"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

(Heb. 13:8)

CIRCULAR LETTER October 1995

I greet you all most cordially in the precious name of Jesus Christ with the words from Isaiah 14:27:

For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

It is a wonderful thing to know that God has made His plan from eternity and is carrying it out in the course of time. The fact remains that the right hand of the Lord is exalted and doeth valiantly. What God has set out to do, He carries out. HE does not have to take anyone into consideration. Even on the crooked lines of human life and human history, He is able to write His straightforward plan of Salvation. The LORD God is now occupied with bringing His redemptive work to a conclusion. Just as He rested on the seventh day after He had finished His work of creation, the seventh millennium — the millennial reign of peace of Jesus Christ — is now near as God's day of rest (Revelation 20:1-6). Before that, He will complete with His own the work He has begun on the day of His glorious return.

While the whole creation is waiting to be delivered from bondage and corruption, it is the believers who, in particular, are waiting for the return of their Lord and long to see the transformation of their mortal bodies into immortality (Romans 8:19-22 et al.). Therefore, now, in the last part of the time of grace, everything in the life of each individual and in the church must be ordered according to the will of God. In practice, this means attaining complete conformity with the Word of God. It must be for us a heartfelt desire to ask in all that we do, "What does the Scriptures say about this?" The apostle James urges us not to even groan against one another, saying, "… for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:7-11). As at the beginning, the church will be one heart and soul at the end.

God has in His Word revealed and established His will, which shall be done on earth as well as in heaven. Of our Redeemer it says in Isaiah 53, the chapter that describes Him in His suffering and death most vividly: "… when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure [will] of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." In the Lord's Prayer, the Son of Man taught us to pray correctly: "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." The obedience of the Son of God is contrasted in the Holy Scriptures with the disobedience of Adam. Grace nullifies disobedience; disobedience can in turn nullify grace. We were pardoned to become obedient children of God. Even today, the words of 1 Samuel 15:22b-23 are still valid: "to obey is better than sacrifice … For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft."

Eve was deceived, as she herself testifies (Genesis 3:13), but Adam fell by disobedience. That is why it is written that in Adam all die… (1 Corinthians 15:22). The commandment of the LORD God in Genesis 2, not to eat of the tree of knowledge, was addressed to Adam, because Eve was still in him at that time. Beguiled by the serpent, she fell under the spell of Satan, was as one bewitched. She was already a seduced, deceived human child when she usurped power over Adam, but he consciously transgressed God's commandment when he accepted her proposal. Br. Branham said repeatedly in the sermon The Voice of God in This Last Days: "… as long as Adam listened to the voice of God, all was well. The moment he listened to his wife's voice, it was all over."

We see two beginnings in Scripture: the first with the natural, earthly creation with Eve, who is described as the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20), to whom, however, death is certain. She came under the influence of the evil one and received the seed of the serpent. The second beginning happened with Mary, who believed and was obedient and said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." She received the divine seed, and so the Word became flesh. Through her obedience, the Son of God came into this world as the firstborn with the aim of destroying the deceitful work of Satan and bringing immortality and life to light (2 Timothy 1:10).

Both disobedience and obedience are not theories: disobedience always entails transgression, obedience justification. "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:19). Both happened here on earth. The first Adam was disobedient, transgressed the commandment, and thus brought death upon all mankind. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, was obedient and brought eternal life. "… he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9). The emphasis here is on the statement: "… all them that obey him". For those who have been pardoned, it is a matter of obedience by faith, because every disobedience to God calls our salvation into question anew.

It is true that we have received all-encompassing instruction and also that there has been no lack of revelation by the Spirit. The question that concerns us now is how is it with us when it comes to obedience and living out the Word of God. Here, too, the word applies: Let each one examine himself and judge how he stands before God. The right spiritual judgment is always made according to the Word of God.

In general, we live in a time when everything is blurry and the spiritual reasoning lacks accuracy. It may be that some no longer notice that they are not walking in obedience in the footsteps of the Lamb of God; they justify themselves and their actions in order to calm their conscience. It must become a heartfelt wish and a sincere desire for all of us to live in the will of God, for only in this way can we be prepared. Walking with God includes obedience in faith and agreement with His Word. Not the hearers, but the doers are blessed.

The Son of God says: "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." (Mark 3:35). He also says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21). If we have become children of God and can say with an honest heart: "Our Father which art in heaven…", we will also know that the man of God does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of His mouth. It must be with the redeemed as it was with the Redeemer. He said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). The completion of His work is near, so it is necessary for all members of the Body of Jesus Christ to become one with the exalted Head. We want and will witness how the Bridegroom transforms and prepares the bride, how He fills her with His nature and life, how His fruits and gifts are manifested, until we have come unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. After the full restitution comes, the moment finally arrives when we will go from believing unto seeing.

Never has the time been so serious, never has it been so necessary to connect with the last work of God, until bride and bridegroom, head and limbs, are united in Word and Spirit. We were in God's plan, so now we are allowed to witness what God is doing in the congregation according to His plan of Salvation. Below we print an excerpt from Brother Branham's sermon The Spoken Word Is the Original Seed, Part 2, of what was especially laid on his heart by the Spirit:

Now listen close. Here's what I picked up the pen for, part of it. Do you see, friends, what I have … the way I have stood the way I have? See why I am contending---get away from them denominations and get a real church of God? See why it's got to come out of the Word? It can't come by the wisdom of man; it's got to come by the Word of God. That's the reason I believe the Word just the way it's written. I won't add nothing or take nothing; just preach it that way; just keep going.

Now, brethren (you all on the tape), if you disagree with me, I'll pray for you; if I'm wrong, you pray for me. I'm going to read some now just… I want you to listen real close to this. Here's where the Spirit said, "Pick up the pen." I have to leave some of it go, but I've got to bring some of it to you.

All right. Now, here is what I'm trying to say to you: the law of reproduction brings forth of its kind (Genesis 1:11). These last days, true church-bride comes to the headstone. Will be the "super church"; a "super race" as they near the great headstone. They will be so much like Him, they will be in His very image, in the order to be united with Him. They will be one. They will be the very manifestation of the Word of the living God. Denominations can never produce this. This will be … they will produce their creeds and dogmas mixed with the Word and brings a hybrid product.

The first son, was spoken seed-word of God. He was given a bride. (I'm just reviewing the Spirit, and I was picking up what I said, see.) A bride to produce himself. She fell … (See, that's what the bride was given, to produce himself again another son of God, but she fell by hybreeding, see.) Produced himself---but she fell; caused him to die.

The second son, a spoken seed-word of God was given a bride like Adam, but before He could marry her, she had fallen, also; for she was put to a free moral agency like Adam's wife was, to believe God's Word and live, or doubt it and die---and she did.

Then from a little group of the true seed of the Word, God will present Christ a beloved bride, a virgin---a virgin of His Word---and through them and by them will be fulfilled all that has been promised for His Word in the virgin, who knows no man-made creeds or dogmas. The word of promise in Himself like it was in Mary---God Himself made manifest. He will act, Himself, by His own Word of promise so to fulfill all that has been written of Him. As He did when He came from the virgin womb (type of the spirit womb now), so will the virgin now, accepting His Word: "Be it unto me as thou has said," though it was said by an angel while it yet was the written Word. (Isaiah 9:6) They will love Him, love His … and will have His potentials, for He is their head, and they are His subjects, subject to His head. Headship of Christ was His.

Notice, what harmony. Jesus never did anything until seen of the Father or the Father showed Him first. (Harmony between God and Christ, see. John 5:19.) So will the bride, and He shows her His word of life (He shows her), and she receives it. She never doubts it.

Nothing can harm her, not even death; for if the seed be planted the water will raise it up again. Amen. (Now, I got a great big Hallelujah!) Here is the secret: the Word is in the bride and the mind of Christ to know what He wants done with the Word, and she does it in His name. She has "Thus saith the Lord."

Then it is germitized; so the Holy Spirit waters it until it is grown and serves it's purpose. They do only His will. (Amen! I'll believe that.) No one can persuade them different. They have "Thus saith the Lord," or they keep still. Then they will do the works of God. For it is Himself in them, continuing His Word to fulfill as He did complete in His day. All things---when He was here---He did not complete all when He was here, for it was not time yet.

Now, let us stand like Joshua and Caleb. (Now, watch close, this is going to have a spiritual background.) Now, let us stand like Joshua and Caleb as we see the promised land coming in sight. It's nearing the time. To be given… Joshua in Hebrew means saviour and represents the promised end-time leader to take the church over. Caleb represents the true believer who stayed with Joshua. God started Israel as a virgin, with His Word, but they wanted something different. So did the last day church.

Notice how God did not move Israel until His own appointed time. (Now listen. This is going to mean something.) Joshua waited for that time! Oh, how … No matter how much people might have said, "God gave us the land, the promise; let us go now and take it." They might have said, "Joshua, you lost your commission. You're all washed up. Why are you not doing something? You used to know 'Thus saith the Lord' in a moment and what was the will of God." But this wise God-sent prophet knew the promise of God but also knew to wait for that promise---a clear-cut decision from God for his time.

(See these parables? Now watch.) And when the time come, God gave it to Joshua, who had stayed with Him by the Word, for He could not trust others; He could trust him. So will it repeat!

Like the mighty anointed prophet Moses knew God would use him, for He had proved Moses to be His servant by his peculiar birth. At the right time, that deliverance for Abraham's seed was at time. (Are you getting it?) Moses never stayed in Egypt and argued his scriptural points with them. He never fussed with the priests, but he went to the wilderness and waited on the Lord until the people was ready to receive him. He had come to testify of them, but they would not receive him. God called His prophet to the wilderness. God had testified; He'd chose him, but the waiting was not by Moses, but for the people to get ready to receive Moses. Moses thought the children would understand that he was sent. (I never wrote it, He did; so is it now.)

Like Elijah, after that mighty vindicated prophet that the Word of God came to had finished preaching his message to the modern American groups of the first lady with their bobbed hair and Jezebel paint groups… God confirming His prophet; every time he prophesied, it was the truth. God had to call him off of the field until He plagued that generation with mighty plagues for rejecting the message of His prophet and the word of God that He had sent to them.

God sent him into the wilderness in hiding. Not even the king could call him out. And them that tried to persuade him against the will of God died for doing so! Oh, God! Whew! Mmm! But when God spoke to His faithful prophet by a vision, out of the wilderness he come with "Thus saith the Lord." What did he do? Straight to the Word, back to the Word he went. Brought the twelve stones and rolled them together.

Like John the Baptist, Christ's faithful forerunner, the anointed prophet, no school of his father, no school of the Pharisee, no denomination could call him from the wilderness where God had sent him until he heard the voice of God, the Messiah's Lamb!

Are you listening spiritual mind? What more could I say here? I'm skipping something here, now.

How different today! Many so-called evangelists claim they have the answer from God for the people, just as Korah did---denying, disputing the authority of God's vindicated anointed prophet, Moses, claiming he had the answer. This was a money-making scheme, too---a golden calf, as many do today---big buildings, big schools, hatched out incubators of their same seed. And then … people then, as like now, fell for it after they had heard the true Word of God through an anointed prophet that was vindicated.

They fell for Korah's lie. God-proven prophet, and God knew … and knew God had told them… Israel knew God had told them distinctly that He would vindicate His prophets by His Word. Korah was not a scriptural prophet, but it looked awful good to the people; same as it does now. Today it's blood on your hands, balls of fire on the platform, oil in your fingers; and the same thing produces women preachers, short hair, bobbed … makeup. What do you have? You would not think that people would fall for it, but they did for Korah, and they do the same thing now and turn away from the true Word for denominations. Shorts: shows what kind of a seed that's in them.

But thank God all Israel never fell for Korah. Some stayed by Moses, the anointed prophet with the Word of God. Same is it today with many of God's elected, by His Word and His Spirit.

Remember, the tares, the weeds, are to be gathered and bound in bundles. Is that right? This has come to pass. The apostate organization churches is bound tighter than they ever was bound. They are bundled together in a federation of churches, ready for the fires of God's judgment. (I never wrote this, I feel that He did it.) Pentecostals are full of so-called … the same as them. The wheat-Word will be gathered someday after they leave, for the Master.

God has promised … (be careful!) God has promised Malachi 4 for this last day, and Malachi 4 has not as yet been fulfilled, but it must be fulfilled for it is a germitized word of God, spoken through Malachi, the prophet. Jesus referred to it (Matthew 17:11) . It is to be just before the coming of Christ the second time. (Listen close, now.) All Scripture that has not been fulfilled, must be, before that time. The Bible is to be finished; the Gentile dispensation is to be finished with the church age. When this anointed messenger arrives, of course, he will plant the seed of the entire Bible, plumb from the serpent to the messenger, in the former rain. Then he will be rejected by the denominational people as his forefather, John and Elijah, as was spoken by our Lord … people, as Elijah was the first time to Ahab's time. It will happen here in this country, as this country is a type of Israel.

Read, or hear "Jezebel Religion." As this country… Our forefathers worshipped the way they wanted to, come to this country and pushed out the natives and took over; so did Israel take over when they come up out of Egypt. We had godly men like Washington, Lincoln. They had great godly men as David and so forth. Then they got a Ahab on the throne with a Jezebel behind him to direct him---so have we! So it's at this time, in this country, that that person will appear. For it's in the Scripture, and it's "Thus saith the Lord."

Then in the latter rain there will come forth a Mount Carmel, a showdown---Bible fulfilled to the letter. John the Baptist, His messenger before His face in Malachi 3, planted a former rain and was rejected by the churches (the denominations---the Pharisees and Sadducees) in his day. Jesus came and had the Mount Transfiguration showdown. This forerunner of the last days will sow for the former rain. Jesus will be the showdown between denominations and creeds (which is His Word). When He comes, the showdown---the rapture of His bride! The first was Mount Carmel; the second was Mount Transfiguration; the third will be Mount Zion! Glory!

Elijah's behavior, Moses' behavior, John's behavior, leaving their field of service---many of the people didn't understand them. It was because they was rejected and their message. The seed had been sown; judgment was next, and they was a sign to the people from God that judgment was at hand. Planting was over.

I believe someday the real bride of Christ will be forced to stop preaching the Word of God. The Bible prophesies of it in Revelations 13:16 (if you want to put it down.) Denominations will force it to stop or take its mark. Then when the Lamb will take His bride and judge the whore for this.

Remember Moses, born for the work, had to wait on God for the extra gift for the job. (He had to go back and wait.) And for the time appointed by God a certain Pharaoh had to be on the throne. And the people had to be wanting the bread of life before God would send him back. Now, with thousands of sign-workers in this last day has created a generation of sign-seekers, that knows no more … nothing about the true move of God in His Word in these last days.

As I have said, "Give them blood and oil and fleshly demonstrations on the platform, and they'll support it whether it's God's Word or not, whether it is scriptural or not." Jesus had warned us of such things at the end time. As I have said, in Matthew 24, two spirits, very close alike, deceive the very elected if possible. How can you tell them? Give them the Word test. How can you know it? Speak the Word; see what they say about it. If they don't believe the Word, they have no seed-germ in them. They are of the evil one and deceive you. As the first bride was deceived, then the second bride was deceived. They are deceivers of the third bride by hybreeding the Word, or trying to.

God never placed signs ahead of His Word. (Amen! That's a scorcher.) God never placed signs ahead of His Word. They were added for proof of the Word, but the Word is first.

To prove it, Elijah said to the woman, "Bake me a cake, first." Then watch the miracle happen. Come to the Word first and then watch the miracle. The seed-Word itself is what the Holy Spirit energizes. How can a messenger sent from God just believe some of the Scriptures and not all the Word?---deny part of it.

The true prophet of God will proclaim the Word in the last days; denominations will hate him. He will not pull any punches on them. He will be like he was when he come at the first coming of Christ. "You generation of vipers!" But the predestinated will hear and will make ready for the countdown. The royal seed of Abraham's faith (like him) holding to the Word of God regardless, for he was predestinated. The messenger of Malachi 4 will appear at God's appointed time. We are all looking for him. We believe he will come. That is according to His Word; it will be at the end time, which it is time now for to see it.

He will be correctly dedicated to the Word as they have always been; indicated by God's Word---and a-vindicated. God will vindicate what he preaches to be the truth as He did Elijah; for it is Elijah coming, making ready for the Mount Zion rapture. Jesus said in the last days it would be like Lot's time. His preaching will be with the Spirit and straight line of God's Word. Because so much has been called God's truth, many will misunderstand this true messenger. (I've got wrote here p-r-o-p-h-e-c-y, prophecy.) Because so much has been called God's truth by fakers, many true ministers will misunderstand that messenger.

As the end time … prophecies will repeat, I believe. As the first forerunner came from the wilderness and cried, "Behold the Lamb of God," the second forerunner will probably do the same by pointing the people to a Word-born bride. The bride of Christ will be pointed to the skies at the appearing of Jesus, screaming, "Behold the Lamb of God!" will come forth from his lips. God help us to be ready for this near event.

Make the measure full …

In recent weeks, the international press has reported that a new translation of the Psalms and the New Testament will be published by Oxford University Press in New York on September 11th of this year. The five-member committee was chaired, let it be lamented to God, by a professor of theology: Susan Brooks-Thislethwaite.

The following report was published in the daily newspaper "Die Welt" on September 2nd: "Politically correct Bible in the USA. SAD New York. A new politically correct translation of the New Testament will be published by Oxford University Press on September 11th in the USA. Among other things, the translation no longer mentions "the right hand of God", so as not to emotionally burden left-handers, and the Lord's Prayer begins with: "Our Father-Mother in heaven". In addition, all passages in the New Testament in which the Jews are accused of murdering Christ are deleted. Furthermore, the word Lord as a synonym for God was erased — for Lords as the ruling class, according to the translators, are passé."

It will no longer be "Holy Spirit" but "Holy Spiritess", since the Hebrew word ru'ach is feminine. They have forgotten themselves to such an extent that it was said that it was an imposition that this female person within the Trinity is dominated by two males who are referred to as the "two guys". This is how representatives of the doctrine of the Trinity talk about their three-person God! The new text will also no longer contain anything about the "powers of darkness", because that is an insult to dark-skinned people, nor is the term "the right hand of God", because left-handers could feel insulted by it. The words "Lord" and "God" are rendered only as "Most High," so that you can imagine whatever you would like.

I am certain that such reports will leave every child of God, to whom the Word is precious, speechless. I am reminded of a verse from the well-known song "The bride has been waiting for so long … We are greatly pained by the mockery of the enemies who blaspheme your name, who do not love nor understand you, you wonderful God…" [Translator note: Pfingstjubel song #545 entitled "Es harrt die Braut so lange schon"] The apostles Peter and Paul wrote that scoffers will appear in the last days, but that this mockery would also be directed against God and God's Word is beyond imagination. There has been a dispute about the Godhead since the third century after Christ because the revelation of the Word and the Spirit was no longer there. This is common knowledge. But what is going on now is incomprehensible to every normal-thinking person, let alone a child of God. What would not be conceivable in any other religion happens in so-called Christianity. This development is the fault of the advocates of the three-person doctrine of God. In doing so, they have placed an insurmountable obstacle in the way of Jews, Muslims and many others, and have skillfully covered their richly decorated, unbiblical doctrinal system with the Babylonian mantle. Now they are filling up the measure of ungodliness.

Is the crucifix a Christian symbol?

On August 10, 1995, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, the highest court in Germany, ruled that the installation of crucifixes in state schools is unconstitutional. This is not about Catholic religious schools, but about schools in which all children partake in lessons, regardless of their denomination or worldview. The distinguished Catholic persons of the CDU/CSU and the Church have harshly criticized this ruling, questioned it and publicly defamed the highest judges of this country. In the case of the crucifix, there is talk of a "Christian symbol", of "Christian values", of "Western culture", etc., which must be preserved. The judges responsible have been pilloried in the public media, and the Catholic state government in Munich will do what it decides itself.

Anyone who has studied the Bible and history knows that crucifixion was the worst form of death penalty imposed in the Roman Empire. Our Lord has suffered this death penalty for our sake. Galatians 3 refers to Deuteronomy 21:23, where it says, "for he that is hanged is accursed of God." At the moment of the crucifixion, the sin and curse of mankind lay on the Lamb of God, so that through the shed blood the redeemed might receive reconciliation, the salvation of the soul and the blessing of God.

By making the sign of the cross, people think they can bless themselves, secure protection, avert hardship, and drive away evil powers. Fields, objects, houses, livestock — everything is included in the Trinitarian blessing. This list could go on. In Bavaria, many housewives still make three crosses over the bread before they cut it. However, all of this has nothing to do with faith, but only with superstition. The sign of the cross, whether made by hand or worn as a symbol, becomes a talisman or lucky charm. Children of God have nothing to do with that. The biblical believers do not make the sign of the cross by bringing their hand to their forehead, mouth and chest and saying to themselves: "In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". No and again no! Those who have become believers live under the blessing of God, which came to us by salvation accomplished on the cross at Golgotha. We have experienced the Word of the cross as a power of God and testify that we were crucified with Christ, buried with Him through baptism and resurrected to a new life (Romans 6).

Everything that served our Lord and Redeemer — from His entry into this world until His ascension — was unique. Mary, the chosen earthly vessel who was deemed worthy to receive the divine substance, is not mentioned again in any of the letters of the Apostles from Romans 1 until the end of Revelation. In Bethlehem it was the inn and the manger in the stable. The cross on Golgotha fulfilled its purpose, as did the linen cloths and the tomb. But we do not worship a place or an object, but give glory only to the God of heaven, who has become our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The early Christians would have been careful not to display a cross, because under Nero, who had made the bloody persecution of Christians his goal in life, many of them were still crucified and killed. The sign of the cross goes back to Constantine, the multiple murderer within his own family, and was only later adopted by the Roman Imperial Church. According to what is written in the Encyclopædia Britannica, there was no crucifix (cross with body) at all until the 10th century. It was not until the First Crusade in 1096-1099, that the Blood Pope Urban II made a call for assistance and in which he promised the bearers of the crosses and crucifixes immediate remission of sins and even heaven itself, that under the symbol of the crucifix, as it was called, "slaughter all unbelievers". When the falsely so-called Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the middle of the city was captured, the blood of the inhabitants of Jerusalem flowed down the streets. The crusader responsible for this, Godfrey of Bouillon, who dedicated his sword to the Mother of God, let out the battle cry: "Deus lo vult." — God wills it. Officially, it was about defending the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Even now, high-ranking men of the "The Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre" are preoccupied with the Jerusalem question. They are not only concerned with supporting Israel's 65,000 Catholic Palestinians in their "struggle for existence against the Jews", but above all to assert the Vatican's claim to ownership of the Holy Land. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michael Sabbah, a Palestinian, a declared enemy of Israel, is the highest-ranking Knight of the Holy Sepulchre after the Grand Master. They are obviously also making a pact with the Muslims among the Palestinians against the Jews. The Knights' own claim to Eretz Israel is clear because Mary is venerated as the "Queen of Palestine".

If one knows history and knows what has happened with the sign of the cross and in the name of the crucifix religion, namely through Roman Catholicism, then one will be careful not to regard such a symbol as a Christian sign. Only that which goes back to Christ and His Word is Christian; only that which goes back to the Apostles is apostolic, only that which goes back to the Bible is biblical. All the traditions of the Church do not do justice in any way to these three facts. When compared closely, nothing can be traced back to Christ, the apostles, or the Bible. The Creed, for example, which was formulated hundreds of years after Christ in various councils, should not be called an "Apostolic Creed" at all, because it also has nothing in common with the Apostles and the teaching of the Apostles. The violent Christianization and the cruel Inquisition by the bearers of the cross and crucifix cost the lives of millions of people. Countless Jews and people of other faiths, who could not kiss the crucifix because they saw idolatry in the whole affair, preferred martyrdom. Crucifix and instruments of torture often hung on the same wall in the prisons. Two words are written in the heart of every believing Jew as a term forever and ever: "Schma Israel — Hear Israel!" What Israel was to hear is written in the First Commandment.

It is contrary to the first commandment to make any image or likeness before which one casts oneself down in devotion. God Himself accepts only worship that is directed towards Him in His Spirit and in the truth of His Word. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24). Not a place, not an object, not a symbol, not an image, not a likeness, but God, who by His nature is Spirit, accepts only worship that occurs in the Holy Spirit. That alone is worship. Where other things are included in the worship, whether Mary, saints, patron saints or relics — there is idol worship, direct idolatry, which is an abomination to God. Many Bible passages could be mentioned in this regard. Two tribes were taken out of the twelve tribes of Israel because they practiced the worship of idols, namely, Dan and Ephraim. Ephraim, who even received the firstborn blessing by the crossed hands of Jacob (Genesis 48), has forfeited his birthright because of his idolatry (1 Kings 12:25-32) and, like Dan, no longer belongs to the complete list of the twelve tribes of Israel in Revelation 7:3-8. In the prophet Hosea, Ephraim is repeatedly mentioned in chapters 3 to 13 by name and rebuked for his worship of idols. God does not make empty words: He means what He says, and says what He means. His commandment is a holy requirement, and His Word is a holy commandment.

We do not want to go into detail here about what happens in pilgrimage sites, churches, and so on. In any case, the word to every individual who follows Jesus is still valid today: "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." [Matthew 10:38] and "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." [Luke 14:27] The personal cross is not made of wood or metal, it consists of the suffering, ridicule and scorn that believers endure when they truly follow the Lord. Just as the Redeemer took up the cross at the end of His ministry and went via Gethsemane to the place of execution, so every believer takes up his cross on the day of his conversion, figuratively speaking, and experiences that he has been crucified with Christ and will henceforth have to bear His reproach. Once again, it must be emphasized that wearing a man-made cross and crucifix is like a talisman and has nothing to do with faith but with superstition. Since the fall of world communism in 1989/90, the wearing of crosses has become fashionable, especially on necklaces.

Biblical believers believe as the Scriptures say, they are concerned with the salvation work of God, which was accomplished once and for all on the cross at Golgotha, when the Son of God cried out: "It is finished!" — namely, "…And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." (Ephesians 2:16), "… And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…" (Colossians 1:20), "…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." (Colossians 2:14). Anyone who has experienced the act of reconciliation of God with humanity, as it happened on Golgotha, in all its redemptive effects, does not wear a visible, external cross made of gold, silver or wood, let alone a crucifix. Only those who have not experienced it inwardly do that. Once again, it should be emphasized that what happened on the cross is not about any symbols, which are then made into a kind of idol and false god using a seemingly magical formula, but it is about the experience with God, who was in Christ and reconciled the world to Himself. Both the cross and the tomb are empty, the Crucified One has risen and ascended to heaven. The Risen One is not a man-made dead object that people carry. He is the living Lord who carries His own. He will soon come again and take all who have been crucified and died with Him, in order that they would live with Christ, to Himself in glory.

Mission Report

There is much to report about the worldwide missionary work and what God is doing. There is a great spiritual hunger throughout Asia and Africa, and especially in Eastern Europe. When I heard that we had reached a print run of 50,000 copies in the Russian language, I was deeply moved. It has been many years since the Lord showed me an event in a large, festive hall that is associated with this development. In the vision, I stood on the platform and watched as people streamed into the room, as if expecting something special. After everyone had taken their seats, I saw that there were still vacant seats everywhere. At that moment, a voice spoke directly above me: "Only when the bride from Eastern Europe arrives will the number become full." The next moment a door opened on my left, and the individual groups came in, arranged by country — each time led by a brother who was in charge. Everyone else followed him with happy faces. Suddenly the voice spoke: "Now the bride comes from Russia." Spontaneously, I went up to the leading brother, we fell into each other's arms, and I said to him: "I have been waiting for this moment." The brother went on with the crowd that followed him, and suddenly all the seats were occupied. At that moment I was overwhelmed with deep gratitude. It was a pleasant, heavenly atmosphere. I was standing in the middle of the platform again when the same majestic, all-penetrating voice said, "When this happens, the fulfillment is near!"

Now we can witness how everything is fulfilled. All over the Eastern European countries, large crowds come to the meetings — we have had as many as two or three thousand people listening to the sermon. God is faithful — He knows His own all over the world and calls them out. It is simply wonderful that we are able to witness the conclusion of the New Testament congregation in this way. We clearly see how Bible prophecy, with all its promises, is now being fulfilled in an all-encompassing way. Blessed is he who now hears what the Spirit says to the churches through the revealed Word and then does accordingly.

There is much to report about the Mission Centre in Krefeld. Printing is now done in seven different languages; paper is being purchased by the ton to satisfy the great need, as best we can. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those here in Krefeld who help on a voluntary basis, as well as our beloved brother Russ, for whom God has done great things. He had been given up by the doctors and was near death, but God had mercy and healed him. In the many years behind us, he has served the congregation and faithfully carried out his position as shepherd. We all say a heartfelt thank you to Brother Russ and "God bless you and your house".

A heartfelt thanks also goes to our beloved brother Schmidt, who, together with others, is involved with the manuscripts in the Russian language and the care of the countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. For him, the Russian language is just like the German, and so he can do a service that no one else amongst us could do. May the Lord bless him and his house abundantly.

I would also like to thank our beloved brothers Alexis Barilier and Etienne Genton for their many years of faithful cooperation. Not once did they deviate from the Word, never wanted to make a name for themselves with any special knowledge or teaching. They faithfully translate into French and Italian to serve the people of God. It can almost be considered a miracle when brothers who are so blessed and used by God remain humble. When I see how many directions so-called "Message believers" go, I am filled with deep gratitude for all the faithful brothers and sisters.

We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to our beloved brother Markku Vuori, who has been doing the translation work and ministry in Finland for many years. In general, we owe our thanks to all the brothers and sisters who work tirelessly and mostly unpaid, be it here in Germany, in Switzerland or in all the other countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and all over the world, where translations are carried out and people are cared for with the precious Word of God. We are grateful to the Lord for the opportunities He has given us. That is why we are buying time, because we know that it will not remain this way for much longer.

I would also like to thank all of you who support this worldwide missionary work with prayer and your offerings. It is not a matter of course, but grace. We know that it is God's work because it is done in accordance with His promised Word. We live in a time when churches and free churches are becoming more and more detached from the Word. All peoples and tribes insist on their independence; men and women, young people and children, all want more and more independence. The spirit of the times has not spared the believers either and has carried some away. They want, as they say, to be free, to go where they want, to do what they want, for themselves, their time, their money, in general, everything at their own discretion. They do not notice that they are falling out of the divine order or have already fallen.

We have to judge everything from the Scriptures and let ourselves be judged. Our own opinion is not valid before God. It is embedded in disobedience, although often hidden behind biblical passages. It is sad when brothers and sisters "go after each other," as the Scriptures put it. It happens again and again that the enemy takes something as an opportunity, be it from the proclamation, which one stumbles over because one does not see it that way, or that one takes something from personal life as an offense and makes an obstacle out of it. At first, they react disappointed, and soon the enemy turns a small thing into an insurmountable obstacle. The reaction is then to withdraw. Dear brothers and sisters, let it be said to you: None of us has any influence on our position in the kingdom of God: neither those whom He has called to preach His Word, nor those who hear it, can change it in the slightest. God takes whom He wills and does what He planned to do. Blessed are all those who will not be deceived by the enemy and do not take offense. God knew the end from the beginning; He knew the path that every one of us would take and what would happen to us. Whatever happens serves a purpose, even if we do not immediately understand it. The fact remains that all things work together for good to them that love God. Those who have received the revelation from God remain to the end and testify from the heart: "to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

Israel trip

God willing, a trip to Israel is planned for the period from Monday, March 4th, to Monday, March 18th, 1996, right in the midst of the "3000 years of Jerusalem" celebrations. It will begin in Eilat on the Red Sea and end in Nathanya on the Mediterranean. Of course, the time in Jerusalem is the highlight. In April 1996, the final negotiations over the city of Jerusalem will begin. I am glad that the Lord will not negotiate but will act when His time has come. If the dollar does not unexpectedly rise, the total price for the flight and land program will be less expensive than the last times and will be around 2500 DM/2100 SFr. The departure from the Federal Republic of Germany is planned from Frankfurt via Tel Aviv to Eilat, the return flight from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt. The transport from the Mission Centre in Krefeld to Frankfurt Airport and back is by bus. All participants who come to Krefeld for the meetings on the first weekend can park their cars here. Participants from Switzerland fly directly from Zurich to Tel Aviv and Eilat and back from Tel Aviv to Zurich. Anyone who wants to take part in this trip must register immediately, because I fear that the number of 52 participants will fill up very quickly. Further details will be communicated to all fellow travellers in due course.

Wheat sheaf￼

This photo with the sheaf of wheat is well suited to show what it is actually about. David said, moved by the Spirit: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126).

Towards the very end, God will move heaven and earth. Not only will there be labourers in the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38), but the angels as reapers will also fulfill their task (Matthew 13:39-43). Then not individual sheaves harvested here or there on a mission field, but the entire harvest worldwide will be brought in and gathered into the heavenly barns by the rapture of the wheat.

At present, according to the words of our Lord, weeds and wheat are still growing in the same field. What is a weed is bundled* as it is happening with power at the moment. In the end, only the pure wheat remains, which was once shown to me as a golden-yellow, huge, overripe wheat field with full, large heads.

Since my time is already planned beyond the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to deeply wish everyone God's blessing for the remainder of this year and for the coming year. Continue to remember me and God's work in your daily prayers and be commended to the grace of￼ God.

By His Commission

Meeting Announcements

Salzburg 28.10.1995 14:00 Hotel Europa, Rainerstraße
(near the main train station)

Year-end meetings

This time, the year-end meeting with Lord’s Supper in Zurich cannot take place on Sunday, December 31, because the hall has already been booked. The only date we have is

Sunday 24.12.1995 14:00 Volkshaus, Helvetiaplatz
Weißer Saal
for the last meeting this year.

In the Mission Centre in Krefeld, Am Herbertzhof 11-17, the year-end meetings take place as follows:

First meeting: Saturday, December 30, 19:00 (Lord's Supper)

Last meeting: New Year's Eve: Start at 19:00 with love feast

God willing, as has been the case for many years, the meetings on the first Sundays in Krefeld and on the last Sunday of each month in Zurich will continue.

We ask all brothers and sisters who would like to participate in the meetings in Krefeld to register so that we can plan for board and lodging.

A view of the assembled crowd in July 1995 in Kinshasa, Zaire￼

A photograph of the leading brothers in Zaire together with Brother Barilier￼