Vision 7000 - global information

Before the Return of Jesus Christ the divine message must finally be heard world-wide. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Mt. 24:14). At no time were there such possibilities as right now through the mass media to fulfil His commission accordingly. In the Book of Revelation, the seer John symbolically witnessed this fact in the following vision: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev. 14: 6).

Most everyone knows that since the time of Reformation there have been various spiritual revivals, leading deeper into the Word and closer to God. Whoever is informed in this regard knows that at the turn of the last century a mighty world-wide moving of the Holy Spirit began, and especially after World War II there was a breakthrough to the true apostolic teaching and ministry.

The spiritual revival and healing movement that began in 1946, which I personally witnessed since 1949, later also spread to the big traditional churches and Christian denominations. Hundreds of evangelists, even the most renowned ones, were inspired and started their own ministries. Since then worldwide interdenominational gatherings, evangelisation, »the chapters« of the »Full Gospel Businessmen« as well as all sorts of different charismatic meetings took their course. Now »prayer for the sick« and the »use of spiritual gifts« are no longer placed with and ascribed to some dissociated groups, but are practised in almost every Christian denomination and are even being acknowledged by the mass media. In spite of all this, the evangelists and churches have remained in their unscriptural teachings and traditions, without being aware of it.

Most believers have heard about the aforementioned revival and healing movement, which began after World War II. However, only very few people today know how, when and through whom God started this movement. It was Rev. Gordon Lindsay from Dallas, Texas, USA, who published the book »William M. Branham – a man sent from God« in 1950. In this book he reported that on May 7^th, 1946, William M. Branham had received a supernatural heavenly calling, just like Paul. Thus a direct divine commission of great significance in the plan of salvation was given by the Lord Himself. Gordon Lindsay writes how this man, who had found grace in the eyes of God, was used and confirmed by Him in an extraordinary way, according to the apostolic pattern. People assembled in great masses, as never seen before. Towards the end of the 1940ties the other evangelists also began with their revival and healing meetings. The difference between William Branham and those who appeared later is that the man of God placed his emphasis on the biblical teachings in his sermons, from the beginning of his ministry until he went home to be with the Lord in 1965.

In the »second revival wave« evangelists already had their own agendas. What is happening now in the so-called »third revival wave« throughout the world is truly scandalous, when viewed from the point of the Holy Scriptures. Evangelists preach a »prosperity-gospel« and speak much about miracles and signs; they spend more time with collecting the monetary offering than on the actual sermon. Many of them have managed to become multi-millionaires. Their alleged »demonstration of power« has the characteristic of an entertainment show, supported by the fitting music. However, after taking a closer look, there is no divine substance of the preached Word to be found. The for ever valid gospel is no longer being proclaimed. It has become a self-made gospel-message, passed on according to everyone’s own special emphasis. If God confirms His Word with the audience and healings are taking place, that does not endorse the teaching or the evangelist or the miracle worker to be right. Every year millions of people go on pilgrimages to special places, hoping to experience a miracle. When an evangelist promises the suffering people an instant healing miracle by God, then they gather in great multitudes. However, healings only prove that God is faithful, answering the prayers of those who believe what He has promised. The spiritual blessings come upon all who desire after them, as it is written: “... for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mt. 5:45).

According to the statements of our Lord, right and wrong co-exist side by side. In fact, the false is so close and similar to the right that the statements are being made, “Christ is here. Christ is there.” Our Lord warned us of these developments with the following words, “For false Christs (anointed ones) and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Mk. 13: 22). In reality God is only present where His Word, Spirit, teaching and practice truly compare and coincide with the Holy Scriptures.

The words of our Lord give the necessary clarification also in regard to this point, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Mt. 7:16). Not by the spiritual gifts, which can be imitated, but by the fruit of the Spirit, which reveals the nature of Christ and cannot be imitated, we are known (Gal. 5:22-23). The fruit must grow and testifies what kind of “tree” it actually is. Not the spiritual rain, but the type of seed in the heart, upon which the rain falls, is the most important factor, for every seed brings forth after its own kind. Both seeds, the right and the wrong, are on the same soil in this world. The Lord said, “Let both grow together until the harvest ...” (Mt. 13:30). At the harvest time the tares will be bundled up and burned, but the wheat will be taken into the heavenly garner. It also must be fulfilled what our Lord said about the false anointed ones, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out demons? 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.” (Mt. 7:22-23).

It seems the majority of those who seek the Lord are satisfied with the atmosphere created in the meetings, which are sometimes no more than religious entertainment. They remain in the man-made traditions, instead of honestly seeking the counsel of God and taking His Word into consideration. However, when the truly sincere ones search in the Word of God for guidance and then follow it, that is when God allows them to find their way back to the original New Testament Church. Only who honestly seeks will find, who actually knocks will be allowed to enter, and who holds out until the end will be victorious.

The true Bible-believing Christians will try their utmost to line up with the Holy Scriptures. They believe the apostolic teachings about Godhead, water baptism, the Lord’s Supper etc. and finally practise the very apostolic pattern of the beginning, which must last and continue right to the end. All who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ take their stand on this biblical foundation and now experience the last move of God and also their completion unto the Day of Jesus Christ, which is very near (Phil. 1:6).