Laodicean Chruch Age

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

Would you agree that we are living in the last church age?
(see Rev 3:14)
Each church age has a messenger; the first church age had Paul.
The last church age had William Branham (ministry 1933-1965) ; and his ministry/message from God swept the world.
Check it out.

[Spiritus Naturae]

:huh: I don't get it...:hrm:

[studyhound]

Shalom.

Would you agree that we are living in the last church age?
(see Rev 3:14) No

Each church age has a messenger; the first church age had Paul.
The last church age had William Branham (ministry 1933-1965) ; and his ministry/message from God swept the world.
Check it out.No

:sh:

[dizzle]

No.

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

My point is that in Revelations Jesus prophecized 7 church ages.(3:14-)
Every church age has a messenger sent to minister the Word of that hour.

The Word moves on; like, when Jesus' disciples did not recognize JESUS when
He appeared to them after He was resurrected(on the path). They did not recognize the Word of that hour.

The Word of this hour is to help us walk into a rapturing faith. To restore us to a relationship with God and not a doctrine of man.
(serpent seed, Oneness of Godhead, true baptism and other great revelations)
Calling us back to the original Word that Paul preached, not what denominations preach; not what people form in their minds to be an individual/singular denomination.

Genesis was the seed book(beginnings of murderers etc {Cain etc}); and now its getting close to harvest time.
(when? only God knows)

Here is Jesus prophesying our age.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

[dizzle]

No.

[furay]

No.
:lmbo: Gotta love that stick-to-itiveness. :lmbo: :thumb:

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.
Its alright to reply "no" Dee Dee;we have free moral angency.

Others can answer how ever they will;or, ask the Lord and he'll reveal it.
tip-"ask and ye shall recieve"
Q-"Lord, is this the last age? Did you send William Branham with the annointing of Elijah to prepare the way for you?"
(just an example)

Wheat,tare,wheat,tare,wheat,tare,wheat,tare...etc etc

Its almost harvest time;"watch".
Adam and Eve changed one Word-"not" (shall "not" die) and so began the fall of man and 2005 is this sinful world. Lord help us; help me live your full Word.

[RumTumTugger]

thread has been moved here to Eschatology which is a more appropiate place for it.

[Amazing Rando]

Shalom.

My point is that in Revelations Jesus prophecized 7 church ages.(3:14-)
Every church age has a messenger sent to minister the Word of that hour.



What makes you think the seven church letters are referring to "ages?" As far as I can tell, they're just letters from Jesus to seven individual churches that existed throughout Asia Minor in the late AD 1st century.

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

How do I know that their ages?

Well they are letters to those churchs';
and those churchs' represent the 7 church ages.
"Laodicea" means peoples rights, and thats what people are squabbling for.
It was advanced in medicine, arts,culture,wealth and sciences-
they worshipped Zeus...and the city was destroyed by earthquakes.
The natural types the spiritual... and so-

Rev 1:19-20
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches

-Hast seen, which are and which shall be; 7 messengers to 7 church ages.

Paul was the messenger to the Ephesus church/and church age, which means "aimed at" and "relaxed"...its where the true and false vine of the church began.
Its where the white horse rider and the lion appear in the first seal.
The white horse rider being the anti-christ spirit; and the lion being the true Word. (white horse rider had no arrows, and was given a crown; because he didnt have one at first-but the people crowned the false doctrine)

Theres so much, our messenger revealed it.

[spiritmech]

"Theres so much, our messenger revealed it."

What do you mean? You have an angel telling you how to interpret Revelation?
SM

[Amazing Rando]

I'm confused too- I'm still not sure why he thinks we should interpret the seven church letters of Rev. as being seven ages. :nsm:

[spiritmech]

Well the proof has been circular thus far. Does the Greek of Laodicea actually mean "person's rights?" or whatever he said it means?

[Lizard]

This should be interesting. It was reading Tim LaHayes, explanation of this "7 Chruches=7 Church ages) in Revelation Unveiled that made me initially conclude that Tim LaHaye, was less than credible. It was the first futurist piece of theology that I knew was wrong. And I was reading the book to become a better futurist. Well that epiphany began my long but steady assent into preterism.

So I would like to know why man-in-armor (or anyone else) believes that the seven churches in Rev. represent the "seven church ages"? Maybe you can do a better job than LaHaye (not hard) and change my mind again.

Also, if you could provide a list of each age and the corresponding churches it would be nice as well. It's been awhile since I read LaHayes book and it got lost in a move.

[Amazing Rando]

Well the proof has been circular thus far. Does the Greek of Laodicea actually mean "person's rights?" or whatever he said it means?

I can't be sure, but it might. It could be a combination of two words. Laos meaning "people" or "crowd," and something else. But even if it does mean that, it's just a place name, and has no more mystical significance than does "Antioch" or "Alexandria." I'm pretty sure these are just letters from Christ to these seven specific churches, all of which were real places in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in the 1st century.

[Amazing Rando]

This should be interesting. It was reading Tim LaHayes, explanation of this "7 Chruches=7 Church ages) in Revelation Unveiled that made me initially conclude that Tim LaHaye, was less than credible. It was the first futurist piece of theology that I knew was wrong. And I was reading the book to become a better futurist. Well that epiphany began my long but steady assent into preterism.

So I would like to know why man-in-armor (or anyone else) believes that the seven churches in Rev. represent the "seven church ages"? Maybe you can do a better job than LaHaye (not hard) and change my mind again.

Also, if you could provide a list of each age and the corresponding churches it would be nice as well. It's been awhile since I read LaHayes book and it got lost in a move.

Terral believes this too.

[spiritmech]

Yeah, there's no real internal evidence to say that the cities are symbols. Actually, the symbols are the candles, and the cities are the explanation of the candle metaphor. You could have metaphors upon metaphors, but there's no internal evidence to suggest something like that.

SM

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

Spiritmech- William Branham was our messenger; i said that at the top.

Why do we have to interpret the 7 churchs as being seven ages?

We have to recieve the message of our hour; and that was the specific salutation for our age.

Today chistians are lukewarm...not recieving the full Word; baptizing in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost and things like that. And Gods going to spew them out of His mouth.

Its an age where people are rich and increased with good, but really their poor, blind, naked and don't know it.

Thats why He speaks of eye salve...to open our eyes to the age we're living in.
William Branham prophecied 7 things, all have come to pass except america in ashes.

" 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. "
-Serpent seed(Gen 3:6), Oneness of Godhead,baptizing in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38), revealing of the seven church ages and 7 seals...the full opening of the Word.

"There is so much"; so much thats been revealed. Lets WAKE UP!

TSUNAMI! biggest earthquake since William Branham said "Judgment is striking the west coast" in 1964...two days before the earthquake. 40 years Bible readers?

Lets live our daily lives, but be prepared by knowing where we're at, is what im saying.

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

Corrections-
i ment "increased with goods"-
and the quote of the mysteries being revealed is Rev 10:7.
it just says "7" where i quoted it.

Heres a site for some more information:
http://www.biblebelievers.org/

[studyhound]

William Branham was our messenger
You mean the Heretic William Branham?

He denied the Trinity;
said only proper Baptism (his meathod) would save one from ""The Mark of the Beast" of denominational churches";
Serpent's Seed;
ect;
ect;
ect

:sh:

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

"The heretic William Branham"
Heres SOME information on baptism and the serpent seed.

Amount of times it says trinity in the bible = 0.
The mark of the beast is what we take in our forheads- where we think.

Matthew 28:19 says "baptize them in the NAME of the father, the son, and the holy ghost."
The NAME is Jesus Christ.
After Peter and the disciples recieved the Holy Ghost they preached to a multitude. (Acts 2:37-38)
"what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Serpent seed- have you read Genesis?
Read it slowly, with the King James Version. Heres SOME tips-
Why did God curse Eves womb?
Why did Jesus have to come through the virgin birth?
Why was Cain a murderer, a tiller of the fields God just cursed, a founder of cities when God created nature, and refused to repent and worship God properly...he took on the nature of the serpent (who was an upright being to begin with)
Why was Abel a keeper of sheep and offered a blood sacrifice?
The tree of knowledge of good and evil,
"and Adam knew his wife, and she concieved" Gen 4:1

" For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one," I John 3:12

"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 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."
II Cor 11:2

That should be good for now.
http://www.biblebelievers.org/presca.htm
"The exposition of the seven church ages" by William Branham is a good book and only 2 dollars or so.

[man-in-armor]

ALSO,

when they realized they were naked, why did they sew fig leaves and make an apron to cover their private parts?

Look at modern culture, how girls dress, sales, music, movies etc
its all sexual; just like the serpent in the beginning.
Trying to pervert our bodies and souls by making us believe lies/sin.

[studyhound]

Shalom.

"The heretic William Branham"
Heres SOME information on baptism and the serpent seed.

Amount of times it says trinity in the bible = 0.
So what,
Amount of times it says evangelism in the bible = 0
Amount of times it says Bible in the bible = 0
ect ect ect

Just because we use a term (not found in the bible) to explain a doctrine, doent not make it false.


The mark of the beast is what we take in our forheads- where we think.

Matthew 28:19 says "baptize them in the NAME of the father, the son, and the holy ghost."
The NAME is Jesus Christ.
After Peter and the disciples recieved the Holy Ghost they preached to a multitude. (Acts 2:37-38)
"what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Lets see Matt. 28 and ACTS 2 says nothing about the mark of the beast. looks like some one is reading in to the text.



Serpent seed- have you read Genesis?
Read it slowly, with the King James Version. No thanks I would rather read a more accurate version.

Why did God curse Eves womb? because of her sin of disobedince.

Why did Jesus have to come through the virgin birth?Lots of reasons, one it was predicted, and it separated him from ever other would be Messiah, and also his father had to be GOD.


Why was Cain a murderer, Because his deeds were evil (1st John 3)
a tiller of the fields God just cursed, a founder of cities when God created nature, and refused to repent and worship God properly... SO what if he worked the fields, God knew we would work them (the field) to get food.

he took on the nature of the serpent (who was an upright being to begin with) No he took his fathers nature, just like we all do.


Why was Abel a keeper of sheep and offered a blood sacrifice?
The tree of knowledge of good and evil,
"and Adam knew his wife, and she concieved" Gen 4:1 Both were born of their mother by their father "knowing" their mother.

:sh:

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

A- I put a space between the mark of the beast thought,
and the baptism thought to seperate them. Because they are different thoughts, similar though; because there is one correct way to baptize.

B-It does say evangelism. Acts 21:8, Eph 4:11, II Tim 4:5

C-Bible is not in the bible,I agree with you there. But that is not a key to our salvation; (it is actually the scriptures or the holy scriptures)

D-Cain=Serpent seed, Abel=Righteous, and that line of serpent seed and Gods predestinated seed has continued throughout history (Judas=son of perdition, Jesus=messiah).

[man-in-armor]

Also,

He cursed Eves' womb because the seed of the serpent was in it,along with Adams.
"15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. "
Enmity between the righteous and serpent seed.

John 8:43
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Wheat, tare, wheat, tare...its almost harvest times; dont be decieved.

The King James is the most accurate english bible;
every other Bible is watered down...there is no Bible more close to the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. There is much more blessings from reading the Word that is closer to the Word.

[studyhound]

Shalom.

A- I put a space between the mark of the beast thought,
and the baptism thought to seperate them. Because they are different thoughts, similar though; because there is one correct way to baptize. :ahem:


B-It does say evangelism. Acts 21:8, Eph 4:11, II Tim 4:5 o those say evanglist, try cracking open a bible sometimes. :sigh:

C-Bible is not in the bible,I agree with you there. But that is not a key to our salvation; (it is actually the scriptures or the holy scriptures) :ahem:

D-Cain=Serpent seed, Abel=Righteous, and that line of serpent seed and Gods predestinated seed has continued throughout history (Judas=son of perdition, Jesus=messiah).
Nice assertions, no facts but nice assertions.


:sh:'

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

Studyhound you can believe what you want.
I quoted some scripture that clearly states some people are of the seed lineage of the devil. Scroll up and look at John 8:44; or any other of the quotes.
Or read the scripture; or do what you want, we have free moral agency.

Truth is truth, the realm of hell pentrated this world in Genesis 3:6.

[furay]

Isn't this what that quack Arnold Murray preaches every Sunday at 5 Am on the Tee-vee?

[Sheepdog]

interesting little factoid... Laodicia, the literal historical city in Asia (now Asia Minor), had a spring nearby, and due to the geology in the area it was literally luke warm.

face the fact. Jesus was addressing a real city using an earthy metaphore much like He did in His parables.

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

A)Sheepdog i dont know if your saying, yea or nay ,to what im stating.

B)Why don't people reply with the Word, rather then sarcasm?

[Sheepdog]

A)Sheepdog i dont know if your saying, yea or nay ,to what im stating.

i'm saying it is yet another goofy interpretation based on the presumptions of man rather than based on what Scripture says and what we know about the times the Word was written in.

B)Why don't people reply with the Word, rather then sarcasm?

i only speak for myself, but i try to reply as appropriate. if something deserves a well articulated response, that is what it gets. if something deserves only contempt, ... you get the point.

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

Well, like I said truth is truth.
The world isnt flat, and we are in the last church age.
The seven candlesticks were the seven churchs- tell me, why in a book of prophecy would Jesus want to send seven letters to seven churchs, of that time, and thats it?
Rev 1:19
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter"
The seven stars are the seven messengers that shun light in the dark times,
Paul then Iraneus, then Martin, then Columba, then Luther, then Wesley, then Branham.
Then the church ages connect to the seals, then the trumps, and then the vials.

[Sheepdog]

Shalom.

Well, like I said truth is truth.
The world isnt flat, and we are in the last church age.

truth is truth. the earth revolves aroung the sun, and you don't know what you are talking about.

The seven candlesticks were the seven churchs- tell me, why in a book of prophecy would Jesus want to send seven letters to seven churchs, of that time, and thats it?

actually, it is funny you should say that, considering that i adhere to the Preterist interpretation of Revelation.

but no. the first few chapters were addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor in that day. The rest of Revelation destcirbe the end times. it's not either-or.

Rev 1:19
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter"
The seven stars are the seven messengers that shun light in the dark times,
Paul then Iraneus, then Martin, then Columba, then Luther, then Wesley, then Branham.

or the "messengers" of the churches were the leaders, i.e. the messengers of God which He put in those churches (it's good though you recognize that that word, often translated "angel" doesn't necessarily refer to a literal angelic being).

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.

It is true, the earth evolves around the sun.

You believe a preterist view on revelations, so you believe that revelations has already been fulfilled(thats how i understand it)...where is the new heaven and new earth?

[man-in-armor]

revolves

[Bill the Cat]

Branham is considered unorthodox, so I am moving this discussion to Unorthodox Theology

http://www.watchman.org/profile/branpro.htm

Branhamism/William Branham
By Phillip Arnn

Founder: William Marrion Branham

Founding Date: Branham's Healing Ministry began May, 1946.

Official Publications: The Voice of God Recordings, Inc. (formerly Spoken Word Publications), produces numerous books, tapes and tracts - mostly the messages of Branham.

Organization Structure: The William Branham Evangelistic Association; Branham Tabernacle; The Voice of God Recordings, Inc. About 100 small groups meet worldwide, but there is no official association of churches.

Unique Terms: Laodicean Church Age, Seventh Angel's message, Mark of the Beast.

HISTORY
William Marrion Branham was born April 6, 1909 in the mountains of Kentucky. He was the first of nine children. His father was a logger and their first home was a dirt floor log cabin. Branham was told by his mother that his birth was accompanied by a supernatural sign. He was born in the predawn morning. He was told that when the small window of the cabin was opened, that a light stood in the opening. (Brother Branham, taped sermon transcript, p. 21).

Branham's life was intersected and influenced by numerous visions and angelic visitations. He recalled that at age seven, he heard a voice, "Well, I started up the lane again. And I turned to look at this again. And when it did, a human Voice just as audible as mine is, said, `Don't you never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way. There'll be a work for you to do when you get older.' Why, it liked to scared me to death!" (Ibid., p. 24). Branham recounted other audible communications and visions that imparted to him specific information concerning future events which later came to pass.

Branham was converted around the age of twenty and married Hope Brumbach. His conversion was a result of a series of visions occurring during and after a life threatening illness (Acts of the Prophet, pp. 40-43).

In his early ministry, he came in contact with "Jesus-Only" Pentecostals. This sect broke away from the traditional Pentecostal movement denying the doctrine of the Trinity. He attended one of their national conventions and was invited to preach. A number of their ministers invited him to conduct revivals in their churches. He returned home and informed his wife, "Oh, I met the cream of the crop. It's the best you ever seen. Them people ain't ashamed of their religion" (Brother Branham, p. 39). Although he was persuaded not to continue the association by family and fellow ministers, Branham was greatly influenced by the "Jesus-Only" Pentecostal movement. He later adopted a number of their doctrinal views.

Branham's wife and baby daughter died in 1937 from Tubercular Meningitis. He felt that it was because he had not continued in fellowship with the Pentecostals and had missed God's will (Ibid., p. 47).

In 1946, Branham received what he came to call his "charge" from the recurrent audible voice. While baptizing converts in the Ohio River, he claims it happened. "And just then a whirl come from the heavens above, and here come that Light, shining down.... and It hung right over where I was at. A Voice spoke from there, and said, `As John the Baptist was sent for the forerunner of the first coming of < A HREF="../cat95.htm#Christ">Christ, you've got a... have a Message that will bring forth the forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ'" (Ibid., p. 71).

Not long after the commission as the forerunner of the second coming of Christ, Branham was visited by an angel. He was told that he was being given two ministry gifts. He would receive the gift of healing and the gift of the "word of knowledge." Branham came to believe that this angel was the source of all his visions. Branham inquired of the angel why he should believe he was an angel of God. The angel told him that the religious leaders of Christ's day had called Jesus a devil. He should not worry about the opposition from family and fellow ministers. Branham had been told by fortune-tellers in impromptu meetings that he had a special gift of God and was born under a sign. The angel assured him that even devils had confirmed that Jesus was the Christ and not to be concerned by the testimony of fortune-tellers (Ibid., pp. 74, 75, 79).

The next Sunday Branham's first challenge, a woman dying with cancer, was brought before him. Just as the angel had said, he had a vision and prayed for the woman. She was healed. His fame spread far and wide (Ibid., p. 80). From that time forward, Branham claimed the angel was with him night and day. He stated that he was unable to minister unless the angel was at his side (Occult Bondage and Deliverance, pp. 49, 50).

Branham was a poorly educated man and had no formal Bible education. His ministry was proclaimed with alleged supernatural manifestations and empowered by a spirit being.

DOCTRINE
TRINITY: Like the "Jesus-Only" Pentecostals Branham denied the Trinity doctrine teaching a form of Modalism. Instead of three Persons in the Godhead, Branham taught that there was only one Person (Jesus) going under different titles or modes at various times in history. Branham's teaching is a variation of a second century heresy taught by Sabellius know as Modalistic Monarchianism or Patripassianism (see Monarchianism, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, pp. 727-28). Branham explained, "...not one place in the Bible is trinity ever mentioned...It's Catholic error and you Protestants bow to it" (Conduct, Order, Doctrine Q and A, p. 182). "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is offices of one God. He was the Father; He was the Son; He is the Holy Ghost. It's three offices or three dispensations,..." (Ibid., p. 392). This view of the Godhead is called Modalism and has been held to be heretical by both Catholic and Protestant churches.

BAPTISM: Branham claimed that proper baptism was needed to avoid the "Mark of the Beast" of denominational churches and escape the danger of missing the rapture and entering the Tribulation. Proper baptism must be in the name of Jesus only. Baptism with the Trinitarian formula of Matthew 28:18 ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost") is unacceptable to God.

Branham explained, "There never was a person baptized in the name of `Father, Son, Holy Ghost' until early Catholic church" (Ibid., p. 178). "Look down on your Bible and see if that says `in the names of...' Does it? No, sir... It said, `in the NAME...'" Branham attempted to explain the distinction, "You see, you misunderstand it then. It's one God in three dispensations.... And when He said, `Go baptize them in the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,' it was Jesus Christ. And that's why we baptize in Jesus' Name" (Ibid., pp. 181, 184).

If an incorrect formula was spoken during baptism, Branham felt the convert would go into darkness. "But a tritheist, triune baptism was never recognized in the Church, the New Testament... Now you know what to do, that's right; and if you refuse to walk in Light when Light's brought forth, you turn to darkness. Right! Amen!" (Ibid., p. 190).

Other Doctrines
1) Serpent's Seed: Branham taught that Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) was sexual in nature. According to Branham, Eve was seduced into a sexual relationship with the serpent and became pregnant with Cain. He explained, "Here is what actually happened in the Garden of Eden. The Word says that Eve was beguiled by the serpent. She was actually seduced by the serpent. He was as close to being a human that his seed could, and did mingle with that of the woman and cause her to conceive" (The Original Sin, pp. 2, 3). The serpent's seed was Cain and all his descendants. They are predestined for Hell. The Godly seed is Seth and his descendants who have been revealed by their call to Branham's ministry. A third group, represented by those still in denominational churches have free will to choose Heaven or Hell. The Godly seed are the Bride of Christ and will be raptured before Tribulation. Denominations are or eventually will be the Mark of the Beast and those who remain therein will go through the Tribulation. (Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, p. 96).

2) Last Days Prophet: Branham's followers claim that he held a special role as God's uniquely empowered end-time prophet. "Now, I'm just your brother, by the grace of God. But when the Angel of the Lord moves down, it becomes then a Voice of God to you...But I am God's Voice to you... Now, see, I can say nothing in myself. But what He shows me" (Footprints On The Sands Of Time, p. 214). The angelic visitor told Branham that he would be given two gifts and that he would restore Bible truth.

Branham's followers identified him as the prophetic Elijah of Malachi 4 and the seventh angel of Revelation 10. Speaking of himself, Branham said, "...we are promised a return of that Spirit [Elijah] just before the end-time. He won't start another church, because there is no more church ages to come... because the Laodicea Church Age is the last age, and the messenger of the Seventh Angel,... is the fellow that is going to reveal, by the Holy Spirit, all of these mysterious things.... Notice. This last message of the last church age is not a reformer, he is a PROPHET!" (The Seven Seals, pp. 144, 45).

According to his disciples, Branham is not just a prophet but a major prophet. "A MAN SENT FROM GOD. That the ministry of William Branham qualifies to be that of a major prophet and thus fulfill Malachi 4, 5 and 6 and Revelation 10:7 should become abundantly clear to any who take time to conduct even a brief investigation..." (The Message, Bible Believers, Inc., p. 7).

BIBLICAL RESPONSE
1) The Trinity doctrine cannot be fully comprehended by finite man. However, any other view of the Godhead will not satisfy God's self revelation in Scripture. Modalism teaches that there is only one Person in the Godhead functioning through relational "modes." When He is in the Father mode, the Son and Spirit modes are not functional. In Matthew 3:13-17, however, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends and the Father speaks. Also, "in the name of" (Matthew 28:19) or in the authority of does not limit the nature of God's unity to one Person but connotes equality of essence within the Godhead (2 Corinthians 13:14).

2) Baptism in the name of Jesus only may have been the early practice in the Jerusalem church. However, all manuscripts of Matthew 28:19 have the Trinitarian formula as being commissioned by Jesus. One document, dating from A.D. 60, the Didache, prescribes the Matthew formula (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) for baptism within the church. Regardless of the formula, baptism is not a requirement for being raptured or avoiding the Tribulation. Full salvation is by grace though faith and not of works such as baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9).

3) The Serpent's Seed doctrine is an improper interpretation of Genesis 3 that is allegorical and arbitrary. Eve's sin was not sexual. She partook of literal fruit from a literal tree. Adam also partook of the same fruit as Eve (Genesis 3:6). This is not a reference to sexual sin. The Serpent's Seed doctrine artificially limits the atonement by race or genetics. While it is true that most of humanity will not benefit from the sacrificial death of Christ (Matthew 7:13-14), Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Christ's atonement is not limited to a certain family or race of people.

The Serpent's Seed doctrine did not originate with Branham. Branham's version of the doctrine parallels the racist views of some groups within the Identity movement and the speculative philosophies of Sun Myung Moon.

4) In light of claims that Branham was God's end-time prophet, it is significant that he falsely predicted that America would be destroyed in 1977 (The Seven Church Ages, p. 322). Branham was guilty of false prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). While he tried to call it a prediction rather than a prophecy (without explaining the difference), he firmly stressed that the 1977 date was based on his thirty year study of the Bible and "Divine inspiration." Branham's ministry and claims were supported by alleged supernatural verification. Signs and wonders, however, are not infallible proofs. Many conflicting sects and ideologies boast similar subjective "proofs" (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Matthew 12:39, 24:24, Hebrews 1:1, I John 4:1-3).

[man-in-armor]

Shalom.


Well Bill The Cat tried to summarize William Branham; it seems to be from an internet source or something.

If you want to hear the messages of William Branham-read
An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages or
The revealing of the seven seals or
one of his 1,000 messages on mp3, cd or tape or real player.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" Rev 3:17 Laodicean Church Age

I've quoted many scriptures to point to the serpent seed, or true baptism;so, look back if you want to see how some people are of the seed line of the serpent, or how baptism should be in The Lord Jesus Christ.

Or read the Word and pray for revelation, dont go to an internet source...why read the mind of a man when we have the wisdom of God?

His prophecies have never failed, his prediction did.
America in ashes is coming up. "watch russia, watch russia"
Get close to the truth.

Rev 3:18-22
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

[man-in-armor]

A prophecy is "Thus Saith The Lord"; and must come to pass.

A predictions is a logiacl or reasoned guestimate.

[Sheepdog]

Shalom.

It is true, the earth evolves around the sun.

You believe a preterist view on revelations, so you believe that revelations has already been fulfilled(thats how i understand it)...where is the new heaven and new earth?

I'm a Preterist, and i believe taht much of revelation has been fulfilled.

What you are thinking of are Pantelists, though they call themselves "Preterists" so i see how you came to that conclusion.

I believe that the new heaven and new earth stuff is still future. I'm undecided on the millennium issue but somewhere in that area is where i believe the book of Revelation switches from near future (AD70) to distant future (sometime still in our future).