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

(Heb. 13:8)

Circular Letter November/December 2004

Special Decisive Edition

I am sending heartfelt greetings to all of you who have been reached by the proclamation of the everlasting Word of God and to those who are still being reached. The Apostle Peter, referring to Isa. 40:8, writes the following in verse 25 of his first letter:

“But the Word of the LORD endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

That was the testimony of the Apostle and also the one of Brother Branham, and, by the grace of God, I am proclaiming the same everlasting Gospel — the pure Word of God — which remains for ever.

For my first Circular Letter in September 1966 I chose this title:

“The Word of God Remains For Ever”

Even back then I was very aware of the profound reality of Isa. 40, as well as 1. Pet. 1. At the end of that first Circular Letter is this statement: “By His Commission” — thus it shall remain right to the last Letter, that is my legitimation. It still is the same Spirit of God that leads into all the truth. Every divine calling and commission is connected to the same source of revelation. The same Word remains, the same message, the same doctrine — one LORD, one faith, one baptism, right to the end.

The Apostle Peter emphasised obedience in regards to the truth and also real brotherly love. He testified about the true children of God, who had the experience of the new birth:

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (verse 23)

When going through the many Circular Letters, brochures, and books written in the course of the past decades about the many important topics, writings which are being circulated around the world, I am grateful to the LORD, Who has led everything in a most wonderful way and has kept us in His Word. In the first ten years I had already visited the many countries on every continent. The East and the West were included in my missionary itinerary. The first brochures in the English language, starting with “Only believe the Thus saith the LORD”, reached a total of 80,000 copies within a short time. They were all printed here in Krefeld and sent out into all the world. Thereby the biblical foundation was laid for the ministry of the messenger, and the essence of the message was clearly conveyed to all of those who were ready to believe. By grace, the dear LORD has led us from each clarity to the next. The elect are always the ones who recognise the day and the message, they are the ones who hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

The writings in this Circular are impacted by the impression left from the most blessed missionary trips I have taken throughout the past months. Six cities in India were included in the itinerary, then on to Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Gabon, Angola, Congo, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Zambia. These meetings shall be for ever remembered. In the cities of Likasi, Kolwezi, Mbuji-Mayi, and in Lubumbashi the crowds came to fill the stadiums. In the Raphael Sports Stadium in Kinshasa 18 to 20 thousand people were present, in the Kenya Sports Stadium in Lubumbashi 16 to 18 thousand, in the stadiums in the other cities between 8 and 15 thousand. Even public halls and theatres were filled with thousands of people for each meeting.

While scanning the vast crowds, the following questions arose in my heart, questions I always posed to the multitudes towards the end of the sermon:

“Do you believe that the return of Jesus Christ is at hand?” The reply came in French, “Oui, Amen!” — “Yes, Amen!”

“Are you familiar with the End-time message and the ministry of William Branham?” “Oui, Amen! Hallelujah!” — “Yes, Amen! Hallelujah!”

“Have you all been baptised according to the Scripture in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ?” And again the reply was, “Oui, Hallelujah!” and “Amen! Amen!” with such force that one could have the impression it must have been heard in Heaven. In all, throughout the months of May, June, July, and August between 70 and 80 thousand took part in the meetings on the African continent. It was a mighty victory for the Kingdom of God.

After the last meeting in Lubumbashi I was invited to give a TV interview, which lasted about an hour and was broadcast throughout the entire country. As they tuned in, millions heard of the things God is presently doing. The man leading the interview showed the audience the books I have written and introduced me with the following statement: “This is the preacher who had the courage to write the truth.”

During the interview, the subjects about Godhead and about baptism were given special emphasis. In the African countries the responsible pastors in the denominations also have their difficulties with those subjects, because of their traditional teachings. All who listened came to know that God is only One, Who manifested Himself in heaven as Father, on earth in His only begotten Son, and in the church by the Holy Spirit. They also learned that the great commission given in Mt. 28:19 was carried out correctly by Peter in Acts 2, by Philip in Acts 8, and by Paul in Acts 19. All got to hear that the LORD commanded that baptism should take place in the name — singular — and not in three titles or designations. The NAME in which God revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is LORD Jesus Christ. It certainly takes a revelation to recognise the New Testament covenant name in which is all salvation (Acts 4:12). The harmony was shown between the Great Commission the LORD gave and the way it was carried out by the apostles.

Then I could also convincingly state why we believe that William Branham was the promised prophet by referring to Mal. 4:5-6, Mt. 17:11, and Mk. 9:12, as the Scripture says. We rejoice in the fact that so many accepted the Word of the hour, the last message. They not only heard, but believed and obeyed.

The past year brought an exceptional harvest time of the Word-seed that was sown throughout the past decades in the countries of the world. A great portion of this burden is also shared by our beloved brother and faithful co-worker, Alexis Barilier, who has sacrificed his time making these troublesome trips, year after year. The literature in the French language, which our beloved brother is responsible for, has shown the way of the LORD to hundreds of thousands of believers. Brother Alexis Barilier has known Brother Branham’s ministry since 1955, when he personally experienced it. He belonged to the committee that arranged the campaign for Brother Branham in Renens, near Lausanne, Switzerland. Since 1966, right from the beginning, he has shared in the spreading of the End-time message.

During the ministers’ meetings the brothers continuously came up with questions. They wanted to know if now is the harvest time, as it was shown to me years ago in connection with the combine. Repeatedly mentioned was what Brother Branham saw in a vision in June 1955 in Zurich, Switzerland, when he was shown the German eagle flying through Africa. The brethren also wanted to find out if Mt. 24:45-47 is now being fulfilled, when the spiritual food is given out in due season as the LORD shares all His goods with us. Whatever God has prepared for His people through a ministry is connected to that particular calling and commission. As the servants of God before me, I simply must proceed according to the commission I received. The Apostle Paul is my example in my ministry, he said, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour …”

From this last revival the Bride Church shall come forth, which the LORD Jesus Christ will present to Himself without any spot or wrinkle, holy and without blame before the Throne of grace (Eph. 5:27). The Will of God is that, “your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1. Thess. 5:23-24).

God’s Work Right to the Completion

Since May 1966 I have been privileged to take the divine message to the ends of the earth, after Brother Branham was taken to Glory in December 1965. It was a new beginning, but also a continuation of what God started in 1933 and then especially in 1946, when the commission was given to His servant and prophet. In Karlsruhe, 1955, I came to know Brother Branham as a man sent from God. During the convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1958, the LORD opened my spiritual understanding to recognise his special ministry. Then came April 1962 and finally May 1966, so the End-time message could take its course, according to the way the LORD had determined. The brethren in Africa, by God’s grace, were largely spared from some of the strange influences from overseas. They demonstrated a harmony in the proclamation of the Word as well as brotherly love among them. According to Psalms 133, God has ordained His blessings to be where brethren dwell in unity. We have experienced this blessing over and over again. Every servant of God will do as the LORD did in Jn. 12:37-43, and ask as is written in Isa. 53:1, “Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” The Apostle Paul as servant of the LORD referred in Rom. 10 to the same Scripture, asking, “How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” He also included Isa. 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings?” These are the feet that bear the man whose mouth proclaims the divine Gospel message. Paul already wrote back then what we are now experiencing with the contents of the message, “Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” This Scripture is truly fulfilled before our eyes, as well as Mt. 24:14 and Rev. 14:6.

We are now experiencing the last part of the plan of Salvation — live. First came the literal fulfilment of what is written in Amos 3:7, “Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” For all of the elect Amos 8:11 also became a reality they actually experienced, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Am. 8:11).

And finally, we came to know what the following Scripture means: “Man doth not live by bread only, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD” (Dt. 8:3; Mt. 4:4). We are only interested in the Word that actually came forth from the mouth of God, and not in any explanation.

Now, after the full Word has been revealed, the whole Counsel of God must be shared with the people of God who are being fed with the spiritual food. This is not accomplished by only one man, but rather by all servants of God who now with the entire testimony of the Holy Scriptures carry the proclamation of the revealed Word to the farthest regions of the earth, in harmony. Every true servant of God in this time will neither add to the Word nor take away from it, he will not taint it, but will proclaim the pure teachings as they were left unto us, so gloriously revealed, and he will be able to say as the Master did,

“My doctrine is not Mine … but His that sent Me.” Immediately following this is the all-inclusive condition, “If any man will do His Will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.” (Jn. 7:16-17).

Whoever is not prepared to do the Will of God and just routinely praying, “… Thy Will be done …!”, shall never comprehend the utmost significance of the unadulterated teaching through which the Will of God is shown unto men. The main aspect of God’s plan of Salvation lies in the fact that, first, the Almighty gives the promises, then, He watches over His Word, and finally, provided that the time of fulfilment has come, He does all things according to His Word.

“For all the promises of God in Him are yeah, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” (2. Cor. 1:20).

The New Testament begins with the fulfilment of what was promised in the Scriptures. It also ends in the same way. Therein we have the truly divine orientation. Isa. 40:3 and Mal. 3:1 were literally fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist, as we find it confirmed in Mt. 11:2-14, Mk. 1:1-3, Lk. 3:2-18, and in Jn. 1:6-28. He was the one who prepared the way of the LORD and brought Bride and Bridegroom together in the initial part of the plan of Salvation (Jn. 3:29). He turned the hearts — not the heads — of those who were in the faith of the Old Testament fathers to the faith of the New Testament children (Lk. 1:17). Thereby the first part of Mal. 4 was fulfilled, and therefore he was also spoken of as Elijah.

“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached …” (Lk. 16:16).

It is not just a message, it is the Salvation message, the everlasting Gospel, which is now being preached as a witness to all nations, before the end shall be. In the End-time message the second part of the Elijah-promise is being fulfilled. The hearts of God’s children are being brought back to the faith of the fathers, to the teachings of the apostles (Mal. 4:5-6; Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:20).

For all who believe as the Scripture says, William Branham is the promised prophet who had to appear on the scene before the terrible Day of the LORD would be. They respect God’s decision Who called and sent him. Not one of the other evangelists, who became known worldwide, could report of the day, place and hour when they received a direct divine call and commission, as all the true servants of God could do without fail. In the four gospels we read about the calling of the twelve apostles and also of the seventy disciples. But when we read about the commission Paul received, it stands out in the New Testament. The records in Acts 9 and also in chapters 22 and 26 show us the importance of the commission he received, which goes beyond his time and is connected to the plan of Salvation.

The Apostle Paul was ordained by the LORD. His instructions were to convey the correct application of law and grace, and to sort out what pertained to Jews and Gentiles according to the prophetic Scripture. It was part of his ministry to establish order in the church and to guide all the gifts and ministries into their rightful place. He not only referred to himself as servant, apostle, and teacher — he actually was all of those, because he had received the Gospel by the direct revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:10-12). Many witnessed the things our LORD did during His ministry here on earth. Thousands attended His meetings. But the words the LORD spoke to Paul clarified the objective of his ministry,

“… for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; … to open their eyes …” (Acts 26:16-18).

Whoever is not blind will see, whoever is not deaf will hear and comprehend the importance of what is now taking place. It is not that we should glorify a man, for God does not share His glory with anyone. The matter at hand is the very completion of the divine plan of Salvation. We do not preach John the Baptist or the Apostle Paul or William Branham, we refer to these servants, but we preach Jesus Christ, the One Who was crucified and Who rose victoriously from the dead. We do not glorify God in any prophet or apostle, but only in Jesus Christ, our LORD and Saviour. Men of God show the way, they preach the truth, BUT JESUS CHRIST ALONE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

Two Signs for Legitimation

It will not help any of us to refer to a commission given to Moses by the LORD thirty-six hundred years ago, or to Paul two thousand years ago, or to Brother Branham sixty years ago, unless we recognise what divine purpose it fulfilled. Many prophets had a divine commission for their time and also in regards to the plan of Salvation. With Moses, however, the LORD spoke repeatedly face to face, unlike with any other prophet. Whoever has come to know about the special calling Brother Branham received, should urgently consider what he was told, among other things, on May 7th, 1946, “As Moses was given two signs so you are given two signs. If they don’t believe the first one they will have to believe the second one.” Moses threw his staff unto the ground and it became a serpent; after it had swallowed up the serpents of the magicians, Moses took his serpent by the tail and it became a staff in his hand again. The second sign was his hand. Moses was asked to place his hand into his bosom, when he took it out it was full of leprosy. He put it back into his bosom, took it out and it was perfectly clean again. The LORD God had said to Moses, “And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.” (Ex. 4:8).

Brother Branham was to take the right hand of the patient into his left hand. Then the cancer or tumour within the person for whom he was to pray would appear on his hand with a swelling and vibration. The patient was not to close his eyes during the prayer, but observe, for at the moment the healing happened the sign would disappear from Brother Branham’s hand. Especially during the years from 1946 to 1949 many thousands of people witnessed how this sign appeared while Brother Branham prayed for the sick on the platform. The faith of the people soared as they recognised that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and for ever; and that He saves and heals to this day.

The second sign followed as Brother Branham was told, “If you would be sincere, then it will come to pass that you’ll tell the people the very secrets of their hearts, and the things that they have done in their life that’s wrong, and so forth …” This gift was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people in twelve different countries until 1965. Brother Branham saw in a vision everything about the person he was to pray for. By direct revelation he could tell them their sickness and various details about their lives. Through this their faith in the presence of the LORD became so strong that extraordinary healing miracles took place. Brother Branham was furthermore told that it was the sign of the Messiah, the way it also happened in the ministry of our dear LORD with the Jews and Samaritans back then. As Son of man our Redeemer was the promised prophet, the seer (Dt. 18:15-18; Acts 3:22-26). Therefore He said,

“Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do …” (Jn. 5:19-20).

This we find confirmed in John, chapter 1, with Simon Peter, “Thou art Simon the son of Jona …” and Nathanael, “Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” (1:48b). It also happened in John, chapter 4, with the woman at the well, “… thou hast had five husbands …” and many other times during His prophetic ministry. It was the sign that He is the Messiah. The same infallible ministry was repeated through the working of the Spirit of Christ in our time. I became a witness thereof in the meetings held during August 12th – 19th, 1955, in Karlsruhe, Germany, and later in the U.S.A. several times.

In connection to that sign Brother Branham repeatedly referred to Abraham (Gen. 18). There the LORD gave the promise to Abraham that Sarah would have a son. She was ninety years of age and laughed within her heart when she heard it, thinking to herself, “After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure…?” The LORD looked at Abraham and said, “Wherefore did Sara laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old?” HE revealed the thoughts of her heart as she was in the tent behind Him (v. 10).

Back then it was the last sign before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and before the promised son Isaac, the heir, was born. Now, at the end of the time of grace, the same supernatural sign is repeated, the promised son is born, “that shall rule all nations …” (Rev. 12:5), who is the heir of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4-7). For, as it was in the days of Sodom, “even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” (Lk. 17:30). After the completion and taking up of the Bride Church, the destruction of the sodomite world will come to pass.

The Going-in Must Follow the Coming-out

Now we shall have to earnestly consider the purpose connected to the divine call and commission by following the footprints within the Holy Scripture. When Moses was called and sent, the promise that God gave to Abraham in Gen. 15: 13 was fulfilled. After the people of Israel had been in slavery for the four hundred years, they were delivered. The objective was certainly not to look up to Moses or even to preach about him, but to recognise the purpose connected to that commission, namely the delivery out of bondage.

The demand addressed to Pharaoh was, “Thus saith the LORD, Israel is My son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let My son go, that he may serve Me …” After this Pharaoh was repeatedly urged, “Let My people go!”, until the exodus finally took place.

At first Israel was the “firstborn son” and also “Israel, My people!” Then the “son” and the “people” became “Israel, the church” — the “ecclesia, the called-out ones”, who were to obey whatever the LORD would command. The paschal lamb was slain, the blood was applied at the doorposts, and the exodus took place. The same is being repeated now: An exodus, the calling-out of the firstborn who make up God’s people, i. e. the true Church of Jesus Christ in the end-time, takes place. Even now not one member of the Body of Jesus Christ shall remain behind, as it was then with Israel — not a hoof remained behind (Ex. 10:26). Just like Moses was the prophet back then, who received the Word that was placed into the Arc of the Covenant, it happened accordingly in our time through the ministry of the prophet. The written Word with all the mysteries hidden therein became the revealed and living Word to us. All who belong to the Church of the firstborn, who constitute God’s people, are under the blood of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:11-14), have their loins girded with truth (Eph. 6:10-20), and spiritually speaking have been taken out of the slavery and the Babylonian captivity and they return to Mount Zion (Heb. 12: 18-29). The Word of the LORD never came forth from Rome, but exclusively from Mount Zion — from Jerusalem (Isa. 2; Mic. 4; Acts 2).

The command of the message is this, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing …” Only after this happens the promise God made is fulfilled, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (2. Cor. 6:14-18). In Rev. 17 we read about “THE MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This description is followed immediately by the statement in Rev. 18:4, “Come out of her, My people …” The God-sent ministry must be accompanied by the calling-out. The message was not given to us for discussion, but rather for the greatest purpose in the end-time.

There is no sense in using many words, shouting, “The prophet …”, “The prophet …”, “The prophet said …” and then to present one’s own version of the message, the way it regretfully happens worldwide. We now have to know the Will of God through the revealed Word, for God’s purpose to be fulfilled. At the time of Moses the exodus took place. Then the service within the sanctuary was arranged in its proper manner. Everyone found his place within the divine order. But the goal was not yet accomplished. God had brought His people out with a mighty hand under the leadership of Moses — that was the first part. The second part — the actual fulfilment of the promise — happened after he was taken home. Moses gazed into the Promised Land while standing on Mount Nebo (Dt. 34), but he was not permitted to go in.

After this the entry into the Land of Canaan took place. Following the exodus, all the trials came upon the people wandering through the wilderness. Idolatry, murmuring, unbelief and disobedience multiplied. Forty years had to pass and only the newborn generation could enter the Promised Land, after the circumcision was done (Josh. 5). In 1. Cor. 10 we have the warning, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” For our sake it is written that all who came out with Moses, “… were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” What mighty blessings they experienced, but with most of them God was not pleased (Heb. 3: 7-18). In one single day twenty-three to twenty-four thousand died (Num. 25:9; 1. Cor. 10:8).

The coronation does not take place at the beginning but at the end of the race. We may ask, “What did all these special experiences given to Israel actually accomplish?” Furthermore we might pose the question, “What is accomplished with us, if we can only report things God has done during the time of the prophet and then continue to walk in our own ways, in direct disobedience to the Word?” What does baptism in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ do for us? To what avail is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the knowledge of the Pillar of fire, the fresh manna, even the revealed Word, if God has to say to us now as He did back then, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” (Ps. 95:10; Heb. 3:7-19).

Here we find the most important lesson for our spiritual life. The ministry of the promised prophet is connected to the promise that all things must be restored and brought back into the original state (Mt. 17:11; Mk. 9:12). Unfortunately this is not yet the case. In the contrary: The chaos is bigger than ever before. According to Acts 3:21 Jesus must remain in heaven until the promise of the restoration back into the divine order is fulfilled. Only after that can He fulfil His promise of His return (Jn. 14). That is THUS SAITH THE LORD IN HIS WORD! Not until our hearts are truly brought back to the faith of our fathers and the original church order is restored will the blessings be manifested in the fruit. All other things are fruitless theories.

What about all the believers within the message who do not follow the Bible, but rather lend an ear to the strange voices and the many interpretations, which are nothing but fables? Only whoever respects God’s Word as the absolute has the Spirit of God which leads into all the truth. Therein we find the spiritual orientation to truly know the ways of God and to reach our final goal. Only then we can say towards the end of our race, like Paul did, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness …” Otherwise we shall be disappointed, if our calling-out was not connected with the going-in, then we ran the race in vain (1. Cor. 9:24).

The Pillar of fire and cloud was with Moses and Israel throughout the period of forty years. After that a new epoch set in. It was not only to be a coming-out, but also a going-in to the Promised Land. That was the promise of the Almighty to His prophet Abraham. The same Pillar of fire was with Brother Branham and the church throughout the entire time of his ministry. But now is our time, as the ones who were called out, to claim the whole land of promise. If there is no promise in the Holy Scripture, then there cannot be a fulfilment. But if we have promises, then God Himself guarantees the fulfilment thereof.

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath …” (Heb. 6:17). The true children of God are the children of promise, “… They who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” (Rom. 9:8). “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.” (Gal. 4:28). That is the divine order within God’s plan of Salvation: Children of the promise believe the Word of the promise and receive the Spirit of the promise (Gal. 3:14).

True faith is always anchored into the promises of God. At the end of his ministry Joshua could say, “… and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD our God promised concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Josh. 23:14).

What took place in the time of Moses and Joshua, in the days of our LORD and the apostles is behind us. Now we are concerned with the things promised to the Church and to Israel. The Jews have returned from all the countries on earth into the land of their fathers, as God Himself said it would be (Isa. 14:1; Jer. 31:1-10; Ezech. 36:24; Hos. 6:1-3; Lk. 21:24; a. o.). All twelve tribes returned because they must be there to have part in the ministry of the two prophets (Rev. 11) and also in the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7). That is their promise. The same is now happening with all of God’s true children in all the countries on earth. They are returning to the LORD, for they had been dispersed in all sorts of denominations. They believe the promises for this time and are being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13). What happens with Israel in the natural also takes place with the Church of Jesus Christ in the spiritual. Every expectation and hope presented to the people is senseless and misleading if there is no expressed promise for it in the Holy Scripture.

The Holy Scripture, the Tradition, and the Interpretations

It is well-known that the Catholic Church claims to believe in the “holy tradition” and in the Holy Scripture. Upon closer examination, however, nothing is left of the Holy Scripture, all that is found is a tradition which mankind obeys. The same applies to all churches and denominations. One is the mother church, the others are the daughter churches. All have their doctrinal confession and are of the opinion they believe the Scripture, but in reality that is not the case at all. They have decorated their tradition with Scriptures, but in essence all things remain unscriptural. That is what happened with the Jews. Their religious service became a tradition. Therefore our LORD said, “This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. However, in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men … Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition.” (Mk. 7). Every interpretation is transformed into a tradition and thereby the original Word is made null and void.

God never intended to create a religion, neither a Jewish nor a Christian religion. The LORD is only interested in building His Church (Mt. 16:16-19). Church history reveals that all movements which came forth from a revival actually always somehow referred to the Holy Scriptures and then also to what the founder or the prophetess or prophet said.

Our present concern is not with the things that were added to the Bible or taken away or altered in the course of the two thousand years, instead we must deal with the things that were altered, added, and misinterpreted within the message after the ministry of Brother Branham. When translating Brother Branham’s sermons I found nothing that would contradict the fundamental teachings and practices of the apostles. Here we shall not deal with the statements about the seven thunders, about the seventh seal, etc., etc., of which there are many. For those who only refer to one quote and despise the Bible, misunderstandings lead to different interpretations. It has become painfully evident that the many interpretations have resulted in various teaching views and are being placed above the Scripture. It is obvious that the Word of God is looked upon as secondary by such preachers, so they turn to their “special revelations” for their main teachings. That is the same deception that is already being practised by all the others who put their own traditions above the Bible — a direct spiritual deception.

To all the ministering brethren who are convinced of the commission Brother Branham received we need to herewith say: It is impossible to build a teaching on one single Bible verse, just like it is also not permitted to build a teaching upon one single statement the prophet made. According to the Holy Scriptures all things must be established upon two or three witnesses. For instance, if someone only reads the following, “Let us make men in our own image!” (Gen. 2:22) or, “Behold, the man has become as one of us …” (Gen. 3:22) or, “Come, let us go down!” (Gen. 11:7), without reading all the other Scriptures which report the creation, that person might fall prey to the Trinity doctrine. Whoever only reads the Great Commission in Mt. 28:19 and does not continue to read about how it was carried out in Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5, Rom. 6:3-7, Gal. 3:27, and Col. 2:12 might fall into the triune baptismal formula, which is totally foreign to the Bible. When someone just reads the following, “… for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the son of man be come.” (Mt. 10:23) or, “Verily I say unto you, There are some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Mt. 16:28), but does not read the references showing the connection, that person could surely come to all sorts of conclusions. God willing, I shall write a separate brochure dealing with some much-debated Bible statements and also with the quotations of Brother Branham that have led to terrible misunderstandings.

Sadly, we see history repeating itself and also what the Apostle Peter said about the Holy Scriptures and the epistles of the Apostle Paul, “… speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” The Apostle adds this serious admonition, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” (2. Pet. 3:14-18).

We know, for instance, that all the teachings about seven thunders and “parousia”, etc., are nothing but private interpretations. The Prophet Daniel was told, “… shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end …” (12:4). In the last chapter of Revelation we read, “Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.” In Rev. 5 the Lamb opens the sealed book. In Rev. 10 the LORD Himself as the Angel of the Covenant comes down with the open book in His hand after the opening of the seals. Only then, when He sets one foot upon the sea and the other one on the land, will the seven thunders utter their voices. What they said was immediately sealed and not written at all. The fulfilment will happen as soon as they utter their voices, there will be no further delay (v. 7)! We also must consider the fact that six trumpet-angels sound in chapters 8 and 9, and then in chapter 10:7 the announcement is found about the seventh trumpet-angel, which is fulfilled in chapter 11:15 with the proclamation of the Reign of Christ. Just like with all the other cases, every interpretation makes the Word of God null and void. One is the announcement (chapter 10), the other is the fulfilment thereof (chapter 11). That is THUS SAITH THE LORD in His Word. The Apostle Paul was prompted to proclaim the curse upon all who preach another Gospel (Gal. 1). Likewise, the Apostle John wrote about those who would take away or add to the words of the prophesy of this book (Rev. 22:18-19). I am going to show that Brother Branham rightfully compared his ministry as the church age messenger with Rev. 10, but always spoke about “the mysteries” which would be finished, and not about the “mystery of God” that should then be finished as stated in verse 7. He also said at the end of the seventh seal message, “… no one would know His coming; they also would not know about this seven thunder mystery.”

All brothers who propagate the “parousia” teaching may please accept that it means the personal bodily coming. As certain as our LORD bodily rose and ascended to heaven, He shall also return in the same manner (Acts 1:11). “For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming/parousia of the LORD shall not prevent them who are asleep. For the LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout …” (1. Thess. 4). The Apostle Paul uses the same word “parousia” for the coming of Titus, “… has comforted us by the coming/ parousia of Titus …” (2. Cor. 7:6). He also states in 1. Cor. 16:17, “I am glad of the coming/parousia of Stephanas …” Every type of parousia- and thunder-doctrine that is not connected to the bodily return and personal coming of our LORD must be rejected as deception! All who assert and believe that the LORD Jesus Christ has already come are of corrupt minds because they resist the truth, as Jannes and Jambres did (2. Tim. 3:7-9).

The Hour of Temptation

Brothers in various cities have been asking repeatedly about the vision in which Brother Branham saw the Bride. They would like to know how the Bride in Europe fell out of step and what it means in regards to the church in the U.S.A. which Brother Branham saw in a vision in a miserable state and being led by a witch. In the seven messages in Rev. 2 and 3, the LORD Himself, Whose eyes are as flames of fire, judges the individuals and the church as a whole. HE also spoke about the hour of temptation that would come upon the entire earth (Rev. 3:10). The church age of Philadelphia was spared, but the church age that followed, Laodicea, had to endure that. The thought about the temptation brings us back to the very beginning, where the first temptation is recorded. The enemy pulled Eve into a discussion about what the LORD God had said to Adam. In the temptation of our LORD, the enemy always came with Scripture, saying, “It is written …” (Mt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13). That is the actual temptation: The Word is always being questioned and whatever God has said is overshadowed by doubt and replaced by interpretation!

All other things are human trials and temptations through which we all have to go. Ever since the beginning, the enemy has always sneaked up and meddled with God’s children by using the phrase: “It is written”, all the while re-interpreting every Scripture. Satan needs no schooling; he is well-acquainted with all the various faiths and beliefs. He will always appear in a manner that is accepted in that particular church. For instance, if the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not in use, he will not dare to imitate those gifts. On the other hand, wherever the gifts of the Holy Spirit are present, he will undoubtedly make use of the person that is officially recognised as having that spiritual gift. This is the only way he receives their full attention.

￼Caption: The audience attending the meeting in the Sheraton Hotel, Lima, Peru￼Caption: Some of the believers in Chile getting baptised in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ

￼Caption: A section of the crowd in Kinshasa

￼Caption: Part of the crowd in Lubumbashi

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A historic day — a historic event. The United Europe took a few steps towards becoming the world power.

The foundation for this was laid through the signing of the Roman Treaty on March 25th, 1957. The United Europe began with six countries and additional ones kept joining. On May 1st, 2004, Europe was celebrated as a 25-state union with a population of 455 million.

On July 17th, 1998, the Roman Statute of the International Tribunal came into force.

Now, on October 29th, 2004, the representatives of the 25 states signed the European Constitution at the feet of Pope Innocence X.

It is no accident that the two most important treaties were signed at the same place in the same room under the protectorate of the Pope. These are not only historical events, this is fulfilled Bible prophecy in the course of the end-time. They should not be overlooked or ignored.

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By the reception desk at Voice of God Recordings with Billy Paul and Joseph Branham

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The welcome sign at the entrance to Voice of God Recordings in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A.

If we would not currently be in the last part of history and if no divine call would have come forth, the hour of temptation would not have come upon us. The intention of the adversary was not only to rid himself of the ministering brethren in the local church, but to destroy the Work and the Church of the living God. The subsequent statement was openly declared, “This work must be destroyed …” Following the successful action, which was well-planned, the rumour was widely circulated in and around the Krefeld Mission Center that it was all over, for good. Those who still came were sent away. Only a few people remained, they assembled on the balcony. The main auditorium was empty. This tragic development is only mentioned because it clearly shows the tactics of the enemy — to destroy in the hour of temptation by misapplying the Word.

In the U.S.A., Rev. Gordon Lindsay, who published the book “William Branham — a man sent from God”, and Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who initially called Brother Branham the “Father of the healing revival”, indicated after Brother Branham’s death that they were supposed to warn the prophet in the name of the LORD, otherwise he would disappear from the scene. At the “Voice of Healing” convention in 1958 in Dallas, Texas, I met both of them. They were the first ones to spread the news that Brother Branham had to be taken off the scene because he had lost his commission and caused confusion with his controversial doctrines. In the book “God’s Generals” by Roberts Liardon we find their attack on Brother Branham and his gift in the following statement: “God had given Branham a great gift, He couldn’t take it back. That gift was misleading people, causing them to follow Branham’s doctrine, so God practiced His sovereign right in 1. Cor. 5:5, ‘To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus.’” (pg. 343). It is inconceivable to quote that allegation any further.

Consider the following: On one hand, they viewed Brother Branham as a man of God, a prophet, a seer with a divine call and commission and with an incomparable ministry; on the other hand, they pronounced that sort of judgement upon the greatest man of God since the days of our LORD, although they had only come in contact with the supernatural through his ministry. They assumed the right to deliver unto Satan this man sent from God. The intention Satan harboured is obvious — he wanted to destroy the God-given influence of this special ministry. Brother Branham said, “They try to destroy the influence; they try to destroy everything, because it is nothing but jealousy. It started in Cain and proved that it was jealousy and it is still the same thing today when the natural, the carnal and the spiritual meet together.” (“Does God ever change His Mind?”, Jeffersonville, 4-18-65).

The healing evangelists in the U.S.A. did not recognise God’s merciful visitation. Some of them imitate the gift Brother Branham had and call it the “Word of knowledge”, but all are united in the Trinity doctrine and triune baptism, and therefore they remain in the captivity of church traditions. They have managed to get the attention of the people through signs and wonders in their charismatic meetings and therewith keep them tangled up in the traditional heresies. They did not reject Brother Branham because he prayed for the sick, but because he was a promised prophet and because of the message he had to bring to the people. Their chief complaint was that he should leave the women in peace and not criticise them on account of their short hair, their make-up, the way they dress, and their behaviour in general, instead he should pray for them to receive spiritual gifts. But we acknowledge that servants of God cannot simply choose a subject. Just like Paul had no choice, neither did Brother Branham — he had a divine mandate. Paul was not a woman-hater when he wrote, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (1. Tim. 2:14). Whoever reads the many Scriptures wherein the women were shown their rightful place must respect the fact that the LORD thought it to be necessary. In 1. Cor. 14 the Apostle Paul told the women to be silent in the church. They were furthermore advised in 1. Cor. 11:5+15 to cover their faces with their hair when they would pray or prophesy in the early church. When Brother Branham had to speak out against the spirit of this time he made the various statements only because the Spirit of God bade him to do so. As it was in the beginning, likewise now at the end the true divine order must be established. Men were also shown their rightful place, they have to submit themselves to Christ, their head.

At the height of the blessed ministry after Brother Branham’s departure, Satan once again launched his attack, by using the same Scripture, 1. Cor. 5, in Krefeld. What had been done with Brother Branham in the U.S.A. in order to kill and to destroy the influence of his ministry was carried out here once more. The evangelists in the U.S.A. were not ready during Brother Branham’s lifetime and are to this day not ready to submit themselves under God and to accept doctrinal correction. They preferred to discredit the man sent from God in the eyes of the people, stating that he had lost his commission. He had to “disappear”, so that they could have influence over the believers whom they are misleading. Is not the same thing still happening now, through all those ministers in the message who do not respect the God ordained ministry and therefore cut off fellowship among believers, stating they are not even to eat at the same table?

We are actually not dealing with flesh and blood, but with the powers and principalities, with the evil spirits in the air, with Satan himself, the accuser of the brethren who has murdered those who were sent by God, to kill the influence of the Word. Those who submit to the enemy and excommunicate the servants of God are convinced that they are rendering a special service unto God, as our LORD already said (Jn. 16:2). At that time the action was directed against the messenger, now it is against the one who carries the message into all the world. Actually no one on earth would have come to know what God has done, if the LORD Himself would not have made provisions beforehand. Through the attack of the enemy the character assassination was used to kill the influence of the God-given ministry and to hinder the spreading of the message. But Jesus Christ is the Great Conqueror and whoever is born of God and on God’s side has the assurance that scriptural belief has conquered the world and Satan (1. Jn. 5:4).

Since the well-planned destruction, which was announced as “cleansing”, an enmity was established that goes beyond death. Brothers and Sisters, who for years had been singing the same hymns, had received the same illumination, had tasted of the heavenly gift, had received the same Word and the same blessings, and had been kept in step by God’s grace, were derailed with a single blow (Heb. 6:4-5). Grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation were put aside and are now only extended to those who agree to the uprising. The people who have remained faithful have to suffer this direct enmity. When encountered, they are not even being greeted. Hatred, like it happened with Cain and Abel, with Ishmael and Isaac, is a daily experienced occurrence. The following Scripture is written for all of us, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer …” It is furthermore written, “… And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1. Jn. 3:15).

It is time for everyone to realise that Satan is a master deceiver, who is re-interpreting every Scripture and misusing it in order to destroy. We know that he has been a liar and a murderer right from the beginning. What did Brother Branham or any other servant of God have to do with 1. Cor. 5? The matter at hand back then was a man who lived with his stepmother and, as found in Lev. 18:8 and Dt. 27:20, was under a curse. According to 1. Cor. 5:11 the slanderers who are now on the move will have to face God’s judgement and will be excluded from the Kingdom of God (1. Cor. 6:10), since they are trying to exclude someone else. It can happen very quickly, as the Apostle Paul writes, “for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself …” (Rom. 2:1). Anyone who places blame on the elect of God and accuses them is demon-possessed and in the service of the accuser, for according to the testimony of the Scripture there is no longer any condemnation for them (Rom. 8:28-39; a. o.). True believers are changed into a new individual, into a peacemaker (Eph. 2:15). Anyone creating strife is not yet renewed in Christ, that person is just wearing a religious mask. The Scripture does not speak vain words. Enmity only comes to life where the enemy gets people under his control. And such people are speaking about the rapture!

If the Apostle Paul was here today, he would surely ask, “Who has bewitched you?” (Gal. 3). Under the influence of the evil one, the many wrong teachings were introduced. The end-time preachers are not ready to abide by God’s Word. They quote the prophet, whose statements they twist as they see fit. There is no sense in reading those Scripture passages which refer to Babylon, which speak about the nations that were bewitched and deceived, and about the blood of the martyrs that was shed (Rev. 18:23-24). We must have the courage to look within our own ranks, to find out how the doctrines are handled, look at the way things are done and examine them by the Holy Scripture. Deception, sorcery, and poisoning go hand in hand with character assassination. It is tragic what Satan has done worldwide within the end-time message. The Bride Church has fallen out of step and the influence of the true proclamation of the Word is being hindered. We have to thank God, because Brother Branham also saw in his vision that the Bride was brought back into step again. That is happening right now! The condition is not that we should agree with a brother or his teaching, but rather that Bride and Bridegroom are as one in agreement within His Word!

The Harvest is Ripe

In reference to the combine, I once again testify before God: I saw a very large, overripe wheat field, which had already been scorched by the sun. The next moment I saw a brand-new combine to my left. A mighty voice said, “My servant, the combine is destined for you to bring in the harvest …” As I walked towards the combine, I looked up to my right and saw the heavens turning dark. Fear came over me, as though a terrible catastrophe would strike the earth. Then I said, “Dear LORD, it is too late to bring in the harvest, the judgements are ready to fall.” In the next instant I saw a large opening in the clouds and the sun was shining down much brighter than usual. Then the LORD spoke again with a commanding voice, “My servant, bring in the harvest!” Immediately I saw myself climbing up the combine and set the same in motion, starting at the left side of the wheat field. When I had finished the last row, the opening closed, darkness set in, thunder claps began to sound and lightning crossed the sky. It was a doomsday’s atmosphere, but the harvest was brought in.

Brother Branham speaks several times about the combine in connection with the harvest, and always in a positive sense. Once again it is a single statement in the English manuscript that the enemy misused to put a negative spin on the matter, because of wrong punctuation. This is the statement as it is in the sermon “Harvest time”, Phoenix, December 12th, 1964:

“I hear the coming of the combine, the World Council She’ll separate it.”

“I hear the coming of the combine. The World Council, she’ll separate it.” That is the statement as it should be.

On account of the incorrect punctuation, with ill motives the interpretation is being passed on that the man on the combine is the antichrist and the deceiver of the Bride. The one who was mainly used to sow the seed of the revealed Word and who has a large part in the collection of the harvest is declared to be the antichrist, with whom no one should fellowship, as he is the deceiver in the service of the World Council of Churches. Such a deception is not to be ascribed to any woman or man; it is a direct work of Satan. How many times did we hear Brother Branham say, it only took one word being added in the Garden of Eden to cause the fall to happen! What Satan so cunningly presented to Eve seemed very enlightening, but was the deadly bite of the poisonous snake. The mother of all the living caused the death of all the living because she opened herself to the influence of Satan. May the LORD God grant grace, that the eyes and hearts of all those who are ordained to eternal life might be opened, so they would be placed under the direct influence of God and disconnect themselves from anything and everything that Satan has said and done. There is only one remedy: Just as those who were bitten by the serpents had to look at the brazen serpent, likewise now all those who have been bitten must look upon Jesus Christ, Who bruised the Serpent’s head. Only then will all true believers be united with God, and nothing can separate us from the love of God as well as from each other.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2. Tim. 2:19).

In spite of all destructive manoeuvres of the enemy, God’s end-time plan will take its course right to the completion — the ministry of Brother Branham with the calling-out and also the continuation with the going-in. For God and those truly born-again, everything the messenger was entrusted with is valid, including everything that was to be preached through the message which precedes the second coming of Christ. Gifts and callings are without repentance. What God says shall be for ever established. According to Rom. 9, extraordinary things will take place. “For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the LORD make upon the earth.” This is in agreement with Hag. 2. The LORD God will shake the heaven and the earth once again. We also find this promise in Heb. 12:26, “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.”

Brother Branham mentioned the spoken word ministry, which will have to happen before we are taken to Glory. All who claim to believe God’s message should take this to heart: Those who want to partake in the last move of the Holy Spirit have to first find their place in God’s Kingdom. If someone should be of the opinion that all the various groups, who rival each other and are divided into many different camps, will all make it into the rapture, that individual should realise that this is the biggest self-deception a human being can fall prey to. As it was at the very beginning in apostolic days, the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ will be one heart and one soul. The first love will be manifested as the true fruit of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the believers, for only perfect love enters there. Everything must be restored and brought back into the original state. Only then shall we have part in what God does through the promised ministry.

The end-time message now reaches the ends of the earth. The Bride Church is being called out and prepared to meet the heavenly Bridegroom on that glorious day of His Return. By the unadulterated Word of God, the Bride is brought back into step and placed back under God’s influence. All who believe the message of the hour may lift up their heads, for our redemption is drawing near. The calling-out and the time of the temptations are followed by the going-in. We believe that all who were misled but are true children of God will come to know the truth and line up with the plan of Salvation.

Whoever found grace with God will be thankful for the calling-out, will weather all the temptations we encounter through the walk in the wilderness, and, by God’s grace, will be found in obedience and faith and thereby be ready to partake in what God does according to His promised Word. Our calling-out and all the supernatural workings of God in the past will only be crowned with success if we are now walking into the fulfilment of the promised Word. We have to take part in what God is presently doing, right until the return of Christ, when we shall come from believing to seeing.

Current Events

On September 11th, 2004, the U.S. Government and all the heads of states of the Western world once again remembered the brutal attacks of September 11th, 2001.

Flight United Airlines UA 175 hit the South Tower,

Flight American Airlines AA 11 crashed into the North Tower of the WTC.

Flight American Airlines AA 77 collided with the Pentagon.

Flight United Airlines UA 93 was downed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

People from 60 nations were among the victims. The crumbling of the World Trade Center, which led to Ground Zero, is by some leading personalities considered to be the commencement of a new era. Things will never again be as they were before. The German head of state at that time, Johannes Rau, expressed his deep sympathy with the following statement on September 14th, 2001:

“We Germans are with our thoughts and feelings in America. We all still have the awful pictures before us. They simply do not leave us. Together we were witnesses of the murderous acts of violence as the world has never experienced except in times of war.

We think about mothers and fathers who lost their children.

We think about the children who will never see their parents again.

We think about all who lost friends and colleagues.

We think about the immeasurable harm brought upon thousands of families through hatred and terror …”

On this day of remembrance, the government in Washington and the U.S. media placed great emphasis on the fact that the United States of America are very deeply connected to God through religion, “One Nation Under God”. We were repeatedly reminded of the Founding Fathers, who fled the religious persecution in Europe and established Protestantism with freedom of speech, conscience, and religion. That is very honourable, but by far not sufficient. In all reality, having a relationship with God through religion is simply not possible. Religion actually ties people to a system and, at the same time, separates them from God. If the U.S. President had an intimate fellowship with God as a born-again person, then he would indeed have to be a peacemaker. However, instead of loving his enemy and thereby heaping coals of fire on his head (Rom. 12:20), he re-introduced the enmity into the Muslim world, and the message of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace with God through Jesus Christ our LORD was made untrustworthy. Revenge and terror are not the solution. A born-again Christian prays, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” It would be far better for the President of a country in which supposedly over 50 % of the population is comprised of born-again Christians to not simply say, “God bless America!”, but rather to remember the promise God gave to Abraham, “In thee all the families of the earth be blessed …” (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8). This happened in Jesus Christ, our LORD (Gal. 3:14)

On October 7th, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the “Go ahead!” for the military attack in Afghanistan, going against article 1 of the Atlantic Treaty of April 4th, 1949. Thereby the Taliban regime was to be brought down. Then followed, as all know, the military attack against Iraq on March 20th, 2003. And the end is not yet in view. The inspectors Mohammed Elbaradei and Hans Blix had to end their mission and leave Iraq, so the military action could begin. Baghdad and other cities were destroyed. The entire population suffers like in any regular war. According to the “Herold Tribune”, dated Oct. 29th, 2004, the death toll has already reached 100,000 civilians, comprised mainly of mothers and children. More than 1,000 U.S. soldiers have also lost their lives. What a tragedy! The main concern was Saddam Hussein, who was supposedly collaborating with Bin Laden and could trigger his weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes. For his capture and delivery the U.S. government paid 25 million dollars.

Who benefits from the following declaration made by the U.S. President, “We have a better world after Saddam Hussein!”, when obviously the contrary is the case? How trustworthy is the British Prime Minister, who made a similar declaration, “The world is safer after Saddam Hussein.”, when we hear daily reports about new bombs and radicals who blow themselves up, resulting in many victims. Most of the Europeans and also a large number of U.S. citizens cannot comprehend that terror is being fought with terror. The world community is being misled and deceived by politics and through religion. If the money that is spent every day for the war — which is no actual war, as there is no governmentally organised opposing army in the country — would be given for the poor, then that would be a much better way to fight terrorism.

But because we are living in the end-time, all these things have to happen and the preparations must be made, so the apocalyptic judgements can set in. The four judgement angels are bound for the hour and day (Rev. 9:13-21) at the river Euphrates. The Euphrates is already mentioned in Gen. 2:14, in connection with the Garden of Eden. It was the frontier between East and West. According to Bible prophecy, the Euphrates River will dry up, so the kings coming from the East can proceed with their invasion into the Holy Land, into Israel (Rev. 16:12). Mainly the countries north of Israel will partake in the greatest battle on this side of the Millennial reign (Ezech. 38) — it will be an enormous army, the likes of which has never been and shall not be again (Joel 2:2). Everything in connection with Armageddon is in full preparation, the U.S. government is doing its part, so that all the other nations who are against Israel are mobilised. Then the world will be in flames and the third part of humanity will be destroyed. Our prayers especially go out on behalf of Israel, which is having to face increasing difficulties, until finally all nations will turn against God’s people (Zech. 12:3). The developments in the end-time are underway, no one is going to stop this and all things will happen the way they are predicted in end-time prophecy. Mr. George W. Bush needs the second term as President, so he can fulfil what he believes to be the work and predestined “will of God” through his office.

Yassir Arafat was not really a Palestinian. He was born in Cairo as Rahman Abdal Raouf on August 4th, 1929. Amazingly enough, Arafat was spared, although he was the true father and founder of terrorism. As a teenager he already participated in actions against the British mandate. In 1959 he started the terrorist organisation Al Fatah. Ten years later he presided over the PLO. After his stay in Tunisia, he took up residence in the West Bank. In the year 2000 he negotiated in Camp David with Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton about a Palestinian state. As the head of the terrorism aimed at the state of Israel, wherein all Palestinians found work and daily bread, social security, and the right to dwell, he nevertheless openly or secretly supported all Islamic terrorist organisations. The same Yassir Arafat was honoured with the Nobel prize for peace, received 10 million Euros every month from the EU in Brussels and transferred his riches to France and Switzerland. He was finally taken to Paris for treatment of his acute illness, where he eventually deceased.

The whole world knows that all inhabitants in the West Bank — whether in the Gaza strip or in Jericho — had a better life than the rest of the Arab nations. There was no unemployment, the tourism flourished, all the tourist groups could visit Bethlehem and Jericho and they brought prosperity, but then came the division and the autonomy, the intifada, and the terror followed. The actual hatred in the religion of Mohammed is directed against the Jews, whom God Himself has chosen through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the year 627 the Islamic “prophet” had the entire Jewish settlement in Yathrib slaughtered — between seven and eight hundred people, because they rejected him as prophet. This deadly hatred still exists until today among his followers. True believers become martyrs when they are persecuted because of their faith. In the Islamic religion the murderers are considered to be martyrs, those killers who neither spare their own lives nor the lives of others. In view of the attacks on the U.S.A. Bin Laden said, “You love life, we love death.” The Islamic world regards the U.S.A. as the “big Satan”, because they are taking sides with Israel. Finally, Bin Laden confessed that the attack on the World Trade Center was meant to unsettle the good relationship between the U.S.A. and Israel. On September 11th, 2004, Bin Laden proudly declared, “The bombs we are preparing carry the name Hiroshima, and they are directed toward the United States of America, which will be turned into a Hiroshima.” In 1933 Brother Branham already saw seven main visions of the things that would happen in the end-time. In the seventh vision he saw the United States destroyed.

In the sixth vision Brother Branham saw a beautifully clothed woman sitting on some kind of royal throne in the U.S.A. In his footnote he wrote, “Perhaps the Catholic Church!” Starting with John F. Kennedy, a good relationship with the Vatican has played a major role in the political careers of the presidents of the U.S.A. The visits of George W. Bush to the Pope made headlines. However, we still have to view things from the Bible perspective. The Protestant U.S.A., the only super-power left after World War II and the fall of “world communism” in 1989, is shown as the second beast in Rev. 13:11-18. At first it speaks like a lamb, allows freedom of speech and religion, but then, at last, it speaks like the dragon and brings the whole world to acknowledge the first beast power, which is the Old Roman Empire that is now rising again in the European Union.

We have arrived at a very important junction within the course of the end-time history. On March 25th, 1957, the three statesmen Adenauer, Schuman, and De Gasperi, representing Germany, France, and Italy, signed the “Roman Treaty”. In that same room, right at the feet of Pope Innocence X, the twenty-five representatives of the European Union signed the European Constitution on October 29th, 2004. The three representatives of the next countries to join the European Union, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, also gave their signatures in recognition of the Treaty. The platform for the world-order, the world-government, the world-community is set. Whoever wishes may read Daniel 2:40, Daniel 7:23, and also Daniel 8:25 and then continue with Revelation 13:1-10 and chapter 17. The last world power is compared to the beast which comes out from the sea of people and wherein all countries shall be included, but seven of them will be the leading heads and ten of them will be the horns that will do the pushing at the appointed time. The other countries just make up the other parts of that body.

We cannot go into further details of the developments right now, but we have to emphasise that the end might be much closer than many think. Indeed, Bible prophecy is taking place on every level, in a manner that can be seen and heard by all. We just need to encourage one another with the words of our LORD, “So also ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is near at hand.”

Another brief Missionary Report

In October 2004 I was invited to hold meetings in South America and took a flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where God opened a new door. There, too, the end-time message was received and believed.

Then I continued to Chile, where we experienced days like in apostolic times. On October 9th, after just two services in a German-speaking assembly, I had the privilege to baptise 125 brothers and sisters in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ in a local river. That was a day the LORD had made and for all who were present it shall never be forgotten. The brothers and sisters there are very grateful to God for the revealed Word. Their thankfulness is being expressed constantly in letters, e-mails, and phone-calls.

In Lima, Peru, I again had the opportunity to speak by way of radio and television to many people in the country. There was also a meeting arranged, where I addressed over one thousand people in the festival room of the Sheraton hotel. Another meeting took place with about three thousand people in a very large tent. Now I am expecting for the Word to take effect and then all who truly believe will be baptised as recorded in Acts 2:41. It is still written in the Great Commission, “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved …” Biblical baptism takes place with all who truly believe, and those who truly believe will obey and have part in the promise to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). That is the Biblical pattern — the divine order for the church from the beginning and right to the end.

My Visit in Jeffersonville

It was upon my heart to also pay a visit to the Voice of God Mission Outreach in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A., during this trip. The last time I was in Jeffersonville was about twenty years ago, when I attended the funeral of Brother Roy Borders. He was the one I asked back in April 1966 to take the responsibility for the printing of Brother Branham’s sermons. Also in this regard I can look back to an important day, April 12th, 1966, when the decision was made to begin printing the taped sermons. I knew that the sermons would have to be translated into different languages, and therefore we needed them in print. The LORD God led Brother Roy Borders to start the process immediately, and so everything necessary for the continuation and the spreading of the divine message was done.

For my visit on October 15th, 2004, Brother George Smith picked me up at the Louisville airport. I met a large part of the Branham family: Billy Paul, Joseph, Rebecca, and David, the son of Billy Paul. I was welcomed with much love, respect, and warmth. Jeffersonville was the city where most of Brother Branham’s ministry took place. There he preached the important teaching sermons. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed to see the new Voice of God Recordings facilities. They are well-planned and arranged to serve all the various purposes.

In regards to the spiritual food and the revealed Word we have to say that we are not bound to the place where the sermons were preached. Brother Branham was specifically told to store in the food by his sermons in the tabernacle — that is true. It is equally true that I was told at about the same time on April 2nd, 1962, by the mighty Voice of the LORD to store in the food. That is also THUS SAITH THE LORD. It was further confirmed by Brother Branham on December 3rd, 1962, in the presence of two witnesses, when the prophet himself said to me, “Brother Frank, wait with the giving out of the food until you receive the rest of the food.” This statement can be emphasised with THUS SAITH THE LORD as well. As everyone might know, it was God’s guidance for me to receive the sermons of Brother Branham right from 1958.

It was Brother Branham who told me on Wednesday, June 11th, 1958, in Dallas, Texas, towards the end of our conversation in the tent just before he walked onto the platform, “Brother Frank, you will return to Germany with this message.” I had emigrated to Canada in 1956 and never considered returning to Germany. But then it happened as God had planned in advance. In my small pocket diary from the year 1958 there is a printed Bible verse for each day. For June 11th it states, “Behold, I have put My Words into thy mouth …” (Jer. 1:9). Certainly, some of you can understand why my thoughts are also going back to the supernatural event of June 11th, 1933, that Bro. Branham experienced at the Ohio river. As I was instructed by the LORD, every sermon was archived throughout the years up till 1965. In the meantime, since 1959, I translated each tape for the small local congregation. After Brother Branham was taken to be with the LORD, the spiritual food was distributed and the Word of God was being preached.

The beautiful “Voice of God” centre located on the hilly outskirts of Jeffersonville serves a great purpose within the message, as all the other centres do, to a certain extent. However, should it be the case that it is looked upon as the headquarters and the others are considered to be the branches, which are all subject to line up with the headquarters, then it would be as in all the other denominations. In that case it would have to be said that Brother Branham never expected a denomination to come forth from this movement of God, instead the result should be the completion of the Bride Church. Generally, God is only in a certain place as long as He is doing something special to manifest His presence through a ministry. After that, such a place becomes a place of pilgrimage and a memorial. But God is again found to be present wherever He continues to work according to His plan of Salvation. May the blessings of God rest upon the Voice of God Outreach and may the Will of God be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.

A Heartfelt “Thank you”

to all of you who support this work, which God Himself brought into existence, with your gifts and tithes. In the Prophet Malachi, chapter 3, we first read about this important promise, “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me …” Then we also find the serious statement, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house …” That is the way God has ordained this matter. Those who are fed and blessed share the burden, so that all the others can also sit at the LORD’S Table and partake of the same food. In the 4th chapter we find the announcement about the Prophet Elijah, who would come before the great Day of the LORD. If our hearts have been brought back to the Word, then tithing is not a theory or a must, but it is simply obeying and giving joyfully unto the LORD what already belongs to Him. Those who walk in their own ways, plan their own time, and explain the Word as they like, they will always find a plausible excuse for not being obedient.

Once again I would like to thank all of you who line up with the divine order also in this regard. This is how we can serve all the poor countries on earth. As all of you might know, everything that is being sent out from the Krefeld Mission Center is absolutely free of charge — the printed sermons of Brother Branham, the books, the brochures, etc. Not once throughout all the many years did we solicit for money in this mission outreach. Our dear LORD and Saviour, the LORD of Glory, Who gave the commission, has also taken care that His Own Work is carried out. You have a great part in the harvest of souls all around the world, but even more important to us are your constant prayers.

Meeting Announcements

God willing, the last meeting held in Zurich in 2004 will be on Sunday, December 26th, at 14:00 h. We shall have the LORD’S Supper and then also stay to enjoy the fellowship and a joint meal. The meetings in the year 2005 shall also take place, as in the past, on the last Sunday of every month. In Krefeld we shall continue to hold meetings on the first weekend of each month. The first meetings will be on January 1st and 2nd, 2005. As always, all people from all places are cordially invited and we encourage you to please invite others to come along.

Now I wish all of the beloved brethren and sisters in Europe and all over the world God’s richest blessings for the year 2005. We look toward the future, not in uncertainty, but with great confidence and shall be grateful for every day, every week, every month we are going to be granted by the LORD. I would like to request of you to please remember those in prayer who carry the Word of the LORD. Needless to say, I am not hesitant to ask you to especially pray for me and also for our beloved Brother Leonard Russ, who has a great responsibility within the local church in Krefeld, as well as for our beloved Brother Paul Schmidt, who gives his utmost with his service in the local church and also on missionary trips. We must not forget our beloved Brother Alexis Barilier, our brethren Etienne Genton, Leonard Lifese, Urs Graf, and many of the other brethren who cannot all be individually named here, but do have part in the Work of the LORD.

By His commission

￼

Very Good News

Our brother from Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Wimanjaya, has informed us that the Bible in Indonesia will be newly translated and published in 2005 without the word “Allah” anywhere in the text. Allah is the god of Islam and only belongs into the Koran and has nothing to do with the Almighty God the Jews and the Christians believe in. Our Brother Wimanjaya belongs to the translation team of the Bible Society in Jakarta. For many years he has translated our literature into the language of his country. After he had read our leaflet about the “religion of Islam”, he searched in the relevant literature and found confirmation that Allah has absolutely nothing to do with the God of the Bible. With the help of the LORD he succeeded in convincing the Bible Society accordingly and so the decision was made to publish a new Bible edition in Indonesia. For this we are very, very grateful to God.

Shalom! Invitation to partake in the next trip to Israel

God willing and time permitting,
the Israel-trip is planned from May 2nd to 13th, 2005.

A visit to the Bible land has provided a lasting blessing for many, especially for the young people. So far we do not know the exact price, but it will be around 1,600 Euro. The flight and all the sightseeing, bus tours, accommodations with breakfast and evening meals and all the usual tips are included. It would give us great joy to welcome many to participate in this trip to the Holy Land.

Flights and hotels must be reserved well ahead of time, so we ask you to announce your participation before the end of December 2004.

You find our homepage at the internet address:
http://www.freie-volksmission.de
Our e-mail address is:
volksmission@gmx.de

The mailing address is:
Mission Center
P. O. Box 100707
47707 Krefeld
Germany