Questions and Answers no. 1

Why do so many misunderstand the Message?

May 13^th, 2007

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

Let us Pray. Dear Father in Heaven, we come to Thee this morning with many questions that lay in the recesses of our hearts and we know Father that thou art the God of all comfort and hence we seek comfort from Thy Word. Teach us Thy ways of Lord, and we shall find rest for our souls. Be with us as we approach Thy Word for the answers that so many people around the world have and may we find solace in Thy Word. All this we ask in the Lovely name You gave to your Son Jesus, Amen.

Before we begin our Message this morning let’s open our bibles to 2 Timothy 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God (That means it is God breathed. And if it is God breathed then it came forth from the mouth of God. That is why it is called the Word of God.), and (notice) it is profitable (First of all) for doctrine,…

Notice, Paul is telling us that Scripture is first and foremost for doctrine. Doctrine is the most important thing because as William Branham taught us “any man has not a doctrine he has not a ministry”. Revelation chapter 5 pt 2 61-0618 P:33

So if you have not a doctrine you might as well just shut up and sit down, because you have nothing to say. And John said in 2 John 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (the Doctrine of Christ, he tells us), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

So we see the importance of Doctrine is so evident that if a man has not the doctrine of Christ that says there is one God and he had a son, you are not even supposed to open up your home to that person. Well, then, what about church? And protecting the pulpit?

Malachi 1:10 NIV "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands. So much then, for the churches that invite ministers or anyone to come in and preach to their people. And just because they knew someone or had some sort of experience. I am sorry, but the hour is too late to be preaching experiences. It has got to come back to doctrine.

And William Branham also said from his sermon, Palmerworm locust caterpillar 59-0823 P:15 A church without a doctrine is just like a jellyfish; it has no backbone. So, we've got to have backbone in it. And not also backbone, but teeth also, because the Church of God must eat the Bread of Life.

So you see. doctrine is essential to the Christian Experience, and to the establishing of the Church of God in every hour. And we see that it is the Scriptures as the Apostle Paul declares that our doctrine must be taught from.

Therefore before we begin this series on Questions and Answers, I just want you to understand that if I can not answer your questions from the Scriptures, then my answers are not worth giving to you, because they should not be worth listening to. And that goes for visions and dreams as well. Brother Branham taught us that he had to check every vision he received by the Word.

And that means he checked them by the very Scriptures that Paul is referring to here in this Text that we are reading from 2 Timothy 3. And Paul said first and foremost the Scriptures are given for doctrine. Yes, William Branham vindicated prophet of God did not trust a vision to be from God until he had scripture for it.

And he showed us the example of Martin and how Satan had appeared to him in a vision wearing the crown and said, “worship me Martin, I am Jesus,” and that old saint looked at that vision and the scriptures came to Him, “The saints shall crown Him, so he said, Depart from me Satan, and the vision disappeared. But would that be Pentecostal bait if that happened in this Message today.

Anointed ones at end time 65-0725M P:146 I want to show you how deceiving the devil is. One day he was setting in his study. Up come a mighty angel, crown on his head, golden shoes on, lace around his garments of gold, and said, "Martin, do you know me?" He said, "I am your Lord and savior. I'm the one that saved you. Worship me, Martin." But that prophet, knowing there was a little something strange there, he kept looking at him. He said, "Martin, I am your savior, Jesus Christ; worship me. Don't you know me, Martin? "Martin kept looking at him, the Scripture running through his mind, he said, "Satan, get away from me." He said, "You got a crown on your head, and the Word of God says His saints will crown Him at the end of the age." Wouldn't that have been Pentecostal bait? Watch that Word, brother. That's where it pays.

Again in the next quote brother Branham uses the illustration with Micaiah to show us how important it is to check even visions and dreams with the Word.

Perseverance 62-0608 P:63 But you see, there was no faith there. He said, "Surely you ought to have another one somewhere." He said, "I got one, but I hate him." He said, "He's always bawling me out.""Oh," he said, "let not the king say so. Go get him. "Says, "That's Micaiah, the son of Imlah. "So you know what? The deacon board went over and met him, said, "Now, looky here, Micaiah. If you want to come back into the organization again, all you said against them, it'll be forgiven you, if you'll just say the same thing they say. You say the same thing. "Micaiah, I like that man of God. He said, "I'll say only what God puts in my mouth." So he got over before him, and he said, "Give me tonight." And he must've prayed all night. Along about daylight he saw his vision. When he saw the vision, he compared it with the Word. That's the way to check whether your vision's right or not. Not all kinds of visions is right. But if it's contrary to the Word, you leave that vision alone. But if it's with the Word, stay with it.

And again from brother Branham’s sermon Events made clear by prophecy 65-0801E P:46 he said, Now, God knew that them men was so puffed up and so full of theology that they thought they had everything right. They had never noticed the Word for the hour. See? So God said, "You will succeed; go on down." And when Micaiah said that, that made them prophesying under a evil spirit. They'd have jerked the plug out of the telephone, or turned off the radio, or done anything, they heard that coming against them, got up and walked out. But look what happened. Now, Micaiah had to check his vision with the written Word; therefore, he knowed. He said, "When I come... Put that man in prison; give him waters of sorrow and bread of sorrow. When I return, I'll deal with him." He said, "If you come back at all, God never spoke to me." That's when he knows his vision is exactly with every Word for that hour. It was Ahab's time. Brother, sister, this is the hour and the time of the calling out of Babylon. The evening Lights are here. Walk in the Light while it is Light. Notice, the believers saw the Word manifested and believed It. Jesus said, "My sheep know My Voice, My Word, My signs of the age. A false one they'll not follow."

And from his sermon Spoken word original seed 62-0318M P:173 brother Branham said Then check it with the Word. See, if it isn't the Word, then it is deceiving. See? Now, if your theology's different from the Word, then it isn't right. See?

Then, what about things that are going on in this message? You know, theories about the Tent and how it is going to be and where it is going to be etc. From His sermon, Greater than Solomon is here 62-0628 P:74 Brother Branham said, There's the thing to do. Check it. Check these things that's going around today, and see if it is of the Lord. Check it with the Word.

Even brother Branham didn’t fully comprehend many of the visions until God gave him the revelation of what that vision was? Remember the hat had to be on the chair, before he could pronounce “Thus saith the Lord.”

True vine and the false vine 55-0607 P:79 But God, in His prophets and in His seers and so forth, absolutely knows that these things as God will reveal it. There's many things He don't reveal to His servants. Look at old Jacob setting on a stond. Setting up there and brought his boy's coat back... And you knowed he was a prophet. Brought his coat back and said, "A beast killed your boy." That was wrong. He didn't know the difference for forty years. Look at Isaac, setting up there totally blind, and here come Jacob up and said, "I'm Esau." He blessed him, for Esau, and a prophet...Look at the--this Elijah, setting there and here come the Shunammite women and fell down by him like that. Said, "God's troubled her heart and kept it from me." They don't know all things. They just know as God will let them know. They're not infallible people. The Bible said, "Elijah was man subject to like such passions as we are," his up and downs, and differences.

But people want to make the prophet or even the pastor sometimes, a person that is not supposed to be human, and that is not according to God’s word to do that. Even Jesus could only do what the father showed him to do. No more, and no less.

Blind Bartimaeus 57-0127E P:22 And his servant ran and met her. And she said, "All is well." The baby dead, her husband frantic, said, "All is well." Why? She knew God was in His servant the prophet. She knew she could hear from God, and she wanted to know why that her baby had been taken. So she runs up close, and Elijah looks at her again, and he said, "Her heart is full gloom, and God has hid it from me. "You know, there's a wonderful thing. God don't tell His prophets everything. He just tells them what He wants them to know, not everything. They can't do nothing in themselves. Just what God shows them, that's what they do. Could you imagine Isaac setting blind and blessing Jacob in the stead of Esau? Could you imagine Jacob holding Joseph's coat for forty years, bloody, thinking that an animal killed it, and being a prophet? Proves God just reveals to His prophets that what He wants them to know, nothing else. Prophets are not infallible people. Prophets are not Angels. They are men.

Can you imagine the Son of God asking why God had forsaken Him? He didn’t have all the answers, so He cried out to God for answers. Why do you think he prayed so fervently until he sweated blood? He wanted an answer. But finally he just surrendered himself to his Father’s will.

Christ revealed in His own Word 65-0822M P:79 Prophets did not always understand what they were writing or what they were saying, or they would in no wise have said it, if they could've understood it. See?

So if the prophets didn’t always understand their own visions, then how is it that everyone is trying to interpret brother Branham’s for us. And didn’t the Lord tell brother Branham to say nothing about the 3^rd pull? And yet we have brothers holding third pull conventions and preaching series on it, and what can they say that William Branham said, if he was told by God not to say anything about it.

Five junctions of time 56-0122 P:31 Now, the prophets prophesied of things. They didn't know what they were talking about. They just said them. They didn't understand. Daniel said he couldn't understand, but he just wrote it out, because it wasn't for his day. The Angel told him to close up the book until the end time. Many would run to and fro, and knowledge increase, and at that time he'd stand in his lot and--at the end of the time, and all these things would take place. He didn't understand it. Many of the prophets in writing did not know what they were writing. They just wrote it down, because it was inspiration.

You see, concerning William Branham returning in the resurrection, I have no problem with that. Concerning a resurrection ministry of say 40 to 50 days I have no problem with that either, because it happened in the Alpha so it has to repeat in the Omega. But to say where and when and for how long, you had better be very careful brother or you will be caught adding to or taking away from God’ Word.

And people many times can take the words of a prophet or even a vision that a prophet had and make more out of it than was intended to be made. That is why brother Branham had to answer questions Himself about a rumor that got started about moving to Arizona if you were to make the rapture.

From Questions and answers COD 64-0823M P:131 265. Brother Branham, is... (Let's see what this is.) Brother Branham, it is commonly believed by many that follow your message that you are the Messiah of this day. Is that so? No, sir. Plainly tell us, Brother Branham. You seem to hesitate in making yourself known, and we know that with such a ministry as God has given you, you should be identified in the Scriptures somewhere.

  132   266. ...?... Number 2: You told us your purpose of going to Arizona the first time. You told us why, and it came to pass, but you did not tell us why you went back again. First place, I am not a Messiah. See? Messiah is Jesus Christ, but we are "Messiahettes," every one of us. Messiah, "Messiah" means "anointed One." And in Him dwelt the Fullness of the Godhead bodily; in me just dwells part of His Spirit, the same as dwells in you. I've been given a gift to know little things and foresee things. That makes me just still your brother. See? I am not no Messiah; I am your brother (See?), just a shepherd to the flock. And if I told you I was the Messiah, I'd be a liar. See? And I don't want to be a liar. "Now, why did I go to Arizona the first time?" You understood that. I went in the Name of the Lord, because I was sent there by a vision. I returned the second time for a purpose. Just let it alone. I know what I went for; I can't tell everything. When you... Devil don't know, can't get it out of my heart. If I speak it out, then he can get that, but he can't get it when it's in my heart. If I say, "Wait till it comes to pass."... Just remember, hold this tape; I have went to Arizona for a purpose. Please bear with me. See? Just do what I tell you to do (See?); just--just do as I say do. See?

  133   267. Brother Branham, I have some questions I wish to ask you. I have heard people say that you have advised people to sell all their... (Maybe I'd better leave that one alone too. Let's see. Well, it's already time to quit. We maybe get this after dinner, but I'll--I'll answer this one or try my best. I don't know; it's just handed to me. See? Billy brought me a handful just there--there at the door. See?)I have heard people say that you have advised people to sell all their homes and follow you to Arizona or--or they would not be in the rapture. Is this true? That's a lie. See? Uh-huh, or should we sell our homes, or did you even say this?

  134   No, sir. I did not say it. If anything, I've advised people not to do it. Uh-huh.

I was reading about Martin Luther here not long ago, not comparing ourselves with that; but this is a reformation just the same as that was. And -the question was... The historians, they said, "It's a marvelous thing to think that Martin Luther could protest the Catholic church and get by with it. That was a wonderful thing." But said, "The most wonderful thing about Martin Luther wasn't that. How he could hold his head above all the fanaticism that followed his meeting and still stay true to the Word, his calling..." See? No, sir! Don't put your own... Any man or woman that puts anything to what I say, don't believe what I say. They don't... They say... They...

  141   270. Now, Brother Branham, are we missing out on something? These people claim to believe every word that you say to be true. (But they don't. They don't believe it. Their own actions prove that they don't.)

  145   A minister came to me the other day, said, "Brother Branham, they're getting the awfullest cult down there you ever seen." Said, "Each one of them, every morning, they go out; and they said they ain't going to work; it's too close to the rapture." They're not going to work. Well, that just shows you don't even understand. See? Right. (This tape's going down there.) So, yes, sir. You ought to take a lesson from the ant, the Bible says, you know. If they don't work, they don't eat. So that's just exactly right. Here, just picked up another one of these.

And if you listen to this tape you will find that several people all asked the same question about moving to Arizona. So you see how misunderstandings come. Because those people are not ordained to receive this Message. They are attracted by the supernatural that took place but they were blinded to the Message which is the doctrine he taught. Why, because they were not ordained to see it.

Look at what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 13.

Matthew 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11  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. 12  For whosoever hath, (The Greek word for hath is echo. So whosoever is made in such a way as to able to give back my word in the same way I give it) to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance (ands why does he have more abundance? Because an echo gives it again and again and again, over and over and over again. So you don’t receive it just once, but time and time and time again. And it gets richer and more clear each and every time you repeat it) but whosoever hath not, (again this word hath was translated from the Greek word echo, but this time it is speaking of those who are not made in such a way as to be able to reflect back that Word.) from him shall be taken away even that which he thinks that he hath (even that which he thinks he is echoing). 13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14  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:

So we are talking about an inability to hear and understand or perceive. That is why you can talk to them about the Presence of Christ and the difference between the appearing and coming, and you can show them actual definitive factual statements that brother Branham used in defining his teaching on the Godhead, and they still don’t get it. And it is not just a few that don’t get it, because brother Branham said in his sermon called Godhead Explained 61-0119A P:74 Now, Many of you people listening to this would say, "Brother Branham is a Oneness." I am not. I think you're both wrong, both oneness and trinity. Not to be different, but it's always the middle of the road.

So many who listen to the tapes believe brother Branham is a oneness just like he said they would misunderstand. But it is not because the prophet did not make himself clear, but because they chose not to listen because they had their minds made up.

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart (their understanding) is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; (so we are dealing with a will-full ignorance here.) 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. 16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17  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.

Looking unto Jesus 64-0122 P:11 I say this with respects, but I say it to sink in. I had more understanding, and better fellowship, with a bunch of African witch doctors than I did that group of ministers that morning. They give more consideration to the Word of God, and asked questions, for that I could give them the hope that laid within me, for the hope of Eternal Life. These ministers had no time for it at all. Just quickly, as soon as you'd say something, out they'd go. And so that's the way it is. They got their mind made up; they just stay so long, and that's all they want to know. If it one Word disagreeing with any petty thing that they believe in, they cannot stay and listen through it. That's the reason they couldn't believe Jesus Christ at His first advent. That's the reason they'll miss Him in the second. They miss Him each time. They always have. When He's revealed Himself in Moses, revealed Himself in Noah, revealed Himself in Elijah, all the prophets, they missed it each time. Jesus said, "Which one of your fathers hasn't put the prophets in the tombs out there that they're garnishing now?" That's true. It's always been true. It's true yet today. And yet, in the midst of all this we're commanded to look. "Look at Him, all the ends of the world."

Church Age Book Chapter 9 - The Laodicean Church Age P:78 "You are blind and naked." Now this is really desperate. How can anyone be blind and naked and not know it? Yet it says that they are blind and naked and can't perceive it. The answer is, they are spiritually blind, and spiritually naked. Do you remember when Elisha and Gehazi were surrounded by the army of the Syrians? You recall that Elisha smote them blind by the power of God. Yet their eyes were wide open and they could see where they were going. The blindness was peculiar in that they could see certain things, but other certain things such as Elisha and the servant and the camp of Israel they could not see. What this army could see did not avail for them. What they did not see brought on their captivity. Now what does this mean to us? It means exactly what it meant back there in the earthly ministry of Jesus. He tried to teach them truth, but they would not listen. John 9:40-41. "And some of the Pharisees which were with Him heard these words, and said unto Him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

The attitude of this age is exactly what it was then. People have it all. They know it all. They cannot be taught. If a point of truth from the Word comes up and a man tries to explain his view to one with an opposing view, the listener is not at all listening that he might learn, but is listening only to refute what is being said. Now I want to ask a fair question. Can Scripture fight Scripture? Does the Bible contradict the Bible? Can there be two doctrines of truth in the Word that say the opposite or oppose the other? NO. IT CANNOT BE SO. Yet how many of God's people have their eyes open to that truth? Not even one percent, as far as I know, have learned that ALL Scripture is given by God and ALL is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, etc. If all Scripture is thusly given, then every verse will dovetail if given a chance. But how many believe in predestination unto election and reprobation unto destruction? Those who don't, will they listen? No, they will not. Yet both are in the Word, and nothing will change it. But to learn about it and reconcile the truth of those doctrines with other truths that seem to oppose, they will not take the time. But they stop their ears, and gnash with their teeth, and they lose out. At the end of this age a prophet will come, but they will be blind to all that he is doing and saying. They are so sure they are right, and in their blindness they will lose it all.

And you know I have nailed them with that statement overseas and they still find fault and will not stop to re-examine their wrong beliefs concerning the godhead and presence. But look, it’s not my business whether one believes it or not. That’s God’s business. My commission is to give it and then my jobs done, and if they are elect, then their job is just beginning. Because I don’t go to the churches as a general rule, I go to the preachers and then if they are open and receive it then they now give it to their people.

But let’s face it, many things in the word of God are hard to understand. That is why it takes a revelation from God, which means it is a personal thing that God is doing for you when you do see it. And many of the visions that a prophet receives from God are not even understood by the prophet much less the people until God reveals it to them.

Ashamed of Him 65-0711 P:17 But my point was this, when you know that you're trying to do what's right, the first thing is, if you feel led to do anything, then check it with the Word and see if it's right with the Word, and then let nothing stop you. I don't care how many wheels the Devil throws in the way, just move right over the top of them. I told my wife and I told Brother Wood, when I got here, and some friends that I met yesterday, I have had about five years here that I hardly knowed what to do. It's been a nervous...

You think you have it tough. Here is a prophet of God who was dependant upon God to give him a vision and first he had to check it with the word, and then just to receive the vision he had to wait on God for it. You can’t produce your own visions. They are sovereignly given.

Brother Branham continues, See, the revival itself amongst the churches has died. Everyone knows that. You feel it in this Tabernacle. You feel it everywhere. There is a thump, dead feeling. There's just something isn't right. It's because the revival enthusiasm has gone away from the people. Go into the churches; you'll see them setting there. And the pastor stumbling around for a message and something another. And the first thing you know, he turned it off on some kind of a party they're going to have, or something. It seems to be a dead thump everywhere.

Again from When their eyes were opened 64-0212 P:11 he said, And you take anything that's really way out in the phenomena like that, always check it with the Word. And if the Word promised it, then it's only God rising on the scene again. That's the way every promise is.

Influence 63-0112 P:75 You try to do something that's a little contrary to your doctrine, and you say, "Aw, nonsense." Check it with the Word. If it's the Word, believe it. If it's not, leave it alone. God will vindicate His Word. Right.

What shall I do with Jesus 63-1124M P:116 How the church ought to be checking it again, and again, and again, and again. We're waiting for His coming. We're waiting for the takeoff. We better check it with the Word, not what somebody said. Be sure you know yourself, as a personal experience with Christ. Check it again, and again, and again. Why? He's got the blood of men upon his hands. He better check.

Revelation chapter 4 pt 3 throne mercy 61-0108 P:119 Every vision of the Lord... That's what I say. If the visions we have today is not exactly Bible visions, then they're wrong. If they reflect, or, any revelation that shows God anything but what He always was, it's a wrong revelation. The whole church is built upon it, Matthew 17.

So you see we must go to the word, for our answers, and in this series we are beginning concerning “Questions and Answers” that is exactly what we plan to do.

Now, Paul said the Scripture was given for doctrine and then he said, (2) for reproof, …

Now, the word that was translated for reproof was a word that also means evidence. So not reproof as though you are being bawled out, but proof or evidence. The Scripture is given for doctrine and evidence or vindication. In the book of Hebrews the same word is used in verse 1.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Notice it is the evidence. And so we see that all scripture is given for doctrine and evidence and then he says for (3) for correction,and of course that is important because if the scriptural doctrine is given for the evidence, it is hoped that you will be corrected. And you will if there is any honesty in your heart. And it is also given for (4) instruction in righteousness: (that means that all scripture is to be used to instruct you in right-wise-ness, or how to be rightly wise. Why?) 17 (for the reason) That the man of God may be perfect (that means mature and finished off in your Christian Character), and thoroughly furnished unto all good works. So we see the intent is not just for yourself, but that God may use you as a fit vessel for His own plans and purposes.

Now, in getting back to why people allow themselves to misunderstand the Scriptural doctrinal truths, it is because of their own pride.

Fifth seal the 63-0322 P:28 The wise of the world is trying in their wisdom to find Him. They only climb away from Him in doing so. See?

God in simplicity 63-0317M P:65 Many miss Him by the way He reveals Himself. Now, man has their own ideas of what God ought to be and what God is going to do; and as I have made the old statement many times that man still remains man. Man is always giving God praise for what He did do, and always looking forward to what He will do, and ignoring what He's doing. See, see?

Revelation chapter one 60-1204M P:75 How did they miss Him? Because they were looking for something else. And He done the sign of the Messiah, and they wouldn't hear it. He was a prophet. Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up a prophet like me. And it'll come to pass if they not hear this Prophet, they'll be cut off from amongst the people." He was a Prophet on earth. Now, because He was what? The faithful Witness of God's Word. Amen. He was God's Word made manifest: Saint John the 1st chapter. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...He was the true and faithful Witness to God's eternal Word. He was the Word, was God's Word; and being the Word, He was a Prophet. For the Word of God flowed through Him; He'd say only the things. "I can do nothing within Myself, but what the Father shows Me to do. Not Me that doeth the works, but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. I and My Father are One. My Father's in Me," said Jesus, the Man, the Tabernacle.

God hiding Himself in simplicity 63-0412E P:23 You know, God is so great. He hides Himself in simplicity, and then reveals Himself in the same thing He hides Himself in. And God is so great, He can make Hisself simple. That's what makes Him great. So many miss Him in the simplicity--simple ways that He hides Himself. Now, we know that man cannot do this. Man cannot make hisself great enough to be simple. See? Now, what makes God so great is because He can be so simple. And God does not reveal Himself in greatness, as we call greatness.

God in simplicity 63-0317M P:72 Many Miss Him by the way that He reveals Himself, for He is so great, yet hides Himself in simplicity to make Hisself known to the least. See?