grave. Getting the Bride together, and then the resurrection of the dead (See?), to be caught up with it. Now, watch the three things take place. The next is what? was a trumpet. A voice—a shout, a voice, a trumpet. Now, the third thing is a trumpet, which always at the Feast of Trumpets is calling the
people to the feast; and that’ll be the Bride’s supper, the Lamb’s supper with the Bride in the sky. See, the first things comes forth is His Message calling the Bride together. The next thing is a resurrection of the sleeping Bride, the—the one that’s died back in the other ages. They’re caught together, and the trumpet, the feast in the heavens—in the sky. Why, it’s—that’s the thing that takes place, friends.” (RAPTURE.THE.title YUMA.AZ V-5 N-14 65-1204)
THE 6TH FEAST – THE FEAST OF ATONEMENT
S c r i p t u r e s : LEVITICUS 23:26-28- “And
the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it [is] a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: The meaning of the word “ATONEMENT” MEANS “RECONCILIATION OF GOD WITH SINNERS.” In the Old Testament, this day is the ONLY DAY that the HIGH PRIEST could enter into the Holy of Holies. This most holy day was used for their ANNUAL CLEANSING FROM SIN. This is a type of the calling of the 144,000 Jews back to the ATONEMENT, CHRIST.
The JEWS have not as yet accepted JESUS as MESSIAH. 3,500 years ago, God knew they would reject Him. And so 3,500 years ago, God told Moses that they were to hold a “FEAST OF ATONEMENT” every year. This Feast Day POINTS to the DAY when the Jews would be reconciled with God. We know this day is still future. It will happen after the RAPTURE and during the Tribulation Period when the TWO PROPHETS of REVELATIONS 11:3 brings condemnation to Israel for crucifying their very own Messiah.
Quotes from Brother Branham:
“The sabbaths are over (referring to the seven church ages -author.) and ready for the Jews to be called. Where to? The Feast of Atonement. Oh, church, don’t you see that? Called to the Feast of the Atonement, what? To recognize the Atonement, not no more chickens, and geese, and what they’ve been doing; the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world. Israel’s going to know that.” (FEAST.OF.THE.TRUMPETS.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-16 64-0719M (pp. 34)
“Then at the end of that three and a half years, He will come like Joseph did and make Hisself known to His brethren. They’ll cause a weeping all over, and they’ll say... They’ll separate their families, and weep, and—and say, “Where’d You get them scars?” And—and the pierced... The ones that pierced Him shall see Him, and He’ll make Hisself known to His brethren.” (LAODICEAN.CHURCH.AGE.title JEFF.IN ROJC 493-550 60-1211E)
The Scripture says that ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED IN ONE DAY (Zech. 3:9). That will be the day that their blinded eyes will be opened and 144,000 are called out from Judaism. This day is fast arriving. It is when Israel will be cleansed of her sin and UNBELIEF in JESUS CHRIST. “Feast of Atonement” pertains to the DAY when the JEWS (144,000) ACCEPTS JESUS, and receive their ATONEMENT, and are cleansed from their sins.
God SET a DATE for this DAY in Lev. 23:27 - “Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement.” After the days of affliction, the DAY OF ATONEMENT is observed on the 10th day of TISHRI. (TISHRI is corresponding to our late SEPTEMBER to early OCTOBER).
There are Four elements in this Feast Day of Atonement in Israel. They are as follows:
1. It’s A Holy Convocation -The purpose of the “holy convocation” was to draw the focus of the people to the altar of divine mercy. The Lord called the people of Israel to gather in His presence and give their undivided attention to Him.
2. Prayer and Fasting -The people of Israel were to humble (afflict) their souls (Leviticus 23:27). This was explained by later tradition to indicate fasting and repentance. Israel understood that this was a day for mourning over their sins. The seriousness of this requirement is repeated in Leviticus 23:29: “If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people” (Leviticus 23:29).
3. Offerings -Offerings are central to the Day of Atonement; in fact, the Bible devotes an entire chapter (Leviticus 16) to them (also see Numbers 29:7-11). In addition to these, when the Day of Atonement fell on the sabbath, the regular sabbath offerings were offered.
4. Prohibition from Labor - The Day of Atonement was a “sabbath of rest” (Leviticus 23:32), and the Israelites were forbidden to do any work period. If they disobeyed, they were liable to capital punishment! (Leviticus 23:30)
THE 7TH FEAST – THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Scriptures: LEVITICUS 23:33-34- “ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month [shall be] the feast of tabernacles [for] seven days unto the LORD.”
The seventh and final Feast of the Lord is the Feast of Tabernacles. It occurs five days after the Day of Atonement on the fifteenth of Tishri (October).
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: “TABERNACLES” speaks of the Day when the Son of God will make a tabernacle for Himself literally amongst men, will wipe away every tear, and will bring in the “Golden Age” which men have dreamed of since time immemorial – the “MILLENNIAL KINGDOM”. It is a thousand years of peace on earth, where Christ and His Bride will rule and reign.
THE MILLENNIUM
Scriptures on the scene at the Millennium: ISAIAH 2:2-4:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the
hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Quotes from Brother Branham:
“There will be a Millennium. The old will be young there for ever. Sickness will fade away and death will be no more. And they shall build houses; they will inhabit them. They’ll plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof. They’ll not plant and another inhabit (his son take it), his son will be living by him. He’ll not plant and another eat, die off and somebody else take it; but he will live there. Amen. [Blank.spot.on.tape—Ed.]... bullock and the lamb shall feed together. And the lion shall eat straw like the bullock, and a child shall lead them around. There’ll be—there’ll be innocence. There’ll be— there’ll be—there’ll be nothing could hurt. We’ll be changed from what we are now, to that glorious image of the Son of God which is immortal. Years can never touch Him; age can never do anything to Him; He’s the immortal Son of God.” (SHALOM.title SIERRA.VISTA.AZ V-13 N-5 64- 0112)
“As God labored six thousand years... We know that a thousand years... One day in heaven is a thousand years on earth,” II Peter. See? Now, and God built the world in six thousand years. And the Church labored against sin now for six thousand years. And the seventh thousand, God went to rest, and rested the seventh, and now a type of the millennium. The Church, the—lived here on earth, right here, in body form for a thousand years without sickness, sorrow, trouble, or death, that great golden age coming in now. Oh, for that... Oh, I like that song. The earth is groaning, crying for the day of sweet release when Jesus shall come back to earth again. I like that. Sin and sorrow, pain and death of this dark world shall cease in a glorious reign with Jesus of a thousand years of peace. The Bible said they ruled and reigned with Christ a thousand years, a millennium.” (MARK.OF.THE.BEAST_ JEFF.IN V-26 N-3 THURSDAY_ 54-0513)
“In the time of the millennium, it's Israel that's a nation. The twelve tribes is a nation, but the Bride is in the palace. She's a Queen now. She's married. And all of the earth shall come into this city, Jerusalem, and shall bring the glory of it in there. And the gates will not be shut by--by--by night 'cause there won't be any night. See? The gates will always be open; and the kings of the earth (Revelations 22) bring their honor and glory into this city, but the Bride is in there with the Lamb. Oh, my. Do you see that? In there-
-Not the Bride, isn't going to be out here laboring in the vineyards. No, sir. She's the Bride. She's the Queen to the King. It's the others that labor out there, the nation, not the Bride. Amen.” (SIXTH.SEAL.THE.title JEFF.IN 63-03230
“And the millennium... See, the world has now almost six thousand years old. See, and every two thousand year it's had a destruction. See? First two thousand, the flood came, and He baptized it with what? [Congregation replies, "Water"--Ed.] Water. Next two thousand, Jesus come to sanctify and claim it, dropped His Blood upon it, called it His. All right, "I'll come again," now, as King with His Queen. And the second two thousand years what does He do? He comes and gives His rest period and then burns her off and claims it for His own, puts His Own back on it. And notice, not the perfect world, this millennium is a type of the seventh day. Then comes the white throne judgment. See, we still have judgment; we're still in time in the millennium. It's a day, one thousand years. It's a time
element. Not... Don't get that mixed up with the new earth now, 'cause it's not.”
(FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
“The church, the lukewarm, the anything outside of the elected Bride will go through the tribulation period. They will not raise in the first resurrection: “The rest of the dead lived not for a thousand years,” just the foreordained, predestinated, elected Bride, God’s own elections. “Who is it, Brother Branham?” I don’t know? I can’t tell you who it is, but I know it’s going to be there, ‘cause the Lord said they would. See? They are the ones that’ll go up from the tribulation, but the rest of them will go through the tribulation, go down, and everything will be killed before the millennium. Then the—the righteous shall come out in the millennium and live a thousand years.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS_ JEFF.IN COD SUNDAY_ 64-0823E 1045-233)
“As God labored and built the world in six days, six thousands years (which we know the Scripture speaks that a day is a thousand years in heaven), and the seventh thousand... The church has labored against sin for six thousand years, and the seventh thousand is the millennium and memorial to all creation, that God has redeemed His church. Told Adam, "The day you eat thereof, that day you die." When He lets a man live through the thousand years, is a type and a memorial that He will never no more destroy man, and there'll never no more be sin, that he's back in fellowship with God, eternally. Amen.” (FELLOWSHIP.title MIDDLETOWN.OH 60-0611B)
“We got a thousand years after the church has gone home and comes back upon the earth. Then time ceases in the new heavens and new earth. Now, the millennium is not the new heavens and new earth. There will still be sin after the millennium. The millennium is a type of Noah going in the ark, and carried over, and brought Ham and them on the other side. And sin even come out of the ark. See? But Enoch, the translated one, was a type of the Bride that went up, not the one that was carried over. So sin will still be on the other side of the millennium, but not during the millennium. See? During the millennium is peace. See? But sin will be dealt with the other side of the millennium, and then time fades out.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830M)
“The Bride, when she's taken from the church, then the church age will cease. Laodicea goes into chaos; the Bride goes to glory; and the tribulation period sets in upon the sleeping virgin for three and a half years while Israel is getting its prophecy; then tribulation sets in upon Israel; and then comes the battle of Armageddon which destroys all things. And then, the Bride returns back with the Groom for a thousand years, the millennium reign; after that comes the white throne judgment; after that comes the new heavens and new earth and the new city coming down from God out of heaven. Eternity and time blends together.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830E)
“...Or will there be sin on earth during that time?" No. There will not be no sin on earth. Satan is bound. "And will there be people on earth in corporal bodies during that time?" Yes, sir. We will have our glorified body right here on earth, eating, drinking, building houses, and--and--and living just like we do now for a thousand years. It's a-- it's the honeymoon of the Bride and Groom.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64- 0823E)
HEATHENS IN THE MILLENNIUM
“And immediately after his days shall the great tribulation set in and burn the earth. And then at the return of the church and the Bride, the Bride and Christ shall walk out upon their ashes in the millennium, when the earth is purified by fire. And there they shall reign. And the heathens that’s never heard
the Gospel shall be raised in that time, and the sons of God will be manifested. If he’s to reign, he’s got to have something to reign over; he’s got a domain. “And they ruled and reigned with Christ,” and Christ ruled with a rod of iron the nations. Then the Gospel... Then the manifested sons of God with the authority just like He had when He was here (See?), there will come the millennium in that reign (See?), upon the ashes”. (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 62-0527)
Brother Branham taught us that there will be heathens during the Millennium. These will be the nations that Christ and the Bride will rule upon. The Bride will have a domain. They are kings and priests with Him. But a couple of questions arise, “Where will these heathens come from? How are they able to enter the land of the redeemed?”
Since Brother Branham told us that “everything will be killed before the Millennium”, that is of course, by atomic fire, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that go along with the Tribulation period, which will finally end the worldly sysems during the Third World War (Armageddon War) which destroys all things, the only way, therefore, for these heathens to be able to raise up in the Millennium would be by a “special resurrection” of their bodies from the dead.
But since the Bible teaches that there are only TWO RESURRECTIONS (NOT THREE), the first resurrection of which is known to be the “Rapture of the Bride” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and the second resurrection which raises up all the dead (good and evil) to face the White Throne Judgment of God (Rev. 20:12), we cannot imply nor add to the Bible, and assume that these heathens are “resurrected” literally just to be in the Millennium. I do not limit the power of God to do so, but He always stays with His Word.
REVELATION 20:6 states, - “Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
REVELATION 20:5 states - “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (referring to the second resurrec- tion).
The closest Biblical foundation whereby we can base and assume how these residue of people (heathens and mortal remnants) are able to enter the Millennium will be for them to survive the fires of Armageddon. These people could have hidden themselves in the coldest regions of the North Pole (igloos) or have fled to the caves in the South Pole while Armageddon ensues worldwide escaping the evil effects of atomic power. Once Armageddon War expires, Millennium time will of course be immediately started on earth. And then when these people would come out of their caves, they will finally find themselves in a different dispensation, having crossed over time and have entered enter and live in the dispensation of the Millennium as subjects to Christ and His Bride. The Bible states that they will repopulate the earth within the period of 1,000 years and are called “nations” while Jesus rules them with a rod of iron. These are the people who will raise up children and families during the Millennium and will multiply upon the earth but are still subject to time and mortality. They will also be the ones whom Satan will deceive once the 1,000 years of millennial reign have expired for they will grow in great numbers as the “sand of the sea”. And Satan, being loosed out from prison, will bring them all to the Gog and Magog war.
Here are some Scriptures that support this concept of heathens crossing-over to the Millennial Kingdom right after the Armageddon war:
ISAIAH 24:6- “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”
ZECHARIAH 14:16-“And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is LEFT of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.”
ZECHARIAH 14:2- “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the RESIDUE of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
The Gentile Bride and the 144,000 Jews during the Millennium will of course be in their glorified bodies, never to die, nor hunger, nor get sick anymore. Having turned back to young men and young women, the members of the Bride of Christ will have the power of the spoken Word as it was given to Adam and Eve in the original Garden of Eden. They can command nature, go through walls, and travel like a thought. But these heathens are mortals and will be living in the Millennium. When these heathen tribes would need rain for their crop where there’s no rain, their priest and king (the child of God who’s in-charge of their community) will just speak rain and the rain will fall from heaven. These heathens are described in the following Scriptures:
ISAIAH 65:17-25 - ”But be ye glad and rejoice for ever [in that] which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.”
Here is a quote that affirms Israel’s 144,000 elect Jews, as being among those who will co-habitate with the Bride and with Jesus Christ in the Millennium:
“Now these 144,000 are not in the bride. In Revelation 14:4 they are called virgins and they follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. The fact that they have not defiled themselves with women shows that they are eunuchs (Matthew 19:12). The eunuchs were the keepers of the bridal chambers. They were attendants. Notice that they do not sit in the throne but are before the throne. No, they are not in the bride, but will be in the glorious millennial reign.” (41-3 REVELATION.OF.JESUS.CHRIST - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK.CPT.1)
SATAN BOUND IN CHAIN FOR 1000 YEARS
Satan is the only source of sin. Since Satan, the tempter and accuser, will not be present in the Millennium, he cannot influence nor possess the bodies and minds of these mortal heathens. Satan is not around during the Millennium but will be bound in chain for one thousand years. Therefore, without his presence and influence, there will be no war, no rebellion, no chaos, and there will be peace in the Millennium because the tempter is gone. But not until Satan is loosed again to deceive the heathen nations that have grown to be as the sands of the sea. He will once more be released by God to deceive the nations and will bring these heathens to the Battle of Gog and Magog after the thousand years expire. It will also be the final burning of the earth. The Scriptures below affirm it:
REVELATION 20:1-3 - “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
Some supporting quotes regarding this truth:
Q-340. Does the millennium have to do with the one thousand years? Could it not be a generation? “No. A generation allotted in the Bible is forty years. But the Bible said, "And they lived and reign with Christ one thousand years." It will be one thousand years upon the earth, 'cause one thousand years upon the earth is only counted a time, for parable like to God, as one day. One thousand years upon on the earth is only one day with God, as God counting time. How many understands that now? So it's that Sabbath day when the church will no more labor against sin. And Satan is bound for a little season, a thousand years, 'cause his subjects is all in hell, and his... The church that's on earth is redeemed and right in the Presence of Christ, so he has nothing he can work on. So it's not a chain, as I said, a log chain; it's a chain of circumstance; he has nothing he can do. He's helpless and hopeless, just waiting for the resurrection of the subjects; then they're separated as the sheep from the goats.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830M)
“Jesus, the church, the Bride, was raptured, went up into glory, and was up there and was married, returned back to the earth, and lived a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years Satan was loosed out of his prison, that is bound by an Angel with a chain, not a log chain, but a chain of circumstance; all of his subjects was in hell. All that was resurrected on the earth was redeemed and Jesus with them. He couldn't work on nothing; but at the end of the thousand years, the second resurrection... "Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection over which the second death has no power." Now notice, in this second resurrection, when they come up, then Satan's loosed out of his prison for a little season; then the judgment is set. Now, watch. Jesus with the Bride, as King and Queen, set at the throne, white throne judgment; and the books were opened, the books of the sinners. And another Book was opened, which was the Book of Life; and every man was judged thus by the Bride. "Know ye not (taking these little matters before the law)--know ye not that the saints shall judge the earth?" See, see? All right.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823M)
Q-360. Why will--why will Satan be loosed a little season after the thousand years of Revelations 20 and 3, and Revelations 20:27? Why will he be loosed? “Is to go to gather up his people on the second resurrection, 'cause Satan has to
stand the--the judgment also. See? He has to be condemned.” (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830M)
WILL THERE BE SIN IN THE MILLENNIUM?
QUOTE: (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802):
“Now, perfectly Noah was a type of those carried over. Remember, when Noah come out, Ham was with him. Sin was still in there. Sin went right on over through the ark, unbelief, doubt went over in the ark, carried above the judgment; but Enoch went higher than the ark. He went on into the Presence of God, but Noah went through and come out, and there WAS STILL SIN: type of the Millennium—of the world’s condition. The millennium is not the end of it; there’ll still be time after the millennium. The millennium is a space of time, but not the new earth. No, indeed. Notice in that; we’ll get to it after a bit.”
Brother Branham stated above that sin was able to cross-over. As with Noah’s day, there was Ham being carried over into the ark to the new earth. Brother Branham said that sin (unbelief) will be carried over to the Millennium through these mortal heathens. But SIN will not be found amongst the Redeemed Elect Bride nor with the 144,00 Jews in Mount Zion where the headquarters of God is set up. Sin will reign only upon the bodies of these mortal heathens. Though sin will still be carried on the other side of the Millennium, yet there will be PEACE in the Millennium, for Satan, the accuser and tempter, is bound in chain. As we read, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” (ISAIAH 65:25) There will be peace in the millennium. But how? It will be simply be because, Satan, the tempter, will not be there. Sin will be truly be fully manifested again on the “other side” of the Millennium, that is, at the end of the 1,000 years when Satan shall be loosed again from prison to deceive the nations and to lead them to the last battle on earth - The Gog and Magog War.
REVELATION 20:7-9- ”And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to ***deceive the nations*** which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”
“And Satan is loosed out of his prison and goes to make war again with the saints, just exactly what he done in glory to begin with. And then God rains fire and brimstone out of the heavens, and the whole earth is removed like... It just burn up and destroyed. And there's no more sea, no more water, no more nothing left on the earth. Volcanic will spray and burst and blow, and the whole thing..."And I saw a new heavens and a new earth: for the first heavens and the first earth was passed away; and there was no more sea. I, John, saw the holy city descending from God out of heaven as a Bride adored for her husband." Remember it?” "Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men," and God shall dwell with them upon this pyramid-shaped city fifteen hundred square miles. And in the top of the city there'll be a Light. Amen. On top of Mount Zion will set the Lamb. And the city will need no light, for the Lamb is the Light thereof. And above the Lamb will be the Father, which is the Logos, God, the great Light, the eternal Light that'll shine just above the throne. And Jesus will not be on His Father's throne, He'll be on His throne. And the Father will hover over the Son, which the Father and Son will be One. "And while they are yet speaking, I'll answer. Before they can think, I'm thinking for them." (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
“And after the thousand years, then the great white throne judgment comes, and then the dead, both right and wrong is raised. And the books are opened, and the Book of Life was open; and the saints, the Wife and the Husband, set and judge the world. And there it comes to pass the saying: "And He'll judge all nations with a rod of iron." All nations shall stand before Him there, and He'll judge them with the rod of iron. He'll separate the sheep from the goats and say to the goats, "Depart," and the sheeps, "Come, ye blessed of My Father." (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0823E)
THE EIGHTH DAY – A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY, A HOLY CONVOCATION
SCRIPTURES: LEVITICUS 23:36- “Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it [is] a solemn assembly; [and] ye shall do no servile work [therein].”
TRUE SIGNIFICANCE: “EIGHTH DAY” means back to the FIRST DAY, Back to “ETERNITY”, THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven to be eternally established upon this earth. This event will transpire after the great White Throne Judgment.
REVELATION 21:1-3 - ”And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.”
RELATED QUOTES:
”Notice, seven days only has to do with the old creation, world time. Seven days—that’s the millennium, the rest day. As God labored six days, rested the seventh, the church labors six days and rests the seventh. But you’re still in time element. I ain’t speaking of the eternal.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
”There is an eighth day festival.” So the seventh day would be the last; that would be the millennium. But there is an eighth day festival, which if it was the eighth, and there’s only seven days, would make it the first day again—come right back to the first day. Then after the millennium is over, then there will be an established Eden again. God’s great Kingdom will be taken back, because Jesus fought it out with Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane, and won back the Eden, which He’s gone to prepare in heaven to return again.” (SATAN’S.EDEN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-20 65-0829)
“Eight days deals with new creation (See?), not old creation; eight days is new creation. For it was on the eighth day that our Lord raised from the dead. There’s your other convocation—the holiness, not considered in the sabbaths at all, or the feast of the tabernacles, the feast of this, the feast of the pentecost. Jesus raised from the dead for our justification on the eighth day. After the seven sabbaths or seven days, seven Church Ages, Jesus raised from the dead. Eighth day, which is a holy convocation (See?), which is the first day. See, you’ve done passed through time and dropped into eternity again, not keeping of days, and keeping of sabbaths and new moons, and things
like that, but have passed; changed your form, not annihilated (Glory.), but passed from death unto Life Eternal.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
“All right, let’s take the last feast, which was the feast of tabernacles. Now notice, here in the 36th verse. Seven days... shall you offer... offerings made of fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day... on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation... (There’s another holy time coming)... holy convocation unto you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: and it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. Now, we got an eighth day. Now, there’s only seven days, but here we speak of the eighth day holy conversation—or combination. Notice, do no work in it. The eighth day are what? Back to the first day. Why, it speaks of eternity, as she rolls around without a stopping place. Amen. Do you see it? Notice, it was also upon this eighth day, last day, feast day of the tabernacle; notice, after that, after the last feast day, after the last church age, after the last complete seven days upon the earth, after the millennium that this holy convocation comes.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
“See, eight cannot be counted with the week. See, it cannot be counted, eight days in a week; you can’t do it (See?), because there’s only seven days in a week. Count it any way you want to; Sunday’s the first day of the week. See? You count seven, and you got to go back in and start over again. Count seven and come back and go over again. See, and we live through all these types in here, but when you hit the eighth you go on into eternity.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
“You don’t come by laws, and rituals, and orders; you come by predestination. Amen. There’s the genuine holy convocation. See, and we’re ending the seventh church age—church age, the Pentecostal age. Do you see it? We’re entering the holy convocation. We are entering into that real, genuine eternity, where the Church is called, not to some station, some denomination, but into eternity with their eternal King. See? We don’t have it at all. There’s no such a thing as days and things and times. You passed into Eternity, where you come from. You was there to begin with.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802: )
GOD’S TABERNACLE LAYOUT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
There’s no other way to contact the body. On the inside of that man is a man called spirit, and he has five senses: Think—thought, and thought, and love, and conscience, and so forth. Now, you can’t think with your body. You think with your mind. But down on the inside of that, next realm, the third realm, is the soul; and that’s predestinated by God. There is where the real seed-germ lays, is in there.” (CHRIST IS REVEALED IN HIS OWN.WORD_ JEFF.IN V-4 N-10 SUNDAY_ 65-0822M)
“A man is made up in the system of a tabernacle: in the outer courts, then holy place, and the holiest of holies; the Shekinah glory on the inside, the veil.” (THE.MESSIAH_ SHREVEPORT.LA TUESDAY_ 61-0117)
I Thessalonians 5:23 - “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Man is a Triune being composed of body, soul and spirit.
Brother William Marrion Branham, after the seven-sealed Book of Revelation Chapter 5 was revealed to him in 1963, has taught us the correct placement of these three realms of man in their proper order. First on the outside is the body, which is composed of five senses – see, hear, taste, smell and feel. Then inside of that body comes the spirit, which also has five inlets – memory, conscience, reasoning, imagination and affection. And then the central realm of man is the soul, which is the innermost being of man. The soul has only two faculties – it is either controlled by faith or by doubt, or is controlled by God or by Satan.
THE SOUL – MAN’S CONTROL TOWER
In the following sermons, Brother Branham explained to us that the soul is man’s control tower:
“That little inside of the inside, that’s where you start, which is your soul; then come from that, you’re a spirit; and then you become a living being. Now, the living being has five senses, to contact; the second has five senses. That’s the outside body: see, taste, feel, smell, and hear. The inside body has love and conscience, and so
forth, five senses. But the inside of the inside, the control tower, it’s either God or Satan.”
(POWER OF TRANSFORMATION_ PRESCOTT.AZ V-17 N-1 SUNDAY_ 65-1031M)
“That’s the guidepost. That’s the control tower, the inside of the inside. The soul controls the spirit, the spirit controls the body.” (WORKS.IS.FAITH.EXPRESSED_ SHREVEPORT.LA V-7 N-1 FRIDAY_ 65-1126)
“And last Sunday when we was going into those cycles, about how that the five senses on the outer realm. That’s the inlet, five senses to the body. There’s only one way you can get into the body, that’s by those five senses: see, taste, feel, smell, and hear.
“A soul, good or bad, death doesn’t change it... What is a soul? It’s you. You are a soul. The part inside of you. And when you die, ever what shape that soul’s in, that’s the way it goes. It goes to its destination. You couldn’t pull it up no matter how much you’d do for it; that soul’s got to be changed here, born again. The soul, now remember, good or bad, death doesn’t have one thing to do with it. Death just takes it to its destination. You hear it? And if you still got the world and the love of the world in it, it’ll die with you, ‘cause the world must die. God’s condemned the world; that’s the world order. God has condemned it and it’s got to die. And if that world’s in you, you’ll die with that world. My, I don’t see how it could be any plainer. See? And if it’s good, borned of God, it has to go to God. If it’s of the world, it’ll remain to perish with the world. If it’s of God, it’ll live with God, educated or not educated. Educated or illiterate, if the world is still there, it must die. And if the world is in your soul, and your desire is of the things of the world, you’ll perish with the world. That’s clear, isn’t it?” (YOU.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-5 61-1231M)
“On the inside of man, he has only one gate, one entrance to go into the Shekinah glory, where God can enter into him and take over in the control tower. And that way is through self-will. Whether you will to or not, that’s up to you. But that’s the only avenue that’s open to the man that God can come into his heart, is by self-will. Puts him right back like Adam and Eve on free moral agency again. You can choose right or wrong, either one you want to.” (THE.MESSIAH_ SHREVEPORT.LA TUESDAY_ 61-0117)
“The soul is the nature of the spirit. Whatever you are in your spirit shows where your influence is coming from. Your influence can either come from above or from beneath. Just below the regions of mortal beings lays the realm of demon power; below that—just above that lays the souls of the unjust; below it lays the very domain of Satan: hell. Then just above us lays the Holy Spirit; then under the Altar lays the souls of the just men; the next is God Himself. One going downward, one going upward; the two spirits are here on earth, influencing the people of this earth.”
(ENTOMBMENT.title JEFF.IN ER 55-72 57-0420)
”Natural astronaut is... has something to control him. When the astronaut is in the air, he has something backwards here, back down here on the earth, that controls him. It’s called radar. That radar moves him around, shows where he’s at, tells what he’s doing. And that radar controls him from a radar tower, here on earth. That’s the natural astronaut. So the spiritual astronaut has a control Power, has a control tower, too. It’s not down here, like man is. It’s up There. And it’s the Holy Ghost that’s in him, that’s controlling him, a tower of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It’s under control, keeps him in control by the Word; not in a bunch of fanaticism, some whooped up nonsense; but, THUS SAITH THE LORD, and it happens. It’s always under control. He’s got a control tower, that’s the Holy Ghost. And the Word is His program, and he lays right into that program. And the power of the Holy Ghost endows him to move out, and it brings the achievement that God wants to be achieved for His people, that it might fulfill what He promised.” (COUNTDOWN_ BAKF.CA V-22 N-9 SUNDAY_ 64-0209)
”Now we find, God gives the control tower to you, to give to you the things that you need. Now, the control tower in you is what directs you. And this thirst runs in on this control tower, and tells you what you have need of, spiritually speaking. The control tower in the body, and in the soul, also. There is a control tower in the body, that tells you the need that’s needed in your body, and it’s brought to you by thirst. Also, there is a control tower in your soul, that tells you the spiritual things that you have need of, something in your spirit, and, and you by this can tell what kind of a life is controlling you.”
(THIRST_ TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 SUNDAY_ 65-0919)
THE SOUL DWELLS IN THE HEART OF MAN
”And about six weeks ago, I was in Chicago, and a great line on the front page, where science has found that in the human heart, in the center of the human heart, is a little compartment where even a corpuscle or blood cell never touches. The animal life hasn’t got it, but the human has got it. And science says, “It’s the occupation of the soul.” (THE.WATERS.OF.SEPARATION_ MACON.GA MONDAY_ 55-0606)
Right down in the heart, in the center of the heart, there’s a little compartment where there’s not even a blood cell in it. It’s not in the animal heart, only in the human heart. And they say, it’s the occupation, or the occupant of the soul. The soul lives in the heart. Then after all, God was right, when He said, “As a man thinketh in his heart.”
(THE.INTER.VEIL_ STURGIS.MI SATURDAY_ 56-0121)
So after all, a man believes in his heart. You think with your mind, but you believe with your heart… God stays on the control tower in your heart, controls your emotions, controls your faith, controls all you are. When God comes into the heart, He takes over… Man’s always trying to achieve something by his head. He’s
supposed to achieve, but by his heart. That’s the control tower where God controls him, and directs his thoughts, directs his walks, directs his emotions… All the rest of your body belonged to you, but that heart belongs to God. That God made Himself a little room in there, so He could set in the controlling tower that He could guide you.. . Now, that is the way you accepted Jesus. When He’s knocking at your heart He wants to come in to be your Lord. “Lord” means “rulership.” He comes into your heart, knowing that He made that heart for Himself. All the rest of the body you can have, but the heart is the control tower and He wants to come to this heart, so He can lead you, be a Lord.” (EXPECTATION_ SHAWANO.WI SATURDAY_ 55-1001)
“Here is a human heart, and here is a human heart. Now, this one over here has a snake in it; that’s sin. Here he has is life. This one over here has a Dove in it, which is the Holy Spirit. Here he has a life. Well, this one here he has malice, hatred, envy. That’s what’s causing it: this fellow here. Well, this one over here has love, and joy, and long-suffering, and that’s what does it down here.” (FUTURE.HOME.title JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 64-0802)
The devil chose man’s head for his control tower and gave him the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But God chose a man’s heart for His control tower and gives him the Tree of Life. The devil makes man see things and look through his eyes. But God in man’s heart makes him believe things that he cannot see. Faith is the evidence of thing not seen. In the heart of man is the throne of God. Satan took the eye, a man’s head, to control him by his head. But God took his heart.
SIN MARRED THAT SOUL
“And after this man sinned, he marred that soul. Blackness, darkness come into it. And then God came down and lived in man, suffered with man, and redeemed man; and the Holy Spirit comes into man and drives that blackness and sin away for him, and brings it back into perfect fellowship, a part of God. And now, we, by the Blood of Christ, Who cleanses us from sin, we become sons and daughters of God.” (WHO.IS.GOD_
CLEVELAND.OH TUESDAY_ 50-0815)
“When God made man, He made him thus; for He made this little certain compartment in the man for His own throne, His control tower. God wants to lead man, but man wants to lead himself. Therefore there is a war constantly. The man wants to go after what he sees with his eyes. That’s where he’s deceived. That’s where Satan deceived Eve, by what she could see; the fruit was pleasant to the eye. But it was death to the soul.”
(LOOKING.AT.THE.UNSEEN.title LA.CA 59-0410)
“Your soul is part of God, a attribute of God, displayed here on earth in a body. The body is to be redeemed. Now, the soul is redeemed, because it was in sin. So God come down, by a process of justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost, and redeemed your soul. And you, being part of the earth, it’s redeemed by it. You’re in the process now. It’s growing on. Your body was justified under Noah’s baptism. Amen! And, your flesh, when It dropped upon there. And the earth is to be cleansed by Fire, the place where you’ll live, with the baptism of the Holy Ghost; a dwelling Place for Christ and His Bride, the New Jerusalem.” (THE FUTURE HOME OF THE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM AND THE EARTHLY BRIDE_ JEFF.IN V-3 N-5 SUNDAY_ 64-0802)
FOR ALL HAVE SINNED
ROMANS 3: 23- “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
I JOHN 1:8-10 - “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his Word is not in us.”
EZEKIEL 18:4, 21, 26, 27 --- 4 “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 27 Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”
THE NEW BIRTH IS REQUIRED
“Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) “It’s essential that we must be baptized. Jesus give this statement in St.
Matthew, or St. Mark 16; He said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” And when He was talking to Nicodemus, He said, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit he will in nowise enter the Kingdom.” It must be baptized. I believe in immersing, in the baptism, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be raised again in newness of life, to walk after the commandments of God.”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 54-0103M)
“Now, when you come to the age of accountability, and you know what’s wrong and right, you’re supposed to turn from your wrong. Because you’re born in sin, shaped in iniquity, come to the world speaking lies, that you’re—you’re actually born as a sexual desire, and then you must be borned again in order to receive a new birth to enter into Heaven.” (WHY.ARE.WE.NOT.A.DENOMINATION?.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-7 58-0927)
“Yes, to be born again you must go through a process of death; everything does. You take a grain of corn; if that corn ever expects to live again, it’s got to die first. If a grain of wheat ever expects to live again, it’s totally impossible for... That corn, that wheat, that flower, that tree, that grass, that vegetable, everything that expects to live again must die first. Then how you going to escape it? You got to die first. You got to die. Die how? To yourself, die to everything, so that you can be born again. You’ve got to do that. If you don’t die, you can never live again… First, to die, in order to be born again... And if you still got the things of the world in you, you’re not born again. And how you going to claim to be born again and still with the things of the world hanging on you? See? How can you do it?”
(YOU.MUST.BE.BORN.AGAIN.title JEFF.IN V-11 N-5 61-1231M)
“Notice: you must be borned again. And when you’re born again, you can’t be born again without having faith. That’s right. So, you see on my chart here, I got the very foundation. Faith is the foundation of all of it. For without faith it’s impossible to please God: “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and a Rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.” See? He must be. And when you are a skeptic of the Bible, when you’re skeptic of the Word being right, you just might as well stay back until first you believe it.
What is sin? Unbelief. There’s only two elements that controls the human being. That’s either doubt or faith, one or the other. You’re possessed of one that dominates your life. Just depends on how much faith you have, how high you can rise. But first it’s got to be faith.” (STATURE.OF.A.PERFECT.MAN.title JEFF.IN V-2 N-18 62-1014M)
“You must be born again. Everything has to die away. All your theology, all your thinking, all you ever was or ever expect to be, your life and everything else dies away. And then the Holy Spirit comes in. That’s when you take off hats, shoes, stand before God. “Nothing in my arms I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” That’s where Moses had to come, where he could obey what God said do: the Burning Bush Conference. Then God said, “I’ll show you My glory now,” after he was willing to go.” (CONFERENCES.title TUCSON.AZ 63-0608)
“When He said, “You must be born again,” that don’t mean jump up-and-down at the altar. That don’t mean walk back there, and shake hands with the pastor. That don’t mean all this foolishness that we’ve seen done. It don’t mean putting your name on a church book. It means death to your first being, and life to the second being. It means that the Blood has been applied, and you’re identified by the Life of Jesus Christ. And if He be the Vine, and we be the branches, the Life that’s in the branch is in the—also from the Vine. It’ll bear the fruit.” (TOKEN.THE.title BAKF.CA V-22 N-8 64-0208)
“To be born of the Spirit is to believe and obey the teaching of the Bible by the Holy Ghost. And a man that’s born of the Spirit will obey God’s Word regardless of what any tradition tells him. To be born again means to be birthed from above… To be borned of the Spirit is to believe and behave yourself in the Spirit, is to understand and believe with your heart that Jesus is Christ and This is His Word, that no other words can be added to It or taken away from It without your name taken out of the Book of Life.” (WHY.AGAINST.ORGANIZED.RELIGION.title JEFF.IN V-12 N-1 62-1111E)
“And your character will not mix with the world, if you are being molded in the form of God, by letting the mind that was in Christ be in you. That’s the control tower, the direction.” (IDENTIFICATION_ TULARE.CA V-22 N-14 SUNDAY_ 64-0216)
A soul that has undergone the process of the New Birth is under the control of God and will always believe God’s Word by faith. A soul that is unregenerated is under the control of Satan and will always doubt God’s Word and reject it in favor of man-made ideas, creeds, philosophies, traditions, dogmas and intellectual conceptions of men.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 - “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]”.
“The NATURE of your SOUL is—is God, IF you’re BORN AGAIN. IF it’s NOT, it’s of the world.” (SOULS.IN.PRISON.NOW.title JEFF.IN. V-2 N-22 63-1110M)
WAR OF THE FLESH VERSUS THE SPIRIT
“There is a control tower of the soul, and one for the body, and each tower is a warning caller for the needs of the other. Each one calls to the need for what the caller is calling for, it sends out a wave of warning. For instance, the flesh thirst to satisfy the desires that’s in the body, and the spirit desires for the things that’s in the soul, desire is, and many times these war one against the other. We find
there, what’s a great trouble today, that too many people try to live between those two desires. For, one of them desires the things of the earth, the other desires the things of Heaven.
Like Paul said, describes it in Romans 7:21, “When I would do good, then evil is nigh.” When you try, did you ever have that in experience, Christians? That when you’re trying to do something that’s worth-while, go to make an effort to do something that’s good, then you find out that there is the Devil, on every hand, just to upset you. That when you are starting to do something, and there is something always trying to upset you in doing it, do it anyhow. That’s the Devil there, trying to keep you from doing what’s right. When they find out that they’re trying to do something, and everything is just blocking it off on both sides, they say, “It might not been the will of the Lord.” See? Now don’t let the Devil lie to you like that.
The first thing, is find out whether it’s the will of God, or not. And then if you want to know whether it’s the will of God, look into the Bible. There is the thing that sets you straight, is the Word of God; and then if you see it’s in the Word of God, for you to do it.” (THIRST_ TUCSON.AZ V-16 N-6 SUNDAY_ 65-0919)
God wants to lead man, but man wants to lead himself. Therefore, there is a war constantly. The outer man wants to go after what he sees with his eyes (bodily senses). But the inward man loves to do things pertaining to the Spirit of God.
ROMANS 7:14-25 states, ”For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
“And as long as you’re in this life, you’re going to be sticky and have a “carnal nature” that’s going to bother you as long as you live; but the inside of you, you’re borned again.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830E)
“You’ll make mistakes; you’ll fall; you’ll willfully do wrong. You’ll go out sometime and do things; that don’t mean that you’re lost; that means that you’re going to get correction. My little boy, lots of times... My children will do things, your does too, that you—they know that’s against your—your rules. And they know what to expect when they do it: they’re going to get a whipping for it, sometimes a good one. But it’s still your child, certainly. It’s impossible for that man to ever be gone again, that’s once been born of Eternal Life. God’s not a Indian giver. “He that heareth My Words, and believeth on Him that sent Me, has Everlasting Life and shall never come to the judgment, but’s passed from death unto Life. And I’ll raise him up at the last days.” That’s God’s promise.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.6.AND.7..title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0915M)
”Somebody told me he had one, one time was converted, received the Holy Ghost, and he said to him, “How you getting along?”
He said, “Pretty good and pretty bad.”
He said, “Well, how do you mean pretty bad and pretty good?”
He said, “Well, since me receive the Holy Ghost,” he said, “there’s been two dogs in me, and one of them a black dog and one of them a white dog.” And said, “They argue all the time.” Said, “They growl and fight at one another.” And said, “The white dog wants me do good; the black dog wants me do bad.”
Said, “Well, Chief, which one of them wins the fight?”
Said, “That depends on which one Chief feeds the most.” So I think that’s a good answer here. See? There just depends on the warring of the body that’s in you; it depends on which one you cater to, which nature you cater to, the carnal nature after the things of the world, or the spiritual nature after the things of God. That does it.”
(QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 64-0830E )
Romans 8:4-14 – “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
GALATIANS 5:19-25 - ”Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
THE PHYSICAL BODY
I CORINTHIANS 15:44-49- ”There is a NATURAL body, and there is a SPIRITUAL body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening Spirit. The first man [is] of the earth, EARTHY: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven. As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the HEAVENLY, such [are] THEY also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the IMAGE of the heavenly.”
II CORINTHIANS 5:1-2 - ” For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven”.
I CORINTHIANS 15:40- ” [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.”
“But we know that we’re animal life. We’re plant life out of the earth. As I was saying the other day at our dear sister’s funeral, we are a bunch of sixteen elements of the earth of cosmic light, and petroleums, and things put together. We were here when God spoke and said, “Let there be.” Our bodies were.” (JOSEPH.MEETING.HIS.BRETHREN.title JEFF.IN 56- 1230)
“The body is the flesh that you look at that must rot. It was born by sexual desire of father and mother. It must rot. It’s no good. Therefore in the new birth, in the resurrection when—when you’re brought forth again in a new body, it’ll be God’s creative power that’ll speak like He did to Adam and you’ll come forth.” (QUESTIONS.AND.ANSWERS.title JEFF.IN COD 59-0628E)
“Let’s take before there in the beginning of the world. Now, the lily come from the earth, so did you. If that be so, then we were here; our bodies were on the earth before there was any life here. We are made of sixteen different elements of the earth. That’s potash, calcium, petroleum, cosmic light, and so forth, and held together by atoms: sixteen elements of the earth. Then, if that is so, which is scientifically so, then we really... Our bodies were laying spread out on this earth before there was any type of life on the earth. Potash, calcium, petroleum, and cosmic light was here at the creation. As the volcanic was thrown out, they tell us, that bursted and formed the materials of the earth and so forth, was, it just a burning brimstones as it was Satan’s procession as he walked up-and-down the fiery brimstone of the earth. And then when God cooled it off and set it over there in His great mind, He had something in His mind that He was going to do.” (WHAT DOES TAKE MAKE CHRISTIAN LIFE; CHICAGO.IL 57-0113)
“Did you ever notice a little baby when it’s born, its little muscles twitching and jerking? But when it comes to the earth, it receives a spirit, and then it becomes a living soul. And as soon as the soul goes back from that little body, there’s another one waiting for it. See? Because, first, God makes the soul and spirit; it just goes to the bodies. And—and when we leave here, we only change dwelling places and go to another one. “For if this earthly tabernacle be dissolved, we have one already waiting.” So that’s our consolation.”
(IT.BECOMETH.US.TO.FULFILL.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-4 61-1001M)
“It’s just like a little baby. When a little baby is conceived in the mother’s womb, it’s just flesh and blood, jumping, quivering. But as soon as it’s born, you don’t see it, but there’s a spirit and soul hanging near that mother to come into that baby just as soon as it’s born. Just as soon as that baby is born, God has created a soul and created a spirit to be in that baby just as soon as it’s born into this world. That little baby becomes matured, and it begins to learn; then it becomes a living soul when it knows what’s right and wrong. Then it’s got, just like Adam and Eve, set before a tree of right and wrong. It makes its choice. And then it becomes intelligent. It’s growing all the time in God’s great economy. And finally it comes down to the end of the road, for this physical body. And just as this body is deteriorating and going away, there is one being prepared to receive it. Just as soon as it leaves here, this soul that’s in us now and this spirit leaves this body and goes to another, a young one, a good one, a better one, a one that won’t get old, or one that won’t pass away.”
(COMFORTER.THE.title JEFF.IN V-15 N-5 61-1001E)
“No matter how insignificant you may seem to be, you're a--your soul is worth ten thousand worlds. Sometime ago down in Tennessee, I was standing at a great museum, and I was looking in the glass with some young fellows was standing next to me, and was showing the chemical worth of a hundred and fifty pound man. And it might surprise you to know how much you're really worth. If you're in good health, a good, strong man at a hundred and fifty pounds worth eighty-four cents. Well, you're not worth very
much are you? Just about enough whitewash to sprinkle a hen's nest, a little, bitty calcium and so forth, all weighed up to eighty-four cents worth of chemicals in your body... One young fellow said to the other; he said, "John, we're not worth very much are we?" I thought this was a grand opportunity. I laid my hands on each one of the boy's shoulders as I stepped between them, and I said, "That's true son, we're not worth very much in this body, but in that body's got a soul in it that's worth ten thousand worlds." But we want to take care of this eighty-four cents. We give it the best of clothes, feed it the best of foods, and put a ten dollar hat on it, and, oh, how we love to take care of this eighty-four cents. But that soul, we just let it grap over any old world and anything else, not noticing or paying any attention to it, drag it down to church and sleep while the preacher preaches twenty minutes, and have a deacon's meeting that he preached too long. That soul is worth ten thousand worlds.” (HEAR.YE.HIM.title EDMONTON.ALBERTA 57-0807)
“In Genesis 2, there was no man to till the soil, and God made man out of the dust of the earth, not in His image, but in the image of animal life. And he put the spirit of man in this animal man here, and he become a living soul. Now, that’s the difference between a man and the animal. The animal don’t build automobiles, and he doesn’t do things like that to help his living and so forth like that. He’s an animal, dumb brute; he hasn’t got a soul. He can’t read and write; he can’t talk, speak; he’s a dumb brute. But a man is in flesh like a brute, but he’s got a soul of God in him what makes him immortal. And he can invent, look what he can do. He’s on—almost on the equal with God, because he’s a son of God; even in his fallen estate he’s wonderful. Look at him. See? That’s it.”
(QA.IMAGE.OF.THE.BEAST.title JEFF.IN 54-0515)
“We are living by dead substance, that’s the only way you can live. And if something has to die every day so you live natural, then isn’t it true that if your—your body has to live by dead substance for natural life, then you’ve got to have something die spiritually to save your spiritual life. And God became material, flesh, and died that we might live. There’s no church, no other thing in the world can save you but God. That’s the only thing that they live by.” (ANOINTED.ONES.AT.END.TIME.title JEFF.IN V-5 N-3 65-0725M)
ROMANS 12:1-2- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I JOHN 2:15-16- ”Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
II CORINTHIANS 6:14-18- ”Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
THE SIXTEEN ELEMENTS OF MAN
Man is composed of the following 16 elements based on scientific research - 1. Calcium, 2. Chromium, 3. Copper, 4. Iodine, 5. Iron, 6. Magnesium, 7.
Manganese, 8. Phosphorus, 9. Pottasium, 10. Selenium, 11. Zinc, 12. Molybdenium,
13. Flouride, 14. Oxygen, 15. Hydrogen, 16. Sulfur.
“We’re taught that our bodies come from the earth. We’re made of sixteen different elements. That’s petroleum, cosmic light, and oh, potash, and calcium, and so forth, sixteen different elements. That’s the body. How do we get it built up like this? We eat food. Every day when we put in food, something died. If you eat today, something had to die so you could live. Every time... Because you’re living, something dies because you live. If you eat beef, the cow died. If you eat mutton, the sheep died. If you eat fish, the fish died. If you eat bread, the wheat died. If you eat potatoes, potato died. If you (eat) beans, the beans died. Whatever it is, it’s a life. And we can only live by dead substance.” (WHY SOME PEOPLE CAN’T KEEP VICTORY.title OAKLAND.CA 57-0324)
THE BELIEVER’S SOUL IS ETERNAL
“But the MAIN THING, now, is to THE SOUL WHICH WILL NEVER DIE. The
body will die, but the SOUL WILL NEVER DIE, and we must keep that level with God”. (The Church and Its Condition/pp. 4)
“It is NOT this outside see, taste, feel, smell and hear. It isn’t. It’s subject to death and will die. But the INSIDE PART OF YOU, down in here, INSIDE, that is the PERSON THAT CANNOT DIE. See? And that’s the PERSON that the NEW LIFE STARTS FROM, from this NEW BIRTH; and IT BUILDS ANOTHER PERSON YOU ARE, around that life. You get it?”
(C.O.D. pp. 1114/par 248).
“If you got Eternal Life you always was. See?... Anything that was eternal never did begin and cannot end. So you were only in His thinking: your name, who you are, and what you are. That’s the only way you could ever have Eternal Life, ‘cause you always was.” (WHEN.THEIR.EYES.WERE.OPENED BEAUMONT.TX 64-0312)
“Because I was born of Charles and Ella Branham. In their nature I was a sinner; I came to the world, a liar, and all the habits of the world laid right in me. But down in there too, was another nature present (See?), predestinated, was in there by God. In this same body (See?) two natures in there. Well, I only catered to one. As it growed, I gooed as a baby, “Da-da.” First thing you know, I become a liar, become everything else that’s a sinner, because I raised up that way. BUT DOWN IN THERE was a little speck of LIFE ALL THE TIME.” (COMMUNION.title TUCSON.AZ V-8 N-4 65-1212)
“The Bible said that if that SOUL WON’T DO as He did said do, He will even destroy that soul. BUT you see, HE CAN’T DESTROY HIMSELF and REMAIN GOD. So if that SOUL is of the world, it has to be destroyed. BUT IF IT’S ETERNAL WITH GOD, IT NEVER DID BEGIN because it’s part of God; IT CAN NEVER BE DESTROYED. AMEN!
The Church ought to see that!” (The Future Home/pp. 41)
“But your souls were made up before the foundation of the world when God created man in His Own image: spirit of man; not a man in His Own image, but man in His Own image. See? And then He made them male and female before He ever had a man in the dust of the earth...He moved down into the earth and how that He made man in His image, and then God turned around and was made in the image of
man to redeem man.” (DEMONOLOGY.PHYSICAL.REALM_ CONNERSVILLE.IN 53-0608A)
“You never sinned in the first place. God don’t even know... It’s in the sea of forgetfulness. You never did it. You were accused of it by the accuser; but really from the beginning you were predestinated to be a son or daughter of God. You’re standing there washed, and your old book of divorcement’s put away and is dead, absolutely out of existence even in the mind of God. You are the virtuous Bride of Christ, washed in the Blood of Christ: precious, virtuous, sinless, Son of God standing with a pure, unadulterated Bride Word that He washed by the Water of His own Blood that become flesh and manifested that He might take you, which were predestinated in the bosom of the Father before the beginning, the same as He was...” (INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
I JOHN 3:9- ”Whosoever is BORN of God doth NOT commit SIN; for his SEED remaineth in him: and he cannot SIN, because he is BORN of GOD.”
“How did you come to do this? You were deceived into it by your first marriage—to your adulteress parent Eve. It’s no fault of your own. By your natural birth, you come after Eve, who committed adultery. That’s the reason you was born an adulternous. You were a sinner to begin with. That’s right. You was deceived into it. You had no... No, it ain’t your fault. You never did it, because that little Germ that was in you, was to be you before the foundation of the world. God put your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. “ (INVISIBLE.UNION.OF.THE.BRIDE.title SHP.LA V-2 N-15 65-1125)
“What did He redeem? He redeemed your soul from hell. He redeemed and brought back everything that Adam lost, when he put you in the pawnshop. Jesus Christ, on Calvary was your Kinsman Redeemer that redeemed you from every curse of the devil. He redeems your soul. He redeems your sick body. He redeems your weary, dreary spirit. He brought you happiness. He brought you joy. He brought you... That’s what the redemption brought you, brought you peace, long-suffering, goodness, gentleness, meekness, power, the Holy Spirit, brought you Divine healing. All these things Jesus Christ brought to you, because He was our Kinsman Redeemer.” (REDEEMER.REDEMPTION_
SAN.FERNANDO.CA SATURDAY_ 55-1119)
“Well, if God saved you here, knowing He was going to lose you down there, He defeats His own purpose.. He can’t lose you. He might have to take you off the earth because of your sin, like the man in the Bible, who was living with his own mother, and they turned him over to the devil for the destruction of the flesh that the soul might be saved. But He can’t lose you. You’re His. Before the world begin, He ordained you to Eternal Life. And it’s the devil trying to cheat you out of it. Call him a liar. Jesus Christ, Jehovah- Jireh, has provided a place for you. Go get it. Live happy. God bless you.” (JEHOVAH.JIREH_ EDMONTON.AB. SATURDAY_ 57-0810)
“And no one can preach salvation without preaching Divine healing. See? You can’t preach redemption of the soul without preaching redemption of the body. See, when you can’t deal with sin in any measure, ‘less you deal with sickness and every attribute. Sickness is the results of sin. Sickness is an attribute of sin.” (HEAR.YE.HIM_ PARKERSBURG.WV SATURDAY_ 56-1215)
“Now, Lord, but for the greatest of all healing! If You heal their physical body from cancer, TB, pneumonia, something, they’ll get sick again, no doubt, if they live very long, for their body is still under sin , the curse. But let them get the—the real Divine healing, the healing of the soul , which makes a new creature, passes from death unto Life, and then waiting in this old tabernacle for the redemption of the body after the soul has been redeemed . Grant it, Lord.” (THE.GOD.OF.THIS.EVIL.AGE_ JEFF.IN V-4 N-9 SUNDAY_ 65-0801M)
THEOPHANY - OUR CELESTIAL BODY
II CORINTHIANS 5:1-2 - ”For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven”.
“They call it a theophany, that when we leave here we go in somewhere else. Whatever it may be, I take the apostle’s Word, when he said, “If this earthly tabernacle or dwelling place be dissolved, we have one already waiting to move from this into that.”
(ENTOMBMENT.title JEFF.IN ER 55-72 57-0420)
“And the Logos, which was the Son of God went out, created by these great fountains of purity, God, as those Spirits went out, and it created the Logos. And it was a body. It was in the form of what we are now, which is called in the clergy way of speaking it, a theophany. It’s a body that doesn’t have a spirit in it. It’s a body that’s waiting for you Christians. As soon as the life leaves this, you go into that body. When this earthly tabernacle be dissolved, we have one already waiting, a theophany.”
(THIRSTING.FOR.LIFE.title CHICAGO.IL 57-0630)
“Theophany is a human body that’s glorified, not exactly with flesh and blood like it will be in it’s glorified stage, but it is of a form of a human body that doesn’t eat, neither does it drink, but it’s—it’s a body, a body that’s waiting for us as soon as we leave this one.
Now, in there, we enter into that body. And that’s the kind of body that God was. For He said, “Let Us make man in Our own image and in our likeness.” Now, when man become into that body, he had control of all the fishes, and fowls, and—and beasts of the field. And then there was no man to till the soil (Genesis 2). He done made male and female, but there was no man to till the soil. Then God made man out of the dust of the earth. He give him a hand like a—like a chimpanzee, give him a foot like a bear. He give
him... He made him on the image... And this earthly body is in the image of animal life, and it’s made out of the same kind of material. Your body’s made just the same kind of material as a horse, or a dog, or anything like that. It’s made out of calcium, potash, petroleum, cosmic light. You’re just no... All flesh like that is... Not the same flesh, it’s different flesh, but it’s made out of the dust of the earth where it come from. But the difference between an animal and a man, God put a soul in a man and He didn’t put it in the animal, because the soul that was in the man is that theophany.” (HEBREWS.CHAPTER.2.PART.3.title JEFF.IN HEB 57-0828)
When Jesus was manifested in the Old Testament in a theophany, in the Person of Melchisedec, not a priesthood, but the Person, the Man... See? For this Man had yet not been born, but He was in a theophany so He had no father, no mother. He
was God Himself. He was manifested in the form of a Man called King of Salem, which is King of Peace and King of Righteousness. See? He was Melchisedec. He had neither father nor mother, beginning of days of ending of life. See? It was Jesus in a theophany in the form of a man. Could you go that? All right.” (CHRIST.REVEALED.IN.HIS.OWN.WORD.title JEFF.IN V-4 N- 10 65-0822M)
“In the beginning God was a Spirit. And all the fountain of goodness and mercy and power, and all the good things of love, God was the center of that fountain. And then the Logos that went out of God in the beginning become what we would call a theophany, or a—a supernatural body. God is just not like the air, but He’s in a body. Moses seen Him pass and said it looked like the back part of a man, and so forth. And then that same theophany was made flesh and dwelled among us. And we beheld Him, the only begotten of the Father, Christ.” (WE WOULD.SEE.JESUS.title SASKATOON.SK 57-0516)
“And then out of the existence of the Father went the Logos which was the Son, which was the theophany, which was the body of the great Jehovah God went forth in a celestial Body. That’s the Logos. The Word spoke out of them great Fountains of Life and went forth. And there was the theophany, which was God made into Word. Then that theophany was made flesh in the Person Christ Jesus. And then all the fullness of the Trinity dwelt in Him, both Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all in that. And that’s the very way we go, plumb back to the original beginning of God. There we are borned again not of flesh, borned again not of blood, but borned again by the Spiri
