Christ Revealed in His Own Word #108

God Interprets His Own Word

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 

Brian Kocourek, Pastor Grace Fellowship

 

 

Before we begin our message tonight, I would like to first read from the Book of Matthew, and again from 2nd Timothy, to set forth our text.

 

[Matthew 13:10-17] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.( this word given here, is a word which means granted or appointed to it, and so we see that some are appointed to know and understand, while there are others who are not apponted to know or understand), For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

 

[2Timothy 3:16-4:4]  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, (In other words, it is God breathed), and [is] profitable for (doctrine,/teaching)  for reproof, (which is proof or evidence), for correction, (which is restoration of life or character)  for instruction in righteousness, ( Which is nurturing in right-wise-ness, or a correct understanding): Now, notice, all this is done for a specific outcome... 3:17That the man of God may be (What?) perfect, (That is, complete or mature)  throughly furnished (or thoroughly finished off ) unto all good works. 4:1  I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, (His Epiphanaea) and his kingdom; 4:2  Preach the word; be instant (Be ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound (Or Wholesome) doctrine; but after their own lusts (Desires) shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4:4  And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.                                     

 

Let’s bow our heads and our hearts as we pray to our Father for understanding of His Word.       

 

Prayer....... Dear Father, as we approach Thee through Thy Word tonight, we humbly ask you to help us to come to a better understanding of your Word, for we of ourselves are totally incapable of  understanding your Word. But as you wrote Thy Word using the instrumentality of men, we know also that you have used men, your Prophets, to also reveal to us what it is that you have spoken to us through your own Word. Therefore, Father, we would ask you tonight to help us to come to the place where we can just let go of our own preconceived thoughts, and allow your Spirit to minister to us Your Word, that Hearing we might hear, and might understand, and Seeing we might see and perceive what it is that you would have for us to know in this dark hour that we live. Grant it Father in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Now, tonight we shall again be studying Brother Branham’s Message, Christ is Revealed in His Own Word”, and this will be number 108 in our series and we shall subtitle this message,  “God Interprets His Own Word”. In the Book of [Mark 4:10-12] We read again of the scene that we saw unfold in Matthew 13.  And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given, (Unto you it is appointed, ordained, or predestinated) to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them. “ So we see that there are certain ones that are ordained By God to see, while it is not given, or ordained by God for all others. We see this same idea spoken in [Acts 13:48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

 

Now, we began this eveing by reading from the scripture where Jesus tells us that the Word of God is given in such a way that all who hear it will not get the same results. Some are ordained to hear and believe, while others are ordained to hear and because they do not understand, they therefore can not believe. And so, Paul asks the question, “how is it that one can believe?” Which he answers in Romans 10

 

[Romans 10:13-17] (read) How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  (10:14) Here the apostle meets  the arrogance of all who teach falsely and are a haughty mind. Oh, that the false prophets (or teachers) only would heed these words! How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (10:14) Even though they say they hear, they boast in vain, unless they hear true preachers; for to hear false prophets means as much as not to even hear. They hear and they do not hear; they have ears, but do not hear, nor do they preach (the Word of God). This is a striking statement against all conceited hearers and students of the Bible.

 

How shall they preach, except they be sent? (10:15) This is directed against conceited teachers and arrogant instructors. These four statements (10: 14 -15) follow one another in such a way that one leads to the other, but so that the last forms the foundation on which the others rest. Thus, 1) It is impossible that those preach who are not sent. 2) It is impossible that those hear who are without a preacher.  3) It is impossible that they believe who do not hear.  4) It is impossible that they call upon Him who they do not believe. To this add a last one, namely: 5) It is impossible that they  who do not call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

So then, the entire source and origin of salvation rests on this, That God sends out someone, ( A true minister of the Word). If He does not send out any, then they who are preaching are preaching falsely, and their preaching is no preaching at all. In fact they would be better off had they never preached at all. Then they who hear, hear error, and it would be better for them to not have heard . Then they who believe, would believe false doctrine, and it would be better for them to not believe. Then also they who call upon Him would be calling falsely (upon a false Lord), and it would be better for them not to call. For such preachers do not preach; such hearers do not hear; such believers do not believe, and such callers do not call; and they will be damned because they would be saved by falsehood. So we read in Proverbs 1: 28 “Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer, they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.” ... Then only they can preach with certainty who proclaim the Gospel without error.

 

And how can they preach a Gospel without error, except  it be vindicated by God Himself. For even Jesus Himself, said in [John 7: 16-18 that He had no doctrine of His Own.  

 

John 5:19 & 30] we see that he could of His Own Self do noting, but what he saw the Father do, that He did likewise. 

 

And again, in [John 8:38-47] we hear Jesus rebuke the unbelieving Pharisees, because they claim to believe the Word, but they deny the one in which God manifested His Word through.  Again hear the same sort of Words coming from John, in [1 John 4:5-6]

 

Now, what could make men so confident that they knew and understood the Message of God. Whent he whole world is groping in sin and so destitute for ther Truth, how is it that there are a few who know what they are talking about?  You go to any two churches in the same neighborhood and you ask them what any passge of scripture might stand for and you’ll get two different answers. Then how is it that there are some who absolutely, without any reservation know with assurance what the Word of the Lord is ? How is it that there are some that are so sure, they have a certain piece which surpasses understanding?

 

In [Romans 10: 15] Paul said,  How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace ( 10: 15). By this quotation the Apostle shows that only those can preach who are sent by God. Those cannot preach the Divine Word and be messengers of God whom He has not sent and to whom He has not entrusted His Word. So with these same words the Apostle points out the nature of Spiritual Peace and it’s gifts. These blessings are heard only in the Divine Word and are apprehended only by Faith.

 

They can not be presented in visible form...Now the words “ Beautiful” stands for purity, for they that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tidings of good things do not proclaim the Gospel for their own advantage or on account of vain Glory, as this happens here and there today. They preach solely from obedience to God and for the sake of the salvation of their hearers. ( And this word beautiful is a Greek word Ho-rah-yos and according to Strong’s it means belonging to the right hour or season ( timely) by implementation to be flourishing. )

 

So we see that they will preach the Word for the season in which they live. In [Psalm 1: 1-3] we see that one evidence of Election is that they will bring forth the correct fruit in the right season. And again in [Luke 12: 29-44] we see the importance of teaching the correct Word, or handing out the meat in due season. Because let’s face it, meat that is out of season is old and full of canker worms, and maggot infested, showing that there’s death in the pot. 

 

So, then we can see that by focusing in on the Word for the season, brings assurance to the believer. And how does this assurance come? How do we know for certain that we are preaching the correct word for the season? The answer is simple. Because we have a vindicated word,  One which has come from the lips of God’s Porphet for that season, and because God interprets His own Word by bringing it to pass. Then by seeing the Word and then reading it from the scriputre, we can of assurety say, this is that!

 

In paragraph 108 of His Message, “Christ Revealed in His Own Word” Brother Branham said,  “They     ( speaking of the Prophets) can only interpret as the Author would permit them to interpret. Now, if you want to find that, that's [II Peter 1:20-21]. All right. 'Cause this... Where God is concerned, ... There's no private interpreter; He does His own interpretation. God speaks and interprets It Himself, then reveals it to whomever He will, hides from all others. He don't have to reveal It to anybody, 'less He wants to. And He's expressed His whole thing in the Scripture; therefore, the whole thing is already made known; it's just--He's just setting there watching it happen.

 

And there is our key right there. The Prophet is just standing there watching the Scripture fulfill itself. He really doesn’t have anything to do with it except asa witness to what is happening. That’s why Brother Branham could say, from His Message, [Anointed Ones at the endTime] “Now, I want you to know this is sure. And you that listen to this tape, you might have thought today that I was trying to say that about myself, being that I was packing this Message. I have no more to do with it than nothing, no more than just a voice. And my voice, even against my better judgment... I wanted to be a trapper. But it's the will of my Father that I declare to do, and determined to do. I wasn't the One that appeared down on the river; I was only standing there when He appeared. I'm not the One that performs these things and foretells these things that happens as perfect as they are; I'm only one that's near when He does it. I was only a voice that He used to say it. It wasn't what I knew; it's what I just surrendered myself to, that He spoke through. It isn't me. It wasn't the seventh angel, oh, no; it was a manifestation of the Son of man. It wasn't the angel, his Message; it was the mystery that God unfolded. It's not a man; it's God. The angel was not the Son of man; he was a messenger from the Son of man. The Son of man is Christ. He's the One that you're feeding on. You're not feeding on a man. A man, his words will fail, but you're feeding on the unfailing Body-Word of the Son of man.

 

Now, notice how brother Branham, just like peter could say, I want you to know this is sure, and the reason that it is sure, is because I had nothing to do with it. It’s not my thoughts, it’s not my inetrpretation, In fact the only thing I had to do with the whole thing is that I was a witness to what He was doing. I was only standing there when He was doing those things as perfect as they were every time.

 

Now, tonight wee’ll move forward to paragraph 135-137 so that you can see that Brother Branha is laying out this thought continuously in this Message of how “Christ Reveals Himself in His Own Word.”

 

[135] Now, we find out then that an angel would preach anything else besides what's already been said in the Bible, let him be cursed. Nobody can do that; it must be just exactly the way It said.  And again we read in [Rev 22:18 and 19]: "If any man will add one word to This or take one word from It, God will take his part out of the Book of Life." That's right. God will take his part, though he be a minister, whatever he may be, and his name is wrote on the Book of Life, God said, "I'll just rub it right off

 

(That's right.)  if he adds one thing to It or takes one word from It." That's how infallible God has made His Word. See? You can add to the church or take from the church; don't you add to that Word or take from It, 'cause God will take the name right off the Book of Life. And you're finished then. See? You can't add to It or take from It. It's just exactly what...

 

[137]  And It needs no interpreter, for the Bible said that God does His own interpreting of the Bible. "It's of no private interpretation," said Peter. All right.  And all the Scripture is Divinely given, Divinely set in order; and the whole thing is a revelation of Jesus Christ, the New and Old Testament,

 

where they foretold of Him coming, what He would do when He got here, and what He would do in this age to come. So that makes Him the same yesterday, today, and forever. See? Like in Hebrews there when Paul wrote it, He's God, Jesus Christ yesterday of the Old Testament. He's Jesus Christ today, manifested in the flesh, and He's Jesus Christ forever in the Spirit to come (See, see?), same yesterday, today, and forever. And He ever lives to make His Word live what It said It would do for that age. He is alive. He was alive in the Old Testament, manifested.

 

Now, notice that Brother Branham said, “God’s doesn’t need anyone to interpret His Word, He is His Own interpreter, because He interprets His Own Word by bringing it to pass”. Then he uses [2 Peter 1: 20-21]to bring this out for us by the Word. So let’s turn to it ourselves. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: But Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

 

Now, these words of Peter are quite significant because, if we believe that the Scripture is the unfailing Word of God, then what He is telling us here is that, although men may have wrote them, but those who did so, could not have done so on their own as perfect as they are. He is telling us that those who did write these scriptures, were moved by the Holy Ghost to do so. And therefore if the Holy Ghost was involved in the writing of the Scriptures, then the Holy Ghost must also be involved in the interpretation of them. [2 Peter 1:20]  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.And this word interpretation is the Greek word,  epilusis {ep-il'-oo-sis}  which means: interpretation, a solving or explaining.

 

[1 Corinthians 2:9-16]  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10  But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Therefore we must have the Spirit of God in us if we are to be able to understand what God is saying. Look, Paul said, in order to understand what a man is saying you have tio have the spirit of man, to understand a cow you’ve got to be a cow. To understand a dog you’ve got to be a dog. Monkey’s communicate with monkey’s and dogs with dogs. Therefore, how could a man even think to be able to understand the things of God except he has the Spirit of God in Him. [Phil 3:15]  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Therefore, it is up to God to give us Revelation of His Word.

 

[Luke 10:22]  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]. And so we see here that unless Jesus, The Son, allows it, there is no way we can come to know Him or the Father.

 

[Matthew 11:25] At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for it seemed good in Thy sight.  27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him]. Again we see by this scripture that God does present His Word in such a way that it is totally hidden from some, but to a certain elect few it is revealed, and this revealing can not come from man, but from God alone.

 

[Mathew 16:17]  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

                                 

[Luke 10:21] In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. And so it seemed good in the sight of God to work out His plan of salvation in this manner. He closes the eyes of some, while others, he opens them to see what it is that He is in the process of doing.

 

[Ephesians 3:1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  Again,  we hear Paul telling us that certain portions of God’ Word are to be revealed in certain ages. And things that were not revealed in certain ages gone bye had been revealed in that age, and it was done through God’s Spirit.

                            

[2 Thess 1:7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ::9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day.  Now, in this scripture Paul again is telling us that there is to be a Revealing of Christ somewhere in the future and this future Revealing will be earmarked by certain events that are to occur.

                                

[1 Peter 1:5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Peter tells us that there’s to be an end-time salvation, or total deliverance that’ll be revealed at the end-time..

                          

[1 Peter 1:12-13] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; And so we see that there will be an end-time manifestation of Grace that will take place at the end-time. But that is another subject that we have already covered thoroughly and we don’t have time tonight to delve into it.

 

 [1 Peter 4:13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Again we hear Peter speak of the Glory of Christ being revealed in a certain time. [1 Peter 5:1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

                             

[Galatians 1:11-12] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

                         

[Ephesians 1:15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.    Now, this revelation or revealing that we have seen in these scriptures is a Greek word Apokalupsis {ap-ok-al'-oop-sis}  which means a revelation, or to be revealed or to lighten or bring into manifestation and speaks of the Appearing of Christ.  It signifies a laying bear, or making naked;   a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning things and is used of events by which things or states or persons   hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all manifestation, appearance

               

And in examining the scripture that Brother Branham used more closely, let’s read from [2 Peter 1:10-20] to gain a fuller picture of what Peter meant in verses 20-21.  “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:( so we are looking at what can help us to be more sure in our election)  for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth. (Now, it is clear that Peter is concerned here that we are established int he Present truth. In fact Brother Branham said in his audio letter to Brother Vayle concerning the writing of the Church age book,  “Would it be, you think, advisable in here, to say that God then, in order to--to proclaim this, has to send a prophet in order to inject this, make this real again, show the people the hour we're living in? Because if they only see it in the hour past, then there's no hope for the church. The church must see it in the present tense. So God sends His prophet to manifest, present tense of it.”. And from   Anointed Ones at the End-time He said,  “"For it is impossible for those which were once enlightened and didn't move on with the Word as it come to pass..." They're dead, gone.) We see the importance of the Gods Word being manifested in the age that we live and our reaction to the Living Word.

 

Now, in getting back to Peter in 2 Peter 1: .  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth. (Now, it is clear that Peter is concerned here that we are established int he Present truth Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.  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. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  [Matt 17:1-13] So we find Peter telling us here that the reason we have a more sure word and that it is of no private interpretation, is because God manifested that Word and has interpreted His Own Word by bringing it to pass. Anyone can read the Bible and make a guess as to what it means. But when you read it and then see it manifested before your very eyes, there remains no more doubt about it. [1John 1:1-7]

 

[Romans 4:3-16]  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.  [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.  Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

 

[Romans 1:16-17] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

[Romans 5:1-5] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

                          

[Romans 10:13-17] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 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! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

CHAP. VIII.--HOW THE VALENTINIANS PERVERT THE SCRIPTURES TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN PIOUS OPINIONS.    1. Such, then, is their system, which neither the prophets announced, nor the Lord taught, nor the apostles delivered, but of which they boast that beyond all others they have a perfect knowledge. They gather their views from other sources than the Scriptures;(4) and, to use a common proverb, they strive to weave ropes of sand, while they endeavor to adapt with an air of probability to their own peculiar assertions the parables of the Lord, the sayings of the prophets, and the words of the apostles, in order that their scheme may not seem altogether without support. In doing so, however, they disregard the order and the connection of the Scriptures, and so far as in them lies, dismember and destroy the truth. By transferring passages, and dressing them up anew, and making one thing out of another, they succeed in deluding many through their wicked art in adapting the oracles of the Lord to their opinions. Their manner of acting is just as if one, when a beautiful image of a king has been constructed by some skillful artist out of precious jewels, should then take this likeness of the man all to pieces, should rearrange the gems, and so fit them together as to make them into the form of a dog or of a fox, and even that but poorly executed; and should then maintain and declare that this was the beautiful image of the king which the skillful artist constructed, pointing to the jewels which had been admirably fitted together by the first artist to form the image of the king, but have been with bad effect transferred by the latter one to the shape of a dog, and by thus exhibiting the jewels, should deceive the ignorant who had no conception what a king's form was like, and persuade them that that miserable likeness of the fox was, in fact, the beautiful image of the king. In like manner do these persons patch together old wives' fables, and then endeavor, by violently drawing away from their proper connection, words, expressions, and parables whenever found, to adapt the oracles of God to their baseless fictions. We have already stated how far they proceed in this way with respect to the interior of the Fullness.

 

As you can see, these three musts that brother Branham is bringing to us, have been an important discipline since the very founding of the Church 2,000 years ago.  You must not misinterpret God’s Word. And how do you know the interpretation of His Word? God interprets His Word by bringing it to pass. So we must wait for God to do the interpreting, then we will know that our understanding is correct. Therefore, I hope we can see that by misinterpretation, or misplacing or dislocating the scripture, we not only get a false understanding, but a false hope and a false Revelation as well. Therefore what we really receive is death instead of  Life. For if the Just shall live by Faith and our Faith is a False one, then we shall not receive Life but death.

 

       [2 John 1:8-9] Wuest: He who goes beyond the limits of true doctrine has not the Father nor the Son.

[Hebrews 5:12-6:1] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.