William Marion Branham vs. The Bible
Examine his teaching alongside the Bible and see for yourself
Jump to Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40
Mr. Branham said:
Mr. Branham also said:
The Bible Says:
God, the first creation
The first creation was God Himself; then out of God came the Logos, which was the Son of God; ("Questions and Answers on Genesis," 7/29/53; Conduct, Order, Doctrine, page 14, sermon paragraph 22)
Ed: By definition, God is self existing. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit eternally exist.
Before God was God
Before there was ever a speck of star dust; before God was God (God is an object of adoration and no one was there to worship Him, so He was at that time only potentially God.) (Seven Church Ages [Ages], page 149, 12/1965)
Ed: God does not change. He did not become God when first worshipped.
God from everlasting
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (Psalms 90:2)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
God alone is eternal
God alone is eternal, and because He lives, we live with Him. (Ages, page 135-2)
Man’s just as eternal
And man’s just as eternal as his Creator, because he was made from eternity.
("Hebrews Chapter Five And Six," 9/8/57M, 175-57)
When God created me, William Branham, I was before the foundation of the world. ("Questions And Answers [Q and A] On Genesis," 7/29/53, Conduct, Order, Doctrine [COD], page 21, sermon paragraph 61)
The eternal God
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: (Dt. 33:27)
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev. 22:13, see also Isaiah 41:4)
The high and lofty One... inhabitith eternity. (Isaiah 57:15)
Were wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4)
A virgin shall conceive
"I will give you a sign. A virgin shall be with child. A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son. That will be your sign. It will be an everlasting sign. What she brings forth will be Emmanuel, God with us."
(Ages, page 137)
About Jesus’ Birth
Mary…hatched Him
He can’t have a mother. Jesus was not even anything to Mary, but He was just…she was an incubator thathatchedHim.("Oneness," 2/11/62, Voice of the Prophet, Volume 10, sermon Number 2, [V-10, N-2], sermon page 15 sermon paragraph 79. See also sermon page 24, sermon par. 139 & 141)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14. See also Psalm 22:1-9 and Luke 1:43)
"A virgin shall conceive"
He said, "A virgin shall conceive," and she did. That doesn’tneed any interpretation. ("This Day This Scripture Is Fulfilled" 2/19/65, V-3, N-8, sermon page 9, paragraph 5[page 8-5])
About Jesus’ humanity
How could He be holy
And how could He be holy if He’d a-had a conception with Mary, and the pollen had come from Mary, the egg down through the tube into the womb? ("Oneness," 2/11/62, V-10, N-2, 39-40, 79, sermon page 15, sermon paragraph 81)
Conceived of the Holy Ghost
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20)
It was not enough for the Holy Spirit to simply give life to a human ovum supplied by Mary. That would have been sinful mankind producing a body. That would not have produced the "Last Adam." Of Him it was said "Lo a body hast Thou (Father) prepared for me." God (not Mary) provided that body. Mary was the human incubator and she carried that Holy Child and brought Him to birth. (Ages, page 336-337)
No sir
Now, the Protestant wants to believe that it was a virgin born hemoglobin, that was the created Blood of God where the germ layed, but said it was her egg. No sir! That egg cannot come down through the tube into the womb unless there be a sensation. Then you put God with a – a Spirit and having a sexual intercourse with a woman. ("Qand A,"8/30/64M, COD, page 1133-322)
Ed: This teaching contradicts biology, and Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:20; Galatians 4:4.
Made of woman
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4)
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (Hebrews 7:14)
Ed: Jesus was man of very man and God of very God. He was the fulness of Deity and perfect humanity. (Hebrews 2:14-18;4:15;Colossians 2:9)
Between thy seed and the woman’s seed
And the LORD … said unto the serpent,…(Now, He’s going to curse it.), . . . And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and the woman’s seed; and it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.("Marriage And Divorce,"2/21/1965, V-3,N-13, sermon page 31, par 5)
Ed: This is a reasonably accurate paraphrase of Genesis 3:15.
About Jesus’ victory
She doesn’t have a seed
"I’ll put enmity between your seed and the serpent’s seed." See? Now, she doesn’t have a seed. Therefore, how she got this seed was Satan’s seed. Cain was Satan’s son. She had no seed, so she received it through sexual intercourse. ("Q and A," 8/23/64, COD, pages 1132-1133)
Ed: This teaching twists and blasphemously distorts Genesis 3:15.
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, … And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:14,15)
Ed: Note how God spoke these words to the serpent.
Hell and a ceaseless punishing Eternity
To die without Christ is to go to a devil’s hell and a ceaseless punishing Eternity, but to accept Jesus Christ and to be borned again of His Spirit is Life Eternal to everyone who will believe it. ("Believest Thou This," 9/6/53, E-99)
About eternal hell
I deny that the unbeliever goes to an eternal hell
It no doubt will cause people to comment on my strange doctrine. But I stand here on the authority of the Word of God and deny that the unbeliever goes to an eternal hell and burns there eternally. (Ages, pages 133-134)
He’s in danger of eternal damnation
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. (Mark 3:29)
The heathen is designated for eternal hell
The heathen is a deaf ear, marked, designated for eternal hell, to burn in the fires of torment forever and ever. ("Mark of the Beast," 7/15/56, E-38)
Ed: 1 Timothy 2:4 says God "would have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." None are designated to be lost, unless they choose to reject God, and resist His offer of Grace.
You’d be surprised at themen that believed that
Eternal life means heaven, and eternal punishment means hell. You would be surprised at the men who have been exalted as theologians that believed that.(Ages,page135)
Ed: Mr. Branham taught that the lost will eventually be annihilated, but the Bible does not teach annihilation.
Hell fire…is not quenched
It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.(Mark 9:47-48)
Ed: This appears to be a paraphrase of Matthew 7:23: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
They come to an end; to be extinct
They may burn for a hundred million years in punishment but, finally, they have to come to an end; to be extinct, altogether.
("Questions and Answers on Hebrews, Part I," 9/25/57, COD, page 248, paragraph 230)
These shall go away into everlasting punishment
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
(Matthew 25:41,46)
I am God’s prophet
How about the lady on the stretcher there? All right lady. I want you to look this way. I want you to believe that I am God’s prophet. ("As I was with Moses, LA, CA, 5/3/51)
Every spirit in here is under my control now through Jesus Christ. That’s right. That’s true. If you’ll believe me to be God’s prophet at this time, there’ll not be a feeble one among you ("God’s Provided Way," 12/01/53)
I don’t say I’m a prophet
I have not called myself a prophet. You done that. ("Oneness," 2/11/62, V-10, N- 2, page 38, paragraph 232)
I don’t say I’m a prophet. Nobody hears me say that;
("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, page 491, paragraph 6,The Revelation of the Seven Seals, [Seals], 1981)
An uncertain sound
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Andthespiritsof theprophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(1 Corinthians 14:8, 32, 33)
In order that you might know that I am God’s prophet; you don’t belong to this church, but you do belong to a church, and that’s Christian Science. Is that right -- is that right? Yes, sir. I seen you in a Christian Science reading room; that’s the reason I knowed you belonged to it, or was there. ("God Testifying Of His Gifts," 7/13/52E, E-59)
I do not regard myself to be a prophet of the Lord
I do not regard myself to be a prophet of the Lord. I – I haven’t that honor. I believe that the Lord has used me in little special things to help maybe lay a foundation for a prophet that will come. ("Taking Sides with Jesus," 6/1/62, V-3A, N-10, sermon page 15, paragraph 2)
Such are false apostles
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Cor.11:13-15)
I take every spirit here under my control
The Angel of the Lord, which you see on the picture, is here at this platform. THUS SAITH THE LORD. And I take every spirit of every person in here, under my control for God’s glory. ("A Greater Then Solomon Is Here," 6/25/58)
If I go as a false prophet, I’ll lose my soul and yours
I’ve got to leave here. You’ve got to leave here. And if I go as a false prophet, I’ll lose my own soul and lose yours with me. ("Q & A On The Holy Ghost," 12/19/59, COD, page 437, V-4, N-5, sermon paragraph 118 )
Try the spirits whether they are of God
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
(1 John 4:1)
I never said anything I had to take back
I never preached anything in my life under inspiration I had to take back, ‘cause I don’t depend on my own understanding. ("Oneness," 2/11/62, V-10, N-2, sermon page 16-87)
1977 ought to usher in the millennium
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:7)
You shouldn’t take it ‘less you’ve wrestled it out and become part of God. ("Who Is This Melchisedec?" 2/21/65 V-1, N-13, page 497, sermon page 21-106)
On lost deity restored
Man himself is Deity
And God dwells in mankind, and man himself is Deity. Hallelujah! ("Resurrection Of Lazarus," 7/29/1951 E-37)
God dwelt with us in flesh. He wastheword. ("TheThirdSeal,"3/20/63,Seals, page 242-7)
He was Word before He was flesh. Then we become the Word. ("Who Is This Melchisedec?" 2/21/65, V-1, N-13, page 17, sermon paragraph 79, 80)
And you can no more die than God can die, because you are part of God. ("Q and A,"12/23/59, COD, N-11, page 478-47)
Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself:
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (Psalm 50:21)
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matthew 6:27)
Cain was the son of Satan
I think that Cain was the son of Satan. I know you disagree with that, my own church does.
("Questions and Answers," 1/3/54, COD page 79)
About Cain
I never said that
Would you please explain your theory that Eve conceived Cain of the devil?
I never said that; I said Eve conceived Cain of the serpent.
("Questions and Answers," 6/28/59, COD page 398-173)
Cain: the son of Adam
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. (Genesis 4:1)
Esau was a good man
Look at Esau. Esau was a good man, moral, a good church member today.
("Q and A," 12/23/59, COD page 482-59)
About Esau
That evil person Esau
And the Bible said, "Except there come some vain fornicator among you, like that evil person Esau who despised his birthright and sold it for a mess of pottage..." ("Q And A," 12/23/59, COD, page 483, sermon paragraph 61)
A profane person
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Hebrews 12:16)
You’ll never be lost with Him
If you were ever found with Him, you’ll never be lost with Him. Because God can't save you, and then turn His back on you, and turn you away. If He would, He defeats His own purpose. So He can’t do that.
("At Kadish Barnea," 5/27/56, E-23)
About eternal security
I can’t make Calvinism
I can’t make Calvinism – just believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you got eternal security— ("Q And A," 6/28/1959E, COD, page 382-98)
He is able to keep you from falling
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 1:24)
A blessed assurance
That’s right. "All that He has given will come, and none of them will be lost. I’ll give them Eternal Life and will raise him up at the last day." (St. John 6) Oh what a blessed assurance. See? Then you don’t have to go about scared to death and wondering. ("Q and A," 12/23/59, COD, page 479-51)
As long as your faith lasts
Divine healing lasts just as long as your faith lasts with it, your salvation the same. ("Queen Of Sheba," 7/10/60, E-8)
Ed: Who in the Bible lost a healing due to a faith lapse? Mr. David Cloud, who once worked as a close associate of Mr. Branham, said many people died soon after Mr. Branham told them their maladies were "healed."
See also Jn 3:36; 5:24; 10:28, 29; Ro. 8:29-39; 2 Corinthians 5:19,21; 2 Timothy 1:12;
1 Peter 1:5; I John 5:13; and Jude 1:9.)
Paul said, "I know this, that false brethren will make denominations."
Paul stood right with that Word, and said, "I know this, that there will be false brethren rise up among you. Go around and what they’ll make –denominations and everything else among you." ("The Sixth Seal," 3/23/63, Seals, pg. 427)
About denominations
God has always been against it
God never did organize a denomination. He has always been against it, and the Word is against it. ("Invisible Union of the Bride, 11/25/65, V-2B, N-15, page 21)
Ed: Paul did not condemn denominations, but false teachers who drew people away from the truth.
Grievous wolves shall enter, not sparing the flock
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30)
Ed: This warning applies to those leave Biblically sound churches to follow unsound doctrine and false prophets.
Just as good as "Father, Son, Holy Ghost."
I don’t care if you was not baptized at all, if you was baptized in the name of "the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, and the Morning Star," that wouldn’t have . . . that’d be just as good as "Father, Son, Holy Ghost." …. Now, if you’re baptized in the name of "Father, Son, Holy Ghost, . . . feel like that’s all right, amen. If it’s a good answer to God towards a good conscience to God, amen. Go right ahead, see. ("Q And A On Hebrews, Part I," 9/25/57, COD pg.254-255,par288-289)
About water baptism
Baptism using the title of Father, Son, Holy Ghost is false
You got a prophet that says you should be baptized in the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, it’s a false prophet…. THUS SAITH THE LORD, the baptism using the title of Father, Son, Holy Ghost is false. THUS SAITH THE LORD, I command every one of you here, on tape that hasn’t been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, be baptized again in the Name of Jesus Christ. ("A True Sign That’s Over-looked," 11/12/61, V-6, N-2, sermon page 29, par. 154, 157)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoeverIhave commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Now, whichever way you’re baptized, that doesn’t matter to me. ("Q and A," 5/15/54)
I command you to be baptized over again in the name of Jesus Christ if you haven’t done it. ("Q and A," 6/28/59, COD page 405-198)
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Cor. 1:14,17)
Baptized in there by the Holy Spirit
Now, how do we get in the Church? By one Spirit we are all baptized into this one Body, Body of Christ which is the Bride, the Word. Baptized in there by the Holy Spirit.
("The Rapture," 12/4/1965, V-5, N-14, page 580,sermon page 22, paragraph 103)
Ed: In the Bible, the earthly church is called "the Body of Christ," and the church in heaven is called "the Bride."
But the Bible never calls the church "the Word."
About Spirit baptism
That don’t mean one thing
"By One Spirit we are all baptized into one body." See, that isn’t when the new birth begins, the new birth begins when you believe on the Lord Jesus. ("Q And A On Hebrews, Part II," 10/2/1957, COD page 271-par. 371)
By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
Jesus and the Father was the selfsame person, … ("Q and A on the Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 520)
So, now, notice this: 144,000 – they are predestinated ones to be sealed by the Holy Ghost. Yes, sir, that’s exactly right! All right, folks. Now if there’s any… Now, if I didn’t answer it to suit you, why, maybe I could be wrong. See but it’s just to the best of my knowledge, you see. ("Questions And Answers On The Seals," 3/24/63, Q. #8, Seals, page 475)
About truth and error
Truth and error cannot mix
And if my understanding is contrary to God’s Word, then my understanding’s wrong. It’s got to be god’s Word. If it isn’t, leave it alone, it’s not right.
("Oneness," V-10, N-2, page 38, 2/11/62)
No matter how good, Truth and error cannot mix. It cannot mix. It’s either THUS SAITH THE LORD," or its wrong. ("The Fourth Seal," 3/21/63, Seals, page 324)
Not handling the word of God deceitfully
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifesta-tion of the truth commending ourselves to every man's con-science in the sight of God.(2 Cor. 4:2)
Saved without the Holy Ghost
If a person dies without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, will he be lost? No sir. ("Q & A, Image Of The Beast," 5/15/54, COD, N-4, page 198, original question)
Lost, with the Holy Ghost baptism
"I got the baptism of the Holy Ghost; I’m going to heaven." That don’t mean one thing that you’re going to heaven. No, sir. You can have the baptism of the Holy Ghost every hour in your life, and still be lost and go to hell. ("Leadership," 12/7/65,
V-7, N-7, sermon paragraph 162)
Ye are sons
But if the Spirit of hi that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by is Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(Romans 8:11)
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; (Romans 8:15-16)
Mr. Branham once said:
Only God is eternal
And there’s only one thing that cannot die and that’s God because He’s Eternal.
("The Breach," 3/17/63, The Revelation Of The Seven Seals,page 82, paragraph 1)
Ed: In obedience to God the Father, God the Eternal Son tasted death for all men. (Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 1:18)
But Mr. Branham also said:
He wasn’t even God then
In the beginning, God, the great Spirit . . . He wasn’t even God then. He was the Eternal One. "God" is an object of worship. He had nothing to worship Him. There was no angels, no nothing, just God alone. He alone is Eternal. But in order to be God, there had to be something to worship Him. ("The Easter Seal," 4/10/65, Voice of the Prophet, Vol. 2A, page 181, sermon pg. 11)
God made Eve
Now, God made Eve from Adam’s side. The woman has one more rib today in the anatomy and the makeup than man does, because a rib was taken from Adam’s body.
("Questions And Answers On Genesis," 7/29/1953, Conduct, Order, Doctrine,page 27, sermon paragraph 96)
Then Mr. Branham said:
Satan designed her
You may questionme about Satan being her designer, but that’s the truth. Satan designed her. He still does it. ("Marriage And Divorce," 2/21/65M, Voice Of the Prophet, Vol. 3, Number 13, sermon page 20, paragraph 5)
Ed: God made Eve. (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18-23) Bothmenand women havetwenty-fourribs.
Satan was co-equal with God
Ed: Mr. Branham said Satan was equal with God during the creation. But Lucifer/Satanwasnever co-equalwith God, or at God’sright hand. The Lord Jesus alone is at the Father’s right hand (Jn 17:5; Heb. 12:2).
God created the Devil
God created the Devil. God created every fallen angel there is.
("Questions and Answers in Genesis," 1/3/54, COD, page 81)
Ed: God did not directly create the Devil. Originally, everything in God’s creation was very good. (Genesis 1:31) Lucifer and a third of the angels wrongly chose to rebel against God. (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Jude 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Rev. 12: 4)
Eve was a daughter of God
Well then, Adam was a son of God. Evewas a daughter of God. ("Questions AndAnswers On The Seals," 3/24/63, The
Revelation of the Seven Seals, page477)
Made that she could be deceived
How can you miss seeing the serpent’s seed? When you see the woman, a byproduct. Not another female like her: made in that order. In order she could be deceived. ("Invisible Union Of The Bride," 11/25/65, V-2B, N-15, page 30-3)
Ed: Eve was deceived (1 Timothy 2:14) butthe Bible does not say she was made to be deceived.
The mother of Jesus Christ
If God wouldn’t have respect no more the mother of Jesus Christ, and she couldn’t get into heaven until she went up there and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and act like a drunk woman, how much more you got to have It before you get in there? ("Believest Thou This," E-52, 9/6/63)
Ed: While admitting that Mary was Jesus’ mother, Mr. Branham accused her of acting drunk at Pentecost. This same accusation was made by the mockers of Acts 2:13, but Peter corrected it and them in Acts 2:15.
Mary wasn’t His mother
And He was the Son of God, not the Son of Mary, for He never did call her mother.
"Woman," He called her, never mother. She wasn’t His mother. It was the Son of God, and God is One. Get it?
("Q And A," 8/30/64M, COD, 1133-323)
Ed: Here Mr. Branham denies Mary was Jesus’ mother. But the Bible declares Mary was Jesus’ mother (see Mt. 1:18; 2:11, 13,14, 20, 21; 13:55; Mark 3:31; Luke 1:43; 2:33-34, 43, 48, 51; John 2:1 ,3, 5,12; 19:25-26; Acts 1:14, Ps. 22:1-9, Romans 1:3;2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 22:16)
We are an organization
Now, we are an organization…. Recorded here in the – in thecourtasanorganization, a group of people that’s organized together to worship Christ ….And they can come here and disagree with everything that we preach. That’s perfectly all right…. If I said I believe in baptizing by immersing by water, and you believed in sprinkling, …. as long as you are a Christian brother or sister, you’re perfectly welcome… ("Why Are We Not A Denomination," 9/27/58, V-11, N-7, page 4-16, 17)
I don’t want an organization
I don’t want an organization; it’s against the Bible. ("Q And A," 5/15/1954)
Who ever heard of God ever dealing in an organization? Show me one time that one ever organized and ever stayed alive? ("Seed Of Discrepancy," 1/18/65, V-12,N-5 page 159, sermon page 13, paragraph 67)
Protestant denominational churches is the image of the beast
The Protestant denominational churches isthe image of the beast, because it’s denominated just exactly like Catholicism is. ("Q and A," 5/15/54e, COD, page 158-54; "Trying To Do God A Service,"11/27/65)
Ed: The ‘image of the Beast’ appears in the great tribulation (Mt. 24:21; Rev 7:14;13:14) after the church is removed to heaven. (Rev. 4:1) Mr. Branham implied that (1) his flock was the Bride; (2) the denominational churches were the foolish virgins of Matt. 25:11, and (3) the Bride would judge the foolish virgins after the millennium. ("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals page 488-889)
It’s all right to have denominations. I ain’t against that. But, see, that -- that’s what the people are… Many people say I tear down denominations; I kick them. I do not. No sir. The denominations, they’re all right. ("Identified Masterpiece Of God," 12/5/1964, E-70)
God has got children in the Catholic system; He’s got children in the Methodist system; He’s got children in the Baptist system. How many of those … all of them different systems is represented here tonight, that come out of it when you seen Light? Let’s see your hand.
("The Fourth Seal," 3/21/1963, Seals, page 331)
At first Mr. Branham said:
The eternal hell where you’ll scorch
I persuade you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come. You think it’s too far from the balcony? It’ll be a longer distance than that when you walk that road to the eternal hell where you’ll scorch… ("Uncertain Sound," paragraph 98, 4/14/61)
And you will receive an immortal body, a immortal body that cannot die, and will be cast away into outer darkness where there’ll be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. You’ll be cast into hell, where the worm never dies or fire is never quenched, and you’ll be tormented through all ages there is tocome. ("Questions And Answers,"1/3/54, Conduct, Order, Doctrine, 1973, page 113-45)
Later, Mr. Branham said:
It might be for five minutes
The Bible never says it’s Eternal, It says "everlasting" hell. Don’t say the word Eternal, it says an "everlasting hell." Now, it’s prepared for the Devil and his angels; an everlasting hell, not an eternal one. Now, after . . . That soul may be tormented there for its doings for ten million years, for all I know. I don’t know what everlasting might be in God’s sight. It might be for five minutes, it might be for a million years; it might be for ten million years, but there will come a time when that soul will cease to be. ("Smyrnaean Church Age," 12/6/60, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, page 215)
Ed: Eternal and everlasting are both translated from the same Greek word.
Originally, Mr. Branham said:
Preach an eternal burning hell
What’s the trouble today. We’ve got too many weak pulpits that’s afraid to preach an eternal burning hell, and to warn the people of the things, and letting the church go just as slothfully and sloppy as it can be. ("Thirsting For Life," 6/30/57, E- 22)
But then Mr. Branham said:
No eternal hell
No place in the Bible where It ever says there’ll be a eternal hell; it said they’ll burn "forever and ever." ("Q And A In Hebrews, Part One," 9/25/57)
When you raise your hand, God writes it down on the Book of Life
You – when you raise your hand, God writes it down on the Book of Life. ("Visions And Prophesy," 4/8/56, V-2 N-9, 25-3)
But later Mr. Branham said:
NOT ONE Scripture teaches God is presently compiling a record of namesAt the very start of our study, let it be known that there is NOT ONE Scripture that teaches that God is presently compiling a record of names. This was all done before the foundation of the world, as we will point out shortly. (Ages, page 266)
Your name is put on the Lamb’s Book
No, no, sister, brother, your precious name is put on the Lamb’s Book of Life up yonder. No man can rub it out. There isn’t enough rubbing compound in the world to rub your name from the Book there, where His blood has bought it. If you’re not sure of that, don’t take a chance on it now. ("TheEasterSeal," 4/10/65,V-2,N-6,42-3)
That doesn’t mean that you are saved
Because your name is on the Book of Life (because it is in Heaven, your name has been recognized), that still doesn’t mean that you are saved. See? You’re not converted, until you receive the Holy Ghost. Remember that. You’re only potentially converted. ("Q And A," 8/30/64M, COD page 1120-272-273)
Your name was ordained on the Book
Your name was ordained of God and placed on the Book of Life before the foundation of the world. ("Who is This Melchisedec," 2/21/65, V-1, N-13, 12-1)
Ed:Mormonsalso teach pre-existence, but the Bibledoes not.
You can take that off at any time
Oh, my, there is your two Books. One of them is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Your name on there is predestinated on there. It can’t go, because you no more can take that away than nothing, because it was foreordained to be on there. But the regular Book of Life, you can take that off at any time. ("Invisible Union Of The Bride Of Christ," 11/25/65, V-2B, N-15,43-2)
There is no basis for the claims that the ‘Lamb’s Book of Life’ is not the same as the ‘Book of Life.’ (Ages, page 266)
Ed: Mr. Branham’s eternal security doctrine incorporated speculative, contradicting ideas involving a limited atonement and an untrustworthy fore-ordination.
Judas’ name on the Book of Life
And Judas Iscariot professed to be a believer, and he had his name written among them on the Book of Life. Is that right? He claimed to have Eternal Life. And his name was put on the Book of Life. ("Q And A," 8/30/64M, COD, page 1122, paragraph 282. See also COD page 1124-289)
Ed:TheBible never says thatJudas claimed to have Eternal Life.
But that don’t mean he’s saved
Judas has to come to the judgment. His name was on the Book of Life, but that don’t mean he’s saved. ("Questions And Answers," 8/30/64, COD, page 1123-282)
Ed: According to Mk 14:21; Jn 6:70; 13:18; Acts 1:25, Judas was never saved. Mr. Branham loosely cited Luke 10:20 while claiming that Judas’ name was in the Book of Life. But Luke 10:20 refers to the ‘other seventy’ of Luke 10:1 & 17- 20, NOT to the twelveapostlesof Mt. 10:1-42 and Lk. 9:1-6.
Is there an eternal security?
I want to ask you something. Is there an eternal security? The Bible says so. The Bible says that our names were put on the Lamb’s Book of Life before the world ever began.("The Serpent’s Seed," 9/28/58, V-2, N-4, page 112, sermon page 10-5)
Ed: The Bible does not say names were put on the Book of Life before the world began. Rev. 13:8 says, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [antichrist], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." The book of life may be a figurative way to help man understand God knows who is saved and who is not saved.
Judas’s name blotted out of the Book
"Was Judas Iscariot’s name blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life, or was it ever on It?" Yes, it was on It and was blotted out. See? ("Q And A," COD, Vol. 2, page 970, 8/23/64M)
Ed: After basing eternal security on a pre-ordained list of names written down before the world began, Mr. Branham taught that names could be blotted off the list. The Bible does not teach these things. The promise of eternal life is available to all persons who will admit their need, and trust in Jesus to save them.
William Branham vs. the Bible
Mr. Branham and eternal security
Brother Branham, is it possible for a person to be lost and end up in hell if he rejects the light of the Word, even though he has a genuine experience of justification and sanctification?
Yes, sir! That is exactly right.
("Q And A," 8/30/64E, question theirs, COD, page 1164, Q-402)
Ed: Romans 8:29, 30 says God glorifies those He justifies.
The Bible and eternal security
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
Mr. Branham denied Eternal hell
That’s the reason there cannot be an Eternal hell. If anybody ever tells you that you’re going to burn in an Eternal hell, I want the Scripture for it. There is no such a thing as that. ("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 487)
Ed: Note how Mr. Branham’s early sermons taught Eternal hell, and Mr. Branham’s later sermons deny that people burn in Eternal hell.
The Bible teaches eternal fire
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11)
Ed: Matthew 25:46 teaches that the lost experience everlasting punishment.
Jude 1:7 says the people of Sodom suffer the vengeance of eternal fire.
Mark 3:29 warns of eternal damnation.
Hebrews 6:2 speaks of eternal judgment.
Revelation 20:10-15 says the beast and the false prophet are tormented day and night for ever and ever, and the lost are cast into the lake of fire.
Mr. Branham taught annihilation
Look at the word "destruction" over inII Thess. 1:9: "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction." In the Greek, "destruction" positively means "annihilation." (Ages, pages 134)
Ed: According to the Arndt & Gingrich’ Greek-English Lexicon, the Greek word for "destruction" is olethron. It means ‘ruin,’ and is never translated ‘annihilation.’
The Bible teaches destruction
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(2 Thessalonians 1:9)
Ed: The Robertson NicolGreek Expositor’s New Testament translates 2 Thess. 1:9’s "everlasting destruction" as "endlessruin."Annihilation means a point-in-time end. It is not found once in the original Greek Bible. The Bible teaches that the lost suffer eternal, conscious torment.
Mr. Branham and the Trinity
Father, Son, Holy Ghost is absolutely three titles of the person of God manifested in three different ways, or three different attributes of Himself.
("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 484-5)
Ed: In ~200 A.D.Sabellius taught that God was one person with three different forms, titles or offices. Sabellius denied that Jesus was a Person distinct from the Father. Sabellius’doctrine is outside the pale of Bible orthodoxy.
The Holy Bible and the Trinity
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Pe.1:17-18)
There are not three persons in that Godhead, but ONE. (Ages,page 154)
Ed: The Bible presents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three distinct Persons Who make up a single, triune Godhead.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit upon him: and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18 [quoting Isaiah 42:1] )
The polytheistic religion of the enemy began with the trinitarian doctrine. It was way back there in antiquity that the "one God in three persons" idea came into existence. (Ages, page 184)
Ed: Trinitarian doctrine is not polytheistic. The God of the Bible is unlike polytheistic deities and pagan triads.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:2 )
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)
"Trinitarianism is of the Devil!" I say that THUS SAITH THE LORD! ("Revelation Chapter Four," 1/8/61, The Revelation Of Jesus Christ, page 676-paragraph174)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is absolutely Lord Jesus Christ. ("QuestionsAnd Answers On The Seals," 3/24/63,Seals, page 485)
I believe, that even the Holy Spirit and Angels, and all are just attributes of God: ("At Thy Word, Lord," 9/28/1951, E-3)
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and His Spirit, hath sent me. (Isaiah 48:16)
So, as far as the trinitarian’s theory of being three different gods–that’s heathenism! ("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page484)
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, andlightingupon him: And lo a Voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matt. 3:16-17)
He wasn’t a Jew
Somebody said "Remember, don’t say nothing about the Jews, ‘cause He was a Jew." He wasn’t a Jew. ("Smyrnaean church Age," 12/6/60, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, page 215-148
The Bible Teaches:
Jesus was a Jew
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (John 4:9)
There cannot be an Eternal son
See, there cannot be an Eternal son, because a son had to have a beginning. And so Jesus had a beginning. God had no beginning. See? ("Q and A on Hebrews, Part II," 10/2/57, COD, page 273)
How can He be an eternal son, when eternity never began or never ends? And a son is something that is begotten of.
("Is This The Time," 12/30/62, V-2, N-11, page 36-7)
Ed: Colossians 1:15-18andRevelation 3:14 teach that Jesus is the pre-eminent Source and Origin of all creation. Jesus is God’s eternal Son. He Who is the beginning never had a beginning.
Jesus is eternal Deity
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:57, 58)
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
(See also Micah 5:2; John 1:1-3,12; 5:18-24; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter1:1; Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:8; 17:14; 19:16).
God created Himself
Listen to this: ". . . unto the angel of the church of Laodieanswrite; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" God is the Creator and how was He ever created? But this is the beginning of the creation of God. When God, the Spirit, was created in the form of a man; that was God being created. God the Creator, Himself becoming a creation. God, Who made the dirt …. Took the thing together and created Himself, in the beginning of the creation of God – the Amen, the final. ("And Knoweth It Not," 8/15/65, V-2, N-10, pages 14 &15)
The arxâof the creation of God
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)
Ed: In Rev. 3:14 the word beginning is from the Greek word arxâ . It can mean first in a series or it can mean "pre-eminent One." In the Bible- especially in Isaiah 48:12 and Rev. 1:17- Jesus is presented as the LORD/ Origin/ Ruler of creation. Mr. Branham’s teachings here did not confess this fact. Hebrews 10:5 and Psalm 40:6 quote the pre-incarnate Son of God. Unlike humans who do not exist until conceived, Jesus is the I AM of Exodus 3:14, existing as eternal Deity before becoming "God with us."
The Father is the Holy Ghost
Now, you’ll have to admit that God the Father, that God the Holy Ghost, is the same Person, or Jesus has two different
daddys. ("Questions And Answers," 5/15/54, COD, page 183-208)
Ed: This is blasphemy, and ridiculous.
God the Father sends the Holy Ghost in Jesus’ name.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Jn.14:26)
Christ is the Holy Spirit
MY REVELATION by the Holy Spirit is: Christ and the Holy Spirit is the selfsame Person, only in a different form. ("The First Seal," 3/18/1963, The Revelation of the Seven Seals, page 156-3, 1981 edition)revelation
Jesus sends the Holy Ghost from the Father
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
Jesus and the Father was the selfsame person, ("Q and A on the Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, pages 520)
A body hast thou prepared me
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5)
Mr. Branham’s Message will bring
the second coming of Jesus Christ
Just the same thing He said when I baptized right down here on the Ohio River, many of you was standing there, twenty-three years ago, right on the Ohio River. That Light, Angel, come right down to where we [w]as at, and said, "As John the Baptist was sent for a forerunner of the first coming of Jesus Christ, your Message will bring the Second Coming of Jesus Christ." And it’s done it. ("Q And A," 5/15/54, Saturday evening, Conduct, Order, Doctrine, page 166, sermon par. 107)
The Bible teaches only the Father knows when Jesus will return
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)
And he said unto then, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Fatherhathputin his own power. (Acts 1:7)
God speaks
"God dealt in sundry times," the Bible says, "in divers manners, He spoke to the fathers through the prophets, but in this last days through Jesus Christ, His Son, He speaks." ("God is Identified by His Characteristics," 3/8/64, V-13, page 8-57)
God hath spoken
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Mr. Branham
The church can’t go in its condition
You know, the church can’t go in its condition, and it can’t get any better; it must get worse. ("Invisible Union Of The Bride," 11/25/65, V-2, N-15, 55-4)
All them also that love his appearing
Henceforth there is laid up for me a 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. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Mr. Branham implied the Brideneeded mystery truths to be raptured
At the end of the Pentecostal Age we are supposed to receive, according to the Word, as God help me tonight to show you through here, that we are to receive a mes-senger that will take all those loose ends out there andrevealthe wholesecretof God for the rapturing of the church. Then there is coming forth seven mysterious thunders thatare not even written at all! That’s right! And I believe that through these seven thunders will be revealed in the last days in order to get the Bride together for raputuring faith; because what we got right now, wewouldn’tbeableto do it. There is some-thing that has got to step forward for we can’t have enough faith for divine healing hardly. We havegotto have enough faith to be changed in a moment to be swept up out of this earth, and we will find that after awhile, the Lord willing, find where it is written. ("The First Seal," 3/18/63, Seals, page 128)
The Bible says we are complete
in Christ and abound with thanksgiving
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and be-
holding your order, and the sted-
fastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit,after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
(Colossians 2:8-10)
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. (Hebrews 9:28)
Mr. Branham implied that Bible mysteries would be revealed
Ed: Mr. Branham implied that he had this angelic commission prior to preaching his "Revelation of the Seven Seals" sermons. March 17–24, 1963.
The Bible warns against false visions and divination
Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:14)
Ed: 2 Thess. 2:10-12 warns that people who reject truth will follow and believe lies.
At the end of the Seventh Angel’s Message, ALL the mysteries of God would be known.
And remember, Revelation 10:1-7, (1-7, chapter 10:1-7) at the end of the Seventh Angel’s Message, ALL the mysteries of God would be known. ("The Seventh Seal," Seals, page 564a, 3/24/63)
Ed: In his Introduction to The Revelation of the Seven Seals, 1981 edition, Mr. Billy Paul Branham implied that Mr. William Branham was the seventh angel of Revelation 10:7, bearing extra-Biblical-but-essential truths to prepare the church for the Lord’s soon return.
The Bible is God’s final Word to man, and adequate revelation to mature saints in the faith. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we don’t need secret truths or extra-biblical messages, because the Bible alone is all we need to be mature in the faith. Eph. 4:14 warns us to shun false doctrines.
The Bible teaches
When he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Rev. 10:7)
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 11:15)
Ed: J.B. Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English translates Rev. 10:7 "In the days which shall soon be announced by the trumpet-blast of the seventh angel the mysterious purpose of God shall be competed, as He assured His servants the prophets." Revelation 11:15 furnishes the mystery predicted by Revelation 10:7.
God is going to open mysteries to us
"Return home. For, THUS SAITH THE LORD, the seven mysteries that’s been hid in the Bible all these years, these denominations and everything, God is going to open those seven mysteries to us in the Seven Seals." ("What Is The Attraction On The Mountain," 7/25/65E, V-8, N-8, page 280, sermon page 22-140)
Ed: According to Mr. Branham’s daughter, Rebecca Smith, this "THUS SAITH THE LORD" angelic commission was given to Mr. Branham in early March, 1963, while Mr. Branham was hunting javelina near Mt. Sunset, AZ.
Keep that which is committed to thy trust; Let no man beguile you
Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (Timothy 6;20,21).
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18)
Ed: Despite historical conflicts and internal contradictions in Mr. Branham’s stories about this alleged angelic visitation, the Branham organization still advances these accounts as if credible and true.
The original faith is to be restored bythe seventh angel
The original Bible faith is to be restored by the seventh angel. Now, oh, how I love this! All of the mysteries of the Seals that the reformers never understood fully. ("The First Seal," 3/18/63, Seals, page 147)
Ed: The Bible does not teach us to seek faith-restoring, formerly hidden, extra-Biblical mysteries. Neither does the Bible teach an angelic restoration of an original faith. The seventh angel of Revelation 10:7 sounds during the Daniel’s 70th week (the 7 years’ tribulation),at atimeafterthe Church is taken to heaven.
The original faith is found in the Bible
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom. 10:17)
The breaking of those Seals this week
Oh, if we just had … I’ve got the notes wrote here on it, to show what them things are, and we’ll get it on the breaking of those Seals this week, anyhow. ("Simplicity," 3/17/63, Seals, page 59-5)
Should not a people seek their God?
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? (Isaiah 8:19)
Something that I hope is revealed
Now, if you’ll be real wise and pray, I’m sure you’ll understand something pretty soon—now, something that I hope is revealed. ("The Breach," 3/17/63, Seals,page 69-6)
Ed: Mr. Branham instructed his audience to pray they would understand what he hoped would be revealed.
To the law and to the testimony
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
(Isaiah 8:20)
Ed: The Bible is our only source of spoken revelation, and the standard for evaluating all claims to prophesy.
We’re at the…opening of the SeventhSeal
We’re at the end-time – the opening of the Seventh Seal. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 564c)
Jesus has opened the seventh seal
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (Revelation 8:1)
Ed: According to Rev. 8:1, Jesus opened the seventh seal nearly 2000 years ago. The Bible book of Revelation describes what was behind the seals.
Here’s the revelation
I had the revelation….Here’s therevelation ….Iwanttotell you what it is…and…what is the mystery is laying behind those seven consecutive thunders rolling out. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 557)
Ed: But Mr. Branham never revealed "the mystery behind the seven thunders," either in this sermon or at any other time.
I have not commanded him to speak
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (Deuteronomy 18:20)
I just feel checked not to say no more
Now, I’d better stop right here, see. I just feel checked not to say no more about it. See? So, just remember, the Seventh Seal, the reason it was not opened, the reason He did not reveal it, no one should know about it. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 564c)
Ed: This may have disappointed many of Mr. Branham’s flock. But Revelation 22:18-19 warns us to not seek after extra-Biblical revelation. Revelation 10:4 says the seven thunders are sealed. The Bible doesn’t tell what their voices said, but we don’t need to know what the Bible excludes.
If the thing follow not, nor come to pass, 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 pre-
sumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22)
2 Peter 1:3 says "According as his divine power [Jesus] hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." Therefore we need no prophetic "update" of the Bible.
I couldn’t make it out
Now, what this great secret is that lays beneath this Seal, I do not know. I don’t know it. I couldn’t make it out. I couldn’t tell it, just what it said. But I know that it was them seven thunders uttering them-selves right close together, just banging seven different times, and it unfolded into something else that I seen. Then when I seen that, I looked for the interpretation that flew across there, and I couldn’t make it out. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 567-page paragraph 1 & 2)
Ed: Recount: Mr. Branham taught that the seven thunders of Rev. 10:4 contained a ‘great secret’ which an angel said THUS SAITH THE LORD would be revealed. His Revelation of the Seven Seals book is a verbatim account of sermons he delivered 3/17/65 - 3/24/65, when the ‘great secret’ was scheduled to be revealed. During his "Seventh Seal"sermon, 3/24/65, just as Mr. Branham seemed poised to receive the ‘great secret’, he ‘checked’ himself. Finally, he admitted that he "couldn’t make it out."
These are clouds without water…trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, murmurers, complainers, …and their mouth speaketh great swelling words" (Jude 3,12,16) Ed: Charles Taze Russell, founder of the "Jehovah’s Witnesses," wrote seven books that purportedly revealed the mysteries of the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4. The Branham organization implies that William Branham revealed the seven thunders’ mysteries. On 3/18/63 Mr. Branham said he believed that these thunders contained ‘mystery truths’ to prepare Bride for the rapture. In 1964-1965, Mr. Branham implied that he had already revealed the ‘mystery truths.’But Mr. Branham’s book, The Seven Church Ages, (published 12/1965) said the mystery truths were not yet revealed. Ages said a prophet "here now" would reveal the ‘mystery truths,’ and turn the hearts of the [Laodicean] children to the [Pen-
tecostal] fathers. But Mr. Branham never received or revealed any such ‘mysteries’ during his ministry.
My mind is tired
I’m tired. My mind is tired, because it was the best that I could do.("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 568-569)
Subject to the prophets
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (1 Corinthians 14:32)
This great secret isn’t opened
The only thing you do, you just continue serving God, because this great secret is so great that God wouldn’t even let John write it. It thundered out, but He ... knowing that ... promising us that it would be opened, but to this time, it isn’t opened. ("TheSeventhSeal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 577-3)
Ed: Mr. Branham explained: God would reveal the ‘great secret’ later. But the Bible makes no such promise.
That Scripture is sufficient to instruct and furnish
All scripture is given by inspiration All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
Ed: Paul warned Timothy: "Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered fro the faith."
(1 Timothy 6:29 [NIV])
Mr. Branham: we need to know
Divinely revealed ‘mystery-truths’
What was in those thunders no one knows. But we need to know. And it will take a prophet to get the revelation….So the messenger to this Laodicean Age has to be here now….He will reveal the mysteries of the seven thunders in Rev.10 which are the revelations contained in the seven seals. It will be these Divinely revealed ‘mystery-truths’ that literally turn the hearts of the children to the Pentecostal fathers. (Ages, 1965, page 323-324; 327-328)
Ed: In early December, 1965, the Branham organization publishedMr.Branham’s book The Seven Church Ages. Ages claimed that a messenger was on the scene, to reveal ‘mystery truths’ in the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4. Many of Mr. Branham’s followers thought Mr. Branham was the prophet to deliver these ‘mystery truths.’ But Mr. Branham was involved in violent car wreck on 12/18/65, and died 12/24/65.
Mr. Branham died without receiving or revealing the ‘mystery truths’ of Rev. 10:4, which he said "the messenger to this Laodicean Age" would reveal. Thus Mr. Branham is not the "the messenger to this Laodicean Age." Furthermore, the Bible teaches that Malachi 4 refers to John the Baptist.
The Bible: they lie in wait to deceive
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledgeof theSonof God,unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no morechildren,tossed toand fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-15)
Ed. The Branham organization claims that Mr. Branham was a prophet with ‘mystery truths.’ Mr. Branham claimed that believers needed special revelation to be raptured. Isthis not "cunning craftiness?"
Mr. Branham taught:
He made the woman and the man before they was formed out of dust
Man was taken from the dust
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen. 3:19)
God made man a theophany
When God made man in His image, He
made him a theophany. ("Q And A On
Hebrews, Part III," 10/6/57, COD page 339-824) Ed: A theophany was a visible form of the pre-incarnate Christ.
God made man from earth
I have made the earth, and created men upon it: (Isaiah 45:12) Ed: God created man after creating the earth, and He didn’t make anyone a theophany.
He had hands and feet like God
He was made in the image of God, madelike God, had hands and feet like God. ("Why?" 1/28/61, E-79)
God is a Spirit
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
And he put the spirit of man in this animal man
And he put the spirit of man in this animal man here, and he became a living soul. ("Questions and Answers," 5/15/54, COD, page 194 -281)
Then God brought man a little lower down and put him in animal life, that’s this body… ("Q and A on Hebrews, Part III," 10/6/57, COD page 340-825)
Ed: This unbiblical teaching has its origin in ancient heresy.
And the Lord breathed into his nostrils the breath of life
And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)
ED: 1Corinthians15:39says"Allfleshisnot the same flesh…there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts… another of fishes, and another of birds."
Corinthians 6:19 says "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Our bodiesare temples, not "animal life."
Men were made to be amateur gods
Now, oh, if you could only realize that you men, you were made to be an amateur god. ("Faithful Abraham," 3/12/61, E-70)
To whom then will ye liken me
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? Saith the Holy One. (Isa 40:25; See also Isaiah 40:18; 41:21-24; 43:10; 45:5, 21; 46:5, 9)
The sons of God again become gods
And someday the sons of God will again become gods. ("Blasphemous Names," 11/4/62, V-3, N-21, sermon page 28-6)
There is no god with me
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deut. 32:39)
Lucifer was God’s right hand man
The right hand man of Almighty God was Lucifer, the son of the morning. The first, God granted him almost co-workers with Him; he was a co-worker, partly equal with Him; only Satan could not create. God is the only Creator, but Satan took something that God created and perverted it back into something else, evil. ("Seal of the AntiChrist," E-18, 3/11/1955)
Ed: Mr. Branham taught that Lucifer perverted the creation by designing Eve’s body.
The LORD God made man
The LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto hiswife:andtheyshallbeoneflesh.And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:21-25)
Eve was years after Adam
A woman was not in the original creation. God had quit creating for years and years and years, until He made the woman out of a rib of his side. ("Serpent’s Seed," 9/28/ 58, V-2A, N-4, page 118, sermon page 16)
From the beginning of the creation
In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created (Genesis 5:1)
Ain’t a woman a fruit tree? Aren’t you the fruit of your mother? That was the fruit that was forbidden to be taken! ("Serpent’s Seed," 9/28/58E, V-2, N-4, page 19-6)
God is determined. And when God makes up His mind to do anything, it has to be.
Satan spoiled this picture by a sexual desire, by the woman, to bring forth children. ("Q and A On Genesis," 7/29/1953, COD, page 26-92)
She is designed alone for filth and unclean living….By her beauty and her sex control, her shape that was given to her by Satan… she is sent to deceive the sons of God...
("Marriage and Divorce," 2/21/1965, V-3, N-13, sermon page 19-4; 27-28)
Leave and cleave
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. (Mark 10:7-8)
Ed:According to Genesis 2:16,17, Eve was not yet formed when God told Adam to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Mr.Branham’s‘forbidden fruit’teaching contradicts Moses and Jesus’ teaching about marriage. Hebrews 13:5 says "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whore-mongers and adulterers God will judge." By his own admission, Mr. Branham developed dark thoughts about women during his youth.
God told Adam to multiply before sex
That’s why He said to Adam before sex was ever induced – or introduced,
"Multiply to replenish the earth" – when he was yet in the beginning, when he was yet both male and female in himself! ("Marriage And Divorce," 2/21/65, V-3, N-13, page 92, sermon page 38-5)
He never did intend children to be born by sex, but it was permitted, which soon will fade away. ("Does God Change His Mind," 4/27/1965, V-18, N-4, paragraph 51)
And Adam had never knew that this act could be done. ("Q and A," 8/30/64, COD, Page 1132-317)
God told Adam and Eve to multiply
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth on the face of the earth. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:28, 31)
Have ye not read, that he which made themat the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (Mt.19:4-4)
Cain was sired by the serpent
Before Adam ever had carnal knowledge of Eve, the serpent had that knowledge ahead of him. And that one born of it was Cain. (Ages, page 100-1, 12/1965)
Now the devil came down and got into the serpent, and he found Eve in the Garden of Eden naked….What did he do? He began making love to Eve. He loved with her as a husband. And she saw it was pleasant, so she went and told her husband, but she was already pregnant by Satan. And she brought forth her first son whose name was Cain, the son of Satan. ("Serpent Seed," 9/28/1958, V-2A, N-4, sermon page 23)
When Cain built an altar to the Lord (Satan’s son, built an altar to the Lord), he built the same kind of altar that Abel built. (The Spoken Word Is The Original Seed, 3/18/62, page 94-4)
Ed: These statements are unbiblical heresy based on ancient cult philosophies.
Adam was Cain’s father
Ed: Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, and Mr. William Marrion Branham, founder of the William Branham organization, both taught a warmed-over version of an ancient, unbiblical heresy which alleged that God didn’t originally want Adam and Eve reproducing sexually. Rev. Moon and Mr. Branham both alleged that original sin was adultery between Eve and the serpent.Rev. Moon taught that this brought physical & spiritual corruption to all mankind. (Divine Principle, pgs. 68, 80) Mr. Branham taught that theact produced a corrupt physical line via Cain.
About life in the womb
You say,"Oh, it’s alive!"No it isn’t! That’s little nerves jerking, muscles, see? The baby hasn’t received life till it’s born. ("Q And A," 8/30/64, COD, page 1121-277)
Of life in the womb
Ed: This was John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb.
The Gospel’s not to Jews
Stay away from Israel! Stay away from it, all you people that talk about converting the Jews. Before this message is over you’ll see it’s THUS SAITH THE LORD by Word and by Spirit! Israel will be converted over, the whole nation in one night; the Bible said so. But the Gospel’s not even to them. ("Gabriel’s Instructions to Daniel," 7/30/61, Daniel, Demonology, And Adoption,page 29)
Ed: Ages, page 189-4, acknowledges that that in 36 A.D. the Christians were mainly Jewish by birth. Why then did Mr. Branham concludetheGospel wasnot tothe Jews?
The Gospel is to the Jew first
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Ro. 1:16)
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Ro.10:12)
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:15)
Satan took two thirds of the angels
"The red dragon put his tail around two thirds of the stars and pulled them to the earth." We realize that Satan, in the beginning, set up a kingdom in the northlands, to be more beautiful than the—than what the Michael was, and there was a day he declared war in heaven. And he pulled two thirds of the angelic beings right with him. ("Q And A in Genesis," 7/29/53; "Q and A," 1/3/54, COD, page 78-116)
You remember, sin didn’t begin on earth. Sin begin in heaven, when Lucifer taken and made him… He said, "I want adenomination,make a great big thing," went on the north country and set up a bigger thing than Michael had. And he was kicked out of heaven. ("Unfailing Realities of God," 6/26/60, V-16, N-1, page 30-225)
Satan took one third of the angels
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Ed: Mr. Branham’s teachings misquote andmisrepresentwhat the Bible says about Lucifer. Revelation 12:4 says the dragon "drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." Lucifer’s band fell from heaven before they could set up a kingdom, of make good their pans.
I challenge the devil to a debate
I now challenge the devil to a debate. Satan, "You are aware that you are whipped. You have no legal rights. Jesus Christ, my Lord, stripped you of every authority you had, when he died at Calvary to take away sin and sickness. And you are nothing but a bluff and we are calling your bluff. I adjure you to leave every sick person and go into outer darkness in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. ("Tower of Babel," 1/28/58, page 25, V-2A, N-7, sermon page 25)
The Lord rebuke thee
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 1:9)
Ed: James 4:7-8 and I Peter 5:8-9 instruct Christians to resist the devil, but 2 Peter 2:10 and Jude 1:8-9 teach us to not speak spitefully to him.
Christians don’t sin
For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body and are free from sin, and we cannot sin. There is an Atonement waiting for us. And if there’s still desire in your heart to sin, you have never been baptized into that body, because you are dead and your life is hid in Christ through God and sealed by the Holy Ghost. Christians don’t sin. They make mistakes, but they don’t sin. ("Q and A," 6/28/59E, COD, 390-134)
Sin is in my members
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:21)
Ed: The Spirit of Christ frees believers from the law of sin and death, but the new birth doesn’t eradicate the indwelling sin nature.
You can’t sin…there’s no more desire
He that’s borned of God commits no sin, for he can’t sin. The seed of God is in him, and he cannot sin. As long as that Holy Ghost is in there, It takes every desire of sin away from you. Amen. You can’t sin; there’s no more desire. ("Questions And Answers," 6/28/59E, COD, 391-139)
Ed: This sounds like 1 Jn 3:9: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." It teaches that Christians won’t practice sin, not that the Spirit "takes away every desire."
We have…sinned
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8,9)
Ed: Nowhere does the Bible teach that a Christian can’t sin. "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20; see also Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7;15-25; Ephesians 4:27,30; 1 John 2:1)
Committing adultery’s not a sin
Smoking’s not a sin; cursing’s not a sin;
committing adultery’s not a sin; lying is not a sin; that isn’t sin; that’s the results of unbelief. ("I have Heard But Now I See," 11/27/1965E, V-7, N-3, paragraph 241)
Ed:Thisisheresy. See Jeremiah 7:9; 23:14; Exodus 20:14; 1Cor. 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19, 2 Peter 2:14; Luke 18:20; Proverbs 6:32.
All unrighteousness is sin
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
(1 John 3:4; 5:17)
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)
He screamed for mercy at Calvary
He was a Man when He screamed for mercy yonder at Calvary, hanging between the heavens and the earth, bleeding out His Blood, the Blood of Jehovah Himself dropping down upon the sinful world, bathing it with His Blood. ("Believest Thou This?" 9/6/53A, E-87)
Yeah, He cried on the cross, for mercy.
("Perseverance," 5/6/62, sermon page 37-234, V-10, N-3, page 101-234)
I lay down His life
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17,18) Greater love hath no man then this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
Ed: Jesus died in obedience to His Father’s will, and not screaming for mercy. (Matthew 26:42, 53-54; 27:34; Luke 23:28, 34, 46; 24:25,26; John 12:27; 18:11; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:8; Heb. 12:2)
Jacob had at least a dozen wives
Look at Jacob, out of whom come the patriarchs. He had at least a dozen wives.
("Marriage and Divorce," 2/21/65M, V-3 N-13, page 44-2)
Jacob had two wives
And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. (see Genesis 32:22; 31:50; 37:2)
No two major prophets at one time
Now, God always uses a-- a prophet, a man.
If you use a bunch of men, you get different ideas (See?); each man, two men. Never did He have two major prophets on the earth at one time. He takes one, so the other one can take its place for another day, another message. He never has two; He has one at a time. ("Evening Messenger," V-8, N-5, par. 85,4/16/63. See alsoAges, p. 329)
Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it …. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the LORD God. (Ezekiel 14:13, our ellipsis)
Ed: The "major" prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel lived and ministered on the earth at the same time.
The image of God left
Now, when Adam and Eve listened to the lie of the Devil, the holy image of God left them, and their fellowship was broken with God. ("Oneness," 2/11/62, V-10, N-2, paragraph 62)
The image of God still in man
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)
Ed: At the fall, the image of God was marred, but not lost.
Mr. Branham:
The Bible doesn’t record females when they’re born, just man.
("Serpent’s Seed," 9/28/58, V-2A, N-4, sermon page 6-25, parentheses in original)
And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. (Genesis 30:21)
The Bible forbids you to cut your hair
Now I know you ladies don’t like this kind of preaching, but sister, you are dead wrong in what you are doing. The Bible forbids you to cut your hair. God gave it for a covering. He gave a command for you to wear it long. It is your glory. When you cut your hair you signified that you left the headship of your husband. Like Eve you walked out and went on your own. You got the vote. You took men’s jobs. You left off being females. You ought to repent and come back to God. (Ages, page 344)
Ed: Mr. Branham taught that long hair was a Christian woman’s Nazarite vow.
For it seemed good to lay upon you no greater burden than necessary things;
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yours-elves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (Acts 15:28-29)
Ed: The Bible does not forbid women to cut their hair. The Nazarite vow was a Jewish ordinance, not a church ordinance. (See Numbers 6)
Shame on you The Bible said, "The hair is given to a woman for her glory." And the Bible rights gives any man a right to leave and divorce and leave his wife, that’ll cut her hair. That’s the Bible. That’s THUS SAITH THE LORD. Too bad you got away from the old fashion trainings, isn’t it? ("Worst Sinner In The City," 2/18/56E, E-73; see also Ages, pages 215-1; 344-1)
We have liberty
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Galatians 2:4-5)
He received the keys from the devil
He ascended to hell with our sins when He died ("To See Jesus," 7/18/54E, E-36)
Then He ascended into hell, and received the keys of death and hell from the Devil. ("Q And A On Hebrews, Part II," 10/2/57, COD, page 278, sermon paragraph 417)
Ed: Sin’s penalty was paid in full on the cross. (Luke 23:46; Jn19:28-30; Rom. 6:10) After His triumph over sin, Jesus emptied Hades’upperchamber (paradise: Lk. 16:23; 23:43; Eph. 4:8-10; Col. 2:14-15; Hebrews 9:23-28). After his resurrection, Jesus saw His disciples, then ascended to His Father in heaven (John 17:20). But the Bible does not say Jesus received keys from Satan.
He made a shew of them
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
(Colossians 2:14-15)
Forasmuch then as the children are partak-ers of flesh and blood, he also himself like-wise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the powerof death,thatis,thedevil; (Heb. 2:14)
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)
The Holy Spirit kept brooding, cooing, making love, brooding from the earth…..Are you making love to the Holy Spirit? ("Impersonation Of Christianity," 1/20/1957M, E-71)
What was once in God’s mind is now in the Body of Christ. Jesus making love to the church, His Bride, whispering secrets to Her. ("Christ Is The Mystery Of God Revealed," 7/28/64, V-3A, N-7, 58-3)
Shun profane and vain babblings
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16)
Mr. Branham misquoted the Bible:
He said, "The Messiah, Prince, shall come and prophesy, and in the midst of the seven weeks, He’ll be cut off."("Q and A," 8/30/64, COD page 1126)
Ed: Sir Robert Anderson’s The Coming Prince, a scholarly exposition of Daniel 9:24-27, predicts that Messiah would die 483 (69 x 7) years afte rNehemiah began rebuilding Jerusalem in 445 B.C. Week 70 refers to the tribulation of Matthew 24:21 and Revelation 7:14. In the midst of that week, antichrist ("the prince that shall come") breaks his covenant with the Jews, and stops all Jewish sacrifices.
Mr. Branham’s misquote says Messiah will "come and prophesy." But the Bible does not say that. Mr. Branham’s misquote and teachings also confuse ‘the prince that shall come’ with ‘Messiah the Prince."
But the Bible actually says:
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:25-27)
ED: Most conservative Bible scholars agree that Messiah is cut off at the end of week 69. The antichrist sets himself up as a god in the middle of the 70th week, during the great tribulation.
A prophet’s called the eagle
Everyone knows that a prophet’s called the eagle in the Bible.
("Who is this Melchisedec," 2/21/65, V-1, N-13, page 18-7, sermon paragraph 89)
Ed: No prophet in the Bible is ever called an eagle. Eagles are mentioned 34 times in the Bible, but never in regards to prophets.
Mount up with wings as eagles
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Ed: They that wait upon the LORD are all likened to eagles.
If I make a mistake, it’s not intended to be a mistake
Now . . . And if I make a mistake, why, remember, it’s not intended to be made a mistake. So, does everybody feel Good? Amen. ("Q and A on the Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 462)
If the prophet be deceived, the LORD deceived that prophet
And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; (Ezekiel 14:9)
Mr. William Marrion Branham taught that…
2. … in order to make the rapture, the church needs the revelation of seven "mystery truths," which are hidden in the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4 (The Revelation of the Seven Seals, [Seals], page 128, 1981 edition)
3. …a prophet ‘here now’ will reveal the ‘mystery truths’ from the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4, turning the hearts of the children to the fathers. (Seven Church Ages, [Ages] 1965)
4. …Now, what this great secret is that lays beneath this Seal, I do not know….But I know that it was them seven thunders uttering themselves right close together, just banging seven different times, and it unfolded into something else that I seen. Then when I seen that, I looked for the interpretation that flew across there, and I couldn’t make it out. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 567-1, 2)
5. …I want you to believe that I am God’s prophet. ("As I was with Moses, 5/3/51)
6. …I am God’s voice to you. ("My Commission," 5/5/51, sermon paragraph 40)
7. …God’s first Bible was the zodiac. ("The Future Home Of The Heavenly Bridegroom And The Earthly Bride," 8/2/64, The Spoken Word, 1974, page 125)
8. …the Millinium will begin by 1977. (Ages, page 322)
9. …God was created. ("Questions and Answers [Q and A] on Genesis," 07/29/1953; Conduct, Order, Doctrine [COD], page 14, sermon paragraph 22)
10. …God created Himself. ("And Knoweth It Not," 08/15/1965, V-2, N-10, pages 14 &15)
11. …God was not even God until worshipped by His creation. (Ages, page 149)
12. …God created the Devil.("Q and A in Genesis," 01/03/1954, COD, page 81)
13. …Satan was co-equal with God, and God’s right hand man, during the creation. ("Marriage And Divorce," 2/21/1965, V-3B, N-13, sermon page 17-7; "Seal Of The AntiChrist," 03/11/1955, paragraph 18
14. …Jesus is not eternal (there cannot be an Eternal son). ("Q and A on Hebrews, Part II," 10/2/57, COD, page 273; "Is This The Time," 12/30/1962, V-2, N-11, pages 36-37)
15. …Jesus had a beginning. ("Q and A On Hebrews, Part II," 10/02/1957, COD, page 273
16. …Michael was Christ. ("Beginning And Ending Of The Gentile Dispensation" 01/09E/55, paragraph 36)
17. …Trinitarianism is of the Devil. ("Revelation Chapter Four," 1/8/61, The Revelation Of Jesus Christ, page 676, sermon paragraph 174)
18. …Trinitarian teaching is pagan and antichrist.("Q and A on the Seals," 3/24/1963, Seals, page 540, 553)
19. …God is One Person manifested in three different offices or attributes. ("Q and A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 484)
20. …Christ and the Holy Spirit are the same person. ("The First Seal," 3/18/1963, Seals, page 156-3)
21. …Jesus screamed for mercy at Calvary. ("Believest Thou This?" 9/6A/53, E-87; "Perseverance,"
5/6/62, sermon page 37-234, V-10, N-3, page 101-234)
22. …Jesus and the Father are the selfsame person. ("Q And A On The Seals," 3/24/63, Seals, page 520)
23. …and man’s just as eternal as his Creator.("Hebrews Chapter Five And Six," 9/8M/57, 175-57)
24. …man was originally a theophany, amateur god and part of God. ("Q and A On Hebrews, Part III," 10/6/57, COD page 339-824;"Blasphemous Names," 11/4/62, V-3, N-21, page 548; "The Harvest Time," 12/12/64, V-18, N-6, sermon paragraph 45 )
25. …someday the sons of God will again become gods. ("Blasphemous Names," 11/4/62, sermon page 28-6, V-3, N-21, page 548)
26. …man himself is Deity. ("Resurrection Of Lazarus," E-37, 7/29/1951)
27. …you become deity. ("Will I Find Faith When I Return," 5/8/1951)
28. …women have one more rib than men do.("Q and A On Genesis," 7/29/1953, COD,page 27, sermon paragraph 96)
29. …God didn’t originally intend for Adam and Eve to reproduce sexually: Adam had the capacity to multiply and create by himself. ("Does God Change His Mind," 4/27/1965, V-18, N-4, sermon paragraph 51; "God in Simplicity," 3/17/63, Seals, page 62-6).
30. …a woman was the forbidden fruit. ("Serpent’s Seed," 9/28E/58, V-2, N-4, page 19-6)
31. …every sin on earth was caused by a woman.("Marriage and Divorce" 02/01/65, V-3B, N-13, page 81)
32. …Before Adam ever had carnal knowledge of Eve, the serpent had that knowledge ahead of him. And that one born of it was Cain. (Ages, page 100)
33. …Cain was the son of Satan and the product of adultery between Eve and the serpent.
("Q and A," 1/3/54, COD page 79; "Serpent Seed," 9/28/1958, V-2A, N-4, sermon page 23;"Q and A," 6/28/59, COD page 398; "Q and A," 8/23/64, COD, pages 1132-1133)
34. …Cain is the physical head of a corrupt and doomed human line which included Ham’s wife, Nimrod, Esau and Judas Iscariot. ("Serpent’s Seed," 09/28/58, V-2, N-4; "Q and A," 06/28/59; Invisible Union Of The Bride," V-2, N-15, page 21-3, 11/25E/1965)
35. …Protestant denominational churches is the image of the beast.("Q and A," 5/15E/54, COD, page 158-54; "Trying To Do God A Service,"11/27/65)
36. …Methodists and Baptists are unbelievers. ("Three Kinds Of Believers," 11/24/63, V-3, N-6, page 34-2)
37. …Jesus said the elect would be deceived. ("Three Kinds Of Believers," 11/24/63, page 34-2)
38. …salvation lasts only as long as your faith lasts. ("Queen Of Sheba," 7/10/60, E-8)
39. …you can have the baptism of the Holy Ghost every hour in your life, and still be lost and go to hell. ("Leadership," 12/07/65, V-7, N-7, sermon paragraph 162)
40. …there cannot be an eternal hell.(Seals, page 487)
41. …the lost are eventually annihilated. ("Q and A on Hebrews, Part I," 9/25/57, COD, page 248, sermon paragraph 230; Ages, page 134)
42. …a man may rightfully divorce his wife if she cuts her hair. ("Worst Sinner In The City," 2/18E/56, E-73; see also Ages, pages 215-1; 344-1)
43. …Jacob had at least a dozen wives. ("Marriage and Divorce," 2/21M/1965, V-3 N-13, page 44-2)
44. …the Bible doesn’t record female births. ("Serpent’s Seed," 9/28/58, V-2A, N-4, sermon page 6-25)
45. …the Gospel’s not to Jews. ("Gabriel’s Instructions to Daniel," 7/30/61, Daniel, Demonology, And Adoption,page 29)
46. …by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body and are free from sin, and we cannot sin.…a man that’s borned of God cannot sin; it’s impossible for him to sin; the indwelling Spirit of God takes away every desire. ("Q and A," 6/28/59E, COD, page 390, sermon paragraph 134; page 391, sermon paragraphs 132, 139)
47. …committing adultery is not sin. ("I Have Heard But Now I see," 11/27E/1965, V-7, N-3, paragraph 241)
48. …two thirds of the angels was kicked out. ( "Q and A On Genesis," 07/29/53, COD, page 21-63)
49. … Eve didn’t have a seed. ("Q and A," 8/23/64, COD, page 1132)
50. …Jesus could not be holy if conceived by a human mother. ("Oneness," 2/11/62, V-10, N-2, 39-40, 79, sermon page 15, sermon paragraph 81)
51. …Jesus wasn’t Jewish.("Smyrnaean Church Age," 12/6/60, The Revelation Of Jesus Christ, page 215)
52. …Jesus can’t have a mother, because Jesus was not even anything to Mary, but He was just…she was an incubator thathatchedHim.("Oneness," 2/11/62, Voice of the Prophet, V-10, N-2, sermon page 15, sermon paragraph 79. See also sermon page 24, sermon paragraph 139 & 141)
53. …the Bible calls the prophet "the eagle." ("Who is this Melchisedec," 2/21/65, V-1, N-13, page 18-7, sermon paragraph 89)
54. …God never had two major prophets on the earth at one time. ("Evening Messenger," V-8, N-5,sermon paragraph 85, 4/16/63; Ages, page 329)
Twenty- Six of Mr. Branham’s Teachings
Could these be considered heresy?
According to Mr. Branham, Satan was co-equal with God and God’s right hand man during the creation. Mr. Branham taught that Satan perverted the creation by designing Eve (women) "for filth and unclean living." But the Bible says Jesus created all things: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:11) Jesus alone is creator: John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:12 and 2:10. Regarding the completed creation, Moses wrote: "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." (Genesis 1:31)
Genesis 1 and 2 says God made Adam in His image. Mr. Branham taught that Adam existed eternally, and was a theophany/amateur god/part of God.
The Bible says God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply: "And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. (Genesis 1:22 ) Mr. Branham taught instead that (1) God made Adam with the capacity to multiply and create by himself, and (2) that in the beginning God didn’t intend for Adam and Eve to sexually reproduce.
The Bible holds Adam responsible for the first human sin. According to Genesis 3, human sin began when Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Mr. Branham taught that the woman was the forbidden fruit, and original sin occurred when Eve committed adultery with the serpent. Accordingly, Mr. Branham implied that Eve was responsible for the first sin, and for all sins thereafter.
The Bible teaches that Cain was Adam’s first son. Mr. Branham taught that Cain was Satan’s son, and the physical head of a human line called "serpent seed" which was destined to be lost.
Regarding eternal security, Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." (John 10:28) "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) Mr. Branham taught that salvation lasts as long as your faith does; that you can be justified and have the baptism of the Holy Ghost and still be lost and go to Hell, and that persons need not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be saved.
Mr. Branham taught "Thus saith the Lord" that Trinitarianism is pagan and antichrist. According to Mr. Branham, God is One Person, manifested in three different offices or titles. Bible churches have rejected this heresy since early in the fourth century. The Bible teaches one God (Godhead, Deity), made up of three eternal and equally Divine Persons. We know of no Biblical denomination that does not believe in the Trinity, and we know of no unbiblical cult system that does believe in theTrinity.
Denying that Jesus is eternal God, Mr. Branham claimed (1) Jesus had a beginning, (2) God created Himself at the incarnation and (3) Michael was Christ. By contrast, the Bible teaches that Jesus is eternal Deity (John 1:1; Heb. 1:1-8) and the Father, Son and Spirit are distinct Persons. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:" (Ephesians 1:17) "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2:18 ) (See also Hebrews 13:20-21)
Misquoting Daniel chapter 9, Mr. Branham falsely claimed that Messiah would be cut off in the midst of the 70th week. The Bible teaches that Jesus was cut off at the end of the 69th week (of years), and that the 70th week is the 7-year tribulation, which, as of this writing, is yet future.
Mr. Branham said God’s first Bible was the zodiac.
Mr. Branham taught that the first creation was God, and that God was not God until he was first worshipped by His creation.
Mr. Branham denied eternal punishment, teaching that the lost are eventually annihilated.
Mr. Branham said Jesus said the elect would be deceived.
Mr. Branham implied that Christians cannot sin, because the indwelling Spirit of God takes away every desire.
Mr. Branham said the gospel is not to Israel.
Mr. Branham denied that Jesus was a Jew.
Mr. Branham taught that Christian women should not cut their hair: "If she cuts her hair, she dishonors her husband. And a woman that’s dishonorable has a legal right to be put away and divorced." ("Q and A in Genesis," 7/29/53, COD page 24-77)
With loose citations to Revelation chapters 2-4, Mr. Branham taught that church history had distinct "church ages." In 1963 Mr. Branham taught there were four distinct ages, and in 1965 Mr. Branham taught seven church ages - each with a special "age messenger" and "age message." The Branham organization claims that Mr. Branham is the messenger for the current "Age," and they encourage people to purchase tapes of Mr. Branham’s 1000+ sermons, to get the message. Ephesians 3:2 speaks of "the dispensation of the grace of God." And Ephesians 3:1-12 might be interpreted as teaching a single church age.(spanning from the apostles to the rapture) But the Bible does not teach separate church ages, age messages or age messengers.
The Branham organization strongly suggests that Mr. Branham is the Elijah of Malachi 4:4-5; and that Mr. Branham is also the angel messenger of Revelation 3:14; 10:4 and 10:7. For his part, Mr. Branham implied that the angel of Revelation 10:4-7 was Christ. When combined, these teachings imply that Mr. Branham was Elijah, and is Christ.
Mr. Branham claimed an Angel of the Lord would move down and tell him what to say, enabling him to speak "under inspiration," as "God’s Voice."
Mr. Branham predicted "with Divine inspiration" that the Millinium would begin by 1977.
Mr. Branham said God created the devil. The Bible says God created the angel Lucifer perfect, but that Lucifer became proud, and led 1/3 of the angels to rebel against God.
Mr. Branham taught that Lucifer took 2/3 of the angels with him when he fell.
Mr. Branham criticized religious organizations, while establishing a religious organization of his own and in his own name.
Mr. Branham claimed that only about 500 people were fit for the rapture. He implied that the rest of the Bride would remain unfit for the rapture, unless supplied with ‘mystery truths’ hidden in the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4. Mr. Branham predicted a special prophet who would reveal the ‘vital truths.’ In late 1965 Mr. Branham claimed the special prophet was on the scene, to deliver the "great secret" that would restore the hearts of the children to the fathers. Today, the Branham organization implies that Mr. Branham is the prophet to "prepare us for the soon coming of the Lord." But Mr. Branham died 12/24/65, without ever revealing mysteries from Revelation 10:4, and without restoring the hearts of the children to the fathers.
1. Mr. Branham claimed that an angel told him "Return home. For, THUS SAITH THE LORD, the seven mysteries that’s been hid in the Bible all these years, these denominations and everything, God is going to open those seven mysteries to us in the Seven Seals." ("What Is The Attraction On The Mountain," 7/25/65E, V-8, N-8, page 280, sermon page 22)
Ed: According to Mr. Branham’s daughter, Rebecca Smith, the alleged angelic announcement was given to Mr. Branham near Mt. Sunset, AZ, where Mr. Branham was hunting javelina in early March, 1963.
2. Mr. Branham implied that he was commissioned to receive ‘the mysteries of the Bible which the Seven Seals held.’
3. The Branham organization makes this boast: February 28, 1963, when 40 miles northeast of Tucson, Brother Branham was caught up in a constellation of seven angels and was told to return to his church in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where the mysteries of the Seven Seals would be revealed to him. (The Revelation of the Seven Seals, 1981, SWP, Introduction)
4. Mr. Branham and his organization implied that ‘the mysteries of the Seven Seals’ would be revealed by Mr. Branham during his "Revelation of the Seven Seals" sermon series, scheduled March 17–24,1963, at the Branham tabernacle, Jeffersonville, IN. During the first of these sermons, Mr.Branham implied that the church did not have "rapturing faith," and that only 500 people were then prepared to be raptured:
There’ll be maybe one leave Jeffersonville . . . . There’ll be one leave Georgia. There’ll be one leave in Africa. And let’s say there’d be 500 people living will go in the translation. ("Simplicity," 3/17/63, Seals, page 58)
Ed: 1 Thess. 4:17 indicates all living Christians will meet the Lord in the air when He comes.
5. During his third "Seals" sermon, Mr.Branham promised a prophetic messenger who would ‘reveal the whole secret of God for the rapturing of the church.’ Mr. Branham taught that the ‘secret’ was hidden of the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4, and that the church needed this ‘secret’ to be prepared for the rapture. Mr. Branham strongly implied that he was the messenger to deliver the ‘secret:’
At the end of the Pentecostal Age we are supposed to receive, according to the Word, as God help me tonight to show you through here, that we are to receive a messenger that will take all those loose ends out there and reveal the whole secret of God for the rapturing of the church. Then there is coming forth seven mysterious thunders that are not even written at all! That’s right! And I believe that through these seven thunders will be revealed in the last days in order to get the Bride together for raputuring faith; because what we got right now, we wouldn’t be able to do it. There is something that has got to step forward for we can’t have enough faith for divine healing hardly. We have got to have enough faith to be changed in a moment to be swept up out of this earth, and we will find that after awhile, the Lord willing, find where it is written. ("The First Seal," 3/18/63, Seals, page 128b)
6. During his "Seventh Seal" sermon, Mr. Branham said "I had the revelation,’ and, ‘Here’s the revelation…’
I had the revelation….Here’s the revelation ….I want to tell you what it is…and…what the mystery is laying behind those seven consecutive thunders…. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 557)
…but then Mr. Branham back pedaled
…and admitted he couldn’t make out the secret of the seven thunders…
Now, what this great secret is that lays beneath this Seal, I do not know. I don’t know it. I couldn’t make it out. I couldn’t tell it, just what it said. But I know that it was them seven thunders uttering themselves right close together, just banging seven different times, and it unfolded into something else that I seen. Then when I seen that, I looked for the interpretation that flew across there, and I couldn’t make it out. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 567-1,2)
…and felt checked "not to say no more about it…"
…but that God had promised to open "this great secret" later:
The only thing you do, you just continue serving God, because this great secret is so great that God wouldn’t even let John write it. It thundered out, but He ...promising us that it would be opened, but to this time, it isn’t opened. ("The Seventh Seal," 3/24/63, Seals, page 577-3)
Ed: The Bible makes no such promise.
7. In late 1965 Mr. Branham reasserted his claim that the church was unfit for the rapture.
"You know, the church can’t go in its condition, and it can’t get any better; it must get worse." ("Invisible Union of the Bride," 11/25/65, V-2 N-15, 55-2).
A that time the Branham organization published TheSeven Church Ages, purportedly authored by William Branham. Ages claimed that no one yet knew ‘the great secret’ of the seven thunders. It predicted a prophet ‘here now’who would reveal the ‘mystery truths’ of Rev. 10:
What was in those thunders no one knows. But we need to know….And it will take a prophet to get the revelation….So the messenger to this Laodicean Age has to be here now….He will reveal the mysteries of the seven thunders in Rev.10 which are the revelations contained in the seven seals. It will be these Divinely revealed ‘mystery-truths’ that literally turn the hearts of the children to the Pentecostal fathers. (The Seven ChurchAges, pages 323-324; 327-328)
Today, the Branham organization heralds William Branham as "the messenger to this Laodicean Age." They imply that written & recorded copies of Mr. Branham’s sermons will disclose the "vital truths" of which Mr. Branham spoke. But Mr. Branham died December 24, 1965, six days after his involvement in a violent car crash, and before he received or revealed any "vital truths." For a fee, the Branham organization distributes audiotapes and written reproductions of Mr. Branham’s sermons. They imply that these tapes contain modern-day revelation, but they do not contain the "vital truths" or the "mystery-truths" which of which Mr. Branham spoke. We have not found a shred of evidence that Mr. Branham ever received or revealed any vital ‘mystery-truths.’ Nor do we see evidence that he turned the hearts of the children to the fathers.
Does Mr. Branham’s organization expect Mr. Branham to rise from the dead and reveal the so-called ‘mystery truths’ hidden in the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4? How does the Branham organization expect discerning individuals to believe that William Branham is the ‘church age messenger’ as long as his body remains in the grave? If Mr. Branham isn’t qualified to be "the messenger to this Laodicean Age," who is the messenger?
While proffering special revelations, Mr. Branham advanced mistaken notions, unbiblical declarations, bogus predictions, and an underlying accusation that Bible-teaching churches and denominations were antichrist. The Branham "Message" contains much empty talk, and comparatively little Bible substance. Mr. Branham claimed to be led by an angel. We consider that claim both deceptive and demonic. The Branham Message winds through a maze of contradictions and distortions, and ends in darkness.
The Bible is God’s final spoken-and-written, authoritative revelation to man. It is adequate in itself, so we need no updated, extra-Biblical ‘message’ from a modern-day prophet. The Bible does not teach "church ages" or "age messengers."
Note these chilling warnings from Mr. Branham:
I’ve got to leave here. You’ve got to leave here. And if I go as a false prophet, I’ll lose my own soul and lose yours with me. ("Q & A On The Holy Ghost," 12/19/59, COD, page 437, V-4, N-5, page 31-118)
Because if a revelation’s contrary to the Word, then it isn’t revelation. And you know, there’s some of the stuff can look so absolutely true, and yet isn’t truth. See? It looks like it is, but is isn’t. ("The First Seal," 3/18/1963, The Revelation of the Seven Seals, page 122-4)
Our prayer is that Branham followers would turn from false prophesies to Bible truths. And that those in solid, Bible-teaching churches would stay where they are and become grounded in the Bible, to be wise to discern the traits of false prophets.
Today the William Branham organization heralds Mr. Branham as a special messenger. They encourage people to buy and hear tapes of Mr. Branham’s 1,000+ sermons, as if these tapes contain modern-day revelation and ‘mystery truths.’ Indeed, Mr. Branham claimed that angels met him in early 1963, telling him "THUS SAITH THE LORD" that God would reveal Bible mysteries from the seven seals11
On 11/25/65 Mr. Branham once again preached that the church was unfit for the rapture.77 In early December, 1965, the Branham organization published Mr. Branham’s book, TheSeven Church Ages, in which Mr. Branham claimed that neither he nor anyone else knew the great secret of the seven thunders.88 Ages told of a prophet ‘here now,’who would reveal the ‘mystery truths’ of Rev. 10.99 Apparently, some folks considered Mr. Branham the mystery prophet…but Mr. Branham died 12/24/65, six days after he was involved in a violent car crash.
Scriptures Proclaiming the Deity of Jesus Christ:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
Isaiah 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Isaiah 48:13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
Micah 5:2: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
(Mark 2:5-12)
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:12-18)
Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:5-6)
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; (2 Timothy 4:3)
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:4)
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:9)
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: (Titus 2:1)
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.( Hebrews 1:7, 8)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and up-holding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:3-4)
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:17-18)
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2 John 1:10)
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 3,12)
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.( Revelation 2:24)
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world…(Revelation 17:8)
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.(Revelation 19:16)
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
11 “Shalom,” 1/19/64, V-22, N-1, page 25; “What Is The Attraction On The Mountain,” 7/25/65E, V-8, N-8, page 280, sermon page 22-140)
22 At the end of the Pentecostal Age we are supposed to receive, according to the Word, as God help me tonight to show you through here, that we are to receive a messenger that will take all those loose ends out there and reveal the whole secret of God for the rapturing of the church. Then there is coming forth seven mysterious thunders that are not even written at all! That’s right! And I believe that through these seven thunders will be revealed in the last days in order to get the Bride together for raputuring faith; because what we got right now, we wouldn’t be able to do it. There is something that has got to step forward for we can’t have enough faith for divine healing hardly. We have got to have enough faith to be changed in a moment to be swept up out of this earth, and we will find that after awhile, the Lord willing, find where it is written. (“The First Seal,” 3/18/63, Seals, page 128)
33 I had the revelation….Here’s the revelation ….I want to tell you what it is…and…what the mystery is laying behind those seven consecutive thunders. (“The Seventh Seal,” 3/24/63, Seals, page 557)
44 Now, I’d better stop right here, see. I just feel checked not to say no more about it. See? So, just remember, the Seventh Seal, the reason it was not opened, the reason He did not reveal it, no one should know about it. (“The Seventh Seal,” 3/24/63, Seals, page 564c)
55 Now, what this great secret is that lays beneath this Seal, I do not know. I don’t know it. I couldn’t make it out. I couldn’t tell it, just what it said. But I know that it was them seven thunders uttering themselves right close together, just banging seven different times, and it unfolded into something else that I seen. Then when I seen that, I looked for the interpretation that flew across there, and I couldn’t make it out. (“The Seventh Seal,” 3/24/63, Seals, page 567-1, 2)
6 it would be opened, but to this time, it isn’t opened. (“The Seventh Seal,” 3/24/63, Seals, page 577-3
77 Invisible Union Of The Bride,” 11/25/65, V-2, N-15, 55-2.
88 What was in those thunders no one knows. But we need to know. (The Seven ChurchAges, pages 323)
9 9 And it will take a prophet to get the revelation….So the messenger to this Laodicean Age has to be here now….He will reveal the mysteries of the seven thunders in Rev.10 which are the revelations contained in the seven seals. It will be these Divinely revealed ‘mystery-truths’ that literally turn the hearts of the children to the Pentecostal fathers. (The Seven ChurchAges, pages 323-324; 327-328)