Spoken Word no. 167

God Rejected

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

May 23rd, 2010

1 Corinthians 3: 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

1 Peter 2: 41  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Luke 20: 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Let us pray,

Dear Father we approach thee this morning under the shed blood of your firstborn son, and we come reverently and humbly to seek more understanding of the conditions we face in this hour. We see in thy word this morning that Paul taught us that the foundation was laid by Him, and that others would be building on it. But in his declaration he also let us know there would come who would to be careful how they built on it, and Peter tells us that they would thus reject the very corner stone that was ordained to turn that corner, which was made to be fit and true. But Father we also read in Peter that those who thought they were builders were not true builders because they had no knowledge of what a corner stone even looked like, and thus because they did not even recognize the Corner stone when it was presented to them, they laid it aside, they rejected it for some other stone which they thought looked to them what a corner stone should look like. And we see in rejecting the One whom you sent, they have rejected Thee. Help us Father to study reverently and we ask that You would be our Teacher, and we ask that You would reveal to us what it is that we need to know for the hour in which we live, and we ask this in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

So this morning let’s continue with paragraph 13 of The Spoken word is the Original Seed. Paragraph  13 And see what other thoughts God’s Vindicated prophet had for us in this wonderful Message.

The Spoken Word Second half pp. 13 Now, this unwise virgin is a woman; she's a church; but she is unwise. See? She has just been dilatory. And yet she's called herself the bride. And remember everything runs in a three for perfection. Three is the number of perfection: God's offices: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. God the Father was a God that lived in the Pillar of Fire. He was trying to draw Israel to Him. They wouldn't come. God the Father lived in the Son, which made Him God the Son, same God, expressed image of God, the seed of God manifest, trying to draw the people to Him; they crucified Him. The Holy Ghost is the same God that was at the beginning in the Son of God, and now here the other office of God in the last days, living in the church, trying to bring the Word (the spoken Word like all the two offices did) to the people, and they reject It. It's the same thing. It's the three offices or manifestations of one God in action. And God in His people today in action is God in action. See? It's God in the people.

This morning we will focus our thoughts on this rejection that brother Branham is speaking of here. Notice he says, God in the form of the Pillar of fire tried to draw Israel to Himself, but the people rejected Him. God came down in His son to express Himself to the world, and they rejected him, and put the vessel that God expressed himself through to death. And now, the Holy Ghost has come down in this hour, and they reject Him again by turning down His Word.

It reminds me of when Israel wanted to be more like the other peoples and nations than they wanted what God had for them which was to be their King, and to have a prophet between them and Him.

1 Samuel 8: 1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2  Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. 3  And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 4  Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5  And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

From His sermon the rejected King, we hear brother Branham say, Rejected king 60-0610 P:60 Now, we find out then, when a man rejects the leading of the Holy Spirit... You know what God did for Saul? He give him an evil spirit to lead him. Now, how about that? He give him an evil spirit; God gave him an evil spirit to lead him. So when a man rejects the leading of the Holy Spirit, or any person rejects the leading of the Holy Spirit, you got a devil on you to lead you. That's exactly the Bible. Oh, God, I wish we could have a revival. I wished there could come a time that when the Holy Spirit could really get into the hearts of the American people again, that they would see it's Him. They want to look, say, "Well, now look. I can't cooperate in this meeting because my church don't..." What difference does that make? What's that got to do with it? "Well, I'll tell you; they believe in this, and we don't believe that." As long as they're preaching the Bible, and the whole Bible, and the full Gospel, and nothing but the truth, listen to it. Long as they're led by the Spirit, believe in it. And God will make Himself known. If a man is led by the Spirit of God, God will make Himself known to that person. Yes, sir. God promised to. So in doing that, we know then that the Holy Spirit leads the people and God takes care of it. Amen. You believe that with all your heart? Certainly, we do. All right.

We see that when the men rejected the corner stone they chose rather another stone which was not the proper stone, because they did not know the difference. And they begin to build on that stone, and as a result they have built another Gospel, which produced another Jesus and they thus have received another spirit.

2 Corinthians 11:1  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin (a clean and pure virgin) to Christ. 3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5  For I suppose I was not a whit behind (inferior to) the very chiefest apostles.

Now, the key here is that we find Paul speaking of the people receiving another Jesus sand thus opening themselves up to another Gospel and thus receiving another spirit. Let’s read this again from verse 3.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, (through his clever way with words he seduced Eve, ) so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (And that is the key, their minds become corrupted from the simple Truth of the Gospel through the use of seducing words that will bring on this corruption.) 4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, (the Greek word for another was allos, which means a different one altogether) So he is speaking of the people being introduced to a different Jesus than the one he introduced them to. Notice he says, whom we have not preached, (So the foundation Paul laid was rejected when the people accepted a different corner stone than the one that was meant for this building of the body of Christ. Then Paul says,) or if ye receive another spirit, (that word another was translated from a different Greek word heteros, which means one of a different nature) which ye have not received, or another gospel, (again this word was heteros, one of a different nature) which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

So we see the corruption comes by receiving a different Jesus altogether, which led to hearing a Gospel of a different nature and thus the people did not receive the Holy Spirit but a spirit of a different nature.

And that is exactly what brother Branham said about when a person rejects the Holy Spirit they receive another spirit to lead them.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Notice this is allos, and they are removed by another Gospel altogether, and Who is it that they are so soon removed from? The One that called them? And who is that? God the Word. Then Paul says,) 7  Which is not another; (heteros, is not just a Gospel of a different nature, as though that might be ok.) but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Not just a gospel of a different nature, but it is so transmuted or changed that it is an altogether perverted Gospel.) 8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Now, from the sermon, Rejected king 60-0610 P:20 Br. Branham tells us, Now, let us turn tonight for the text, if I should call it that, in I Samuel the 8th chapter and begin with the 4th verse: Let us read. Then all the elders of Israel gathered to... themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But... this displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Back in the days of Samuel they rejected Him, but when he complained to God that they had rejected him, God told him, "It's not you they are rejecting, it's me they are rejecting."

Now, I want you to pay close attention to what took place in this scene. To the natural way of thinking the people felt they had a right to reject Samuel because he appointed his own sons to judge them, and those sons did not walk in Samuel's ways, and did not follow God in the ways that their father did. On one hand, you can say these people were not stupid, they saw how Samuel walked and they knew he was a man chosen by God, but they also saw how his sons walked, and how those two sons went after the money, and took brides, and they perverted judgment.

Now, The American Heritage dictionary tells us a bribe is 1. Something, such as money or a favor that is offered, or given, to a person in a position of trust, to influence that person's views or conduct. And the people knew that Samuel's sons had been placed in a position of trust as judges over the people, and when the people saw that they willingly received money and gifts from dubious persons who were seeking advantage by having a relationship with those two sons, the people were not stupid. They knew what was going on and they knew that Samuel had been very different from his two sons, and they didn't like it. Then, where the people made their mistake is when they tried to take it into their own hands and decided to do something about it. That is where they made there mistake right there.

Now, I want you to think about that for a moment. God called Samuel and ordained him a prophet which means a mouthpiece. And God anointed him, and gave the people correct governance through him all throughout his life. But then he does something that they just don't agree with and they don't understand why he did it, and they want to do away with him, and do what the other nations are doing, and they ask for a King to Rule over them.

Rejected king 60-0610 P:81 A man is character, not beast, but character. I've seen men that weighed two hundred pound, didn't have an ounce of man in him, grab a baby out of a mother's arms and ravish her. Any man would give a woman a cigarette is little and low down. And knowing that that's one of the greatest fifth columnists that's breaking the backbone of our nation. And these cigarette factories and everything out here putting out cigarettes and whiskey, and then they take and write off all their income tax on these advertisements to put out more tommyrot on television and pattern these women... Oh, God, what's the matter with our country? It's rejected the leadership of the Holy Ghost, that wouldn't stand a minute for stuff like that. No wonder sickness and diseases is on the rampage.

Let’s look at another example of How the people rejected God by rejecting the man that God was using for the hour. David became a type of Christ in that he too was a King that was rejected by his people.

Brother Branham speaks of this rejected Kind in his message called The Rejected King. 89- Notice David, a rejected king over his own people. One day his own son rose up in mutiny against him. And he separated and divided the armies of Israel. And David was driven by his own people from his throne. And on his road out there was a man who hated him; and he's walking along there, spitting on David. The guard pulled his sword, said, "I'll let that dog's head stay on him, spit on my king." 90 David said, "Let him alone, God told Him to do it." Don't you see? A man of sorrow, acquainted with grief, He stands like a Sheep before shearers, dumb. See? He said that. Perhaps David didn't know what he was saying. But about five, six hundred years afterwards or a little more, the Son of David was going through them same streets, and He was spit upon. But notice what happened when David out of his, when he became a fugitive, and out of his exile, when he came back, that man begged for peace and mercy. Even those who smote Him will see Him one day when He returns.

Now, I do not know if people really have a clue as to Who they are rejecting when they reject the Doctrine of Christ. To reject God's word means to Reject God, The King Himself. And to reject God as King means to Reject His Kingdom which is the Holy Spirit in the believer. Therefore, to reject the Holy Spirit means to turn down eternal Life. It is just that simple.

GOD OF THIS EVIL AGE 65-0801M 37 Now, notice these great truths that we are approaching. Now, we see that the church refused to accept God's Word to rule over them and accepted Barabbas instead. Now, if you want the Scripture on that, it's Matthew 27:15 to 23. What did this do? What position did this do? Now, think of it. When the church world in it's organized life of righteous, holy men, as they thought they were and were in the eyes of the people, they crucified Jesus and said, "We'll not have this man rule over us." And Jesus was the Fullness of the Word of God; I John 1 expresses it. And they said, "We'll not have this Word of God to rule over us." Yet He was the Word, but their eyes were blinded to what He was. For He was the direct answer to every prophecy that was to come to pass in Him. Now, we all believe that, because we're looking back to see it happen. But if the world would--that is now, this present evil age, that would've been back there at that time, they'd do the same thing they're doing today, because it's still the same Word for this age being manifested. They'll do it. They can't do nothing else. They are children of disobedience, given a strong delusion to believe a lie and be damned by it.

Now, God told Samuel that they were not rejecting him, but they were Rejecting God's own rule over them. You see God ruled by His prophets. God's own judgments were given by the prophets, and when they rejected something that had been given by the prophet because it just did not seem to be running in the fashion they were used to, instead of going to Samuel and asking him why this was happening, or asking him to go to God and ask God to stop those boys from making money off the name of Samuel, they just outright rejected Samuel, and in turn rejected God's rule over them because God spoke through His prophet. That prophet was God's mouthpiece. He never took money from the people.

 I believe that Samuel the prophet of God, the mouthpiece of God, had no more to do with the selecting and appointing his sons to judge, than nothing. If his life was so devoted to God, and he would not do anything except God told Him to do it, do you think he would willingly put forth his two sons knowing their poor character and their lack of dedication and consecration to God? I believe that God told him to appoint those two boys. And sometimes God does that to test the people. That gave the people a reason to doubt his prophet, and yet when they did, and rejected the prophet, God said they were not rejecting Samuel, but they in doing so were rejecting God.

From his sermon WHY? 63-0626 32 brother Branham said, And then, you know, but behind all of it, no matter how much it seems that God has turned His face from the people, He does that sometime to see what kind of an attitude you take. Every son that cometh to God's got to be tried and chastened.

Now, Samuel was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. You think this man of God would place his sons in a position of power just because they were his sons? I believe God told him to do it. When people came to him for help he would seek God and by vision he would tell those people where their lost things were to be found, and he would tell them things that would come to pass the same day, the next days or days even to come, and hit them right on the dot accurate. If you read chapters 8 through 12 of 1 Samuel you will see many prophecies that he spoke taking place just as he spoken them He told Saul everything that would take place for several days ahead and who he would meet, and what they would say, and many things even to where he would find his horses that had run off.

I SAMUEL 11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

1 Samuel 12:1 ¶ And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and gray headed; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. 3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. 5 And he said unto them, The LORD [is] witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. 6 ¶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. 8 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. 9 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. 10 And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. 11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. 12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.

Now, notice here that Samuel said, the Lord your God WAS your King. He used the past tense word was because the Lord God was no longer their King because they rejected Him as being their King. He is the Rejected King, Always)

1 Samuel 12:13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: 15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 ¶ Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18 So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

Now, brother Branham, in speaking of this scene said in his sermon, Modern events made clear by prophecy 65-1206 P:70 But, you see, Samuel said, "Have I ever at one time taken any of your money from you for my living?" They said, "No, Samuel, you never done that." Said, "Did I ever tell you anything in the Name of the Lord but what come to pass?" "Oh, that's right, Samuel. We believe you're a prophet sent from God. Yes, sir. Everything you said come to pass, Samuel. But we want it anyhow." You see what happened. Oh, brother, the Scripture just keeps repeating Itself back and forth through the Scripture, 'cause it's God's way of doing it. You see? You

And from his sermon TRYING TO DO GOD A SERVICE 65-1127B 140 Brother Branham makes this story a little closer to home in this hour and tells it this way. Samuel stood one day, and they said, "We want a king; we want to be like the rest of the world. "Samuel said, "Don't take that king. He'll take your sons and daughters, and he'll do this and do that. "He said, "Yeah, I know you're right." But Samuel said, "Listen to me. Did I ever take any of your money? Did I ever beg you for a living? Did I ever tell you, you had to give me so much salary to hold a meeting for you?" Now, judge yourselves, even now. See? He said, "Did I ever tell you anything in the Name of the Lord but what come to pass?" Not one thing. "Oh, yes, Samuel, you never did beg us for money; you never did want big things. Samuel, that's true; and everything you told us in the Name of the Lord come to pass. But, Samuel, we want our denomination anyhow." "Then go take it. It's up to you." That's right.

Did you know that of all the wonderful sermon topics that brother Branham spoke, his favorite was "The Rejected King"? That's what Brother Vayle told me the other night. He said brother Branham told him his favorite topic was "The Rejected King." Now, why do you suppose he so identified with that subject more than any other he preached? I believe it was because he identified so much with Samuel. And in his own ministry, he was rejected by the church world and the church leaders because they wanted what denominations had. They wanted to be rulers of men like the denomination rule the people. They wanted to rule the hearts of men instead of allowing God to rule in the hearts of men. And that is the Bible truth.

The Bible tells us that is always the case. The people don't want an independent walk with God, they want for some man to rule over them. They want for some man to tell them they are ok, when they are not ok. They want some man to go to God for them when they must have their own relationship with God.

Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule over the people by their own authority; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Notice the priests by their own authority rule the people, and the people love to have it that way. I saw that years ago and determined in my heart that I would never do that to the people. I would never be a dictator, over the people. And yo9u would think that people would love to hear the truth and come to a church where no one rides heard over you, but you see, the people want someone to rule them. The Bible says they do. We just read it.

But brother Branham said it shouldn't be that way. From his sermon THE REJECTED KING 60-0515M 31 Brother Branham said, But man wants to rule, and rule over man; and man wants man to rule over him. He doesn't want to have God to rule. So this son of Kish (Saul, by name) was just an answer to what they had wanted. The great stately man and the... Oh, he could just lead them to their battles and so forth. But still it wasn't God's way of doing things. God wanted His faithful old prophet to direct them and speak His words to them.

Now, the difference between the prophet and a deacon board or some elder in this message posing as a righteous pastor, is that the Prophet has "Thus Saith the Lord". The deacon board does not. And that is the problem I am seeing in this message. Men rising up in churches and taking authority over the people as though the people are their own personal serfs in their fiefdom and God has set them to rule over these people. That is nonsense. There are no big "I's" and little "you's" in the Kingdom of God. There is only one big one and that is God. And His word should reign supreme in the hearts of the people.

When the Prophet comes with "Thus Saith the Word of God" the people should have enough respect for God to say "Amen! And "So be it". And when the Pastor comes and says, "Thus saith the Word of God" the people ought to have enough respect for God's Word to say, "Amen" and "So be it". But if any man comes along with some idea of their own and it can't be backed by Scripture, then the people should not have to listen to it. They should not have to follow it. If your conscience tells you that is wrong, and it can't be proven by Scripture you had better follow your conscience brother. But they use fear tactics to rule thee people. Two strikes and you are in the dog house and three strikes and you are out. What ever happened to seventy times seven? What ever happened to the scripture, "Come let US reason together saith the Lord." And so then what happens? The people fear that if they go against that authority, by not doing what they have been told to do or not to do, then they begin to draw away from their own conscience and when they do, they draw away from God.

Look, I am not saying the people should be arrogant in dealing with this. That is contrary to the word of God. But if a man tells you to do something and you can't find Scripture for it, then you have a right to go to that brother and ask them in love, to show you the Scripture for whatever it is that they are asking you to do or not do that goes against your conscience.

Brother Branham said in his sermon, JESUS CHRIST THE SAME 58-0323 22 If there's a question, if we ever preach anything, or do anything, that's not a promise of God in this Bible, you got a right to come to us and ask us like brethren. And we ask you to do that. We ask you as our brothers and sisters to come to us.

When you go to a minister and ask him why he said something the way he did, and you can't see it the way he said it, you have a right to go to that minister and find out why he said it the way he did. There is no reason for that minister to get upset with you for asking them something that you can't seem to get in your conscience. But if you make a habit of arguing about every point that the man makes, then that is different. But if you in your heart just can't see a point that is made, then you have a right to go ask for further explanation.

SPOKEN WORD ORIGINAL SEED 62-0318M 13 You have a right to disagree with me as you may see it different; but I hope that me, by the help of God this morning, I'll be able to show you the reason why that I have took this stand.

So if brother Branham was gentleman enough to show you how He stood by this Word, then what minister has the right to get upset if any laity have a question concerning something he preached.

God has not given you a spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.

REJECTED KING 60-0610 70 Samuel tried to tell Saul that. God knows what was best. But Saul said, "Well, the people want me." That's it. Long as he get somebody to follow him, that's all he wanted. He used Samuel's name and get somebody to follow him; that's all he wanted.

And so they will cower the people by their rules and a fear of retribution if they disagree with them, but show me where fear is of God? He said in His own word, "God hasn't given us a spirit of fear but of a sound mind. And a sound mind is a healthy mind that has answers to its questions.

In MATTHEW 23:13 we hear Jesus say, ¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

The NIV says it a little more straight forward. 13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

But notice what else Jesus said about this. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Now, pasture is the stuff that sheep go to, to eat. It's their food.

And in Luke 8:16 he said, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. And how can they enter in and see the light if the doors are locked.

ISAIAH 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (precepts are rules taught by men.) 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, [even] a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? 17 ¶ Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. 22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

DECEIVED CHURCH BY THE WORD 59-0628M 50 But as Israel was bound by their kings, that they could not follow the real King, and the real King, when He came, they didn't recognize Him, so is it today, O Lord, the King of glory has appeared in the form of the Holy Ghost, and, Lord, they don't know it. They don't recognize it. They're so organized so tight, that they do not understand it, because it's not in their organization. Lord, this is a work of the Devil that's done this to the people. May the Samson of God, may the true in heart, those who are longing and crying, and pleading and holding on, may they stay with it, Lord, until this new crop grows out, until there comes forth again a joy in Zion, and there comes forth a group that can recognize and understand, that can see the Messiah and the hidden power that's hid from the world, that they will not understand now. Grant, Lord, that they'll see this. For we ask it in Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Rejected King, and he is the Word. And why did they reject Him? Because he didn't come with polite speeches. He came with a whip and run them out of His Father's house. And that is the way he would come today. For "Jesus Christ is the Same, Yesterday, today and forever." And if Jesus Christ is Still in the church, he will do the same as he did then.

In his sermon called, WAY OF A TRUE PROPHET 63-0119 35 Brother Branham in speaking of a True Prophet said if he would come in this day, You know what he'd do? He would blast and condemn this generation. He would condemn every bobbed-haired woman in the country. That's right. He would condemn every denominational preacher. He certainly would. He would condemn every cigarette smoker, every woman that wore shorts or slacks. He'd tear them apart. Why? It's against the Word. It's exactly right. You think we would receive him? By no means. They wouldn't receive him. He'd condemn the immorality of the church. He'd shake that little old wrinkled finger in them preachers' face, and say, "You mean to tell me that you call yourself anointed servant of God, and will stand in the pulpit, and let your women dress sexy among your men, and things like that? Let your young women rise up like that? You'll permit your men to marry two or three times, and be deacons in the churches? You mean to tell me that you'll hold on to that credential that you got in your hand, and turn aside the Word of God?" Oh, my. He'd blast the thing. Yes, sir. The immorality of the church, and the immorality of the members, he'd blast it. My. Every member he'd tear down. Every manmade seminary doctrine, he'd tear the thing to pieces.

They don't want the Word to rule over them, and so just like with God in Samuels day, they rejected Him as King, and in Jesus day, they rejected Him as King. Did you know that? Jesus had rode into Jerusalem as the prince of Peace to become the King of Peace, the incarnate God among men, and they crucified him instead. "Jesus Christ the same, Yesterday, today and forever." So they choose a man to rule over them and in doing so they set up for themselves a nicolaitane system. And God hates that. And did you know why they love the rule of one man over a church? Brother Branham said they do it because it makes the churches grow bigger and that puts more money into the church.

SUPER SIGN 62-0624 60 "Nico" means "to conquer." "Laity" is the church. Take all the Holy Spirit... They're not holy; just one holy man. It's the idea of getting money into the church…

You know we don't have a lot of people in this church but we have the truth. And I don't know of any church that teaches so much on the individual walk as this one. It's got to be an individual walk. Because it won't be a church that goes in the rapture.

Let's bow our hearts and our heads in a word of prayer.