Time is moving on so swiftly. Another year has become history. It is now twenty years since Brother Branham was taken to be with the Lord on December 24th, 1965. In May 1986 it will be forty years since the Jewish flag was hissed after 2,500 years. On the same day, the May 7th, 1946, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Brother Branham and gave him the special commission. After a two-year transition period, Israel was declared a nation on May 14th, 1948. According to eye-witnesses the Jews were singing on that day in the streets of Jerusalem, „Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth and righteousness goes before us.“

Our concern is Matthew 24:34, „Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled.“ Because this verse was so much emphasized as to be a period of time, it is necessary to give a brief clarification. The word «generation» is not in connection with a space of time at all. According to Webster it goes back to the genealogies and derives from the word «generatus» which means «to beget», «to be born of», and also to the word «genus» which means «offspring», «race». This is very important. A practical example should illustrate the significance of this word. The grandparents are one generation, the parents the other, their children the next, and the grandchildren would simply be the fourth generation. How such generations differ in time, we shall show forth from the Word of God itself.

In Matthew 1:17 we read, „Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations.“ If you look at the timetable, there is a space of approximately 1,000 years; divided by fourteen comes to about 70 years to one generation. „Then from David to the Babylonian captivity were again fourteen generations“ – but only approximately 400 years; divided by 14 comes to about 28 years. Thirdly, „from the Babylonian captivity to Christ“ approximately 600 years; divided by fourteen comes to about 42 years for a generation. Anybody can check the time allotted to the fourteen-generation period of the three mentioned eras.

This one verse in the Scriptures should teach us the profound lesson, that «generation» in the English Bible does not speak of a certain number of years, as it is now commonly viewed. The American College Dictionary suggests 30 years, the German states 33 years. Bible scholars take the forty-year period of Israel's journey through the wilderness to be the space of one generation. So it was, but it does not need to be so again. From Abraham to David one generation came to 70 years. So it was, but it does not need to be again. From David to the Babylonian captivity one generation was about 28 years. So it was, but it does not need to be so again etc. Whatever the time space may be, that word simply means «race». It has to do with genealogies. Our children make the next generation, and theirs the following, etc.

The Lord was talking to the Jews, He assured them that their offsprings, their children, their race would survive. All the terrible persecutions, even the gas-chambers could not eradicate them. They are now back in their homeland, and God will have His way with them according to His promise. The word «generation» is only in the English Bible. Not one time is it found in the German, the Russian or other languages. The use in Bible days was not in the same sense as today, as we have seen. This is confirmed in Gen. 5: 1. There we read, „The generations of Adam are...“ In Gen. 6:9 it says „Noah and his generations are...“ In Gen. 11:10 it states, „The generations of Shem are...“ In Gen. 17:7, „Their generations are...“ In I Chronicles 1:29, „These are the generations...“ Everyone can read those places and find out that the context this word was used in pertained to the genealogies and not once to a forty-year period.

Because this word in Matthew 24:34 was emphasized as a forty-year time space, some have fixed the dates, believing the last generation started in May '46. Others count from May '48, when Israel became a nation. But they apply the Scripture that the time would be shortened for the elect's sake and therefore arrive at about the same time '86/'87.

As I was led to caution God's people about the years 1977 and also '83-'84, so I am doing it now again in the Name of the Lord. As stated, the word «generation» simply should read «race» as correctly found in the Lamsa translation. The English speaking world must receive this clarification. We are expecting the second coming of Christ, which could happen at any moment. At the same time nobody should dare to set a deadline by even misusing Matthew 24:34. That point should now be clear to all. We believe, the Lord could come at any time. But no one knows the space of time allotted to us. If I am here at the end of 1986, I will praise the Lord and serve Him. I would do the same in 1987, '88, '89 and '90 and so forth. We should serve God and use the time until the Lord comes. Hopefully, the believers of the end-time message would realize how necessary and important this clarification is. Just think about the tragedy, if one would need to declare the Scripture untrue, after this forty-year period passed, simply because the word «generation» was misunderstood and misapplied.

Anyone who fanatically against better knowledge from now on will insist upon a certain year, will be held responsible on the day of judgment. Should some nevertheless hold to the view of a forty-year generation period as their absolute, they might have to do away with the Scripture itself after this time elapses. Why don't we leave the time to the Eternal One? I am sure that all of God's children will be thankful for these few thoughts expressed here and will consider the matter prayerfully.

Unto this day all calculations and time settings were wrong, and so will the future ones be, including the one about the forty years. We must realize, that it is only the idea of scholars, not a prophetic or apostolic doctrine. Matthew 24:34 speaks of the Jewish race as a generation.

In spite of the translation work and the many other duties it was possible for me to undertake a number of journeys during this year. A book could be written with testimonies of what God has done. After ministering in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Syria the Lord has opened the doors around the Arabian Gulf. During my last trip through the Gulf region I heard an outstanding testimony of a professor who went to the US-library in this islamic country. To his surprise he found my brochure ONLY BELIEVE THE THUS SAITH THE LORD there. After reading it, he was convinced of the truth and invited me. In the presence of about 300 people he gave his testimony which made a tremendous impact upon all the listeners.

If we believe this message to be the final call, then it has to reach the ends of the earth for the last elect to hear it. The Lord calls His people out of all nations, languages and tribes. In all humility I can say that He has used me after Brother Branham was taken to glory to carry this message into all the world. I wish to thank all of you who have shown their love and hospitality to me while visiting your country. Please remember me in your prayers as stated by Paul in Rom. 15:30.

Throughout the year 1986 I wish you God's richest blessings.

By His commission

Bro. Frank

Time is moving on so swiftly. Another year has become history. It is now twenty years since Brother Branham was taken to be with the Lord on December 24th, 1965. In May 1986 it will be forty years since the Jewish flag was hissed after 2,500 years. On the same day, the May 7th, 1946, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Brother Branham and gave him the special commission. After a two-year transition period, Israel was declared a nation on May 14th, 1948. According to eye-witnesses the Jews were singing on that day in the streets of Jerusalem, „Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth and righteousness goes before us.“

Our concern is Matthew 24:34, „Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled.“ Because this verse was so much emphasized as to be a period of time, it is necessary to give a brief clarification. The word «generation» is not in connection with a space of time at all. According to Webster it goes back to the genealogies and derives from the word «generatus» which means «to beget», «to be born of», and also to the word «genus» which means «offspring», «race». This is very important. A practical example should illustrate the significance of this word. The grandparents are one generation, the parents the other, their children the next, and the grandchildren would simply be the fourth generation. How such generations differ in time, we shall show forth from the Word of God itself.

In Matthew 1:17 we read, „Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations.“ If you look at the timetable, there is a space of approximately 1,000 years; divided by fourteen comes to about 70 years to one generation. „Then from David to the Babylonian captivity were again fourteen generations“ – but only approximately 400 years; divided by 14 comes to about 28 years. Thirdly, „from the Babylonian captivity to Christ“ approximately 600 years; divided by fourteen comes to about 42 years for a generation. Anybody can check the time allotted to the fourteen-generation period of the three mentioned eras.

This one verse in the Scriptures should teach us the profound lesson, that «generation» in the English Bible does not speak of a certain number of years, as it is now commonly viewed. The American College Dictionary suggests 30 years, the German states 33 years. Bible scholars take the forty-year period of Israel's journey through the wilderness to be the space of one generation. So it was, but it does not need to be so again. From Abraham to David one generation came to 70 years. So it was, but it does not need to be again. From David to the Babylonian captivity one generation was about 28 years. So it was, but it does not need to be so again etc. Whatever the time space may be, that word simply means «race». It has to do with genealogies. Our children make the next generation, and theirs the following, etc.

The Lord was talking to the Jews, He assured them that their offsprings, their children, their race would survive. All the terrible persecutions, even the gas-chambers could not eradicate them. They are now back in their homeland, and God will have His way with them according to His promise. The word «generation» is only in the English Bible. Not one time is it found in the German, the Russian or other languages. The use in Bible days was not in the same sense as today, as we have seen. This is confirmed in Gen. 5: 1. There we read, „The generations of Adam are...“ In Gen. 6:9 it says „Noah and his generations are...“ In Gen. 11:10 it states, „The generations of Shem are...“ In Gen. 17:7, „Their generations are...“ In I Chronicles 1:29, „These are the generations...“ Everyone can read those places and find out that the context this word was used in pertained to the genealogies and not once to a forty-year period.

Because this word in Matthew 24:34 was emphasized as a forty-year time space, some have fixed the dates, believing the last generation started in May '46. Others count from May '48, when Israel became a nation. But they apply the Scripture that the time would be shortened for the elect's sake and therefore arrive at about the same time '86/'87.

As I was led to caution God's people about the years 1977 and also '83-'84, so I am doing it now again in the Name of the Lord. As stated, the word «generation» simply should read «race» as correctly found in the Lamsa translation. The English speaking world must receive this clarification. We are expecting the second coming of Christ, which could happen at any moment. At the same time nobody should dare to set a deadline by even misusing Matthew 24:34. That point should now be clear to all. We believe, the Lord could come at any time. But no one knows the space of time allotted to us. If I am here at the end of 1986, I will praise the Lord and serve Him. I would do the same in 1987, '88, '89 and '90 and so forth. We should serve God and use the time until the Lord comes. Hopefully, the believers of the end-time message would realize how necessary and important this clarification is. Just think about the tragedy, if one would need to declare the Scripture untrue, after this forty-year period passed, simply because the word «generation» was misunderstood and misapplied.

Anyone who fanatically against better knowledge from now on will insist upon a certain year, will be held responsible on the day of judgment. Should some nevertheless hold to the view of a forty-year generation period as their absolute, they might have to do away with the Scripture itself after this time elapses. Why don't we leave the time to the Eternal One? I am sure that all of God's children will be thankful for these few thoughts expressed here and will consider the matter prayerfully.

Unto this day all calculations and time settings were wrong, and so will the future ones be, including the one about the forty years. We must realize, that it is only the idea of scholars, not a prophetic or apostolic doctrine. Matthew 24:34 speaks of the Jewish race as a generation.

In spite of the translation work and the many other duties it was possible for me to undertake a number of journeys during this year. A book could be written with testimonies of what God has done. After ministering in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Syria the Lord has opened the doors around the Arabian Gulf. During my last trip through the Gulf region I heard an outstanding testimony of a professor who went to the US-library in this islamic country. To his surprise he found my brochure ONLY BELIEVE THE THUS SAITH THE LORD there. After reading it, he was convinced of the truth and invited me. In the presence of about 300 people he gave his testimony which made a tremendous impact upon all the listeners.

If we believe this message to be the final call, then it has to reach the ends of the earth for the last elect to hear it. The Lord calls His people out of all nations, languages and tribes. In all humility I can say that He has used me after Brother Branham was taken to glory to carry this message into all the world. I wish to thank all of you who have shown their love and hospitality to me while visiting your country. Please remember me in your prayers as stated by Paul in Rom. 15:30.

Throughout the year 1986 I wish you God's richest blessings.

By His commission

 Bro. Frank