Token no 57

The Token and the Economic Judgments

February 7, 2016

Brian Kocourek, pastor

 

This morning I would like to take a message from brother Branham's sermon, the Token which may seem strange to some, but actually this theme is carried throughout the sermon of brother Branham's Token Message. I want you to follow how this Sermon develops from God to God Life displayed, to God life received, to God life in you, to God life flowing from you to others.

 

It is quite interesting when going back and doing a search in this one sermon, how many times this theme comes up in this sermon. And the theme I am talking about is the relationship between the Token Itself and the judgments. And I want you to follow the progression that takes place in this Message because it is simply quite beautiful the way brother Branham builds this sermon concerning the Token.

 

Let me read to begin with from several paragraphs in the Token, and you will be able to see for yourselves how often brother Branham ties the Token with the time of the judgments of God. Brother Branham begins in paragraph 16 with the Scriptural reference of the Token and its association with the judgments of God and the Token Life saving role for the believer.

 

16 Now, solemnly, reverently we approach the Word. Now, I wish to read this morning from Exodus the 12th chapter, and beginning with the 12th verse, the 12th and 13th verse inclusive. And listen close now. And then before communion, tonight, read the 12th chapter -of Exodus, the entire chapter. For just the 11th verse here is the getting ready for the journey and the communion before the journey. And we want to approach this very reverently now. Now, the 12th verse of the 12th chapter: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the house where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." May the Lord bless His holy Word.

 

Notice the setting for the Token Message concerns the judgments that are to come. The first time we see in Scripture concerning the judgments that came at the first Exodus upon Egypt.

 

Then in paragraph 57 brother Branham brings to our attention, that the Judge is present at the time of the judgment, which only makes sense.  "When He becomes both Judge, Jury, and Attorney, He pleaded our case. We, found guilty by His Own law, and He come and took the guilty person's place that was in the sanctuary. He took his sin. He took it upon Himself, and died, and paid the price, and shed His Blood, and give back His Own Token: His Own Life. Why, we are perfectly... The case is dismissed. There's no more sin to the believer. Oh, God, have mercy. If the people can't see that there's no more case. "He that heareth My words, and believeth on Him that sent Me, has Eternal Life, and shall not come to the judgment, but's passed from death unto Life." There's the case. Case dismissed; no more case to it. Amen. Then safely with the Token applied, when Death begins to smite against the door out there, it has no control.

 

So we see here that he lets us know that before the tribulation judgments come, when death begins to smite, and that is the key,  he says, "when death begins to smite at the door", that is when the Token comes into full effect.

 

Therefore, according to John 5:24 that brother Branham quotes above, we will not come to the judgment, but it looks like we will see the development of the judgments, before they actually let loose on the earth. And I believe that is where we are at right now.

 

Then in paragraph 80 he tells us that the characteristic of those who go to judgment are those who do not believe His word. But on the other hand those who actually do believe and apply that belief are those who are allowed to bypass the judgments of God.

 

80 As I've said, try... People try to make God some big old fat doting grandfather (See?), a bunch of grand-kids that's like little Rickys and Elvises, and there's no harm in them. Not God, He has no grandchildren; He's a Father. You got to be born again. He's not big, soft, doting; He's a God of judgment. The Bible speaks He is. His wrath is fierce. Don't you trample on that and expect the goodness of God someday take you in your sin and to take you to heaven. If He'd done that, He'd excused all of this here and have took you. You'll believe His Word or you'll perish. And when you believe His Word, the Token will be upon you.

 

Then in paragraph 83 brother Branham makes the case that the Token is promised for each age before the judgments come for that age. He tells us that God always sends mercy first which is a Message of repentance to the people, and those who spurn that warning, are left for the judgment, and those who come into the Mercy (Message) are spared the judgments, and are carried over the judgments. 

 

83 Now, let's stop just for a moment or two on that clock there. Let's just think in our minds back what He promised would happen in the last days. I wonder if we hadn't just about check up too. He done all these things, and yet they still desired not to repent or to believe the message of the day. They still didn't want to do it. Although it'd been displayed before them, and had been surely made known...And when you see such things taking place, it's the sign of oncoming judgment. Judgment will follow those things. It's always done it, and this won't be no exception. See? Judgment follows grace. When mercy is spurned, there's nothing left but judgment. So it'll always follow.

 

In paragraph 99 brother Branham continues with this thought that the Token comes before the judgment. And the people will come from all over into the safety of the Token, and they will come one by one because of word of mouth. It will not be an never has been a mighty move of man, or a large organizational push. The people that will come will come one by one as they always have.  

 

99 They come from all Egypt to gather into this one place so they could be under this token. And they have come from Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Pentecostals, everything else, to get under the Token, just exactly like it was then. It was a Pillar of Fire was represented them. And one told the other, another told another, another told another; and first thing you know, here they all begin to come. They begin to come, and they watched the sign of God. They said, "Judgment's at hand." Then the prophet said, "I have heard from God. There will be a token. And you put the blood upon the door; slay the lamb, put the blood upon the door. And that'll be a token, because death is fixing to strike."

 

By the time we reach paragraph 11 brother Branham is now making it quite clear that the judgments are already being set up, and the judgments are just waiting. Then he lists some of the judgments, such as atomic war, and all kinds of disasters. And he let's us know now, that we must not just accept the Token, but the Token must be applied or we will be caught up in the judgments, which ever form they manifest.

 

111 Remember, there's a lot of them come by, them women, that night, and say, "Hey, girlie, Lily, some of you, come on out; we're going to a party tonight.""Huh uh, I'm under the Blood. I'm under the Token to stay here. My love is to my Maker. Death is in the land tonight." And death is in the land today. Judgment is waiting; she's pending. Atomic, and hydrogens, and all kinds of disaster is waiting for the nations. And God is moving His church and showing all... We been keeping the Lamb up now for quite awhile, watching, seeing what He's doing, watching His nature and everything, but now the Token's got to be applied. It's got to be applied. It's the only thing. "Except a man be born of the Spirit and of water, He will in no wise enter in."

 

By the time we reach paragraph 123 brother Branham is letting us know that every nation will be hit by the judgments, so no place will be safe outside the Token. Those judgments will be in the form of every judgment you see in Deuteronomy 28 which we do not have time to go into this morning. But there will be a very great depression affecting the whole world. The economies of the world are going to fail, they are already failing. Then we will see germ warfare like never before, and then the earth itself and the weather patterns and then the judgments from the heavens. All of this is building the stress upon man until nuclear war will become inevitable and end life on earth as we know it. But we have a Token to deliver us and that is what this sermon is about.

 

123   Look, Joshua... Wish we had time to read it. Mark it down. Joshua the 2nd chapter, believing, Gentile, harlot, Rahab...Oh, I just wish it was about nine o'clock. I'd like to take that and just show you how brother that...?... This harlot, Gentile... Watch. All her family... She was a believer; all her family had to get under that scarlet streak, that token. They had to go under it or they perished. They had heard of the wrath of God; they had heard of the displaying signs and miracles of God among His people, and they had to receive it; she had to receive it. God's destroying angel was coming. They knew it. Joshua was that angel. They were in line. And so is every nation in the world in line of God's judgment. This little old harlot, she had heard. "Faith cometh by hearing." She said, "All the country's disturbed about you." That's right.

 

In paragraph 125 brother Branham let's us know that the Token is displayed or manifested by God in the form of signs and wonders to get the attention of the people so they will know this is a supernatural thing taking place here. and God being a supernatural being identifies His Token in a supernatural way.  

 

125 Notice, Jericho, had heard what God was doing, but they didn't want to take the warning. And there isn't a denomination in this country around, but what's heard what God's a doing. They don't want to take the warning. His great power and signs have been displayed. What He done, He crossed right through the Dead Sea, as if it was on dry land. He's caused... He created things, and made frogs, and lice, and fleas to come into the air, created them by His Word, through His prophet. That was no secret, They know it. And Rahab said, "I've heard that. I don't want to perish with these unbelievers." No, sir. Knowed judgment had to follow it, 'cause they was right in line. She knowed it. So they made a way for her to escape it.

 

Then by paragraph 138 brother Branham let's us know that those who have witnessed the supernatural nature of God's Message of Mercy, not only recognize it but act upon it, and then God confirms His acceptance of their belief and seals them into His token via John 14:12 the supernatural Word that they heard, and recognized, they then become one with it and act upon it. Showing they are sealed into the Token. And the very supernatural nature of God is now confirmed in them, and having the same nature they have the same character.

 

138   And it displays His power. John 14:12, says, "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also." New Testament is new covenant, new life. Shows Jesus has met every requirement for us that God required to make us back truly sons and daughters of God, under the Blood where there is no more condemnation. Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in (not those who are believing it), those who are in Christ Jesus, that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." "And My Word is Spirit and life?." Oh, couldn't I take a text from that, and stay about a couple more hours, but we'll hurry over it. You see? No more condemnation; free from sin; free from the cares of the world. No condemn... Why? To them that have been by one Spirit baptized into one Body, there the Blood of the Lamb has been applied. The God of heaven has accepted you. And your... His life is in you, and you are sons and daughters of God. Your character is God's character. What is it? A little pushover? No, sir. God's a God of judgment. He's a God of correct. It must be on the line. Nothing else will do. That's the kind of character you are, because you're the character of your Father. See? Watch.

 

By the time we arrive at paragraph 151, we see that not only has the Supernatural God come with a Token, but those who have heard it and recognized it, and acted upon it, are not only sealed in themselves by the Token, but God allows them to apply it for others and bring  loved ones into the same safety net of the token that was given to them.

 

151 That's what they did in Egypt. That's what they did in Jericho. If you want to read another one? Acts 16:31. Paul told the centurion, "Believe; I'm the messenger of the hour. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, thou and thy house shall be saved." Is that right? Believe for your house. Bring them all under it.  Now, you've seen the God of heaven perform a miracle, just before judgment. You believed it. "Yes, what can I do?" He said, "Rise and be baptized." Paul took him out and baptized him, said, "Now, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou and thy house shall be saved." Believe what? Believe the Lord Jesus Christ for you house. Apply the Token to your house. Then what do you do when you apply It to your house? Move all the trash out. Get all the short skirts, and the shorts, and the cards, and the cigarettes, and televisions, and what evermore, and kick them out the door. You're going to apply the Token, won't stand still for it. Yes, sir. Take it all out. All the dances and the parties, and rock-and-roll, and old vulgar newspapers, and the stuff that's of the world, kick it out the door. Say, "We're cleaning out this place around here."

 

Then in paragraph 176 brother Branham brings us to the conclusion that those who have the token and have applied it have not one thing to worry about.

 

176 As Israel set there, and the screams was going on out there in the street, they didn't have one thing to worry about. Only thing, just be sure the blood, the token, was showing. That's the only thing we have to worry, right now. There's trouble in the--in the way making, friends. It ain't going to be long. Trouble's striking. You know that. Be sure the Token's showing, and the Token is the Holy Spirit. "For by one Spirit, we're all baptized into one Body, and made partakers of His glory," on our lap home march now to the promised land. Do you love Him? You believe the Token? How many would like to say, "Oh, Brother Branham, pray for me that I will come under this Token." Let us bow our heads.

 

Now, that we have established the series of events concerning the token Message, the recognition of that Message and the application of the Token, and the effect it has upon the safety of those who have it and have applied it, we can now go into more detail about the judgments that are on developing on their way all over the world as we speak.

 

In this sermon this morning we will begin to examine brother Branham's thought process concerning the Token and the judgments. We will show you many things he said concerning the two and take it to the scriptures as well  so you can see where he was coming from when he said these words.

 

From PP. 100 of the Message Jezebel Religion  61-0319, brother Branham said,    When God sends forth a message and tells the people, and they don't receive it, then He withdraws His servant and sends His plagues: famine, death, spiritually speaking, physically also. You watch for a depression, brother. You think you've seen something; you just wait after while. You haven't seen nothing. You think you're dying for a good spiritual revival; you wait till after a bit. You just wait, long and cry to hear the Word of God. The Bible said so. "There'll be a famine in the last days," said the prophet, "and not for bread and water alone, but for hearing the true Word of God." But that voice will be quiet in the wilderness somewhere, hid away.   He ordained the ravens, His servants. Bless them birds, His servants, that kept the voice of--of Elijah alive during the time of his--his isolation from the church.

 

Now, there are those people who think he meant a spiritual depression, which I can understand why they would think that, but as you will see by scripture and other things brother Branham tells us that there is coming an economic depression on a scale that the world has never seen before.

 

From, Daniel 8:23-25: we read,  And in the latter time (in the last days) of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the fullness (Completion), a king of fierce countenance (mighty Presence), and understanding dark sentences (double dealings), shall stand up  (shall present himself or come on the scene).  24    And his power (wealth), shall be mighty (vast), but not by his own power (not by his own ability to produce wealth, which means he gets it from others): and he shall destroy wonderfully (Bring to ruin, pervertion and corruption), and shall prosper (make great profits) , and practise (bring about a press or  squeeze), and shall destroy (bring to ruin) the mighty (the many nations) and the holy people (the set apart nation of God,  The Jews). 25    And through his policy also he shall cause craft (manufacturing)  to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace (quietness, ease and prosperity) shall destroy (corrupt, pervert and ruin many: he shall also stand up (stand forth and present himself) against  (on behalf or on account ofthe Prince of princes (Christ); but he shall be broken without hand (when the final act is played out).

 

2 Thess 2:3-13:   ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?  6    And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. . (He who letteth is the Holy Spirit who will let these thing be until he leaves the midst of humanity and takes us up with him.) And then (after the Holy Spirit leaves the earth and we are taken up with him) shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (You see the parousia of Christ has informed us of what is to happen. It destroys the plan of the evil one for those who believe and are sealed into the Token.) But when the parousia of Christ leaves the earth, then the parousia of the evil one comes into manifestation. 

 

Even him, whose coming (parousia) is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.    11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 ¶ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: