Christ is the Mystery no 227
Review no 50 Twins no 25
True Seed Persecuted by those they left
Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth
him out of them all.
2 Timothy
Jehovah Jireh 2 60-0802 P:26 Remember, the righteous is always persecuted, always
have been, and always will be.
Let us pray,... (prayer)
This evening I would like to take a short study on the
persecution of the righteous and I would like to show that the righteous have
always been persecuted by the group or church that
they left to seek further light.
In order to do that I would first like to read from brother
Branham's sermon, Joseph meeting his brethren
56-1230 P:42 Now, watch them two
seeds: One's fighting, the evil's tried to destroy the righteous seed.
And he tried to destroy Abel. He did. But, God raised
up Seth to take his place. He thought he had Jesus right there. Look down through the age
everywhere, Ever place he come, he cornered that seed. When he slew one or
the other, he thought he had that. And finally, he took after John the
Baptist. Finally, cut his head off. He thought he had him then; but
he found out he was over here in Jesus. He slew all the babies. And Moses, he
tried to kill Moses. He tried every way he could to destroy that seed. And when
he killed Christ at
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which
he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by
it he being dead yet speaketh.
Abel
was murdered by Cain for His revelation. The Bible tells us that after God
rejected Cain's sacrifice and accepted Abel's, the two of them talked in the
field and shortly after that talk Cain rose up and slew his brother Abel. why? Because Abel shared the revelation with Cain and it
offended him knowing he was the son of the serpent.
It
was Job a righteous man before God whose friends perscuted
him because they thought the trials he was going through were because somehow
he was a secret sinner. But it was God who was showing off His servant job to
Satan, allowing the trials to come to show the righteous attitude of Job.
And
so we hear Job saying to his friends in Job
We
also see in Genesis 21:5-12 that Isaac was
mocked by his older brother Esau because he was a child by promise. we see in scripture that Isaac had to be separated from his
brother Ishmael, before God could bless Him. In fact Ishmael only mocked Isaac
when Isaac was at the stage in his life where we was
being weaned from milk to strong meat. And we find that it has been that way
with those of us who have been weaned from milk to strong meat as well. When the elect of God began to take hold of
this Message of God's Presence, we too were mocked and ridiculed by those who
call themselves our brethren.
Galatians
We
also see Jacob who also was a prophet of God who did not receive his blessings
until He departed from his kin. When he got away from his kinfolk he met Rachel
and then God begin to deal with him. We see in scripture how His brother Esau
persecuted him and caused him to flee for his life. It was then during this
persecution, and fleeing that he met Rachel, and it was not until this happened
that God began to bless Him according to the blessing of the first born.
And what of Joseph? We see in Gen 45:1-8 how
God blessed Him spiritually, and set him apart from his brothers spiritually,
that caused them to become angry with him. And God allowed his brothers to get
so angry that they themselves separated Joseph from their presence, and they
sold him into bondage. Once Joseph was alone with God and separated from His
brethren, then God begin to work mightily in Joseph's life, and bring to pass
the things that He ordained.
And what of Moses? When he got around his brethren he tried to deliver
them his own way, and God had to make him flee for his life. Once separated
from his brethren, then God begin to deal with him until he was finally child
trained and ready for the job that God had for him to do.
Now, in each of these cases, we find that
the separation from the brethren was only a beginning. Once the person, the
prophet of God, was away from his brethren, then God could deal with them for
the specific purpose that God had purposed. But once they were trained, in some
instances, God allowed the brethren to come back into their lives again.
Even
the Apostle Paul had to separate himself from the brethren for the space of
about three years and he went to the desert where he could get alone with God.
Once He knew what God had for him to do he came back around to his brethren,
but they rejected Him, and once again he was forced to live about 14 years away
from them working with the Gentiles. Finally he returned to
And what about
Jesus, raised in Galilee of Nazareth? He had to leave
there as well. And it seems that so often man, being just what they are, seem
to be affected by the brethren in a way which does not fit into God's provided
plan. Therefore, God has to bring about a separation between brethren, in order
to bring into manifestation His divine purpose. We should always keep this in
mind, when we see these separations taking place and we just can not seem to
understand the why's and where for's.
We see in Genesis
1: 1-11 to understand why separation is important before God can
bring forth the promise. Notice that when God's word goes forth it causes
separation. But notice that the separation has to do with separating unlike
things. And this separation of unlike things has to take place before life can
come forth into manifestation. Why? Because every seed brings forth after it's
kind. And without separating first we would have a hybrid life coming forth.
Therefore God separates His Prophets who are the Word manifested away from the
brethren to guarantee a manifested Word that is free from the thoughts of the
brethren, or the thoughts of man. Moses Stoned
And
what about brave David who slew the giant that the greatest soldiers of
Psalms 31:15 My
times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from
them that persecute me.
Psalms 7:1 O
LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute
me, and deliver me:
Now,
you would have thought that David, a man after God's own Heart would have been
fearless against Saul and His own Son. But what you fail to recognize is
because he knew his position with God he chose rather to walk away from
fighting those he loved so they would not be slain by God in the process.
And
I think that is a lesson for all of us, because sometimes Satan will enters
your home to bring on a battle between husband and wife, or parent and child, and
I think if you really love the other person, you do not wish for them to be
harmed in any way, so it would be best to just go for a walk and get alone with
God, because He offers you a peace that surpasses all understanding. Instead of
girding up for a battle, because you must never forget, that person you are
angry with is someone you love and have devoted your life to, So it would be
better to just walk away from a battle and go get with God and pray, than to
cause great harm to them knowing that God will stand with you.
Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city,
flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone
over the cities of
Look
what happened when Sister Meda when she used words in
anger against brother Branham. Joseph had said something to his motherm Meda. Look how the devil
used Joseph to bring on a battle in that home, and brother Branham seeing what
was coming, tried to just walked away, but he did so too late, because Meda had already said what she did in anger and God would
not let that stand. She came down with a growth that almost killed her. But
because of the intercession of her Husband, God spared her life.
And what about Elijah who stood against the Jewish
prophets. Yes, Jewish prophets and
priests who were supposed to be serving God, yet persecuted Elijah and also
caused him to flee to the wilderness where he could be alone with God.
And
then after Elijah, their was another prophet named Micaiah
who also had to take a stand against all the Jewish prophets and priests. And
he took hi stand on the word of the Lord as it was given to Elijah. All these
men of God were mocked and made fun of and when they were persecuted they
always fled to the next town or to the wilderness. They never stood their to fight. They just turned their cheek so to speak and
walked away.
Even
the prophet Jeremiah after he came into the city to say what God had told him
to say, left for the wilderness right after to be
alone with God. He didn't stay their to fuss and
fight. He spoke the Word of the Lord and then immediately departed to let the
chips fall where they would.
The same with Ezekiel. he also fought an ongoing
battle with the Jewish priests. But when he spoke what God wanted him to say,
he then left to seek God again in the wilderness.
Jesus the same thing. He didn't hang around and fuss with the people. Even when they wanted to take him and throw him over the cliff he
just walked right through their midst and out of site.
The same way with the Apostles. They were hunted down and persecuted by the jews, but Jesus had warned them,
when they were rejected, to dust their feet and go to the next town. They were
not directed to stay and put up a fight. They were instructed to walk away from
conflict, and I believe that admonition is for us as well.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without
ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
received it not as
the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye,
brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ
Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as
they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord
Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not
God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might
be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath
is come upon them to the uttermost.
Joseph meeting his brethren 56-1230 P:47 They
had signs and wonders in the camp. When John came, he was supernatural. When
Jesus came, It was supernatural. And the enemy on
the fundamental side always persecuted the supernatural. You see what He's
trying to do today? The same thing: "Blot out Divine healing, blot
out these people. There's nothing to them. The dignitary's the great people.
Blot it out." Brother, it's nothing but that vine twisting through Genesis coming into
Revelation. I take my side with the holy-rollers. Let it be
whatever... I never seen a holy-roller. That's a name
that the devil put on the
Serpent's seed 58-0928E P:98 That's our God, and the seed of the
righteous is about run out. Talk to people about these things; talk to people
about going back to the Bible way; talk to the people about miracles; talk
to the people about that; their church don't believe it; so they're bastard
children to God. The Bible said if we cannot bear persecution, and trials, mockeries, and called
holy-rollers and so forth like that, if you can't stand it, you're bastard
children and not the children of God. The Bible said so. Call me a holy-roller if you want to; call me
anything you want to; as long as my heart's right with God, and my spirit
matches God's Bible, I'm moving right on in the same direction.
Church Age Book
Chapter 4 - The Smyrnaean Church Age
P:55 That poor Smyrnaean Age was dying. When it died, it never came back.
No age ever comes back. No revival ever comes back. It can't have the
life of God in it by natural generation. It takes a
regeneration from above. This last age started with the fires of a
Pentecostal revival and they organized it right back. Instead of taking
the Word they took their own ideas and did just what every age has done, substituted
the manual for the Word. Just you step outside that manual and see what happens.
You are out, brother. And they will persecute you and blame it on God. And how they love their organization. No wonder. They are
second generation Pentecostals and since God doesn't have grandchildren they
are just children of their fathers, known by their creeds and form of worship. They
can talk about what used to be, but they can't produce it. Once they had
the lightning but about all that is left is the thunder. But let them talk to
you about the glories of their movement. They will say, "Yes sir, I want
you to know that this is a move that no man started. It came spontaneously. The
Spirit fell all over the world. Yes sir, we got what they had at Pentecost.
This was not of men but of God." THEN WHY DIDN'T THEY KEEP IT THAT WAY? IF
GOD STARTED IT HOW COME GOD COULDN'T KEEP IT
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as
we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our
gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For
we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may
be of God, and not of us. 8 We
are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always
bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway
delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in
us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit
of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken;
we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing
that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and
shall present us with you. 15 For all
things are for your sakes, that the abundant
grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For
which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the
things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.
And
again from the Church Age Book Chapter 9 - The Laodicean
Church Age P:102 brother Branham said, Now
we can see why there were two vines, one true and one false. Now we can
see why Abraham had two sons, one after the flesh (that persecuted Isaac)
and one after promise. Now we can see how that out of the same parents two boys
came forth as twins, one
knowing and loving the things of God, and the other knowing much of the same
truth, but not of the same Spirit, and hence persecuted the child that was
elect. God did not reprobate for the sake of reprobation. He reprobated
for the sake of the elect. ELECT CANNOT persecute elect. ELECT CANNOT
harm elect. It is
the reprobates that persecute and destroy the elect. Oh, those
reprobates are religious. They are smart. They are of the Cain line,
the serpent seed. They build their Babels, they build
their cities, they build their empires, and all the while calling on
God. They hate the
true seed, and they will do all they can, (even in the Name of the Lord) to
destroy God's elect ones. But they are needed. "What is the
chaff to the wheat?" No chaff, no wheat. But at the end, what happens to
the chaff? It is burned with fire unquenchable. And the
wheat? Where is it? It is gathered in His garner. It is where He is.
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers
of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover
it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But
with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet
am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring
to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of
the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 And these
things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us
not to think of men above that which is written,
that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For
who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it,
why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have
reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also
might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the
apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto
the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are
fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in
Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are
despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And
labour, working with our own hands: being reviled,
we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed,
we intreat: we are made as the filth of the
world, and are the offscouring
of all things unto this day. 14 I write
not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For
though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have
ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the
gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye
followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord,
who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach
every where in every church. 18 Now some
are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I
will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of
them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the
kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you
with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of
meekness?
Look
at all the prophets God sent to
Hebrews
And
look at the words Stephen said that made the Jews so angry they stoned him to
death.
Acts 7:52 Which
of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and
they have slain them which shewed before of the
coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
And
Jesus said in John
And
again in Matthew
And
in Matthew
And
also in John
John
Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute
you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought
before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luke 11:49 Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets
and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and
scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Matthew 5:44 But
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you;
Romans
Now, there are very few words that he said here, and
so before we begin to look at the blessing and cursing side of this issue,
let's first look at to whom this blessing is to be aimed.
Notice he did not say bless them that bless you,
for any hypocrite can do that. Not, that we shouldn't
bless them that bless us, but that is not what this scripture is about. He
said, bless them that persecute you, and
so it is those that would persecute you that our blessing is to be directed
towards.
Now the word persecute was translated here from a Greek
word Paul used, DIOKO meaning: to follow after, to follow after with intent to harass, to
press upon with the idea toward hostility. To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve,
or afflict; specifically: to cause to suffer because of belief 2: to
annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or
importunities)
In other words, these are people with an attitude, a
chip on their shoulder, and they seem to come at you with a persistent harassment,
but instead of fending them off, and doing what they do to us, we are commanded
to bless them, and not curse them.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
let us
pray...