THE TIME IS AT HAND
“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.” (Rev. 10:1-3)
Let us bear in mind that according to this Scripture, the seven thunders utter their voices when Lord Jesus Christ sets His feet upon this earth. This cannot take place before He has met His Bride in the air for the rapture. The Scripture cannot be broken, neither can it be misplaced. We are told by the great Apostle, “… 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.” (2 Tim. 4:3–4)
We can only preach the written Word of God. Unless something is written and is part of God’s holy Word, it cannot be preached. At the beginning of the Book of Revelation we are told, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Dear Friend! We are not held responsible for the things that are not written, neither are we asked to read that which is not written, the blessing is pronounced upon those who read, hear and keep those things which are written. Because Revelation 10:7 is frequently used in reference to the last Church Age messenger, it seems to have been taken for granted that verses 1–6 are in the same connection.
If we take a close look at the Word of God, we can see that there are two sets of ‘seven angels’. The first group: The seven stars in the right hand of the Lord, the seven messengers to the seven Churches – the Gentile dispensation. The second group: “And I saw seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets”. Just as the mystery of God is finished under the sounding of the last angel-messenger with the Bride of Christ, so the mystery of Christ with the Jews will be finished at the announcement of the seventh angel blowing the seventh trumpet according to Revelation 11:15.
We understand that a prophetic Scripture can have a two-fold application. Paul, with his prophetic insight gave the challenge, when he described the latter days, wherein people would not endure sound doctrine and heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, turning away from the Truth unto fables.
Never before have the tactics of the enemy been as shrewd and his craftiness so cunningly concealed as in these days. As in the Garden of Eden, so does he stir up a curiosity in the heart of many a sincere Christian today. Adam and Eve enjoyed the blessings of God, but were forbidden to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then the serpent persuaded Eve to get away from behind her only defence and protection, the ‘Spoken Word’. So is it today. God has revealed all of His Word that we are to know. If we only strive to have our lives measure up to what has been revealed, we could be sure to make it. The enemy, however, is doing his utmost to lure some away to the tree of knowledge.
John was forbidden to write what the seven thunders uttered. Bro. Branham was not permitted to speak about them, but what is Satan doing? He gets behind the pulpit and causes precious people to be led astray. Dear Friend, can’t you see the trail of the serpent which can be traced from Genesis to the end, hiding under the interpretation of the original Word? Oh, it sounds good! But unless the enemy is exposed and his tricks are brought to light, he will do great damage. At no other time has there been division to such an extent, where preachers give the impression or even threaten their congregation unless they accept their new revelation, they would not be in the rapture.
Currently, a new doctrine, “The Revelation of the Seven Thunders” is being propagated, causing division amongst God’s people. I am not attacking anyone’s ministry, I love my brethren with all my heart, but I owe it to the Lord to take all things back to His Word. Various scripture passages and quotes are misused to back their new teaching.
These brethren claim that the purpose of the ‘Revelation of the Seven Thunders’ is now accomplished to call the Bride of Jesus Christ together and give her rapturing faith. The scriptural text to support their theory is found in 2 Peter 1, “… Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 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.”
These seven virtues are declared to be the seven thunders coming forth from our lives. May I ask here: How can these seven virtues be mysteries? Aren’t they plainly identified? Haven’t they been the portion of all true believers, through whom the characteristics of Jesus Christ were revealed?
Bro. Branham used the text from 2. Peter 1 in his sermon entitled THE STATURE OF A PERFECT MAN. Why didn’t he give any thought or hint that these seven virtues are to be thundered out from our lives? How can anyone take the same Scripture and make it say something it doesn’t say? Why play with words? Let us take heed to the serious admonition Peter gives, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (vs. 10)
Let us turn to the Book of Revelation, where the Scripture speaks of ‘thunders’ on at least seven different occasions. The first one is found in chapter 4, “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundering and voices…”
During the Seven Church Ages, the Lord was seen walking amidst the seven golden candlesticks, but here He is shown on the throne. Lightnings, voices and thunders speak of judgement – the mercy-seat will turn into the judgement-seat.
The second time thundering is spoken of is found in chapter 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.”
We fully understand that seven thunders accompanied the opening of the Seven Seals to draw the attention to the revelation thereof. A thunder, in such a case, speaks of the voice of God. But the seven thunders of Revelation 10 utter their voices in a completely different connection at a later time.
Chapter 8 also records a thundering. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Rev. 8:3–5)
This can only take place during the time of the great tribulation. Without doubt, the saints spoken of here are the Jews saved under the ministry of the two prophets.
Let us read the text in question “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 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 forever 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.” (Rev. 10:1-6)
Bro. Branham’s statement is very enlightening:
“Let’s turn to Revelation 10 just a moment, so you’ll get an understanding before we get into it. Now, this is at the end-time, for listen: And I saw another mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon His head… If you’ll notice, that’s Christ, because He in the Old Testament was called the Angel of the Covenant, and HE’s a Messenger to Israel. The Church has been raptured. Now… fixing to be raptured.”
At the time the Angel of Revelation 10 sets His feet upon the land and the sea, the seven thunders utter their voices, and not before. The announcement is being made, that time shall be no more. The Gentile dispensation ends and God turns His face in favour towards the Jews.
The voices spoke whatever will take place at that time, but because it is not written, it cannot be preached. We have to be silent, where the Bible is silent, and speak where the Scripture speaks.
The fifth time thundering is mentioned is in Revelation 11:19, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
This also indicates that it will take place during the time of the great tribulation.
The sixth and seventh time is in connection with the singing and rejoicing of the Redeemed. (Rev. 14:2–3 & 19:6) Please note that the Bride is at the wedding-supper at that time.
Now let us take a look at Revelation 10 once again in order to see the scriptural application, wherein those seven consecutive thunders utter their voices. We realise that it is Christ, the Angel of the Covenant, coming down from heaven. Neither the four living creatures, nor the twenty-four elders or any angels accompany the event. As Joseph in the Old Testament was all alone when he made himself known to his brethren, so will Christ make Himself known to His brethren, the Jews. Nor one time is the Lord spoken of as the ‘Angel’ in regard to the New Testament Church or the Bride, but only in connection with the Jews. The Jews are God’s covenant people. (Rom. 9:4) When the Lord came down to speak to the children of Israel, the Scripture speaks of thundering and lightnings and about the “voice of the trumpet” (Ex. 19:16 & 20:18).
Dear reader, can you see that the Lord will come down as the ‘Angel’ or the ‘Messenger of the covenant’ after the rapture of the Bride? She will meet Him in the air, “… 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.” (1 Thess. 4)
The rainbow above His head speaks of the covenant itself. God spoke to Noah and his sons, “And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you … And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations; I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of the covenant between Me and the earth … And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant…”
In the old Testament, the Lord appeared in the visible form of an Angel. Therefore He was called the ‘Angel of the Covenant’. That is how He appeared to the prophets and spoke to Moses on the mountain. “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the ‘Angel’ which spake to him in Mount Sinai…” (Acts 7:38)
Jacob wrestled with God, he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. (Hos. 12)
When He appears on earth as the Angel of the Covenant, the seven thunders utter their voices. He then announces, ‘Time shall be no more!’ In Revelation 5 we read of the sealed book that was opened and all that pertained to the times of the Gentiles was made known unto us, but when He appears in Revelation 10, He comes down with the open book in His hand. It is apparent that a part in the book is for the Bride and another for the Jews.
Any prophetic subject has its roots in the Old Testament. The Prophet Daniel obviously speaks of the same event. “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen ... when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for time, times and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Dan. 12)
Without a shadow of a doubt, Daniel spoke in reference to the Jews, his people. Please note the similarity between these two scriptures! “… 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… that there should be time no longer.”
The prophet Daniel speaks of a 3 ½ year period as a time, times and a half. This is being confirmed on different occasions. Such a definite space is never allotted to the Gentile Church or Bride at any time, so this can only refer to the Jews.
For further study, let us briefly look at the seals. We understand that the first four seals parallel the seven church ages and are announced by one of the four living creatures. The 24 elders and the four living creatures are shown before the throne. They are connected with the Church. The four horse riders in the first four seals, shown on a white, followed by red, black and pale horse, (the same rider on the different horses) is the anti-Christ in his four stages. Each colour marks an epoch. It began very innocently as a doctrine, but with the intention to conquer. Then it was crowned in the false prophet, who heads the anti-Christ system.
After the wedding supper, Christ is shown as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and on His head are many crowns (Rev. 19). After the marriage supper, He is shown coming down to tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God. His enemies are destroyed and His Kingdom established.
The fifth seal deals with the Jews and is partly fulfilled already – the rest will be during the persecution period. The sixth seal speaks of the great tribulation and descries the things taking place then. If you’ll notice, some events of seals either run parallel or overlap.
The seventh seal is the end of all things. If anyone wishes to know what the sixth seal is all about, he cannot only read the first part of chapter 6:12, but must also take the following verses into consideration. The same applies to the other seals.
If you’ll read the sixth seal closely, you will realise that the trumpets sounds under that seal, and the vials are poured out during the sixth trumpet. Revelation 10 is an interval between the sixth and the seventh trumpet and Revelation 7 is an interval between the sixth and seventh seal. All things run in perfect continuity and perfect order.
Just rest assured! All things will take place as God has ordained them. His Word infallibly declares that the seven thunders of Revelation 10 are not written. No one knows what the voices uttered, but we can be certain that all will come to pass. God has all things in His hands. There is no promise in God’s Word for anyone to ever get the revelation of the seven thunders. I feel a deep sadness in my heart, for it appears to me that the so-called ‘Revelation of the Seven Thunders’ is a rather pathetic human attempt to bring down a revival. Why not wait until God does it in His time?
Wasn’t Bro. Branham under the impression that he was to preach the trumpets, the vials etc., until the Holy Spirit told him that these things were not even profitable for the Bride, as they dealt with the time allotted to the Jews? Our aim should be to get hold of the things that pertain to us.
I must emphasise Rev. 22:18 & 19 once again, “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 his 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.”
We are not to preach unwritten speculations. The stimulation caused by false revelation will only lead to a terrible disappointment. I don’t mean to dart at any brother, but let me give you an example. The announcements of Rev. C., now heading the new teaching of the so-called revelation of the seven thunders, have not come to pass. The attention has been focused towards New York instead of heaven. Some are already disappointed and feel cheated. We are all waiting for the rapture and we’re sure that God will fulfil every promise He made. I fully believe there will be revival for the Bride, but why should we encroach upon God’s time and get ahead of Him? If we try to do that, we’re sure to stagger into something that does not coincide with His Word. God has a definite plan and will not consider what we think or say.
This is exactly what has happened with some of the predictions made during the summer of 1976 in Europe, the USA and Canada, about the pope coming to Philadelphia for the great celebration. I quote:
“… Revelation 8:1 – the space of about ½ hour silence. A half hour in heaven. One day in heaven – a thousand years on earth. A half hour in heaven – about 1/48th of a day. Amen! Any mathematician can figure that out. That would be about twenty years ten months … So we see, August this year the Roman pope is to come to Philadelphia, so we understand. He is to have communion here with 300,000 people, raise a platform 45ft. in the air, come out of a special place called the ‘spectrum’. Come into J.K Stadium here. Big thing they’re going to have down here. Strange that W. Branham’s tent vision, so we understand, was given about November 1955 sometime. Twenty years from Nov. 1955 to Nov. 1975 are twenty years. December 1975 – twenty years, one month. January 1976 to August ’76 – eight months. About twenty years, nine months. Then what hour is it?”
How carnal can you get? God’s Word explicitly states that the ‘half hour silence’ is in connection with the seventh seal. Such calculation is incredible. No Apostle or Prophet has ever done it and to bring it in connection with the pope is absurd. The folly is already made known.
The brother continues:
“God knew when the pope would come here.”
What now? God suddenly change His mind? The pope did not even go to America.
“And that’s why he said them seven thunders, if the devil could get a hold of it, he could do great damage.”
May I ask you now: Did the Devil get a hold of the thunder mystery now, or who did he get a hold of?
Months ago, this brother made another prediction in regard to the two visions Bro. Branham had that are still outstanding:
“Just think of it, in the next few months, these two visions will come to pass! Thus Saith the Lord!”
A time element was given – a few months have come and gone! Dear friend, you judge for yourself.
“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 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.” (Deut. 18: 21-22)
All respects to the brother, but light has to be separated from darkness. If something is not written, it’s best to leave it alone, rather than read anything into it. We cannot play with the final words of our Lord in Revelation 22. Any reading between the lines, any adding to or taking away will bring God’s judgements down.
Why is it that those claiming one should only say what the prophet said, are saying many things he did not say. Yes, you frequently hear them shout, “Malachi 4 said so! The prophet said!”, but strangely enough, one can’t help but think, “Where did the prophet say that? Where is it written?” Have we not read what Bro. Branham stressed:
“Where do all these things come from that I’ve showed you? Where are they from? … Here they are. They are in the Word of God. They are ‘Thus Saith the Lord!’ His promise … all of you bear me record, witness this – that my commission is, ‘Stay with the Word.’ … What’s the matter with all of you? Can’t you understand the Word? You must understand it” (BLASPHEMOUS NAMES 1962-11-04M)
There is no in-between. As those who are inspired by the Holy Spirit will remain with the Word, so will the others be motivated by a strange spirit that brings about stimulation by interpretation, if you get away from the written Word of God. The terrible tragedy is that if a brother comes under such wrong influence, he seldom returns to the Truth again. His pride will cause him to fall from one delusion into another and he will become a victim of circumstances because of his desire for recognition. One cannot even go by healings, miracles or other signs attributed to such a ministry as a confirmation of that individual.
Dear friend! Let me admonish you once again. Stay with the Word and make your salvation sure with fear and trembling.
This last generation has been privileged to see and hear what prophets of old and the saints of the days gone by have longed to see. The great plan of God was bought into full view, yet there are still some things veiled in a mystery that the prophet was not permitted to speak about. Until God discloses them in His time, they will remain a total secret.
God has always given visions to His servants, either for personal guidance or of prophetic significance. These always slide right into the Word. Bro. Branham had both. He was able to say that not one of the many visions he had ever failed. Thus we can rest assured that all the things the Lord has shown to him will come to pass in the way He has ordained them. God is the only interpreter of His word and the visions He gives.
If only we had complete confidence in the Lord, we would fully trust Him to perform all things according to the plan of salvation. I have full confidence in the Lord to take care of His Word to perform it. Far be it that I should try to penetrate into the unknown; I’d rather concentrate upon the things that have been revealed, thanking God for the grace He has bestowed upon us. If someone feels he understands the tent vision, he can be sure that it is incorrect because it is a private interpretation. God alone is responsible for the fulfilment of what He has shown and said.
The same applies to the third pull. When Bro. Branham spoke about the three stages of his ministry, he classified them as the three pulls. The first two are clearly understood, but the third has become a topic of discussion and perhaps even confusion. He said:
“The first pull – healing. The second pull – prophesying. The third pull – the opening of the Word – the mysteries revealed. No more – there is no higher order to reveal the Word than prophets, but the only way the prophet can be vindicated is by the Word. And remember, the third pull was the opening of them seven seals to reveal the hidden truths that’s been sealed in the Word” (1965-07-26M)
In Sabino Canyon, the Lord told him:
“This is the third pull, and there are three great things that go with it … I better stop here, I just feel checked not to say any more about it.”
If he was led to stop there and not go any further, who are we to go beyond this? I wonder how far some are planning to go. Maybe too far. The spirit of God will always stop where the Word stops. The final things, the finishing touches in the Bride will be just before the rapture takes place and no one will be able to blow a trumpet for himself. Be sure to walk humbly in the presence of God with great expectation.
Let me adjure you to stay with the Word! John was not permitted to write anything about the seventh seal nor what the seven thunders uttered. No doubt, there is a great surprise awaiting the Bride and also the Jews, all in their allotted time. If the plain teaching of God’s holy Word and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is our theme, all other things will find their place in their season.
Bro Branham often used Old Testament types. One example he used frequently was that Joseph making himself known to his brethren paralleling Christ revealing Himself to the Jews. I quote:
“He dismissed his wife! She was in the palace when he made himself known to his brethren. And the Gentile Bride, the wife, after Jesus being rejected by His Own people, He has taken a Gentile Bride and will take Her from here to the palace to His Father’s House in Glory for the Wedding Supper and will slip back down to make Himself known to His brethren, the 144,000. There He stands! And remember, look at the symbols perfectly.” (FIRST SEAL – 1963-03-18)
While the Bride remains in the heavenly palace, Jesus Christ comes down (Rev. 10) and makes Himself known to His brethren the Jews, and they will look upon Him, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem…” (Zech. 12:10). I trust this scriptural exposition has been an eye-opener to you.
“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.” (Rev. 10:1-3)
Let us bear in mind that according to this Scripture, the seven thunders utter their voices when Lord Jesus Christ sets His feet upon this earth. This cannot take place before He has met His Bride in the air for the rapture. The Scripture cannot be broken, neither can it be misplaced. We are told by the great Apostle, “… 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.” (2 Tim. 4:3–4)
We can only preach the written Word of God. Unless something is written and is part of God’s holy Word, it cannot be preached. At the beginning of the Book of Revelation we are told, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Dear Friend! We are not held responsible for the things that are not written, neither are we asked to read that which is not written, the blessing is pronounced upon those who read, hear and keep those things which are written. Because Revelation 10:7 is frequently used in reference to the last Church Age messenger, it seems to have been taken for granted that verses 1–6 are in the same connection.
If we take a close look at the Word of God, we can see that there are two sets of ‘seven angels’. The first group: The seven stars in the right hand of the Lord, the seven messengers to the seven Churches – the Gentile dispensation. The second group: “And I saw seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets”. Just as the mystery of God is finished under the sounding of the last angel-messenger with the Bride of Christ, so the mystery of Christ with the Jews will be finished at the announcement of the seventh angel blowing the seventh trumpet according to Revelation 11:15.
We understand that a prophetic Scripture can have a two-fold application. Paul, with his prophetic insight gave the challenge, when he described the latter days, wherein people would not endure sound doctrine and heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, turning away from the Truth unto fables.
Never before have the tactics of the enemy been as shrewd and his craftiness so cunningly concealed as in these days. As in the Garden of Eden, so does he stir up a curiosity in the heart of many a sincere Christian today. Adam and Eve enjoyed the blessings of God, but were forbidden to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then the serpent persuaded Eve to get away from behind her only defence and protection, the ‘Spoken Word’. So is it today. God has revealed all of His Word that we are to know. If we only strive to have our lives measure up to what has been revealed, we could be sure to make it. The enemy, however, is doing his utmost to lure some away to the tree of knowledge.
John was forbidden to write what the seven thunders uttered. Bro. Branham was not permitted to speak about them, but what is Satan doing? He gets behind the pulpit and causes precious people to be led astray. Dear Friend, can’t you see the trail of the serpent which can be traced from Genesis to the end, hiding under the interpretation of the original Word? Oh, it sounds good! But unless the enemy is exposed and his tricks are brought to light, he will do great damage. At no other time has there been division to such an extent, where preachers give the impression or even threaten their congregation unless they accept their new revelation, they would not be in the rapture.
Currently, a new doctrine, “The Revelation of the Seven Thunders” is being propagated, causing division amongst God’s people. I am not attacking anyone’s ministry, I love my brethren with all my heart, but I owe it to the Lord to take all things back to His Word. Various scripture passages and quotes are misused to back their new teaching.
These brethren claim that the purpose of the ‘Revelation of the Seven Thunders’ is now accomplished to call the Bride of Jesus Christ together and give her rapturing faith. The scriptural text to support their theory is found in 2 Peter 1, “… Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 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.”
These seven virtues are declared to be the seven thunders coming forth from our lives. May I ask here: How can these seven virtues be mysteries? Aren’t they plainly identified? Haven’t they been the portion of all true believers, through whom the characteristics of Jesus Christ were revealed?
Bro. Branham used the text from 2. Peter 1 in his sermon entitled THE STATURE OF A PERFECT MAN. Why didn’t he give any thought or hint that these seven virtues are to be thundered out from our lives? How can anyone take the same Scripture and make it say something it doesn’t say? Why play with words? Let us take heed to the serious admonition Peter gives, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (vs. 10)
Let us turn to the Book of Revelation, where the Scripture speaks of ‘thunders’ on at least seven different occasions. The first one is found in chapter 4, “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundering and voices…”
During the Seven Church Ages, the Lord was seen walking amidst the seven golden candlesticks, but here He is shown on the throne. Lightnings, voices and thunders speak of judgement – the mercy-seat will turn into the judgement-seat.
The second time thundering is spoken of is found in chapter 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.”
We fully understand that seven thunders accompanied the opening of the Seven Seals to draw the attention to the revelation thereof. A thunder, in such a case, speaks of the voice of God. But the seven thunders of Revelation 10 utter their voices in a completely different connection at a later time.
Chapter 8 also records a thundering. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Rev. 8:3–5)
This can only take place during the time of the great tribulation. Without doubt, the saints spoken of here are the Jews saved under the ministry of the two prophets.
Let us read the text in question “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 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 forever 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.” (Rev. 10:1-6)
Bro. Branham’s statement is very enlightening:
“Let’s turn to Revelation 10 just a moment, so you’ll get an understanding before we get into it. Now, this is at the end-time, for listen: And I saw another mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon His head… If you’ll notice, that’s Christ, because He in the Old Testament was called the Angel of the Covenant, and HE’s a Messenger to Israel. The Church has been raptured. Now… fixing to be raptured.”
At the time the Angel of Revelation 10 sets His feet upon the land and the sea, the seven thunders utter their voices, and not before. The announcement is being made, that time shall be no more. The Gentile dispensation ends and God turns His face in favour towards the Jews.
The voices spoke whatever will take place at that time, but because it is not written, it cannot be preached. We have to be silent, where the Bible is silent, and speak where the Scripture speaks.
The fifth time thundering is mentioned is in Revelation 11:19, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
This also indicates that it will take place during the time of the great tribulation.
The sixth and seventh time is in connection with the singing and rejoicing of the Redeemed. (Rev. 14:2–3 & 19:6) Please note that the Bride is at the wedding-supper at that time.
Now let us take a look at Revelation 10 once again in order to see the scriptural application, wherein those seven consecutive thunders utter their voices. We realise that it is Christ, the Angel of the Covenant, coming down from heaven. Neither the four living creatures, nor the twenty-four elders or any angels accompany the event. As Joseph in the Old Testament was all alone when he made himself known to his brethren, so will Christ make Himself known to His brethren, the Jews. Nor one time is the Lord spoken of as the ‘Angel’ in regard to the New Testament Church or the Bride, but only in connection with the Jews. The Jews are God’s covenant people. (Rom. 9:4) When the Lord came down to speak to the children of Israel, the Scripture speaks of thundering and lightnings and about the “voice of the trumpet” (Ex. 19:16 & 20:18).
Dear reader, can you see that the Lord will come down as the ‘Angel’ or the ‘Messenger of the covenant’ after the rapture of the Bride? She will meet Him in the air, “… 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.” (1 Thess. 4)
The rainbow above His head speaks of the covenant itself. God spoke to Noah and his sons, “And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you … And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations; I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of the covenant between Me and the earth … And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant…”
In the old Testament, the Lord appeared in the visible form of an Angel. Therefore He was called the ‘Angel of the Covenant’. That is how He appeared to the prophets and spoke to Moses on the mountain. “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the ‘Angel’ which spake to him in Mount Sinai…” (Acts 7:38)
Jacob wrestled with God, he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. (Hos. 12)
When He appears on earth as the Angel of the Covenant, the seven thunders utter their voices. He then announces, ‘Time shall be no more!’ In Revelation 5 we read of the sealed book that was opened and all that pertained to the times of the Gentiles was made known unto us, but when He appears in Revelation 10, He comes down with the open book in His hand. It is apparent that a part in the book is for the Bride and another for the Jews.
Any prophetic subject has its roots in the Old Testament. The Prophet Daniel obviously speaks of the same event. “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen ... when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for time, times and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Dan. 12)
Without a shadow of a doubt, Daniel spoke in reference to the Jews, his people. Please note the similarity between these two scriptures! “… 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… that there should be time no longer.”
The prophet Daniel speaks of a 3 ½ year period as a time, times and a half. This is being confirmed on different occasions. Such a definite space is never allotted to the Gentile Church or Bride at any time, so this can only refer to the Jews.
For further study, let us briefly look at the seals. We understand that the first four seals parallel the seven church ages and are announced by one of the four living creatures. The 24 elders and the four living creatures are shown before the throne. They are connected with the Church. The four horse riders in the first four seals, shown on a white, followed by red, black and pale horse, (the same rider on the different horses) is the anti-Christ in his four stages. Each colour marks an epoch. It began very innocently as a doctrine, but with the intention to conquer. Then it was crowned in the false prophet, who heads the anti-Christ system.
After the wedding supper, Christ is shown as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and on His head are many crowns (Rev. 19). After the marriage supper, He is shown coming down to tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God. His enemies are destroyed and His Kingdom established.
The fifth seal deals with the Jews and is partly fulfilled already – the rest will be during the persecution period. The sixth seal speaks of the great tribulation and descries the things taking place then. If you’ll notice, some events of seals either run parallel or overlap.
The seventh seal is the end of all things. If anyone wishes to know what the sixth seal is all about, he cannot only read the first part of chapter 6:12, but must also take the following verses into consideration. The same applies to the other seals.
If you’ll read the sixth seal closely, you will realise that the trumpets sounds under that seal, and the vials are poured out during the sixth trumpet. Revelation 10 is an interval between the sixth and the seventh trumpet and Revelation 7 is an interval between the sixth and seventh seal. All things run in perfect continuity and perfect order.
Just rest assured! All things will take place as God has ordained them. His Word infallibly declares that the seven thunders of Revelation 10 are not written. No one knows what the voices uttered, but we can be certain that all will come to pass. God has all things in His hands. There is no promise in God’s Word for anyone to ever get the revelation of the seven thunders. I feel a deep sadness in my heart, for it appears to me that the so-called ‘Revelation of the Seven Thunders’ is a rather pathetic human attempt to bring down a revival. Why not wait until God does it in His time?
Wasn’t Bro. Branham under the impression that he was to preach the trumpets, the vials etc., until the Holy Spirit told him that these things were not even profitable for the Bride, as they dealt with the time allotted to the Jews? Our aim should be to get hold of the things that pertain to us.
I must emphasise Rev. 22:18 & 19 once again, “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 his 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.”
We are not to preach unwritten speculations. The stimulation caused by false revelation will only lead to a terrible disappointment. I don’t mean to dart at any brother, but let me give you an example. The announcements of Rev. C., now heading the new teaching of the so-called revelation of the seven thunders, have not come to pass. The attention has been focused towards New York instead of heaven. Some are already disappointed and feel cheated. We are all waiting for the rapture and we’re sure that God will fulfil every promise He made. I fully believe there will be revival for the Bride, but why should we encroach upon God’s time and get ahead of Him? If we try to do that, we’re sure to stagger into something that does not coincide with His Word. God has a definite plan and will not consider what we think or say.
This is exactly what has happened with some of the predictions made during the summer of 1976 in Europe, the USA and Canada, about the pope coming to Philadelphia for the great celebration. I quote:
“… Revelation 8:1 – the space of about ½ hour silence. A half hour in heaven. One day in heaven – a thousand years on earth. A half hour in heaven – about 1/48th of a day. Amen! Any mathematician can figure that out. That would be about twenty years ten months … So we see, August this year the Roman pope is to come to Philadelphia, so we understand. He is to have communion here with 300,000 people, raise a platform 45ft. in the air, come out of a special place called the ‘spectrum’. Come into J.K Stadium here. Big thing they’re going to have down here. Strange that W. Branham’s tent vision, so we understand, was given about November 1955 sometime. Twenty years from Nov. 1955 to Nov. 1975 are twenty years. December 1975 – twenty years, one month. January 1976 to August ’76 – eight months. About twenty years, nine months. Then what hour is it?”
How carnal can you get? God’s Word explicitly states that the ‘half hour silence’ is in connection with the seventh seal. Such calculation is incredible. No Apostle or Prophet has ever done it and to bring it in connection with the pope is absurd. The folly is already made known.
The brother continues:
“God knew when the pope would come here.”
What now? God suddenly change His mind? The pope did not even go to America.
“And that’s why he said them seven thunders, if the devil could get a hold of it, he could do great damage.”
May I ask you now: Did the Devil get a hold of the thunder mystery now, or who did he get a hold of?
Months ago, this brother made another prediction in regard to the two visions Bro. Branham had that are still outstanding:
“Just think of it, in the next few months, these two visions will come to pass! Thus Saith the Lord!”
A time element was given – a few months have come and gone! Dear friend, you judge for yourself.
“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 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.” (Deut. 18: 21-22)
All respects to the brother, but light has to be separated from darkness. If something is not written, it’s best to leave it alone, rather than read anything into it. We cannot play with the final words of our Lord in Revelation 22. Any reading between the lines, any adding to or taking away will bring God’s judgements down.
Why is it that those claiming one should only say what the prophet said, are saying many things he did not say. Yes, you frequently hear them shout, “Malachi 4 said so! The prophet said!”, but strangely enough, one can’t help but think, “Where did the prophet say that? Where is it written?” Have we not read what Bro. Branham stressed:
“Where do all these things come from that I’ve showed you? Where are they from? … Here they are. They are in the Word of God. They are ‘Thus Saith the Lord!’ His promise … all of you bear me record, witness this – that my commission is, ‘Stay with the Word.’ … What’s the matter with all of you? Can’t you understand the Word? You must understand it” (BLASPHEMOUS NAMES 1962-11-04M)
There is no in-between. As those who are inspired by the Holy Spirit will remain with the Word, so will the others be motivated by a strange spirit that brings about stimulation by interpretation, if you get away from the written Word of God. The terrible tragedy is that if a brother comes under such wrong influence, he seldom returns to the Truth again. His pride will cause him to fall from one delusion into another and he will become a victim of circumstances because of his desire for recognition. One cannot even go by healings, miracles or other signs attributed to such a ministry as a confirmation of that individual.
Dear friend! Let me admonish you once again. Stay with the Word and make your salvation sure with fear and trembling.
This last generation has been privileged to see and hear what prophets of old and the saints of the days gone by have longed to see. The great plan of God was bought into full view, yet there are still some things veiled in a mystery that the prophet was not permitted to speak about. Until God discloses them in His time, they will remain a total secret.
God has always given visions to His servants, either for personal guidance or of prophetic significance. These always slide right into the Word. Bro. Branham had both. He was able to say that not one of the many visions he had ever failed. Thus we can rest assured that all the things the Lord has shown to him will come to pass in the way He has ordained them. God is the only interpreter of His word and the visions He gives.
If only we had complete confidence in the Lord, we would fully trust Him to perform all things according to the plan of salvation. I have full confidence in the Lord to take care of His Word to perform it. Far be it that I should try to penetrate into the unknown; I’d rather concentrate upon the things that have been revealed, thanking God for the grace He has bestowed upon us. If someone feels he understands the tent vision, he can be sure that it is incorrect because it is a private interpretation. God alone is responsible for the fulfilment of what He has shown and said.
The same applies to the third pull. When Bro. Branham spoke about the three stages of his ministry, he classified them as the three pulls. The first two are clearly understood, but the third has become a topic of discussion and perhaps even confusion. He said:
“The first pull – healing. The second pull – prophesying. The third pull – the opening of the Word – the mysteries revealed. No more – there is no higher order to reveal the Word than prophets, but the only way the prophet can be vindicated is by the Word. And remember, the third pull was the opening of them seven seals to reveal the hidden truths that’s been sealed in the Word” (1965-07-26M)
In Sabino Canyon, the Lord told him:
“This is the third pull, and there are three great things that go with it … I better stop here, I just feel checked not to say any more about it.”
If he was led to stop there and not go any further, who are we to go beyond this? I wonder how far some are planning to go. Maybe too far. The spirit of God will always stop where the Word stops. The final things, the finishing touches in the Bride will be just before the rapture takes place and no one will be able to blow a trumpet for himself. Be sure to walk humbly in the presence of God with great expectation.
Let me adjure you to stay with the Word! John was not permitted to write anything about the seventh seal nor what the seven thunders uttered. No doubt, there is a great surprise awaiting the Bride and also the Jews, all in their allotted time. If the plain teaching of God’s holy Word and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is our theme, all other things will find their place in their season.
Bro Branham often used Old Testament types. One example he used frequently was that Joseph making himself known to his brethren paralleling Christ revealing Himself to the Jews. I quote:
“He dismissed his wife! She was in the palace when he made himself known to his brethren. And the Gentile Bride, the wife, after Jesus being rejected by His Own people, He has taken a Gentile Bride and will take Her from here to the palace to His Father’s House in Glory for the Wedding Supper and will slip back down to make Himself known to His brethren, the 144,000. There He stands! And remember, look at the symbols perfectly.” (FIRST SEAL – 1963-03-18)
While the Bride remains in the heavenly palace, Jesus Christ comes down (Rev. 10) and makes Himself known to His brethren the Jews, and they will look upon Him, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem…” (Zech. 12:10). I trust this scriptural exposition has been an eye-opener to you.