“Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and for ever.”

(Heb. 13:8)

Circular letter December 1997

Special greetings to all of you world-wide in the name of Jesus Christ with the following scripture which expresses the hope and desire of all true believers:

“For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them who are asleep. For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel. and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air; and so shall we ever be with the LORD. Wherefore, comfort one another with these word.” (1 Thess. 4:15-18).

The prediction made two thousand years ago was never as close to its fulfillment as right now. This great event will take place precisely in the way and order it is written. Interpretations about it are not needed at all. The resurrected LORD Who was taken into heaven bodily before the eyes of His disciples (Lk 24:50-51) will return in exactly the same way (Acts 1:11), and those who permit to be made ready will be changed, as He was transformed (Mt 17:2), and receive their immortality (1Cor 15:49-54) as He did in the resurrection. Then they will be like He is, “…but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” (1J 3:1-2)

Not a teaching presented as a revelation would come, but rather He will come Himself. The Bridegroom will take His Bride to the marriage supper. She will be taken up, meet the LORD in the air and be with Him for ever (1Thess 4). The question remains whether each of us is truly ready (Mt 25:1-10) and belongs to the Bride of the Lamb to participate in the marriage supper (Rev 19:7-10).

The emphasis is not only upon this great event which is at hand but rather on the absolute, “for this we say unto you by the word of the LORD…” Therefore the whole matter is a teaching based on the Holy Scriptures. Therein lies the assurance. In fact, all things pertaining to the plan of salvation take place as foretold in God's Word.

By the Word of the LORD Peter could say in his first sermon in regards to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, “This is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:1b). By the Word of the LORD he could say in his second sermon, that all those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all His prophets, had to be fulfilled (Acts 3:18). In that connection looking into the far future, he spoke about repentance and of … the times of refreshing which shall come from the presence of the LORD; and He shall send Jesus Christ, Who before was preached unto you… (vv. 19-20). Thereupon he made the statement of great significance to all who expect the return of Jesus Christ, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the age began.” (v. 21)

The Scripture text is binding for all of us. It is a divine must. Before the return of Jesus Christ all things must be brought back into the original order. The Bride-Church must be re-established upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets whereby He Himself is the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20-22) and, of course, the headstone (Zech. 4:7). It must become a reality that the teachings and lives of all who constitute the Church of the living God comply with the Word, each one in their personal life, in marriage, in family life and also in the life of the whole Church. God's people must become one with God's Word. The Apostle James spoke of the coming of the LORD. He also wrote about the former and the latter rain which must come before the harvest (chapter 5). The prophet Joel prophesied about it and also about the restoration (chapter 2:23-27).

The prophetic Word of the LORD does not come to a pastor or evangelist, they preach about it. After the divine pattern the Word of the LORD comes to a prophet – servant and apostle (Eph 3:5) – also in the New Testament as predicted by the LORD Jesus Christ, “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them you shall kill and crucify…" (Mt 23:34) After this serious prediction what those sent by Him would suffer, our LORD sorrowful said, “O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent unto thee…” – (v. 37). God has set in His Church apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. (1Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11). But whenever Bible prophecy comes to fulfillment it can be a promised prophet to whom the Word is revealed. God acts when a foreordained prophet rises on the scene according to the plan of salvation. Only true prophets have the THUS SAITH THE LORD. The others have their own interpretations.

By the Word of the LORD John the Baptist could say, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness…” (Jn 1:23), for thus the Spirit of God had spoken by the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah (40:3). In Mt. 11:9-10 our LORD emphasized the ministry of the promised prophet. HE started with the question, “But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet…” Not “more than a man”, but more than the prophets who had announced that great event.

All Old Testament prophets had one thing in common: They predicted the coming of the Messiah. The difference lies in the fact that John was a promised prophet who prepared the way of the LORD, baptized the Messiah and introduced Him to the people “… that all men through him might believe.” On. 1:7). “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet, Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make his paths straight.” (Mt 3:3). Therefore he was more than the Old Testament prophets.

The LORD again testified of his ministry, “For this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee…” (Mt 11:10; Mal 3:1)

Luke states, “The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” (16:16)

By the Word of the Lord John could say, “I, indeed, baptise you with water unto repentance, but he who cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Mt 3:11) Pointing to Him he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:36)

By the Word of the LORD the angel could say to Zacharias in reference to John the Baptist in Lk. 1:16-17, “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the LORD, their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.“

Because the first part of the Elijah promise (Mal 4:5-6), was then fulfilled, he was also called Elijah. But not once was the Elijah-text applied to John in connection with the “day of the LORD“ of Mal. 4:5-6. His ministry is shown forth in the context of Mal. 3:1 in every New Testament reference, which deals with his ministry,

Special experience

Our LORD went with Peter, James and John unto the mountain. There the supernatural took place as witnessed by the disciples: “And (He) was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was as white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him”. (Mt 17:2-3) Highly interesting what is recorded. Now the transformation of the bodies of those who will be raptured is very close.

There appeared Moses and Elijah and the question comes up, why the disciples afterwards never inquired about Moses, but were rather asking, “Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?” (v. 10).

If the concern is with Israel, then we already find in Zech. 4 the two prophets as two olive trees who stand near the candlestick. According to Rev. 1-3 the candlestick symbolises the Church. In Rev. 11 the ministry of the two prophets, the two witnesses, is described who will minister in Jerusalem for three and a half years. The characteristics of their ministry which will take place after the rapture reminds us on Moses and Elijah who were on the Mount of Transfiguration.

The answer our LORD gave that Elijah must first come and restore all things does interest us very much. This promise was confirmed after the ministry of John the Baptist. He was being asked, “Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not.” (Jn 1:21) He certainly knew his place in the Kingdom of God. The statement of our LORD is a very clear confirmation of the Malachi promise in chapter 4, “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (Mt 17:11)

Mt. 17:12 refers to the already finished ministry of John the Baptist. That does not eliminate the part which still was in the future. In the contrary, the one is complementary to the other and completes the matter. The first part applied to John, as the angel confirmed to Zacharias that the hearts of the fathers would be turned to the children of the New Covenant. Then the “day of salvation” commenced (Is 49:6-8; 2Cor 6:2 a. o.), but the “day of the LORD” is still before us after the 2,000 years. The second part of the combined promise then remained unfulfilled.

The footnote concerning the Elijah-ministry in Mt. 17 found in the Scofield Bible is very enlightening.

(17:2) The transfiguration scene contains, in miniature, all the elements of the future kingdom in manifestation (2Pt 1:15-21): (1) the Lord Jesus, not in humiliation but in glory (v. 2); (2) Moses, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have passed through death into the kingdom (Mt 13:43; cp. Lk 9:30-31); (3) Elijah, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have entered the kingdom by translation (1Cor.15:50-53; 1Th.4:13-17); (4) Peter, James, and John, not glorified, representatives, for the moment, of Israel in the flesh in the future kingdom (Ez 37:21-27); and (5) the multitude at the foot of the mountain (v. 14), representative of those who are to be brought into the kingdom after it is established over Israel (Is 11:10-12, etc.)

(17:10) Compare Mal 3:1; 4:5-6; Mt 11:14; Mk 9:11-13; Lk 1:17. All the passages must be taken together. (1) Christ confirms the specific and still unfulfilled prophecy of Mal 4:5-6: "Elijah shall truly first come and restore all things." Here, as in Malachi, the prediction fulfilled in John the Baptist, and that yet to be fulfilled in Elijah, are kept distinct. (2) But John the Baptist had come already, and with a ministry so completely in the spirit and power of Elijah's future ministry (Lk 1:17) that in a typical sense, it could be said: "Elijah is come already." Compare Mt 10:40; Phile 12,17, where the same thought of identification, although still preserving personal distinction, occurs (cp. Jn 1:21).

Throughout the Old Testament God spoke to the fathers (Heb 1:1 a. o). John showed them who waited for the Messiah the way and how the relationship for the children of the New Covenant was established in the Son of God. He directed their feet unto the way of peace with God (Lk 1:79). The second part is now being fulfilled, as the hearts of God's children are brought back to the faith of the apostolic fathers.

Thus we say by the Word of the LORD: What did not happen at the first coming of Christ must of necessity take place now. Everything must be fulfilled, whether written in the Old or the New Testament. God is very specific when He says in what way the restoration is taking place, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…” (Mal 4:5-6). That is THUS SAITH THE LORD in His Word. Man can decide in their natural matters but not in the Kingdom of God. The message is given to a man sent from God, not to great evangelists – they have another ministry Some of them even build their own kingdoms within the Kingdom of God. Also not through renowned speakers of any movement or presidents of a chapter etc., but the way it is written.

Who can dare to contradict God? The same must permit to be asked whether the mind that was in Christ is also in him. Scripture cannot be broken. Today the same situation exists as with Elijah. Everything must be done according to the Word of the LORD. As Elijah took the twelve stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and re-built the altar of God, gathering the people and crying out, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1Ki 18:21), the same challenge is given now. Then God answered and the Carmel decision fell. The man sent from God ministering in the same power and spirit as Elijah had to re-establish the pure doctrines of the twelve apostles in which the early Church remained and practiced at the beginning (Acts 2:42). In that way God's altar is being re-built and true believers according to Rom. 12 lay their bodies in obedience and faith upon the same which is the reasonable service, as Paul writes. All things must find their original place. We do not go back to what church fathers said. We go back to the very beginning. Only those who in comparison with the Word of God realize that nominal Christendom has gone astray in doctrine and practice and did not remain in the original way but changed everything and made a totally different Gospel, preaching another Jesus and is guided by another Spirit (2Cor 11:3), will recognize the necessity of the restoration. Here we are dealing with a part of the Plan of Salvation for our time. The final decision is made by God Himself. HE will have the last word. For some God seems to be late, but in reality He is never late.

Now we have to become more specific and ask, has such a man already been who did not compromise on the true biblical teachings and was supernaturally vindicated like Elijah? Did the Word he proclaimed coincide with the ministry of the LORD and the apostles? If only scriptural criteria are the measuring rod, has there been a prophet sent by God in our time whose teachings agree with all the prophets and the apostles' doctrine? Of necessity it had to be someone outside the organized denominations to be able to call out and exercise correction – a man sent from God with the original message of God to the people of God.

Based upon the Word of the LORD we further ask: Does one of the world famous evangelists in reality agree with what the prophets and the apostles taught? Is there one among them who, for instance, restored the fundamental doctrines about the Godhead, water baptism, LORD's Supper etc. and placed them upon Bible foundation? Or is it not a fact that all remain in their inherited traditional church teachings? Some of them even rejected the proclamation of the true Word, saying it was false teaching because they compared it with their views, instead of asking themselves if their doctrines agree with God and God's Word.

Since the end of the forties and in the fifties hundreds of evangelists were inspired by the God-ordained ministry, were enthused and astonished about what God performed, but they did not even contemplate about the final goal of such a divinely confirmed ministry. All who are born of God will give ear to His Word, will recognize the day and the message. They receive the messenger sent from God and also the message, thereby testifying to be agreeing with God's decision and His doing. God has the right to fulfill His promised Word. Our right as His people is to participate therein. What now follows is not a legend, but is the truth.

Eyewitnesses testify

I, the writer of these lines, have seen in April, 1966, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA at least 10 people who were present when the following event took place: In June, 1933, William M. Branham had his first evangelistic campaign. Many were converted to Christ and dedicated their life to God. On June, the 11th, those who accepted Christ as their personal Saviour marched on with the evangelist to be baptized in the Ohio river in the biblical way. A crowd of approx. 4,000 persons was present at the baptismal service. As he stood in the water like John the Baptist, heaven opened up and something happened for all who were present to behold. As he was about to baptize the seventeenth person just raising his hand, looking towards heaven, praying, “LORD, as I baptize in water, would you baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.” Just then the supernatural light came down, hanging only a few meters above the man of God and a Voice said, “As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Christ, the message that is given you will be a forerunner of the second coming of Christ.” Newspapers in the region of Jeffersonville, Indiana, like Louisville, Kentucky, USA, and even in Canada documented this event. Many of those in the crowd were frightened, others prayed in respect, some even fell unconscious. So it was recorded.

God can do all things. He can appear in connection with the realization of His promise to Moses in the supernatural fire in a burning bush. The LORD can appear to Saul just before Damascus in a bright shining light and give him the commission. He is the same, whatever He does happens for a purpose.

The divine message can only be the written Word which was revealed through the Spirit in its significance and shown in the right connection. His Voice is directly connected to the Plan of Salvation and is most important for His Church.. Not the voice of a clergy or a self-appointed prophet or prophetess with special revelations added to the Bible, no, the Voice of God Itself which sounds even today by His holy Word. Not big gatherings like -Pro Christ- are the final, no, therein the plan of salvation for the end-time is not even considered. The best it could be is a waking up. Also all charismatic meetings with ever new methods to bring about a move of the Spirit are not the final which God has promised. It will be His sovereign work and not an arranged show. With God only substance counts, quality not quantity. Today in Christendom everything is called Christian, even the blessing of animals in churches. It must be Christ, the same yesterday, today and for ever.

A man sent from God prepares the way, restores the things to its original position. A promised prophet must have the promised Word for this time. There are still witnesses alive who can say like the apostles, “…which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life – declare we unto you.“ (1Jn 1)

On May, the 7th, 1946, the LORD commissioned Bro. Branham directly by sending an angel. Millions heard the testimony from his own lips. If someone cannot believe it, it is doubtful whether you are truthful yourself, because the Old and New Testament confirm that God works in supernatural ways through the sending of angels who are ministering spirits (Heb 1:14). An angel came to Zacharias (Lk 1:11), an angel came to Mary (Lk 1:26), an angel proclaimed the birth of Christ to the shepherds (Lk 2:8-14), an angel opened the prison gate (Acts 5:19), an angel spoke to Philip (Acts 8:26), an angel visited Cornelius (Acts 10:3), an angel appeared to Paul (Acts 27:23). These are only a few incidents which prove the reality of angelic visits in the New Testament. The most important for us at this time is the sending of an angel in Rev. 1:1-3 and chapter 22:6 to inform God's servants about the things which must shortly come to pass.

Something is happening

In all the years since Bro. Branham was taken into glory in December, 1965, 1 never witnessed what happened in this year 1997. Everywhere even high ranking preachers in the charismatic movements were asking me what I know about Bro. Branham and his ministry. I had the privilege to have known this man of God personally for ten years, attending many of his meetings in Europe and the USA. Therefore, I can judge and testify from personal experience and knowledge. In any case it can be truthfully said, based upon the Word of the LORD, that Scripture was fulfilled before our eyes, God is still continuing making history. And all who know Him are known by Him and realize and partake in what He does now.

How important it is to recognize the time and accept God's gracious visitation we can learn from the words our LORD spoke while weeping over Jerusalem, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hidden from thine eyes…” What follows everyone can read in Luke 19:41-44. The LORD concludes His admonition which reminds us on the apocalyptic judgments coming upon the earth after the rapture. “… and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” He rebuked them with the indicting statement, “… ye can discern the face of the sky; but ye can not discern the signs of the times.” (Mt 16:3).

In the days of our LORD the religious leaders were very sure to be right. They were respected before the people, but spiritually blind and influenced their congregation. Thus keeping them away from what God was doing, of course with the help of their religion, and remained in their own inherited traditional teachings. “The LORD came unto His Own”, as the Scripture had said, “but His Own received Him not” (Jn 1:11).

History is repeating as everyone knows. Man always give thanks to God for what He has done, looking forward for the things He will do and ignore what He is presently doing. Not just a few in our time have declared the working of the Holy Spirit to be of the evil one, as in the days of our LORD, and thereby committed the sin against the Holy Spirit. Others have profited from the supernaturally vindicated ministry without asking about the divine purpose connected to it. I am convinced that God in His grace is now giving the evangelists, the preachers and the ministers in the Kingdom of God world-wide the last opportunity to humbly consider the things He has done in His sovereignty using a human vessel in our generation. All who are of God need to recognize that God has sent a promised prophet in this last prophetic age and line up with the original teachings he proclaimed.￼

The question is not about Moses, about Paul, not about Branham, but of what God has done, using humans as His tools. It was the LORD God Who was present in the days of Moses in the pillar of cloud and fire with Israel. It was the LORD Jesus Who appeared to Saul in a supernatural light just before Damascus and commissioned the apostle. It was the LORD Himself Who graciously came down in the same pillar of light, as shown above Bro. Branham in the photo. Dr. George J. Lacy, recognized examiner of questioned documents, confirmed the authenticity of the negative in his statement on 29th January, 1950, as found in the book A man sent from God by Gordon Lindsay.

The same light appeared in the services of Bro. Branham. Every time our Brother ministered to the sick, something was revealed to him concerning the person he was to pray for. The light actually descended over the individual and thereby he knew for whom he should pray, whether on the platform or in the congregation. Time and again Bro. Branham pointed to it saying, “Now I see the light over the person here” and then “over the person there.” In the manifested Presence of the LORD he saw a vision. Thousands of times he could say, “THUS SAITH THE LORD” and every time it was one hundred percent correct. It was no guesswork, no beating the bush, but every time a true revelation given to him by the Spirit of God, the LORD confirming His Word, “The works I do shall you do also”(Jn 14:12). Hundreds of sermons with healing lines are available in Jeffersonville, USA, which can be checked by everyone whether this testimony is true or not.

The referring to Abraham and Moses was of no avail to the scribes at that time, as they did not recognize the gracious visitation of God. The referring to Peter and Paul will not be of any use except we acknowledge what God promised in His Word and accept what He is doing accordingly.

For THUS SAITH THE LORD in this our church age, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Rev 3:20) He is outside trying to get in. Within the church the preaching about Him and the singing is being done, but He Himself is not welcomed to enter in with His Word for today. Whosoever does not accept what He is doing now will not be accepted by Him at His coming. If we let Him remain outside knocking at our door, then we are going to be among the number who will then be outside knocking on His door. The whole matter is so very serious. No one should think, “Somehow I am going to make it”. You can only make it, if you let Him do it. May we let Him come in, then He will make all things well.

The time is at hand

Will the hand of God ever be seen again? We now find ourselves not only at the end of this century, we are at the greatest turning point in the history of mankind. The return of Jesus Christ is eminent. This is believed by millions who know the New Testament. Many preach about the rapture without knowing what must take place before. It is also not sufficient that we preach enthusiastically about Israel and Bible prophecy which is being fulfilled with His chosen people. We must know how the Bride Church is being called out, restored and prepared and so receiving part in the plan of salvation.

This is the calling out time of God's children from every Babylonian heritage, from all unscriptural although religious traditions, from the teachings mixed with old leaven. This is the time to return to God and His Word. God's people must be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb, sanctified in the Word of Truth and brought back into the original New Testament order wherein God can set the different ministries etc. (1Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11)

God not only said that times of refreshing will come and also the restoration before the return of Christ, He also told us according to His great counsel and will how it would happen. This we say by the Word of the LORD: The cry must go forth: “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, let us go out to meet him.” (Mt 25:6). There has to be a voice crying out. “Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you” (2Cor 6:17). Even a direct voice from heaven is heard calling out His people: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev 18:4). We must know wherein we got caught, to know from where we have to come out! Otherwise we are moving in a circle not finding our way out.

The way of the LORD must be prepared. All things have to be restored. How does it happen? All that is crooked must be made straight. But what is crooked? Everything that is wrong must be made right. But what is wrong? The LORD did not leave us in the dark about all these things. Everything will take place as it is written. Jesus Himself said, “Elijah shall truly first come, and restore all things.” (Mt 17:11). This is a very important utterance which must be taken seriously by all believers. Not what a pastor, a preacher, an evangelist or someone else says. God alone is responsible for His Word. He did send men like Elijah then and now. With Him exists not interpretation but fulfillment. Only by someone commissioned by Him directly all things can be brought into the proper order.

As we are now living at the end of this prophetic age, we need clarification which comes by the prophetic word, for instance to know about the mysterious text in Rev. 14:6-12. There the announcement is made by the first angel that “the everlasting Gospel is to be preached unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” The second one cried, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”. Who and what is that great Babylon, which committed spiritual fornication with the nations who were made drunk? From where do God's people have to come out, before this great Babylon falls and is destroyed (Rev 18)? We have to know these things. The third angel in Rev. 14 cried with emphasis, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever 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”. (vv. 9-11). Who is that beast? Who is the image of the beast? What is the mark of the beast, of which we are so urgently warned about with the threat to bear the final consequences? Only those who now find grace before God will recognize the importance of the prophetic Word ministry at this time, through which all these important mysteries were revealed and called by name, so God's people are warned.

We are only interested to receive the LORD's answer by His Word. The interpretations are for the foolish who think they are wise. True disciples of Jesus Christ believe what He said and accept what He promised. All the others believe those who speak to them.

Just as Israel is being gathered from all nations into the promised land at the end of days, it is certain that the last temple will be built in Jerusalem upon the same foundation, with the same measurements and shape as God originally ordained. It is most important to know that the third temple will be precisely on the same foundation where the first and the second were. Most certainly there is only one Church of the living God, as our LORD said in Mt. 16, 18, “I will build My church…” which is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1Tim 3:15). Just as certain the called out “ecclesia” from all denominations and countries must return to the biblical promised Word and be built up upon the original foundation.

The Spirit of God can only be working in connection with the Word of God. Therefore we now must hear the message of calling out and correction which is so needed at this time. This message must be believed from all the heart and in reality lived out in obedience by all who shall participate in the first resurrection.

Israel

With much attention we are watching the developments in Israel. Everything is foretold, also that Israel will receive peace only with the coming of the Messiah Who will save them from their enemies, as is written. Up till then Israel will have to deal patiently with this problem.

The politicians play with words, saying, “Peace brings security and security brings peace!” It is only to distract. There will be a war after the proclamation of peace and safety.

By and by we are informed about what happened to the Jews in the time of the Holocaust. But it is very interesting to see, whenever the church of Rome is in question in regards to what part she played during the Nazi-regime, then they only speak about the “guilt of silence”. Right now a declaration is being prepared which the pope shall read in the reconciliation year 2000 in Jerusalem. On November, the 10th, 1997, an additional agreement with Israel was signed upon which the Vatican looks as being a “concordat” which guarantees special rights to the Roman church in the Holy Land.

Now even a shadow is fallen upon Switzerland where the Nazi-gang, the murderers have transferred gold and money confiscated from the Jews. Also Sweden is being brought into headlines, as the names of the Jews were already listed there. To be fair one has to say that the concern is not the regular citizen in a respective country but rather the persons and institutions who were co-operating with the criminal Hitler regime. It was a perfectly organized genocide wherein political and military leaders and the clergy were working hand in hand.

The united Europe

As all should know we are now experiencing the coming into existence of the United Europe as foretold in Bible prophecy for the end-time. We cannot go into detail here, in any case the Roman Catholic church is the driving force, having the upper hand ￼over the political power. The “United Europe” is the worldly might, dominated by the united church as the spiritual power. The pope was shown in an evangelical magazine embracing Luther. The once deadly wound, brought about by the sword of the Word through the Reformation, is now healed.

The symbol of the twelve stars in the flag of￼ the “United European Nations” is taken from the assertion by the Vatican that Rev. 12 is referring to Mary as the woman with the crown of twelve stars. The pope has already dedicated all of Europe to the sacred heart of Mary.

Now she is not only considered as the “Queen of Heaven”, but also of Palestine and Europe. Strange but true, a race has begun to put out silver and gold coins in the countries belonging to the “European Union”. The front side always carries the emblem chosen by the respective country, whereas the back side carries the same symbol of the woman showing her- self sitting on the beast. Without knowing the prophetical details, the significance of Rev. 17 is being fulfilled. The uniting on all levels is moving and realized with tremendous speed.

Sects

A suspicious attack upon sects has started in Germany caused by the Scientology Church – so the official declaration. I personally asked the man in the Scientology headquarters in Miami, Florida, USA, in September 1997 the following questions:

“Are you a religious faith?” Answer: “No.”

“Do you have religious services?” “No”.

“Do you administer baptism?” “No”.

“Do you practice the LORD'S Supper?” “No.” etc.

The so-called “Scientology Church” has nothing to do with the proclamation of the gospel but is calling herself “church” to enjoy the benefits of a non-profit religious organization.

That is bad, but still worse is that the German government has taken a stand openly against sects. All this is just a pretext to persecute the free churches and fellowships who do not join the World Council of Churches. Until now in our country the two state churches, Catholic and Lutheran, had their sect observation offices, but now we do have a “state office” to observe every fellowship in the country they call sect. That is being done in a nation where religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution. Some of the non-recognized fellowships have already lost their “non-profit” status. The whole situation is alarming in the country known as the birthplace of the reformation.

Parallel to government action the media has played up the whole matter. The tendency in Germany and other European countries to consider anyone not belonging to one of the state churches to be a member of a sect is still unchanged.

The same problem is being faced in Austria. The mayor of the city of Innsbruck has given the order that all who work in government offices must be checked whether they belong to a sect. The city council was ordered to check everyone who applies for a post in a municipal office whether belonging to a sect. These two countries were involved especially during the time of World War 11 in the pogrom of the Jews. Now the stage is being set to legitimize the persecution of religious minorities. The whole matter is cunningly presented to justify the indictment of anyone belonging to a religious fellowship. Most surely before the year 2000 there will be in force an international law, sanctioned by the European Council. that anyone writing or speaking against the pope or the church of Rome can be taken to court, so confirm insiders.

Mission work

From all over the world we do have encouraging reports. Recently also the countries of the Far East region, especially those bordering the Golden Triangle, Thailand, Burma, Laos, also China, Cambodia and Vietnam are being reached. Amidst all that is being called -end-time-message- the true Word of God as it was revealed is being preached and the whole counsel of God is proclaimed. The LORD does great things among His people world-wide.

All of you who support the work of God so faithfully in prayer and with love gifts I wish to thank herewith from all my heart in the precious Name of our beloved LORD Jesus Christ in Whose service we stand together. Whether it is translation work, office work, printing and dispatching labour – all are doing their part whole-heartedly. Also those who participate in the mission work in all the different countries I wish to say many thanks. May God reward and bless you. The real reward will be given to you when the coronation takes place. Here everyone who does something is being criticized, but there the LORD will comment and say, “Well done!” We know to be in His Will, in His Word and in His Work. To Him be the glory. We consider it a privilege to be His co-workers.

We also wish to thank all our beloved ministering brethren worldwide, especially our Brother Alexis Barilier who sacrifices all he has to serve the French speaking countries. The brethren in Kinshasa should also respect this whole-heartedly and stop with their stupid polygamy doctrine and teach as Paul, the first messenger, and William Branham, the last did, “…let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”  (1Cor 7:2)

May God also continue to bless our beloved Brother Etienne Genton who so faithfully does the work in Italy and also all the brethren the world over who are not mentioned by name.

Together we wish to make use of the time, everyone in his respective place, where God wants you to be. The time is precious, but very short. What we must do we have to do quickly. The night is about to be, where no one can work.

For the coming year I wish you all God's richest blessings. It is very important for everyone to remain sober and balanced, living the regular course of life, so no reproach will come upon the LORD and His Word.

Rightfully we emphasize the near Return of our beloved LORD, at the same time it must be stressed that no one knows the day or the hour. We should be concerned with our preparation, not with setting dates, be- cause the LORD might come in an hour when not expected. We all should consider what is written, “…and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage” (Mt 25:10) and “… his Bride hath made herself ready.” (Rev 19:7). In the natural all should live a normal life and plan for the future.

God bless you all.

By His commission￼

Special

Some who write have not taken note that since the unification of Germany the area code has changed and also there is no more a West Germany or East Germany but only Germany.

The postal address therefore is as follows:

Mission Center
P. O. Box 905
47709 Krefeld Germany