“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2. Cor. 4:5).

This statement by the apostle is very clear. We also do not preach ourselves or any prophet. In the light of the revealed Word, we preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Just like the scribes in Judaism, the pagan church fathers in the course of history have misunderstood Scriptures, placed them in the incorrect order, and have given their own interpretations thereof. Subsequently, there is nothing in today’s so-called Christianity that corresponds with the original teaching and practice of the original Church. That particular matter has been addressed comprehensively in previous publications.

Especially tragic is the fact that the same thing has happened within the so-called end-time message. After two thousand years, God has sent a man in our time to share with us the whole counsel of God. The same yardstick by which we measure all the churches and non-denominational assemblies has to be applied to each of us personally within the message circles.

When there are a number of groups in the same city, and they all claim that they believe in Brother Branham’s ministry but, at the same time, are at odds with one another and are going in different directions, then it must be clear to everyone that there is something amiss. The Apostle Paul wrote each of his epistles for one local church; the seven messages in Rev. 2 and 3 were also originally addressed to one local church.

Even in his time the Apostle Peter already pointed out that there are things in the Scriptures and in the epistles of Paul, “… which are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest … unto their own destruction.” (2. Pt. 3:16).

Exactly the same thing is being done with the sermons of Brother Branham. However, he very clearly stated what one must not do with the Word, and that also applies to his sermons: “You must not misinterpret, not misplace, not dislocate.” (V. 4, pg. 425).

It is not enough to simply refer to quotes. That is only justified when someone consults the Scriptures at the same time and is able to correctly place the particular quotes into their respective biblical order in not only one place, but every Scripture dealing with the same subject. So what happens when certain brothers no longer preach from the Bible and, instead, only quote excerpts from Brother Branham’s sermons and then provide their own commentaries?

Even if Brother Branham did not express or place all things with definite clarity, there still cannot be any misunderstandings when we find our orientation in the Word. Especially in regard to the Return of Christ there are many different theories in circulation. When Scripture speaks about the “appearing of the Lord” (epiphany) or of His “coming” (Parousia), it is imperative to always look it up and verify in what context an event is mentioned.

The very first generation of true believers was already expecting the Return of Christ. Paul wrote, “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.” (1. Ths. 5:23).

He also stated, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed …” Then comes a very important statement, which lets us know that the following event is not a lengthy process, dragging on for weeks, months, or even years, but something that will take place in an instant at the very moment when the Lord returns: “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. Cor. 15:35-58). Amen!

In this context our Lord said, “But that day and hour knoweth no man …” “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mt. 24:27+36). Amen!

Whoever asserts that the Lamb of God has already left the Mercy Seat and Christ has been in the process of descending since the opening of the Seals in March 1963 has completely lost the spiritual orientation. The Lamb took the book out of the hand of Him that sat upon the throne to open the seven seals (Rev. 5:7) — not to end the time of grace!

For instance, in the sermon “The Rapture” Brother Branham referred to Mt. 25, to 1. Ths. 4, even to Jn. 11, but one must carefully verify in the Bible where the message, going forth as the wake-up call for all the living in our time, is to be placed, namely with Mt. 25. One must further distinguish and correctly place the commanding shout in connection with His coming, that is with 1. Ths. 4 and 1. Cor. 15:35-58. At first it seems that Brother Branham connected the message to the commanding shout in 1. Ths. 4, but then he was led by the Spirit of God to Mt. 25 and said, “He ordained these things to be, and He must send this. The first thing comes when He starts descending from the heaven, there’s a shout. What is it? It’s a Message to get the people together. A Message comes forth first. Now, ‘Lamp trimming time. Rise and trim your lamps.’ ” (Mt. 25). After that Brother Branham once again came back to 1. Ths. 4, to the commanding shout in view of those who died in Christ and will rise first, and drew a parallel to the loud voice our Lord used when calling Lazarus from the grave (Jn. 11:38-44).

The Scripture in Mt. 25 applies only to the currently living, not to the dead, not to the resurrection, but rather to the wise and foolish virgins who go out to meet the Bridegroom. Therefore, we read about the cry at midnight, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” (Mt. 25:6). That is the message of the hour — the last call, through which the Bride is being prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom.

In 1. Ths. 4:13 reference is made initially to those who died in Christ and who will rise first. And then the Apostle Paul emphatically addressed us, the now living, with the Word of the Lord, “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (v. 15). Why not? Because it will happen on the same day, at the same time. At that time, the Lord Himself will appear, not a message. He will descend with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise first at that very moment. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (Jn. 5:25). Then those who are living in Christ will be changed, and together we shall be taken up on the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Is there any room left for an interpretation? Can this very clear description be misunderstood? Absolutely not! Amen!

Whoever makes a distinction between appearing and coming needs to notice that both designations are used to describe the same event. In 2. Tim. 4 the Apostle Paul used a third term because there are different comings. He spoke about both, first the appearing of the Lord in connection with His Return and then also about His Kingdom, which will be established for the Millennial Reign. “… at his appearing and his kingdom …” (2. Tim. 4:1). In 2. Tim. 4:8 the apostle referred to the day of the Return of Christ once more and wrote about the crown of righteousness, “… which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Paul wanted to remain steadfast with his preaching in the eyes of the Lord and also admonished his co-worker Timothy, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1. Tim. 6:14). This verse is likewise addressed to all the brethren who are now, before the coming of the Lord, proclaiming the scriptural end-time message and giving out the spiritual food at the right time (Mt. 24:45-47).

There is a world of difference between the appearing of the Lord in the supernatural cloud on February 28, 1963, before the opening of the Seals and the actual, bodily Return of our Lord. Whenever Brother Branham was praying for the sick in his meetings, the light, the pillar of fire, came down each time. The supernatural presence of God was part of his extraordinary ministry. The personal, bodily appearing of the Lord, however, will be a reality when He returns (Acts 1:11).

The following Scriptures speak of that great event:

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:28).

“… who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time … That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1. Pt. 1:5-7).

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1. Jn. 2:28).

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1. Jn. 3:2).

“… so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Mt. 24:40-42).

Important clarification: When Brother Branham spoke about the seven thunders, he was quite often referring to the appearance of the supernatural cloud, at which time he heard seven mighty, successive thunderclaps. To clarify what he meant, he even knocked with his fist on the pulpit seven times. He reported that he then looked up and observed the supernatural cloud, wherein he saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid. Rev. 10, in contrast, talks about the seven thunders which will utter their voices (vv. 3-4) only when the Lord descends as the Angel of the Covenant to His people Israel (Seals book, pg. 72). There is no testimony in the Holy Scripture about any thunder doctrine.

Everything in connection with the ministry of Brother Branham has to be left with God. This also applies to the comparison with the ministry of John the Baptist, who brought his message and prepared the way of the Lord but did not live to see the crucifixion of the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world — the very thing he had foretold. It is incomprehensible for us that his life was ended so abruptly through his beheading, yet we know he had completed his ministry according to the plan of Salvation. It is equally difficult for us to understand why Brother Branham was so suddenly and unexpectedly taken home to glory after a car accident, but his ministry was done, and thus God’s wisdom was therein justified, once again. God does not make mistakes.

On June 11, 1933, he was told, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Christ, so you are sent with a message that will forerun the second coming of Christ.” The concern is the message that he was entrusted with, which was to forerun the second coming of Christ. We thank the Lord for preserving that message, which has now reached the ends of the earth.

The Apostle Paul expected certain things to come to pass already in his time, even the Return of Christ, but he went home to glory without witnessing their fulfilment. Brother Branham also hoped to see particular events take place in his lifetime. On October 15, 1961, he said, “I believe that we still have great Light coming on now that’ll just flood the earth one of these days for a short period, maybe just in a matter of months. But I believe that there’s great Light coming.” (Quotations, pg. 115). We believe that as well. However, Brother Branham never said that the dead would rise and then be among us for thirty to forty days.

On November 28, 1965, he said, “Why, me an old man, suffered all my life, why did He heal me now? I believe I’ll ride this trail again; I got to bring a Message.” (On the wings of a snow-white dove). At the end of his sermon about the seventh seal on March 24, 1963, he prayed, “Then, Lord, I pray that You’ll help me. I’m beginning to fade away, Lord. I know my days can’t be too many more, and I pray that You’ll help me. Let me be true, Lord, and honest and sincere that I might be able to bear the message as far as it’s ordained for me to bear. And when it comes to the time that I must lay down, when I get down to the river, and the waves begin to come in, O God, may I be able to hand this old Sword over to somebody else that’ll be honest with It, Lord, and will pack the truth.” The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).

In the sermon on January 18, 1963, Brother Branham said, “It may be my going-home time. It looks very much that way. If it is, there will rise somebody after this and take the message on. He’ll be an odd person, but he’ll rise after me that’ll take the message on. And you listen to it. As long as it’s Scripture, stay with it.” He that has ears to hear, let him hear. The message that he carries on is one hundred percent in agreement with the Holy Scripture. Amen.

We have to trust God and leave His final work unto Him (Isa. 28:21). “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Rom. 9:28). There is no need for the prophet to return or for an eighth messenger to appear — God Himself will finish His work of Redemption as He finished His work of Creation. Amen!

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2. Cor. 4:5).

This statement by the apostle is very clear. We also do not preach ourselves or any prophet. In the light of the revealed Word, we preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Just like the scribes in Judaism, the pagan church fathers in the course of history have misunderstood Scriptures, placed them in the incorrect order, and have given their own interpretations thereof. Subsequently, there is nothing in today’s so-called Christianity that corresponds with the original teaching and practice of the original Church. That particular matter has been addressed comprehensively in previous publications.

Especially tragic is the fact that the same thing has happened within the so-called end-time message. After two thousand years, God has sent a man in our time to share with us the whole counsel of God. The same yardstick by which we measure all the churches and non-denominational assemblies has to be applied to each of us personally within the message circles.

When there are a number of groups in the same city, and they all claim that they believe in Brother Branham’s ministry but, at the same time, are at odds with one another and are going in different directions, then it must be clear to everyone that there is something amiss. The Apostle Paul wrote each of his epistles for one local church; the seven messages in Rev. 2 and 3 were also originally addressed to one local church.

Even in his time the Apostle Peter already pointed out that there are things in the Scriptures and in the epistles of Paul, “… which are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest … unto their own destruction.” (2. Pt. 3:16).

Exactly the same thing is being done with the sermons of Brother Branham. However, he very clearly stated what one must not do with the Word, and that also applies to his sermons: “You must not misinterpret, not misplace, not dislocate.” (V. 4, pg. 425).

It is not enough to simply refer to quotes. That is only justified when someone consults the Scriptures at the same time and is able to correctly place the particular quotes into their respective biblical order in not only one place, but every Scripture dealing with the same subject. So what happens when certain brothers no longer preach from the Bible and, instead, only quote excerpts from Brother Branham’s sermons and then provide their own commentaries?

Even if Brother Branham did not express or place all things with definite clarity, there still cannot be any misunderstandings when we find our orientation in the Word. Especially in regard to the Return of Christ there are many different theories in circulation. When Scripture speaks about the “appearing of the Lord” (epiphany) or of His “coming” (Parousia), it is imperative to always look it up and verify in what context an event is mentioned. 

The very first generation of true believers was already expecting the Return of Christ. Paul wrote, “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.” (1. Ths. 5:23).

He also stated, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed …” Then comes a very important statement, which lets us know that the following event is not a lengthy process, dragging on for weeks, months, or even years, but something that will take place in an instant at the very moment when the Lord returns: “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. Cor. 15:35-58). Amen!

In this context our Lord said, “But that day and hour knoweth no man …” “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mt. 24:27+36). Amen!

Whoever asserts that the Lamb of God has already left the Mercy Seat and Christ has been in the process of descending since the opening of the Seals in March 1963 has completely lost the spiritual orientation. The Lamb took the book out of the hand of Him that sat upon the throne to open the seven seals (Rev. 5:7) — not to end the time of grace!

For instance, in the sermon “The Rapture” Brother Branham referred to Mt. 25, to 1. Ths. 4, even to Jn. 11, but one must carefully verify in the Bible where the message, going forth as the wake-up call for all the living in our time, is to be placed, namely with Mt. 25. One must further distinguish and correctly place the commanding shout in connection with His coming, that is with 1. Ths. 4 and 1. Cor. 15:35-58. At first it seems that Brother Branham connected the message to the commanding shout in 1. Ths. 4, but then he was led by the Spirit of God to Mt. 25 and said, “He ordained these things to be, and He must send this. The first thing comes when He starts descending from the heaven, there’s a shout. What is it? It’s a Message to get the people together. A Message comes forth first. Now, ‘Lamp trimming time. Rise and trim your lamps.’” (Mt. 25). After that Brother Branham once again came back to 1. Ths. 4, to the commanding shout in view of those who died in Christ and will rise first, and drew a parallel to the loud voice our Lord used when calling Lazarus from the grave (Jn. 11:38-44).

The Scripture in Mt. 25 applies only to the currently living, not to the dead, not to the resurrection, but rather to the wise and foolish virgins who go out to meet the Bridegroom. Therefore, we read about the cry at midnight, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” (Mt. 25:6). That is the message of the hour — the last call, through which the Bride is being prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom.

In 1. Ths. 4:13 reference is made initially to those who died in Christ and who will rise first. And then the Apostle Paul emphatically addressed us, the now living, with the Word of the Lord, “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (v. 15). Why not? Because it will happen on the same day, at the same time. At that time, the Lord Himself will appear, not a message. He will descend with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise first at that very moment. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (Jn. 5:25). Then those who are living in Christ will be changed, and together we shall be taken up on the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Is there any room left for an interpretation? Can this very clear description be misunderstood? Absolutely not! Amen!

Whoever makes a distinction between appearing and coming needs to notice that both designations are used to describe the same event. In 2. Tim. 4 the Apostle Paul used a third term because there are different comings. He spoke about both, first the appearing of the Lord in connection with His Return and then also about His Kingdom, which will be established for the Millennial Reign. “… at his appearing and his kingdom …” (2. Tim. 4:1). In 2. Tim. 4:8 the apostle referred to the day of the Return of Christ once more and wrote about the crown of righteousness, “… which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Paul wanted to remain steadfast with his preaching in the eyes of the Lord and also admonished his co-worker Timothy, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1. Tim. 6:14). This verse is likewise addressed to all the brethren who are now, before the coming of the Lord, proclaiming the scriptural end-time message and giving out the spiritual food at the right time (Mt. 24:45-47).

There is a world of difference between the appearing of the Lord in the supernatural cloud on February 28, 1963, before the opening of the Seals and the actual, bodily Return of our Lord. Whenever Brother Branham was praying for the sick in his meetings, the light, the pillar of fire, came down each time. The supernatural presence of God was part of his extraordinary ministry. The personal, bodily appearing of the Lord, however, will be a reality when He returns (Acts 1:11). 

The following Scriptures speak of that great event: 

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:28).

“… who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time … That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1. Pt. 1:5-7).

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1. Jn. 2:28).

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1. Jn. 3:2).

“… so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Mt. 24:40-42).

Important clarification: When Brother Branham spoke about the seven thunders, he was quite often referring to the appearance of the supernatural cloud, at which time he heard seven mighty, successive thunderclaps. To clarify what he meant, he even knocked with his fist on the pulpit seven times. He reported that he then looked up and observed the supernatural cloud, wherein he saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid. Rev. 10, in contrast, talks about the seven thunders which will utter their voices (vv. 3-4) only when the Lord descends as the Angel of the Covenant to His people Israel (Seals book, pg. 72). There is no testimony in the Holy Scripture about any thunder doctrine. 

Everything in connection with the ministry of Brother Branham has to be left with God. This also applies to the comparison with the ministry of John the Baptist, who brought his message and prepared the way of the Lord but did not live to see the crucifixion of the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world — the very thing he had foretold. It is incomprehensible for us that his life was ended so abruptly through his beheading, yet we know he had completed his ministry according to the plan of Salvation. It is equally difficult for us to understand why Brother Branham was so suddenly and unexpectedly taken home to glory after a car accident, but his ministry was done, and thus God’s wisdom was therein justified, once again. God does not make mistakes.

On June 11, 1933, he was told, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Christ, so you are sent with a message that will forerun the second coming of Christ.” The concern is the message that he was entrusted with, which was to forerun the second coming of Christ. We thank the Lord for preserving that message, which has now reached the ends of the earth.

The Apostle Paul expected certain things to come to pass already in his time, even the Return of Christ, but he went home to glory without witnessing their fulfilment. Brother Branham also hoped to see particular events take place in his lifetime. On October 15, 1961, he said, “I believe that we still have great Light coming on now that’ll just flood the earth one of these days for a short period, maybe just in a matter of months. But I believe that there’s great Light coming.” (Quotations, pg. 115). We believe that as well. However, Brother Branham never said that the dead would rise and then be among us for thirty to forty days.

On November 28, 1965, he said, “Why, me an old man, suffered all my life, why did He heal me now? I believe I’ll ride this trail again; I got to bring a Message.” (On the wings of a snow-white dove). At the end of his sermon about the seventh seal on March 24, 1963, he prayed, “Then, Lord, I pray that You’ll help me. I’m beginning to fade away, Lord. I know my days can’t be too many more, and I pray that You’ll help me. Let me be true, Lord, and honest and sincere that I might be able to bear the message as far as it’s ordained for me to bear. And when it comes to the time that I must lay down, when I get down to the river, and the waves begin to come in, O God, may I be able to hand this old Sword over to somebody else that’ll be honest with It, Lord, and will pack the truth.” The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).

In the sermon on January 18, 1963, Brother Branham said, “It may be my going-home time. It looks very much that way. If it is, there will rise somebody after this and take the message on. He’ll be an odd person, but he’ll rise after me that’ll take the message on. And you listen to it. As long as it’s Scripture, stay with it.” He that has ears to hear, let him hear. The message that he carries on is one hundred percent in agreement with the Holy Scripture. Amen.

We have to trust God and leave His final work unto Him (Isa. 28:21). “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Rom. 9:28). There is no need for the prophet to return or for an eighth messenger to appear — God Himself will finish His work of Redemption as He finished His work of Creation. Amen!