Good evening brethren and God Bless you. Turn your Bibles to John 20:29 and Romans 4:7-8.
`Jesus saith unto Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed: BLESSED are they that have not seen, and yet have believed'.
That speaks of us. Like Paul, we've met Jesus but not in the flesh. We have believed, not because we see Him with our natural eyes like Thomas, we see Him living in us and are `blessed'. The creative Word is real.
`BLESSED are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. BLESSED is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin'.
That's us. While we tarry one for the other before the Lord's Supper and foot-washing tonight, we'll be confessing our failings to God, Who'll be scratching His head and saying, `What? I have no record of those things. What is this Brother talking about, what is this Sister trying to say'? Because we are making things right all the time, our mistakes are in the sea of His forgetfulness and those things we did knowing they were wrong are confessed and forgiven, and we've made restitution where possible.
In Christ we are blessed, because sin and iniquity are not imputed.
`Beatitude' is not a Scriptural word; it means `blessedness'. The beatitudes in the Bible begin with `Blessed is', or `happy is . . .', after which they refer to a Christian virtue worthy of praise in the righteous individual. So the glory goes to God. His virtues as we see in II Peter 1:1-8 are manifested in Christians as they mature and grow into the fullness of the stature of the perfect Man.
There is nothing good in man that he can boast of himself, but Christ in us, the hope of Glory, willing and doing His own pleasure. We are happy or blessed when we yield to His Word and way in our lives. Paul said, henceforth I know no man after the flesh. We are blessed when the Token or Life of Christ is manifesting through us. God gathers glory when we are dead to the world and the things of the world and alive to God. When our motives and our objectives are both His perfect will and way, those virtues will be praised of God in us.
Psalm 1:1-3, `BLESSED is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, (there was a different baptism in every Age: each from the one water or Spirit), that bring, forth his fruit in his season (the Word or teaching for each of the seven dispensations -- Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, THIS present holy convocation or Bride Age etc.,); his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper'.
By the grace of God, these are Christ's Elect! The elect are blessed. We cannot be deceived on the revealed Word, will not follow a stranger and receive His false words. Oh, the blessedness of God's elect. Matthew 5:3-12:-
`BLESSED are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
BLESSED are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
BLESSED are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
BLESSED are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
BLESSED are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
BLESSED are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. REJOICE, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you'.The New Testament beatitudes stress the joy of having overcome and entered into Christ and the realization we are secure in Him, sealed to the day of our redemption; already resurrected, and participating in the Kingdom privileges and authority now. Unafraid!
Colossians 1:24, I `. . . REJOICE in my SUFFERINGS for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church'.
I am blessed. I am already redeemed. `In ALL things we are MORE than conquerors through Christ Who loved us'. Paul was persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor any creature, nor height, nor depth can separate us from the love of God in Christ. The joy of the Lord is our strength. We rejoice BECAUSE we are blessed in Him. Our confidence is the REVELATION He has given us of this REALITY. `Heaven and earth will change but that faith can never change'.
Character is a victory and the proof of God's elective love is His communion with us by faith and that faith overcoming in us. Oh, it may seem slow and we may take one step forward and two back, but KEEP applying the Token. It will work. It WILL succeed. So if at first YOU don't succeed, stand patiently. It will work. Eventually the Token will remain on display, my Brother or Sister. Do not be discouraged, try again, and again, and again because It is NOT you but Christ IN you and He will not fail you. We fail Him, but He cannot, will not fail us.
We have something in which to rejoice. Treasures which will not perish and can never be stolen from us. In Philippians 3, Paul said, `Rejoice in the Lord . . . and have no confidence in the flesh. I count all things but loss that I may be found IN Christ through the faith of Christ, having the righteousness which is by God by faith. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable to his death', because I am dead to the desires of my mortal flesh and spirit which are the world, and must perish with the world.
The Token will cannot display Itself in us by our works. But by the righteousness which is of the faith of Jesus Christ.
He went on to say, `If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead'. That is, the FIRST resurrection, for both just and unjust will be resurrected. Paul wasn't doubting his salvation or new birth, he was `making his election and calling sure'. He was not being complacent but `keeping his garments clean', making doubly sure he was in the Light God was in, just as I was making doubly sure of my `security' before I abseiled 34 floors down the Renaissance Hotel in Sydney the other week. Taking no chances with eternity, Paul was working out his own salvation with fear and trembling.
`Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus'.
Not content with Pentecostal joy, Paul he determined to make his election and calling sure. However many claiming to follow this Message have more confidence than Paul but with no reason for such complacence.
`Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, FORGETTING those things which are BEHIND, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus'.
Paul knew he made mistakes and was conscious he fell short of the glory of God. We all do, and so long as we are trapped in these vessels of sin we will fail. But Paul didn't let Satan bring him under condemnation for his failings. Paul did not sin. 'He that's born of God does not commit sin.' He failed the high standard of the Word when Satan caused him to stumble. But Paul picked himself up, acknowledged his mistake, received God's grace through Jesus Christ who experienced these frailties of the flesh and doubtless fell short Himself (but without sin) -- and accepting his infirmity and the provision of an understanding high priest, put his mistakes behind him and pressed on toward the prize of a glorified body (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Like Jesus, Paul was an example for us. `Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded (mature, having the revelation `BLESSED is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin') `. . . and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.'
Praise God. Christ is a high priest who understands our infirmities. We don't let Satan convince us we are not saints. We ARE saints, and free from sin. We just need to raise our eyes above ourselves and our circumstances and look to the unfailing Promise, and to Jesus the author and FINISHER of our faith. He CHOSE us, He lifted us out of the mire, He has BEGUN a good work in us, and He is ABLE to finish It. He will never forsake us.
Paul said, `I want to be found in Him, not having my OWN righteousness'. We were born in sin. We didn't start this good work, it's sure we can't finish it! Paul told those Galatians, `Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by your OWN efforts'?
Sure we'll fail. Again, and again, and again we will fail. We'll repeat the same mistakes . . . there is no good in a man. But Christ is in us! Hallelujah! The battle and the victory are His. He that overcame in His body can overcome in ours. We ARE His Body, His workmanship, so rejoice Brother Seed.
The Old Testament beatitudes, on the other hand, are sociologically oriented and more concerned with the rewards in this earthly life -- many children, bountiful harvests, deliverance from enemies.
Note the contrast between natural and our spiritual Israel. In the New Testament, the element of PARADOX becomes prominent. Men who in no way appear to be fortunate in the present such as the martyrs who suffered death, being sawn asunder, boiled in oil, fed to lions, are described in Hebrews 11 as the poor, the distressed and the barren, and are BLESSED.
Luke 23:29, `Behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, BLESSED are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us'. Matthew 24:15-21, `And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter (because of the snow in Jerusalem), neither on the sabbath day (as the city gates will be shut): For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be'. He was speaking of the days when Titus would starve the Christ-rejecters in Jerusalem. But He warned the Christians, and they escaped because they were BLESSED.
Those declared `BLESSED' are God's elect who escape condemnation BECAUSE they have PREPARED themselves by WATCHING for the Word.
Luke 12:36-38, `And you yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding (or baptism of the Holy Ghost for the Latter Rain and the Wedding Supper); that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto Him immediately'. (That was when He returned as Son of Man in the revelation of the Seven Seals at the end of the Laodicean Church Age and was shut out by Pentecost and all of the other denominations, fulfilling Revelation 3:20).
`BLESSED are those servants, whom the Lord when He comes shall find WATCHING: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, (Spiritual Food in due season -- Hebrews 5:14 -- a full seven course Meal of the Seven Seals), and will come forth and serve them. (That was Revelation 10:1-7 and I Corinthians 13:10). And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants'. And He did come in the Seventh watch.
BLESSED! Because they were PREPARED by a ready willingness to receive the Word of God without feeling offended since they were able to receive correction! (Matthew 11:6). `As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:' Praise God for that!
The blessed `see' the signs of His Coming with the eyes of faith.
Matthew 16:1-4, `The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came and tempting desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but you can not discern the signs of the times'?
Jesus condemned the people for their carnality. They could see natural things with the eyes in their head but could not discern Spiritual Signs to recognize THEIR day and ITS Message.
`A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And He left them, and departed'.
They even asked Jesus for a sign to identify the Sign. And people are no different today, they can't see the Signs of His Coming. Luke 17:28-30, `As it was in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. So shall it be when the Son of man is revealed'.
This is a Sign. It's the LAST Sign Jesus promised we Gentiles before the end of our Dispensation. And people fail to see It. Oh, they can see the homosexual epidemic but fail to see the rest of Genesis 18. I doubt they look. According to Genesis 18, Jesus promised THREE MESSENGERS. Two to Lot's group, the church natural in Sodom, who are `saved' but experience tribulation; and One who veils the fulness of God and stays by Abraham's group, who receive new bodies. To this elect and called-out Church, he reveals Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, and today, and forever by the SAME Sign that identified Him in the days of Lot and in the days of His flesh `discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart' (Hebrews 4:12).
What is this wicked and adulterous church looking for? A sign they can SEE with their eyes or TOUCH. Something PHYSICAL: huge revivals, healing or speaking with tongues! They are not Spiritual. As Isaiah said, `they have eyes and see NOT, ears and hear NOT'.
Revelation 1:7 is an illustration. How many are there who are seriously looking for the glorified Jesus Christ to manifest when He plainly says in Matthew 24, `DO NOT LOOK FOR A MAN'. Scriptures such as Isaiah 13:9; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 3:12 and Revelation 20:5 so clearly instruct us that the Man from Galilee returns AFTER the destruction of ALL life on earth and WITH the glorified saints of all ages. So Revelation 1:7 and Acts 1:9-11 can not be speaking of natural or physical phenomenon.
The glorified Jesus cannot PHYSICALLY appear in the skies UNIVERSALLY. And if the New Testament saints resurrected visibly, there would be no need for two prophets to preach to Israel for three and a half years, vindicated by mighty signs and wonders. Overnight, the world would know that Jesus is the Christ.
People read their Bibles and are prepared to debate almost to the death, these impossible, Scripture-denying interpretations. Such nonsense is standard doctrine in most churches, because the people make NO attempt to apprehend the FAITH, or understanding of what they have read.
Revelation 1:7, `Behold, He comes with clouds (NOT natural clouds -- but the Pillar of Cloud and Fire or Shekinah that led Israel); and every eye shall see Him (the eye of faith in the Bride), and they also which pierced Him: (and who die pierce Him? Zechariah 13:6, `And one shall say unto Him, "What are these wounds in Your hands"? Then He shall answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends"' -- Israel. It is the elect Israelites who `see' Jesus, by faith, NOT by sight -- three and a half years AFTER the Church has been translated, when the nation is born in one day. All 144,000 of them).
God takes His Children Home for the Wedding Supper, at a time of trouble such as the world has not experienced since man was on earth (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 16:18). There'll be so FEW in the living Bride they'll not be missed. The churches will preach their FALSE salvation Messages into the Tribulation, whose destiny is the Lake of Fire (Daniel 6:24; Matthew 3:12; Revelation 2:21-24; 14:9-13; 19:20, etc).
`. . . and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him'. That's the foolish virgin, and other groups of the `saved', who recognize they've missed the full atonement, and must give up their life in martyrdom to preserve their life (or name on the Book). You see, THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS at THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. Those without eyes of faith will never see It.
BLESSED are your eyes for they see . . . we are a blessed people, living far below our calling because we still do not fully realize WHO we are. By His grace we are not hearers only but do-ers, expressing our faith in concrete action. `The ministry of the Bride will be so humble', said Brother Branham.
James 1:12, `BLESSED is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him'. The Greek word `endure' is related to the word `patience', so the blessing of a glorified body is to those who take the hard way of the Lord's despised few and are do-ers rather than hearers only, patiently enduring unto the end, looking to the overcomer's crown.
`Deuteronomy', as we know means `two laws'. Overcoming by obedience unto Life, or failing through disobedience unto death. This is demonstrated in Luke 6:20-26 which matches each blessing with a woe.
`And He lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said, "BLESSED be you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God".'
`But woe unto you that are rich! for you have received your consolation'.
`BLESSED are you who hunger now: for you shall be filled. BLESSED are you that weep now: for you shall laugh'.
`Woe unto you that are full! for you shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep'.
`BLESSED are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, FOR THE SON OF MAN'S SAKE. Rejoice therefore in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets'.
`Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets'.
True words as I've discovered. When one is despised and rejected by so-called Christians for the Son of man's sake, God has a blessing for him. And when men plan to deceitfully use you, they will praise you. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL, (not might), suffer persecution. Quite a paradox, but God's ways are not our ways and ALL things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose.
Now before we change the order of service for the Communion let's look at the beatitudes or blessings in the Book of Revelation.
1) In Matthew 24:1-3, Jesus said the Sign of the end of the ages was the restoration of Israel in Palestine before the opening of the Sixth Seal (Revelation 6:12-14; Matthew 24:29-31). In the days of His flesh, the time for this event was not revealed even to Jesus. Matthew 24:36, `But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only'. After His ascension, God revealed all things to Jesus. In 1963, through the opening of the Seven Seals, Jesus revealed them to the seventh angel, Brother Branham, who preached them to the Bride.
Jesus signified these mysteries to John through a series of visions over two years on the Isle of Patmos, where he saw and heard Brother Branham preaching, recording what he had seen in symbols, but John was forbidden to write the revelation the prophet unveiled (Revelation 10:4).
Revelation 1:1-3, `The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto his servant John: Who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw'.
Here is the first beatitude: `BLESSED is he that reades (the rhema or letter), and they that hear (or understand) the Words (Logos or concept) of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand'.
According to Daniel 12:4 and 9, and Revelation 10:4, the Book was sealed until the time of the end but `in the days of the Voice of the angel to the Laodicean Church Age, the mystery of God should be finished'. So for two thousand years, men could only READ the Words of the prophecy; until Revelation 4, 5 and 10:1-7 were fulfilled and Christ opened and revealed the Seven Seals through His prophet, no man could UNDERSTAND the logos.
The time was now at hand for the revelation of Jesus Christ to be made manifest in His saints through the Messages of seven successive Church Age messengers revealing `that which was in part', adding precept upon precept, line upon line, Word upon Word to create the spoken Word Body of Christ till It reaches the fulness of the Stature of Christ, when the last member is born into It.
Who were the BLESSED? Those who became written epistles of THEIR part of the Word as it unfolded through the messenger to their Church Age. Those who manifested the logos of the prophecy in Its season.
2) I Thessalonians 4:13-5:13, `But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the Coming of the Lord shall not hinder those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout (-- the Message of the angel to the Laodicean Church Age that RESTORES the apostolic faith -- Malachi 4:5-6; and FINISHES the mystery of God -- Revelation 10:7; and calls His elect out from all man-made systems into oneness with the Fulness of the Word, for the manifestation of the sons of God and the translation -- Matthew 25:6; Revelation 18:4), with the Voice of the Archangel, (Christ in the Bride, placing the Message from Genesis to Revelation and bringing Her to maturity and into harmony with the Fulness of the Word -- so God will do what she speaks after the close of the Gentile Dispensation), and with the trump of God (or Seventh Trump that calls Israel to the Atonement and the Bride to manifest the sons of God before the Wedding Supper in the sky): and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these Words.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you ("but in the days of the Voice of the seventh angel" these Ages will be revealed and placed in the context of past history). For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a THIEF in the night (a time of Spiritual darkness, when the churches are apostate "and know it not" -- Revelation 3:17-20). For when they shall say, "Peace and safety"; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie, and they will set the Pope over all, following the sinking of Los Angeles by earthquake and invasion of the USA -- II Thessalonians 2:11; Revelation 13:8-18; 17:11-15; Daniel 2:40-43). There's the NWO.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a THIEF. You are all the children of Light (Matthew 5:14), and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (That's right, He has been gathering us into the restored Light since 1963 -- Matthew 24:22-28, 40-44).
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love (the new birth); and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, (we need your prayers). And be at peace among yourselves'.
It is useful to rehearse some of these things that have been revealed to us already. But the word I wanted to focus upon from these passages by Paul is THIEF. God wants His people to be expectant so they are PREPARED at all times and WATCHFUL, looking for the promised Signs that confirm `the things which are to come' in our day. The dispensation change will come as a thief upon the unprepared who will be trapped and suffer loss. The Bride, prepared by faith, and vigilant in its application, will not be caught unawares.
Revelation 3:3, `Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a THIEF, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon thee'.
Revelation 16:15-15, `Behold, I come as a THIEF. BLESSED is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon'.
Revelation 3:4, `You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy'.
So the BLESSING is upon those that watch expectantly, preserving themselves in the Presence or Shekinah which scatters darkness and sin, that state of constant sanctification, beyond the reproach of the world. Like Samuel the boy prophet, when the Lord calls they respond, `Here am I' (I John 1:7).
Our garment is Light -- It is His righteousness. When Jesus took Peter, James and John up on Mount Transfiguration, His garment was Light. And God is Light. He was covered in the Glory of God Which shone out from within Him. And today God is clothing His elect in `fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousnesses (plural) of saints' -- It is `the true sayings of God' that is our clothing. This Message is dressing Christ's Word Bride for the Marriage Supper (Revelation 19:8-9).
The glory of God is Christ, and the glory of Christ is His Bride. Each reflects the Light of the other so we are clothed in the same LIGHT.
John 12:28, Jesus said, `"Father, GLORIFY Your Name". Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, "I have both GLORIFIED it (in You), and will GLORIFY it again" (in Your Bride)'. A bride reflects the glory of her husband. All God was He poured into Christ, and all Christ is He poured into the Church.
John 17:5-6, 22, 26, `And now, O Father, GLORIFY Me with Your own self with the GLORY which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your Name unto the men which You gave Me out of the world: Yours they were, and You gave them to Me; and they have kept Your word.
And the GLORY which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one . . . And I have declared unto them Your Name, and will declare It: that the love wherewith You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them'.
Praise the Lord. The blessing is by keeping ourselves ready and prepared for His service by the sanctifying stream of the blood of the Word -- Light.
3) The first two beatitudes of Revelation apply to the Bride. The third has to do with the 144,000:
Revelation 13:8-15, `And ALL that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. (ALL but the very elect, or 144,000 tribulation saints will be deceived by Pope and vicariously worship Satan because they are deceived).
He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience (or endurance) and the faith of the (144,000 Israelite Tribulation) saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth (the USA); and he had two horns like a lamb (civil and ecclesiastical powers), and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed (in AD325 when Imperial Rome became Papal Rome at the First Nicea Council). And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men (the nuclear bomb), And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast (uniting the Protestants in a confederation under Rome); saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
And he (Rome) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed'.
Revelation 6:9-11, `And when he had opened the Fifth Seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held':
These were martyred in the orthodox faith of Moses between Pentecost and the end of the Pentecostal Feast or Gentile dispensation. Their eyes were blinded that we might come in.
`And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth'? Were they Christians they would have said, "Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do".
`And white robes were (potentially) given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, (the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and the 144,000 elect Israelites) that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled (during the Great Tribulation)'. White robes signifying eternal Life are actually granted at the Great White Throne Judgment'.
Revelation 14:12-13, `Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, "BLESSED are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them".'
This blessing is to the 144,000 who die in the Lord during Great Tribulation.
4) Revelation 19:7-10, `Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he said unto me, "Write, BLESSED are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb". And he saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God". And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he (Brother Branham) said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy".'
Here is a blessing pronounced upon the Bride, in particular the end-time Bride who is clothed in the THUS SAITH THE LORD of the Message, the true sayings of God. When we heard our name called from the Lamb's book of Life, we recognized the Message for OUR day and God baptized us into OUR position in the Word.
Alas, too many so-called Christians are claiming to be baptized into the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist or Pentecostal parts of the Body, knowing not these were made-up 32 to 250 years ago, and there is no possible way anyone can be baptized or born-again into those parts of the Body today. Those making the attempt are worshiping in vain, impersonating the Word for an Age gone by.
5) Revelation 20:1-6, `And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
And I saw thrones, AND THEY THAT SAT ON THEM (the twenty-four elders) and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands (the Bride of all ages) and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
BLESSED and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years'.
Daniel 7:9, 22, 27, `I beheld till the (empty) thrones were cast down, (when Daniel saw the vision the 12 New Testament saints who sit with the Old Testament Patriarchs had not been placed) and the Ancient of days sat, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire . . . Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom . . . And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High (Israel -- Acts 1:6), whose kingdom is eternal, and all dominions shall serve and obey him'.
The blessing here is to those who share in the first resurrection.
6) Here we have a preview of the Millennium.
Revelation 22:1-7, `And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve Him: And they shall see His face; and His Name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them Light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
And he said unto me, "These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel (Brother Branham, the Messenger to the Seventh Church Age) to show unto His servants the things which must shortly be done".
Behold, I come quickly: "BLESSED is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this Book".'
Jesus will be revealing the Word throughout eternity. Here the Blessing is to those who keep the Message or `the sayings of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation' revealed through Brother Branham, as contrasted with the written letter we've had for 2,000 years (Acts 3:23).
7) Revelation 22:8-15, `And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then he said, "See you do it not: for I am your fellowservant, and of your brethren the prophets, (I am the angel to the Laodicean Church Age) and of them which keep the SAYINGS of this Book: worship God".
And he said to me, "Seal not the SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY of this Book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still".
And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. BLESSED are they that do wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.
The Bride wash their robes by keeping His commandments which are `the SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY of this Book', or the Message (Revelation 10:7).
Matthew 22:1-14, `And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they (Israel) would not come. (The Wedding is on earth, It is the baptism with the Holy Ghost or new birth).
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, (Israel), Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant (Israel) took his servants (the early Church), and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (When He sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in AD 70).
Then said He to His servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy (". . . It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put It from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal Life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles", Acts 13:46). Go therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: And he said to him, "Friend, how did you enter not having a wedding garment"? And he was speechless. (He tried to come into Christ by learning the Message without a revelation).
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness (the Tribulation); there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen'.
All the blessings are to the overcomers. We overcome by faith which brought us into Him Who has already overcome. Not by learning. NOW are we the sons of God.
Soon the mother of harlots will gather her brood to form an image unto the beast. Then they'll turn upon people such as us. God will pour out the Latter rain and every seed will manifest precisely what it is. "Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom". He that endures to the end will be blessed and not one hair of his head will be harmed. Just keep pressing the battle, looking to the promises and He Who guarantees them. When we suffer a temporary retreat, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, press on in His strength, knowing we are ALREADY seated in heavenly places.
God bless each of you good Bible believers in cyber-space. When you have caught the revelation of this simple little Message we've rehearsed this-evening, be sure to pass it on to others, for the hour is late. bb941217.htm
e-mail to: ags@biblebelievers.org.au