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

(Heb. 13:8)

Circular Letter December 2005

A look into the past, present, and future

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, dear Friends, I greet you cordially with the passage from Acts 20:26-27,

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

and also with this quote from Rev. 1:4, “Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come …”

Whoever writes about God’s plan of Salvation with humanity must include the past, the present, and also the future. What happened in the Kingdom of God in the past preceded that which is currently taking place and that in turn precedes what is yet to come. God’s true children who are led by the Holy Spirit will always have part in whatever God does in their time. They can correctly place the things which happened in the past, can find their rightful place within the order of Salvation in their time, and, being anchored firmly in the promises, they also have a clear understanding of what will take place in the future.

For example, those who received John the Baptist as a man sent from God (Jn. 1:6-7) had no difficulties in accepting the ministry of Jesus Christ. The one sent to prepare the way had the task to turn the hearts of the believers of the Old Testament to the faith of the children in the New Testament (Lk. 1:16-17). The Scribes and Pharisees refused to be baptised by John, did not submit to the Will of God, and thus rejected the counsel of God (Lk. 7:30). Therefore they had no part in whatever God had done since the founding of the New Testament Church. They remained in their religious tradition, were deadly serious therein. They did not enter the Kingdom of God themselves and even prevented the people from doing so. This has been the case throughout the past with the clergy and the ones who thought to be in the Will of God, whenever God did something on earth. That is also how it is now, and it will be this way right to the end. Since they did not recognise the day of God’s visitation, they were rejected and the Lord Himself pronounced judgement upon them (Lk. 19:41-44).

Forty years — a biblical period

With Moses, the greatest prophet of the Old Testament, as well as with David, the exceptionally anointed and blessed king in Israel, there was a 40-year time period in each of their lives which was of special significance according to the Will of God with His servants and with His people. Whatever happens in God’s plan of Salvation, be it with Israel or with the Church, is foreordained and likewise are those who have part therein. And thus the following is always being fulfilled, “… but the election hath obtained it …” (Rom. 11:7).

Before the foundation of the world, before the beginning, before time began God had already decided the entire plan of Salvation. He knew that His first son Adam, created by Him, would inevitably fall, being in the fleshly body. So He had to decide that His firstborn Son, the second Adam, would appear in the body of flesh to redeem us out of the fall and from death, which had come upon the entire human race. Adam was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 5:1), Christ was the image of God (2. Cor. 4:3-6; Heb. 1:3).

It is commonly known that for the past five hundred years, since the breakthrough of the Reformation, the Gospel is once again being preached. The various revivals that followed were always a new beginning and served as preparation for the next revival. Approximately one hundred years ago, another new beginning came about through the Pentecostal revival, in which the Spirit of God moved in a mighty way. About sixty years ago, God once again made a new beginning by supernaturally calling William Bran-ham on May 7th, 1946. This led to the breakthrough of the greatest salvation and healing revival of all times, which still continues in various movements, even after the man of God was taken to glory on December 24th, 1965.

By God’s grace I have the privilege to know what God has promised for this present time and also to personally partake in it, and therefore I would like to share the things which are in connection with the plan of Salvation and shed light on the past forty years. The objective is to show what the dear Lord has done among his people in that period of time, which is also part of my life story. All have a right to know about that new beginning and also the wonderful continuation. I knew Brother Branham and was in personal contact with him for ten years. I am well-acquainted with his calling and commission. He is recorded in history as a man sent from God; and his message, which is founded upon the Word, does indeed, even if some try to contest it, forerun the second coming of Christ, as he was told on June 11th, 1933. When I refer to how the Lord has led and mention certain experiences, then it is simply to let everyone know what God has done and continues to do in our time.

First of all I had the privilege to attend Brother Branham’s meetings in Karlsruhe, Germany, which were held August 13th – 19th, 1955. It was a special experience and from the first day I was convinced that no one could do the works which happened there unless God was with him and did them. It actually happened: The blind received their sight instantly, the lame could walk, the sick were made well. I have seen Bible days. I have seen apostolic times; I am indeed an eye- and ear-witness. What a time of blessing! I had been preaching since 1953, but when I saw what Jesus Christ did in these meetings day after day before thousands of people, I knew then that He is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. I wanted to know what this man believed and taught, for I saw that God was with him.

I knew about the various beliefs and teachings. But now I wanted to know about the true Gospel, about the true doctrine which God so mightily confirmed before my eyes. With this profound longing I attended the large “Voice of Healing Convention” in Dallas, Texas, USA, arranged by Gordon Lindsay for June 6th – 15th, 1958. During the morning and afternoon services, world-renowned evangelists of the first revival wave were preaching. For the evening services Brother Branham was the main speaker. That gave me the opportunity to make a comparison, and the first three days were more than enough to gain clarity.

Just like our Lord as Son of man saw in a vision what would take place, “… the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do …” (Jn. 5:19-20), Brother Branham also saw in a vision the affliction of the person standing before him and that he was to pray for. Whenever he saw the person healed, he could say with divine authority, regardless of what sickness the person had, “Be healed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Thy faith has made you well.” And it happened on the spot! Through this unique ministry was actually fulfilled what our Lord said in Jn. 14:12: “… the works that I do shall ye do also …” Millions witnessed it during the twenty-year period of his ministry. It cannot be denied, it can only be rejected. The difference between Brother Branham and all the other evangelists was the divine legitimation of his God-given ministry.

Before one evening service in Dallas I got to talk to Brother Branham and told him, “Brother Branham, I recognise you to be a man sent from God. I see the difference between you and all the other evangelists. I would like to know what you believe and teach.” I had no knowledge of a “message” at that time. His answer was, “Go to Leo Mercier, he is the one who tapes my sermons. Ask him to give you a few of them.” At the end of this conversation he said, “Brother Frank, you will return to Germany with this message.” The next day I went to Leo Mercier and was given five tapes. He said, “Brother Frank, you should first listen to these sermons and then let us know if you are interested in receiving more of them.” My reply was, “Here is my address, please, send me every sermon Brother Branham preaches.” So from 1958 I received every taped message Brother Branham preached in the USA.

The calling I received from the Lord on April 2nd, 1962, is known to all who are familiar with the end-time message. It is also well-known that Brother Branham confirmed it in the presence of the Brothers Banks Woods and Fred Sothman, both of whom are still living, on December 3rd, 1962. And God has certainly confirmed it in the over forty past years.

Towards the end of our conversation Brother Branham said, “Brother Frank, the food that you are to store in is the promised Word for this day revealed by the Holy Spirit … But wait with the giving out of the food until you get the rest of it.” I have to admit that, after having received answers up till then, I did not understand this part. I thought my time had now come. It saddened me that I should still have to wait. Only later it became clear to me that the waiting just referred to the second part, namely to give out the food that Brother Branham was to store in, not to the first part, to go from city to city and to preach God’s Word.

The conversation took its course. Suddenly Brother Branham paused and then said, “Brother Frank, you should not worry about Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, for it was in the Will of God.” For years it had bothered me and I could not understand why Paul went into the temple in Jerusalem, took a vow and according to the law paid for the purification for himself and those who joined him (see Acts 21). It seemed to contradict what he had experienced and was preaching. Then, many years ago, I finally said, “Paul, when I see you in heaven, I will ask you why you did this.” During this conversation I certainly did not think about that at all. The God of heaven Who knows all things revealed it to His prophet. In the course of this conversation Brother Branham also told me that, God willing, he and David DuPlessis would come to Germany, which unfortunately never came to pass.

In regards to Germany, the question had been weighing on me for some time whether there was a curse upon Germany because of the murder of the 6 million Jews during the Third Reich. That was the conviction in the churches in Germany ever since the end of the war. Now I finally got to ask about this and his answer was spontaneous, “No, there is no curse upon Germany. God will only judge and condemn those who have done that.” I also wanted to know from Brother Branham if I could pray for the sick. His answer was direct, “Brother Frank, God has called you, and everyone who is called to preach the Gospel is also called to pray for the sick. It is part of the same commission.”

Then Brother Branham asked me if I could speak to the Full Gospel Businessmen Chapter in Los Angeles. He was already preparing to move to Tucson with his family at the beginning of January and therefore could not go to Los Angeles. He spoke with Demos Shakarian, informed him of it, and so I was the main speaker at the Chapter on December 10th, 1962, in Clifton’s Cafeteria. Brother Branham also spoke to me about Henry Martin of Edmonton, who, as we did in Germany, was listening to his tapes with a small group, which was also attended by German-speaking brothers and sisters. So I travelled from Los Angeles to Canada, was received by Bro. Martin and then brought to the house of the German-speaking believers. That later developed into an opportunity to publish our brochures in the English language and send them out into all the world.

A new beginning

Without knowing that Brother Branham was taken home on December 24th, 1965, I saw on that day how he ascended on a cloud. In this experience I said, “Brother Branham, you are not the Son of man, why do I see you on this cloud?” I found out later that it was the very hour when Brother Bran-ham was taken to glory. It wasn’t until the beginning of January 1966 that I received a letter from Brother Armbruster from Pennsylvania, informing me of the accident that happened on December 18th and then his going home six days later. Some time later I found in the Bible that not only our Lord ascended to heaven on a cloud, “… and a cloud received Him …” (Acts 1:9), but also the two prophets are taken up on a cloud, “And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud …” (Rev. 11:12). Only as time went on did I then begin to realise that we are truly living in the most important time period of the entire plan of Salvation.

During the watch night service of December 1965/66, the Spirit of God moved in a rather extraordinary way in our midst. Exactly 120 brothers and sisters were gathered. By the Thus saith the Lord I was directly addressed, “My servant, I have put My sword into your hand.” I must admit that I could not immediately accept what was said, because my thought went to Brother Branham, in whose hand the sword of the Lord had been placed. At that point we still did not know about his going home. Later I realised that the Lord God had indeed placed His sword, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, into my hand. Thus it coincided with my commission, “… I will send you to other cities to preach My Word …”

On January 19th, 1966, I was taken in the spirit into a very large place of worship. One side of it was a building like a cathedral with a balcony and the rest was round like a tent. I was seated on the balcony and observed how a great number of people were pushing their way into this place. Then I saw that all had taken their seats and that ushers who were wearing an armband were moving up and down the middle isle. Then I saw Julius Stadsklev, a close friend of Brother Branham, standing on the front of the platform. He looked up to the balcony and said, “Brother Frank, it is your time. Come down now.” I stood up and went down the stairs, which were open towards the tent and could be seen by the thousands who had gathered for this meeting. I then went to the platform and stood there right next to Brother Stad-sklev, when a voice said, “We are not gathered here because of John the Baptist. We are gathered because William Branham, God’s prophet, was taken from us.” Then, suddenly, the voice spoke again, “Turn to the people that have assembled and speak to them, ‘The coming of the Lord is very near.’” In this vision I turned to the congregation in that huge tent and relayed what I was commissioned to say.

Then came April 11th, 1966, the day when the earthly body of Brother Branham was buried. To me it was a day of utter sadness. I do not remember having experienced anything like this ever again. I could not join in singing the chorus “Only believe …” which was repeated over and over. I was torn, wept and prayed, spoke to the Lord and said, “Please let me know how the Bride Church can be ready for Your return without this ministry.” It seemed though an entire world had collapsed before me on that day.

Towards the evening of that day, I returned, completely exhausted, to my hotel and sat down, when I suddenly felt that a great burden was lifted from me. The deep sadness vanished and an unspeakable joy filled my soul. I could feel the peace of God and it spoke in my heart, “Now your time has come to give out the spiritual food.” God had taken care of the entire matter. He decides the beginning of a ministry, the continuation, and the end thereof. How could it be otherwise? He also ordains the new beginning and the continuation of the following ministry. Just as the death of John the Baptist was incomprehensible for the believers back then, so was the sudden death of Brother Branham for many at the time. Both had completed their commission, one at the first coming of Christ, the other, who was sent to bring the divine message in our day, before the second coming of Christ.

The next day I called the brothers for a meeting and it was decided that Brother Branham’s sermons, which were only recorded on tape up to that point, would now be printed on paper. Brother Roy Borders agreed to take on the responsibility for that task.

It was not easy for the Apostle Peter to say this when the crucial moment came, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” (Acts 15:7). James confirmed what Peter had said with this very important declaration, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written …” (vv.14-15).

Thus I was ordained by God Himself and privileged to carry the pure message right from the start to the ends of the earth. On one hand it is about the proclamation of the true Word of God and on the other about the giving out of the spiritual food, which includes all the promises for this time.

I was in contact with Brother Branham when he was still alive. The brethren in the USA had never set foot on European soil before. God ordained it so that I, having command of three languages, became the contact person for all the countries. There is no continent on earth I did not take the message to. The Lord God Himself opened the doors and the hearts. As early as 1963 I was already ministering in the various cities in our country. In 1964 I took my first trips to England, then to India, Jordan, and Israel. In 1965 I continued with the ministry in the West-European countries. Subsequently I was able to arrange meetings in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in 1966.

In the following ten years I visited 86 countries, and in the next ten years the total grew to over 120. While travelling the world, I was initially passing on the Jeffersonville address to the responsible brethren during the meetings, so they could order the printed sermons of Brother Branham in the English language. At the beginning of the 1970’s the Lord led it in such a way that Brother Don Bablitz, with the aid of a small team, was able to begin sending out Brother Branham’s sermons from Edmonton, Canada, into all the world. It was Brother Don Bablitz, later residing in Whitehorse, Canada, who came to talk to me on that Saturday morning in the mid-seventies. He was overwhelmed by the fact that brothers from the many countries where I had preached were writing to him, asking for Brother Branham’s sermons. The conversation went on, then Brother Bablitz suddenly said, “Brother Frank, we see Brother Branham’s ministry in the Bible. What about your ministry, which is now happening worldwide? Is it also found in the Bible?” I suspected fanaticism and just dismissed it by saying, “Please stop it. How can my ministry be in the Bible? That is not possible!” We ended our conversation and then prayed for the worldwide work, which also includes the distribution of these brochures, entrusting it to the grace of God.

And again it happened unexpectedly and suddenly: Early the next morning the sun was shining into the room as I reached to my right to get my Bible, when the Lord addressed me with the following words, “My servant, I have ordained you according to Matthew 24, verses 45–47, to give out the food.” I had never preached on this Scripture before and until then was unaware it even existed, let alone that it was a promise from the lips of our Lord. Only then I read the text and was astonished to read about a faithful and wise servant, whom the Lord placed over His household to give the food in due season. The Apostle Paul wrote in reference to the meaning of this Scripture to his co-worker Timothy, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” (1. Tim. 4:6).

One must read the first five verses wherein the disastrous situation in the last days is being described, the complete falling away from the true faith by the works of misleading spirits and doctrines that originate with demons. Only then we realise the importance of this statement and the emphasis put on the true teachings, which are our only guideline. The time is at hand. This Scripture is also being fulfilled in both realms. In the first place this ministry is meant for all the ministering brethren, so that they might correctly place God’s revealed Word into the scriptural order and bring the food as a prepared meal to God’s children at the Lord’s table. It is one thing to store in all the groceries which are needed to sustain life, and it is another thing to bring a prepared meal to the people in order to satisfy their spiritual hunger with the hidden manna. God said, “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 …” (Amos 8:11).

It certainly is not by chance that Matthew 25 is the wake-up call, the midnight cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh …” It follows right after chapter 24. The last message is directed to the wise virgins. Only those who are part of the Bride Church will receive the Word of the Bridegroom by which they live. The wise virgins, who will be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom, will be connected to the God-ordained ministry. Still valid today is what we read in 2. Cor. 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

I can also say in the name of the Lord, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry …” (1. Tim. 1:12).

The final ministry ordained by God Himself includes both the proclamation of the everlasting Word of God and the distribution of the spiritual food, and will then finally merge into the completion of the Bride Church. I am not a one-sided mouthpiece of Brother Branham or of the Apostle Paul. I can say this on account of divine authority: I must be the mouthpiece of God to proclaim the whole counsel of God, taking into consideration the everlasting Gospel as it was preached by the Apostle Paul and Brother Bran-ham. No one will ever hear me cry out, “The prophet said … the prophet said …” I was not called by the Apostle Paul or by Brother Branham, I was called by the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Right to the very end only God’s unchangeable Word will be heard from my lips, and not any of the various interpretations, which I loathe. For Thus saith the Lord, “My Spirit that is upon thee, and My Words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth …” (Isa. 59:21).

No servant of God had any say in the matter; none was ever asked whether he would be so kind as to serve the Lord. God acts sovereign in His Kingdom and in His Church. It is known to all of us that the Apostle Paul had a special ministry and commission for the Church. Three times the reference was made to his calling: Acts, chapter 9, chapter 22, and chapter 26. With divine authority he could apply the promise recorded in the words of Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6, which were spoken about the Lord, to the commission given to him (Acts 13). Why? Because therein we find a two-fold promise. The first one refers to the Redeemer and states that the tribes of Israel would be restored. That is why the Lord first said, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles …” (Matth. 10). When the time came and the second part of that promise, which applied to the Gentiles, found fulfilment, we read, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:47). A new period started, a transition time at first. There is a biblical order for the Church whereby the ministries are placed into it for its own uplifting, and there is also the divine order for the entire plan of redemption.

John the Baptist knew which Word was fulfilled in his ministry. He was being asked, “Are you the Christ? Are you that prophet? Are you Elijah?” Three times he answered, “No!” Then those who had been sent to ask him wanted to know who he truly was. His scriptural answer is found in John 1:23, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness …” It was also revealed to Paul what Scripture applied to him in his time. Likewise Brother Branham knew which Scripture was fulfilled through His ministry. He testified of it in many of his sermons. That was the stumbling block for all the evangelists. They were offended, even though they started their ministries only after attending one of Brother Branham’s meetings. I have first-hand knowledge of this, for I came to know many of them personally. They held the man sent by God in very high regards as a healing evangelist, recognising the special gifts of the Spirit. They also testified that this kind of ministry had not been present on earth since the days of the apostles. But when the emphasis was made that thereby a scriptural promise was fulfilled, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord …” (Mal. 4:5-6; Matth. 17:11; Mark 9:12), they rejected him. They hardened their hearts and were not prepared to submit themselves under the mighty hand of God, Who was fulfilling a promise He gave, for He is bound to His promises. They were not ready to leave their traditional teachings and views. They did not want to change their ways. Then they had no other choice but to declare that William Branham was on the correct course at the beginning of his ministry, but supposedly got off the track later, towards the end.

Now the spirits stand divided once again because of the person God has chosen, history is repeating itself. Now they are saying, “He had a special calling and ministry at the beginning, but then …” Just as the world would have never known any of the evangelists without the God-given ministry, likewise now would no one have heard of the brothers from the USA within the circle of the message. They are offended again, because someone shows forth the particular Scripture upon which his ministry is based. It needs to be said that if this ministry was not founded on the Bible, it would have no right to be in existence. Others complain that he supposedly corrects the prophet. They do not comprehend that if there seems to be a discrepancy between what the prophet said and what the Bible says, that we then need to go back to the Scriptures and see what is verified therein by at least two, three, or more passages.

The promise that at the end of the time of grace God would send a prophet means everything to the elect. But now there are actually three things happening: The “scribes” of the denominations reject him, the “hierarchy” within the end-time message looks upon him as a founder of a new religion, while only the elect take it to heart and are returning to the belief of the fathers, coming back to the doctrines of the apostles as they were at the very beginning. In this important period the concern is the prophetic Word, which must not be interpreted, but instead has to be seen in its fulfilment (2. Peter 1:15-21). Hear this, all ye nations: With view of the completion of the Church of Christ, the teaching ministry is now just as important as it was at the very beginning (Acts 13:1; 1. Cor. 12:28), so that we are brought back into the unity of the faith (Eph. 4:1-16) and are no longer tossed about by the various winds of doctrines.

If it is true, and it is indeed, that God’s original message, as it was at the beginning, is now being preached to call out and to establish the same teachings in the Bride Church before Jesus Christ returns, then the wise virgins must hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. They will be the ones who are baptised by the same Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ to become the true living Church, which the Redeemer will present to Himself without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:26-30). It is equally certain that the foolish virgins will bypass what God is doing and continue to follow some leader who constantly refers to the prophet, presenting and propagating special revelations and causing rifts. All of them are convinced, be they wise or foolish, to have heard the call of the Bridegroom. Some even say that He has already come, others that He has been slowly descending ever since the opening of the seals. It will not be sufficient to continuously quote what the prophet said, if the Bible is not being consulted as the final authority. Just as the clergy interprets the same Bible in so many different ways, so it is now being done with the statements of Brother Branham unto their own destruction (2. Pet. 3:16). For the true believers this is the time span for their preparation in faith and obedience, the time of unification of Bride and Bridegroom in the divine love, in the correct teachings and in the true faith, which was once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)!

Through the ministry of Brother Branham the whole counsel of God was preached. All the hidden mysteries were revealed. The Holy Spirit now leads us into all the Truth of the Word of God. Now, at the end of the time of grace, at the end of the day of Salvation, before the Day of the Lord comes and the sun turns into darkness and the moon into blood, the prophetic Word and also the true teaching will lead to the final goal in the completion. The total restoration is part of the main promise to the Church of the Living God. Before the Bridegroom will take His Bride home, she must be called out, she must be ready. For thus it is written about Jesus Christ, our Lord, “… Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the age began.” (Acts 3:18-22).

It was the decision of the ever-true God to make me one of His servants. Again and again He spoke to me with an audible voice, which each time comes from above, always to my right side. Only once, on June 16th, 1979, just at the breaking of a new day, I heard the angry Voice of God coming down like an unbearable thunder, descending vertically to my right, its thunderclaps growing ever louder and stopping just a few meters above me. Then came the sound of the nine words, of which each one was a thunderclap within itself (Gen. 3:17), and every word the Almighty spoke was clearly pronounced (Fanø, Denmark).

Now I would like to refer to a few select experiences which are of significance to me, to other individuals, and also to the Church. I am aware that only those who have had true experiences with God will thereby be strengthened in their faith. My testimony will mean nothing to those who do not have a true personal relationship with the Lord. They will just be offended by it. They might think to themselves, “What does he make of himself?” The others will realise that no one can have anything unless it is given to him by God. The Apostle Paul even testified that he was taken up into the third heaven, into paradise (2. Cor. 12). He did so for the glory of God. In spite of that he still had to suffer a great many things because of his ministry, as we find recorded in 2. Cor. 11. Being in the Lord’s service can be accompanied by many things, such as enmity, persecution, suffering, but also by wonderful experiences and blessings. Prophets and righteous men were not persecuted and killed because they were criminals, but because they were carrying God’s Word. Nevertheless, I can say, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry …” (1. Tim. 1:12).

I begin my testimony by referring to the divine commission, as did Abraham, Moses, the Apostle Paul, and Brother Branham:

• The last two things the Lord commanded therein were: “My servant, do not establish local churches and do not publish your own songbook …” (Krefeld). I believe that local churches are scriptural, but it is not my task to establish churches in other cities and countries.

It is common in all churches to use a songbook and we do as well. However, I must not publish one. The Lord directly told me: “… for it is a sign of a denomination.” That is as true as true can be. Every church, every denomination has its own songbook, even the various groups within the end-time message.

• “My servant, rise and read 2. Tim. 4, for I want to speak to you …” (Marseille). After the service of the preceding evening I was approached with the question about the seven thunders. I had no answer at that time. The next morning the Lord Himself gave me the answer from the Scriptures, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” After reading this text, I placed my Bible on the small table, lifted up my hands and said, “Dear Lord. As certain as You commanded me to read this Scripture passage, it is equally certain that whatever the seven thunders uttered is not written in God’s Word. Therefore it cannot be preached.” That is thus saith the Lord. True servants of God are obligated to only read and keep the words that are written therein (Rev. 1:1-3). All things that are circulated under the term “thunder doctrines” are destructive heresies, even if quotes are mistakenly being used. They are speculations and not revelations. No one has the right to add a single word to the words of prophecy in this Book (Rev. 22:18-21). Whoever does it anyway disqualifies oneself.

• “My servant, when the last move will start I will speak to you again, for then My Spirit shall be sanctified in you …” (Krefeld). The city of Zurich was mentioned in this experience. I believe that the God of heaven will do a short and great work in which the true believers will partake. “For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Rom. 9:28).

• The vision with the wheat field and the combine was extraordinary. This experience has long since been the target of slanderers. Many years ago somebody in Hamburg wrote a brochure with the title “The combine dossier”. Therein he described me as the antichrist and ridiculed me in a sarcastic way. I truthfully state before God Almighty only what I saw and heard. In the Spirit I was taken to a very large, overripe wheat field. I saw the ears bending down, already singed by the sun. I know that throughout the entire time of grace the Word seed is being sown and in every church age a harvest of souls is being brought in. But the Scripture also speaks about what will happen directly at the end (Mt. 3:12; a. o.)
In Rev. 14:15 we read, “… the harvest of the earth is ripe.” I noticed that there were no thistles in the whole wheat field and knew in the Spirit that the tares had already been taken out, as it is written, “… Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles …” (Mt. 13:30). Then I looked to my left and saw a brand-new combine. At that moment the Lord spoke with a commanding voice, “My servant, the combine is destined for you to bring in the harvest. Never has anyone used it …” Right away I walked over and climbed on the combine. Then it started getting dark. As I looked to the sky, it appeared as though there was a battle going on in the clouds. And I said, “Dear Lord, it is too late, I cannot bring in the harvest. The judgements are striking the earth.” The next moment the sun with all its might broke through an opening in the clouds, shining upon the whole wheat field. Immediately I moved the handles on the combine and started to bring in the harvest. I had just finished the last part, when the sky grew dark again and only thunder and noise could be heard.

• “My servant, cancel your trip to India!” (Krefeld). I had already picked up the tickets from the travel agency and was supposed to fly out on that Friday. The aircraft that my flight was booked on from Bombay to Madras caught on fire right after takeoff, crashed, and all 96 passengers on board lost their lives.

• “My servant, I have ordained you according to Mt. 24:45-47 to give out the food in due season.” (Edmonton). That was my answer from the lips of the Lord, Who watches over His Word in order to fulfil it.

• “My servant, when the borders will open up, then I shall call the Bride out of the East-European countries …” (Krefeld). In this vision I was standing on a platform in a very large banquet hall. People came in through the main entrance and took their seats. I looked around and saw that many chairs were still empty. The next moment the voice spoke, coming from above the chandelier where I was standing, “When this happens, My return is very, very near!” Then I looked to my left and observed as the emergency exit door opened and the individual groups from the East-European countries entered in an orderly fashion. The leading brother of each group came by the platform, shook my hand, and continued on with the group to take their seat. After the last group had come by, I looked around again and saw that every chair was now occupied. I had this experience thirteen years before the Berlin Wall fell and the borders to Eastern Europe were opened. At that time nobody thought that the Eastern bloc would be dissolved and that the unification of Germany and Europe would take place.

• “My servant, walk over to the adjacent piece of property and dedicate it unto Me …” (Krefeld). That piece of land had been a prison camp in World War II and still had a fence measuring 2.3 meters with a barbed wire on top surrounding it. I went through the small gate that led to the shopping center, went all the way around, knelt down in the undergrowth and dedicated that piece of property to the God of heaven for His Church here on earth.

• “My servant, go to R. T., take the elders with you and read to him the Word the Prophet Isaiah spoke to Hezekiah. He shall recover.” (Krefeld). I had just walked outside after a service and was at that moment near the old cherry tree, which was at the property line between the two lots, when the Lord spoke to me. We did as the Lord commanded and God confirmed His Word.

• “My servant, go forth, speak the word, for the believing woman shall not be put to shame before her unbelieving husband.” (Krefeld). A dear sister had come to the meeting with a brand-new car, not even showing 1,000 km on the odometer, and her car would not start. Some of our knowledgeable brothers as well as the experts from the roadside assistance club tried their best, but could not get it running. I was walking through the prayer room when the voice of the Lord said, “My servant, go forth and speak the word …” No one can imagine what kind of certainty and what absolute the direct word from the lips of the Lord brings with it. I went outside, met the sister who was still surrounded by some of the brothers and said, “Return to your car and start the engine, for thus the Lord has spoken …” The sister replied, “But we have tried everything …” I interrupted her, “Do not speak, but go and do as you were directed in the name of the Lord …” She did accordingly and the car started on the first try. She then drove home, a distance of about 250 km, without any incident. The next morning her husband, a doctor, wanted to drive to the hospital, but the car did not start. It had to be towed to the garage. The fuel injection pump was broken and had to be replaced by a new one. Only when the Lord truly speaks first can a servant of God have the ministry of the spoken Word.

• On Saturday, November 18th, 1978, at 10:00 a.m. the Lord spoke to me while I was in the office of the Mission Center, “My servant, search in the Book of Acts if ever a man was ordained to the ministry together with his wife.” I turned to my right, picked up my Bible and began reading in the Book of Acts. Soon I noticed that even the seven deacons were called without their wives. Through this direct advice a false prophecy given in the city of Bremen in June 1976 was uncovered by God Himself, Who instructed me to search the Book of Acts. For ever I am obliged to follow the original example and guideline of apostolic times.

• I was taken out of the body and experienced the rapture. I saw the Holy City coming down (Krefeld Hospital).
In December 1980 I was on a missionary trip through Africa. One night in Accra, Ghana, I was bitten four times by the Anopheles mosquito. When I returned home just before Christmas I was already feeling very weak. On January 1st, 1981, I was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. After an examination they discovered that it was malaria tropica in its advanced stages.
On January 3rd, 1981, I heard Prof. Dr. Becker, head doctor to an entire team of doctors standing around me, say to them, “It is too late, it is too late. Nothing can be done. No medicine, no blood transfusion will help now.” I could not speak, but I could still hear. When the doctors had given up on me and left me to die, as I was ravaged by fevers and getting ever weaker, my brother Artur stood at my bedside and said loudly, “Jesus Christ was not only victorious on Calvary, He is victorious in this room.” In spite of it I felt I was nearing the end and my only concern was, “Dear Lord, how do I stand in Your Presence?”
Right then I was taken out of my body and under blue skies, where I saw a large multitude dressed in white. They were all young (Job 33:25). The first row was made up of brothers, which is where I was standing as well. The sisters had long hair cascading down their backs. Remarkable were the different hair colours. Majestically we were taken up ever higher. Then I saw a horizontal dividing line, similar to what can be seen at sunrise above the clouds. I knew in the Spirit that we were being taken up to meet the Lord in the air. So I looked up and saw the Holy City coming down upon this dividing line. It was glorious, it was majestic. Waves of glory streamed through that celestial body. I knew: This is the rapture. I wish to stop here and only mention the disappointment I felt when I returned into my body.

• “My servant, gather Me My people together, all who made the covenant with Me by sacrifice …” (Krefeld). This happened on one December 28th, when the Lord spoke these words to me. I was surprised that there are actually two places in the Scriptures that express this: Psalms 50:5 and Deuteronomy 4:10. All of God’s children believe the promises and they confirm their covenant with God, which He established with us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. It was done by sacrifice. And now God’s people are gathered to hear the Words of the Lord.

• I was taken out of the body right into heaven. Maybe it was Paradise (Varna, Bulgaria). The light was made of rainbow colours, which were moving harmoniously, as though it was filled with life. I knew in the Spirit that the throne was way to my right, from where the light shone that appeared mingled with fire. To my left a male choir was looking towards the throne and singing Psalms 34 in the German language according to the Luther translation. The words, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them” were followed by this interlude, “The angel of the Lord is now here!” After singing, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”, the choir sang with all voices vibrating, “The Lord is now here!”

I could continue to share the precious experiences which I have had throughout the many years. For each one of those experiences I can call upon God to be my witness in the name of Jesus Christ. The Word and the whole counsel of God has never before been revealed in such clarity and entirety as it is in our time. Truly, God revealed to His apostles and prophets what He had planned for His Own since before the foundation of the world (Eph. 3), and in this last time has also revealed it unto us.

God’s guidance in the past forty years

Israel journeyed in the desert for forty years and then fell short of entering the Promised Land. God’s Word was in the Ark of the Covenant. However, the final result was a shameful one. This is quite astounding: The Apostle Paul compares Israel with the Church in the end-time, “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world has come.” (1. Cor. 10:1-13). Is that not strange? Back then God’s people missed their final destination in spite of the pillar of fire and the smitten rock, etc., etc. Disobedience, murmuring, and idolatry were their downfall. All who came out with Moses and were male had been circumcised. Still, they all died, even in spite of their circumcision, “…because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord” (Josh. 5:6b). Only the newborn generation which was circumcised entered into the Promised Land. Then the captain of the Lord’s host appeared to Joshua with a sword in his hand (Josh. 5:13-15) and the victory was manifested.

Today we have to ask, “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isa. 53:1). Who hath obeyed the Gospel (Rom. 10:16)? Who had the experience of the inward circumcision of his heart (Rom. 2:28-29)? Who experienced the renewal by the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:11)? The beginning, the conversion is important, but then we have to stand the test of time in faith and obedience, before we can finally reach the goal after fulfilling the Will of God (Heb. 10:36). The newborn generation experienced the victorious entrance into the Promised Land. The same applies now to the children of promise who believe the word of promise (Rom. 9:6-10; Gal. 4:28-29). They do not stop at the things which happened forty, fifty, sixty or a hundred years ago. They do not go around in circles, but have part in what God is doing right now.

Together with all who believe the divine message we look forward, encouraged, strengthened through the wonderful blessings of the past forty years which God so graciously provided worldwide. But the enemy did not fail to turn against the elect. Back then the Lord said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat …” (Luke 22:31) We did not count on this, but it did happen.

In April 1974 we had the inauguration of the church building, which was constructed upon the piece of property that God had shown in a vision. Right to the end of the seventies we experienced many blessings and the presence of God, especially in the local church in Krefeld. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were present and supernatural things happened. People came from other cities to hear the Word. At the same time I was able to make my missionary trips every month to take the precious message to the ends of the earth. In the middle of the seventies, the year 1977 was strongly being emphasised as the year when the time of grace would come to an end. Brother Branham had mentioned the year 1977 a number of times in connection with the end-time, but never set a date. Brothers who thought that every statement he made was to be regarded equal to “Thus saith the Lord” came to the conclusion that by 1977 the time of grace would end.

In agreement with the sovereign works of God, Who alone decides the time and the hour, it pleased Him to give to me a directive on Friday, July 16th, 1976, the execution of which was very much criticised in some circles of the end-time message. I had just walked around the west side of the church building, darkness was beginning to set in, when I heard the all-commanding voice of the Lord, saying, “My servant, walk over to the adjacent piece of property. Dedicate it unto Me and build thereupon, for people will come from many nations who will need to be accommodated.” The details of this command are common knowledge. On Monday, July 19th, 1976, I spoke to the owner. He explained to me his future plans for this property and said, “I just cannot sell it to you.” I ended the conversation with the words, “Mr. Tölke, remember, the Lord God has put His hand upon the part of your property which is adjacent to our lot, on which the church is built.”

Three weeks later, on August 9th, 1976, the owner called me before eight o’clock in the morning and said, “Pastor Frank, I must sell you that property. When can we go to the notary?” The contract was signed on August 12th, 1976. By the purchase of that piece of land and the subsequent construction thereupon we actually contradicted the teaching that 1977 would be the end. When the first building was beginning to materialise, Brother Paul Schmidt came to me on the lot and said, “Brother Frank, this building will not be sufficient for half of the people that are going to come.” The next morning I opened my Bible and my eyes fell upon 2. Chron. 14:6, where the German Bible says, “And they put up the buildings with success and were happy.” To me it was an encouragement from the Lord. Thus two buildings were erected in the years 1977/78. I can say with a clear conscience, as Noah did in Gen. 6:22, Moses in Ex. 40:16 and Elijah in 1. Kings 18, that I have done all these things according to the command and the Word of the Lord.

After we had done as the Lord commanded and the buildings were completed to accommodate the visitors, Satan did all he could to prevent what God had said from happening. Of course, he did not succeed, which in itself is the proof that it is indeed God’s work. Israel and the true Church have always been the targets of the enemy. Jerusalem was fought over and destroyed nineteen times. Even now the concern is not Tel Aviv or Haifa, but Jerusalem, the city of God. Likewise it is not just any church, but the true Church of the living God that is the special target of the enemy and the spiritual battleground today. According to Rev. 12, at the end the dragon will stand before the woman and try to devour the man child, who is designated to rule the nations (Rev. 2:26-29), before he is taken to Glory.

Suddenly, the enemy misinterpreted what the Lord had commanded and said, “The leadership of Frank, Russ, Schmidt must go.”, because God had supposedly already appointed other brothers. And indeed two of them came forward and stepped on the platform. Then it was said, “You are not called by God, you are called by Satan. It is your work and not God’s work, therefore it must be destroyed.” It was the declared intention of the enemy to undermine the authority of the one who carries the Word with this blow, and the two brethren that God placed at his side were to be made untrustworthy before the church as well. Brother Branham said, “Be careful. You’re guilty if you speak a word against your brother that’s not right, not just. … You don’t have to stick a knife in a man’s back to kill him; you can break his character and kill him, kill his influence. Speak against your pastor here, say something bad about him, you just might as well as shot him; told something that wasn’t right about him, well, it’ll kill his influence with the people and things like that, and you’re guilty of it.” (57-09-22). Satan had a goal, he wanted to prepare the platform in the church locally and also worldwide for those who carry his interpretations and wrong teachings. Therefore he first aimed to destroy the confidence in the one who carries the true Word of God.

Until today it remains as the Lord said many years ago with a commanding voice, “My servant, dedicate unto Me as elders Leonard Russ and Paul Schmidt …” The ministry of these two brothers has been a blessing for over forty years in the local church and in many different countries. It was the same commanding voice of the Lord which in 1976 instructed me to buy this piece of property and to build on it. The two large buildings were erected and throughout the past twenty-five years we have been able to accommodate between three and four hundred people coming from all over the world on the first weekend of every month.

All of hell had come forth to obstruct God’s end-time plan in its most important phase and to destroy His work in any way possible. The main attack, as was to be expected, was directed against the one who carries the Word. Slander beyond measure, exceeding anything any rationally thinking person could fathom, was spread throughout the world, things that could not possibly be repeated here. A character assassination was launched, the likes of which had not been heard before, with the goal of causing many souls to die spiritually. All who allowed themselves to be submitted to those destructive spirits still to this day believe and spread the same slander. They do not consider even for a moment that they are purposely violating one of the commandments, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Ex. 20:16). In Rom. 1:30 we read about, “… backbiters, haters of God, …” In 1. Cor. 5:9-12 we find out who these people are being compared to.

The killings of the children at the birth of Moses and also the murders of the children at the birth of our Saviour were executed locally, limited to that region. Satan is a liar and a murderer from the beginning (Jn. 8:44), Cain was also a murderer (1. Jn. 3:12), and every believer who hates his brothers is one as well, without exception. Thus says God’s Word, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1. Jn. 3:15). All who have been led astray since then and do not have the desire to hear the everlasting Word of God will be disappointed on that day. Whoever does not personally adopt the love for the truth at the decisive moment is damned to believe the lie. A compromise is not possible. Whoever opens his heart to what Satan says automatically shuts it to what God has said. Light and darkness, life and death are separated from each other for ever.

Now we all have to ask ourselves before God whether God’s decision can be tampered with. Does any human being have the right to demand the removal of the two brothers, the elders who were appointed according to a divine command? Was it right to construct the buildings according to the Word of the Lord to accommodate the visitors, or was it right to, in the contrary, tell those who had come here that first weekend in May 1979 after the meetings that they should all go home, stating, “Everything here is finished for ever.”? This is a decision that nobody can sidestep, and it is of personal consequence for all eternity. Do not be mistaken, God will not allow Himself to be mocked!

Those who have remained steadfast and faithful cannot comprehend that brothers and sisters who listened to the Word of God here, who were saved and healed and had their experiences with the Lord, were baptised and for years participated in the Lord’s Supper, would suddenly turn from them in bitter enmity and avoid any contact. Every true believer should realise that Jesus Christ has taken away the wall of partition and destroyed the enmity. Through Him we have redemption, reconciliation and the forgiveness of all our sins.

“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby …” (Eph. 2:14-16).

Everyone knows that enmity and destruction can never come from God. There is only one of two possibilities: The truth is either what God has decided and what can still be seen here in this Mission Center, or what Satan, who always appears as an angel of light, wanted to achieve.

On the first weekend of each month up to nine hundred people from all over the world come to the Mission Center to hear the Word of God and to be spiritually nourished. The sermons preached in the German language are simultaneously being translated into twelve different languages, so that all who are present can hear the Word preached in their own language. At the same time brothers and sisters all over the world can join us in our services live through the internet. These are facts which cannot be denied and speak for themselves. This question is presenting itself: How can those who live in this city and know about the calling and commission drive with contempt past the place God Himself has chosen? They are not rejecting a man, but God Himself, Who does all things according to His plan of Salvation. Of what use is it to them to speak about the message, about the prophet, about the rapture? Is that the perfect love of which the Apostle Paul and Brother Branham spoke, which never ends and finally will enter into Glory?

Whosoever denies the blessings of the glorious meetings we had in the seventies, which we experienced by the power of God, is in danger of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The revolt happened only at the moment when the self-will of a person exalted itself over the anointing, over the Word and the Will of God. Whoever sincerely compares what the Lord Himself said with that what the enemy spread under false inspiration will quickly realise what is true and what is being fulfilled. We all have to learn from this great lesson for all the future. Right to the end we need and should pray for the gift of discernment. Whatever God says will be according to His Word and always serves for the up-building of the Church. What the enemy spreads and does will always lead to destruction. God only uses His servants. The enemy chooses whomever he finds to have the greatest influence and thereby aims to cause the most extensive damage. What was built up over many years with the help of God, Satan, the accuser of the brethren, tried to destroy in one day.

The Scripture cannot be broken

In spite of their divine calling, men of God remained human beings, although they were called gods (Ps. 82:6; Jn. 10:34). The godly part in them was the Word, whereby they shared in the divine nature, as we do as well (2. Pet. 1:3-11). Right after this statement the Lord said, “The Scripture cannot be broken …” (Jn. 10:35). Indeed, the Scripture can never be broken. God’s callings and predestination are final, they cannot be reversed and are valid for ever — thus teaches the Holy Scripture (Rom. 8:28-39; Eph. 1; a. o.). The Scripture could not be broken because Noah once had too much wine (Gen. 9). Noah found grace with God, so it is written, and that is what counts. He remained the preacher of righteousness. He could be rejected and scoffed at, but no one could tell him to step down. The Lord Himself preached in hell to those who did not believe Noah’s message and remained in disobedience. The sons of God were among them (Gen. 6). In hell it was too late for the salvation of their souls (1. Pet. 3:18-22). Thus saith the Lord, “… and as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Lk. 17:26).

Abraham could not be ordered to step down because he was with Hagar and then married Keturah. The Scripture says, “… I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead …” (Rom. 4:17). The Scripture could not be broken when Moses took the Ethiopian woman as his wife. Miriam and Aaron had no right to speak against their brother Moses (Num. 12:1). Also Korah, Dathan and Abiram — the scoffers — had no right to demand for Moses to step down and to influence the whole church to turn against him and cause a split (Num. 16).

The Scripture could not be broken because David committed adultery. In the law God said nothing about polygamy. He only said, “If he take him another wife …” (Ex. 21:10). The Lord also said, “If a man have two wives …” (Deut. 21:15). But then He said, “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die …” (Deut. 22:22). Marriage is placed under the direct protection of God and so is the family. David committed adultery and according to the law should have been stoned together with Bathsheba. David transgressed two commandments, “Thou shalt not kill!” and “Thou shalt not commit adultery!” David was an adulterer because he took the wife of Uriah, and he was a murderer because he had her husband killed. Thanks be to God that neither applies to me.

The Scripture cannot be broken. David remained a prophet, David remained a king, and all that he spoke as a prophet in the Spirit did and will for ever come to fulfilment. However, it stays for ever true that God made one Eve for Adam, and as Paul writes, “… let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1. Cor. 7). Who would dare to condemn David and refuse to read the Psalms, when it is written, “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity …” (Ps. 32:2). The forgiveness of all the transgressions is so perfect that the Lord remembers the sins no more. To pillory someone because of his transgressions means to blaspheme God and to tread on the Blood of the Lamb, the Blood of the New Covenant, and put the crucified Christ to shame.

In the natural life even servants of God did not always succeed in doing the well-pleasing and perfect Will of God. Sometimes also the permissive Will of God was done. Nevertheless, the Word they received and left unto us is now and for ever the perfect Word of God. God, Who knows all things, has made His choice in calling His servants. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was given the honorary title “Son of David”. Who would dare to question God’s decisions? Such a person is either possessed by evil spirits or rejected by God. Those despisers are spoken of in Acts 13:41, “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days …” The important thing today is the work of God, even though the enemy is trying his best to stand in its way. Jesus has conquered all. He will not allow hell’s gateway to overpower the true Church. The despisers will always find a reason; they try to cause an uprising against those who have a God-ordained ministry. They sneak into the called-out Church (Gal. 2:4) and claim to also have a ministry. Even today they say, “The whole church is holy. Every brother has a calling. All have a ministry.” They accuse those who are placed by God by saying, “Where do you get your authority? You are throwing dust into the eyes of the people.” The opposite is the case. A divine calling includes what the Apostle Paul was told, “… 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 the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” (Acts 26, 16-18).

Worldly kings are appointed and removed by God (Dan. 2:21). But men who are ordained to the spiritual realm are only appointed by Him. A servant of God must do what he was commissioned, whether it brings him honour or shame. For some we are “a savour of Christ to life”, for the others “a savour unto death” (2. Cor. 2:14-17). Even our Lord and Master was ordained for some to rise and for others to fall, for a sign that was spoken against, whereby the thoughts of the hearts were revealed (Lk. 2:34-35). Everyone should work out his own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). The following applies to the elect, without exception, “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8). Also applicable is what the apostle writes, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect …” (Tit. 1:1). The task at hand is to preach the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, including everything that pertains to the Kingdom of God, to all nations. Equally important is the faith of the elect which was once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

It hurts when people within the end-time message apparently do not believe as the Scripture says, but rather hold to their own opinions and special revelations which they propagate. Life stories, hunting stories, etc., have nothing to do with the promised Word for this time, instead they are part of making a cult out of a man, exhibitions which are dedicated to a man. Wooden crosses, candies, and pieces of fabric are being distributed because they supposedly have a connection to a prophet — these things are superstition and can be likened to certain churches relic cults, but have nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We place the ministry of Brother Branham in its scriptural order and distance ourselves from any group that refers to him but does not remain in the Word.

For the teaching that Brother Branham would have a tent ministry there is no promise in the Scriptures. Furthermore, the teaching that the Lord as the Angel of the Covenant according to Rev. 10 has already come down is not true, and neither are all the other wrong teachings about thunders, etc., which are being circulated everywhere. The coming of the Lord, be it as Bridegroom (Mt. 25:1-13) or as Son of man (Mt. 25: 31-36) or as the Angel of the Covenant (Rev. 10:1-7), is always in connection with reality and His personal, bodily presence (parousia). At every coming things did and will happen precisely as they are described for that occasion, right to the coming of the Lord God when He shall stand with His feet on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

When God’s Word is disregarded, then what is called the “Voice of God” can never be the Voice of God. God expressed His thoughts of Salvation in His Word. Why do men who appointed themselves to a leading position have nothing to report from the years 1965 to 1985? Did God do nothing during that time span and not start up again until 1985? The Lord has taken His prophet, but prior to that He made provision that the message would be carried on without any interruptions. Who would dare to deny this?

It is useless to decorate the expensive grave of the prophet with its beautiful pyramid and arrange for places of pilgrimage, all the while disregarding what God is presently doing. Did not the Scribes and Pharisees back then adorn the tombs of the prophets? True children of God take to heart what the Lord Himself said about those He called and sent forth, “He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.” (Lk. 10:16).

We are close to our destination. In regards to the Old Testament sacrifices it is written, “… that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience …” (Heb. 9:9). In view of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary we read, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:14).

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Phil. 2:2-3).

“… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Phil. 3:14-15).

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” (Heb. 4:1).

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. 3:21).

Whoever recognises Bible prophecies coming to their fulfilment today and realises the importance of current, world-changing events will come to the conclusion that we are very close to our destination. One good look into the current events, another look to Israel, then into the Islamic world and also into the religious unification process as well as the political unification of Europe, a look into the globalisation, another into the world government and then a look to Rome — that only leaves us with needing to look up, for our Lord said, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lk. 21:28-36).

One final look at the last forty years

Already in the 1960’s I was preaching in the East-European countries. Back then the “Iron curtain” was still in existence and could not easily be penetrated. In spite of it the Word still reached the Eastern bloc. After 1989 I not only visited the city of Moscow, but also the interior of the Soviet Union, right to the Ural and to Siberia, and also all of Eastern Europe. There is a great responsibility connected to a divine calling, the greatest responsibility on earth. And those who have the fear of God understand that if I once again mention these important experiences, then only with the intention to shed light on what God does in His grace, in His faithfulness toward His Church. There are personal experiences believers have, like the conversion, the new birth, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a healing, etc., etc. Then there are experiences which are directly connected to the plan of Salvation and are of great significance to the Church. Prophets and apostles had personal experiences, but also some that were connected to the Church and God’s plan of Salvation. This especially applies to the Apostle Paul as well as to Brother Branham, for both had a special commission.

I would like to refer once more to the period after 1965. Right from the beginning our beloved Brother Alexis Barilier took his stand for the message. God used him at first for the French-speaking countries in Europe and then in the African countries and beyond. He and his team have taken on the responsibility for the translation of Brother Branham’s sermons and our brochures into the French language. He still makes his trips to the African countries to preach the true Word of God. A great reward is awaiting our precious brother. He knew Brother Branham personally, attended his meetings in 1955 in Switzerland and as an eye-witness can therefore testify with assurance of what God has done in our time.

Brother Etienne Genton also attended Brother Branham’s meetings and witnessed the extraordinary ministry. His service has been a great blessing from the beginning as well, first in Italy and then in a number of other countries. Our brother also translates Brother Branham’s sermons and our publications into the Italian language. Both of these brothers have dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord. They do indeed correctly share the Word of God and give out the spiritual food.

Brother Detlef Mehnert, who was taken home to Glory in April 2003, had a different but equally important task. When he was not busy with his regular occupation as a journalist, he began making contact with various denominations after 1989. The Lord used him in a very special way. Through his intervention I was able to speak for one week at the Moscow University to all the students of the theological faculty. Because of his extraordinary ambitions, he succeeded in establishing new contacts in the whole world, even in the Islamic countries. Israel held a special place in his heart, and he has left behind footprints of blessings in the Kingdom of God. A great reward is waiting for this beloved brother in Glory.

Over the past years the brethren from Paris, Didier and Gilbert, Brother Leonard from Brussels, Brother Urs Graf from Switzerland, and also Brother Walter Müller from Austria have been a blessing to many believers in various countries. Hundreds of brethren worldwide have remained steadfast in the Word and serve God’s people. Many of them are responsible for large congregations and missionary works. We are connected to them all in the love of God.

Summary

After reviewing what God has done in our time, we are confidently looking to the Invisible as though we can see Him (Hebr. 11:27), for we know that He will fulfil every one of His promises (Rom. 4:13-25). The things God has done by His grace in His Kingdom, especially during the last forty years, have more than exceeded our expectations. It did indeed lay the groundwork for what is going to happen next. God’s Word was and still is being carried into all the world through the monthly missionary trips, the television broadcasts, the books, the brochures, and the Circular Letters dealing with the important Bible topics. In the German language we have about 200 sermons of Brother Branham available, which are constantly being reprinted because of the high demand. The meetings we have on the first weekend of every month are recorded and sent to the ministering brethren around the world, who in turn share what they have received with others.

In April 1966 I left my secular job and started the full-time ministry. With many tears I dedicated my life to the God of heaven in prayer and asked the One Who had placed me in His service to help me preach His Word in a way that all who would hear it from my lips might come to believe and be saved. I further asked Him to not permit me to say anything that could not stand in His Presence and to take care of His Church in the spiritual realm and of His Work in the financial realm as well. I told the Lord that I would never mention money and never solicit any offering.

By His grace we have seen His faithfulness. We have sent out the books, the tapes, and the brochures into all the world free of charge. Nothing is ever sold and money is never mentioned. Our concern is to acquaint this generation with the divine message. Also the expenses for the many missionary trips, the costs that are incurred from the printing and mailing of the literature and from the production of many TV programs, as well as the salaries for those who are employed here in full-time and part-time jobs have always been met.

I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank those in the German-speaking nations in Central Europe, especially the believers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland who have supported this work from the very beginning. In recent times they have been joined by a select few from other countries. In all the different countries the believers support the local work there. I would also like to thank all those who keep this work of God close to their hearts and are led to support those whose feet carry the everlasting Gospel (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15). May the God of heaven richly bless you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We do not know how much time is left, but it will surely not be too much longer. Let us remain sober, use our time wisely, and be ready to work as long as it is day, for the night will come wherein no one can work any longer. Be blessed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you. May the year 2006 be a year of jubilee, wherein all true believers can return to their original spiritual possessions. Please, remember me in your daily prayers and also the entire work and all the brethren in the ministry.

By His commission

Contents

A look into the past, present, and future 1

Forty years — a biblical period 2

A new beginning 5

God’s guidance in the past forty years 16

The Scripture cannot be broken 21

One final look at the last forty years 24

Summary 25