Preparation #59 The Sacrifice of Praise

Wednesday January 5th, 2000

 

 

HEBREWS 3:1    Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

 

This evening I would like to come to a close on this Message of Preparation. In these last few pages that we will read from in this Message, you will see one central point being made as brother Branham closes down this sermon and begins the healing line. That central point is the idea that we must make our confession openly in order for Jesus, the High-Priest of our Confession, to bring our confession before God.

 

HEBREWS 4:14    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.  15    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.   16    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Notice the way we are commanded to come before the Throne of our High-Priest. He said boldly which is the Greek word parrhesia which has to do with our attitude and our speech.  Parrhesia: freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment; without ambiguity or circumlocution; without the use of figures and comparisons  2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance 3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity.

 

I want you to notice that this freedom of speech is one which comes forth as one of the last three stages that the Bride must go through at the Appearing of Jesus Christ.

 

I PETER 1:5   Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  7    That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

Notice the three stages that we go through at the Appearing of Jesus Christ. Peter speaks of Praise, Honor and Glory, and I used to think that this was the order of the attributes that we go through at the revelation of Jesus Christ, but after more closely studying this verse, I see that the order is Praise, then Glory and finally Honor. Now, the argument can be made for the order as praise first, then honor and finally Glory, which I have taught in the past, because we begin giving back to God what He said, then we bring our bodies in subjection to what he said, which the word honour comes from a Greek word, time' which means a valuing by which the price is fixed; hence the price itself:  and finally we receive the very Glory or Doxa which is the very opinion, assessment, and judgment of God.

 

But tonight I would like to look at this result of our faith, or as Wuest put it, and several other translations list it, as Praise, Glory and Honor. But no matter which translation we read, the first thing that must come forth is praise. We must come to the point of praise.  The NIV says these trials are necessary so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, then Glory and finally Honor. The Wuest translation says, your faith is examined by testing for the purpose of being approved, and that the approval may be discovered after much scrutiny to result in praise, Glory and Honor. The Amplified speaks of Praise, Glory and Honor, and the Diaglott speaks as well of Praise, Glory and Honor.

 

The only major translation which differs is the Lamsa and it was written from the Aramaic, and not taken from the Greek text as the others were. It speaks of glory, honor and then praise. 

 

Regardless of the order, all translations speak of these attributes of praise, honor and Glory as being the proof of your faith which comes forth in an outward manifestation and full expression through these three attributes or manifestations. 

      

Martin Luther spoke of this in his commentary  on  Peter, when he said, " Peter sights in clear words the use of the cross and the fruits of such persecution, which overtake believers both from tyrants and from the rabble, when he says: they serve to the end that faith thereby may be preserved and be found approved and more precious than perishable gold purified and tried by fire. For just as the fire does no harm to the gold, devours it not, neither diminishes it, but only serves it, for it takes from it all dross so that it becomes indeed pure and genuine, even so does the fire and heat of persecution and of all opposition indeed grieve us and cause the old Adam pain beyond measure, so that those exercised thereby become sad and for a time impatient, yet their faith will thereby become pure and genuine, like refined gold or silver.

 

The very nature of the Christian life is that it constantly increases and becomes holier and purer. We come to faith first through the preaching of the gospel, and through faith more over we are justified and sanctified before God. But as long as we still live in the flesh, which is not without sin, it bestirs itself continually and pulls us back and hinders us from becoming as perfectly holy and pure as we indeed should become. Therefore, God casts us into the midst of the fire of opposition, suffering, and tribulation, by which we are cleansed and proved until the end of our lives; so that also in us not only is sin more crucified the longer we live, but our faith also is preserved and increased. As a result, from day to day, we become more assured of our calling, we grow in the understanding of the divine wisdom and knowledge, and the scripture becomes ever easier and clearer. This allows us to admonish more powerfully with wholesome doctrines those committed to us, and to punish the gainsayer. Had not the devil here of late years both with force and cunning attacked us so strongly, we would never have come to this certainty in our doctrine; neither would the articles of faith on the righteousness of the Christian and the doctrine of Faith be developed as fully as they are. Hence, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:19 "There must be also factions among you,   that they that are approved may be made manifest among you," and Christ says in Matthew 18:7, "it must needs be that occasions of stumbling or offences come, "etc.

 

May we not rejoice and even laugh when we see that the enemies of the divine truth have their will and desire realized in everything . That they have here every pleasure and joy, are wealthy, esteemed and influential, and that there is no limit or end to their daring and boasting. At the same time, we are poor, miserable and despised. But Peter seems to be saying, When things go thus, then is it well with us, for our faith must be proved to be genuine through various temptations, and we are strengthened and comforted in the face of such offenses, so that we are not provoked because of the godless. We pity them, and think what would it all amount to if they were even twice as rich and merry and had in addition the glory and power of the whole world? How long could they retain it? They are not assured of it for a single moment. Yea, before they expect it there is a change, so that with the rich man they perish forever and cannot have a drop of water, and in place of their short pleasure they must receive eternal suffering and sorrow.

 

Again, although we now suffer anxiety and tribulation here for a brief period, yet we have peace with Christ. We have it because we possess the pure treasure, which is better and more precious than the glory and riches of the whole world, namely, His beloved Word, which preaches to us concerning the eternal, heavenly treasures that Peter says are reserved in heaven for us. Here , we and all the elect may suffer for a short time,  nevertheless tale up your cross and follow Christ. In company with Him endure abuse and in patience wait for His to Appear gloriously with His saints and wonderfully will all believers. Then will we receive our honour, praise and glory which God will give . But also will come the tribulations, since we know that tribulation worketh patience (Romans 5:3)

    To this end should the cross and all kinds of reverses serve-to distinguish between false and true faith. God lays his hand upon us therefore, to try our faith and reveal it to the world, that others may be induced to believe, and we also be praised and honored. For just as we exalt God, so will he return exalt, esteem, and honor us, insomuch that the false hypocrites, who do not go to heaven in the right way, shall be put to shame.

    All scripture likens temptation to fire. Thus Peter here compares the gold that is tried to the trial of faith by temptation and suffering. The fire does not take from the gold, but makes it pure and bright, so that all dross is removed. Hence God has imposed the cross upon all Christians, that they might thereby be purified. And it has been well said, let faith remain pure as the word is pure so that we depend on the Word alone and trust to nothing else. For we need such a fire and cross as this daily, because of the old corrupt Adam.

   This is done for the good of the Christian life that it may continually grow and become more holy; for if we are  led to faith through the preaching of the gospel, then shall we be justified and grow in holiness; but while we remain in the flesh we can never be fully purified. Therefore God throws us into the midst of the fire, that is, into suffering, shame and calamity, so that we may become more and more purified until we die. To this we can not attain by any works of our own. For how can an outward work make the heart inwardly clean? Moreover, if faith is to be tried and purified, all that is additional and false must be separated and removed. Thence will follow glorious honors, praise, and thanksgiving, when Christ shall be revealed.

 

And how was Christ revealed in this hour? He came with healing in His Wing. But the healing was not the revealing of Christ, it was only the Epiphanaea of Christ. The Shining forth to attract our Attention. What was the Revealing of Christ? Well, Who is Here? God the Word? Then Who is being Revealed? The Word, and Who was knocking at the door  of the Laodicean church? The Word which is the Judge, right? Then we have got to confess it, and believe it, and believe what he said about you that He no longer calls you church, but bride.

 

PHILIPPIANS 1:9     And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment; 10    That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  11    Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 12       But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  13    So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places];  14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

Notice Paul said, that the suffering, even his own suffering emboldened the Believing Christians of His day.

 

HEBREWS 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   6    So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  7    Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.   8    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.   9    Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 10    We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11    For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  12    Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13    Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  14    For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15    By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.  16    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.  18       Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19    But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20    Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,   21    Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

EPHESIANS 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,   6    To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. EPHESIANS 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:  11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12    That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  13    In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14    Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Now, with this in mind, having shown unto you the importance of the trials and the subsequent praise that should result, I would like to conclude the reading from this message on Preparation and I want you to notice brother Branham as he tries to get the people to make this confession and how he keeps repeating over and over again the words, "Let's stand to our feet./ everywhere and give God praise and glory."

 

Preparation E-100  Many other things I could say, hundreds, but I've told you the truth. God has confirmed it to be the truth.   E-101    Now, listen to this truth. Each one of you standing here are sincere in heart. I believe that. I don't believe you have come; I believe you're needy. And I want that elderly lady lying there too, and brother here from New Albany. Aren't you from New Albany? You're the man that surveyed... You two brothers surveyed my land up there. Is that right? As I see your mother setting there. See? Now, I know what's the matter with here. I didn't call her last night. I seen her setting there, but I knowed what was her matter; and you know that I know these things. I want her to be well. She was good to me. And you know if anything in the world I could do for that mother, God knows I'd come do it if I'd have to wade through the river to do it. But the only thing I can say, mother, have faith. Believe God, accept it, and you'll get well. And you over, mother, laying bound up in this stretcher too. I see some crutches laying along there on the floor. Don't pay no attention to those things; just believe.

    E-102    Now, you're standing there right now accepting Jesus Christ like you did when you come to be a Christian. Is that right? Now, don't look for any physical thing, any results, just claim it. Now, look, Hebrews 3:1 the Bible said, that He is the High Priest of our confession. Is that right? Now, it's "profess" and "confess" is the same word there. Now, He can't do one thing for us till we accept it, and say that we have accepted it, and believe it, and testify of it. Is that right? He can't do nothing, no matter what. You've got to accept it first by faith, and believe it, and confess that it's right. And He before God makes it right, in your stead as a High Priest. A High Priest is to make intercessions. Is that right? He's touched, by the feeling of our infirmities. Now, that's as far as I know to be the truth, and God knows that. And if you here tonight, every one of you, would accept Jesus right now as your Healer, and say, "Lord, this settles it right here. I don't care if I ache twice as bad, if I'm three times as sick, five times as lame; If I can't do no more than wiggle my finger, I'm going to wiggle my finger and give You praise, claiming You healed me."  And as far as I know the Scriptures to be true, God's under obligation if your heart's pure and clean, to make you well.

    E-103    I've seen Him cure sarcomas cancer. If anybody would like to have statements of that, I got medical statements. That's right. Cancer... Look at Congressman Upshaw. Sixty-six years an invalid in a wheelchair, rolled him into a big place there in California. The Holy Spirit moved and showed him just what was wrong with him, told him, "Rise from his feet." And he hadn't been on his feet like that, there his crutches and braces and beds, and things like that for sixty-six years; walked to the platform, touched his feet, turn a hand spring, went everywhere, a congressman of the United States.

    E-104    Everywhere, have faith. Now, bow your heads everywhere. Now, just like you was coming for salvation, you come for healing. Now, everybody in here, you out in the audience that's well tonight, you should be happy that God has let you be well. Look at these old mothers and dads, and little mothers with their babies in their arms, poor little children leaning against the altar, crying. Gray headed mothers and fathers standing around here, poor old things just slaved a long time in life, good, sweet, kind; what if that was your mother? What if that was your dad? You'd want somebody be awful sincere, wouldn't you, when they prayed? Well, they do the same. E-105 Now, everybody sincere, everybody believe. Now, I'm going to ask God to heal every one of you. Now, while I'm in prayer and you feel that God has healed you, I want you to raise your hand and say with a loud voice, "I accept my healing." Or give God praise. And I want you to come now with sincerity. If you're deaf, put your fingers in your ears. If you're sick in your stomach, lay your hand on the stomach. If you're... Wherever you're sick, place your hand. And then... or on your child, or on your parents, and let's pray. Now, heavenly Father, I--I am so happy to know that You're here. And many of us, years ago, little old bashful boys and girls have now received something that gives us boldness, great courage, courageous as a lion, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah has rose in our hearts giving us grace and power. In this building tonight there's some, maybe two thousand or better people seated here, and they're under expectations. And I have tried to speak to them upon Your preparation: the preparation for healing, the preparation for salvation, the preparation for victory.

 E-106  And now, You have give them in their heart faith enough to come to this altar, and I called them here, and they're here believing that You're going to make them well. They realize that they can't live very long unless You do it. And You're the only One Who can do it. And as far as their healing, You've already done it. You did it at Calvary. And You're trying to open their understanding right now, that they might understand that You have did it. And now, in this massive group, as we're standing here gathered, pulled out, confessing our faith, coming to the altar believing that You have come to heal us, Lord, I pray now. And knowing this, that the only thing that's keeping any person in here from being healed if their heart is right with You, is that shadow of the devil of doubt hanging over them: doubt, unbelief. If they only had one speck of faith more, they could be healed; and Satan is shadowing that little thing for them. Now, Lord God, hear my prayer. Not knowing what hour I have to come and meet You, or none of us does, and knowing that we have to answer for our ministries before You, I pray Thee, Father, to give me favor just now before You, that if I have found grace in Your sight that You'll answer my prayer.   E-107  And here's these dear people that's set here night after night. They're trying to press into the prayer line to search out their souls and so forth. God, may that take place just now, and may their souls be searched out. And now, they're standing here wanting to be healed, and Your Spirit is hovering over here, the very Spirit that can make a little old timid person stand in the power of the resurrection. And now the devil's hanging over them, trying to keep them from--just trying to keep them from believing or accepting their healing. And I ask You, Lord, if I've got grace in Your sight to give me power to make him leave from before these people, and cast away that devil long enough that they can get a glimpse yonder of Calvary to see that old wet coat of Blood going up there, dripping, smack, smack, smack, against the back that was striped for our healing. O God, grant it.  E-108 Now, you devil of doubt that's hanging over the people, come out of them in the Name of Jesus Christ. I rebuke you, that you leave these people. Come out of them and let them each one be healed. Lord God, I pray that You'll cast away Satan and make the power of God so real to them, that they'll look through that shadow yonder and see the Son of God standing yonder with His striped back, saying, "By My stripes, you were healed already." And may they accept it now, Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ.  E-109 Throw up your hands every one of you. All that believe now, that believe you're healed, raise your hands. Amen. Amen. Give God praise and glory. Looky here, audience. Every one of them's healed. The power of God. Let's stand to our feet./ everywhere and give God praise and glory. Hallelujah. Looky here, audience, this whole group of people is healed. What about them others down there on them stretcher cases; stand to your feet. Get up. And have... Get up, God heal you. God will do it if you'll raise and believe it. What do you think, brother, the heart trouble gone now? Going to be well? What do you think, sister? Female trouble gone? You going to be well?  What you think, brother, with your ear? Going to be all right now? God bless you. A little girl who had the cross-eyes, they're uncrossed. They're all right now. You're well. You can go home. E-110  Everyone of you is happy. Let's stand and sing the praises to Him, "I Will Praise Him." Everyone now, altogether, lift up your voices and give God praise. These people, if they are not healed, they are not saved. They've come on the same basis. How many out there believes they're healed? Raise your hand and say, "Praise the Lord." You're healed. Now, let this audience, here at the altar, turn towards them out there in the audience as you accept your healing just like you did your Saviour. Well, turn around this way and face the audience with your hands up to let them know that you believe Jesus Christ has now healed you and made you well. E-111 All right, "I Will Praise Him. I will praise Him."...?... It's all right...?...  I will praise Him,  Praise the Lamb for sinners slain, (everybody)  Give Him glory, all ye people,  For His blood can was away each stain. (Let this audience lift that up and sing it loud now, come on.)  I will praise Him, I will praise Him,  Praise the Lamb for sinners slain,  Give Him glory all ye people,  For His blood can wash away each stain.

 E-112 How many of you would like to hear these people say what they were healed of? Raise your hand. Just let this one word. All right, let them start right down at the end now. Just say what you was healed of, just call out, say, "Gall bladder trouble, stomach trouble." Whatever it was, just say what you was healed of, let the audience know. Everybody speak what you was healed of out there to them. Say what you had and was healed of. Say to the audience, "Lumbago, sinus, colitis, kidney trouble, arthritis, heart trouble, heart trouble, sinus, (same?) stomach, kidneys." Just listen to that. Let this audience here now, right here, walk right forward and shake your hand. Come right down and say, "I'm shaking your hand to thank God for your healing." How many would like to shake their hand, say, "I want to congratulate you for your faith to believe that God could heal you." Come right down. How many of you Christians would like to do that? Everywhere. Come down and shake your hand, and say, "God bless you, I'd like to..." They've just been accepted into the Body of Christ, they're healed, they're going home well. Let's say, "Praise the Lord." I wish some of the ministers... Looky here, this little old mother lying on the cot, raising up down there. Been paralyzed, raising up down here out of the cot. Let's say, "Praise the Lord." Everybody. Let's just raise our hands and bow our heads and give God praise. "Thank You, Lord Jesus." Come here, Brother Bosworth, and lead them in prayer, if you will. God bless you.