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

(Heb. 13:8)

CIRCULAR LETTER April 2009

Special greetings to all of you, my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ in all the different countries, with the Word from Rom. 1:1-5:

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures, … we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name …”

What a profound introduction by the apostle in his first epistle! By grace he was called to the apostleship to bring about obedience of faith through his ministry among the believers from the nations to the glory of God. This came to pass not by the preaching of just any gospel, but through the preaching of the Gospel of God as it had been announced by the holy prophets and promised in the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. The same everlasting Gospel, which is based exclusively on the Holy Scripture, is what we proclaim even now. The Apostle Paul was aware of the responsibility that came with his divine calling and dedicated his whole life to the ministry of the Lord. That is the case to this day with every true servant of God who has received a direct calling.

In Rom. 15:17-18 he testifies, “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed …”

Even in the Old Testament, faith and obedience towards God were the main issues with the people of Israel (Heb. 11):

By faith Israel took possession of the Promised Land.

Through obedience they experienced the mighty blessings in the Land of Promise.

On account of their disobedience, however, they were eventually taken into Babylonian captivity.

“Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.” (Neh. 9:26).

“The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.” (Isa. 63:18).

The early church, which by faith was granted all the promises, unfortunately remained in obedience and, thus, in that blessed state for only a short while. Through disobedience the believers were scattered into many different denominations.

True faith and obedience are, therefore, of utmost importance for every individual who is part of the New Testament Church. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Heb. 3:12). Unbelief is, indeed, apostasy from the living God. Only faith connects us to Him, brings about obedience, and finally leads to unfeigned love among the believers, as the Apostle Peter wrote, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (1. Pt. 1:22).

Just as it was with Israel, God cannot tolerate unbelief and disobedience in His Church from the nations.

Abraham, the father of faith, is the example for Israel, for the Church, and for every believer. He believed God (Rom. 4:3) and finally experienced the fulfilment of the promise the Lord had given him. In complete obedience he was even prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac upon the altar. The Apostle James connected faith, obedience, and works, making the following point: “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (Jas. 2:20-22). Jesus Christ, the promised Son, was obedient right unto His death on the cross (Phil. 2:7-8). “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him …” (Heb. 5:9). This must be the case with all sons and daughters of God who were crucified with Christ and rose with Him to a new life. Like the Apostle Paul, they can testify, “… nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me …” (Gal. 2:20).

Every passing day increases our expectation to partake in the promised Return of Jesus Christ. Now, at the end of the time of grace, the true believers who have been called out from all the nations must be separated from everything that does not coincide with God’s Word and, hence, is not in agreement with the Will of God. It is the only way they will become the “Word-Bride” destined to meet the Bridegroom — not a “Message-Bride,” for there are many different groups within the circles of the message claiming to be the Bride. There is only One whose Name is “the Word of God” (Rev. 19:13), and there is only one Bride of the Lamb who will be His wife after the marriage supper: “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Rev. 21:9). There is only one Bride Church that bears His Name and is foreordained to experience the fulfilment of every promise found in God’s Word. She returns to the original teachings and practices of the early church and also to the first love and will be one heart and one soul, as in the beginning.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. “

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” (1. Jn. 4:7-8+12).

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

In his second sermon the Apostle Peter already pointed out the fact that the Redeemer remains in heaven until the times of restitution of all things that God has proclaimed since the beginning through his holy prophets (Acts 3:19-21). The Greek text applies the word “Apokatastasis,” which literally means “Restoration of a former state.” In the Church of Jesus Christ all things must be restored to their original state before the Return of Christ. The Lord Himself promised this in Mt. 17:11 and Mk. 9:12: “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” This is taking place now, before the Bridegroom can take home His Bride.

After the delivery of the last message (Mal. 4), which is a forerunner to the second coming of Christ, the Lord is now sending out His servants to offer the invitation to the marriage supper: “Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner … and all things are ready …” (Mt. 22:1-14). It is up to the invited ones to decide whether they are going to find an excuse or hear and obey the call. In Mt. 24:45-47 we read about a wise servant whom the Lord had set over His household to give out the spiritual food in due season before the coming of the bridegroom. For the redeemed this means that the Will of God must now become a reality in their lives, as it first happened with the Redeemer: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (Jn. 4:34). We are now awaiting the completion of God’s work of Redemption with the Church; therefore, our spiritual food must be directly connected to the Will of God, for only then will this Scripture be fulfilled for us: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all ... For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:10-14).

In Mt. 24:48-51 we have the example of an evil servant who says in his heart, “My Lord delayeth his coming …” and begins to smite his fellow servants. A wise servant shares God’s Word, the spiritual food, the hidden manna, with the Church and sows the good seed that comes up in all the sons and daughters of God. An evil servant sows interpretations that lead to dissension and smites all the other servants who do not agree with his viewpoint. Any minister who did not receive a direct, personal calling will find it hard to believe that someone else was, indeed, directly called. When the calling is in connection with the plan of Salvation, then only those who have been foreordained since the foundation of the world can believe (Eph. 1:1-5). Whether it was in the times of the prophets or with our Lord and then with the apostles — only those who were of God heard and believed His Word (Jn. 8:47). All the others rejected it. The same thing is happening today. Nevertheless, when it comes to a calling, the following words of our Lord are for ever valid: “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).

In Mt. 25 the midnight cry goes forth: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” The wise virgins “… that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” This is the most important lesson in connection with the Return of Christ: At the very end, the emphasis is placed on the fact that only the wise virgins reached the final goal.

The virgin Mary was chosen by God so the Redeemer could come into humanity, just as the Church is destined to receive the divine seed in order that Christ can be manifested in all the redeemed (Col. 3:1-4). The issue is the realisation of the divine plan of Salvation, which will have its climax at the Return of Christ. At that time, 1. Cor. 15 will be fulfilled and our mortal bodies shall be changed and receive immortality: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (v. 49).

In regard to Mary, there are two statements in Lk. 1 that are of special importance: “… I know not a man ...” (v. 34) and “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (v. 38). Mary had found favour with God (v. 30); she received the Word of promise, brought to her by the Angel Gabriel, so the Word could become flesh and the Son of God would be born. The following prophecies were fulfilled:

The divine seed was to come through the woman (Gen. 3:15). “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made …” (Gal. 3:19).

“I will be his father, and he shall be my son.” (2. Sam. 7:14). “And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son …” (Heb. 1:5b).

“Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Ps. 2:7). “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?” (Heb. 1:5a).

Through begetting, which was an act of creation at the same time, the divine seed was placed into Mary; therefore, He is the “only begotten” Son (Jn. 3:16), the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29), the beginning of the new creation of God (Rev. 3:14), and also the firstborn of every creature (Col. 1:14-15). When someone is in Christ, he is a new creature (2. Cor. 5:17).

The following Scriptures were also fulfilled: “… thou art he that took me out of the womb.” (Ps. 22:10) and “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” (Ps. 89:27-28). The events that were part of the first coming of Christ were summarised by the resurrected Lord as follows: “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” (Lk. 24:44-45).

What is the concern today? Even now the issue is the fulfilment of all things that have been predicted for our time. Through the virgin Mary and through the Redeemer Himself every prophecy from the Old Testament was fulfilled back then. Through the wise virgins and the Redeemer Himself all the prophecies in the Holy Scripture for this time period are now being fulfilled. As Mary did in her time, we accept the promise willingly and say, “… be it unto me according to thy word.” (Lk. 1:38). In response to her statement, “… I know not a man …,” the angel explained, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Lk. 1:34-35).

Just like Mary received the Word of promise by faith and the Holy Ghost came upon her, so do the true believers now receive the promised Word for this time by true faith and are filled with the same power of the Holy Spirit.

We have been given the greatest promises of all times and shall experience it when the man-child, the overcomers, with birth pains shall emerge from the Church and in a crowning moment be taken up to God and to His throne.

BORN OF GOD, PARTAKERS OF

THE DIVINE NATURE (2. Pt. 1:3-11)

“A seed shall serve him …” (Ps. 22:30; Isa. 53:10; a. o.) and receive the divine nature (2. Pt. 1:3-7). All who are begotten of God and are born again have, as sons and daughters of God, the same divine nature as the Son of God. The Greek word gennao stands for both “begetting” and “giving birth” and is applied to the Son of God and the sons and daughters of God in like manner. When referring to the man, the translation should be “beget,” as in Gen. 5, for instance, where it is stated repeatedly: “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son … And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos …” In regard to the woman, it should be translated as “give birth.” “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare …” (Gen. 4:1). About Mary we read that “… she brought forth her firstborn son.” (Lk. 2:7).

The Apostle John dealt in detail with this subject (Jn. 3:7; 1. Jn. 2:29; 1. Jn. 3:9; 1. Jn. 5:1; 1. Jn. 5:18; a. o.). It is a fact that every birth is preceded by the begetting and that the seed comes into life through the birth. “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is begotten/born of him.” (1. Jn. 2:29). “Whosoever is begotten/born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten/born of God.” (1. Jn. 3:9). “For whatsoever is begotten/born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1. Jn. 5:4).

Looking at the wise virgins, we see history being repeated with respect to what happened with Mary: She received the promise, believed it, and the Holy Spirit promptly came upon her; thus, the Word was made flesh. The same thing is happening now with all those who are part of the Bride Church: They receive the Word of promise for this time by faith, the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and the Word seed is manifested. Like Mary they also say, “… be it unto me according to thy word.” When it comes to the wise virgins, there is no longer any human interference. They do not know of any man, of any strange seed, of any unbiblical doctrine. Foolish virgins may believe foolish interpretations, even that seven special men will supposedly complete the Bride or that the Lord has already come and many more such things. The wise virgins, however, do not accept a single interpretation. They are the Word Bride and, therefore, do not become guilty of spiritual fornication; instead, they remain virginally pure and experience that God’s promises become true within them. Children of promise believe the Word of promise and receive the Spirit of promise (Rom. 9:8; Gal. 4:28; Eph. 1:13).

The wise virgins do not only have the lamps/the light, they also have the vessels with oil to refill their lamps so they do not go out. This reminds us of the Prophet Elijah, who was sent to the widow in Zarephath and said to her, “The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.” (1. Ki. 17:14). Meal is needed for bread; oil is a necessity for the lamp. As we read on, we find his words confirmed: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.” (1. Ki. 17:16). That is how it is now: Both things will be sufficiently granted unto us until the latter rain will fall (Isa. 44:3; Jer. 5:24; Jas. 5:7; a. o.). In the sermon “The Spoken Word is the Original Seed” Brother Branham said, “… when this anointed messenger arrives. Of course, he will plant the Seed of the entire Bible, come from the serpent to the messenger in the former rain. … Then in the latter rain there will come forth a Mount Carmel, a showdown: Bible fulfilled to the letter.”

We believe the message of Elijah for our time and nourish our souls with the precious spiritual food. The wise virgins are now experiencing that the vessels are being filled with oil so they can refill their lamps. This distinguishes them once again from the foolish virgins who separate themselves from the Church and thereby from the oil container, which leads directly to the candlestick (Zec. 4:2; Rev. 1-3).

Ultimately, the pivotal objective is to believe without compromise under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit and experience what God has promised in His Word, for only then will these words become true for us: “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Lk. 1:45). The promise that the Lord gave unto us includes the calling-out, the separation, the purification according to 2. Cor. 6:14 + 7:1, and also the complete restoration of all things into their original state. While the foolish are still having their discussions about various subjects, the wise are experiencing the fulfilment of promises.

In regard to the personal preparation of all those who belong to the Bride Church, we must come to the serious realisation that in the last moments before a marriage, a natural bride is no longer concerned about the things which are happening around her, not interested in what people are saying or doing, but rather intent on getting herself ready. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?” (Jer. 2:32). That is now the case with the ones who are part of the Bride: They bathe in the Word of God (Eph. 5:26); they look into the mirror of the Word (Jas. 1:19-27); they dress in white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints (Rev. 19:8), and prepare themselves to meet the Bridegroom.

The Apostle James very earnestly admonished us to put aside all filthiness and to receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save our souls. He continued by saying, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Then he took it one step further and wrote, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass …” Finally, we are told that a simple look in the mirror is not sufficient: “For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” (Jas. 1:22-24).

The Spirit of God reveals any shortcomings to each individual personally. He reproves of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn. 16:7-15), leads into the whole truth and also into obedience. We become doers of the Word and can walk with God as Enoch did, in complete harmony with His Word and Will. In Eph. 5:27 we read that the Lord will present unto Himself a blameless Church, without any spot or wrinkle. We need to read the respective Scriptures in order to learn what is required of each one of us individually to lead a life that is pleasing to God. David asked, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Ps. 24:3-4). In the sermon on the Mount our Lord said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8). David, who had personally endured many trials, wrote the following under the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” (Ps. 15:2-3).

It would be advisable for every believer to refer to 1. Cor. 6:9-10 for a biblical assessment of his life and determine whether there are any remaining shortcomings that might exclude him from the Kingdom of God. The slanderers will have to stay outside, so will the idolaters and all the others mentioned in that Scripture. In Gal. 5:19-21 the apostle gave us a register of such things. The relevant Scriptures must induce a personal response within every individual, otherwise it is only a fleeting glance into the mirror and everything remains as it was before. Only when we take the admonitions seriously shall we comprehend what is written in Heb. 12:14: “Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord …” It is very important for each one of us to be found in perfect faith and obedience while walking on the narrow way. The craftiness of the enemy is manifested with believers who are more concerned with the things others have done and, according to their opinion, should not have done. We would be better served to examine ourselves personally to recognise what things need to be corrected in our own lives, so we can be ready to meet God, and to take this admonition to heart: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? “… what communion hath light with darkness? … what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2. Cor. 6:14-18). We must also accept all the things bid by the Lord as a commandment: “… and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Once again the apostle emphasised the fundamentals: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2. Cor. 7:1).

In every age throughout history, only those granted a part in the election of grace (Rom. 11:5) listened to what the Spirit had to say unto the churches (Rev. 2+3); the others were blinded (Rom. 11:7). Now, this close to the Return of the Bridegroom, the final calling-out and preparation of the Bride Church is taking place. God has done everything; He has given us the messenger and the message and has led us from clarity to clarity. After the apostate Christianity is described in Rev. 17 as the great Babylonian whore, the call goes out for the last time in Rev 18:4 to all true believers: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This is the final call which all those who are part of the Bride Church have to heed before the Return of the Bridegroom. The calling-out and separation are followed by the full restoration. That is how, at last, all things are returned to their original state, as it was at the beginning of the New Testament Church.

THE RETURN OF CHRIST

AND THE DIFFERENT COMINGS

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (Jn. 14:3).

Brother Branham said, “There are three comings of Christ. He came once to redeem His Bride. He comes the next in the Rapture to catch away His Bride. He comes again in the Millennium with His Bride.” (Spoken Word is the Original Seed).

His first coming is sufficiently described in the four gospels, from the very birth of our Lord and Saviour right to His ascension to heaven.

According to Mt. 25, our Lord comes as Bridegroom to take His Bride with Him to glory: “… and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” (25:10).

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1. Cor. 15:39-58).

In 1. Ths. 4 the Apostle Paul also referred to the Return of Jesus Christ and described the event in detail: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (vv. 13-18).

The Apostle John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1. Jn. 3:2). Every coming of the Lord is “Parousia” – bodily presence.

In 2. Ths. 2:1-2 the Apostle Paul warned the believers, saying, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us …”

Our concern is the Return of our beloved Lord and the direct warning given to all of us about His second coming: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2. Jn. 7). Right after this very strong statement we read, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (v. 9).

The denial of the bodily Return of our Lord and Saviour is the worst heresy and is placed into the same category as the Antichrist; therefore, it is immediately followed by the next admonition: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed …” (v. 10). Try the spirits; try the teachers and their doctrines.

Quote of Brother Branham: “Now, we are looking forward for the coming of the Lord in our generation … the physical return of the Lord Jesus to take a physical people, glorified by His cleansing Blood.” (The invisible Union of the Bride of Christ, November 25, 1965).

Whoever denies the bodily Return of Jesus Christ is possessed by an antichrist spirit. This also applies to those who spiritualise the second coming and teach that the Lord has already come. They are blinded by arrogance and place themselves above God’s Word. At the Return of Jesus Christ, everything will come to pass exactly as it is written, namely: “… this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Lk. 24:50; Acts 1:11). We must respect this, for it is Thus saith the Lord in His Word.

In like manner, all the Scriptures that deal with the different comings, which are no longer in connection with the Church and the Rapture, have to be viewed in the correct context. We know that the Return of our Lord, namely the Rapture, takes place before the great tribulation sets in. Brother Branham pointed that out repeatedly. Paul wrote to the believers: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming/return?” (1. Ths. 2:19).

There are still other comings of the Lord which are not in connection with the Church that are mentioned in various Scriptures, for instance, in Mt. 25, from verse 31: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory …” In 2. Ths. 1:7-8 we read, “… when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance …” Other examples are found in Rev. 16:15-16 and Rev. 19, from verse 11. It is imperative to always refer back to the Old Testament in order to know precisely what is meant and what the correct context is.

What about the coming of our Lord in Mt. 24:29-30? “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

That Scripture is not talking about the coming of the Bridegroom, but about the coming of the Son of man after the great tribulation, when the sun has turned into darkness and the moon no longer gives its light. This coming falls into the period of the sixth seal (Rev. 6, from verse 12). Rev. 1:7 also testifies of it: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

“… and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced …” (Zec. 12:9-10).

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Dan. 7:13-14).

Rev. 11, from verse 15, explains it even further: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

In this context we read about the seventh trumpet angel, who is also mentioned in Rev. 10:7. On March 17, 1963, Brother Branham said the following in reference to this Scripture in his sermon “The Breach …”: “I’m just not making that up … It’s thus saith the Lord. I’ll read it to you out of the Book: ‘But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.’ ” The thus saith the Lord of Brother Branham must not and cannot be touched. In the same statement he provided this clarification in connection with the seventh trumpet angel and the descent of the Angel of the covenant: “And when the Seals are broken and the mystery is revealed, down comes the Angel, the Messenger, Christ, setting His foot upon the land and upon the sea with a rainbow over His head. Now remember, this seventh angel is on earth at the time of this coming.”

Please, pay close attention: Not at the Return of Christ, when His Bride meets Him as the Bridegroom in the air, but when He comes down as the Angel of the covenant is this, not the seventh angel, but this seventh angel on earth. It takes place not at the opening of the Seals 1963, but after the seals are broken. “… and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Mal. 3:1b).

The seven trumpet angels are introduced at the opening of the seventh seal. In his sermon about the seventh seal, Brother Branham only read the first verse in chapter 8 about the half an hour silence in heaven. But directly after this, John saw what is written from verse 2: “And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” In the Hebrew Bible the word shofar is used, which in our Bible was translated as “trumpet.” The word shofar is also found in nine other places (Rev. 8:6; 8:8; 8:10; 8:12; 8:13; 9:1; 9:13; 10:7; 11:15). This shows very clearly that the contents of the seventh seal are not in connection with the seven church angels (Rev. 2+3), but with the seven trumpet angels who stand before God.

After the first four trumpet angels have sounded their shofar, it states, “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet/shofar of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Rev. 8:13). In chapter 9 the fifth and the sixth angel sound their trumpets and only the one of the seventh angel remains to be heard. The seventh angel in Rev. 10:7 is clearly not the seventh church age messenger, but the seventh trumpet angel. The thus saith the Lord of Brother Branham unmistakably refers to the voice of the seventh trumpet angel, for then the mystery of God will be finished.

When Brother Branham referred to Rev. 10 in connection with his ministry, he used the plural form — “mysteries.” This is a very important distinction because it was through the messenger of the Laodicean church age that all these mysteries were to be revealed, from Gen. 1 to the last chapter of the Bible. That is, indeed, how it came to pass. It was the task of the last messenger to bring the last message. Rev. 10:7 speaks about the “mystery of God” in the singular form, and it will come to an end when the seventh trumpet angel sounds. It is very clearly stated in the Holy Scripture. Christ is the mystery of God revealed (1. Tim. 3:16; Col. 2:2-3; a. o.): “… and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, … In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” The mystery of God in Christ remained hidden to the Jews back then, but when their time comes, it will be revealed unto them as well.

In regard to this matter, God’s Word is also clear and cannot be misunderstood. The serious mistake that is being made is that the quotes and Scriptures which, in fact, speak of the different comings are only being applied to the Return of Christ — His second coming. It is essential to properly discern the Scriptures and to correctly place each one into its divine order. The moment is coming when everyone will have to agree with God and His Word. Blessed is the one who already does it in the here and now.

In the New Testament, only the first part of Mal. 3:1, which refers to John the Baptist, is mentioned: “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (Mt. 11:10). The second part about the Angel of the covenant, who will come to His holy temple, was not mentioned there because it had not been fulfilled then. The promise of the Angel of the covenant was back then and is even now still in the future.

“… and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap. “ (Mal. 3:1b-2).

In Rev. 11:1 the rebuilt temple is being measured. According to 2. Ths. 2:4-8, the Antichrist will sit in the Temple of God, but at that coming to the Jews, the Lord will slay him with the breath of His lips (Isa. 11:4).

In Rev. 10 we see the Angel of the covenant coming down with a rainbow upon His head, clothed with a cloud (v. 1). Since this event takes place after the opening of the Seals, He has the open book in His hand. Then, as the rightful owner, He sets one foot on the earth and the other upon the sea (v. 2), “… And cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth …” That is the time when the seven thunders shall utter their voices (v. 3). What was said does not concern us, for it has no connection with the Church and was not allowed to be written: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (v. 4).

We respect the divine decision and leave the things God will do solely unto Him. Only then will the Angel of the covenant, who will stand on the earth and upon the sea, lift up His right hand toward heaven and swear “… by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer …” In that instant, time will cease; there will be no further delay. “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” In chapter 11, after the ministry of the two prophets is completed and they are taken up to heaven in a cloud (v. 12), the seventh angel then sounds his trumpet, as announced in Rev. 10:7, and the Kingdom of God is proclaimed. Absolutely everything is in perfect order.

The Prophet Daniel foresaw how the angel would lift up his hands and swear and wrote that from that moment until the commencement of the divine reign there would only be three and a half years left. “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Dan. 12:6-7). God could not have said it more clearly. Especially for this subject we could quote a number of applicable Scriptures that show when and in which context the Lion of the tribe of Judah will roar:

“The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice …” (Jer. 25:30‑31).

“They shall walk after the Lord: He shall roar like a lion …” (Hos. 11:10).

“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem …” (Joel 3:15-17).

In Rev. 10:7 we have the announcement; in Rev. 11:15 we have the fulfilment. Whoever reads it carefully will recognise that at that very moment, when the seventh trumpet angel sounds his shofar and announces the Kingdom of God on earth, the mystery of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord, is finished. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Rev. 11:15-17).

It was a grave mistake to interpret the voice of the seventh angel in Rev. 10:7 as the Voice of God, even though there is no mention of the Voice of God or the voice of the seventh church age messenger in that verse. It is incontestably the voice of the seventh trumpet angel. Brother Branham had the right to refer to this prophetic Scripture in regard to his ministry. As we have seen time and again, prophetic Scriptures often have a twofold application. Please, compare the following: “… Israel is my son, even my firstborn …” (Ex. 4:22). “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hos. 11:1). “… that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” (Mt. 2:15). The key word here is “son.” The events that are described there are entirely different, but the same prophetic Scripture in Hos. 11:1 applies to both of them.

A brother who was only ten years old when Brother Branham was taken to glory in 1965 came up with the idea 20 years later to declare that the voice of Brother Branham is the Voice of God which everyone has to hear personally; therefore, all who believe it assert that only Brother Branham may be heard and that no one else has the right to preach. Due to the fact that they quote solely his statements without taking them back to the Scriptures and correctly placing them therein, they get pulled deeper and deeper into the quicksand of the numerous unscriptural interpretations, which they even rank above the Word of God.

We respect the unique, infallible ministry that God gave to Brother Branham in direct connection with His plan of Salvation. All those who are born of God will hear and believe the promised Word for our time. However, we categorically reject any interpretation of the Word and, likewise, the glorification of a man in any form, which is nothing else but idolatry. The Voice of God in the Word of God remains for all eternity. The honour and glory belong to God Alone through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Now that the Return of Christ is imminent, these matters must be clarified and correctly and scripturally placed in their divine order. All the untrue doctrines in the numerous denominations are based upon misunderstood and wrongly interpreted Scriptures; in like manner, every one of the false teachings within the circles of the message came into existence with the incorrect application of Brother Branham’s statements. Neither God’s Word nor the message that the prophet brought are at fault, but Satan, the deceiver, who has been twisting the Word of God since the very beginning.

URIM AND THUMMIM LIGHT AND

JUSTICE

Aaron was commanded, “And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; … And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the Lord: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually.” (Ex. 28:15+30; Lev. 8:8). Aaron, the first high priest in the time of Moses, had the responsibility to conduct the service in the sanctuary alongside the priests from the tribe of Levi. The robe, the ephod, and the breastplate were part of it. In the breastplate there were twelve precious stones corresponding with the twelve tribes of Israel. When one reads all the applicable Scriptures in the Old Testament, it becomes clear that God reserved the right to administer justice in His sanctuary (Num. 27:21; 1. Sam. 28:6). God Himself confirmed the validity of what was said in a supernatural way, namely through the light that would then glow from the twelve stones. Therefore, it was called “Light and Justice” in the Hebrew language (Deut. 33:8).

In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the House of God, the following proclamation was made: “And the Tirshata said unto them that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.” (Neh. 7:65).

Brother Branham repeatedly said, “Our Urim and Thummim today is the Word of God …” and pointed directly to the doctrines of the twelve apostles. He mentioned the breastplate from the time of Moses and Aaron 138 times and connected it to the never-changing doctrine of the apostles. On April 6, 1956, in his sermon “The infallible Word of God” he said, “… And if a dreamer told his dream, or a prophet prophesied, and it didn’t flash the lights on the Urim Thummim, that prophet was wrong.”

Jesus Christ is the faithful High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. God placed the different ministries into His Church (1. Cor. 12; Eph. 4; a. o.) and designated the doctrine of the twelve apostles as the ever valid guiding principle. The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:20).

Brother Branham validated the Scripture in Rev. 12 for us by confirming that the woman with the crown of twelve stars is, indeed, the New Testament Church that is crowned with the doctrines of the twelve apostles. She received the divine seed of the Word and in her completion brings forth the man-child, who is first taken up to glory and is then destined to reign over all the nations.

Everything that is in agreement with the teachings of the apostles is confirmed by the supernatural light. When the things that are being taught, prophesied, or practised are not in harmony with the Word, the breastplate remains unlit. The twelve precious stones in the breastplate are the same as the ones in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:15-20), which comes down as the adorned Bride. “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God …” (Rev. 21:9-27).

The description of the New Jerusalem is powerful and of great significance. The city has twelve foundation stones whereupon the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are written. The foundation stones are twelve precious stones, which are named individually (vv. 15-20). We are told that the city also has twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Only the ones whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life may enter into the New Jerusalem. The subject here is the Bride of the Lamb, all those who were chosen before the foundation of the world from Israel and from all the nations, from the Old and the New Testament, who in perfect faith and obedience walked in complete harmony with God and His Word.

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27).

Brother Branham also dealt with the fall of Lucifer and read Isa. 14:12; Lk. 10:18 and Eze. 28:11. As the angel of light and the anointed cherub, Lucifer had nine precious stones in his garment (Eze. 28:13). He was very close to God, was without blame from the day of his creation, and was in the Garden of Eden. Then, however, came the time when he began saying, “I will! I will …” That was when arrogance set in and he wanted to be equal with God, which resulted in his fall.

The false anointed ones of the end-time who are supposedly seeing visions and then proclaiming their revelations, the false Christs of Mt. 24, even pretend to have the thus saith the Lord. They decorate themselves with the nine gifts of the Spirit; their doctrines and practices, however, are in agreement with the Antichrist and not with the teachings of Christ and the twelve apostles. On account of their self-will, they have given in to spiritual arrogance and are leading many precious souls astray. Never before has the deception been decorated with as many Scriptures as it is today. They all quote the Bible and justify themselves, but do not even consider comparing their teachings and practices with those of the apostles.

In 2. Tim. 4 we read about the commission given to a true servant of God: ”Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” May God grant it. Amen!

MISGUIDANCE ON EVERY LEVEL

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Mt. 24:4). “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (v. 24).

In the past centuries, the impending Return of Christ was not a subject of concern in the churches. In recent times, however, they are all talking about it; they even use the word “Parousia,” — from the Vatican to the very last denomination.

When holding his general audience on November 12, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI chose the subject “Marana tha = Come, Lord Jesus” and repeatedly referred to what Paul wrote in 1. Cor. 16:22, saying “Marana tha.” These days biblical terminology like “Body of Christ,” “Bride of the Lamb,” and “Church of Jesus Christ” is part of the common vocabulary of the church of Rome and all the other churches. Benedict XVI even mentioned that the Apostle Paul emphasised in 2. Ths. 2 that before the Return of Christ there would be an “apostasy,” meaning a falling away from faith. The church of Rome and all the other churches have long since unknowingly fallen victim to that apostasy. The Roman church has only been in existence since the time of Constantine and has nothing in common with the Church of Jesus Christ and does not correspond with anything in the Bible, be it in doctrine or in practice. Likewise, not one of the other churches can pass the test of the Word. What is the use of speaking about “apostasy” if one does not actually recognise it in one’s own life? Very revealing was the next statement of the current pope, when he said that Paul did not sufficiently explain the figure whom the Christian tradition later called “the Antichrist.”

Actually, the description is quite clear if one can see it. The main statement about the Antichrist in 2. Ths. 2 is that he makes his entrance in connection with the apostasy as the “man of sin,” the “son of perdition,” the direct opponent of Christ who exalts himself above everything that is God and worship of God; he calls himself the representative of Christ. This is where we find the distinguishing mark: The Antichrist is “the lawless,” which means he is a man from the nations, not a Jew, because the Jews are “the people of the law” — the Torah.

In Acts 2:23 the Apostle Peter addressed the liable Jews in view of the crucifixion of the Messiah with these words: “Him … ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain …” He was referring to the Romans, to Pilate, who pronounced the verdict, and to the Roman soldiers who executed the crucifixion and later parted His garments among each other (Jn. 19:23).

The people of Israel are the people of the law. The Lord God Himself came down on Mount Sinai and at first gave the ten commandments to Moses and then the entire law. Many biblical references could be given for this subject. In no way can the Antichrist be a Jew; he is a man from the nations, the lawless, who will go so far as to sit in the Temple of God and present himself as His representative (2. Ths. 2:4).

THE NAME YAHWEH

On November 19, 2008, the Vatican issued a decree that the Name of God, Yahweh, can no longer be used in the Catholic liturgy. The Curia thereby fulfilled a request by the Jewish rabbis who had presented the argument that the holy Name of God may only be proclaimed once again in the new Temple that is to be built in Jerusalem. In the Hebrew Bible this name is represented by only four consonants — Y H W H (Yod Heh Waw Heh). It was pronounced by God Himself: “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Elohim Yahweh was I not known to them.” (Ex. 6:2-3).

When introducing the Ten Commandments, the Almighty said, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt …” Then He commanded, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” The covenant Name of the Lord God is so very holy that it could only be pronounced in reverence during a worship service. God Himself ordained it like this and said, “… in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.“ (Ex. 20:24).

This holy Name was not allowed to be spoken when a dead person was carried from the house, for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living: “Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the Lord.” (Amos 6:10). This Scripture was misunderstood by the Jewish scribes to the effect that the holy Name Yahweh was no longer permitted to be spoken at all. Around 270 BC, when the Hebrew Bible was translated by 70 or 72, respectively, Jewish scribes in Alexandria, Egypt, into the Greek language, they made a big mistake: In the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament) they translated Yahweh as “Kyrios.”

The Jewish scribes in Tiberias were not at all in agreement with the translation of the Septuagint and the term “Kyrios” for Yahweh. However, even the Jews later substituted “Adonai” where YHWH was written when reading the Torah. Until today the Jews pray “Elohim Adonai” instead of “Elohim Yahweh.” All three designations for Lord — “Adonai,” “Kyrios,” and “Dominus” — have no direct connection to God. Adonai can be a man with authority, Kyrios a ruler, Dominus a commander, but not one of them is in direct relation to the only true God Who revealed Himself with His covenant Name “Elohim Yahweh.” The designation “Jehovah” also derived from a misinterpretation and has only been used since 1518 AD.

DO ALL HAVE THE SAME GOD?

In recent times we keep hearing the statement “We all have the same God!” That cannot possibly be true. Of course, there is only one God Who revealed Himself from the beginning of time as Elohim Yahweh. He is the Eternal One, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is King, Saviour, Judge; He is all in all. He said it Himself, “… beside Me there is no God.” (Isa. 44:6; a. o.). That is the God of Moses, the God of Israel. Here on earth He gave His people Israel the only valid confession of faith, which they had to observe: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord …” - Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echad. (Deut. 6:4-9).

The “triune” God that Christianity believes in was invented by the early Catholic church fathers in the third century. There is no mention in the Bible of any of these words: “Trinity,” “triune God,” “eternal Son,” or “God the Son.” There is also no Scripture which states that God ordained the Holy Ghost as the third person of the Godhead; it was instituted by the church fathers in the year 386 AD. There is not a single passage in the Holy Scripture which testifies that God has begotten and born a Son in heaven or any record of a conversation between Father and Son in heaven. All of these things are nothing but misunderstandings about God, which were introduced by the so-called fathers of Christianity and subsequently made into teachings and dogmas.

The subject about the Godhead and the personal manifestation of God as Father in His only begotten Son is the most vital one when it comes to the preaching of the Bible because it happened for our salvation. This subject has been covered extensively in a number of publications on the basis of the applicable Scriptures so that anyone who searches honestly and without prejudice can obtain clarity in this matter.

The god of Mohammed and of Islam is Allah. As the pertinent records of history show forth, he was the ancient Babylonian moon god who supposedly granted fertility to all the vegetation on earth. After Mohammed had conquered all the other tribes and their gods, he proclaimed Allah, the god of his tribe, to be the only true god and declared himself to be his prophet. In the Kaaba in Mecca, the veneration of the black stone continues as always, and until today the Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins at new moon. The final goal of their religion remains the same as ever, namely for the half moon of Islam to become a full moon on earth through the conversion of all non-Muslims.

Over the years I have visited twelve Islamic countries, and it always hurt me very much when the translator substituted “Allah” when I said God during my sermons. In Indonesia, which is the largest Islamic country on earth with its 227 million inhabitants, the name “Allah” is even written in the Bible, from the first verse in Gen. 1 right to the last one in the Prophet Malachi. This was incomprehensible for me. Finally, the dear Lord saw to it that I met a professor who was working for “The Bible Society” in Jakarta. God opened his understanding during one of my sermons and, on account of his influence, the Bible was reprinted. He immediately sent me a copy so I could see for myself that the name “Allah” is no longer in it; instead, it has been replaced with “Elohim-Yahweh.” We thank the Lord God for this.

This subject has even caught the attention of the governments in Indonesia and Malaysia. Consequently, in February 2009 the Islamic government in Malaysia prohibited any further use of the name Allah by the Christian churches. As I was told during my last visit to Indonesia in March 2009, the government in Jakarta may soon follow that example.

THE BAPTISM

Recently, the Baptist denomination was challenged in the World Council of Churches to accept the infant baptism of the churches as the valid baptism and to abandon re-baptism. The chairman remained steadfast and declared, “For us it is not a re-baptism, but the actual baptism of the believers who have made their decision for Christ.”

During the time of the Reformation, the so-called “Anabaptists” were persecuted, cursed, and killed. The church of Rome and later the Protestant state churches, which had emerged from the Reformation, referred to Eph. 4:5 and declared that there could be no second baptism because it is written, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism …” The Anabaptists, on the other hand, realised that they could not accept the teaching of the sacrament of baptism, namely that the infant was re-born through the ritual of sprinkling it with water, for it was only a church tradition whereby no one received the eternal salvation of God. Therefore, they rejected the infant baptism and administered the baptism according to the Word in Mk. 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved …” The Bible had been made available to everyone, and each individual could read therein and decide for oneself whether to accept the only biblical baptism or remain in the church tradition of infant baptism, which goes back to the time when people were forced to accept the Christian religion and is not a true baptism in the eyes of God. During that revival, they began to baptise by single immersion again, and the person to be baptised and the one administering the baptism both went into the water as they did in early Christendom: “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38).

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:16-17).

Now those who re-baptise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as they did in the early church, are once again being rejected and persecuted. Before passing judgement, everyone can read for himself how baptism was administered in Jerusalem (Acts 2), in Samaria (Acts 8), in Cesarea (Acts 10), in Ephesus (Acts 19), and in Rome (Rom. 6). Without exception, all of the apostles and evangelists correctly understood the great commission and baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has revealed Himself as Father in heaven, in His Son on earth, and in His Church through the Holy Spirit. According to the words of our Lord in Mt. 28:19, the command with regard to baptism is to administer it in the Name — not in the titles. The concern is the covenant name “Yahschua-Jesus = Yahweh-Saviour” of the New Testament. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (Jn. 17:11b). The Holy Scripture does not mention a sacrament of baptism or any teaching of being born-again when it is administered. Although not all of the churches and denominations accept all of the Catholic doctrines, they still remain in their traditions when it comes to baptism. Now, before the Return of Jesus Christ, every teaching and every practice in His Church must be brought into full agreement with God and God’s Word so that she can be restored to her original state.

THE WORLD IN CRISIS

We were expecting a great many things to happen, but were not prepared for the many crises that are currently shaking the whole world. What began with the banks continued with the entire economy and has now pulled the whole world into various crises of formerly unknown magnitudes. Daily we hear about discouraging news, and it seems that the low has not yet been reached. The situation reminds me of a statement by the German Cardinal-Archbishop Faulhaber of Munich-Freising (1869-1952): “When the world is bleeding from a thousand wounds and the languages of the people are confused as they were in Babylon, then the time of the Catholic Church has come.” (K.-H. Deschner, Kriminalgeschichte des Christentums).

In the USA all hopes are focused on the new president, Barack Hussein Obama, who has inherited the additional burden of the war in Iraq. Every war has consequences that can never be made right. In one CNN interview the question was posed, “What was the biggest mistake of any government in the 20th century?” The answer was, “The invasion by the German troops into the Soviet Union in June 1941.” The second question was, “What has been the biggest mistake of any government in this century?” The answer, “The invasion of the US and British troops in Iraq in March 2003.”

Over 4,000 US soldiers have already returned to the USA in coffins; thousands have been wounded and came back home as traumatised cripples. More than three and a half million Iraqis have become homeless, and we may never know how many have been killed; the country is in ruins.

As is the case with any war, the war in Iraq is a crime against humanity. Originally it seemed that Saddam Hussein was to be brought down to save the world from the threat of a nuclear war. However, when Mr. Hans Blix and El Barradei could not find any evidence of nuclear or any other weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it became obvious that the actual motive was the oil.

Should the ex-president of the United States, George W. Bush, not convert to Catholicism, as Tony Blair did, he must be aware that he might have to stand trial before the International Court of Justice in Den Hague on account of the Iraq War. The new president Barack Obama can only do things better, because it is not possible to do worse.

DENIAL OF THE HOLOCAUST

This subject cannot be settled with refuting declarations from the Vatican or declarations from the opposing side. Whoever wants to understand the background of what happened to the Jews during the “Third Reich” must go back in history farther than the Spanish Inquisition, during which thousands of Jews were burnt at the stake along with their Torahs and Talmud and the remaining Jews were banished from Portugal and Spain, until the countries were declared to be free from Jews in 1492. We have to go back even farther than the seven crusades (1096 to 1292 AD), when 22 million heathens, Muslims, and Jews were slaughtered. Indeed, we must go back to the proclamations of the early Catholic church fathers at the end of the second century and in the third century. Their slanderous campaigns against the Jews became the basis for the continuous hatred of the Jews and their persecution until our time.

In this connection the following names are mentioned: Justin, Ireneus, Cyprian, Athanasius, Eusebius, Ephrem, Chrysostomus, Hieronymus, Hilarius, Ambrosius, and Augustin. The state church in the Roman empire, which came into existence from that time, is not in the least identical with the Church of Jesus Christ, as commonly believed. Right up to the final persecution of the Christians under Diocletian, which lasted until 312, there was still no uniform church, only the different fractions of various beliefs. In the year 313 Constantine proclaimed the recognition of the Christian religion. Soon after, in the year 321, he forbade the Jews to keep the Sabbath, made it mandatory for them to accept the Sunday, and turned their synagogues into cattle stables.

The blinded church fathers, who never experienced a conversion to Christ but accepted Christianity as their religion, were responsible for the anti-Jewish attitude. They rejected the Jews together with the Old Testament and mockingly replaced the one God of Israel with the “triune God.” Every criminal act was blessed in their newly invented triune formula “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Ever since then, the church has been using this entirely unscriptural formula, which never came from the lips of the apostles. The seed that was sown by these early church fathers has come up again and again in the church of Rome throughout the centuries. The German magazine “Der Spiegel” put it very eloquently in its February 2009 issue: “Like a red thread the anti-Semitism winds its way through the history of the church — often it is blood red.”

After the first crusade, it came to pogroms against the Jewish population in the German cities of Trier, Speyer, Worms, and Cologne in 1096, causing the deaths of thousands of Jews. In the Lateran Council of 1215 it was decreed that the Jews must wear a mark. Throughout the centuries, pogroms happened in the predominantly Catholic Europe on a regular basis. We find records of ghettos and the marking, exclusion, and discrimination of the Jews. Even the Good Friday liturgy included denouncing passages against the Jews. Every good Catholic had to consider the Jews as outcasts and murderers of Christ and of God, as they were called by the church fathers. This seed also came up in the latter part of Martin Luther’s life, who in the year 1543 wrote a pamphlet with the title “About the Jews and their lies.” Even the Orthodox churches were no exception. Towards the end of the 19th century, there was a wave of pogroms against the Jews in Russia.

Without any further expositions, it can be said that during the entire time of Protestant governments in Germany there has not been a single persecution of the Jews. In the contrary, the Jews were considered to be citizens with equal rights and had access to any occupation. They were judges, lawyers, physicians, merchants, etc., just as all the other Germans.

In recent history, the year 1929 brought a change when Mr. Benito Mussolini by way of the “Lateran Treaty” on February 11 helped the church gain new power by paying off her debts with 1.75 billion Lira and gifting the Vatican 44 hectares land as sovereign territory. Then came the concordat between the Kingdom of Italy and Pope Pius XI of the Roman Catholic church. This year, 2009, the Vatican can celebrate its eightieth year in existence in the present form.

In July 1933 the concordat between the Vatican and Hitler’s Germany was signed; thus, the church of Rome secured all the pivotal positions of power for her representatives. With the dominant Catholic reign came a new epoch in the Third Reich under Hitler, who boasted to have learned a lot from the Jesuits. Anti-Semitism became socially acceptable. One can read about the slanderous campaign against the Jews by Dr. Karl Lueger, who was the mayor of Vienna from 1897 to 1920. From him Hitler collected the first propaganda of persecution against the Jews. There are also records of the terrible things said on this subject by Heinrich Himmler in Bavaria, Julius Streicher, von Papen, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, and many others. From their point of view, the Jews had to be persecuted, banished, or killed, for they were supposedly rejected by God. Therefore, it does not surprise us that the six worst death camps, including Auschwitz/Oswiecim, were built in the arch-Catholic country of Poland.

The early Catholic convictions of the church fathers, who were declared to be saints, became the dominant viewpoint within the Roman Catholic church. Anyone can go back to the respective literature to find out what was proclaimed, even things like, “Whoever kills a Jew reconciles the death of Christ.” That was why millions of Jews were slaughtered with a good conscience. Whoever takes it upon himself to read some of the over forty thousand publications dealing with World War II and the Holocaust, the Shoa, will come to know where the hatred against the Jews has its actual roots and why the persecution and the mass murder was possible.

Of course, the church must officially contradict Mr. Hochhut, who in 1963 published the drama “The vicar,” whereby he exposed the role Pope Pius XII played during that time. The question should be asked: Why does the Vatican so vehemently refuse to open the secret archives from 1939 to 1945? Pope Pius XII was given his rightful place in the “Hall of Shame” of the Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The assertion that by his silence he wanted to prevent worse things from happening sounds like sheer mockery in view of the events that transpired. Pope Benedict XVI insists that the portrait must be removed from there before his visit to Jerusalem in May 2009.

We have to leave this most tragic part of the history of mankind to the White Throne judgement. The world capital of Rome is clearly described in Rev. 17+18. In the last verse we read, “And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.”

In reference to Israel and Jerusalem, all the promises that God gave them are now being fulfilled: “Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” (Eze. 11:17; Lk. 21:24). “And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” (Amos 9:9-15). God bless His covenant people Israel! Amen.

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3).

The truth is marching on; the truth will be victorious. Be comforted, the Lord will make all things well with His Own.

By His commission￼