ROMANS 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. In other words, Paul is saying, “I have assessed the value of our present day suffering, and have compared them with the value of the Glory which shall be revealed in us, and after weighing them both carefully, I have concluded that there is no comparison between the two.

We find The Apostle Peter telling us the same thing in I PETER 1:7 That the trial (or testing ) 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: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls. 10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Here, the words earnest expectation implies that there is an anxious and persistent expectation combined with the sense of watching. He says that the creature is anxiously, and persistently observant and patiently waiting. Now, there is only one reason that I can think of that any one would be found in a condition of persistently observant and patiently waiting, and that would be because something so wonderful has been promised to happen to you, like a young child waiting for Christmas, you just well up inside with excitement and anticipation. Now, if something bad was promised to happen, you wouldn’t patiently wait with persistent observance, but rather you would be trying with all your might to avoid whatever that thing would be. But Paul is speaking of a wonderful promise here, and it is this promise that creates the right sort of mindset that causes us to be persistently observant and patiently waiting. And in verse 20 he begins to tell us why… 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. You’re not the only one who has to go through life suffering one way or the other. In fact, Paul infers here that our greatest suffering is the fact that we have been made to be faulty in our human nature, not of any desire to be that way on our part, but it is God’s will that we by-passed our theophany and came to this world in a body of flesh that he refers to as corruptible flesh. But as Paul is stating here, we do have a promise that this corruption will put on incorruption.

I CORINTHIANS 15:40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another. 41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory. 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: And the name Adam means red like the clay, the second man [is] the Lord from heaven. Now, this is not just speaking of the type of Adam being the first man, a man pulled by the flesh, and then along comes Jesus, the Messiah who although He was in flesh, yet He was not ruled by His flesh, but by His Spirit. But Paul is also using this as a sort of pattern for all of God’s elect Sons and daughters. Because he goes on to say,

I CORINTHIANS 15:48 As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now, this is important for us to know because this has to do with what Paul is speaking of in Romans 8, when he says, “that we have hope, and are saved by hope,” because we were placed in this earth for testing, and it seems that we have all flunked terribly the test, as Paul said in ROMANS 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” , and again Paul said in ROMANS 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Isaiah said, in 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7 And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 8 But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand. 9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

Therefore we can see that we have all come the same way. There is no man that comes to this world holy. There is but one man that was born without a sexual union, and that was Christ Jesus. He did not by-pass his theophany, and therefore, He knew what the test was all about. But brother Branham said, when the Word of God Struck the seed within us, we heard from our theophany, we begin to realize what life is all about, and this hearing from our theophany is what brings us into subjection to God’s word. Not the hearing but the seed in us, bearing witness with the Word of God, and that is our hope as Paul tells us in Romans chapter 8. You see, this body is not the real you, it is just a temporary housing for the real you. But when our spirit body comes into union with this body, and that won’t happen until we receive our body change, then there will be nothing that can tempt you away from God’s Word. No, there’s nothing that can separate you from the Love of God. But first we must receive that change, and only those who love God’s Appearing will receive it.

II TIMOTHY 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Now, in returning to our study of Romans chapter 8, we pick up at verse 50, Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; This body as it is can not inherit the kingdom of God, and if this is so, then something has to happen to cause us to inherit the kingdom of God… He continues by saying, “neither doth corruption inherit incorruption”. Therefore, something has to happen for us to receive the kingdom and enter into it. 51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, This means simply some will sleep, but not all will sleep, some will have to go by way of the grave but not all will go by way of the grave… but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. Now, when Paul says this mortal must put on, he is saying, it is a necessity in reference to what is required the kingdom. And if it is a necessity, then it has to happen first before we can inherit the kingdom. Therefore, it is part of God’s whole plan of redemption. Bring us to earth first in an imperfect body to suffer in it and to fail miserably in it, and then to redeem us from this fallen state, to a condition that is incorruptible, and that can not fall. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Then you talk about a time to shout and praise God…

In fact that is what the order of the resurrection is all about… BE NOT AFRAID 61-0311 E-90 090 Blessed Saviour, Thou will guide us till we reach that healthful shore, where the Angels waits to join us, in Thy praise forevermore. We think of that great day. How You have arranged it. "I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those that are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others that have no hope. For if we believe that Christ died and rose again the third day. Even so, those that sleep in Christ will God bring with Him. For we say this to you in the commandment of the Lord." That we will not be as hindered. It won't hinder us when we are sleeping. And we watch the order of the resurrection. The first thing, we get together, not until we get together will we go together to meet Him. Mothers and fathers will meet one another. Children and loved ones will meet one another, and then be caught up in the air to meet the Lord. And when we stand there, singing redemption songs, and Angels, with a circle around the earth will stand with bowed heads, not knowing what they're talking about. They never was lost. They don't know what it means to be lost and to be found. But, Lord, we know what it means. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

JEHOVAH JIREH 57-0810 Oh, what a consolation of waiting for that grand time, and if we should fall asleep before that great event, we are the promised people to come forth first. O God, we just see that that we meet each other before we meet Him. For God, knowing how to do things, knew that we would be longing to see mother, and dad, and the children before we meet the Lord. And He wants everything settled, that when we meet Him we can just worship Him and crown Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We long for that hour.

CONDOLENCES TO STADSKLEV FAMILY 60-0924 "We not prevent or hinder those which are asleep, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them, caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air." And then we meet one another first and then stand before Him to crown Him the King of king and the Lord of lord. Oh, what a worship. When I see those precious ones. I preached and labored through the years, my loved ones, and meet them all, and then together hand in hand, stand in His Presence, won't we worship Him? To know when we take off our crowns and lay them before His feet, and say, "It was by Thy grace, Lord. We didn't merit a thing, but You brought us all together again with Eternal Life. We could never be separated no more, never have no more heartaches. Never will there be a funeral service among us. Never will there be flowers strewn along in the graveyard. Never will there be an ambulance, or no medicine to be taken. There'll be nothing but just living with the Lord, with each other, to enjoy the Eternal Life. And 'course, that's for eternity.

TESTIMONY 63-1128M 7 004 "The trumpet of God shall sound; the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain..." Did you notice the order of the resurrection, "Shall be caught up together with them." We meet each other before we meet Him. "Be caught up together to meet them--with them, to meet the Lord in the air. See, He's God, and then when He wants to be worshipped, that's what His very nature is, is to be worshipped, because He's God. And He knows if we were there, be looking out of the corner of your eyes, see if the other one's there, but, and then it wouldn't be the complete way of free worship. When we stand there, and we know we've met each other first, and greeted each other, and then to stand by Him Who caused it all, and sing the songs of redemption. As Brother Jack has many times made the statement, "When Angels will circle the earth, with bowed heads, not knowing what we're talking about..." See, because they never been redeemed. But we had to be redeemed, and how we'll crown Him the King of kings and Lord of lords...

Therefore, what kind of people ought we to be… Paul continues by saying in 1 Corinthians 15: 58… ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Now, in returning to Romans 8, let’s continue with verse 23 … And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]. If we believe it, and it is not here yet, then we will have to wait for it, and if we know that it is not in our hands, and in our timing, but it’s all in God’s timing, then we must patiently wait, and that is the key to what Paul is telling us here. And while we are waiting, God’s Spirit will help us in our spirit to know what things even to pray for. 26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 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. We could take this back to 1 Corinthians 15 again to see that Paul speaks of the same thing here. He is telling us, “Hey, what are you worried about, God has everything under control. Not under control like you or I could do, because we couldn’t guarantee anything. But, God who made you and I and who also made the heavens and the earth, and all things that are therein, has promised us that everything, everything, everything will work together for your good because you not only love Him who first loved you, but because He called you as His Elect. 30 Therefore, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

In other words, He’s taken care of it all… Hallelujah. We serve a great God…..

THREE KINDS OF BELIEVERS 63-1124E "Don't put off tomorrow what can be done today." That's right. 'Cause you don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow. That's the main part. We know Who holds tomorrow.

WHO IS THIS 59-1004M E-2 002 God keeps His covenants. He makes His promise. And you and I can make one and have to break it, because we just don't know what tomorrow holds. But God cannot make one and break it, because He knows what tomorrow holds. See? He knows all about our troubles and what is. And He knew all that would be before it was. Before the foundation of the world, He knew just exactly who would be and who would not be.

In JOHN 10:27 Jesus tells us three attributes which make up His Sheep. He says, (1) My sheep hear my voice, and (2) I know them, and (3) they follow me: Then in the next verse, he makes those sheep a promise… 28 And (1) I give unto them eternal life; and (2) they shall never perish, (3) neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

Therefore, we should never worry about tomorrow, for we know who holds tomorrow. And we know that He is more than able to protect us from what is surely to come upon the earth.

Now, the more I think of the impending depression which is on it’s way, the more I realize I must be completely dependent on the One who holds tomorrow. For we can do no more to change what is coming pertaining to the depression and protecting ourselves from it, than we can of the plagues that are as certain to follow. Now, remember when we preached on the oncoming storms of Judgment and we brought out how Brother Branham and the scripture promised an oncoming storm of plagues. Remember when we sat and went through those 40 or so quotes of Brother Branham concerning the plagues that are to come? Well, how many of you got worried about that? How many of you went into shock and tried to hide out from the world and from coming into contact with people in this world just to avoid those plagues?

Well, then why should we treat this oncoming storm of depression any different? Why should we be afraid of it? We should rather rejoice, because it only means that our redemption is drawing closer. We should be happy because, it is our deliverance. We should not be worried, and in fact brother Branham told us not to worry. Just use you head and don’t be stupid about what you are doing. Should we then not prepare? I didn’t say that. But I do think that we should be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. Because if we are to go before all this transpires, then what things you have will be useful to those who are left behind. And as far as your water is concerned, you will be able to give a glass of water in His name, so you will most certainly be blessed on this side and on the other side as well.

Then the main thing we should be doing is making sure we are ready to leave this world behind us. Are we ready in our spirit. Are we looking forward with great anticipation to the going home.

TIME OF DECISION 59-0418 This message has traveled from the east all the way to the west, and we're on the west coast right now. It can't go any farther, it'll go back east again. It's evening time. It's evening time in civilization. They've kept bitten, biting, and carrying on, and taking... They bit off an atomic bomb off the tree of knowledge. What are they going to do with it? Destroy themselves. Civilization's at the end. The Church is creeded, and denominated, and twisted, and turned, and all kinds of isms, and so forth, until it's at the end. Human life's at the end. Why, they got no more respect for one another. And motherhood's at the end. Everything seems to be at the end. What is it? It's evening time. That's the time that the Church is going home.

CHRIST IS THE MYSTERY 63-0728 63-2 201 Notice, redeeming back with Him, going home, back to Eternal Life in a human body, eating, drinking, living forever... Isaiah said, "They build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the fruit." They'll not build, and another take it. The children won't take it, but they'll be there with their offsprings. He'll build it and stay there. Amen. He don't build and another eat; He builds and eats himself. Amen. What is it? His Bride going back with Him, redeemed back to the original Adam and Eve again. For it's...?... has left behind. They look back at the cross and see the death that's been paid. And now by faith we are resurrected with Him, setting in heavenly places right now, looking back to what redeemed us, waiting for the Husband to come to march on home with Him.

RECOGNIZING YOUR DAY 64-0726M 64 031 …they're in the homeland for that, waiting where they all... Everything is positionally placed. As a minister of the Gospel I can't see one thing left but the going of the Bride. And the Bride has to be taken away before they could recognize what's happened. They were bound, scattered; I mean, they were scattered, blinded, and now gathered. What's left? The Bride to be taken out of the way, waiting for the going of her Bride, so their prophets of Revelations 11 can call them to the feast of the trumpets, to make them to recognize what they have done.

INVISIBLE UNION OF THE BRIDE 65-1125 We're in the last days. We all know that. And we're ready for the coming of the Lord. (1) The thing to do is separate yourself from all sin. (2) Separate yourself from anything that pertains to the world. Don't love the world or the things of the world. (3) Let no man, by his creed, deceive you. (4) You stay right straight in the promise of God, the Word of God; and that Word, if It's the Word, for this day, (5) God vindicates It so. If He doesn't, it's not the Word for this day. The Word that fell on the day of Pentecost will not work this day. No, sir, that was for Pentecost. This is for the Bride: going home of the Bride. We got something different. The Pentecostals represented that again. We're in the Bride age. No more than the Word of Noah would worked in the days of Moses. No more than Moses' law would've worked in the time of Paul, here. He tried to tell them, "You're dead to that. And you cannot have that." 131 Church, you, who I'm speaking to tonight across the nation, if you've separated yourself from denomination and all the filth and things of this world, and all those things that keeps you in manmade creeds, and orders, and things like that, you separated yourself, look up. Get ready. The fire's going to fall one of these days. God's going to let Him come, in a sight to behold. Would you be ready when He comes? Would you be ready to go up with Him when He comes? The secret rapture of the supernatural Bride... She'll be made from mortal to immortality; be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. We which are alive and remain shall not prevent them which are asleep.