God’s Only Provided Place of Worship # 90

Brian Kocourek, October 29, 1995

The Bride and The Church

Last night we spoke from p. 256 where Brother Branham said, "the woman is took from the man, for she is a part of the man. The Genes of the man is in the woman, that's what makes the woman. And that's the way the Word of God is in the Church, what makes the Church the Bride." We focused upon this thought of God's Word is His Genes and the Bride is made up of the Gene Cells of God. In fact we found as Brother Branham said, "That is what makes the Bride different from the church. The church claims to have the Word, but the Bride is made up of the Word.

We found in [ Matthew 13: 10 - 16] that Jesus tells us that God has made us different from other men. He has made us to be able to hear and understand, to see and perceive, whereas those who are not a part of Him from before the foundations of the world as [Ephesians 1] tells us, are those who hear but can not understand, and they see but can not perceive. And really, after all, what is this perception but revelation. And we know that Divine Revelation comes only from God. Now, that is not to say other people don't get what they call revelation. But in actuality, there is only One Revelation and that is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. You see, even Paul said, in [Ephesians 4] that there is only One Faith. And we know that Faith is Revelation according to Brother Branham. Faith is something that is revealed to you. And then if there is only One Faith or Revelation, and that is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, then why do so many come with their own private revelations. This is not even scriptural. As we read last night from Matthew 13 and Mark 4, the Disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables which are only a form of illustrations or story telling. So they asked Jesus Why He spoke using illustrations so much. And He responded by saying, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to others it is not given. [ Mark 4: 11-12] And He said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mysteries 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.

Now, I hope you can pick up for yourself here that he is describing two groups of people. One is ordained to Life and the other is not. One is ordained to hear and understand and the other is not. And what is the best way to talk to a mixed multitude if you only want one group to understand and the other to miss what you are saying? You want to use illustrations, because illustration can be used for a multitude of reasons. The same illustration can be used for a multitude of messages. I could tell you a story about something and depending on what you are looking for, you will go away with your own message from the illustration. It kind of reminds me of something that happened a number of years ago, at a church down in Texas. This happened to be a church that was filled with Pentecostal people who were just coming into the Message. It happened to be raining and the church had a front door that had a screen on it. The Pentecostal women were looking out the door and to their amazement, the rain on the screen formed a pattern on the screen that looked to them like the image of Jesus. Meanwhile, across the street, stood a group of black people who were beginning to gather around and they too were looking at the pattern that was forming on the screen. But what they saw was the image of Martin Luther King. So we see, that a lot of what we receive is what we are already looking for. You get out of service what you came to find. As Brother Branham said, "You get what your looking for."

Now, we found in [Matthew 13: 12] That the Group that God has predestinated to Life are actually made in such a way as to be able to comprehend the Word and then reflect it again back to the Father from whence it came. We read, "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given," And as we pointed out last night, the word "hath" is a Greek Word ECHO, which means to have or accompany. And that is what an echo is all about. The same thing you say is accompanied by a repeat of itself.

From the [Spoken word is the original Seed pg. 62] Brother Branham said, If they don't believe the Word they have no Seed - germ in them

Now last night we also found that this other group is according to [ Mark 4: 11-12]considered outsiders. And He said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mysteries 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. The word " without" is the Greek word EXO, which sounds like our English equivalent Exit and means placed on the outside, or apart from. And so we must ask ourselves, "on the outside of what?" or "apart from what?". And the answer is "the Truth".

In [ Matthew 25] we see Jesus on the outside, but notice what takes place here. Now, remember, before we read this, that Jesus is using an illustration here. It is only a story, to illustrate Something. So watch what takes place as we read....

[ Matthew 25: 1 - ] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom; come out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Now I want you to notice a few things here. First of all, Jesus starts out by using the word, "Likened" which is used to illustrate by comparisons. So he is not saying this is what it is going to be, but rather in a similar way it will be like this. Secondly these ten virgins all have lamps. And we find out what this represents in [ Psalm 119: 105] where we read, "The Word of God is a lamp unto my feet". So we see that these virgins all have the Word of God. Thirdly, we find out that all ten heard the same midnight message, or shout, "Behold" which means "Look and See, the Brides Groom is here." But when they all began to trim their lamps, which I believe they began to search the Word for an understanding of what this Midnight Shout was all about, it is then that the real difference between them comes into view. The Wise, were made ready, while the foolish realized they did not have the oil which we know always in scripture, oil represents the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. And this is the difference between them. And this is also the reason why the Wise knew who it was at the door and the Foolish did not. I think this also speaks of the Wise having an understanding of the Headstone returning with shoutings of Grace, Grace unto it. Because, the foolish were not aware of this grace. Apparently when they searched the Word, they saw something in it that they had to do for themselves, while the Wise in trimming their lamps, saw the Scriptures as saying that "He will make ready a prepared people", and also, "He which began the work in you will perform it" and other scriptures letting us know how we should approach Him." And so the Wise just went out to Him while the foolish began their works efforts.

So we see this morning, the great thing brother Branham is bringing to our attention is the difference between the Bride and the Church. And that is this, the Bride actually possesses the very Gene Seed of God in her, and it is this Seed ( His Word Revealed or quickened, which is His Spirit and His Very Life ) that allows her to come forth into His Image. Because after all, according to the "Law of Life" or the "Law of Reproduction" that God established back in [ Genesis 1: 11] Every seed shall bring forth after it's kind. And therefore, if we have the Gene Seed of God in us, we too will, and in fact must, come into the very same image as the Father.

[ 1 John 3: 1 - 2] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet Appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall Appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. So then at His Appearing we are to see Him as He really is, and then we shall become like Him. And What is He but the Word. And "As a man thinketh in His heart, so is he... And out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh."

[Romans 8:29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [ Weymouth] For those whom He has known before hand, He has also predestined to bear the likeness of His Only Begotten Son; that he might be the eldest in a vast family of brothers."

Now with this in mind let's continue with PP. 256 of God's Only Provided Place of Worship. "the woman is took from the man, for she is a part of the man. The Genes of the man is in the woman, that's what makes the woman. And that's the way the Word of God is in the Church, what makes the Church the Bride. Not a denomination, that's of the Devil, every one of them. I ain't calling the people in there that; there are poor deceived people, like Jesus said, "Blind leading the blind." And He could not call them out.

Let's stop here for just a second and ask ourselves why is it that He could not call them out? And we have already found our answer in [Matthew 13 , Mark 4 and Matthew 25]. They heard the same call but because they could not understand what it was all about, they did not come out. It is just that simple. Remember, He stood there knocking but because they were blind and naked, they did not know who it was that was calling. Now, they were not physically blind and naked, but spiritually they we blind because to be blind suggests to us that they could not see which is to perceive.

[I CORINTHIANS 2:6-16] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 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. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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. 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. 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. 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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

They crucified Him because they did not know Him. And that is the same as in Hebrews 6 in this hour when they crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.

257 GOD'S.PROVIDED.PLACE.WORSHIP - SHP.LA - V-7 N-4 - 65-1128.1M

And they said, "Well, you are borned of fornication! Who tells you to come to here? What school, what seminary recognized you? There we have Moses. We are..."He said, "If you'd have knowed Moses, you'd have knowed Me." Cause Moses wrote Him in his four books, You see? They did not recognize Who it was that they were talking to. And as it was in the Alpha so is it in the Omega.

So what we are looking at here is recognition. And this is so important. Because, the Bride will not fight against Bride. And this is one thing that so often has puzzled me. Why is it that men have fought against one another with words that hurt. Well, at least it is only words, and not real daggers. But I'll not forget the letter Brother Branham wrote to LaVonne's dad. Her Father Jesse was concerned about his son Herbie being draft age when the Vietnam war was going on, and so he wrote to Brother Branham and asked if it was wrong for a Christian to go to war. Brother Branham wrote back to him and said, " there are more ways to kill a man than with a bullet. You can speak against a man and kill his influence." He said, "you might as well have stabbed him in the back."

I had a good talk with the Vayles the other day, and Allison was telling me of all the times that Lee, was looked down upon by the other ministers. I told her that I had gotten the same treatment over the last 10 years as well. I first met brother Vayle in 1976, A few years later he said to me, "Stick with me kid, and you won't have any friends." And that is very true. Over the years, I have been very close to Lee and I have had to pay my dues as a result. It seems that I couldn't do anything for him without others trying to find an ulterior motive somewhere. Sisters Vayle, said, they did this to Lee as well. She calls it plain old jealousy. She said, 'Lee would always do things for Brother Branham, for instance, if it was raining, Lee would take off his raincoat and cover Brother Branham's head as they hurried to the car. Other ministers saw these kind acts and thought that brother Vayle was trying to curry favor with Brother Branham. But as long as I have known brother Vayle, since 1976, I have only tried to do good to him and help him in whatever way I could. I've been told that some people have said, "the reason Brian gets together with Lee so often is that he is trying to get the pastorate at Lee's church. Why would I want it? I turned down the opportunity seven years ago. I am not called to carry on another man's work, I am called to my own work. The same God who called Brother Vayle, called me. Either God calls the Five fold ministry, or He doesn't. And my Bible tells me that God sets in the church Pastors and Teachers. So it is not the vote of man, nor even the confidence of man, but the vote and confidence of God that I desire to have. I am here to serve him with the same Message that Lee and brother Branham have preached before me.

Now, I used this illustration only to let you know that two people can see the same action and one will take it at face value, while the other will try to read into it. This is not just a problem we see in the church of this twentieth century. They had the same problems back in Jesus day. Solomon wrote, "Nothing is new under the sun."

[John 21:18-23] Verily, verily I say unto thee, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked where ever you would: but when you become old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not. This spake He, signifying by what death Peter should Glorify God. Then Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that will betray thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]? Jesus said unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? So what I want to make clear is this, "what you see all depends upon what you are looking for."

[Luke 8: 18] Take heed therefore how you hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Notice that Jesus is telling the Apostles to be careful how they hear something. Why? Because things are not as you always think. He had to rebuke them one time because he said, Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, and they thought he was speaking of bread because they were hungry.

[Matthew 16:5] And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, [It is] because we have taken no bread. [Which] when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Do you see how easy it is for we as a people to get things all goofed up. That is why we need to rest in what He said. And look for a continuity in the scripture as well. The doctrine must run from Genesis to Revelations or we need to rethink what we are teaching.

I would like to take this thought that we have just been looking at pertaining to perception and understanding and being careful how we hear, and I would like to tie it into the earlier thought we were looking at pertaining to the Gene Seed.

[Mark 4: 24] And He said, unto them, " Take heed what you hear: for with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you:"

Now, the admonition we see here is that we must be very careful how and what we hear, for with what measuring stick we use to measure it out, so shall it be measured back to us. Now, what this is saying in twentieth century English is this, "Be ever so careful about what you hear and how you hear it, because the filter you use in hearing is going to determine what you think you are hearing." We see this so often in the churches today. If you are a Baptist, all you read out of this Bible will support your Baptist teaching. And if you are Pentecostal, you will see this Bible as a support for your Pentecostal ideas. And let's face it, if you are a kook, or a fanatic, you will find enough in this Bible to support your ideas as well. So the filter you use in reading the Word of God will determine what you get out of it. Why do you think there are over 2,000 denominations today? We are back to the days of the Judges when every man did as he saw fit in His own eyes. Why do you think God sent a Prophet in this hour? To bring us to one mind, and that is the mind of Christ.

That is why it is so important to know of whom you are taught. I do not believe that when Brother Branham went off the scene, Lee Vayle or any other Minister carried on His work, nor do I believe that any one was His successor. But I do believe that God will never leave us without a Witness to the Truth. Lee, told me himself a few weeks ago the following: He said, "Brian, some people are saying that when I am gone teaching will cease". He said, "as long as the Holy Spirit is here there will be teaching, for this is the hour for it." And I would like to add that Who is the Teacher any way? My Bible tells me the Holy Spirit is the Teacher. But God just happens to use people to do His work.

[2 Timothy 3:13, 16-17] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];Then Paul went on to say, "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." So we see it is the Scripture that receives our preeminence. But we must know the ones who teach us. What are they telling us. Does it line up with this Bible and God's Message for this hour? If not, we must flee from it. And hold fast to that which is good. Now before we go any further, let's look again at what Jesus was telling us in Mark chapter 4...

[Mark 4: 24] And He said, unto them, " Take heed what you hear: for with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you:" Notice He said, Be careful what you hear for the filter you hear through will determine what you are hearing. He used the word measure, but we know this word measure has to do with weights and scales or the standard that is being used to measure out. And a standard is a judgment that is already set. So we see He is saying here, "be careful whose eyes you are looking through." And that is precisely what He is saying here for we see this also being said in the book of John.

[John 8:37-47] I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father:( notice that Jesus is telling us Who His filter is) and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 9 And Whose filter they are seeing things through) They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication;( they're saying here, "we're not serpent seed" ) we have one Father, [even] God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. (There you are again, they are not made to be able to hear and understand) Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. And here is the key, "He that is of God heareth God's words", and this is what will prove whether you are Elect or not, because Jesus also said,

[ John 12: 48-49] He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My Words, hath one that judgeth him: The Word that I have spoken, the same shall Judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and how I should say it." And I know that His Word is Life everlasting: whatsoever I speak, therefore, even as the Father said it unto Me, So will I speak it."

[ John 13: 20] Verily, verily I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth him that sent Me.

[ 1 John 4: 6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

[ John 3: 21] He that doeth Truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they have their source in God."

258 "The Lord your God shall raise up a giver of the Word, a Prophet likened unto me, and who will not hear that prophet will be cut off from amongst the people." That's all there is to it. And what is He? The Word. And what is It? Don't leave none of the leaven left in the... Just don't put no leaven amongst It. Don't add any creed, any denomination, for it's polluted right there, your sacrifice is finished. I believe it all comes down to this one thing, those who are ordained to Life will see the Light, and those who are not, will not. And those who are ordained to Preach this Life will also be identified by saying only what has already been said by God our Father has come down in this hour with a Message, just as Jesus only said what was first Spoken to Him by His Father. [ Anointed ones at the end time pg. 63] 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 this about myself being 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 am 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 who tells these things that happens as perfect as they are, I'm only one that's near when He does 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 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."

Let's bow our heads in prayer.