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

(Heb. 13:8)

Circular letter May/June 1998

Special greetings to all of you world-wide in the precious name of our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with the significant passage of Rev. 1:1-3:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant, John,

Who bore witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is at hand.

In the prophetic scripture everything that would happen right to the end is already indicated. In reference to the counsel of God (Acts 20:27), things are not prophesied today, but have already been written in the Word of prophecy. The biblical gift of prophecy is for the upbuilding of the local church and must contain three things: edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). In verse 29 of the same chapter the Apostle further outlines the ministry of prophets, »Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.« Such prophets are part of the fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:11) and their duty is mainly to teach the prophetic part of the Scripture. The Bible says, if one who is listening receives a revelation that would really hit the target, then he should speak while the first one holds his peace (verse 30). In a direct prophecy which comes by inspiration no one can be interrupted, because if it is genuine it is a direct speaking of the Lord by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore it is »thus saith the Lord«.

From our introductory text we learn that whenever things pertain to the plan of salvation, then God is using one servant who would be a prophet for the age to make known the revealed Word, so the other servants can share the same revelation. The angel was not sent to the many servants but only to one namely John. The supernatural light did not appear to all ministers but to Paul, the one with a special charge and commission (Acts 9 + 22 + 26). In our generation the same supernatural light appeared to W. M. Branham, not to one of the many other evangelists. Therefore he had the same teaching as the Apostle Paul. Only those who believed the divine experience Paul had agreed with his teachings. The same is true in our time. If you go against the light you are blinded, if you move with the light you see the way.

In Ecclesiastes the preacher says in chapter 3:14-15, »I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.« We are also told in the last chapter of the Bible that nothing can be added or taken away from the Words of the prophecy of His book. To know such serious statements and acknowledge that God does nothing unless He reveals His secret first to one of His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7) is very essential. Such a servant is a Word-prophet ordained for the universal church, not just for a local assembly.

In Ecclesiastes 3 the preacher has shown forth the various aspects in natural life which have their time, but in view of eternity they are vanity. From birth to death certain things happen in the course of time. Also in the spiritual realm everything takes place at its set time and order. Then we read, »He hath made every thing beautiful in its time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.« (verse 11).

With all the research man cannot find out the works of God, as long as the natural world and thinking is in their hearts. What He does is supernatural, it is valid for ever. But it must be revealed and acknowledged individually. First God gives promises and then He accomplishes the same.

Whenever God does something He wants His people to acknowledge and to receive it. The spiritual things happen within the natural realm. When the Lord came to His Own, He was in the natural body, but they did not recognise nor receive Him. His own people rejected Him, and therefore the wrath came upon them. In Lk. 19:41-44 our Lord wept over Jerusalem, saying, »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.« This is our day, and we must recognise the promised Word and also accept what belongs to us. If it remains hidden from us, grace is spurned and judgement will have to come, now as it did then, »And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.« Those of God’s children who reject whatever He does now according to His Word will have to go through the judgements of the great tribulation. The eyes and ears of the ones who see and hear, the Lord pronounced to be blessed. So it is even now.

God is merciful, but does not permit His people to reject whatever He is doing by His grace. We must receive and accept it, otherwise His wrath will be upon us, as He announced. Nothing is more important for us than to be connected to whatever God does according to His promised Word and so to be found in His will.

With Israel, His natural covenant people, He had to permit judgement, because they did not recognise the gracious visitation at the first coming of Christ. Only to them who truly received Him, He gave power to become the children of God (Jn. 1:12-13). They were the ones not just born by the will of man after the desire of the flesh, but begotten of God having received eternal life. We must face the fact that the Jews through the past two thousand years of the New Testament era suffered because they did not receive Him. Pilate had declared, »I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person,« but the whole multitude of people cried, »His blood be on us, and on our children.« (Mt. 27:24-25). So it has happened.

In Jer. 31:31 and other scriptures the Lord had promised to make a new covenant. That He did. When the time had come, Scripture was fulfilled, the New Covenant established. Now the words of the covenant should not be written on tablets of stone but into the hearts of His people. At the last supper our Lord and Redeemer said to His disciples, »For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.« (Mt. 26:28). The spiritual leaders of that time did not recognise God’s ways with His people. They did not take seriously the promised ministry of John the Baptist. He was a man sent from God, but they did not comprehend that through his ministry Scripture was being fulfilled, namely Isa. 40:3 and Mal. 3:1, as overwhelmingly confirmed in the New Testament. According to their traditions they kept the services, were singing their songs, went through all the rituals, but did not recognise what God was doing.

In Jn. 13:20 our Lord spoke in the future tense, »Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.« Whatever happens in the Kingdom of God can always be traced in God’s Word. Only those who receive the ministry of the one sent by the Lord, who always will prepare His way, will recognise the coming to pass of the promises and have part in their fulfilment. So it was throughout the Old Testament, at the first coming of Christ, in all revivals throughout the time of grace, and so is it now. We are now at the end of the time of grace and again in a prophetic age. God has kept His Word and has sent a prophet, as He promised in Mal. 4 and confirmed in Mt. 17:11, before the »Great Day of the Lord« would be. A man like Elijah an John, the forerunner, who calls God’s people back to the Word and prepares the way of the Lord.

We all can sense the sadness of our Lord Who was the manifested love of God and went to the cross, when He had to pronounce judgement upon His Own people. On one hand we read, »… For God so loved the world …« and on the other hand He had to announce judgement upon those who rejected Him, »For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.« (Lk. 21:20-24). This has actually happened ever since and right until our time through the Holocaust.

God is full of mercy. His grace is unlimited. But if somebody rejects His direct doing whereby He manifests His grace, then His wrath and judgements are actually called for. For two thousand years the Jews have been persecuted, and it is not yet finally over. After the taking into glory of the Bride-church the judgements will come upon the earth. And there will be many who call themselves believers who will have to go through the tribulation, just because they did not receive what God is presently doing according to His promised Word. Everybody can quickly say, »We have Jesus Christ, we have the Bible, we do not need a man sent from God!« But if he is promised in God’s Word, then we have to respect it as God’s people, otherwise the wrath is unavoidable. God demands His people to acknowledge His Word and work.

To explain the scriptural promises away does not benefit anyone. They have to be recognised in their fulfilment. We are now experiencing the climax in the plan of salvation. What was foretold in the Old and the New Testament for our time is now becoming a reality before our eyes. The course of mankind and the history of the church is irreversible. It cannot be stopped. Whatever God has purposed must happen, whenever the time is fulfilled. Most important to us are the predictions in the Scripture pertaining to the end of the time of grace, which we see fulfilled in every way, even in the coming forth of the old Roman empire in Central Europe and also especially concerning Israel and the surrounding nations. Just as God’s natural people Israel had to return to the promised land before they see the promise vindicated given to them, to the Bride-church needs to be in the promised Word for this age to see it vindicated right to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The forces lift their heads

While reading the respective prophetic passages we are recognising that the forces which will bring about an unbelievable destruction have already lifted their heads. In Rev. 9, from verse 13, we are told what will take place when the sixth trumpet sounds. The four judgement angels are bound at the great river Euphrates »for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men.« Anyone who looks at the world-map will notice that the river Euphrates has its course through Syria and the Iraq, merging into the Persian Gulf. We all still remember the Gulf war and »Desert Storm«. As of late it became even more obvious that these forces who are archenemies of Israel plan that destruction. In Rev. 16 the river Euphrates is mentioned again, »And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river, Euphrates, and its water was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.« (verse 12). Of course, this will take place after the going away of the Bride church, when the kings of the whole earth are gathered for the battle of the great day of God Almighty (vv. 12-16). Surely, the Rapture must be very close. In the prophetic Scripture we are also told about the chemical weapons which will be used against Israel, but God at that moment will interfere and turn the whole thing and let it fall upon the enemies of Israel. »And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.« (Zech. 14:12).

The question is permitted: If these forces already lift their heads (and no inspection or sanction will hold them back), how close must be the realisation of the matter? To be more specific: How near must the event of the Rapture be?

The river Euphrates is one of the four streams which were in the region of the paradise — the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:10-14). There, where the cradle of humanity stood, where paradise was, the Lord made a covenant with Abraham and gave the land from the brook of Egypt until the river Euphrates to his seed for ever (Gen. 15:18), there the enemies of Israel not only desire the promised land but wish to destroy God’s people. Now they have drawn world attention to their existence. But they will not succeed even being joined with all the forces of the United Nations. The Lord God of Israel will decide that great battle (Ezech. 38:22-23). The boundaries of the land of Israel are determined by God Himself as found in Joshua 1:4 and other places: from Lebanon to the river Euphrates and unto the Great Sea, the Mediterranean.

It is obvious that the enemies of Israel talk about peace in hypocrisy, trying to divide the promised Land and are totally against the chosen people who are the original bearers of God’s promises (Rom. 9:4). In the same way are God’s enemies against the true New Testament Church. All who are of Christ bear the promises of God. The rest are not concerned about them. The enemy only fights those who return to the promised Land and into the promised Word. Brother Branham, who was a man sent from God in our time, made a very important statement, as I remember, »God can bless Israel only in the Promised Land.« In the same way God can bless His people from the nations only in the promised Word for this day.

Concerning the things of the end-time our Lord repeatedly admonished, »Those who would read, take heed«. He also said, »When you see these things …!« He foretold what would happen to Israel and also foretold the course of the Church, and so it is. Those who read the Word of God, let them pay attention, let them hear. »Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is at hand.« (Rev. 1:3).

Truly we are living at the end of the last days. But who recognises it? Who does see that the concern is now the fulfilment of Bible prophecy — not the many prophecies which are given in charismatic meetings where people prophesy their own thoughts and express the intentions and imaginations of their hearts? Now the weight must be placed upon the Word of prophecy wherein all things are foretold. The Apostle Peter stated that we should take heed to the Word of prophecy which shines as a bright light in a dark place (2 Pet. 1:19-21). The time is truly far spent. Israel celebrates the 70th jubilee. In 1948, when after 2,000 years Israel became a nation, it was the 69th jubilee. The true believers among the Jews express their greatest desire and longing at the Wailing Wall that they wish to see the coming of the Messiah and the re-building of the Temple.

Although God does not go by our calendar, and as we know our time is four to seven years behind, we do notice while reading the prophetic Scripture, that the time of fulfilment of all predictions in connection with Israel are in process and the return of Christ is near. The last call goes forth, »Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!« Now we must prepare to meet Him. The last call goes forth according to the promised Word, so the Bride will come out from all which is not according to the Scripture and be cleansed and purified and become a Word-Bride. The Bridegroom is the Word made flesh, and at His coming He will find a Word-Bride.

We must recognise what God is doing now, not only preach and speak about things He has done in the past or will do in the future. It was always the mark of the true believers that at their time they recognised what God was doing. Everything is foreordained and when the time comes it is and shall be fulfilled right to the end. God puts the things which we are taking with us into eternity into our hearts by divine revelation. Even if we do not understand at the first moment what He is doing, we accept it because it is according to His Word. We are grateful for this certainty we do have, as He does all things according to what He promised. We also acknowledge that no one should add or take away from the Word of God.

God is at work, soon it will be His final doing. As it happened at the first coming of Christ, He has also before His second coming sent someone to restore all things (Mt. 17:11) and to turn the hearts of God’s children now back to the apostolic fathers, as John turned the hearts of the Old Testament fathers then to the New Testament children (Lk. 1:16). All who are acquainted with the promises believe and have part in the calling out, in the restoration — preparation and in the completion of the Bride-Church. Now is the time that all who are part of the Bride of Christ are brought into step with the Bridegroom and the Word of the hour. May those who read take heed and those who listen may act accordingly.

End-time developments

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union world communism has lost its influence. There is only one world power left which is established in Rome. The super power USA is diminishing more and more. What would have been impossible years ago has now become a reality. The US-president is in a dilemma because of a plot and is being ridiculed world-wide. As the saying goes in our country, »Where Satan himself does not dare to go he sends a woman.« And in this case with the affairs of the president there are a number of them. One is being described by the press as a witch and a declared enemy of Mr. Bill Clinton. She is purposeful to destroy him. We can have a different view-point about the matter, but it is very peculiar to read in articles that Miss So-and-so is working for the Catholic diocese in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. President Clinton being a Baptist by confession and a good friend of Billy Graham and Robert Schuller, does not seem to fit into the trend of present developments. Also in this regard a part of Bible prophecy is on its way, so the super power USA must vacate its position and let the real super power of the »European Community« take the predestined role.

The Prophet Daniel saw the four successive world kingdoms, the last one is the Roman empire. And therefore, everything now takes on the shape of the end-time character. In any case, the world power No. 2 according to Bible prophecy will execute force, so that all the earth will recognise the world power No. 1, as shown forth in symbolic language in the second part of Rev. 13. The USA have taken their stand with Israel and therefore are a thorn in the flesh of the world community dominated by Rome. Russia which according to Bible prophecy represents the king of the North is taking sides with the Arabic world and is the supplier of »chemical weapons« into that region for billions of dollars. It is very significant, when Mr. Shirinowski before his departure from Moscow to Baghdad in a private plane has a photo taken with his finger lifted up in a threatening way saying, »I bring you peace!« What kind of peace should this be?

Answering various questions

Things which are published in Christian literature create questions. With all certainty I can only answer those questions found in the Holy Scripture with the Word of God.

For instance, if the question arises about the »Dead Sea Scrolls«, then I can only give my opinion, for it is not a biblical theme. I personally have no esteem for them at all. Firstly, because 95 % of the text is not legible, as was recently stated by the experts. And secondly, because they are being used to contradict the writings of the New Testament. It is settled for ever in heaven and on earth that the New Testament is true and trustworthy since it was written based on facts only two thousand years ago. The scrolls of a sect which only consisted of men who lived together in a monastery are very doubtful. The writings only express the views of that group and are in no connection with the New Testament and therefore are not applicable at all. The books written about them, for instance »The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered«, are hypothetical and of no value for any believer.

Others wish to know if it is true that the direct point in the Red Sea was discovered where Israel marched through. They speak of films which were taken showing thousands of wagons, especially the wheels of the Egyptian army are displayed. I do not need a film, neither do I worry if such evidence exists. For us as Bible-believing Christians, the stated facts are sufficient. We believe the testimony of the Scripture, even if we do not see the evidence. Should it be the case, like it is with Noah’s ark in the mountain of Ararat, then it is a proof for the unbelievers.

Again some are enthusiastic about a film which shows the excavations at Golgotha’s Hill, where Christ was crucified, claiming to have found the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant. I have been there 15 times since 1964, but never noticed it. Maybe it is safer to say, is supposed to show. How the Ark of the Covenant which was in the Temple on Mount Zion could have been transferred into the inside of the place of the skull no one knows. According to another version the Ark of the Covenant after the destruction of Jerusalem was taken to Italy by the soldiers of Titus and is kept in the custody of the Vatican. There is even talk that it will be given back in the year 2000 when the pope plans to visit Jerusalem. Again others assert that the Ark of the Covenant remained in the same place and is buried under the ruins of the Temple. After the battle against Jerusalem Vespasianus had a triumph march through Rome, displaying the captured material from Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was not among the items like the Menorah, the seven-armed golden candlestick. One must ask what have these different versions and speculations to do with our faith? It seems that through such things the attention is being distracted from the main points which are now so essential. John on the Isle of Patmos saw the Ark of the Covenant in heaven (Rev. 11:19). That should be sufficient for us. The rest will be the concern with the Jews when the Temple is re-built.

Again some wish to know if at the very beginning of Christianity the believers were carrying the symbol of a fish. Most certainly not! Neither Christians of the first generation or those after had ever an outward symbol. For Jewish Christians this would have been totally impossible, as it is contrary to their law, wherein the symbol of a fish was forbidden to be shaped (Dt. 4:18). Dagon, the fishgod of the Philistines had his head and arms cut off laying before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam. 5).

In the beginning of the Christian era there was also no symbol of the cross carried about. Only after Constantine claimed to have seen a cross in the sky this idea came into existence. The cross with the corpus, known as crucifix, was introduced in the 9th century and was used and misused for the first crusade (1096-1099), throughout the Dark Ages and ever since. The cross then was the way of the Roman capital death, like the electric chair in the USA now. Christ died under Roman punishment on the cross being crucified by four Roman soldiers who divided His garment making four parts (Jn. 19:23). But He is no more on the cross nor in the grave. He rose triumphantly and ascended into Heaven (Lk. 24:50-21; Acts 1:9-10).

Many things are being presented as very interesting, in reality they are not. Even now »holy water from the Jordan river« is sold. And recently some started to export the »holy air« directly from Jerusalem.

It is sad to observe that those who are not true believers of the Word do believe almost anything. Children of God are not even interested in those other things. They stay with the testimony of the Scripture, do not add nor take away anything of it. They are just grateful for God’s Word wherein true faith anchors. Everything else is connected to unbelief and superstition which does not benefit at all, in the contrary leaves spiritual damage behind.

Mission report

I do not have words to express the goodness of God and the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Especially the meetings since March this year in the regions of the Far East were like a breakthrough in many countries around the “golden triangle”. It is already known what God is doing in Eastern Europe, where thousands attend the meetings, as we had access to TV and the media in general, and in Asia and Africa. Now we see China and the bordering countries included. The brothers there begged me not to publish their names, so the work would not be hindered. I also came to know that my three brochures, which have been used world-wide in various languages since the late sixties, are also published in the Chinese and other languages. Thousands believe the message of the hour, hundreds are already baptised in the apostolic way. The sermon I preached on 16th March was directly translated into the Chinese language and is being shared with many.

The picture to the right shows some of Brother Branham’s publications in Chinese.

The Lord is doing great things. Truly from all nations He is calling the last ones for His Name’s sake. It is a world-wide ministry ordained of the Almighty. The good part of it is that we do find ourselves in every aspect agreeing with the Word of God. For all the precious souls throughout the earth I gladly bear the criticism of those who are proud within themselves and full of jealousy. I have taken my stand for the Truth, fighting for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints and therefore have been wounded many a times at the battle front.

What I said when I started the ministry according to my commission will be the valid statement right to the end: I do not wish praise and reward — my reward is embedded in the saving of all the souls which were redeemed and purchased by the high price (1 Pet. 1:18-21). Nothing I did of myself, it is Christ Who has done it through an earthly vessel. Never did I ask for a call or commission. In His sovereignty the Lord called me with His mighty, all-penetrating audible voice and therefore I have to share the spiritual stored-in food with God’s children everywhere. Great sacrifices were required of me family-wise etc. Every month for over 30 years half of my time was spent in travelling to different nations, the second half was used in the Mission Centre in translation-work etc. I have sacrificed all I am and have, but in comparison to the sacrifice of my Redeemer it is very little.

As stated earlier everything has its time. God has promised that the days would come when He would send a famine to hear His Word (Amos 8:11). In Mt. 24:45 He confirmed that the food should be given out to the household in due season. Brother Branham was the one through whom all the mysteries hidden in God’s Word were revealed, known to us as the message of the hour. Now it is our part to feed the flock of Christ with the precious hidden manna and keep their souls alive. This will be recognised by all true children of God who stand firm on the written Word and believe the promises for our time and therefore have part in what the Lord is doing now not only what He has done up to the middle of the sixties.

May Gods richest blessings be with all of you. May all remain sober in life, balanced in the Scripture, so no shame would come upon our Lord and Saviour.

World-wide my theme is: The return of Christ and the fulfilment of Bible prophecy in our time. To know how to be prepared and to be ready for that moment is very important. Our lives must be brought into the Bible pattern. We were brought back in all the teachings to the beginning. The Bible Church at the end must be as she was one heart and one soul, totally restored. Not the talking about it, but to experience it is the command of the hour. Theoretically we can have all things in words, but the Kingdom of God comes with power to accomplish in reality and bring to live the whole Word. Even now the spoken revealed and preached Word shall not return void, but bring forth the Bride-Church.

May God have His way with all His children everywhere.

By His service

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