People ask questions, God answers by His Word

Answer: What a question to ask in a civilised world! No, certainly not. Some brethren in the African countries, where polygamy is still being practised, emphasise the statements the prophet made in this regard, in order to accommodate their own lustful ways. They refer to Abraham, Jacob, Elkanah, Gideon, David, and Solomon, etc., emphasising that David committed adultery only when he took Uriah’s wife. This subject is most delicate and easily misunderstood. Brother Branham said, “But now, that the Seals are opened, the Spirit of truth directs us to the Word. That explains why all the mistakes have been down through the ages because the Seals were not opened. This was not revealed. It’s true.” (Vol. 3B, pg. 92).

Brother Branham used the term “polygamy” a number of times, especially in his sermon “Marriage and divorce” (February 21^st, 1965), pointing to the Old Testament. He most certainly did not intend to establish a harem for the brethren. Without giving a reason, God said in the law, “If he take him an other wife …” — not many wives (Ex. 21:10). In that case the man had to take full responsibility for both of them. God even gave advice about the birthright of the firstborn in such a case (Dt. 21:15-17).

The Apostle Paul clearly writes that every man should have his wife and every wife her husband (1. Cor. 7). Brother Branham, in essence, only meant to point out that the woman was created for the man and not the other way around (1. Cor. 11:9). That is the reason why the man is allowed to remarry after a divorce without becoming guilty towards his ex-wife. However, if the wife remarries she is then living in adultery, because she is bound by God’s law to her vow for as long as he lives (Rom. 7:2; 1. Cor. 7:39). That is what was revealed to Brother Branham from the same supernatural, amber-coloured cloud which was also present at the opening of the Seals. These words came from his lips, “Notice, it’s stated that he cannot remarry, only a virgin. He can remarry, he can marry — he can marry again if it is a virgin; but he cannot marry somebody else’s wife. No indeed, and if he does marry a divorced woman he is living in adultery … Notice, he can, but she can‘t. Like David, like Solomon, like the continuity of the whole Bible …” The difference becomes evident! “… she must remain single or be reconciled back to her husband (1. Cor. 7). She cannot remarry. She must remain single. But notice, he never said about the man. See, you can’t make the Word lie.” (Vol. 3B, pg. 91).

Everybody should understand it perfectly on account of the clarification Brother Branham gave after receiving the direct answer to the problem of marriage and divorce. This scriptural revelation is completely different from the inherited traditional thinking and what is being taught in the denominations. All those who claim that they already knew everything about this important subject must be told that God cannot even speak to such a person. This matter was so important to God that He appeared personally in the supernatural cloud to give the final revelation to His servant and prophet. All who rightfully claim to believe the message of the hour will respect that.