The Old and the New Testament and the Heirs of God

Heartfelt greetings to all of you with the Scripture from Heb 1:1-2: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds …”

The Bible is composed of the Old and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God established through His prophets what He intends to do in His Plan of Redemption. Right from the first chapter, the New Testament provides evidence that everything God promised in the Old Testament comes to fulfillment. Just as a last will and testament specifies who the heirs are and to what each person is entitled, He had it written down in His Word what is ordained for Israel and what is allotted to His Church from the nations.

In Gen 15:4 the LORD God made the promise to Abraham, the father of faith, that He would give him a natural heir. “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (v. 6). In Gen 18:10 we read: “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” With Abraham, faith and obedience worked together; therefore, he was even prepared to sacrifice Isaac, his heir: “Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Heb 11:19). Because of his obedience of faith, the LORD swore by Himself to bless all the nations of the earth: “And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Gen 22:15-18).

The Apostle Paul made reference to the faithfulness and truthfulness of God and wrote: “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath …” (Heb 6:13-17).

In Gal 3:7 he called the believers “the children of Abraham” and then emphasized in verse 29: “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” He wrote about the mystery of Christ with regard to the Church: “… That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel …” (Eph 3:4-6). The promises of God belong to the heirs through Jesus Christ.

True faith is anchored exclusively in the promises of God. The true children of God, the actual heirs of Jesus Christ, believe every Word, believe every promise. In Rom 9:8 the apostle wrote: “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” He further elaborated in Rom 8:17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

This thought is also very precious: “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Gal 4:7). First the promise, then the fulfillment; first with the Redeemer, and then with the redeemed. Thus was the beginning of the New Covenant: Mary found grace with God (Lk 1:30). She believed the Word of promise (Isa 7:14), which the Angel Gabriel told her. At once, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and verse 31 was fulfilled: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS (Hebrew: Yahshua).” (Lk 1:31). And so Ps 22:10 was fulfilled: “But thou art he that took me out of the womb …” With the birth of Christ, the day of salvation and grace commenced (2 Cor 6:2). The Word became flesh and dwelled among us (Jn 1:14). “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (v. 17). The Apostle Paul pointed out that God fulfilled the promise, which He had given to the fathers, “… unto us their children, in that he raised up Jesus again …” (Acts 13:33). Our LORD and Redeemer shed His precious blood, died for us, and thus gave us the redemption. HE included all sons and daughters of God by name in His last will.

This is how the flock redeemed by the blood of the Son of God believes it. We receive the Word as the seed (Lk 8:11), the Holy Spirit begets the new life in us, and we are born again as sons and daughters of God unto a living hope, as it is written: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Pet 1:23). James described it as follows: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (1:18). Thus the Scripture from Isa 53:10 is fulfilled with the redeemed: “A seed shall serve him …” (Ps 22:30).

Spiritual Orientation According to God’s Plan of Redemption

In the last prophet of the Old Testament, God announced what would take place at the beginning of the New Testament (Mal 3:1). That was the first promise of the Old Testament to come to fulfillment with the heirs of the New Testament. It was fulfilled as the LORD sent His messenger ahead of His coming to prepare His way. In reference to John the Baptist, our LORD Himself said, “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (Mat 11:10).

Luke summarized the purpose of the ministry of John the Baptist: “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the LORD their God. ... and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.” (Lk 1:16-17; Mat 17:12-13).

All those who found favor with God at the first coming of Christ went to the River Jordan, believed the divine message, and were baptized. All who believed what John the Baptist said, namely, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire …” (Mat 3:11), surely gathered in Jerusalem because there the promise of the baptism with the Holy Spirit came to fulfillment.

The 120 were the first to experience the fulfillment when they gathered in the upper room, as the risen LORD proclaimed it in Acts 1:4-5 once again before His ascension: “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Peter gave an account of the happenings for the people who had rushed together and explained in regard to the Redeemer: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33). On the same day, about three thousand souls were added to the Early Church (Acts 2:37-41).

On the founding day of the New Testament Church, Peter also pointed to the promise of the Old Testament in Joel 2: “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh …” (Acts 2:16-17a). We are still living “in the last days” and therefore may likewise refer to the same promise of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The following still applies to all those who now believe the message of the full Gospel, repent of their sins, and are baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ: “… and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38-39).

As at the beginning, all true believers still experience even today what God promised: the conversion to Christ; the forgiveness of their sins; the renewal; the new birth; and the baptism with the Holy Spirit, all the way to the sealing by the Holy Ghost. Our brothers and sisters of the Early Church experienced the full salvation by His grace. The apostle wrote about what was given unto those who accepted the Word back then: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:13-14). That was followed by the admonition: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30).

“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said …” (Jn 7:38)

We have to recognize that each time we read any of the following words in the New Testament, which are found therein over 150 times, namely: “… it is written …”; “… as the Scripture says …”; “… that it might be fulfilled …,” they are in reference to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we have 845 quotes from the Old Testament, 185 of which are from the Book of Psalms. Thereby we recognize how important the perfect agreement of the Old and the New Testament really is. Brother Branham said on August 22, 1965, “The Old and New Testament is two halves.”

After His resurrection, the LORD appeared to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus and explained to them all of the Scriptures in the Old Testament which referred to Him. “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Lk 24:32).

HE also reminded the other disciples of what He had told them prior to His suffering and dying: “… 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 24:44b-45).

The Apostle Paul began his first Epistle to the Church in Rome as follows: “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 …” (Rom 1:1-2). In the same manner as Paul testified this in his first letter, so may I testify it as well until my last letter, by the grace of God.

The Gospel of God must be passed on exactly as it was foretold and promised by His holy prophets in the Holy Scripture and as it was delivered to the Church in the New Testament by the apostles. The fact remains, as written by Peter: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Pet 1:20).

As a last will and testament reveals the final wishes of the one who leaves it behind, the Old and the New Testament show the heirs what is rightfully theirs. Because God has written our names into His Testament and appointed us as heirs, we may partake in what is presently taking place in the Kingdom of God. As certain as God fulfills His promises from the Old Testament in the course of the New Testament, all sons and daughters of God, being the rightful heirs, certainly experience the fulfillment of the promises ordained for them. All the others walk right past them, even though they sincerely profess to be believers.

Paul drew the comparison between an earthly testament and the Testament that God left unto us: “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.” (Gal 3:15). The main point with regard to this important subject is that absolutely nothing may be added to or taken away from the Testament which God has made.

Everyone respects an earthly testament, even the judges. The names of the heirs are recorded therein; nothing may be changed. Why is the same due respect not being accorded to God and His Testament? Why are there so many interpretations and so many false teachings being added to the Original (Gal 1:6-8)?

The Apostle John, who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos for the sake of God’s Word and of the testimony of Jesus, wrote straightaway in Rev 1:3: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” The true heirs of God and co-heirs of Jesus Christ can only accept what is actually written in black and white in the divine Testament and has been left unto us. They are called blessed for they believe every Word and keep in their hearts what is written therein.

At the end of the Book of Revelation, the following serious warning is given: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-19). There is probably no other Scripture that Brother Branham repeated and emphasized more often than this one. The judgement that came forth from God is final and will thus be enforced with all who are found guilty.

Right afterward, we are shown that this was said neither by a prophet nor by the Apostle John, but by the LORD Himself: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.”

The Bride of Christ testifies only what the Spirit has said in the Word and calls out, “Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus.” (v. 20).

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (v. 17).

Scriptural Placement

All of the faithful who believe what God promised for our time in the Old and the New Testament know that Brother Branham carried out his commission within the Plan of Salvation (Mal 4:5-6): “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet …” (Mat 17:11; Mk 9:12). He reported 18 times what he was told as it sounded forth from the direction of the supernatural cloud on June 11, 1933, during a baptismal service in the Ohio River. This is the quote of what he said on February 10, 1960: “As John, the Baptist, was sent to forerun the first coming of Christ, the message that is given you will be a forerunning of the second coming of Christ.”

Through his ministry, all mysteries which were hidden in the Word from Genesis (in particular the Fall of Man) up to the last chapter of the Bible were revealed to the Church. And, as he emphasized time and again, the message is: “Back to the Word! Back to the beginning! Back to Pentecost! Back to the doctrine of the apostles! Back to the Bible!”

What, I ask, is God’s purpose, and what is the result of the commission? “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (Mat 17:11). The present concern is this: that the true believers are restored to the original state of the faithful as it was at the beginning.

In Acts 13:24-25 Paul referred to John the Baptist and recalled his words at the end of his own ministry, when he said, “Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.”

At the end, the Church must experience the full restoration of all the gifts of the Spirit, of all the fruits of the Spirit, and of all the ministries through the working of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12; 1 Cor 14; Eph 4; and others), the way they were present at the beginning in the original Church. It is high time that each and every one examines himself or herself before God and looks into the mirror of the Word.

At the genuine baptism with the Holy Spirit, there are not a few foreign words spoken with the old tongue; no, at that time, the tongue is purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:3). True children of God talk to one another in love, not about each other in hatred. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 Jn 3:15).

James not only wrote of the tongue as being “full of deadly poison” (chap. 3:8), but also encouraged us to remain steadfast and patiently wait for the early and latter rain like a farmer does (chap. 5:7). In Heb 10:35-36 we are urged: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God – this is imperative – ye might receive the promise.” And then it states: “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

We believe what the Holy Scripture says, namely that God Himself will complete His work of redemption, just as He completed His work of creation. John the Baptist was no longer on earth when the Redeemer completed the redemption on the cross for His Own. Brother Branham does not need to be on earth when the LORD takes the redeemed home. The divine Testament only speaks of the Return of Christ, but not that the prophet will return.

The LORD Himself will finish His Work with the redeemed with great power, according to His Word. The Church was established through the mighty working of the Holy Spirit, and that is how it shall be in the completion. “… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zec 4:6).

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (Jn 4:34).

The words of the Apostle Paul also apply to us: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ …” (Phil 1:6).

But he also gave the following warning, in the hope that the words of the prophet concerning unbelief might not apply: “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” (Acts 13:41).

In Heb 12:26 the apostle wrote by God’s commission: “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” Therewith, he referred to what is written in the Prophet Haggai: “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land …” (Hag 2:6).

The Prophet Isaiah announced already in the Old Testament that the LORD Himself would finish His Work: “For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.” (Isa 28:21).

In the New Testament, Paul likewise emphasized, as led by the Spirit of God: “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). That is what we are waiting for. Amen!

The Exact Sequence of Events at the Return of Christ

Since interpretations of what Brother Branham said, particularly in the sermon “The Rapture,” have taken their course, this event must once again be illuminated from the viewpoint of the Holy Scripture.

Many passages in the New Testament talk about the Return of Christ; it was, after all, the main subject in the days of the apostles. Our LORD and Savior said both: “… I go to prepare a place for you …,” and: “… I will come again, and receive you unto myself …” (Jn 14:2+3). The following applies to the true preachers of the message: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Pet 1:16-21).

In the German Bible, the word “Return” is written 17 times, for instance in Jas 5:7: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the return (King James Version: coming) of the LORD. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

The Apostle John wrote: “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his return (KJV: coming).” (1 Jn 2:28). There are various comings of the LORD, but we are waiting for the second coming, for His promised Return (Jn 14:1-3).

In Lk 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11 we find the report of the ones who were eyewitnesses when the risen LORD ascended into heaven. They were told: “… 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.” (Acts 1:11). According to Ps 47:5, our LORD ascended to heaven as the Victor of Calvary, as the Risen One Who had conquered death, with a shout and the sound of a trumpet: “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.” HE shall also return with the shout of victory and the trump of God, as it is written in 1 Ths 4:13-17.

There it literally states: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Now comes the THUS SAITH THE LORD: “For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming/return 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.” It cannot be said any clearer!

Anyone who heeds what is written in verses 13 and 14 also recognizes to whom the wake-up call in verse 16 is addressed. At that time, it is not about a message, which is proclaimed unto the living for years before His coming, as some people claim, but rather about the ones who are asleep in Christ. Immediately afterward, we, the living, will be transformed and taken up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD.

In 1 Cor 15:50-58, where Paul wrote about the transformation of the bodies at the rapture, he also emphasized that the Return/Coming of Christ would take place in the twinkling of an eye – not in stages. There it states: “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 (see 1 Ths 4:16), and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (vv. 51-52). Whoever does not believe this, makes God a liar (1 Jn 5:10). But the fact remains: “… let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Rom 3:4).

The message “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” (Mat 25) has been going forth for many years. In the sermon “The Rapture,” Brother Branham said quite clearly, “A Message comes forth first. Now, ‘Lamp trimming time.’ ” (December 4, 1965). He was referring to the message of the revealed Word for our time, with which he was sent and which foreruns the second coming of Christ. Its purpose is the calling out, separation, restoration, and preparation of the true believers unto the glorious day of the Return of the Bridegroom.

At the time when He takes His Bride home, the following will be fulfilled: “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mat 24:27); “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” (Mat 24:40-41). That is exactly how it will come to pass at the Return of Christ.

Just as the bodily resurrection and the bodily ascension of our LORD and Savior were a reality, the bodily Return of Jesus Christ and also the bodily resurrection of those who are asleep in Christ as well as our bodily transformation and rapture will likewise be a reality.

Whoever does not believe that Jesus Christ returns bodily, in the same manner as He ascended into heaven, that individual is according to 2 Jn verse 7 not only a deceiver but actually under the antichrist spirit: “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.” All those who teach that Jesus Christ supposedly left the mercy seat and descended in spiritual form in 1963 to claim His Own are therefore deceivers and false teachers. If that were the case, where would that leave the ones who were born in the sixties or even later and then became believers? Such a teaching is nonsensical, just as any other false doctrine.

We may thank God from the bottom of our hearts that we can believe every Word of God. The signs of the times indicate that His Return is close at hand, for this is what our LORD said with regard to end-time events: “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lk 21:28).

The message of the revealed Word as it was given to Brother Branham is precious to us. It is, in fact, a forerunner to the second coming of Christ, as he confirmed it on January 12, 1961: “It’s the message that will forerun the second coming of Christ. That’s what the Angel of the LORD said.”

God has led it in such a way that I preach the Word and publish the sermons of Brother Branham, and this on account of a direct divine calling, which the prophet confirmed. Upon the direct command of the LORD, Brother Branham stored in the spiritual food, and I may hand it out by the direct command of the LORD and distribute it all over the world, together with all of the ministering brethren (Mat 24:45-47). Thus the last message is reaching all peoples and tongues, as the LORD Himself said it: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Mat 24:14).

According to the commission the LORD gave me, namely, “… I will send you to other cities to preach my Word …,” I travel all over the world to proclaim the Word, the full Gospel, as Brother Paul and Brother Branham preached it. The Word, the Bible is my absolute. After all, the prophet said, “He said that the evidence of the Spirit was those who could receive the Word, neither love nor speaking in tongues, but it’s receiving the Word.” (July 26, 1964). So it is important to not just hear a sermon, but the Word of God. The last message contains everything that God wants to say unto us. Thereby, the Bride of Christ is made ready unto the glorious day of the Return of the Bridegroom. All of the elect know that the time is very near now. They are ones who as the wise virgins will go with the Bridegroom to the marriage supper (Mat 25:10), as it is written: “… and his wife (bride) hath made herself ready.” (Rev 19:7).

A Clear Exposition

Everyone who is familiar with the ministry of Brother Branham knows what God has done in our time – and also what took place on February 28, 1963. It was the fulfillment of the vision, which Brother Branham recounted frequently and which he personally entrusted to me in December 1962: The LORD appeared to him in the supernatural cloud surrounded by seven angels on Sunset Mountain near Tucson, Arizona. At that time, seven mighty thunderclaps shook the entire region. He was told, “Return to Jeffersonville, for the seven seals shall be opened.” The report about the mysterious cloud by Dr. James McDonald and the photograph were printed in the well-known publications Science Magazine on April 19, 1963, and LIFE Magazine on May 17, 1963.

Brother Branham then preached about the seven seals from March 17 to 24, 1963, in Jeffersonville. It was about the revelation of what was still hidden in the Word of God (Rev 5).

He set forth that the New Testament Church ends with the Laodicean Church Age (Rev 3), which lasts until the Return of Christ, and that the Bride is not shown again until Rev 19 at the marriage supper. It was also revealed to him that the first four seals (chap. 6:1-8) show the antichrist in his four stages of development, riding on the four different horses.

In the fifth seal (chap. 6:9-11), the souls of the ones that had been slain were revealed to him as the Jewish martyrs who had held fast to the testimony of the Word (the Torah: the five Books of Moses), including the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust in the Third Reich. They ask the LORD God for vengeance – while Christian believers pray for forgiveness for their enemies.

The sixth seal refers to the time after the rapture, to the great tribulation, as Brother Branham repeated it several times on March 23, 1963. On November 10, 1963, he referred to it and said, “But under the Sixth Seal where these Trumpets opened... Remember, under there we find out that the Lamb came forth, appeared on the scene. He had left the mercy seat. His work of redemption was finished.”

The Lamb did not leave the throne of grace in March 1963 – this is misunderstood by many people. We are still living in the time of grace: The Blood of the Covenant is still on the mercy seat (Heb 4:16) – on the Ark of the Covenant (Lev 16:11-14; Heb 9:15-22), and it shall remain there even until the great multitude of Rev 7 have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb during the great tribulation.

In March 1963 there also was no half an hour’s silence in heaven. In March 1963 the Angel of the Covenant (Rev 10) did not come down on earth, did not place his feet upon the sea and on the earth. In March 1963 the seven thunders of Rev 10 did not utter their voices.

In March 1963, Brother Branham was given the very same revelation that John received on the Isle of Patmos when the Lamb took the mysterious book (Rev 5). Thanks be to God that everything was brightly illuminated for us so that we can correctly place the fulfillment of what was revealed there into the past, present, and future. Some people erroneously teach that the Seals will only be revealed after the rapture. By the grace of God, they have already been revealed here to the Bride. The Prophet Daniel was told: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan 12:4). We are living in the end time and are grateful for the revelation which God has given us in our time. Amen.

Brother Branham read the corresponding Scripture for each of the first six seals. The events that take place during the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-17) clearly show us that it is after the rapture: “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood …” (v. 12). The sixth seal ends with the statement: “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (v. 17).

In Rev 7:1-8 the directive goes forth to the four judgement angels: “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (v. 3). This refers to the sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel through the ministry of the two witnesses over a time frame of 3 ½ years (Rev 11). Only thereafter can the judgements of the trumpets come upon the earth.

In verses 9 to 17, the faithful, innumerable multitude are shown which have to go through the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the Blood of Lamb.

Brother Branham did not read the Bible text pertaining to the seventh seal in his sermon, only the first verse in Rev 8 about the silence in heaven. The first verse is as follows: “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.”

From verse 2 onward, we are clearly told what takes place at that time: “And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.”

In the first trumpet judgement, the third part of the earth and trees are burnt up (v. 7);

in the second trumpet judgement, the third part of the sea turns into blood (vv. 8-9);

in the third trumpet judgement (vv. 10-11), it is about the third part of the rivers;

in the fourth trumpet judgement (v. 12), the third part of the sun, of the moon and of the stars are affected.

Then comes the threefold woe over all of the inhabitants of the earth and the warning of the last divine judgements of the three remaining trumpet angels (v. 13).

When the fifth angel sounds his trumpet (chap. 9:1-12), the fifth trumpet judgement commences: All people are tormented for five months, except the 144,000, who are already sealed at that point (Rev 7:3-4) and are kept safe.

During the sixth trumpet judgement (vv. 13-21), the four judgement angels, who are bound for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year at the River Euphrates, are then set loose to slay the third part of men (v. 15).

Only after the six trumpet angels and the four special judgement angels have carried out their commission, the announcement is made in Rev 10:7: “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 the Name of Jesus Christ, I ask everybody to read Rev 10 from the beginning with the utmost respect. There the LORD Himself comes down as the Angel of the Covenant; clothed with a cloud; surrounded by a rainbow; holding the open book in His hand; setting, as the rightful owner, one foot upon the sea and the other on the earth; and “cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.” (v. 3).

On March 17, 1963, Brother Branham recited the text from Rev 10 and said, “If you notice that’s Christ (See?), ‘cause He in the Old Testament was called the Angel of the Covenant, and He’s directly coming to the Jews now, for the Church is finished.” Through the seventh church angel, the many mysteries were revealed unto us, as Brother Branham mentioned about 50 times. Here, however, it is about Israel, about the seventh trumpet angel, and about “the mystery of God” (Col 2:2-3) – and that is Jesus Christ, our LORD (1 Tim 3:16). The Jews did not recognize Him at that time, but then they will look upon Him Whom they have pierced (Zec 12:10; Jn 19:37; Rev 1:7).

Once again we refer to the Old Testament and see that then the second part of Mal 3:1 is fulfilled and that the Angel of the Covenant comes to His Temple. In this period of time, it is about Israel, about Jerusalem and Mount Zion, upon which the 144,000 are gathered (Rev 14), for THUS SAITH THE LORD in His Word:

“The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” (Joel 3:16).

Only when the LORD roars like the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jer 25:30; Hos 11:10; Joel 3:16; Rev 10:3) do the seven thunders utter their voices. But the voice from heaven commanded: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (v. 4). Amen. All those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have great respect for this. The true children of God only believe what is written in the Old and the New Testament, but not interpretations and false doctrines. They distinguish between the seven thunders which utter their voices in Rev 10 and the mighty thunders that occurred on February 28, 1963, about which Brother Branham spoke many times, in particular on March 24, 1963. Those were entirely natural and were accompanied by an earthquake that shook the entire area by Sunset Mountain in Arizona, causing rocks to roll down the mountain and bend the treetops. I saw the rocks and the trees with my own eyes in December 1968 during a sightseeing tour to which Brother Pearry Green from Tucson had invited several preachers. When Brother Branham spoke of the seven thunders, his thoughts most surely went back to that extraordinary experience.

Again we go to the Old Testament to find out precisely how much time is left when the Angel of the Covenant swears: “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 (that means 3 ½ years); and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Dan 12:7). Thanks be to God for the preciseness of the Old and of the New Testament! In the Old Testament, it was specified what would take place. In the New Testament, we see where, how, and when it is fulfilled.

In Rev 11:1-14 the Temple is being measured and the ministry of the two witnesses who come on the scene in Jerusalem is precisely described: It will last twelve hundred and sixty days, which is exactly 3 ½ years. After the ministry of the two prophets, when the Temple has already been built (Rev 11:1; Rev 16:1), they are killed and taken up into heaven. Then the seven vials of the wrath of God are poured out: “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” (Rev 15+16). At the end of the great tribulation, after the last 3 ½ years = 42 months (Rev 11:2), the Millennial Reign is then proclaimed: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev 11:15+17; Lk 1:33; Isa 9:6). Can it be written any more clearly and precisely than how it has been left unto us in the Bible?

“Why did God take His servant home so soon?” is often asked.

Brother Branham was a blessed man of God and a prophet. At the age of seven, he was told the following, coming from a whirlwind that fiercely shook the leaves in the crown of a poplar tree: “Don’t drink or smoke or defile your body in any way; there’ll be a work for you to do when you get older.” On May 7, 1946, he was visited by an angel, who entered his room in a supernatural light and said unto him, “Do not fear. I’m sent from the Presence of God… As Moses was given two signs to vindicate his ministry, so you are given two signs…” In the unique ministry of Brother Branham, we see repeated what took place at the time of our LORD through the prophetic gift of discernment. Brother Branham especially referred to the examples with Peter and Nathanael in Jn 1:40-51 as well as the event with the woman at the well in chap. 4. He also frequently made reference to Jn 5:19 when he prayed for the sick: “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do …” In visions he saw things pertaining to the persons who came through the prayer line. In his meetings in Germany and in the USA, I became an eye and ear witness of this extraordinary ministry. Three times, namely in 1955 in Karlsruhe, in 1958 in Dallas, and in 1962 in Jeffersonville, he personally told me things which had been revealed to him.

He, who during the 33 years saw in visions what was ailing the person standing before him in the prayer line; he, who in many meetings prayed for thousands of people who were often healed on the spot; he, through whom the revival began after the Second World War, at a time when nobody had yet heard of Billy Graham or Oral Roberts; he, who said more than 1,650 times, “THUS SAITH THE LORD!” – and each time it was THUS SAITH THE LORD, was taken home unexpectedly at the age of 56 after a tragic car accident.

On December 18, 1965, Brother Branham set off in his Ford Station Wagon on the over 2,500-km-long journey from Tucson, Arizona, to Jeffersonville, Indiana. He had made notes for a four-hour sermon about “The Trail of the Serpent,” which he wanted to preach in his home church in Jeffersonville. Near the city of Amarillo, Texas, while having a conversation with Sister Branham – his daughter Sarah was sitting in the back seat – he missed the exit and had to make a short detour. His son Billy Paul, who was driving ahead of them with his family and also had his brother Joseph in the car, waited for his father past the exit. Then Brother Branham followed Billy Paul again. Near Friona, Texas, a car suddenly crossed the median with high speed and hit Brother Branham’s car head-on. The seventeen-year-old intoxicated driver and his front-seat passenger were killed instantly. Brother Branham was severely injured, as was Sister Branham. His daughter Sarah sustained serious contusions. On December 24, 1965, Brother Branham succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Sister Branham and Sarah survived.

For the family and the believers of the end-time message, it was a great shock. They all asked, “Why did this happen?” After all, Brother Branham had said only four weeks prior on November 27, 1965, twice in a row, “I’m not going to die. I’ll ride this trail again.”

Why did God allow this to happen? All of us have asked ourselves the question at some point in our lives: “Why did God allow this or that to happen?” We can go back to Paradise and ask, “Why did the LORD God Who walked in the Garden of Eden allow Satan to beguile Eve?” Especially the Jews can ask, “Why did God allow the Holocaust?” Why? Why? It could be asked again and again.

God also allowed that John the Baptist was torn out of life in an incomprehensible way, namely by beheading (Mat 14:1-12). His ministry had most certainly been completed. Prophets are people just like us and must die as humans in spite of a divine calling in the Plan of Salvation (Heb 11:32-40). Brother Branham’s ministry had also been concluded; otherwise, God would not have called him home.

As I have mentioned in the past, I did not yet know what had taken place at that time, but I saw Brother Branham in a vision on the evening of December 24, 1965, as he was taken up into glory on a cloud, dressed in a suit and leaning forward.

For whomever may find this strange, let it be said that the risen Redeemer was also taken into glory on a cloud: “… he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9).

The two prophets of Rev 11 likewise will be taken into glory on a cloud after their ministry is completed and they are killed: “… And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” (v. 12).

And, at the rapture, we also will be taken into glory on clouds: “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air …” (1 Ths 4:17).

Summary

Let it be said once more in all clarity: Every Word of God is a permanent component of the divine Testament, and we must accept the evangelistic part as well as the teaching part and the prophetic part from the first to the last verse. In the proclamation of the Word, I have and will only ever refer to that which is written in the Old and in the New Testament. I owe this to the heirs of God and co-heirs of Jesus Christ, as certain as the truthfulness of God dwells in me.

In the past 50 years, many false doctrines have been introduced by the “Branham experts.” However, not one of them could report of a divine calling, even until today. Quotes about “the seven thunders,” “the tent vision,” “the third pull,” etc., etc., are recited and then private interpretations are preached, without taking anything back to the Holy Scripture for verification, usually without opening the Bible at all. The highlight is the modification that was made in Jeffersonville. Until the 1980s, the designation “Spoken Word Publications” was in force, and the 7th verse of Rev 10 was the voice of the seventh angel. Then he was declared to be the “Voice of God.” From that time on, all people were to hear the “Voice of God” in the sermons with their own ears because every word that the prophet spoke was said to be the Voice of God. Thus Brother Branham was officially presented as “God,” after previously already being revered by some as “the Word manifested in the flesh,” as “the anointed,” and as “the Son of Man.”

William Marrion, the son of Charles and Ella Branham, was a modest man and, as he said it himself many times, a sinner saved by grace. James wrote this about the Prophet Elijah: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are …” (chap. 5:17). Brother Branham was also a human being like us. How often did he tell his stories and experiences before a sermon! His hobbies were hunting and fishing. As a young man, he was a good boxer. So he recounted on August 22, 1950, “… I won fifty-two professional fights.” His critics have counted how many times he accidentally misspoke. Within just a few minutes, he said twice, “Enoch walked with God five hundred years.” But Enoch only lived 365 years (Gen 5:23)! Or: “Enoch was the seventh after Noah …” instead of “after Adam.” Seventeen times he mentioned the year 1977; he especially referred to it in the sermon on August 6, 1961, when he spoke about the 70 weeks of Daniel. He had read the books by Dr. Larkin and by Uriah Smith and was therefore under the impression that 1977 was the fiftieth year of jubilee, and by then everything would have come to an end, the rapture would have taken place, and the USA would have been destroyed. But he said, “I do not prophecy; I predict that everything that was shown to me in visons in 1933 will come to pass by 1977.” On July 8, 1962, Brother Branham said, filled with hope, “And so I’m waiting for that great time when I will go to Israel someday to bring the Gospel to them …” and then on July 11, 1965, “My ministry isn’t finished in Africa.”

Thanks be to God that I have understood everything the right way from the beginning, including what Brother Branham said as a man. I also got to know him as a human being, ate with him at the same table, drove with him in his car; I knew him personally for 10 years. His humanity and the things he said of his own accord do not alter the fact that he had an infallible, unique ministry, which he carried out by the direct commission of God. We are very grateful for it, because the following cautionary Words of our LORD still apply: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (Jn 13:20).

At the same time, the fact remains that God does not give His Glory to another. The LORD has sent all of His servants, but the Glory and praise belong only to Him for all eternity. We do not need to thank Moses, Elijah, Peter, or Paul, and also not Brother Branham. We reject idolatry and any cult built around a man. The following still holds true for the genuine worshippers: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn 4:24).

The chaos was caused only by the “Branhamites.” Had they not taken quotes out of context and fabricated their own message out of them, then everything would have been all right. Regrettably, the brother who conducted the funeral service for the prophet on April 11, 1966, in Jeffersonville and since August 30, 2015, lies in a mausoleum in Tucson also disseminated his own ideas and teachings in the book The Acts of the Prophet. These include the notions that the resurrection of the dead will coincide with the great earthquake in California on the west coast of the USA and that Brother Branham will then have a special ministry in a tent for at least 30 days. And that is even accompanied by the claim that the prophet told him this – including the tasks that would be assigned to him in the tent! From the beginning and even until today, the objective for all those who have called and ordained themselves has been to hide behind the prophet as a means to gain the respect of the naive believers. The Word of God, the Bible, is no longer being respected or even considered; redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration are not being proclaimed; Jesus Christ is not being preached there at all. They just repeat over and over: “The prophet said …” – “The prophet said …” The believers in Berea adopted a nobler approach: “… they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11).

I would like to emphasize once more: If there had not been a messenger, then there would be no message. God foreordained all things. All true children of God are grateful for the ministry of Brother Branham; they believe the divine message, are connected to God, and will experience the completion by His grace.

All of the prophets and apostles had their time and their ministry and are no longer on earth, but the Word which was revealed unto them remains forever, and that is what we preach (1 Pet 1:25). The last, pure, biblical message has now reached all nations. Just one more question remains, which may be asked only by those who are called and sent by God: “LORD, who hath believed our report? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:16+15).

After the LORD explained to His disciples the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, He asked them, “Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, LORD.” (Mat 13:51). Have we understood all these things? Also the parable of the two different seeds (vv. 37-38)? Did we also correctly understand what Brother Branham often mysteriously said in the past tense as though it had already taken place, even though it is still in the future? The entire Book of Revelation is likewise written as if everything therein has already taken place. John saw what would take place; he saw the New Jerusalem descending and also saw the New Heaven and the New Earth.

In the closing prayer of the meeting on March 24, 1963, Brother Branham expressed the following: “Then, LORD, I pray that You’ll help me. I’m beginning to fade away, LORD. I know my days can’t be too many more, and I pray that You’ll help me. Let me be true, LORD, and honest and sincere that I might be able to bear the message as far as it’s ordained for me to bear. And when it comes to the time that I must lay down, when I get down to the river, and the waves begin to come in, O God, may I be able to hand this old Sword over to somebody else that’ll be honest with It, LORD, and will pack the truth.”

At the beginning of the spreading of the message, to which the LORD God Himself ordained me, was the Word. It was not until later on that men appeared who sowed their own interpretations through quotes about the seven thunders, about the third pull, about the tent vision, and other subjects. I preach the Word of God, which remains forever: There is nothing written therein about the seven thunders, the tent vision, or the third pull. I really cannot say anything about it; it was part of Brother Branham’s ministry, and I respect that.

In his Epistles, Paul repeatedly warned against false doctrines, the first time in Acts 20: “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (v. 30). And also: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom 16:17). The biblical proclamation, with which I was entrusted, has not caused a single division; on the contrary, it unites the true believers under Christ, the Head.

In the last five conversations which I had with Brother Pearry Green at the end of 2014 and in the beginning of 2015, he told me that after another split in his church there were now nine “message churches” in Tucson. During our conversations, he emphasized three times: “Brother Frank, I believe that your calling is as true as the one of Paul on his way to Damascus.” He wanted to come and give this testimony before the church, but he could not fly with the oxygen tank he needed to assist his breathing.

I most certainly do not need anybody to confirm the calling and sending; God has done that for more than half a century. However, no one can imagine what kind of sorrow I carry due to the misguided developments, given my responsibility before God. All of the brothers who are propagating false teachings stand in opposition to the true carrier of the divine message. Nevertheless, my testimony is the same as the one of Paul: “Notwithstanding the LORD stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Tim 4:17).

“The Gospel must be preached to all nations!”

There has never before been anything like this on earth: Through personal journeys, God’s Word has been carried to 650 cities in 156 countries, and it has reached the far ends of the world via many television programs. The LORD would repeat Mat 24:14 and add, “Today this Word is fulfilled before your eyes.” (Lk 4:21).

Oftentimes more than a thousand believers come from all over Europe and even from Africa and overseas to attend the monthly meetings here at the Mission Center in Krefeld. About 1,600 churches in 172 countries currently connect to our livestream via the Internet each time. Thanks to the simultaneous translation into 12 languages, they can all listen to the sermons in real time. All those who hear and believe the Word of God are blessed and have a direct part in the last Work of God. As certain as the pure, divine message is reaching the ends of the earth, the Return of Christ is undoubtedly imminent.

Before His Return, the Bride Church was to be restored to its original unity and become of one heart and one soul in all locations. As a result of the pure message, which is now going forth as a wake-up call, a pure Word Bride shall be presented to the Bridegroom. Whoever is being held back by misguided divisions can now receive the correction (Rom 16:17-20). All those who are part of the Bride Church must be united in the love of God, sanctified in the Word of truth, and experience their preparation in order to go in to the marriage supper at the Return of Christ (Mat 25:10; Rev 19:7-9).

We may leave the completion of the Bride to the beloved Bridegroom. HE Himself will finish His Work in the ones who are part of the Bride Church. “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5:27). Only perfect love shall enter there. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God!”

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Rom 16:25-27).

Please, do not forget: We are heirs of God and co-heirs of Jesus Christ and are ordained to be with Him in glory.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Pet 1:3-4).

May God’s blessing rest upon all of you.

By His commission

The missionary journeys of the past months into 12 countries in the Far East and Africa were very strenuous but yet accompanied by special blessings. Thousands of people came from near and far for each meeting, also in Paris on July 10 and in Romania on July 17.

The photo shows the meeting on April 10, 2016, in Cotonou, Benin, Africa.

Prayer

Beloved LORD, remember the covenant You made with us,

Remember the blood You shed for us,

Remember the promises You gave to us,

And grant Your heirs, by grace, Your eternal life.

If you are interested in receiving our literature, you may write to the address below:

Mission Center

P.O. Box 100707

47707 Krefeld

Germany

You can also tune in on the Internet for our monthly meetings on the first weekend of each month: on Saturday evening at 19:30h (Central European Time), on Sunday morning at 10:00h. The sermons can be heard in thirteen different languages worldwide. Have a part in what God is presently doing according to His Plan of Salvation!

You can find us on youtube.com under “Apostolic Prophetic Bible Ministry”

Homepage: http://www.freie-volksmission.de

E-mail: volksmission@gmx.de

Fax: +49-2151/951293

Copyright © by the author and publisher E. Frank

Table of Contents

The Old and the New Testament and the Heirs of God

Spiritual Orientation According to God’s Plan of Redemption

“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said …” (Jn 7:38)

Scriptural Placement

The Exact Sequence of Events at the Return of Christ

A Clear Exposition

“Why did God take His servant home so soon?” is often asked.

Summary

“The Gospel must be preached to all nations!”