Cesta pravdivého proroka Božieho
Keď hovorí Boh, prorokuj! Ak zasiahne Duch Boží pravdivého proroka Božieho, on bude kričať Slovo. Nechcem byť kritický, ale kto môže zostať ticho? Kto sa môže postaviť a pozerať sa na takú vec a vyznávať, že je Kristov služobník a nehovoriť proti tomu? Nestarám sa o to, čo by povedala denominácia, alebo čo by povedala nejaká cirkev; to je dôvod, prečo k nim nepatrím. V prvom rade by vás vykopli. Ale na prvom mieste je Božie Slovo. Ak ste poslom, máte niečo do povedania. Ak hovoríte čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s Týmto Slovom, nie ste poslom od Boha; ste poslom zaviazaným nejakej denominácii, alebo nejakej teórii. Ale Boží posol má Slovo Božie.
A náš priateľ, keď sme sa dnes ráno na neho dívali, on mal Slovo Božie, pretože bol pravdivým prorokom Pánovým.
No, oni si mysleli, že k tomu mali výklad, a mysleli si, „No, samozrejme, pozrite sa, čo činíme.“
No, čo to je, máme ho tu v to ráno, ako stojí na vrchole kopca a pozerá sa až dole do mesta. Krúti hlavou a pozerá sa; jeho oči sa zužujú. Utiera si zo svojej tváre rukávom pot a piesok. Horúce slnko svieti dolu na jeho plešatú hlavu. Brada mu visí dole; poťahuje si ju rukami. On nevidí okúzlenie. Vidí hriech. Neteší ho to. Znechucuje ho to.
Prečo by nepovedal, „Ja, Izraelita, pozrite sa, ako moja krajina prosperovala?“ Ako by toto mohol povedať, keď bol pravdivým Božím prorokom a poznal následky a to, čo sa ide stať, kvôli takým veciam, aké tam boli?
1Dobré ráno, priatelia. Je skvelé ráno a je radosťou tu byť. Som šťastný, že som dnes ráno nažive a že som znova tu na zhromaždení. Je tu tak mnoho vecí, ktoré sa môžu stať v takom krátkom čase. A nevieme, za aký dlhý čas budeme zavolaní, aby sme sa zodpovedali hore na tom veľkom Súde. A chceme byť pripravení kedykoľvek, aby sme mali pokoj.
2A som veľmi vďačný, ako som už hovoril. Samozrejme, bol som tu v nedeľu večer a hovoril som ku ľuďom... Kázal som v nedeľu večer a chcem poďakovať bratovi Robersonovi a všetkým z vás, ktorí ste sa tu zastavili a radovali z toho Posolstva v nedeľu večer, „Máme všetky veci.“ A tak ja... Niekedy nemám v pláne to, že budem kázať, iba sa prichádzam pozrieť dolu na brata Neville. Jeho hrdlo je také, akoby v ňom mal niečo ako čmeliaka. Pomyslel som si, „Úbohý brat, keď ma dnes večer zavolal, samozrejme mu pomôžem alebo urobím všetko, čo môžem.“ Pretože viem, čo to je, keď ste unavený a zachrípnutý a kázali ste v to ráno veľmi tvrdo. A tak som v nedeľu večer hovoril namiesto neho. A tak sme... Ďakujem ti veľmi pekne.
3Je tu teraz mnoho vypovedaných prosieb o modlitbu. A tak ich len poďme prv spomenúť, všetky tieto prosby. Skloňme teraz svoje hlavy.
4Náš Nebeský Otče, je napísané, že by sme mali vstupovať do Tvojho zhromaždenia so vzdávaním vďaky v našich srdciach a učiň, aby sme dali svoje prosby v zhromaždení svätých na známosť. A máme ich tu dnes ráno mnoho, toľko, že nevieme, ako ich máme priviesť do Tvojej pozornosti, ale Ty ich poznáš. Je tu veľa takých, ktoré ani neboli vypovedané. Ty ich taktiež poznáš. A tak, modlíme sa z celých našich sŕdc, tak, ako sme to robili minulú nedeľu pre dieťa sestry Shepherd a brata Shepherda. Keď tam v... Vrátim sa ku tomu späť, Duch Svätý povedal, „Ona nemá detskú obrnu. Bude v poriadku.“ Aké uspokojenie sme mali, keď sme to počuli od Teba.
5No, prosím, aby si teraz v toto ráno vyhovel týmto prosbám za nemocných, za smútiaci domov, za blízkych a všetko, čo bolo vypovedané, Otče. Modlíme sa, aby si pamätal na každého jedného. A ja predkladám svoju modlitbu a modlitbu týchto ľudí pred Teba; sme spolu zhromaždení a prinášame to Tebe, v Mene Ježiša Krista. Modlíme sa, Otče, aby si nás vypočul. Amen.
6Chcem poďakovať každému z vás všetkých za vaše modlitby, ktoré ste sa za mňa modlili. Kým som... Viete, mal som tam dole na strelnici malú explóziu. A Satan sa ma pokúsil zabiť. A, samozrejme, nemohol to urobiť. Ale Boh so mnou ešte nebol hotový. A tak to nemohol urobiť, pokiaľ to všetko nie je dokončené. Keď je Boh hotový, potom som pripravený. Ale ja... Môj dobrý priateľ, Brat Woods tam dole, je to len milosť Božia, inak by to našiel odtiaľto dolu a nie odtiaľto hore. Bola to asi päť alebo šesť tonová explózia takto blízko mojej tváre, takto. Ani trochu ma nezranila. Vidíte? Trochu mi poškriabala tvár. Takže, no, všetko je to teraz preč a ostala tu len jedna malá škvrna.
7A tak chcem poďakovať tamto bratovi a sestre Dauch. Bratovi Brownovi a tým, ktorí sa cez telefonický rozhovor dohodli, aby sa spolu zhromaždili, skupina ľudí a modlili sa za mňa. A to je skrátka niečo, čo pre vás niečo robí. Viete, modlíte sa za iných a za všetko a potom, keď zistíte, že niekto sa modlí za vás, keď to potrebujete, znamená to pre vás veľmi veľa. A viem, že mnohí z vás nezavolali, alebo niečo také, ale robili ste skrátka to isté. A to pre nás znamená veľmi veľa. A to je dôvod, že som... ma to nezranilo. Boh mi dal byť zdravým. A tak som veľmi vďačný.
8No, mám tu zopár oznámení, tesne predtým, než zasvätíme týchto maličkých. No, dnes večer je v modlitebni služba. A všetci, ktorí ste prišli sem do modlitebne, príďte na službu priamo tam. A tak sme... Chystám sa dnes večer hovoriť u brata Ruddella tam hore na diaľnici, u jedného z našich bratov, ktorí nás navštevujú. A potom, akonáhle sa vrátim späť, ak budem mať ďalší večer, chcem ísť ku bratovi Junie Jacksonovi. Potom ku tomu bratovi v Sellersburgu, dlžíme mu tam hore jeden večer a tak ho tam hore chceme ísť pozrieť. A keď budeme môcť, tak sa dostaneme tam ku bratovi v Utica.
9Tento týždeň odchádzam do Green Bay, vo Wisconsine, ako viete, na regionálne zhromaždenia Obchodníkov Plného Evanjelia.
10Ďalšiu nedeľu som v tej strednej škole, ktorá je tam hore a v ktorej som bol naposledy. Zabudol som, ako sa volá to High School auditórium. [Brat hovorí, „Mather.“ - pozn.prekl.] Ako to je? [„Mather.“ - pozn.prekl.] Mather. Stephen Mather. Áno. V poriadku. High School auditórium.
11A potom v pondelok som na zhromaždení tam, kde som naposledy mal tú diskusiu s tým Kazateľským Združením v Chicagu. Sme na tom mieste kvôli rozlúčkovému zhromaždeniu pre brata Josepha Boze, ktorý odchádza do Tanganyiky. Tanganyika, domnievam sa, že to tak nazval. A v Keni a Durbane a tadiaľ pripravuje dohody pre moje blížiace sa jesenné zhromaždenia; a v Afrike a cez Južnú Afriku. A teda, prosíme vás, aby ste na nás pamätali v modlitbách ohľadne týchto zhromaždení. Potom sa vrátime späť.
12A neviem, či budem mať čas, aby som sa sem do modlitebne dostal na ďalší deň, predtým, ako potom pôjdeme hore do Severnej Karolíny. A potom odtiaľ do Južnej Karolíny. A potom celú cestu do Cow Palace, v Los Angeles, v meste South Gate. A dúfam, že práve tam sa dostanem a pôjdem sa pozrieť na pána Weatherby, toho, ktorý vyrobil tú zbraň, v ktorej explodovala tá nábojnica.
13 On poriadne nepodsústružil uzamykaciu vôľu a spôsobilo to, že nábojnicu to posunulo späť, namiesto toho, aby išla vpred. Bola to len stará puška, ktorú som mu poslal. Mal to vyvŕtať a potom prerobiť na iný druh pušky. Dal som do vnútra nábojnicu, narovnal sa ku streľbe a ono, no, zbraň to odhodilo asi 50 yardov [asi 45m - pozn.prekl.] takto odo mňa, roztopila sa mi v rukách. Hlaveň vymrštilo na vzdialenosť 50 yardov, západku odhodilo celkom dozadu, za ohradu pre jelene, tridsať, štyridsať yardov za mnou a kúsky črepín odleteli a narazili do kôry stromov a do všetkého ostatného. A tak, bolo to takto blízko pri mojom oku, iba okolo jedného palca [2,5cm - pozn.prekl.], kde to takto dopadlo. A ak by to malo vybuchnúť...
14A samotná tá zbraň vydrží 6900 libier tlaku bez výbuchu. A tak si môžete predstaviť, koľko toho tlaku na ňu pôsobilo, aby sa toto stalo. A pamätajte, ak to odtrhlo toto, mohlo mi to tiež odtrhnúť hlavu a ramená, viete. Ale stál tam Pán, ktorý ani nedovolil, aby ma to zranilo, len ma to poškriabalo na tvári. A malá črepina vošla pod mojím okom, utvorilo to kruh okolo môjho oka, a tak sa to tam, kde to črepina zasiahla, nedotklo zraku. Jeden z veľkých kusov, ktorý uviazol v lebke, smeroval okolo oka, avšak nedostal sa do oka. Ó!
15Prednedávnom, spomínate si, hovoril som vám, že ma stretol v izbe a povedal, „Neboj sa, lebo nikdy nezlyhávajúca Prítomnosť Ježiša Krista je navždy s tebou.“ Vidíte? Vidíte? A tak, toto dokázalo, že On je.
16Doktor, ktorý sa pozeral na moje oko v Louisville, povedal, že napísali späť Dr. Samovi Adairovi, nášmu priateľovi tu dole, a ten povedal, „Jediná vec, ktorú môžem povedať, je, že Pán tam v to ráno sedel so Svojím sluhom, aby ho ochránil, inak by mu neostala ani hlava a ramená.“ A tak, On bol ku mne veľmi dobrý a vážim si to. Pritiahlo ma to trocha bližšie. To vám vždy niečo spôsobí.
17A potom, dva dni po tom, o tri dni neskôr, keď som šiel na svoje zhromaždenie, ktoré som mal naplánované v Kanade, a ten človek, bez toho, aby o tomto niečo vedel, ma zavolal späť a musel to zhromaždenie odložiť. Rozumiete? Bol by som na ceste tam a táto vec by sa takto nestala. Rozumiete? A tak potom zavolal späť a ja musím vziať to zhromaždenie, zhromaždenie v Kanade. A bude to v júli, posledné júlové týždne. Potom idem do Dawson Creek, potom do Anchorage, na Aljašku, ak Pán dá.
18No, nemám žiadne vedenie ísť na ani jedno z tých zhromaždení, ani na jedno. Ale nemohol som pomyslieť na to, že by som tu sedel celé leto, posedával by som tu a ľudia všade zomierajú. Musím siať semená, kdekoľvek to je, na tom nezáleží. Ak nevyklíčia, ak ich dostane nebeské vtáctvo, čokoľvek to je, chcem siať semená, pretože On mi ich dal pár na zasiatie. A tak idem v každom prípade siať semená. No, mali sme tu dobu, keď som...
19Je mnoho ľudí, ktorí vykonávajú krst malých nemluvniat v Kresťanskej viere. No, to je v poriadku, ak to robíte. To je na vás. Samozrejme, oni ich v skutočnosti nekrstia. Iba pokropia ich temeno vodou. Ale čo sa týka mňa, rád zostanem presne s tým, čo povedala Biblia, že treba robiť. A tak, chcem robiť iba to, čo povedalo Slovo, jednoducho čokoľvek To povedalo. No, nenašiel som o tom žiadne miesto v Biblii.
20V Starej Zmluve prinášali deti na telesné obriezky, malých chlapcov, a matka obetovala obeť na očistenie, dve hrdličky alebo baránka.
21Ale v Novej Zmluve, jediné miesto, kde som mohol nájsť spomienku na túto veľkú službu... Bolo to zasvätenie. Prinášali k Ježišovi deti a On ich zodvihol hore na Svoje ruky a požehnal ich. Práve to robili rodičia v Jeho dňoch. A Jeho Život bol vzor toho, čo by sme mali robiť my. Rozumiete? On tieto veci urobil ako príklad.
22No, vezmeme len maličkých a prinesú ich k nám a podržíme ich hore pred Bohom a poprosíme o to, aby na nich prišlo Božie požehnanie, a matka a otec sa pomodlia modlitbu zasvätenia Bohu, zatiaľ čo Mu prinesú svoje dieťa. A... alebo ich zasvätia v Mene Ježiša Krista, pokiaľ nebudú dosť starí, aby mohli byť pokrstení vo Meno Ježiša Krista. A teraz, On povedal, „Čokoľvek robíte slovom alebo skutkom, všetko robte v Mene Pána Ježiša.“ A tak to je to, čo chceme robiť.
23A teraz, kým bude sestra jemne hrať tú krátku pieseň Prineste ich, tá sestra, ktorú tu máme. A matky a otcovia, ktorí máte tieto malé bábätká, ktoré nikdy neboli zasvätené Pánovi, keby ste ich teraz priniesli, kým im zhromaždenie a my budeme jemne spievať tú pieseň. Áno.
Prineste ich, prineste ich;
Prineste maličkých ku Ježišovi.
24Milujem týchto maličkých. Niečo tam na nich je, že sú takí sladkí.
25Domnievam sa, že toto je jednoznačne Talian. Nie je? V poriadku. Talianska rodina, pár z nich, ktorí majú byť zasvätení. Malá talianska sestra, ktorá je tu z, ó, z Chicaga. Povedala, „Je tu dnes ráno tá talianska rodina, ale ja nebudem kázať."
26Ako sa volá? Jonatán Dávid, aké krásne meno! No, Jonatán. Povedal, že jeho šéf mal talianske meno a on mal... On chce, aby sa jeho dieťa volalo biblickým menom.
27Viete, raz tam bol v Biblii jeden veľký Talian, ktorý sa volal Kornélius, viete. Mal čatu a bol dobrý a dával ľuďom almužny, ešte keď bol pohanom. Poznáte ten príbeh. A jedného dňa do jeho domu prišiel Anjel a povedal mu, aby poslal dolu po muža, ktorý pozná plán Boží. A on... Poznáte ten príbeh. Zatiaľ čo tí ľudia mali Boha vo veľkej úcte! „A kým Peter ešte hovoril tieto Slová, zostúpil na nich Svätý Duch.“ To je pravda. Modlím sa o to, aby toto dieťa bolo rovnakým človekom, toho istého mena.
28Jonatán, nádherné! Môžem si ho vziať? Poď sem, Jonatán. Ó, čo za hrudku cukru je to pre túto rodinu!
Skloňme naše hlavy.
29Náš Nebeský Otče, uplynuli roky od vtedy, čo sa stal ten príbeh, ktorý som práve spomenul, o veľkom mužovi, ktorý sa volal Kornélius, ktorý bol dobrým človekom, spravodlivým, a platil almužny a miloval Boha. A Anjel Boží prišiel do domu tohto muža. Ó, Bože, dnes ráno Ti dávame tohto malého Jonatána Dávida. Modlím sa, Nebeský Otče, že ako som ho vzal z rúk jeho matky a otca, ktorí ho darujú Tebe... Predkladám túto modlitbu zasvätenia života tohto dieťaťa, do životnej služby pre Teba a požehnanie do jeho domova, do toho veľkého odrazového mostíka do Cirkvi. Udeľ to, Otče. Dávam Ti malého Jonatána Dávida v Mene Ježiša Krista. Amen.
30Nech vám dá Boh Svoju milosť a pomoc pri jeho výchove v napomínaní Božom. Nech si požehnaný, Jonatán Dávid.
31No, tento, ó, je celkom mladý, alebo to je ona? On? Ó, dúfam, že prichádza ďalší kazateľ. Ako sa volá? Micheáš. Micheáš. Chcem o ňom dnes ráno hovoriť. Micheáš Edward. Edward, to je krásne meno. No, moja žena by to urobila oveľa lepšie, pokiaľ ide o jeho držanie, pretože som vždy vystrašený, že ich zlomím, keď sú takí maličkí. Rozumiete? Aké sladké drobné stvorenie, ich malé oči len pozerajú dookola. Je taký maličký. Koľko má rokov? Má jeden mesiac.
Skloňme teraz naše hlavy.
32Nebeský Otče, tento mladý pár prichádza znova sem hore, aby Ti obetovali produkt zväzku ich života, ktorý si im dal, aby ho vychovávali v napomínaní Božom. Požehnaj tohto malého Micheáša. Bože, modlím sa, aby si z neho urobil muža, akým bol Micheáš v Biblii. Udeľ to, Otče. Daj mu požehnania Božie. Požehnaj jeho otca a matku a učiň ich pre neho inšpiráciou tu na zemi, veľkým odrazovým mostíkom pre vec Kristovu. A teraz nás vypočuj, Otče, odovzdávam malého Micheáša Edwarda z rúk otca a matky do rúk Božích v Mene Ježiša Krista. Amen.
33Nech ho Pán žehná a nech požehná vás, otec a matka, aby ste ho vychovávali v napomínaní Božom.
Verím, že to je. [Prázdne miesto na páske. - pozn.prekl.]
34Ó, jednoducho milujem tých maličkých, proste každého jedného. Každé jedno z nich je tým najkrajším dieťaťom na svete. Nie je jednoducho potrebné... Keď som priniesol malého Jozefa domov, to bol, úprimne povedané, najškaredší maličký, akého som kedy videl, ale jeho matka a ja sme si mysleli, že bol ako bábika. Ale takto to zvykne byť, viete. To je... Skrátka si to tak myslíme.
35Premýšľal som dnes ráno o niektorých našich členoch tu. Bol tam... No, toto oko má v sebe beladonu [extrakt z rastliny beladona (ľuľkovec zlomocný) - pozn.prekl.], to, ktoré je veľmi rozšírené. Ale sestra Nash... Pýtal som sa na brata Nasha; premýšľal som, či je v poriadku. Je... Sú tu? Ó, no, áno, on je tu. Chvála Pánovi, brat Nash. Tak to je skvelé.
36No, sestra Edward, je ona tu? Alebo sestra Shepherd, ktorá mala to malé choré dievča, je teraz v poriadku? Skvelé. Dostal som správu a bolo to asi len päť minút, kým som mal mať ľudí z mesta na rozhovor. Bežal som do izby a modlil sa a oni povedali, že dieťa malo obrnu a jeho ruky a nohy boli vystužené. A bežal som sa modliť a povedal som, „Prídem po bohoslužbe.“ Povedal som Loyce, aby zavolala späť a povedala tej pani, že tam budem po bohoslužbe; ak ma bude potrebovať, nech ma zavolá. A keď som sa išiel modliť, Duch povedal, „Žiadna obrna. Ona bude v poriadku.“ Prišiel som, no, všetci sme sa tu v zbore modlili. Tým to bolo vybavené.
37[Sestra hovorí, „Brat Branham?“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno madam? [V pondelok sme išli k doktorovi, po tom, čo si sa za neho prvýkrát modlil, a všetok zápal pohrudnice v jeho hrudníku je celkom vyčistený, odišlo to z jeho hrdla.“ - pozn.prekl.] Chvála Pánovi! Modlitba mení veci.
Povedz, on tu dnes ráno nie je, že? Tvoj zať. Áno.
38Minulú nedeľu, naposledy, keď som tu minulý týždeň v nedeľu kázal, sedel tu jeden mladý chlapík; stále som na neho pozeral. Pomyslel som si, „Mal by som tohto chlapíka poznať.“ A zistil som, že to bol syn môjho starého spolužiaka, Jima Poole. No, my sme vyrástli spolu, už od útleho detstva. On je ten, s ktorým som mal vtedy tú nehodu s brokovnicou, a potom neskôr on mal tiež jednu, môj priateľ. Verím, že môžem priviesť toho chlapca ku Kristovi. Pri jeho otcovi som sa to veľmi snažil. Verím, že napriek tomu ho pritiahnem dnu. Verím, že môžem priviesť toho mladého chlapca. On má... Poobzeral som si ho. Vyzerá, že má jemného, ako to teraz nazvem (nepoužite túto poznámku na niekoho iného), ale cítim, že chvenie jeho ducha je dobré. Verím, že to nebude ťažké, priviesť toho chlapca ku Kristovi. A tak sa za neho modlime. To je pravda.
39A, brat, ešte niekto iný je chorý alebo niečo, niekto, na koho teraz myslím.
40Avšak, modlíme sa za všetkých. A keď niekedy... Keď zašlete prosbu, pamätajte, akonáhle ju dostanem... Myslím si, že moja žena je tu niekde v budove, a tak ona to vie. Akonáhle dostanem nejakú prosbu, hneď sa idem modliť rovno do svojej pracovne a ostávam tam, pokiaľ niečo nezacítim. Jednoducho to nevzdávam.
41Jedného dňa, keď Sam, Dr. Sam vyberal von z môjho oka tú vec, pokúšal sa o to a veľmi ho to ranilo, musel dať cez moju tvár uterák. Povedal, „Nemôžem vidieť krv môjho priateľa.“ Povedal... A ja som sa v tom kúpal, viete. Ale povedal, „Nemôžem to urobiť a pracovať na tom.“ Rozumiete? A tak to vytiahol von. A na druhý deň bol v nemocnici. Tak som sa za neho modlil a on odtiaľ odišiel v poriadku.
42A potom na ďalší deň, jeho žena, oni vôbec nevedeli, čo s ňou bolo zle, mysleli si, že má obrnu. Rozumiete? Povedali a povedali... A modlili sme sa za ňu a ona je teraz v poriadku doma. A tak sme mali v miestnosti, Doc... Išli sme do kancelárie a on... Spoločne sme zavreli dvere a povedal, „No, brat Bill, niečo sa ťa opýtam.“ Povedal, „Pomodlíš sa za mňa a za Betty?“
Povedal som, „Poďme. Poďme sa pomodliť.“
43A tak on je ten, ktorému Pán ukázal videnie, kde stavať tú kliniku. Pamätáte si na ten príbeh. Ak o tom len pochybujete, poďte niekedy za ním a opýtajte sa ho to. Áno, skrátka povedal, „Len nech niekto príde.“ Povedal, „Hovoril som o tom desiatim tisícom ľudí.“
44[Brat hovorí, „Brat Branham?“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno, brat. [„Pre tých, ktorí sú tu dnes ráno, a aby to vložilo do ostatných sŕdc väčšiu vieru: Ráno na Veľkonočnú nedeľu si tu vyvolal jednu vzácnu dušu, bol to muž, tretí v poradí. Povedal si, že bol zo Seymouru. A skrze pomazanie Ducha Svätého si povedal, 'Volajú ťa, „Bill.“' Poznám toho muža. Poznám ho veľmi dobre. A potom sme odtiaľto odišli a on sa volá Izák. Prezývajú ho 'Bill.'“ - pozn.prekl.] Tak veru. Vidíte?
45Jeho skutočné meno je Izák. [Brat hovorí, „To je pravda.“ - pozn.prekl] Ale prezývajú ho Bill. [„To je pravda.“ - pozn.prekl.]
46Duch Svätý nerobí chyby. On je neomylný. No, niekto hovoril, ja som povedal, „Mám päťdesiattri rokov a tri, okolo tridsaťjeden rokov som bol za kazateľňou a videl som Ho v desiatkach tisícoch prípadov.“
47Včera som bol dolu, smerom dolu, južne od Kentucky, priamo na hranici Tennessee a sedel som v člne s bratom Daultonom, ktorému Pán dal všetky jeho deti. Pamätáte si na to ráno, keď tu začínal. A povedal, „Brat Branham,“ povedal, „predpokladám, že je to rozpoznávanie pre teba ťažké.“
48Povedal som, „Ó, brat Daulton, desaťtisícekrát, desaťtisíce podobných prípadov.“
Povedal, „Prečo sa nepokúsiš napísať knihu“ (Povedal som...) „o tom?“
49Povedal som, „Ó, brat Daulton, to by bolo toho toľko, ako cez celý tento čln, encyklopédia, množstvo kníh o tom, čo som len ja videl Pána urobiť. A nebol jediný raz, že by niekedy zlyhal, vidíte, ani jediný raz; ale zakaždým to bolo dokonalé.“
50Verím, že teraz vidím, ak sa nemýlim, dievča brata Shepherda, tú s takými oranžovými šatami. Myslím si to. Raz ráno som pri nej zastavil. Kráčala a ja som si pomyslel, že to by som asi vyzdvihol nesprávne dievča, a tak som sa stiahol. Tak to som bol ja, kto zastavil, sestra. Domnieval som sa, že to bolo dievča brata Shepherda. A ja by som ju vyzdvihol, pretože som si pomyslel, že má asi pokazené auto alebo niečo také. Išli sme pre Becky. A ja som si potom pomyslel, že to asi nie je to dievča. Ale teraz ich tam vidím sedieť spolu, takže vidím, že to bolo to dievča. Tak to som bol ja, kto tam pristavil a potom odišiel preč.
51A tak, každý miluje Pána Ježiša? Ó, nádhera! To je jednoducho krásne a úžasné. Amen.
52[Brat Neville hovorí, „Práve prišiel brat Willard.“ - pozn.prekl.] No, brat Willard, sme radi, že ťa tu máme. A tiež vyzeráš veľmi dobre, najlepšie, ako som ťa videl. Obaja máme niečo ako fašírku na tvári. Vyzerám, ako by som bol zasiahnutý niečím takým. A videl som v tú noc brata Willarda, keď spal, a úprimne povedané, on vyzeral hrozne. Ale dnes ráno vyzeráš hrozne dobre. A vzdávame za to vďaku a chválu Bohu, brat. Amen. Áno. Viete, diabol nás nemôže zabiť, kým Boh nepovie, „Poď.“ Potom chceme ísť, nie, brat Willard? To je pravda. Do tej doby sa len márne snaží. To je všetko. Pán Ježiš je naša Pomoc a Útočisko.
53A teraz budem hovoriť ďalej, zatiaľ čo tu dnes ráno mám iba asi šesť hodín na kázanie. Vidíte? Len... No, vôbec nič sme neoznamovali, nerozdávali sme žiadne modlitebné lístky a podobné veci, pretože už som oznámil, že tu nebudem. Ale pôjdem len ďalej a pomôžem bratovi Nevillemu a dostanem sa ku vám všetkým, aby som vás videl a mal trocha času obecenstva.
54A minulú nedeľu večer, brat Roy Roberson, neviem, či tu je alebo nie je. Nedokážem to poriadne rozoznať, aby som videl, že tu je. Zavolal mi a rozprával o Posolstve.
55A niekto volal a povedal, „Čudoval som sa, keď si rozprával o tom, že 'Boh nám dal všetky veci.'“ Vidíte? On nám dal život. Skúste si ho kúpiť. On nám dal lásku. Skúste si ju kúpiť. Dal nám radosť. Skúste si ju kúpiť. Dal nám pokoj. Skúste si ho kúpiť. Neexistuje spôsob, ako by sa to dalo kúpiť. Nemôžete si to kúpiť.
Potom som povedal, „On nám dal smrť.“
Niekto zavolal a povedal, „Kazateľ, čudoval som sa tomu, kam tým mieriš.“ Povedal, „Pomyslel som si, 'Ó, tentokrát tu brat Branham zviazal sám seba.'“ Nie, keď to tak povedala Biblia. Rozumiete? Biblia povedala, že On nám dal smrť.
56No, čo môžeme robiť so smrťou? Viete, Pavol prichádzal ku smrti a povedal, „Ó, smrť, kde je tvoj osteň?“ Smrť nás nemá v moci. My máme v moci ju. Správne. Všetky veci sú nám dané.
57A potom som uviedol predobraz toho, ako Izrael na výprave do zasľúbenej zeme, oni nikdy nevideli tú zem. Nevedeli o nej nič. Mali len Božie zasľúbenie, že tam bola zem a bola plná mlieka a medu a bolo to dobré a skvelé miesto. A bola ním. Nikdy ju nevideli. Nikto tam nikdy nebol a nič o nej nevedel. Ale oni ju mali zasľúbenú. A pomocou viery pohostínili v púšti.
58A keď sa dostali priamo ku hranici, mali tam medzi sebou bojovníka, ktorý sa volal Jozue, čo znamená „Jehova Spasiteľ.“ A tak on prešiel Jordánom do zasľúbenej zeme a priniesol späť dôkaz toho, že tam tá zem je. To sa mi páči. A bola to dobrá zem. Dvaja muži odtiaľ vyniesli jeden strapec hrozna. Bola to dobrá zem a tak on priniesol späť dôkaz toho, že tá zem, ktorú sa chystajú zabrať do vlastníctva, tam bola.
59No, Cirkev, my cestujeme do Zeme nesmrteľnosti, do Zeme, kde nie je smrť, do Zeme, kde sú mŕtvi vzkriesení. A v našom tábore máme veľkého Spasiteľa. Ježiš znamená „Jehova Spasiteľ,“ Milovaný. A On prešiel Jordánom smrti do inej Zeme a vrátil sa späť a priniesol dôkaz toho, že žijeme po smrti. Amen. Takže, kde je smrť?
60A potom nám dal všetky veci. „Teraz máme závdavok nášho dedičstva. Do tej miery...“ Teraz počúvajte pozorne. A nejdem kázať na túto tému, ale to len spôsobuje, že sa práve teraz cítim dobre. Rozumiete? To, že máme toho závdavok. Lebo, raz sme kráčali v hriechu; a potom, čo sme sa nechali pokrstiť v Jeho Meno a vstali sme s Ním vo vzkriesení, boli sme vyvedení z hriechu, nikdy viac sa nechceme znova vrátiť späť. Vidíte? Povstali sme z hriechu s dôkazom, ktorý máme. Potencionálne sme vzkriesení z celej smrti. Rozumiete? Ak sme mohli povstať z hriechu, vierou v Neho; a tam je hriech, kto by sa chcel znova vrátiť späť do odpadkových košov hriechu? Vidíte? Prešli sme zo smrti do Života. Vidíte? A toto je závdavok. Amen. Je to závdavok úplného vzkriesenia, z celej smrti, fyzicky. A duchovne, my sme prekonali duchovnú smrť, pretože sme prešli zo smrti do Života.
61A ako Eliáš prišiel jedného dňa dolu ku Jordánu a udrel ho, s Elizeom a ono sa to rozdelilo a on tade prekročil. Vrátil sa späť s dvojitou porciou.
62A keď my udrieme Jordán, s Kristom, máme jednu porciu, ale keď sa vrátime, prídeme s dvojitou porciou. Máme Večný Život, vzkriesenie z hriechu, no, v spravodlivosti s Duchom Svätým. A potom pri návrate, s Kristom, vraciame sa späť s obojím, s fyzickým vzkriesením a duchovné vzkriesenie sme už dostali. Máme dvojitú porciu. Vždy predobrazom Krista a Cirkvi: Elizeus a Eliáš.
63Ó, nechcem tu s týmto začínať. Ó, rozhodne by sme tu nemali na toto Posolstvo šesť hodín. [Brat Neville hovorí, „Ešte je na tej kosti mäso.“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno. Ó! „Mäso na kosti,“ povedal brat Neville. Stále to obhrýzame. Ó, nie ste šťastní? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Vidíte? Nemáme...
64Nie je tu viacej žiadneho trápenia. Smrť je ničím. Máme ju. Je naša. Nemá nado mnou moc. Ja mám nad ňou moc. Ako? Skrze Neho, ktorý ma učinil premožiteľom, pretože ja som už premohol smrť. Ako som to urobil? Tým, že Mu verím. Rozumiete? Smrť je v hriechu, v nevere. Nie som neveriaci. Som veriaci. Povstal som z tej veci, vstal z mŕtvych. To je závdavok celého môjho úplného fyzického a duchovného vzkriesenia, všetkého. Tak veru. Porozumeli ste tomu? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Takže máme pod svojou kontrolou smrť, skrze Ježiša Krista, ktorý premohol smrť, peklo, hrob, choroby, žiaľ, všetko ostatné, zvíťazil nad všetkým.
65A teraz sme s Ním povstali, sedíme v Ponebeských miestach, duchovne hovoriac, v Kristu Ježišovi, so všetkými vecami pod našimi nohami. Dokonca fyzické vzkriesenie je pod našimi nohami, pretože sme v Kristovi. Porozumeli ste tomu? Ak áno, pozdvihnite ruky. [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Amen. To je dobre. Ak tomu rozumiete, je to skvelé. Rozumiete? Nedovoľte... Teraz len stačí udržiavať to vo svojej mysli. Rozumiete? „Prešli sme zo smrti do Života,“ fyzicky, duchovne, v každom smere.
66A všetko a všetky veci nám teraz patria. No, vonkajší svet hovorí, že sme blázniví, a napriek tomu nám patrí celá zem. Ako to zdedíte?
67Keď, ako som hovoril, Abrahám, vidíte, bol v zasľúbenej zemi; Boh mu ju dal. Lót bol unesený nejakými odpadlíckymi zbojníkmi, vzatý preč. To bol jeho synovec. V poriadku. Všetko, čo bolo v tej zemi, patrilo Abrahámovi. A tak, on nebol bojovníkom. Nikdy nebojoval. Nemal so sebou žiadnych bojovníkov. Mal pár sluhov. Ale keď uvidel, že niečo, že prišiel diabol a olúpil ho o niečo, čo bolo zasľúbené jemu, vyzbrojil svojich sluhov a sám si zobral zbroj. Nevedel, ako premôže túto celú skupinu kráľov. Iba s hŕstkou sluhov, ale Boh mu povedal, ako to urobiť. Rozdelili sa a pozabíjal kráľov a víťazne sa vrátil. Prečo? On položil svoju vieru na Božie zasľúbenie, že všetko v tej zemi bolo jeho a Lót bol toho časťou, to je pravda, bol časťou tej zeme. Ó!
68A tam stretol Melchisedeka, potom, čo tá bitka skončila. Mohli by ste len vidieť Abraháma, ako prichádza po ceste? Nevedel, že bol bojovníkom, ale potom poznal, že ním bol. Tak veru. A stretol Toho, ktorý dal to zasľúbenie, Melchisedeka.
69Teraz poďme čítať z Knihy Ámosa. Chystám sa dnes ráno rozprávať; ale nie šesť hodín. Dúfam, že nie. Rozumiete? Na tému, Cesta pravdivého proroka. A dnes večer, ak Pán dá, chystám sa hovoriť na tému, Vypustiť tlak, a tak, ak Pán dá.
70No, som známy ako kritik, ale nie som kritický, iba na všetko, čo je nesprávne. Ale ja, my by sme mali kritizovať to, čo je zlé.
71No, ak sa teraz chystáte v miestnosti zapnúť nahrávacie zariadenia, no, v poriadku. Chcem teraz čítať z Ámosa, z 3. kapitoly. Alebo... Áno. 3. kapitola z Ámosa, iba časť z toho, Ámos 3.
Počujte toto slovo, ktoré hovorí Hospodin proti vám, synovia Izraelovi, proti všetkej čeľadi, ktorú som vyviedol hore z Egyptskej zeme, hovoriac:
Len vás som poznal zo všetkých čeľadí zeme, preto navštívim na vás... všetky vaše neprávosti.
Či azda pojdú dvaja spolu bez toho, že by sa shodli?
Či zareve lev v lese, keď by nebolo pre neho koristi? Či vydá ľvíča svoj hlas zo svojej peleše bez toho, že by bolo lapilo?
Či padne vtáča do osídla na zemi, keď mu niet smečky? Či sa zdvihne osídlo od zeme, keď nechytilo ničoho?
Či sa zatrúbi na trúbu v meste, a ľud sa nesbehne v strachu? Či sa deje voľačo zlé v meste, a Hospodin neučinil?
Lebo Pán Hospodin... nečiní ničoho, krome keď zjavil svoju tajnú radu svojim služobníkom prorokom.
Lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Pán Hospodin hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?
72Jeho oči museli byť zúžené, ako v to ráno stál na kopci, hneď za mestom Samária. Vidím jeho pevné ruky, ako sa poťahoval za svoju šedivú bradu. Horúce slnko svietilo. Na pohľad nebol veľmi atraktívny. Aký bol odlišný od dnešných moderných evanjelistov! Jeho oblečenie bolo otrhané; neupravená brada. A pozeral sa dolu na to mesto Samária, jeho oči boli stále prižmúrené, ako sa díval. Na pohľad nevyzeral významný, ale mal pre ten národ TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
73Bolo to azda dosť odlišné pri tejto blížiacej sa kampani, kvôli ktorej ho Pán poslal do Samárie, než to, čo by boli robili naši moderní evanjelisti. Nebol vystrojený na takú evanjelizáciu, ako by sme si mysleli, že by mal byť dnes. Ale pamätajte, on nebol moderný evanjelista. On bol prorok. Nestaral sa o moderné vybavenie. On mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
74Nestaral sa o to, ako vyzeral a ako veľmi štýlovo bol oblečený, či boli jeho vlasy vyčesané vpravo, ani či sa na neho niekto pozerá alebo nie. On mal Slovo Pánovo. To bol jeho celý cieľ: priniesť to Slovo Pánovo. Kto bol tento muž? Áno. To bol Ámos, prorok, taká otrhaná osoba, ale vedel, kde stojí. Vedel, čo robí. On bol pravým prorokom Slova. A dôvod, prečo prišiel ku tomuto mestu bol, že ku nemu prišlo Slovo.
75A keď Slovo Pánovo príde ku pravému sluhovi, on musí ísť, bez ohľadu na okolnosti, alebo bez ohľadu na ťažkosti. V každom prípade musí ísť. Či už je pripravený, či sa na to cíti, či to chce, či čokoľvek iné; on musí ísť v každom prípade. Je to Božia reč a on musí priniesť to Posolstvo. Pretože to je... On nikdy nejde za hlúposťami. Nikdy nejde za peniazmi. Nikdy nejde za popularitou. On ide len v Mene Pánovom, kvôli jednej veci. Má poslanie a je poslaný od Pána. A on je Slovom Božím, pretože prináša Slovo Pánovo. To je pravý prorok Pánov.
Moja téma je: Cesta pravdivého proroka Božieho.
76Tento veľký, nebojácny muž Boží prorokoval vo dňoch Jeroboáma II. Mám tu pred sebou napísaný kúsok z jeho histórie. Prorokoval okolo trinásť rokov svojej kampane. A Jeroboám, bol to Jeroboám II. a on bol najchytrejším a najschopnejším mužom, akého Izrael za nejaký čas mal. Bol to muž, ktorý do Izraela priniesol prosperitu. Celý Izrael rozkvital. Ale on, niečo s ním nebolo v poriadku. Bol modlárom.
77A jedného dňa som to trochu čítal a trochu o tom premýšľal, že to celkom zodpovedalo dnešku. Nezáleží na tom, aký je človek chytrý, ako veľa toho dokáže a ako veľmi prosperuje, ak sa dostane preč od Boha, je tomu národu zadĺžený, preč od Boha a Jeho Slova. Zaujímalo by ma, či to dnes nesedí na nás, na niekoho, kto miluje byť na obrazovke televízie a ukazovať sa, akí sú chytrí a ako veľa majú inteligencie. Ale som zvedavý, či jej majú dosť na to, aby vzali TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. On bol chytrý muž, v poriadku.
78Izrael bol v odpadnutom stave. Jeho kazatelia, jeho kňazi a taktiež jeho vláda, všetci opustili Slovo Pánovo. No, oni neverili, že to tak je. Verili, že boli so Slovom Pánovým. „Ale existuje cesta, ktorá sa zdá byť človeku správnou, ale jej koniec je cestami smrti.“ Prečo sa mýlili? Prečo by si mohol človek myslieť, že sa mýlili? Celé kňažstvo mužov, tisíce kazateľov a kňazov a kráľov a panovníkov, všetci, ktorí vyhlasovali, že uctievajú Boha, a napriek tomu sa všetci mýlili.
79Nuž, oni nepotrebovali kráľa prosperity. To, čo potrebovali, bol prorok, pretože Slovo Pánovo, alebo výklad Slova Pánovho prichádza ku pravému prorokovi. Občas môžete vidieť, aká je potom jeho cesta. Je to veľmi drsná cesta, keď sú proti nemu všetci kňazi, všetci kazatelia, všetci duchovní vodcovia a aj samotná vláda. Ale napriek tomu Slovo Pánovo prichádza ku prorokovi a jedine ku nemu. On má pravdivé Slovo. Hoci mal tú istú Bibliu, ako mali oni, ale Slovo prišlo ku nemu. Boh potvrdzoval, že on mal Slovo.
80Oni mali najväčšie budovy a náboženské systémy a tak ďalej, aké kedy mali, všade nastavané oltáre a všetky druhy vecí, ale stále boli milióny míľ od Slova Božieho.
81Osobne si myslím, že ten obraz sa veľmi dobre hodí na dnes, keď čítam túto Knihu Ámosa. Musíte si to prečítať, keď prídete domov. Celá vláda, kňazi, všetci z nich opustili Slovo Božie.
82Len by som tu rád prečítal inú časť z Písma, vezmem to, aby som ukázal, kde to oni urobili. Teraz poďme čítať z 2. kapitoly a 4. verš, len na chvíľu.
Takto hovorí Hospodin: Pre troje prestúpení Júdu a pre štvoro neodvrátim toho
[„toho súdu“ - v angl.preklade KJV – pozn.prekl.],pretože zavrhli zákon Hospodinov,...
83To je Slovo, zavrhli Ho a napriek tomu si mysleli, že Ho majú.
...a neostríhali moje ustanovenia, a ich lži ich zaviedli do bludu,...
84No, mali Slovo, Bibliu, ale ich lži, ktoré s Tým spojili, ich priviedli do bludu.
... za... ktorými chodili ich otcovia:
85Vidíte dôvod? No, oni mali bludy, pretože oni vložili do Slova svoje vlastné preklady a výklady. A myslím si, že to sedelo s dneškom, tak, ako mnohí chcú vložiť ich vlastné myšlienky do Slova a dostaneme v tom zmätok. Čo za napomenutie od Boha mal tento prorok.
86No, Ámos bol Boží prorok, pravdivý prorok. Každý človek, ktorý niekedy číta o Ámosovi, pozná smelosť tohto nebojácneho muža Božieho. On je považovaný za jedného z menších prorokov, pretože sa tam nezdržiava veľmi dlho, ale určite položil sekeru ku koreňu stromu. On bol jeden z najnebojácnejších prorokov a prišiel s pomazaním. Prišiel s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vedel, o čom hovorí, pretože na ňom bolo pomazanie Božie, aby im priniesol správny výklad Božieho Slova.
87Ámos prišiel z vidieku, z pustatiny do okúzľujúceho mesta. Predtým tam nikdy nebol. Bol to odjakživa dedinský chlapec zozadu z pustatiny. Kým bol tam vzadu v modlitbe, Boh ho stretol a povedal mu o hanebnosti toho okúzľujúceho národa, ktorého bol súčasťou. A Samária bola hlavné mesto, jedno z hlavných miest v tom čase, a vládol mu Jeroboám.
88A keď tam v to ráno stál, na vrchole kopca, kráčal dnu so svojím starým, primitívnym dedinským oblečením na sebe, možno mal na nohách prach a blato, keď spal v tom starom otrhanom odeve, noc čo noc. A neviem, že by mali v tých dňoch vane. Mohlo to byť pár dní odvtedy, čo sa kúpal. Ale to nezraní vnútro človeka. Dnes príliš mnoho kladieme dôraz na vonkajšok a nedostatočne na vnútrajšok. Toľko sa staráme o to, či sa budeme kúpať každý deň a či sú naše vlasy upravené, naše oblečenie vymenené a všetko, a nechávame náš vnútrajšok ísť akoukoľvek cestou, nosíme ten istý starý hriešny odev, našu dušu nechávame napáchnuť vyznaniami a dogmami a nikdy ju nepreskúmame a neumyjeme vo vode Slova oddelenia od svetských vecí.
89Ako tam stál v to ráno, pozeral sa z kopca na to okúzľujúce mesto, plné moderných vecí, o ktorých nikdy nesníval, že tam také veci sú. Izrael bol na svojom vrchole. Bol v spojenectve so všetkými národmi okolo seba. Veľmi atraktívne ženy boli tak vyberane oblečené a takisto muži. A boli zasiahnutí pôžitkami, bežeckými pretekmi a olympiádou a všetkým, čo sa dialo. Niet divu, že jeho oči boli zúžené; nie kvôli pôvabu mesta, ako by to mohol urobiť nejaký turista, ktorý prichádza do New Yorku, alebo do Los Angeles a vidí polonahé ženy, nevhodne správajúcich sa mužov a hriech.
90Niektorí moji priatelia, pred pár dňami som sa vracal z rybárskeho výletu tesne pod Biblickou fakultou, známou Biblickou fakultou. A tam ležali na ceste, v tráve boli polonahé mladé dievčatá a mladí chlapci, asi študenti z fakulty, pili a nevhodne sa správali, hrozné.
91No, také nevhodné správanie, ako keď to dráždi chuť mnohých Američanov, ktorí sami seba nazývajú Kresťanmi, keď sa pozrú dolu do Los Angeles. Alebo, sledoval som ich v lietadle, keď sme prišli do Los Angeles; predtým tam nikdy neboli; alebo v Hollywoode, alebo na Floride, so všetkými ich neónovými palmami. Ó, mali by si znova napudrovať svoj nos a upraviť mejkap. Mysleli si, že to bola najviac okúzľujúca vec, ktorú kedy videli. A videli dobre upravené a oblečené ženy, ako kráčajú po uliciach, chceli sa odtiaľ dostať von a vidieť, ako natesno dokážu nosiť svoje oblečenie, alebo ako sa krútia hore a dole po uliciach. Zatiaľ, čo si mysleli, že je to niečo úžasné.
92Ale tie Bohom pomazané oči toho proroka neboli zúžené kvôli tej veľkoleposti, ako nejakí turisti, ale kvôli morálnej skazenosti ľudí, ktorí boli povolaní byť požehnanými Božími. Jeho oči sa nepozerali na tú veľkoleposť. Neboli zúžené kvôli veľkoleposti. Bolo to kvôli nemravnosti a skazenosti ľudí, ktorí boli povolaní byť vyvolenými Božími a správali sa takým spôsobom, akým sa správali. Niet divu, že povedal, „Lev zareval, kto by sa nebál? Boh prehovoril, kto by neprorokoval?“
93Videl skazenosť a úpadok. To bolo to, na čo sa pozeral. Vtedy, keď videl to všetko. Jeho to nelákalo. V jeho duši ho to znechucovalo. Prečo? On bol prorokom. Vedel, čo Boh zasľúbil požehnať, a čo bolo požehnanie, a ako sa požehnaní ľudia správajú. A diabol v jeho dobe prevrátil to, čo bolo skutočným požehnaním, na morálny úpadok; to požehnanie, ktoré obracia od potešenia očí a chutí neobrátených ľudí do vôle a cesty Božej a do Božieho spôsobu života.
94Aké typické pre dnešok! Ako môžu kazatelia stáť za kazateľňou a pozerať sa na hriech a skazenosť tohto sveta a vidieť ľudí, ktorí sa správajú a konajú takým spôsobom, akým konajú, a potom ich len požehnajú, pretože sú členmi ich cirkvi alebo denominácie, to je viacej, než moja duša dokáže pochopiť.
95Keď hovorí Boh, prorokuj! Ak zasiahne Duch Boží pravdivého proroka Božieho, on bude kričať Slovo. Nechcem byť kritický, ale kto môže zostať ticho? Kto sa môže postaviť a pozerať sa na takú vec a vyznávať, že je Kristov služobník a nehovoriť proti tomu? Nestarám sa o to, čo by povedala denominácia, alebo čo by povedala nejaká cirkev; to je dôvod, prečo k nim nepatrím. V prvom rade by vás vykopli. Ale na prvom mieste je Božie Slovo. Ak ste poslom, máte niečo do povedania. Ak hovoríte čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s Týmto Slovom, nie ste poslom od Boha; ste poslom zaviazaným nejakej denominácii, alebo nejakej teórii. Ale Boží posol má Slovo Božie.
96A náš priateľ, keď sme sa dnes ráno na neho dívali, on mal Slovo Božie, pretože bol pravdivým prorokom Pánovým.
97No, oni si mysleli, že k tomu mali výklad, a mysleli si, „No, samozrejme, pozrite sa, čo činíme.“
98No, čo to je, máme ho tu v to ráno, ako stojí na vrchole kopca a pozerá sa až dole do mesta. Krúti hlavou a pozerá sa; jeho oči sa zužujú. Utiera si zo svojej tváre rukávom pot a piesok. Horúce slnko svieti dolu na jeho plešatú hlavu. Brada mu visí dole; poťahuje si ju rukami. On nevidí okúzlenie. Vidí hriech. Neteší ho to. Znechucuje ho to.
99Prečo by nepovedal, „Ja, Izraelita, pozrite sa, ako moja krajina prosperovala?“ Ako by toto mohol povedať, keď bol pravdivým Božím prorokom a poznal následky a to, čo sa ide stať, kvôli takým veciam, aké tam boli?
100Nechajte ho dnes postaviť sa na kopec a pozrieť sa dole. Nechajte ho pozrieť sa do Jeffersonville na ľudí, ktorí sami seba nazývajú Kresťanmi. Nechajte ho pozrieť sa kamkoľvek v Amerike, na ľudí, ktorí sa sami nazývajú Kresťanmi. Jeho Bohom pomazané oči by sa znova zúžili. Jeho ruky by poťahovali bradu. Prečo? On nevidí tú veľkoleposť a prosperitu, ktorú vidí svet. On vidí odchádzanie od Boha. Vidí morálny úpadok ľudí. Vidí upadanie národa. Vidí prehnilosť v cirkvi. Ako môže urobiť niečo iné, než prižmúriť oči a dychtiť po tom, aby sa dostal dovnútra, a tak to tam mohol roztrhať na kusy?
101Čo ak by ho tam hore stretol nejaký biskup a povedal by, „No, ty si prorok Pánov? No, my ti povieme, čo môžeš hovoriť a čo nemôžeš.“ Myslíte si, že by to poslúchol? Čo ak by povedali, „Poď a pripoj sa teraz ku našej organizácii a pomôžeme ti s tvojou kampaňou?“ Myslíte si, že by to počúvol? Nie. Nedokážem si predstaviť, že by to takýto človek urobil. Nie.
102On bol poslaný od Boha. Nemal s nimi spoluprácu. On mal Slovo Božie, Božie pomazanie a Boží určený čas. Prichádzal s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Ó! To je pravdivý prorok. To bola cesta, ktorou išiel. Neputuje s ničím, iba s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
103Mohlo toto okúzľujúce mesto Samária, ten samozvaný, vysoko vzdelaný Izrael, tí dobre uhladení kazatelia a kňazi prijať tohto drobného, neznámeho človeka? Jeho gramatika bola pravdepodobne veľmi biedna. Pochádzal z chudobnej rodiny z pustatiny. Opustil domov, bol povolaný od Boha a odišiel do pustatiny, aby sa učil o Bohu a Jeho Slove a stal sa prorokom. Pán ho kvôli tomu zrodil.
104Proroci sa rodia, posol na daný vek, ktorého Boh predzvedel. On potom pozná ten vek a On tam mal Svojho agenta, aby vyzval hriech.
105Mohlo ho to veľkolepé mesto prijať? Myslíte si, že tie ženy mohli brať ohľad na to, čo hovoril? Myslíte si, že tí kňazi by ho mohli počúvať? No, nie veru. Nemal so sebou žiadne odporúčanie od nejakej organizácie. On nemohol povedať, že, „Poslali ma Farizeji.“ Tiež nemohol povedať, že ho poslali Sadúceji. Neniesol so sebou žiadne poverovacie listiny. Nemal žiadnu kartu obecenstva od nejakej skupiny ľudí. Nemal žiadneho predchodcu, ktorý by zariadil jeho kampaň. Tam neboli všetci Farizeji, ktorí mali spoločné zhromaždenie a všetko pohromade, aby vyvýšili jeho kampaň a vedeli, že prichádza. On bol pre nich neznámy. Nemal žiadnu kartu obecenstva. Nemal žiadne poverovacie listiny. Nemal žiadne odporúčania od ľudí.
106Ale mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. To je cesta pravdivého proroka. On mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. A ak mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, to je tak ďaleko odlišné od našich ľuďmi vytvorených systémov. To bolo všetko, čo potreboval. Ak by išiel touto cestou, prišiel by v mene cirkvi. Ak by išiel Touto cestou, prišiel by v Mene Pánovom. A tak pravdivý prorok vždy prichádza v Mene Pánovom.
107No, nemohol ukázať karty obecenstva, ale mal Slovo Božie. A to bolo to, čo Boh poslal ľuďom. No, ľudia sa vyformovali do organizácií. Mali rôzne sektárske skupiny a to je to, čo ľudia vytvorili. Ale Ámos to nemal. On mal iba TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. To bolo to, čo mal.
108Mohol by som si predstaviť tých kňazov v to ráno, ako majú krátku, v to ráno sabatu majú krátku modlitbu a tak ďalej, malé zasväcujúce služby a vracajú sa späť. A hovorili pár vecí o veľkom Mojžišovi, ktorý jedného dňa žil, a o veľkom niekom inom, ktorý raz žil. „Ale, ó, tie dni teraz pominuli. Vy, ľudia, poznáte nášho nového prezidenta, našu novú vládu a všetko, čo máme,“ a rozprávali takéto podobné veci a išli domov.
109Ale tu prichádza muž, ktorý sa o to nestará. On prichádza s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vidíte? To je cesta proroka. Bez spolupráce, vedel, čo bolo pred ním, a vedel, že všetko bude proti nemu, vie, že ho vyhodia a odmietnu ho. Ale on prichádzal v Mene Pánovom.
110Ježiš vedel, že pred Ním bola Golgota, ale On išiel v Mene Pánovom. Vidíte? To je cesta pravdivého proroka.
111On mal pre národ Slovo Pánovo. Ale pravdivé Slovo Pánovo bolo pre tých ľudí cudzie. Jednako si mysleli, že Ho majú. Dúfam, že toto sa dostane hlboko. Oni si mysleli, že boli tak pobožní a nábožní, že až skutočné Slovo Božie bola pre nich cudzia vec.
112Takýmto spôsobom je to aj dnes. Pravdivé zjavené Slovo Božie je pre mnohých letničných ľudí cudzia vec. Skutočný výklad Slova, skutočné utrpenie a kliatby, skutočné požehnania Božie sú cudzou vecou pre mnohých ľudí, ktorí sa sami nazývajú svätými, členmi cirkvi, Kresťanmi. Je to pre nich cudzia vec. Nepoznajú to. Spomeňte To pred nimi. „Nikdy som nepočul o niečom takom.“ A jednako ich organizácie vzrastajú a prosperujú, naberajú po celý čas viac a viac členov a každý rok sa pridávajú ďalšie organizácie.
113Oni si mysleli, že všetko, čo k nim prišlo, muselo prísť z tých sektárskych skupín. Určite ho neprijali. Ani dnes by to neurobili. Dávno zabudli, že „Boh je schopný z týchto kameňov vzbudiť pravdivých Božích prorokov.“ Boh je toho schopný z drevorubačov. On je schopný vzbudiť z týchto kameňov muža, ktorý bude stáť za Jeho Slovom a prorokovať Pravdu v Jeho Mene. „Kladiem sekeru na koreň stromu.“ Nech lietajú triesky. Nestarám sa o to, či mal spoluprácu, alebo nemal žiadnu spoluprácu. Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka.
114 Niektorí ľudia si myslia, že to mal jednoduché. Nevedia, o čom hovoria. On sa nepriviezol do mesta kočom, sediac na pekných, vystrojených koňoch, ozdobených chocholcami a najvyšší kňazi stoja vonku s veľkými vznešenými vecami na hlavách a poklonili sa mu, „Ctihodný Doktor Ten-a-ten prichádza.“ To by bolo nejaké zorganizované usporiadanie.
115Rovnako, ako prichádza Kráľ ich všetkých, On prichádza takto, prichádza cez chliev v stodole, v kravskej stodole. Neprichádza v majestáte a sláve, ale prichádza v skromnosti Dieťaťa narodeného v stodole. Ámos neprichádzal... Slovo Pánovo; pretože on bol Slovom Pánovým. Každé Slovo Božie, to nie je tá osoba; to je Boh.
Ježiš povedal, „To nie Som Ja, kto činí tie skutky.“
On povedal, „Ty si Človek a robíš sa Bohom.“
116Povedal, „Potom, ak nečiním skutkov Božích, neverte Mi. Ale ak tie skutky hovoria sami za seba, verte tým skutkom, ak nechcete veriť Mne.“
117Ámos bol Božím Slovom kráčajúcim cestou dolu. Vošiel dnu, hrubo, nie vo svetskom štýle. On prišiel v sile Ducha.
118To je spôsob, akým prichádza Božie Slovo. Nie v organizačnom vyznaní, nie v niečom zženštilom za kazateľňou; ale To prichádza v sile Ducha, zjavuje Boha národu a ľuďom. To je rozdiel. Ako je to veľmi odlišné!
119No, to vyjasnilo, že dávno zabudli, že Boh je schopný z kameňov vzbudiť pravdivých prorokov. Nemali... Ich organizácia nemusela vzbudiť pravdivého proroka, pretože to asi nemohla urobiť. Pretože v prípade, ak by to tak bolo, to by bol organizačný prorok.
120Ale Boh vzbudzuje! Boh si berie to, čo chce. On si obyčajne berie niečo, čo je ničím, aby sa vykonala Jeho práca; ukazuje to, že to je Boh. Človek, ktorý je namyslený a myslí si, že je niečím, potom ho Boh nemôže použiť, pretože je tam príliš veľa samého seba.
121To je to, čo sa dnes deje s Kresťanskou cirkvou. Myslia si, že niečo vedia. Biblia hovorí, „Keď si človek myslí, že niečo vie, nepoznal nič, čo by mal poznať.“ Dnešné problémy, máme toľko samých seba, toľko pokrytectva, toľko vzdelania, toľko náboženstva a nevieme nič o spasení zo Slova Božieho. To je tá žalostná časť toho. Áno.
122Oni zabudli, že, „Boh bol schopný z tých kameňov vzbudiť deti Abrahámovi, alebo vzbudiť pravdivých prorokov Slova.“
123Nemajú vyjsť z nejakej určitej školy. Boh im dal ich školské vzdelanie. Nemajú mať štyri tituly z vysokej školy. Nemajú mať svoj titul bakalára umenia a svoj doktorský titul a tak ďalej. Nemajú to mať. Boh si berie, čokoľvek chce, a ukladá tam Svoje Slovo. Ako to robí? On To zjavuje a dokazuje To.
124Nedokázali povedať, z akého seminára Ježiš vyšiel. On nemal žiaden. „Z akej je On školy?“ Nemal žiadnu. Ale čo mal? On mal Boha a On bol Slovom. Nemohli ukázať dozadu na nejakú školu.
125A Boh nikdy nevzbudil človeka zo školy. Prejdite cez históriu a zistite, kde to Boh urobil. Neurobil to. On berie niekoho odniekiaľ, kto nemá nič, nemá na to žiadnu nádej. Potom to tam vkladá a umiestňuje do toho Svoje Slovo a zjavuje Samého Seba. To je to, čo robil tu pri Ámosovi. V poriadku.
126No, Ámosovo Slovo bolo potvrdené Bohom vo dňoch, v ich dňoch. Potvr-... Boh potvrdil, že sa Ámosovo Slovo stane, že bol, mal Slovo Pánovo.
127A ak by priamo teraz prišiel k nám, myslíte si, že by náš národ a naši ľudia prijali takého človeka? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Nie." - pozn.prekl.] Myslíte si, že Baptisti by Ámosa prijali? [„Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Metodisti? [„Nie.“] Presbyteriáni? [„Nie.“] Letniční? [„Nie.“] Katolíci? [„Nie.“] Nie veru. Nie. Určite nie.
128Poďme ho len na chvíľu presunúť a priniesť ho sem, len na malú chvíľu a zistíme, či by ho prijali, alebo nie. Poďme sa len pozrieť, či by ho dnes naše cirkvi prijali, alebo nie.
129Prvá vec, ktorú by urobil, by bola, že by nesúhlasil s každou organizáciou, pretože je to v protiklade so Slovom. Tak veru. Odsúdil by celé naše usporiadanie. To je pravda. Každú doktrínu, každé vyznanie, každú denomináciu, on by odsúdil celú vec.
Len si predstavujem, ako niekoľko týchto letničných presbyterov hovorí, „No, sláva Bohu! Ak on... No, nemali by sme mať tohto človeka v našom meste.“
130A čo myslíte, že by urobili Presbyteriáni a Baptisti? „No, tento nevzdelanec, nechceme ho v našom okolí. On nie je nič iné, než pomätenec.“ Podpísali by listinu, aby ho uvrhli do väzenia, ak by mohli, dostali by ho z ulíc.
131Ale myslíte, že by ste ho tam mohli zadržať? Ó, nie. Slovo Božie nemôžete zatvoriť do klietky. Nie, nie. To pôjde v každom prípade ďalej. Jednej noci, keď To skúšali uväzniť, mreže sa roztvorili. Svetlo vošlo dnu a vyslobodilo ho.
132No, on by určite nesúhlasil s naším usporiadaním. V poriadku. Čo by začal robiť? Strhol by to k zemi. Prečo? On je služobník Boží. Išiel by rovno do Základu a začal by svoju kampaň, priamo rovno späť, a roztrhal by každé z tých vyznaní a išiel by späť do Základu. Kde je Základ? V Božom Slove. Správne. „Nebesia i zem pominú, ale Moje Slová nie.“ A tak by roztrhal každú denomináciu, každé vyznanie, každú z tých doktrín a odhodil by to bokom, on by to udrel až do večnosti.
133Myslíte, že Letniční by ho prijali? Nie veru. Baptisti? Presbyteriáni? Nie veru. Nazaréni? Pútnici Svätosti? Nenávideli by ho. Určite. Myslíte, že by vyšli von a stretli sa s ním v limuzíne a priviezli ho do mesta? Modlili by sa, aby ho tam hore spálilo slnko. Postavili by barikádu, aby ho udržali von z mesta. No, bolo by tam naokolo v celom meste viac kazateľských zhromaždení, ako ste kedy v živote videli. „Udržme toho pomätenca mimo mesta.“
134 Ale jednako mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vidíte? To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Bol by opovrhnutý. Určite. Išiel by na svojej kampani rovno k Fundamentu. Nepotreboval by nikoho. Nehovoril by, „No, Metodisti, potrebujem vás teraz všetkých, aby ste prišli a pomohli mi. Potrebujem vás, Baptisti. Potrebujem vás, všetci ľudia tu naokolo. Všetci Letniční, ktorí tvrdíte, že ste poslednou skupinou, ktorú sa Boh chystá zavolať, chcem, aby ste všetci prišli ku mne a potrebujem vás, aby ste podporili moju kampaň.
135„Ako krstíš? Čo je počiatočným dôkazom Ducha Svätého?“ Tieto otázky by mu boli hodené do tváre. A keď by prišiel naspäť s biblickou Pravdou, odstrčili by ho. Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. On má všetkému tomuto čeliť. Vidíte? Určite.
136Neprijali by sme ho. Nie veru. Náš... Nemali by sme žiadnu. Nemali by sme v našej krajine žiadnu z jeho kampaní. Vskutku nie. No, nemali by sme ho. Nie veru. Ale on by prišiel a priviedol Cirkev naspäť do Slova, lebo To je základ. „Každý, kto kladie na nejaký iný základ, to je topiaci sa piesok. Jedine na tomto základe buduje Boh Svoju Cirkev, na Náuke apoštolov.
137Ako som raz povedal; niekto hovoril o očistci a uvádzal odkazy na mnohých ľudí, ako Svätý František a Svätá Cecília, a ona sa modlí za určitých ľudí a dostáva ich von z očistca a dáva im takéto podobné právomoci. To je nebiblická právomoc. To sú ľudia, ktorí nemajú právomoc. Apoštoli mali biblickú právomoc. A ak je to v protiklade s nimi, tak je to lož, čo sa mňa týka.
138Verím v očistec, ale verím tomu, že je rovno tu a teraz. Očisťujete svoju vlastnú dušu. Očistec znamená „očistiť.“ Keď zbadáte, že ste urobili niečo zlé, dostaňte sa tam a očistite to zo seba, priznaním sa, plačom, pôstom a modlitbou.
139Niekto sa dokonca na mne smial, keď sem dole nedávno prišiel Pán a dal mi videnie. Vždy som chcel vidieť niečo o zviazaní toho hada. Vždy som bol zvedavý, ako sa to stane. Mal som takto vykročiť. Keď to bolo to, čo som chcel celý život. Potom som sa začal postiť a modliť. Povedal, „Kvôli čomu to robíš?“
140Povedal som, „On mi tam povedal, že nie som dostatočne čistý.“ Potom, čo prišiel, potom som sa chcel očistiť. Nečakajte, pokiaľ zomriete a nejaký kňaz sa vás pokúsi očistiť. Očistite svoje duše!
141Ale vidíte, vzali to preč z autoritatívneho Slova a vložili to do rúk, nejakej ľuďmi vytvorenej dogmy, aby priniesli do cirkvi peniaze, pretože hľadia na svetské veci, na svetskú cirkev, na veľmoci vo svete a na politické moci. Ale Boh hľadí na Svoje Slovo. A každé slovo, ktoré je v protiklade s Božím Slovom je nesprávne. Čo sa mňa týka, je to Slovo, alebo nič. Tak veru. Tak veru.
142On by išiel rovno do Základu. Roztrhal by tie nezmysly na kusy. Musel by to urobiť. Ak by tu bol dnes Ámos, nemohol by urobiť nič iné, lebo, pamätajte on je pravdivým Božím prorokom, ku ktorému prichádza Slovo. Nemohol by urobiť nič iné, než sa navrátiť do Slova. Nezáležalo na tom, ak by sa okolo neho zhromaždili všetci Letniční z krajiny a povedali by, „Pán Ámos, veríme ti, že si prorok, ale ty si preč od Slova. Chceme ťa napraviť.“ On by zostal so Slovom. Nič iné by nemohol urobiť, pretože bol prorokom. Nepotreboval ich spoluprácu. On mal odovzdať Posolstvo. „A všetko, čo Mi dal Otec, príde ku Mne.“ A on bude kázať Slovo a on To bude kázať presne tak, ako by To bolo v Biblii, a preto by sme ho odstrčili. To je pravda.
143Nezáleží na tom, čo by To bolo, Slovo Božie prichádza ku prorokom a ich výklad Slova je ten správny výklad.
144Izrael sa vždy dostal preč z línie a Boh im poslal proroka so znameniami a zázrakmi, aby vykladal Slovo. A ako to vedel? On povedal, „Ak ten prorok hovorí a stane sa to, potom je to pravda.“ On potvrdzoval svojich prorokov, že boli pravdiví.
145Ježiš povedal, „Ten, kto verí vo Mňa, skutky, ktoré ja činím, bude aj on činiť. Toto budete vedieť. Uverivších budú sprevádzať tieto znamenia.“
146A ako mohli tvrdiť, že sú proroci Pánovi a zapierať samotné Slovo Božie? Ako môže človek krstiť vo meno, "Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,“ na tie tituly a zapierať samotné Meno Ježiša Krista, keď nie je v Biblii Písmo, ktoré by ich teóriu podporilo? Možno budem tvrdý a kritický, ale je na čase, aby to bolo porozumené. To je Pravda.
147A ako môžu dnes o sebe ľudia tvrdiť, že sú Kresťania, a behajú tu za všetkým; a ženy s nakrátko ostrihanými vlasmi, nosia šortky, fajčia cigarety a behajú na filmové predstavenia, na nejaký druh nejakého šou a nevhodne sa správajú? Povedzte mi, je toto Duch Svätý? [Zhromaždenie odpovedá, „Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Nikdy mi to nehovorte. Vy, vy spôsobujete, že je Bohu zle od žalúdka, ak by sa taká vec dala urobiť. Áno. Som si istý, že rozumiete. Takto sa nazývať, ako môže takáto vec existovať? „Sú poznaní podľa svojho ovocia.“
148On by vyhodil a odsúdil každú nakrátko ostrihanú ženu. Ako by mohol urobiť niečo iné? On je prorokom. A to je Slovo. Povedal by, „Vy Jezábele!“ Bol by na ne hrubý. Prečo? On je prorokom. Musel by zostať so Slovom. To je pravda. Myslíte, že by s tým prestali? Nie veru. Povedali by, „To je fanatik. On je taký zlý, ako bol ten starý Pavol v Biblii, ten nenávistník žien.“
149„Vy banda podvodníckych takzvaných Kresťanov. Nezáleží na tom, ako sväto sa snažíte žiť, to s tým nemá nič spoločné. Tak dlho, ako zapierate Božie Slovo, nezaradíte sa ku Tomu, ste hriešnikmi a neveriacimi,“ toto by povedal. On by... Položil by sekeru rovno ku koreňu stromu. Nič by neušetril. On je prorokom a taká je cesta pravdivého proroka. Oni by zostali so Slovom bez ohľadu na to, kto to je. Ak to je ich vlastná matka alebo otec; to nerobí rozdiel. Pri Ježišovi to nerobilo rozdiel. On ju vôbec nenazval matkou; ona ňou nebola. On bol Bohom. Boh nemá matku. Oni by to urobili. Potom, kto je Jeho Otcom? Vidíte?
150On by ich vyhodil a odsúdil. Odsúdil by každú denomináciu, pretože žiadna z nich nie je vybudovaná na Slove. Nedokážem nájsť ani jednu z nich. A akonáhle sa stanú denomináciou, rovno vtedy sú proti Slovu. Tak, ako môže... prorok požehnať to, čo Slovo odsudzuje? Avšak on to nechce robiť, raniť svojho brata, ale jednako to musí urobiť, pretože je prorokom. A on je zastúpením Slova Božieho a nepohne sa od Toho v žiadnom prípade; príkaz na príkaz a úprava na úpravu. Rozumiete, čo tým myslím? Cesta pravdivého proroka.
151Koľko je takých, „Pane, prajem si, že by si ma urobil prorokom?“ On to neurobí. Nie. Neurobí to.
152On by odsúdil každý nemorálny skutok v cirkvách, tie partičky Bunco [kocková hra - pozn.prekl.] a všetky tieto veci, ktoré majú, partičky kariet, polievkové večere. Odsúdil by každého jedného z nich. Vyhodil by ich do pekla, tam, odkiaľ pochádzajú.
153Myslíte, že by ste ho prijali? Nie. Dnešná cirkev by ho neprijala. Letniční by ho prijali? No, prišiel by tam a povedal, „Vy nakrátko ostrihaná banda Jezábelí, neviete, čo znamená TAK HOVORÍ PÁN? Prechádzate sa tu oblečené v krátkych telo odhaľujúcich šatách a neviete, že ste každý deň vinné zo spáchania cudzoložstva so stovkami mužov?“ To je to, čo by povedal.
154Poviete, „No, ten starý zadubenec! Starý holohlavý, šedivý chlap, vyhoďte ho spoza kazateľne. Vy, dôverníci, diakoni, vystrčte ho preč odtiaľto.“
155„No, vy banda mizerných pokrytcov.“ Správne. Ámos by proti tomu kričal. Potom sa nazývate, „My sme... Patríme do tej skupiny. My patríme do tejto skupiny.“ Ste z diabla, vášho otca, lebo on je ten, ktorý popiera Slovo.
156Povieš, „Hovorila som v jazykoch.“ A potom si nakrátko striháš vlasy? „Sláva Bohu! Haleluja!“ A Biblia povedala, že to je pre ženu neslušné, „neslušná vec,“ modliť sa s takto ostrihanou hlavou. Potom sa nazývate Kresťanmi? Hanba vám. Odplazte sa niekam preč do rohu a dajte sa do poriadku s Bohom.
157Oblečiete si krátke staré stiahnuté oblečenie, vyjdete von na dvor a naťahujete sa tam vonku, keď veľmi dobre viete, že každý deň páchate cudzoložstvo so stovkou mužov. Povedal, Ježiš tak povedal, „Každý, kto by pozrel na ženu s myšlienkou požiadať ju, scudzoložil s ňou.“ Ona bola tá, ktorá sa predvádzala, a vy ste to urobili vo svojom...
158Pričom ste mŕtvi svetským veciam. Povstali ste z toho, ako som hovoril na začiatku. „Otočili by ste v hanbe svoje hlavy. Vaše oči sú prižmúrené na také hrozné hriešne veci, namiesto toho, aby ste hľadeli na ženy s myšlienkou požiadať ich. Vy, muži, ktorí robíte takéto veci, sa nazývate Kresťanmi?“ Toto je to, čo by vám povedal. Pokúšam sa dnes ráno vziať jeho Slová. Mohli by to byť jeho Slová. Lebo on, pamätajte, bol pravdivým prorokom. Musel by zostať s tým Slovom. Ó! Ja len citujem jeho Slová. To je celé. Pretože, ak ho prinesiete sem, on je Slovom. Potom, je tu Slovo Samotné. Možno nemáte človeka, ale máte jeho Slovo, pretože on musel mať Slovo Pánovo.
159Každá ľudmi vytvorená doktrína, on by to odsúdil, niečo také, ako je krst „vo meno Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha.“ On by tú vec hodil rovno do večnosti. Odsúdil by to tak, že by tu po tom neostal ani zápach. Tak veru.
160Koľkí z vás, koľkí z cirkvi by ho dnes ráno po tomto prijali?
161Potom oni, tá skupina Ježišovho Mena, povedali by, „Ó, my by sme ho s tým vzali.“ A potom vaša organizácia, on by vás s tým vyhodil rovno von. To je pravda. Vaše nakrátko ostrihané ženy a vy sa s tým uvádzate. To je pravda. Vaši muži, spôsob, ako konajú a činia. To je pravda.
162Mnoho ľudí hovorí, „Je dobré byť prorokom.“ To je, ak ste pripravený predať všetko na svete a zostať s Bohom a Jeho Slovom.
163Nie, v žiadnom prípade by sme ho neprijali, naše dnešné denominácie. Určite by sme s ním nemali nič dočinenia.
164Počúvajte ho, ako by s tým udrel. Povedal, „Ten istý Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že v Neho veríte, vás zničí.“ Čo ohľadom toho urobíte? Ten istý Boh, v ktorého veria Letniční, od úplne nemorálnych skutkov a vecí, ktoré robia a dovoľujú robiť, ten samotný Boh prinesie súd na tie organizácie. To je pravda. To je to, čo im povedal Ámos.
165„Ó,“ povedali, „máme Abraháma. Máme toto. Máme zákon. Máme kňazov. Máme prorokov.“
166Ó, brat, tie oči sa zúžili, keď sa na nich pozrel a vypálil do nich to Slovo. Tak veru. Samozrejme. Neprijali by ho. Nie veru. Povedal, „Budete zničení, s vašimi ľuďmi-vytvorenými doktrínami.“ To je to, čo by vám povedal dnes. Povedal by to isté, ako to urobil vtedy. Povedal, „Samotný Boh, ktorému staviate chrámy, možno platíte milióny dolárov, práve tie svätyne, ktoré staviate pre Jehovu, ktorého tvrdíte, že milujete, ten samotný Boh vás zničí, pretože odmietate Jeho Slovo.“
167A tak je to dnes! Samotný Boh, o ktorom Amerika tvrdí, že Mu slúži, prinesie súd na tento národ a zničí ho. Dúfam, že toto ide tak hlboko, že sa z toho nikdy nevykrútite. Práve Ten, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Ho milujete a s vašimi vlastnými ľuďmi vytvorenými dogmami a nemorálnym životom a úpadkom, ktorý máte v sebe, ste preč od Slova Božieho, to je Ten, ktorý vás jedného dňa zničí. To je TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Nič iné pre nich nezostalo.
168Zaraďte sa do línie so Slovom! Kážte im Evanjelium; prejdite národom; povedzte im Pravdu. Kazatelia sa hádajú a vykrikujú a nevhodne sa správajú. Ľudia to odmietajú. Organizácie vás vyhodia von. Ženy pokrútia hlavou a nenechali by svoje vlasy narásť ani za nič. Nosia svoje oblečenie rovnako a presne tak isto, rok po roku. Rovnako, ako liať vodu na chrbát kačice. „Potom tvrdíte, že milujete Boha?“
169On povedal, Ježiš povedal, „Vzali ste svoje podanie a zbavili ste Prikázania Božie moci.“
170To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vidíte? To nie je ľahká cesta. Nie je to také, ako si každý myslí, že by to mohlo byť.
171Skáčete hore a dole, vykrikujete a každý vás tľapká po ramene, potom to je znamenie toho, že nie ste pravdivým prorokom. Je to jedno z úplných znamení, že nemáte to, o čom hovoríte.
172Kedy ho niekedy tľapkali po chrbte, bez toho, aby mu tam vrazili sekeru? Kedy? Otočil by sa a odsúdil by ich. Správne. Ámosa nemohli tľapkať po chrbte. Eliáša nemohli tľapkať po chrbte. On nestál o také nezmysly. Nie veru. Povedal im Božiu Pravdu. A ak je Nebo také veľkolepé, tam, kam ideme, potom, ak sa nedokážeme vyrovnať s malými drobnými vecami, ako tam budeme v súlade s Tým Duchom? Dostaňte sa do zhody so Slovom. To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Aj keď ho to roztrhá na kusy, že To povie, áno, on s Tým musí roztrhať na kusy národ. To je pravda. Ale to je tá cesta.
173On by to vyhodil do povetria. Ó! Viete, čo im povedal? „Duševný zmätok,“ ak si to tu všimnete. Povedal, „Nie je to vo vláde. Je to vo vás.“ To je to, čo im povedal. Áno. „Duševné nepokoje v cirkvi, vaša forma pobožnosti, práve to spôsobilo problémy.“
174Zmyslom komunizmu dnes je vyčistiť zem, nie je to kvôli komunizmu. To je kvôli cirkvi. To je kvôli ľuďom. Dnes sa nazývajú Kresťanmi. Spievajú ako Anjeli. Majú vytrénované hlasy a hovoria s takou výrečnosťou, ako keby boli Archanjelmi; a neveria Božiemu Slovu, presne tak, ako diabli. To je pravda. Spieva ako Archanjel, oblieka sa, ako neviem čo, a zapiera Božie Slovo.
175Muž, kazateľ za kazateľňou, ktorý tam stojí a nazýva sa Doktorom, Reverendom, a opýtajte sa ho, „Hovorí Biblia o krste vo 'Meno Pána Ježiša Krista,' alebo v 'Otca, Syna a Ducha Svätého'?“ A on sa vám vysmeje do tváre a vezme „Otca, Syna a Ducha Svätého.“ Potom sa nazývaš dieťaťom Božím?
176Ženy vedia, že Biblia ich odsudzuje za robenie určitých vecí, a strihajú si nakrátko vlasy, správajú sa ako svet, nosia nemorálne oblečenie a podobné veci a budú to ustavične robiť, bez ohľadu na čokoľvek; a hovoria v jazykoch, skáču hore a dole, vykrikujú a majú staré dámske spolky a krúžky šitia a posielajú misionárov na misijné polia. Stalo sa to smradom v Božích očiach. A TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, On celú vec zničí. Urobí to.
177Nie je to ľahká vec, ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vytiahne To tam von a povie To, či už To zraní, alebo nie.
178Ján bol pravdivým prorokom. Povedal, „Sekera je priložená ku koreňu stromu.“ Taká je ich cesta. Samozrejme.
179Sú v nej (cirkvi) problémy. Spievajú ako Anjeli, tancujú tam ako diabli, tance, nevhodné správanie, hranie kariet, závodné dráhy. Letniční, idú na zábavné podujatia, filmové predstavenia sú nimi preplnené. Každé miesto, každý druh nejakého šou, alebo niečoho iného a idú rovno tam dole a na preteky a všetko ostatné a nazývajú sa Kresťanmi a zodvihnú sa a vykrikujú, hovoria v jazykoch a vykonávajú umývanie nôh a berú Večeru Pánovu.
180No, to je, „ako, keď sa pes navracia ku svojmu vývratku,“ povedal prorok, „a tak to robia.“ Ak musela byť tá svetská vec od vás odkopnutá, prečo sa ku nej znova vraciate? Správne. Vonku na uliciach sa krútia, nazývajú to „rock 'n' roll“, strihajú si nakrátko vlasy a nosia šortky. Ó! Nazývajú sa Kresťanmi. Mohli by ste... Nie, radšej to nepoviem.
181Kvôli tomu ich odsudzujem. Ak sa chystám zostať s týmto Slovom, ak toto Slovo ku mne prichádza, zostanem s týmto Slovom. Toto ku mne prichádza, Slovo. Ono to odsúdi!
182Tvrdia, že sú vedení Svätým Duchom, a robia takéto veci. Mohli by ste si predstaviť ženu, ktorá je vedená Svätým Duchom, že by si nechala nakrátko ostrihať vlasy, keď to samotný Duch Svätý odsudzuje? Akým druhom Osoby je potom Duch Svätý? Mohli by ste si to predstaviť?
183Mohli by ste si predstaviť kazateľa stojaceho za kazateľňou a nejaký človek ho vyzve, aby mu ukázal jedno miesto Písma, kde bol niekedy niekto pokrstený použitím titulov, „Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý“ a on sa vám vysmeje do tváre a nazve vás fanatikom, kvôli krsteniu vo Meno Ježiša Krista. A on hovorí, že je vedený Duchom a má Svätého Ducha? Mohol by Duch Svätý zaprieť Svoje Vlastné Slovo? Nie veru. Ó. Vidíte to? Dúfam, že ste tomu porozumeli.
184Neviem, koľko ešte času. Ďalší výbuch ma môže dostať. Ale, kým sa to stane, budem stáť rovno tam so Slovom. Keď vás stretnem tam na súde, budem stáť rovno s týmto Slovom. Toto je to, čomu verím, že je to pravda.
185Nie, nerobíte takéto veci, keď máte Ducha Svätého. Prišiel som raz ku žene jedného kazateľa a ona tam sedí v takých šatách, vyzeralo to strašne.
Poviete, „Nemáš na to žiadne právo.“
186Mám na to právo. To je Slovo. Treba to kázať všetko. Mnohí zženštilí kazatelia obchádzajú tieto veci, pretože nemajú odva-... V prvom rade ste možno ani neboli povolaní kázať. Áno. Ale pravdivý Boží služobník zostane rovno so Slovom. Správne.
187Tá žena toho kazateľa tam sedí, všetko to má napasované v šatách, s visiacimi náušnicami, namaľovaná a nakrátko ostrihaná. Pričom Boh odsudzuje celú tú vec ako špinu. A potom hovoríte, že máte Svätého Ducha?
188Kázal som tu nedávno vo Pheonixe o niečom podobnom a žena jedného kazateľa sedela za kazateľňou s takými chlapčensky, nakrátko ostrihanými a úplne natočenými vlasmi a oblečená v šatách, ktorými nemohla zakryť ani svoje spodné prádlo pred tým, aby ho bolo jasne vidieť. Nevedela si ich dať dole cez kolená. Asi štyri alebo päť palcov nad kolenami a sedí tam hore; skáče hore a dole, vedie piesne. Vychŕlil som to tak tvrdo, ako som len mohol. Samozrejme, on ma už nepozval späť. Neočakával som to. Ale on vie, čo je správne, a čo je nesprávne. Keď zastanem na Súde, už to nie je na mojich rukách. Potom odišiel preč a povedal...
189Jeden človek, takzvaný učiteľ, čo nehovorím ja, ale on ním nie je, mal jedného dňa pripomienku, pred niektorými mojimi priateľmi v istom meste, v ktorom som bol. Poznáte toho brata. A tento brat prišiel. Povedal, no, povedal, „Raz sme tu mali brata Branhama.“ V istom meste, vonku na Západe. A tento človek povedal, „Ó, brat Branham je dobrý človek.“ Vidíte? Poznal lepší spôsob, než hádzať niečo na charakter. Povedal, „Brat Branham, ale nepočúvajte jeho pásky, pretože vás popletú.“
190A stalo sa, že tam stál jeden z mojich priateľov a povedal, „Počkajte chvíľu, pane! Ja som bol popletený, pokiaľ som nepočul tie pásky.“ Áno. To je rozdiel. „Nemohol som pochopiť, ako by sa mohol Svätý Boh postaviť za také veci, ako toto, aké všetci robíte.“ Áno.
191Niekto iný nedávno stál s tým istým človekom na nejakom mieste a on povedal, „Brat Branham je prorok. Dokáže rozpoznávať veci. A veci, ako... Ale,“ povedal, „no, nepočúvajte jeho náuku, pretože sa mýli.“ Šialenosť, aké hrubé vyjadrenie to je!
192Neviete, že ak to je... Nie som prorok. Ale, ak je Slovo Božie pravdivé, prichádza To ku prorokom. „Slovo Pánovo prichádzalo ku prorokom.“ Oni jediní vykladali Slovo. Potom, vidíte, vy ne-...
193To ani nedáva zmysel, schovávať sa len za nejakú malichernú denomináciu, ktorá sa v jednom z týchto dní zrúti, splesnivie a zanikne v pekle.
194Ale Slovo Božie vydrží naveky. Na tej Skale budujem svoju nádej naveky; na Slove Pánovom. Nech sa všetko ostatné potopí. Ak stratím každého priateľa a všetko ostatné, moje priateľstvo je v Kristovi.
Moja nádej nie je postavená na ničom menšom;
Ako na Ježišových Slovách a spravodlivosti;
Keď všetko okolo mojej duše povoľuje;
Potom On je všetkou mojou nádejou a zakotvením.
195Jedného dňa vybuchla tá zbraň. Videl som. Myslel som si, že som mŕtvy. Mal som pocit pokoja. Poobzeral som sa okolo seba. Pomyslel som si, „No, toto je ono!“ Čo dobrého by potom mohla pre mňa urobiť denominácia? Čo dobrého by potom pre mňa mohla urobiť organizácia? Budem sa musieť postaviť tam, pred horiace súdy Božie, aby som bol súdený týmto Slovom.
196Aj keď možno musím popáliť, skrútiť, strápiť a roztrhať mnoho ľudí, ale dúfam, že dostanem originálne zrno, odtiaľ zo Slova Božieho a tam postavím dušu pre Večnosť. To je pravda. Nechajte Boha, nech to vezme do Svojich rúk a vybuduje to na poslušné dieťa.
197Ako by mohol človek vedený Duchom Svätým robiť takéto veci, ako toto? Nie. On je Svätý. A ak je Jeho Život vo vás, vy ste tiež. Budete ako On.
198Izrael si myslel, ako my, že kvôli tomu, že prosperovali so svojím spoločenstvom a s ostatnými, že Boh s tým súhlasil. No, viete, my si to dnes tiež myslíme.
199Nedávno som sa tu v hoteli rozprával s nejakými ľuďmi, pred pár dňami, s veľkými ľuďmi z náboženských sfér. A povedali mi, „Boh dokazuje, že je s nami. No, za posledný rok sme vzrástli, brat Branham.“ Zabudol som, koľko stoviek ľudí... tak nejako.
200Povedal som, „To nie je ani štipka dôkazu.“ Aha. To je pravda. Prostitúcia sa zvyšuje, za posledný rok narástla o tridsať percent; dokazuje to, že Boh bol s prostitúciou? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Aha. Samozrejme. Aha! Tento argument nie je dobrý. Nie. Nemôžete to robiť. Nie veru. Boh stojí za Svojím Slovom. Každý iný človek bude stáť za Jeho Slovom, ak je úprimný. V poriadku.
201Mysleli si to kvôli tomu, že mali spoločenstvo! No, o chvíľu sa tu do toho dostaneme, do vládnych záležitostí. Náš národ odmietol Slovo Božie, presne tak, ako to urobil Izrael. Oni odmietli Slovo Božie a ich ľudia, kňazi, proroci, a tak ďalej, pre nich prorokovali dobré. A oni, čo môžeme robiť, okrem prorokovania zlého, pretože je to v protiklade so Slovom! Ona je odsúdená k zániku. „Náš veľkolepý, milovaný národ je založený na... skúsenostiach našich predkov.“ Potom sa navráťte ku tomu, čo mali oni. Aha. Správne. Samozrejme.
202Izrael bol veľkolepým národom. Pozrite na ich predkov, ale Boh ich neušetril. Ten starý holohlavý prorok im hádzal Slovo a stalo sa to presne takým spôsobom, ako to hovoril. Prečítajte si tu vaše dejiny a zistite si, či to nie je pravda. Stalo sa to presne takým spôsobom, ako to povedal. Odsúdil ich a napriek tomu tam stáli, a svätí kňazi, oblečení vo svätých rúchach krstili takto; a nebudú hýbať rukou tým smerom ani tamtým smerom, pretože to bolo nejakým takýmto smerom, tradícia, alebo také niečo.
203Ježiš povedal, „Vy ste zo svojho otca diabla a budete robiť jeho skutky.“ Oni Ho vzali a odsúdili, zavesili Ho na strom a zabili Ho. Presne tak. Boh Ho znova vzkriesil. Tak veru.
204Nie, neverili by mu. My by sme dnes Ámosovi neverili, vôbec nie. A dnes by sme vytvorili alianciu. Máme dnes to, čo nazývame... Myslíme si, že to má Boží „súhlas,“ pretože naše organizácie narastajú a všetko to ide takým smerom. Myslíme si, že je na tom Boží „súhlas“. Viete, myslím, že sa pripojilo okolo dvoch alebo troch miliónov ďalších Protestantov. A ku Katolíkom prišlo o niekoľko miliónov viacej. Vidíte? Myslia si, že je to Božie uznanie, že sú Katolíci. Protestanti si myslia, že to je Božie uznanie, že sú Protestanti. Aha! To je nezmysel. Je to potrava pre delá. Je to atómový popol. To je Boží hnev, ktorý narastá, aby vybuchol. To je úplná pravda.
Počúvajte ma. Hovorím vám Slovo Pánovo. Amen.
205Pozrite sa na nás. Pozrite na náš národ. Spojili sme sa v OSN. Čo je v nich? Banda bezbožných. A my tam nemáme ani dosť odvahy, aby sme tam predložili modlitbu na tých sedeniach.
206Už som to tu čítal, „Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nedohodli? Boh nečiní ničoho, iba ak to zjaví Svojim služobníkom prorokom. Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nedohodli?“
207Keď máme Mohamedána, Budhu, ateistov, bezbožných, sebeckých a všetko ostatné, čo sa v tom nachádza. Myslíte si, že Boh by mohol v niečom takom prebývať?
208„No,“ poviete, „tak, no, my sme s nimi v spoločenstve. Máme celú Západnú ochranu.“
209Oni boli pod ochranou všetkých okolitých národov. Ale ten prorok povedal, „Boh vás zničí. Práve ten Boh, ktorému slúžite, vás zničí, kvôli vášmu bláznovstvu.“ On by mohol dnes ráno povedať to isté. Reval by od Bieleho Domu, rovno dole, až ku chudobnej farme. Samozrejme, že by to urobil. Vyhodil by ich do povetria, so Slovom Božím. Určite by to urobil. To je cesta pravdivého proroka.
210„Hľaďte na nás, cirkvi. Ó, sme veľkolepá svätá Rímsko-Katolícka cirkev!“ Biblia povedala, že to je prostitútka.
211„My sme patriarchovia otcov, Protestantské cirkvi, všetky spojené dohromady a nazývajú sa... Sú nazvané Svetovou Radou Cirkví.“ Biblia povedala, že sú to smilnice od tej prostitútky. To je presne to, čo To povedalo. Aha. A napriek tomu si myslíme, „A teraz sa všetky cirkvi spoja dohromady.“
212Môj priateľ, pán Collins, brat z Kalifornie, tam v Arizone. Tvoj... [Brat Neville hovorí, „Elmer.“ - pozn.prekl.] Elmer. Povedal som, „No, predpokladám, že chodíš do nejakej skvelej malej Metodistickej cirkvi.“
213Povedal, „Odišiel som odtiaľ preč, keď sa pripojili tam ku tej Rade Cirkví.“
214Povedal som, „Boh ti žehnaj. Blížiš sa ku Kráľovstvu, brat.“ Aha. Tak veru.
215Dogma, byť závislý na spoločenstve s ľuďmi, s ich ľuďmi vytvorenými doktrínami a opustením Slova Božieho. To, čo dnes potrebujeme, je prorok, ktorý tam vychŕli Slovo. To je celkom správne. Áno.
216Oni majú medzi sebou bezpečie. „Ó, pripojili sme sa. My Letniční, samozrejme, pripojili sme sa ku Svetovej Rade Cirkví, pretože tam máme obecenstvo. Získame ďalších.“ Ako žena, ktorá ide do baru, aby sa opila so svojím manželom, aby ho získala pre Boha. Skôr, ako manžel, ktorý ide v týchto dňoch so svojou ženou, aby sa opil, aby ju získal pre Boha. Nezmysel! Držte sa preč od územia diabla.
217Ak čokoľvek popiera To Slovo, som proti tomu. To robí, že som proti organizácii, pretože je to proti Slovu. Kiežby to takto cítil každý veriaci. Ó!
„No,“ hovoria, „ale, pamätajte, my máme...“
218Mám veľký kus papiera, ktorý mi poslal niekto z Arizony, o tom, ako tento patriarcha Ten-a-ten jedného dňa povedal, „Pápež Ján Dvadsiaty-Druhý,“ alebo, ako mu to hovoria, „mal... On je skvelý človek. Je jediným človekom, ktorý kedy hovoril o spájaní cirkví, Katolíkov a Protestantov dohromady.“ Povedal, „Možno to nepríde v našom čase, ale v priebehu budúcich pätnástich, alebo dvadsiatich rokov to tu bude.“
219Pomyslel som si, „Chlapče, si patriarcha a prorokuješ a ani o tom nevieš.“
220„Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ Chlapík, ktorý mi to napísal, na predok strany napísal, „Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ On to tiež počúval na páske. Tak veru. Povedal, „Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ Povedal, „Brat Branham, nehovoril si toto už pred rokmi?“
221Povedal som, „Samozrejme.“ Tak veru. Ide sa to vyplniť, pretože to je Slovo Pánovo. To sa musí vyplniť. Samozrejme. Áno.
222Povedia, „No, tento svätý patriarcha, nemyslíš si, že on by mal vedieť niečo viac, ako toto?“ Nie veru. Ak zapiera Božie Slovo, pozrite sa na to takto, on nemôže.
223Nestarám sa o to, koľko pápežov, prorokov a čo ďalšie máte medzi sebou. Ak ste preč od Slova, tak ste preč od Slova. To je pravda. Ako vôbec môže Boh požehnať takú vec, ak zapierajú samotné Slovo Božie? Ako môže požehnať niečo okrem Svojho Slova, niečo, čo je v protiklade s Jeho Slovom? Ako To môže zaprieť?
224Ako môžete požehnať rakovinu, ktorá vás rozožiera? Ako môžete požehnať elektrický drôt, ktorý držíte, poviete, „Ó, drž ma a spáľ ma?“ To by bolo šialené.
225Ako môže Boh požehnať niečo, čo je proti Jeho Slovu? A tak sa navráťte naspäť do Slova! Aha.
226Vy banda kazateľov, ako lovecké psy, čo je to s vami? Idete tam a predáte svoje práva prvorodenstva za misku šošovice, aby ste mohli jazdiť po okolí v nejakom Kadilaku, alebo niečom inom, alebo za nejakú veľkú vznešenú rezidenciu a veľký kostol za milión dolárov. A všetky tieto podobné veci a predáte svoje práva prvorodenstva a hanbíte sa a máte strach kázať vášmu zhromaždeniu Slovo Božie. Povedzte, nehanbíte sa za seba? A nazývate sa služobníkmi, Božími prorokmi, predávate svoje práva prvorodenstva za misku sveta. Čo budete liahnuť? To isté, čo Ezav. Ó, aká hanba!
227Ó, nie! Svätý Boh, ktorý dáva pozor na Svoje Slovo, aby Ho potvrdzoval, nemôže požehnať niečo, čo je proti Jeho Slovu. Teraz počúvajte. Viem, že pokračujem len o trochu dlhšie a možno vás už dusím na smrť. Ale sledujte, chcem sa vás niečo opýtať. Ako môže Svätý Boh, ktorý vypovedal Svoje Slovo a povedal, „No, oboje, nebesia i zem pominú, ale Toto nepominie, ani jedno Slovo z Toho,“ no, ako môže vziať niečo, čo je v protiklade s Týmto, a požehnať to? Ako to môže urobiť? Hľaďte. On dokazuje Samého Seba. On potvrdzuje Svoje Slovo. On hovorí, čo je správne, nie skrze členstvo.
228Pozrite na Moába. Moáb mal tiež Jeho Slovo, Moáb. Izrael mal Jeho Slovo; a Moáb mal formu pobožnosti, spolu s Jeho Slovom. Oni obetovali sedem obetí, čistých býkov na siedmich oltároch; dokonalé číslo, dokonalá obeť. Potom, okrem toho vzal siedmich baránkov, hovoria, že veria v príchod Syna Božieho a obetovali ich tam hore so svojim vrchným arcibiskupom. Všetci ich kňazi, veľkňazi a všetci ostatní, stáli okolo spolu s ich kráľmi a prezidentmi a čo ja viem, s kým ešte, a obetovali práve tak nábožne, ako len mohli, proti Izraelu.
229A tam dole bol Izrael, ktorý vyzeral ako malá banda odpadlíkov. Ale čo bolo s Izraelom? V ich výprave bol Boh. On sa dokazoval, že bol s nimi. Vidíte?
230Nezáleží na tom, koľko by mali patriarchov, pápežov, alebo čokoľvek iné, Boh s nimi nemôže byť, pokiaľ nedokazuje Samého Seba, že je s nimi. A tak dlho, kým sú preč od Jeho Slova a zapierajú Jeho Slovo, ako On môže byť s nimi? Nie sú medzi nimi žiadne znamenia živého Boha.
231Ako môže byť Boh medzi OSN, keď dvaja nemôžu kráčať spolu, bez toho, aby sa zhodli?
232No, pozrime sa sem. Tam je Cirkev Kristova, takzvaná, a pripojila sa ku Letničným. Letniční hovoria, že veria v hovorenie v jazykoch. Veria tomu, že dôkazom Ducha Svätého je hovorenie v jazykoch. Hovoria, že veria v to, tamto a toto. Veria v znamenia a zázraky. Cirkev Kristova sa na nich smeje a povedali, „Vy banda nevzdelancov! To bolo vo dňoch, ktoré pominuli.“ Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nezhodli? A oni sa spojili dohromady. Čo robia? Hľadajú bezpečie jeden s druhým. Preč od takýchto nezmyslov!
233Moje bezpečie je v Kristovi a Jeho Slove, lebo Jeho Slovo je On Sám. To je pravda.
Žiadne znamenia živého Boha, vôbec.
234To je to, čo povedal Ježiš, „Ak nemanifestujem Slovo, potom Tomu neverte. Ak skrze Mňa Boh nehovorí a neprorokuje, nerozpráva skrze Mňa a nerobí skrze Mňa presne to, čo sa predpokladá, že Mesiáš bude robiť, potom Mi neverte.“
235Potom nejaký chlapík hovorí, že je prorokom poslaným od Boha a zapiera Slovo? Bože, buď milostivý pri takých veciach! Ako vôbec môže Boh také niečo urobiť?
236Dovoľte mi opýtať sa, opýtať sa teraz toto. Neviem, kedy ku vám budem opäť hovoriť. To bude záležať od Boha. Ja len predkladám Pokrm tak, ako mi to On povedal vtedy v tom videní, ukladám To do sudov.
237Mohli by ste sa ma opýtať, „Ako mohol Ámos predvídať, čo sa im ide stať?“ No, vyzeralo to tam v poriadku.
238Pozrite sa. Teraz hľaďte sem. No, počúvajte teraz pozorne. Pretože To je celé na páske a ide To, pôjde To do celého sveta. Rozumiete? Teraz, ako... Pozrime sa sem.
239Tam bol Izrael. Ich semináre boli v lepšom stave, ako kedykoľvek predtým. Nebol tam nikto, kto by ich obťažoval. Mali svoje vlastné náboženstvá. Nikto tam nemohol povedať, „Nemôžete uctievať Jehovu.“ „Poďte smelo vpred,“ povedali pohanské národy, „uctievajte. Máme jeden s druhým dohodu.“
240Ten prorok videl skrze to. Rozumiete? Tak, aj dnes môže prorok skrze to vidieť. Rozumiete?
241„Poďte smelo vpred.“ A Izrael povedal, „No, dovoľte nám jesť, piť a ženiť sa.“ A tak urobili spoločne skupinu a vytvorili im nejaké vyznania, organizácie a podobné veci a všetko to upevnili. A ich ženy tam proste žili v prepychu a hriechu. Mladíci robili výtržnosti v kabaretoch a všetko možné, napoly oblečené, krátke hodvábne vyzerajúce sukne. Ak ste niekedy videli niečo z ich histórie v tých dňoch, ako vyzerali, ó, takmer tretina z nich robila také zlé veci, ako robia dnes. Aj keď nie tak celkom, pretože oni nemohli. Áno. A ako to robili a takto nevhodne sa správali; a králi, kňazi a všetci ostatní.
242Ježiš povedal, „Zožierate domy vdôv, vy pokrytci.“ On to povedal. A oni robili všetky tie veci.
243Ten prorok tam stojí, pozerá sa dole na nich, na ten národ podobný tomuto, niet divu, že mu to išlo vytrhnúť srdce. Tak veru.
244No, poviete, „Ako vedel, čo sa ide stať? Ako to mohol predvídať? Ako?“ Všetko to vyzeralo v poriadku. No, mali veľa jedla. Mali veľa šiat. Mali svoje veľké cirkvi. Prosperovali. Peniaze boli zasadené všade, prepych. Tance na uliciach, nemorálnosť a všetko ostatné sa práve deje a všetko, čo sa deje, je v poriadku. Presne tak, ako dnes v Amerike. Televízia je plná špinavých vtipov, polonahých žien a všetkého ostatného. Všetko, čo vidíte, je špina a hriech. Nemusíte sa dívať na televíziu, iba otvorte oči a pozrite sa kamkoľvek. Dievčatá, chlapci, muži a ženy; fajčia, pijú. Tie Jezábele sami seba nazývajú Kresťankami. Nečistí diabli sami seba nazývajú Metodistami, Baptistami, Presbyteriánmi, Katolíkmi a Letničnými. Aha. Aha.
Niet divu, že mu to zúžilo jeho oči, keď sa pozeral. Aha! To je pravda.
245„Všetko to vyzerá v poriadku. Ako môžeš byť spasený, ak my urobíme... Ako? Ako? Pozri sa sem. My máme o milión viacej. Máme naše budovy. Sme... Ó, naše cirkvi sú také obrovské, že až musíme postaviť nové kostoly. No, máme toľko peňazí, že ani nevieme, čo s nimi urobiť. No, my sme práve postavili najlepšie stavby v národe. Najväčšie kostoly, ktoré sú tu, vlastníme my. A stále máme veľké množstvo peňazí, nemyslíš, že Boh nás požehnal?“ Nie. Vy ste pomimo Jeho Slova.
246„A, brat Branham, myslíš si, že Boh sa to chystá zničiť?“ Áno, každého z nich.
„Ako to vieš?“ Ámos, ako si to vedel?
247Presne tak, ako keď lekár diagnostikuje stav. Keď zistí, že pacient je chorý, on vie, čo má urobiť. Vie, čo ten pacient dostal. Vie, ako veľmi je to pokročilé. Vie, čo sa stane. Takým spôsobom sa to deje s prorokom, s pravdivým prorokom, keď vidí. Nestarám sa, čo robíte. Keď vidí, ako sa hriech stupňuje, je to požierajúca rakovina. A to je v takom pokročilom štádiu, u letničných a u všetkých ostatných z nich, že sa to nedá vrátiť späť. Je to v pokročilom štádiu. Oni zahynú.
248Takto Ámos mohol diagnostikovať stav. On to diagnostikoval skrze Slovo Božie. Takto pravdivý prorok diagnostikuje stav a hovorí tým ženám, „Nikdy neskúšajte ísť na Súd s nakrátko ostrihanými vlasmi, keď o tom dobre viete." Hovorí ku vám, muži, zvyšku z vás a vám kazateľom, ktorí zapierate Slovo a máte formu pobožnosti a pripájate sa ku organizáciám, aby ste sa vyhli sporu, keď to dobre viete. Pozeráte sa do rovnakého Slova, do ktorého by sa pozerali aj pravdiví proroci. Diagnóza stavu povedala, „Smrť! Oddelenie!“ Tak, ako lekár, on pozná stav. On vie, aké to má druhy príznakov.
249Pozrite sa na tento národ. Keď hovoríte, „Letniční majú úspech.“ Keď vám ani nedovolia prísť do zboru, pretože kážete ženám o nakrátko ostrihaných vlasoch a že to Biblia odsudzuje. Obávajú sa, že budete o tom niečo hovoriť.
250Jedného dňa, keď som tu realizoval nejaké kampane, Roy Borders bol na Západnom Pobreží a oni ho priviedli dohromady, skupina kazateľov, asi, ó, domnievam sa, že štyridsať alebo päťdesiat z nich, tam, kde som mal to veľké zhromaždenie. Povedali, „Pán Borders, chcem sa ťa niečo opýtať.“ Povedal, „Je pravda, že brat Branham používa pri krste Meno Pána Ježiša Krista?“
251Pán Borders, veľmi dôstojný džentlmen, ako viete, brat Borders odtiaľto. Povedal, „Páni,“ povedal, „brat Branham, keď je vonku na kampaniach, tu vonku,“ povedal, „on nekáže. On len ide dopredu a modlí sa za vašich chorých. To je to, čo robí.“
252Povedal, „To som sa ťa nepýtal,“ povedal presbyter. „Robí to?“ No, oni mali pásky. Vedeli to. Povedal, „Krstí vo Meno Ježiša Krista?“
253Povedal, „Áno, v jeho vlastnom zbore. To je jediné miesto, kde krstí, v jeho vlastnom zbore.“
254Povedal, „To je to. To je všetko, čo som potreboval vedieť. Nechceme ho. Nechceme to kacírstvo medzi našimi ľuďmi.“
255A jedného dňa, keď môj dobrý priateľ, Ed Daulton, dostal list od Baptistickej cirkvi. Povedali, „Ste exkomunikovaný z Baptistického spoločenstva, pretože ste sa pripojili ku herézii pokrstenia v Ježišovo Meno.“
256Rád sa postavím s Pavlom, „To, čo svet nazýva herézia, to je spôsob, ako uctievam Boha, pretože je to Jeho Slovo.“ Tak veru. Ó, samozrejme.
257Lekár diagnostikuje stav. Vidí, kde to je. Pravdivý prorok diagnostikuje stav skrze Slovo. Ako? Doktor diagnostikuje stav, skrze príznaky. Je to pravda? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Pozerá na príznaky a vidí, čo sa deje s pacientom. Vidí, ako veľmi to je pokročilé, a povie, „Nedá sa už nič urobiť.“
258A pravdivý prorok berie Slovo Božie a diagnostikuje prípady, a dáva do toho medicínu. A ľudia mu to hádžu späť do tváre. Čo sa stane? Záhuba, to je celé; rozkoš milujúca, svetom poznačená, skupina takzvaných pokrytcov! Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vidíte? Ó!
259On vidí choroby. Vidí, že sa dostali preč od Slova. On videl Slovo. A poznal následky, ktoré prichádzali. Videl prepych, v ktorom žili, videl spôsob, ako sa ich ženy správali. Videl spôsob, akým konali ich kňazi, ako sa dostali preč od pravdivého uctievania Boha a podobné veci. On tam mal odpoveď. Povedal, „Ten Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Mu slúžite, vás zničí.“
„Prečo?“
260„Neostríhali ste Mojich Prikázaní.“ Aj napriek tomu, že si to mysleli. Nečítal som to tu? 2. verš, 4.... 2. kapitola, 4. verš, „Pretože Som Si vás vybral, aby ste boli... Vybral Som Si vás zo všetkých čeľadí zeme a napriek tomu ste odmietli kráčať v Mojich Prikázaniach.“ Myslíte si...
261Tento malý, plešatý prorok tam stojí s tou šedivo pruhovanou bradou a jeho oči iskria ohňom, hovorí ku tej bande kňazov a ostatných a povedal, „Boh, ktorému sa pretvarujete, že Mu slúžite, vy pokrytci, ten istý Boh vás zničí.“ Myslíte, že mal spoluprácu? Aha! Povedal... Ó! On, posúďte ho dnes a uvidíte, či by mal. Nie. Ale čo mal? To je cesta pravdivého proroka. On mal Slovo. Poznal, čo To bolo.
Tak, ako Micheáš za dávna...
262To malé dieťa, ktoré som pred chvíľou zasvätil, som z toho niečo vypustil, pretože som to urýchľoval.
263Ale Micheáš, keď zastal pred Achabom, pozrel sa na nich. On poznal Slovo. Micheáš im vypovedal Slovo. Prečo? Micheáš posudzoval svoje videnie, svoju Náuku so Slovom Božím. A uvidel, že jeho Náuka a Slovo boli rovnaké. Pretože Slovo povedalo, že On prekľaje Achaba a spôsobí, že psy budú lízať jeho krv. To bolo to, čo povedalo Slovo.
264Takže Micheáš mal videnie. Preto, lebo bol prorokom. „Hľaďte, čo za Slovo ku mne prišlo.“ A modlil sa, „Ó, Pane Bože, čo musím vykonať? Čo musím povedať tejto skupine kňazov, ktorí tu stoja? Sú tu všetky organizácie. Každý jeden v krajine je zoskupený proti mne, Pane. Stojím tu pred kráľom. Čo musím povedať?“
265A dostal sa do videnia. Povedal, „Choď tam hore. Choď hore.“ Povedal, „Ale videl som Izrael roztrúsený ako ovce nemajúce pastiera.“ Áno.
266Ten okresný presbyter vyšiel hore a udrel ho do úst a povedal, „Odkiaľ by mohlo Slovo Božie, Duch Boží prísť, keď To vychádza odo mňa?“ Od neho?
267Viete, čo povedal Boh? On dovolil diablovi prísť dole, dostať sa medzi nich, pretože boli preč od Slova, s ktorým začali.
268Biblia povedala, „Ak by neuverili Slovu, On im dá mocné pôsobenie bludu, aby uverili lži, a aby tým boli zatratení.“ To je presne to, čo robia dnes tieto organizácie a ľudia v tomto národe, veria lži, aby ňou boli zatratení. „Lebo nie je iné Meno dané pod Nebom, pomocou ktorého musíte byť spasení.“ Dajte sa do poriadku, ľudia organizácií a podobní. Áno.
269No, čomu verili tí ostatní? Na čo sa pozerali tí ostatní proroci? Oni boli proroci. Tak veru. Boli proroci. Ale iba ak by sa zastavili a preskúmali ich proroctvo so Slovom!
270Ak by sa dnes Metodisti zastavili a preskúmali ich proroctvo, nikdy by nepokropili ďalšiu osobu. Prijali by Ducha Svätého. Pokrstili by každého jedného ponorením, vo Meno Ježiša Krista. Ak by sa dnes pozastavili Zbory Božie [Assemblies of God. - pozn.prekl.] a pozreli sa na svoje proroctvo, navrátili by sa späť do Slova. Ak by sa dnes Jednotári zastavili a preskúmali svoje proroctvo, vrátili by sa naspäť do Slova.
271Ale vidíte, iba ak by sa ich proroci zastavili a preskúmali by svoje proroctvá! Oni uvažujú logicky. Hovoria, „To nám patrí. A tak pôjdeme hore do Rámota v Gileáde a vezmeme si ho, pretože nám patrí. Jozue nám ho dal.“
Ale Micheáš povedal, „To znie rozumne.“
272Ale toto je takto. Nepotrebujete uvažovať logicky. Potrebujete veriť Tomu, čo povedal Boh. Nič logicky nevyvodzujte.
273Čo ak by mal Abrahám logicky uvažovať? Ako by vôbec opustil svoju krajinu? Ako by mohol stále vzdávať chválu Bohu, keď mal sto rokov a čakali so Sárou dieťa v jej deväťdesiatich rokoch?
Odvrhnite preč logické argumenty. Len verte.
274Necháte diabla hovoriť vám, „Viete, brat Branham nie je ničím iným, ako pokrytcom.“
275„No, čakám teraz, ukáž mi, ak ním je. Pozrime sa, či je jeho učenie správne. Dovoľ mi navrátiť sa do Biblie.“ Nie, nechoď... Nechce vám dovoliť, aby ste to urobili. Nie, nie. Vidíte?
276Ale on povie o mne niečo zlé, na čo môže mať právo, potom ty to len ďalej počúvaš, zastavíš a začneš rozumovať, „Áno, naozaj toto nemal robiť a tamto nemal robiť.“ Začínaš sa dívať na mňa, no, nájdeš toho mnoho.
277A mohli by ste zamerať pohľad na Pána Ježiša. Môžete nájsť toho mnoho. Pozrite na chvíľu na Neho. Umiestňujem to na každého jedného z vás, kazatelia. No, my zabudneme, že On bol niekedy na zemi. On je Chlapcom, ktorý bol preukazovaný po celom národe, že je nemanželsky narodeným Dieťaťom. Jeho matka Ho mala predtým, ako sa s Jeho otcom vôbec vzali. To bolo preukazované. (No, oni nejdú za Slovom, „Panna počne.“) Idú len za tým, čo počujú a vidia, „Nemanželské Dieťa.“ Nepovedali Mu, „Narodil sa v hriechu a snaží sa nás vyučovať?“ Som... Vidíte?
278A pozrite sa, čo On robil. On skutočne roztrhal každú cirkev, ktorá bola v krajine. Bolo to správne? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Organizácie a všetko ostatné.
279Čím On bol? „Len nejaký zdivočelý Chlapec, ktorí takto chodí po okolí, mladý Chlapík, nepatrí do žiadnej denominácie. Povedz mi, do akej denominácie patríš. Kto je Tvojím Otcom? Hovoríš, že Jozef nie je Tvojím otcom?“
„Jozef nie je Môj Otec,“ povedal.
„No, kto je Tvoj Otec?“
„Boh je Mojím Otcom.“
280„No, Ty fanatik! Presne to si. Ty súc Človekom a hovoríš, že Boh je Tvojím Otcom?“
281Ak by to preskúmali pomocou Slova! Haleluja. Nevidíte, čo to je? Slovo sa stalo telom. Oni nepreskúmali svoje videnia so Slovom. Tým to bolo.
282To je to, čo sa deje dnes. Vy nepreverujete svoje videnia, svoje proroctvá a svoje náuky so Slovom Božím. Niekto sa vám pokúsi povedať Pravdu a potom ich vyhodíte, presne tak, ako by ste to urobili Ámosovi, ako to urobili Ámosovi. Robíte rovnakú vec.
283Teraz sa pozrite sem. No, vy by ste ho asi odsúdili, to je pravda, ak by ste sa prv neboli vrátili späť ku Slovu. Oni konajú rovnako. Dnes Ho zavrhli.
284Čo ak vy ženy, tu a tu, áno, prečo nepreskúmate svoju predstavu o svojich nakrátko ostrihaných vlasoch so Slovom a nepozriete sa, čo To hovorí? Rozumiete? Prečo neurobíte tieto veci?
285Prečo nepreveríte svoj krst na „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,“ tú falošnú takzvanú „trojicu,“ ktorá nie je ničím iným, než tromi úradmi jedného Boha, titulmi? Nie v mene „Otca.“ Neexistuje taká vec, ako meno, „Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý.“
286Meno Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha je „Pán Ježiš Kristus.“ Preverte svoj krst so spôsobom, akým bol pokrstený každý človek v Biblii. Ak by ste preskúmali svoje úvahy so Slovom, vrátili by ste sa naspäť a nechali by ste sa pokrstiť vo Meno „Pán Ježiš Kristus.“
287To je to, čo im povedal Pavol. A povedal, „Ak ktokoľvek iný vyučuje niečo odlišné, nech je prekliaty, dokonca, ak by aj Anjel prišiel dolu.“
288Viete, mnohokrát prichádzali dole Anjeli. Chlapče, ako im to Letniční zjedli!
289Ako napríklad, keď tam stál Svätý Martin a tu sa postavila pred ním veľká svietiaca bytosť?
290Muž, ktorý krstil v Ježišovo Meno, ktorý veril v Ducha Svätého a držal sa Slova! A Rimania ho vykopli a urobili mu to všetko, snažili sa mu dať svoje dogmy a ľuďmi vytvorené náuky. Ten muž stál na Slove.
291Jedného dňa v jeho sile, mohli k nemu prísť démoni a snažiť sa ku nemu hovoriť. On im nevenoval žiadnu pozornosť.
292Raz takto prišiel Satan, ako Kristus, korunovaný, obutý v zlatých papučiach, stál tam a povedal, „Ne....“ Okolo neho boli plamene ohňa. Povedal, „Nespoznávaš ma, Martin? Som tvoj Pán. Uctievaj ma.“
Martin sa na neho pozrel. „Niečo tu nesedí.“
293Povedal, „Martin, nepoznávaš ma?“ Povedal, „Som tvoj Pán a Spasiteľ.“ Povedal, „Uctievaj ma.“ Povedal to trikrát.
294A Martin sa poobzeral. Zbadal, že Kristus bude korunovaný Jeho ľuďmi, pri Jeho Príchode. Nebude mať na sebe zlaté papuče. Povedal, „Choď odo mňa preč, Satan.“
Chlapče, nezjedli by mu to Letniční? „Chlapče, jasný žiariaci Anjel!“
295Tá žena prišla do Chicaga, kam idem, povedala, „Brat Branham, kazatelia tu zhora hovoria, že ak by ti Anjel Pánov povedal, že máš krstiť v Ježišovo Meno, uznali by to. Ale je to tvoja vlastná myšlienka?“
296Povedal som, „Ak by Anjel Pánov povedal čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s Týmto, nebol by to Anjel Pánov.“ Rozumiete?
297Ak nejaký Anjel hovorí čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s týmto Slovom, nech je to lož. A ak vám človek povie, posol od Boha, hovorí, že je od Boha, a povie vám, „Je to v poriadku byť pokrstený v mene 'Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,'“ nech je klamárom.
298 Ak vám človek povie, „Je to pre teba v poriadku nosiť nakrátko ostrihané vlasy a také podobné veci; že by ste mali vo zbore nosiť klobúk kvôli zakrytiu, 'aby ste boli zakryté,'“ nech je klamárom.
299Slovo Božie je Pravda. Ktorákoľvek z týchto vecí, ktoré sú proti Slovu, nech je klamstvom. To je Slovo, ktoré je Pravdou. To vydrží.
300Z toho dôvodu Micheáš mohol vedieť, že jeho proroctvo prišlo od Boha, pretože on bol so Slovom Božím. Tak veru. Jeho videnie sa nahromadilo presne tak, ako Slovo Božie.
301Ó, ak by bol Ámos tu, zostal by so Slovom. To je pravda. Ale vidíte, aké problémy sú dnes s nami, sú také, aké boli s nimi. Pripravujem sa zakončiť. Problémy, ktoré sú s nami, boli aj s nimi. Oni boli vyučovaní mimo toho Základu. Ježiš povedal, „Svojimi tradíciami ste Slovo Božie zbavili moci.“ A ten falošný krst! Ten falošný znak prijatia Ducha Svätého! Niektorí z nich hovoria, „Potrasenie rukou.“ Niektorí z nich hovoria, „Hovorenie v jazykoch.“ Počul som aj diablov hovoriť v jazykoch a potriasať si ruky. Tak veru. To nie je Toho znak. No, všetky tie podobné veci, všetky tie veci, vidíte, dostali ste sa preč od Slova Božieho, aby ste učili tieto tradície. To je pravda.
No, on by vás musel vziať naspäť do Slova.
302Ale máme dnes našich učiteľov, ktorí učia ľudí, odvracajú ich preč od Základu Božieho Slova. Teraz počúvajte pozorne.
303To je to, čo tam urobili. To je to, čo im Ámos hovoril. „Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Ho poznáte, On je Ten, ktorý vás zničí.“
304No, učili sme ich preč od (čoho?), od Základu, od „Viery, ktorá raz bola daná letničným otcom,“ áno, Biblia. Učia falošný očistec! Učia falošný krst! Všetko je falošné, falošné, falošné, oddelené od Originálu.
305Neveríte tomu? Poďte naspäť do Biblie a vezmite svoj „očistec“ a vezmite svojho „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha“ a „pokropenie“ a všetky tie nezmysly a poďte späť a pozrite sa, či je to biblické. To je spôsob. Zistite, či to je založené na Základe. Rozumiete? Oni sú preč od Základu.
306Pričom Pavol povedal, Biblia hovorí, že, „Cirkev Božia je založená na Náuke apoštolov a prorokov.“ Proroci a apoštoli musia byť rovnakí. Samozrejme.
307Čo sa stalo? Odišli sme preč od Základu Slova do denominačných základov.
308Počúvajte teraz. Zakončujem. Nasaďte si svoje duchovné slúchadlá. Počúvajte.
309Dostali sme sa preč od Základu Slova a dostali sme sa na základ denominácie. Ako dlho by som pritom mohol zostať? Ďalšie tri hodiny. Preč od Základu Slova do základu svetských pôžitkov, svetskosti, nemorálnosť vkrádajúca sa do zboru. Preč od Slova do vyznaní. To by mi zabralo tri týždne, aby som o tom všetkom kázal, len polovicu tých štyroch poznámok, ktoré tu mám. Preč od Slova do denominácie, zdenominacionalizovanie Slova. Akonáhle cirkev vytvorí denomináciu, rovno vtedy je preč od Slova.
310Nedá sa robiť nič, okrem jednej veci. Navrátiť sa späť, odkiaľ to odišlo preč, a ísť odznova. Vrátiť sa naspäť do Slova. Správne. Pokánie znamená, „ísť, otočiť sa späť, čelom vzad.“ Idete zlým smerom. V poriadku.
311Denominácia rozkoší. Denominácia, svet... Mám na mysli základ rozkoší, základ svetskosti, základ vyznaní. A všetko toto dokopy liahne nemorálnu zhnilosť, duchovnú zhnilosť.
312On, súc pravdivý prorok, videl by v nás presne to isté, čo videl v nich. Ak by tu dnes stál na tomto pódiu a ja by som povedal, „Brat Ámos, veľký prorok Boží, si smelý, poď sem a vezmi si moje miesto,“ on by kázal toto Slovo. Musel by to robiť. On je prorokom. V poriadku. Musel by to kázať presne takým spôsobom, ako je to napísané, práve to, čo teraz hovoríme. V poriadku. Potom by mohol vidieť a videl by v nás nemorálny úpadok.
313Len sa pozrite, priatelia. Koľkí z vás teraz v tomto dnešnom zbore vidia, že svet je v nemorálnom úpadku? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] No, vieme to. Čo sa deje? Je preč od Slova. Správne. V poriadku.
314Ámos nikdy nevinil vládu. Všimnete si ho tam, keď si to prečítate, keď pôjdete domov? Nikdy nevinil vládu, on vinil cirkev za to, že si zvolila takú vládu. Aha!
315Vy politici, dovoľte, nech vám to podám, aby sa to do vás na chvíľu vomlelo, tu a po celom svete, kam to pôjde. Cirkev si zvolila takú vec, ako bol Jeroboám. Som zvedavý, či ste vy, či sme my neurobili skoro takú istú vec? Povedzme, že je to dobrá vláda; vláda nemôže vybudovať dom na skale, keď si ľudia zvolia dom na piesku. Môže? Nehovorte, „Naša vláda! Naša vláda!“ To ste vy, národ. To sú ľudia. Ako môžeme...
316Jeden kazateľ mi povedal, povedal mi, „Brat Branham,“ povedal, „pozri sa. Viem, že v Tomto máš pravdu. Ale,“ povedal, „ak by som Toto kázal, moja denominácia by ma vykopla von, moji ľudia by ma vyhnali zo zboru.“ Povedal, „Nikdy by som už nekázal ďalšie kázanie.“
Povedal som, „Aj tak to káž!“ Tak veru.
317To je Božie Slovo. Ty si za to zodpovedný. Ak si Božím prorokom, pravdivým, zostaneš so Slovom. Ak nie, zostaneš s denomináciou. Záleží to od toho, odkiaľ pochádzaš.
318Hľaďte. Nie veru. Nemôžeme vybudovať, vláda nemôže vybudovať dom na pevnej Skale, keď ľudia hlasujú za dom rozkoší, ktorý je na základoch pohyblivých pieskov.
319Pozrite sa, čo chceme. Vezmime to teraz len na chvíľu. Dúfam, že vás neunavujem. [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Nie." - pozn.prekl.] Ale poďme sa len na chvíľu pozrieť, čo chceme. Nemôžem vynechať tento komentár, túto poznámku. Pozrime sa, čo chceme.
320Pozrime sa na našu televíziu. To je to, čo chceme. Chceme zopár tých komediantov, ktorí sa postavia tam hore a rozprávajú všetky možné špinavé vtipy, a my zostávame doma namiesto toho, aby sme išli na modlitebné zhromaždenie v stredu večer, alebo to kazateľ rozpustí skôr, tak, aby odišli a videli to; nejaké oplzlé, špinavé, päť alebo šesťkrát vydaté prostitútky, lúskajú špinavé vtipy, sexy oblečené a vo všetkom sa správajú úplne nevhodne. A vy to milujete viac, ako milujete dom Boží, to ukazuje, aký druh ducha je vo vás.
321My sme to dovolili. My ľudia, ak by ľudia tohto národa napísali našej vláde listy, povedzme, že by tam, na túto vládu priletelo sto miliónov listov, „Zastavte tie oplzlé programy,“ oni by to museli urobiť. My sme ľudia. Ale my ľudia chceme oplzlosť a tak to je to, čo máme.
322Pozrite sa na program v rádiu. Ó! Zamenili Skalu Vekov za „twist“. Aha! Starý Hrubý Kríž za „swing“ a „rock 'n roll“ namiesto toho. Starý Hrubý Kríž, áno, samozrejme v našich rádiách a v televízii. Všetko... Nedávno to tam bolo, tie „hoops“, tie dievčatá. Všetko také nemorálne, ako sa len dá, to je to, čo milujeme.
323Čím to je sponzorované? Pivom, whisky, cigaretami, peniazmi tohto národa. Čo robia? Berú ich daňové peniaze, ktoré musia ísť vláde vo forme daní a platia nimi za špinavé, oplzlé televízne programy, ktoré tam dajú.
324Letniční nezvykli chodiť na tie špinavé a oplzlé filmové predstavenia, keď mali také programy. Diabol umiestnil jednu ku vám, umiestnil do vášho domu televíziu.
325Cesta pravdivého proroka je dosť ťažká, ale zostaňme s Pravdou. Tak veru.
326Pozrite sa na naše billboardy. Ženy tam stoja s cigaretami v ruke, každá malá Jezábeľ v krajine. Idem do...
327Jedného dňa som uvidel zvláštnu vec. Bola tam jedna žena, ktorá tam prišla do školy, aby vyzdvihla deti, keď som ich tam aj ja bol vziať a nemala už nič na šortkách; a bolo mrazivé počasie. Každá z nich mala cigaretu. Akonáhle sa tam dostali a zastavili a nemali cigaretu, hneď si ju rýchlo zapálili a, „Fíha! Vidíte, ako sa mi darí?“ Drží tú ruku von z dverí, asi takto, s cigaretou v ruke. A niečo na to poviete, ó, oni vybuchnú. Samozrejme.
328Poviete niečo Rickymu alebo Elvisovi, alebo niekomu z nich, oni by vás zastrelili. A vláda by ich pustila späť, pretože sú to iba tínedžeri. „Ó, to je celkom správne. Oni to nechápu. Sú to iba tínedžeri. Prehliadnite to.“
Vidíte teraz, čo to znamená pravdivý prorok, jeho cesta?
329Pozrite sa na tých oplzlých snílkov v cirkvách, v ich denomináciách, oni by vám strelili rovno od chrbta. Jediná vec, ktorá ich zadržuje od toho, aby to urobili, je milosrdenstvo Božie, kým sa Posolstvo dostáva von. Diabol by vás zabil, ak by to mohol urobiť. Správne. Ale Posolstvo musí ísť. „Ja, Pán, prinavrátim.“ To je pravda. „Som schopný to vzbudiť z týchto kameňov.“ To je pravda. V poriadku.
330 Naše filmové predstavenia, naše billboardy, naši hriešnici milujúci rozkoš, sa nazývajú Kresťanmi. Ľudia, ktorí sami seba nazvú Kresťanmi; milujúci rozkoš, hľadači žiadostivostí. Ženy, nemorálne oblečené; muži na ne pozerajú, pískajú na ne, nazývajú sa Kresťanmi, a takto sa ukazujú. No, oni majú dokonca...
331To je veľká vec na Floride, v Kalifornii, že tam teraz majú veľké kluby. Všetci muži sa dajú dohromady a vhodia svoje kľúče dovnútra a ženy prídu a vyberú si odtiaľ jeden kľúč. A vždy ten, koho ten kľúč je, si berie domov svoju ženu. Žijú spolu týždeň, potom sa vrátia a vhodia opäť dnu kľúče. Rozumiete? To sú kluby. Nemanželsky narodené deti a všetko možné, prasa žerie prasa, pes žerie psa (zákon džungle). Čo sa to deje? Je to tak, pretože opustili Slovo.
332Nevedia, čo znamená počestnosť. Tam vonku s krátkym, riadne tesným oblečením na sebe a podobnými vecami a muži sú po nich žiadostiví a oni si myslia, že sú počestné. Ty možno nerobíš nič zlé, sestra, ale dovoľ mi povedať ti niečo, ty si nástrojom diabla. A pri Súde, TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, budeš sa zodpovedať za spáchanie cudzoložstva a tvoja duša odíde preč. Dobre to vieš. Teraz to každopádne vieš. Správne.
333Celý náš systém je skazený a zhnitý. To sú naši ľudia, ktorí to chcú. Tak, ako hospodár, no, ak bol človek hospodárom, vinil našu vládu... To je to, čo posiela našich chlapcov tam von a robí z nich potravu pre delá, správne, kvôli našej vlastnej skazenosti. Ak by sme milovali Pána, slúžili Pánovi a zvolili správny druh vlády a všetkého ostatného, bolo by to nádherné miesto. To je pravda. Nemali by sme žiadne vojny. Nie. Boh je naším Útočiskom a Silou. Posielanie našich chlapcov von a ich zabíjanie a masakrovanie a všetko ostatné, je kvôli tomu, že naše vlastné konanie tomu prinieslo súhlas. Boh to tak povedal v Biblii a On sa nemení. On je rovnaký. To sú vaši vlastní ľudia, ktorí to chcú.
334Tak, ako hospodár, čo ak je dobrým človekom? Chce konať správne. Chce žiť pre Boha. A má rodinu milujúcu rozkoš a nemorálnosť. Čo ten človek urobí, keď sa jeho žena chce obliekať do šortiek a nosiť sexy vyzerajúce šaty a ide tam von a správa sa ako Jezábeľ, jeho dcéry a všetky jeho deti a všetci z nich? Jeho otecko... Jeho malý chlapec, ktorého vychoval, miloval ho, potľapkával ho, bozkával ho, ukladal ho do postele a modlil sa za neho, on sa postaví a povie, „Môj starý otec je bláznivý. Všetko, o čom rozmýšľa, je Biblia.“ Čo môže ten človek urobiť so svojou rodinou?
335Tá istá vec je v našej vláde, ohľadne jej ľudí tu. Neobviňujte vládu. Obviňujte tú bandu odpadlíckych cirkví za to, že dosadili také veci, aké majú, do ich politiky. Oni to chcú. Z toho dôvodu za to hlasujú a preto to aj majú. A z toho dôvodu je na nich súd Boží. A oni budú žať to, čo zasiali. Teraz to sejú a budú to žať neskôr. Dávajte pozor. Ó! Sme zasiahnutý zlom. Ó, áno.
336Pokúšate sa kúpiť si našu cestu do Ruska. Skúšate si kúpiť našu cestu s komunizmom. Skúšate to. No, peniaze, nemôžete si kúpiť tieto dary Božie. Bol tam jeden muž, Šimon, raz sa o to pokúsil a Peter povedal, “Zahynieš so svojimi peniazmi.“ My odohrávame rolu Šimona kúzelníka, ktorý sa pokúšal kúpiť si dar Boží.
337Vráťte sa naspäť do Slova. Poďte naspäť ku Bohu. Navráťte sa späť ku Kristovi. Potom sa nestarajte o komunizmus. Zvolíme správnych ľudí. Budeme mať iných mužov, ako Abrahám Lincoln, George Washington, niekoho, kto bol skutočným mužom. Neobviňujte tam tú vládu. Obviňujte seba. Toto by Ámos povedal. A to je to, čo by povedal každý pravdivý Boží prorok, ak pozná Slovo Božie. Ak je pravdivým prorokom, pozná Slovo Božie, pretože To prichádza ku nemu.
338Izrael, v ich spoločenstve, ktoré vytvorili so svojím nepriateľom. V prvom rade sa museli dostať preč od Slova Božieho, predtým, ako mohli vytvoriť spoločenstvo s ich nepriateľom.
339A predtým, ako by sme mohli niekedy vytvoriť spoločenstvo s našimi nepriateľmi a ostatnými vecami, musíme sa dostať preč od Slova Božieho. Aha! To isté teraz, nechávame Rím všetko zabrať. No, robíme to po celý čas. Ona prevzala vládu. Zaberá miesta. Ona dostala ľudí. Teraz preberá cirkvi.
340Čo robíme? Stále sedíme a súhlasíme s tým. „Ó, to nerobí žiaden rozdiel, či to je týmto spôsobom, alebo takýmto spôsobom. To je stále Boh, v každom prípade.“ Vy biedni, mizerní, odpadlícki, takzvaní proroci. Čo sa to s vami deje? Oni nepoznajú Slovo o Bohu a týchto veciach. Neštudujú Slovo. Neuvedomujú si to. Hovoria, že komunizmus ide zabrať celý svet. Nie, to nie.
341Rímsky katolicizmus ide prebrať svet a robí to pod menom Kresťanstva. Nepovedala Biblia, Ježiš, že, „Bude to také blízke, že by to zviedlo aj samotných vyvolených, ak by to bolo možné?“
342To, čo dnes potrebujeme. Dovoľte mi na tomto zakončiť. Idem teraz zakončiť. To, čo dnes potrebujeme, je ďalší pravdivý prorok. Amen. Potrebujeme muža, ku ktorému príde Slovo Božie. Áno, brat. On by bol opovrhnutý a vyhnaný von a odvrhnutý, ale on by určite udrel palicou. On by to mohol urobiť. Áno. On by určite hádzal toľko Semena, pokiaľ by To Vyvolení nenašli. Aha. To je pravda. Potrebujeme proroka. Potrebujeme muža, ku ktorému prichádza pravdivý výklad Slova, cez ktorého Boh hovorí a potvrdzuje Slovo, aby To urobil pravdivým. To je to, čo potrebujeme. A, brat, máme jedného zasľúbeného, podľa Malachiáša 4, „Aby obnovil.“ Čo? „Vieru ľudí naspäť do Biblie.“ Máme jedného zasľúbeného. On to urobí.
343Ámos to vedel. Tak veru. Ámos vedel, že Izrael, že jej bezbožní milenci ich čoskoro zničia.
344A ich bezbožní milenci dnes ich čoskoro zničia, samotné denominačné vyznania a veci, ktorými sa do toho zviazali. Vy, Letniční, tá vec vás zničí, vaše vyznanie a denominácia. Vy sa tam sami zväzujete, beriete na seba znamenie šelmy a neviete o tom, sťahujete si to rovno cez oči. Samozrejme. To je bojkot. Čo sa to snažíte robiť? „Buď do toho patríte, alebo nepatríte.“ Rozumiete? Iba čakáte, len trochu, len o trochu dlhšie. Potom poviete, „Potom odtiaľ vyjdem.“ Nie, nevyjdeš. Už si v tom. Už si označený. Si lapený označením na sebe.
345Nezáleží na tom, že Ezav horko plakal, keď to lepšie pochopil. Iba horko plače, snaží sa nájsť miesto pre pokánie a nemôže ho nájsť. Potom tam zostanete. Teraz je čas utiecť.
346Ámos vedel, že ich bezbožní milenci ju čoskoro zničia, lebo oni, cirkev Ho musela opustiť, Boha a Jeho Slovo, Cestu Života. Oni odišli z Božej Cesty Života a vytvorili si svoju vlastnú. Ó, Slovo bolo pre nich kameňom úrazu.
347A je To rovnaká vec i dnes. Slovo Božie je kameňom úrazu, pre takzvaných Kresťanov. Povedzte im o vodnom krste vo Meno Ježiša Krista. Povedzte im o Svätom Bohu. To urobí...
No, povedia, „No, my máme Svätého Ducha.“
348Prečo potom stále nosíte nakrátko ostrihané vlasy? Prečo stále krstíte na meno „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha“? Prečo stále veríte tým ostatným veciam, ktorým veríte, a správate sa takým spôsobom, akým sa správate. Poďte to dokázať. Vaše ovocie to dokazuje. Ježiš povedal, „Po ich ovocí ich poznáte.“ Áno. Vidíte? To len ukazuje, že hovoríte o niečom, o čom nič neviete. Tak veru. Áno.
349Ak by tu bol Ámos, on by kričal proti ich systémom. Viete to?
350Teraz idem prečítať jeden verš, pred zakončením, 8. verš z 3. kapitoly. A začnime čítať.
Lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Pán prehovoril, kto by neprorokoval?
351Počúvajte. Teraz na záver chcem povedať toto. Prepáčte mi, že som vás zdržal o pol hodinu dlhšie. Ale pozrite sa. Chcem povedať toto. Som poľovníkom. Poľujem. Som šťastný, že Boh mi dal niečo, ako toto.
352Jedného dňa, keď tá zbraň vybuchla, išiel som hneď naspäť, pozrieť sa, či môžem opäť strieľať. Nechcel som, aby ma to zastrašilo. Ak by som mal na ceste vrak, neprestal by som šoférovať auto. Ak by som kráčal na poschodie a zakopol by som palcom o koberec a vypadol cez okno, neprestal by som chodiť. Rozumiete? Nie, nie. Boh mi dáva čisté skúšky. To bol Satan. To nebol Boh. Rozumiete? To bol Satan.
353No, poznám na to duchovnú aplikáciu. Práve teraz sú tu traja z nás v tejto miestnosti, ktorí vedia, čo to je. A to by vám postavilo vlasy na hlave, ale nikomu som o tom nepovedal. Rozumiete? Iba títo traja ľudia, ako potvrdenie. No, to je celé v poriadku... To je celé... Boh o tom vie všetko a varoval pred tým a všetko ostatné. A vieme to. Čiastočne to bola moja chyba a mal som niečo.
354 Raz som sa ujal človeka, ktorého som sa nemal ujať. Mal som z neho vytriasť pečeň. Rozumiete? A keďže som to neurobil, musel som za to platiť. A tak potom, tak my... To je v poriadku. To som bol ja a je to teraz odpustené. A pôjdeme ďalej. Rozumiete? Áno.
Ámos, tento 8. verš, „Ak lev reve, kto by sa nebál?“
355Poľoval som v Afrických džungliach. Bol som okolo miest, kde boli levy. On je kráľom zvierat. Ležal som vonku v noci v džungliach a počul som škriekanie, a hyeny sa smiať a kvíliť, a ostatné zvieratá. A potom, niektoré z tých hyen by vám mohli len zraziť vašu krv, keď vrieskali. A tam s leopardmi a vrčaním a všetkým možným a chrobákmi, opicami, paviánmi a tisícekrát tisíce, „škrek, škrek.“ Kráčate kamkoľvek a môžete počuť všetky druhy tvorov, ktoré tam chodia. Ale nech zareve lev, dokonca ešte aj chrobáci stíchnu. To je hrobové ticho. Zostanú ticho. Prečo? Prehovoril ich kráľ. Amen.
356„Ak lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Keď Boh hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?“ Keď Boh hovorí, prorok kričí. Viete, čo tým myslím? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Pravdivý prorok kričí. Priatelia, On prehovoril. Potom, nech každé stvorenie z Jeho Kráľovstva dbá na To, čo On povedal.
357Ak môže lev rozpoznať, že tam nie je niečo v poriadku, keď reve, všetko z jeho kráľovstva umĺkne. Oni počúvajú. Dokonca malí chrobáci, pretože sú v kráľovstve toho leva. Ten krvou prenikajúci výkrik hyeny, on zmĺkne. Ten slon, ktorý tam môže zodvihnúť leva a zatočiť s ním s tým jeho trúbením... A nech lev zareve, on zmĺkne a zostane ticho. Nech africký bizón, ktorý môže fŕkať, a vyzerá to, ako by mu z nozdier šľahal oheň. Keď na neho lev skočí, nemôže mu ani ublížiť. Nech nosorožec so svojím sedemtonovým brnením, prerazí ho, a so svojím veľkým rohom. Nech zareve lev, on zastane vo svojich stopách. Čo sa deje? Prehovoril jeho kráľ. Rozumiete? On chce počuť, čo bude povedané.
358A keď Boh hovorí, prorok kričí. A potom, nech Jeho Kráľovstvo dbá na to, čo On hovorí. Boh prehovoril. Nech každé stvorenie z Jeho Kráľovstva počúva, čo On hovorí.
Modlime sa.
359Ó, Lev z pokolenia Júdovho, povstaň a zarev! Ty kričíš v tomto poslednom dni. Tvoje oči sú zúžené. Pozeráš sa dole. Vidíš hriechy tohto takzvaného Kresťanského národa a sveta. Vidíš hriechy tejto krajiny, keď boli vykúpené drahou Krvou. Vidíš, ako sa denominácie brodia cez Tvoje Slovo. Vidíš, ako falošní proroci klamú. Božiu Pravdu zapierajú.
360Zarev, ó, Lev z Júdu! Nechaj Svojich prorokov kričať. „Keď Boh hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?“ To je Slovo Božie, vychádzajúce von z Biblie, pohybujúce sa ku prorokovi. Ako môže byť ticho? Ak by to robil, bude roztrhaný na kusy. Ó, Bože, nech Tvoj prorok reve, Pane. Zarev von Svoje Posolstvo, Bože, a nech každé stvorenie z Tvojho Kráľovstva dbá na To.
361Nech sa môžu zastaviť. Nech sa ženy môžu pozastaviť a prekontrolovať sa. Nech sa muži môžu zastaviť a skontrolovať sa. Nech sa môže každý kazateľ, ktorý počúva túto pásku, zastaviť a preskúmať samého seba, lebo reve Lev z pokolenia Júdovho. A pravdivé Slovo prichádza ku prorokom, hovoria, kričia, „Čiňte pokánie a navráťte sa späť, predtým, ako bude príliš neskoro.“
362Bože, odovzdávam dnes ráno toto Posolstvo, na páske a v tomto viditeľnom publiku, Tebe, lebo verím, že s Tým súhlasíš. A zavolaj každého syna a dcéru Božiu, ktorí sú pod... ktorí niekedy započujú túto pásku, alebo budú pod zvukom toho hlasu, nech sa vrátia späť ku pokániu, predtým, ako bude príliš neskoro.
1 Why, good morning, friends. It's a fine morning, and a good time to be here. I'm happy to be alive this morning, and to be here with the congregation again. There is so many things can happen in such a short time. And we don't know what time that we're going to be called upon, to answer, up at the big Court. And we want to be prepared at any time, so we can have peace.
2 And I'm very grateful, as I said. Course, I was here Sunday night, and was speaking to the people... I preached Sunday night, and want to thank Brother Roberson, all you all called in, about enjoying that Message of Sunday night, "We have all things." And so I... Sometime I didn't think I was going to speak, just come down and looked at Brother Neville. His--his throat kind of like a bumblebee down there. I thought, "Poor brother, if he sure calls on me tonight, I'm going to help, or do everything I can." Cause, I know what that is, when you're tired and hoarse, and you've preached hard that morning. And so I--I spoke for him Sunday night. And so we're--we're... I thank you, very much.
3 Now there's many requests, they say, for prayer. And so let's just remember them, first, all these requests. Let's bow our heads now.
4Our Heavenly Father, it is written that we should enter Thy assemblies with thanksgiving upon our hearts, make our requests known in the assemblies of the Saints. And we have many of them, this morning, so many, that we don't know how to call them to Your attention, but You know them. There's many that was not spoken of. You know them, also. So, we pray with all of our hearts, as we did last Sunday night for Sister Shepherd's, Brother Shepherd's, child. There when in the... Come back, the Holy Spirit said, "She does not have no polio. She'll be all right." What a satisfaction we have when we hear from You.
5Now we're asking this morning that You will grant these requests for the sickness, for the bereaved home, for the loved ones, and all that's been spoken, Father. We pray that You will remember each one. And I offer my prayer, and the prayer of these people, before Thee; gathered together, and sent to You, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Hear us, Father, we pray. Amen.
6 I want to thank each and every one of you all for your prayers for me. While I... You know I had a little explosion down on the range down there. And Satan tried to kill me. And--and, course, he couldn't do it. But God wasn't through with me yet. So he just can't do it until it's all over. When God is finished, then I'm ready. But I... My good friend, Brother Woods, down there, it's just the mercies of God, or he'd just found from here down, and not from here up. Was about a five or six ton explosion that close to my face, like that. Never hurt me a bit. See? Scratched my face up a little. So, that, well, it's all gone now, just one little spot left there.
7 So, I want to thank Brother and Sister Dauch over here. Brother Brown, and them, who understood by telephone conversation that they gathered together, a group of people, and prayed for me. And that just is something, does something to you. You know, you pray for others, and everything, and then when you find out that somebody is praying for you when you need it, that means a whole lot. And I know many of you didn't call in, or anything, but you did just the same. And it means a whole lot to us. And that's the reason that I... it didn't hurt me. God let me be well. And so I'm very grateful.
8 Now, I have some announcements just before we dedicate these little fellows. Now, tonight, there is service at the tabernacle. And all you that come here at the tabernacle, come right to the service here. And so we're... I'm going to speak for Brother Ruddell, tonight, up here on the highway, one of our visiting brothers. And then, as soon as I get back, if I have another night, I want to go to Brother Junie Jackson. Then that brother at Sellersburg, we owe him a night up there, and so we want to go up to see him. And the brother over at Utica, getting in these nights as we can.
9 This week I leave for Green Bay, Wisconsin, as you know, to the regional convention of the Full Gospel Business Men.
10Next Sunday, I'm at that high school, that up there, that I was the last time there. I forget the name of that high school auditorium. [A brother says, "Mather."--Ed.] What is it? ["Mather."] Mather. Stephen Mather. Yeah. All right. High school auditorium.
11And then, Monday, I'm in a convention over where I held the discussion with that ministerial association in Chicago, the last time there. We're in that place for a farewell meeting to Brother Joseph Boze, who is going to Tanganyika. Tanganyika, I believe he calls it. And Kenya, and Durban, and through there, making arrangements for my oncoming fall meetings; and in Africa, and through South Africa. And then we ask you to remember us in prayer in these meetings. Then we return back.
12 And I don't know where I have time to get it, another day at the tabernacle, or not, before we go then up to North Carolina. And then, from there, to South Carolina. And then all the way over to the Cow Palace in Los Angeles, at South Gate. And there is where I hope to get to go and see Mr. Weatherby, the one that made the rifle that the shell exploded in.
13He didn't have the head space backed off too much, and let the shell push back instead of go forward. It was an old rifle I just sent to him. He had it bored out, then, and made into a different kind of a rifle. I put the shell in it, raised up to shoot, and it, well, it blowed the gun fifty yards around me, like that, melted in my hand. The barrel went out on the fifty yard line, the bolt went plumb back behind the deer cage, thirty, forty yards behind me, and pieces of shrapnel flew and knocked bark off trees and everything else. So that was that close to my eye, just about one inch, where it went off like that. And if it had blow...
14And that gun will stand sixty-nine hundred pounds of pressure, itself, without blowing. So you can imagine how much was on it, to do that. And remember, if it'll blow that, it could have blowed my head and shoulders too, you see. But there was the Lord standing there, that didn't even let it hurt me, just scratched me across the face. And a little shrapnel went in below the sight of my eye, made a ring around the sight, so it didn't touch the sight, where the shrapnel went in. One of the big pieces that stuck in the skull went around the eye, didn't get in the eye, though. Oh, my!
15 Not long ago, you remember, I told you He met me in the room, and said, "Do not fear, for the never-failing Presence of Jesus Christ is with you forever." See? See? So that proves it, that He is.
16A doctor that looked at my eye in Louisville, he said they wrote back to Dr. Sam Adair down here, our friend, and said, "The only thing that I can say, that the Lord was setting there that morning with His servant to protect him, or he wouldn't even have head and shoulders left." So, He was really good to me, and I appreciate that. It brings me a little closer. It always makes a little different.
17 And then, two days after that, three days, after I was going on to my meeting, where I had scheduled in Canada, the man, without knowing anything about this, called me back, and had to postpone the meeting. See? I'd have been on the road out there, this thing hadn't happened like that. See? And so then called back, and I have to take the meeting, the Canadian meeting. And that will be in July, the last weeks in July. Then I'm going on to Dawson Creek, then to Anchorage, Alaska, the Lord willing.
18Now, none of these meetings I have any leadings to go it, not a one. But I can't think of setting here all summer, setting around here, and people dying everywhere. I got to sow seeds, wherever it is, no matter what. If it don't come up, if the birds of the air get it, whatever it is, I want to sow seeds, 'cause He give me some to sow. So I--I'm going to sow the seed anyhow. Now, we have a time here that I...
19 Many people, what they call, "baptize" little babies in the Christian faith. Well, that's all right, if you do that. That's up to you. Course, they don't really baptize them. They just sprinkle water on top of them. But, to me, I like to stay just what the Bible said do. Therefore, just what the Word said, that's what I want to do, just whatever It said. And, now, I--I don't find any place in the Bible.
20In the Old Testament, they brought the children for fleshly circumcision, the little males, and the mother offered an offering for purification, two turtledoves or a lamb.
21But, in the New Testament, the only place that I can find to commemoration of this great service of... It was a dedication. They brought infants to Jesus, and He picked them up in His arms and blessed them. That's what the parents did of His day. And His life was an example of what we should do. See? These things He did for an example.
22 Now, we just take the little ones, and they bring them to us, and we just hold them up to God, and ask God's blessings upon them, and pray a prayer of dedication from the mother and father, to God, as they present their child. And... or dedicate them in the Name of Jesus Christ, until they're old enough to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. And now, He said, "Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the Name of Jesus Christ." So--so that's what we wish to do.
23 And now, while the sister will play softly this little song, sister, we have here, Bring Them In. And the mothers and fathers that's got these little babies that's never been dedicated to the Lord, if you'll bring them now, while the congregation, we sing softly to them now, a hymn. Yeah.
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the little ones to Jesus.
24I love these little fellows. There is something about them that's so sweet.
25I guess this is strictly an Italian. Isn't he? All right. The Italian family, few ones that have to be dedicated. Little Italian sister here from, oh, from Chicago, is here. Said, "This is the Italian family, this morning, but I'm not going to preach."
26What's his name? Jonathan David, what a beautiful name! Now, Jonathan. He said his boss had an--had an Italian name, and he had... He wants his baby to be named a Bible name.
27You know, there was a great Italian in the Bible, by the name of Cornelius, one time, you know. He had a band, and he was good, and he gave alms to the people, when he being a Gentile, yet. You know the story. And one day an Angel came to his house, told him to send down for a man who knew the program of God. And he... You know the story. While, he had those people in such respects of God! "While Peter yet spake these Words, the Holy Ghost fell on them." That's right. I pray this baby will be the same type of man, the same name.
28 Jonathan, beautiful! Can I have him? Come here, Jonathan. My, what a little lump of sugar for this family!
Let us bow our heads.
29Our Heavenly Father, years has passed by, as the story that I've just quoted, of a great man named Cornelius, who was a good man, righteous, paying alms and loving God. And an Angel of God came to the house of that man. O God, we give to You, this morning, little Jonathan David. I pray, Heavenly Father, that as I have taken him from the arms of his mother and father, who is presenting him to You... I offer this prayer of dedication of this child's life for a life of service to You, a blessing to the home, a great stepping stone to the Church. Grant it, Father. I give to You little Jonathan David, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
30God give you His grace and help to raise him in the admonition of God.
Bless you, Jonathan David.
31 Now, this one, my, he's quite young, or is it she? He? My, another preacher coming along, I hope. What's the name? Micah. Micah. I'm speaking on him this morning. Micah Edward. Edward, that's a fine name. Now, my wife could do this a lot better when it comes to holding him, 'cause I'm always afraid I'll break them when they're little. See? What a sweet little thing, them little eyes just looking around. He's so little. How old is he? One month old.
Let us bow our heads.
32Heavenly Father, this young couple again walks up here to offer to You the results of their union of life You have given them, to raise in the admonition of God. Bless this little Micah. God, I pray that You'll make him a man like Micah in the Bible. Grant it, Father. Give to him the blessings of God. Bless his father and mother, and make him an inspiration here on earth, a great stepping stone for the cause of Christ. And now, hear us, Father, I present to You, from the arms of the father and mother, to the arms of God, little Micah Edward, in Jesus Christ's Name. Amen.
33May the Lord bless him, bless you, the father and mother, to raise him in the admonition of God.
I believe that's it. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]
34 Oh, I just love them little fellows, just every one. That, each one, is the prettiest baby in the world. There's just no need... When I brought little Joseph home, that was, honestly, the ugliest little fellow I ever seen, but his mother and I thought he was a doll. But that's the way it is, you know. That's the... We just think that.
35 I'm wondering, this morning, some of our members here. There was a--a... Now, this eye has belladonna in it, which blurs a lot. But Sister Nash... Asked about Brother Nash; I wonder if he had got all right. Is... Are they here? Oh, well, yes, he's here. Praise the Lord, Brother Nash. That, that's good.
36Now, Sister Edwards, is she here? The... Or, Sister Shepherd, that had the little, sick girl, she is all right now? Fine. I got the news, and the thing was just about five minutes till I had people, out of town, for interview. I run in the room and prayed, and they said the child was taking polio, arms and legs was stiffening. And I run in to pray, and said, "I'll come after church." Told Loyce to call back and tell the lady I'd be there after church; if she wanted me, to call me. And when I went in to pray, the Spirit said--said, "No polio. She'll be all right." I come down, well, we all had prayer here at the church. That just settled it.
37 [A sister says, "Brother Branham?"--Ed.] Yes, ma'am. ["We went to the doctor on Monday, after you prayed for him the first time, and all the pleurisy in his chest is all cleared up, gone from his throat."] Praise the Lord! Prayer changes things.
Say, he isn't here, this morning, is he, the son-in-law? Yeah.
38Last Sunday, the last time I preached here, Sunday a week, there was a young fellow set here; I kept looking at him. I thought, "I ought to know that chap." And come to find out, he was my old schoolmate's son, Jim Poole. Why, we was raised together, from little boys, up. He is the one that I had the shotgun accident with, that time, and then later on had one himself, and a friend of mine. I trust that I can lead that boy to Christ. I tried his daddy so hard. I believe I will, yet, will bring him in. I hope I can lead that young fellow. He had a... I looked around at him. He looked like he had a fine, what I call it now (don't make this remark to anyone else), but, vibration of his spirit, a good feel. I believe it wouldn't take too much to lead that boy to Christ. So let's pray for him. That's right.
39 And, brother, see, somebody else was sick, or something, that I trying to think of.
40However, we pray for all. And when sometimes... When you send a request, remember, as soon as I get it... My wife is in the building somewhere, I think, so she knows. As soon as I get a request, right straight to my den room, I go to prayer, and stay there till I feel something. I just don't give it up.
41 Other day, when Sam, Dr. Sam, picked that stuff out of my eye, he was trying to, and it hurt him so bad, he had to put a towel over my face. Said, "I can't see my buddy's blood." Said... And I was bathed in it, you know. But he said, "I can't do that and work on it." See? And so he pulled that out. And the next day he was in the hospital. So I prayed for him, and he come out all right.
42And then the second day, his wife, they didn't even know what was wrong with her, thought she was taking polio. See? Said, and said... And prayed for her, and now she is home well. So we got in the room, Doc... We went in the office, and he... We pulled the door together, said, "Now, Brother Bill, I'm going to ask you something." Said, "Will you pray for me and Betty?"
I said, "Let's. Let's pray."
43 So, he is the one that the Lord showed the vision, where to build the clinic. You, you remember the story. If you ever doubt it, go by and ask him sometime. Yeah, just said, "Just let anybody come in." Said, "I've told it to ten thousand people."
44 [A brother says, "Brother Branham?"--Ed.] Yes, brother. ["For those here this morning and to put more faith in other's hearts: Easter Sunday morning, you called out a precious soul here, the third one, which was a man. You said he was from Seymour. And you said, through the anointing of the Holy Ghost, 'They call you, "Bill."' I know the man. I know him very well. And after we left here, his name is Isaac. They do call him 'Bill.'"] Yes, sir. See?
45His actual name is Isaac. [The brother says, "That's right."--Ed.] But they call him Bill. ["That's right."]
46The Holy Spirit makes no mistake. It's the infallible. Now, this, someone was talking, said... "I'm--I'm fifty-three, and third, about thirty-one years, I've been behind the pulpit, and I have seen Him in tens of thousands of things."
47 Yesterday, I was down, way down, southern Kentucky, right on Tennessee border, and I was setting in a boat with Brother Daulton, who the Lord gave all of his children to him. You remember the morning here, when he started out. And he said, "Brother Branham," said, "I guess it'd be hard for you to estimate."
48I said, "Oh, Brother Daulton, tens of thousand times tens of thousands of things like that."
Said, "Why don't you try to write a book" (I said...) "of it?"
49I said, "Oh, my, Brother Daulton, it'd--it'd go across this boat here, an encyclopedia, just volumes of books of what I seen the Lord do. And not one time has He ever failed, see, not one time; but, perfect each time."
50 I see, I believe now, if I'm not mistaken, Brother Shepherd's girl, with a kind of an orange-looking dress on. I think that. I stopped by her, the other morning. She was walking down, and I thought I might have the wrong girl to pick up, so I took off. So that was me that stopped, sister. I--I thought it was Brother Shepherd's girl, and I'd pick her up, 'cause I thought maybe his car might have broke or something. We was going, get Becky. And I thought it might be the wrong girl. But now I seen him setting with them there, so I--I believe it was the right girl. So that was me that pulled up there and then pulled away.
51 So, everybody love the Lord Jesus? Oh, wonderful! That's just fine and dandy. Amen.
52[Brother Neville says, "Brother Willard just came in."--Ed.] Well, Brother Willard, we're just glad to have you in. And you look pretty good, too, the best I can see you. We both kind of hamburgered up, around the face. I look like I've been hit with a handful of it. And I seen Brother Willard that night, when he was asleep, and honest to goodness, he looked terrible. But you look awful good this morning. And we give thanks and praise to God for it, brother. Amen. Yes. You know, the Devil can't kill us till God says, "Come on." Then we want to go, don't we, Brother Willard? That's right. Until then he's just trying in vain. That's all. The Lord Jesus is our Help and our Refuge.
53 Now here I talk along here, when I've just got about six hours to preach this morning. See? Just... Now, we never notified, didn't send out no tickets, and things, 'cause I already announced I wouldn't be here. But, just to come down and help Brother Neville, and get to see you all again, and have a little time of fellowship.
54And last Sunday night, Brother Roy Roberson, I don't know whether he's in here, or not. I can't make out enough to see that he's here. He called me up, was telling me about the Message.
55And someone called, said, "I was wondering when you talked about 'God gave us all things.'" See? He did. He gave us life. Try to buy it. He gave us love. Try to buy it. He gave us joy. Try to buy it. He gave us peace. Try to buy it. No way of buying it. You can't buy it.
Then I said, "He gave us death."
Someone called up, said, "Preacher, I wondered where you was going with that." Said, "I thought, 'Uh-oh, here Brother Branham tied hisself that time.'" Not when the Bible says so. See? The Bible said He gave us death.
56 Now, what can we do with death? You know, Paul coming to death, he said, "O death, where is your sting?" Death don't control us. We control it. Right. All things is given to us.
57 And then I gave the illustration of how that Israel, on the march to the promised land, they had never seen that land. They knowed nothing about it. They just had a promise of God, there was a land, and it was full of milk and honey, and good, and--and a great place. And it was. They never had seen it. Nobody ever been there, knowed anything about it. But they had the promise of it. And by faith they sojourned into the desert.
58And when they got right to the border line, they had a warrior there by the name of Joshua, which means, "Jehovah Saviour." So he crossed over the Jordan, into the promised land, and brought back the evidence that the land was there. I like that. And it was a good land. Two men packed one bunch of grapes out. It was a good land, so he brought back the evidence that the land that they were going to possess was there.
59 Now, to the Church, we are journeying to a Land of immortality, a Land where there's no death, a Land where the dead is raised up. And we had a great Saviour in our camp. Jesus means "Jehovah Saviour," Beloved. And He crossed the Jordan of death, over into the other Land, and come back, and brought the evidence that we live after death. Amen. So where is death at?
60 And then He gave us all things. "Now we have the earnest of our inheritance. Insomuch..." Now listen close. And I ain't preaching on that subject, but it just feels good to me right now. See? That, we have the earnest of that. For, one day we walked in sin; and after being baptized in His Name, and raised with Him in resurrection, we've been brought out of sin, never no more to want to go back again. See? We are raised from sin, with the evidence that we have. We're potentially in the resurrection from all death. See? If we could raise up from sin, by faith in Him; and there is sin, who would want to go back to the garbage cans of sin again? See? We've passed from death to Life. See? And that's the earnest. Amen. That's the earnest of the complete resurrection, all death, physically. And spiritual, we done overcome spiritual death, 'cause we've passed from death unto Life.
61 And as Elijah went down to Jordan one day, and struck it, with Elisha, and it parted back, and he crossed over. He come back with a double portion.
62And when we strike Jordan, with Christ, we got one portion, but when we return, we're coming with two portions. We got Eternal Life, resurrection from sin, now, in righteousness with the Holy Ghost. And then on the return, with Christ, we come back with both physical resurrection, and we already got spiritual resurrection. We have a double portion of it. Always a type of Christ and the Church: Elisha and Elijah.
63Oh, I don't want to get started on that. My, my, my, we'd never get on this six-hour Message here. [Brother Neville says, "Meat on the bone, yet."--Ed.] Yes. My! "Meat on the bone," Brother Neville said. Still gnawing it. Oh, aren't you glad? [Congregation says, "Amen."] See? We don't have...
64 There ain't no bother no more. Death is nothing. We got it. It's ours. It can't control me. I control it. How? Through Him Who made me an overcomer, because I've already overcome death. How did I do it? By believing on Him. See? Death is in sin, unbelief. I'm not an unbeliever. I'm a believer. I've raised from that thing, resurrected. It's the earnest of all my complete physical, spiritual resurrection, everything. Yes, sir. You get it? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] So we do have death under our control, through Jesus Christ Who has overcome death, hell, grave, sickness, sorrow, everything else, triumphed over all.
65 And we are now risen with Him, setting in Heavenly places, spiritually speaking, in Christ Jesus, with all things under our feet. Even the physical resurrection is under our feet, 'cause we're in Christ. Do--do you get it? If you do, raise your hands. [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Amen. That's good. As long as you get it, that's fine. See? Don't let... Now just keep keeping it in your mind. See? "We have passed from death unto Life," physical, spiritual, every way.
66 And everything, and all things, belongs to us now. Why, the world out here is saying we're crazy, and yet the whole earth belongs to us. How you going to inherit it?
67 When, as I said, Abraham, see, he was in the promised land; God gave it to him. Lot was taken by some renegade outlaws, took away. That was his nephew. All right. Everything was in that land belonged to Abraham. So, he wasn't a warrior. He never did fight. He didn't have any warriors with him. He had some servants. But when he seen that something, the Devil, had come and robbed him of something that was a promise to him, he armed his servants and took an arm himself. He didn't know how he was going to overcome this whole company of kings. Just a handful of servants, but God told him how to do it. He divided himself, and slaughtered the kings, and come back triumph. Why? He laid his faith upon God's promise that everything in that land was his, and Lot was part of it, that's right, was part of the land. Oh, my!
68And there he met Melchisedec, after the battle was over. Could you just see Abraham coming up the road? He didn't know he was a warrior, but he knowed then he was. Yes, sir. And he met the One Who gave the promise, Melchisedec.
69 Now let's read out of the Book of Amos. I'm going to speak this morning; not six hours, though. I hope not. See? On a--on a subject, that, The Way Of A True Prophet. And tonight, the Lord willing, I'm going to speak on, Letting Off The Pressure, and so the--the Lord willing.
70 Now, I am known to be a critic, but I--I--I am not critical, only anything that's wrong. But I, we, should criticize wrong.
71Now, if you're going to turn your recorders on now, in the room, why, all right. I want to read now from Amos, the 3rd chapter. Or the... Yes. The 3rd chapter of Amos, just a portion of it, Amos 3.
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for... your iniquity.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD has not done it?
Surely the Lord... will do nothing, but he reveals his secrets unto his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?
72 His eyes must have got narrow, as he stood that morning on the hill just beyond the city of Samaria. I can see his steady hands as it moved through his gray beard. The hot sun was shining down. He wasn't too glamorous to look at. How different from the modern evangelists today! His clothes was rugged; shaggy-looking beard. And looked down upon that city of Samaria, his eyes getting narrow as he looked. He wasn't much to look at, but he had THUS SAITH THE LORD for that nation.
73It was, perhaps, a lot different for this oncoming campaign, that the Lord has sent him to Samaria for, than what our modern evangelists would be. He wasn't equipped for such a revival, as we would think he should be today. But remember, he wasn't a modern evangelist. He was a prophet. He didn't care about the modern equipment. He had THUS SAITH THE LORD.
74 He didn't care how he looked, and how much fashion he was dressed like, whether his hair was combed right, or whether anybody looked at him or not. He had the Word of the Lord. That was his full objective: bring that Word of the Lord. Who was this fellow? Yep. It was Amos, the prophet, rugged individual, but he knowed where he was standing. He knowed what he was doing. He was a true prophet of the Word. And the reason he had come to this city, was because the Word had come to him.
75And when the Word of the Lord comes to a true servant, he must go, regardless of circumstances, or regardless of difficulties. He must go, anyhow. Whether he's prepared, whether he feels like it, whether he wants to, whether whatever more; he must go, anyhow. It's God speaking, and he must carry this Message. Because, it's... He never goes for foolishness. He never goes for money. He never goes for popularity. He only goes in the Name of the Lord, for one thing. He's got a--a mission, and he's sent of the Lord. And he is the Word of God, because he's carrying the Word of the Lord. That is a true prophet of the Lord.
My text is: The Way Of A True Prophet Of God.
76 This great, fearless man of God prophesied in the days of Jeroboam the second. I've got part of his history wrote out here before me. He prophesied about thirteen years of his campaign. And Jeroboam, was Jeroboam the second, was just about as smart and able a man as Israel had had for some time. He was a man that had brought prosperity to Israel. Israel was all flourishing. But, he, was something wrong with him. He was an idolater.
77And I kind of reading this, the other day, I kind of thought that was pretty fitting to today. No matter how smart a man is, and how much he can do, and how much prosperity, if he gets away from God, he's an indebtment to the nation, away from God and His Word. I wonder if it isn't fitting to us, today, to someone who loves to set on television and show how smart they are, how much brains they got. But I wonder if they got enough to take THUS SAITH THE LORD. He was a smart man, all right.
78 Israel was in a backslidden condition. Her preachers, her priests, and also her government, had all left the Word of the Lord. Now, they didn't believe that. They believed that they were with the Word of the Lord. "But there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death." Why was they wrong? Why could a man believe that--that if they were wrong? A whole priesthood of men, thousands of preachers and priests, and kings and governors, all who professed to be worshippers of God, and, yet, all of them were wrong.
79Then, they didn't need a king for prosperity. What they needed was a prophet, because the Word of the Lord, or the interpretation of the Word of the Lord, comes to a true prophet. Sometimes you can see what his way is then. It's a pretty rugged way, when all the priests, and all the preachers, and--and--and all the diviners, and--and the government itself against him. But, yet, the Word of the Lord comes to the prophet, and that alone. He has the right Word. Although he had the same Bible they had, but the Word was to him. God was vindicating that he had the Word.
80 They had the greatest buildings and the religious systems, and so forth, that they ever had, altars built everywhere, and--and all kinds of--of things, but still they were a million miles from the Word of God.
81I think, myself, the picture would fit very good today, as I read this Book of Amos. You must read it when you go home. All the government, priests, all of them had left the Word of God.
82I would just like to read another portion of Scripture here, I got, to show where they had done it. Now let's read the 2nd chapter and the 4th verse, just a minute.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD,...
83That's the Word, despised It, and yet they thought they had It.
... and have not kept my commandments, and their lies caused them to error,...
84Now, they had the Word, Bible, but the lies that they had joined with It had caused them to error.
... after... which their fathers have walked:
85See the reason? Now, they had error because that they had put their own translations or interpretations to the Word. And I thought it was fitting to today, as so many wants to put their own idea to the Word, and we get in a mess. What a rebuke from God, this prophet had.
86 Now, Amos was God's prophet, a true prophet. Any man that ever reads about Amos knows the boldness of that fearless man of God. He is considered one of the minor prophets, 'cause he didn't stay very long, but he certainly laid the axe to the root of the tree. He was one of the most fearless of the prophets, and he come with the anointing. He come with THUS SAITH THE LORD. He knowed what he was talking about, because the anointing of God was upon him to bring the right interpretation to God's Word to them.
87 Amos come from the country, the wilderness, to the city of glamour. He had never been there before. He was a country boy, way back out in the wilderness. While he was back there in prayer, God had met him, and had told him of the wickedness of this glamorous nation in which he was a part of. And Samaria was the capital, one of the capitals at the time, and of the reign of Jeroboam.
88And when he stood there that morning, at the top of the hill, walking in with his old, crude, country clothes on, perhaps dust and mud on his feet, and where he had slept in that old ragged garment, night after night. And I don't know, he didn't have bathtubs in that days. It might have been a few days since he took a bath. But that don't hurt the inside of the man. Too much, day, putting on the outside, not enough on the inside. We're so concerned about whether we bathe each day, and our hair is groomed, and our clothes changed, and everything, and then let the inside go any way, wear the same old sinful garments, stinking the soul up with creeds and dogmas, and never search it and wash it in the Word of the water of separation, from the things of the world.
89 As he stood that morning, looking over the hill, at that glamorous city, full of modern things that he had never dreamed there was such a thing. Israel was in its height. It was in an alliance with all the nations around it. Very glamorous, the women dressed to the spot, and the--and the men. And they were pleasure-stricken, running races, and olympics, and everything going on. No wonder his eyes narrowed; not with the glamour of the city, like some tourist would do, coming into New York, or to Los Angeles, seeing the half-dressed women, the men carrying on, and the sin.
90 Some friends of mine, a few days ago, was coming up from a fishing trip, just below a Bible college of a great, famous Bible college. And there, laying in the road, in the weeds, were young girls, half-dressed, and young boys, perhaps students from the college, drinking and carrying on, horrible.
91Now, such carrying on as that tickles the appetite of a many American who calls themselves Christians, when they look down into Los Angeles. Or, I've watched them on the plane when we come in to Los Angeles; they never been there before; or to Hollywood, or--or to Florida with all their neon lightings over the--the palm trees. Oh, they would powder their nose new, and fix up the makeup. They were thought it was the most glamorous thing they ever seen. And see the well-groomed and dressed, walking on the streets, they wanted to get out there and see how tight they could wear their clothes, or twist up-and-down the streets. When, they think that that is something wonderful.
92 But those God-anointed eyes of that prophet didn't narrow because of the glamour, like some tourists, but on the moral corruption, to a people who was called to be blessed of God. His eyes didn't look at the glamour. They didn't narrow because of glamour. It was because of the--the--the indecency and the corruption of a people that had been called to be the chosen of God, and would act in such a way as that. Wonder, he said, "The lion roareth, who will not fear? God spoke, and who can keep from prophesying?"
93He seen the corruption, the decay. That's what he was looking at. That's when he seen all of that. It didn't attract him. It sickened him at his soul. Why? He was a prophet. He knowed what God had promised to bless, and what a blessing was, and how people act with the blessing. And the Devil has perverted in his day, from what a real blessing was, to a--a--a moral decay; a blessing to tickle the eyes and appetites of unconverted people, to the will and way of God, and God's way of life.
94 How typical it is today! How preachers can stand in the pulpit, and look upon sin and corruption of this world, and see people that doing and acting the way they do, and then just bless them because they're a member of their church, or a denomination, it's more than my soul can understand.
95When God speaks, prophesy! If the Spirit of God strikes a real prophet of God, he'll cry with the Word. I don't want to be critical, but who can hold their peace? Who can stand to look upon such a thing, and profess to be a servant of Christ, and not call it out? I don't care what a denomination would say, or what any church would say; that's the reason I don't belong to them. They'd kick you out, the first thing. But God's Word comes first. If you're a messenger, you've got something to say. If you say anything contrary to This Word, you're not a messenger from God; you're a messenger of the covenant of some denomination or some theory. But a messenger of God has the Word of God.
96And our friend, this morning, as we looked at him, he had the Word of God, because he was a true prophet of the Lord.
97Now, they thought they had the--the interpretation to it, and thought, "Well, sure, look what we're doing."
98 Now, the thing of it is, we've got him standing there on top the hill this morning, looking off, down through the city. Shaking his head, looking; his eyes narrowing. Taking his sleeve and wiping the sweat from his face, and dust. Hot sun shining down upon his bald head. His beard hanging down; he's rubbing it with his hands. He didn't see glamour. He saw sin. It didn't please him. It sickened him.
99Why would he not say, "Me, an Israelite, look how my country has prospered"? How could he say that when he was a true prophet of God, knowing the results, and what was going to become of such a thing as that?
100 Let's stand him on a hill today and let him look down. Let him look in Jeffersonville, at the people who call themselves Christians. Let him look anywhere in America for a people who call themselves Christians. His God-anointed eyes would narrow again. His hands twitched in his beard. Why? He don't see the glamour and prosperity that the world sees. He sees the--the going away from God. He sees the moral decay of the people. He sees the backsliding of the nation. He sees the rottenness in the church. How could he do anything but narrow his eyes, and long to get into it, so he can tear it to pieces?
101 What if some bishop would have met him up there, and said, "Now, are you the prophet of the Lord? Now, we'll tell you what you can say and what you can't." You think he would have listened? What if they'd said, "Come join our organization now, and we'll help you in your campaign?" You think he'd have listened? No. I couldn't imagine that, out of a man like that. No.
102He was sent of God. He didn't have to have their cooperation. He had God's Word, God's anointing, God's appointed time. He was coming in THUS SAITH THE LORD. Uh-huh. That's the true prophet. That's the way he travels. He travels with nothing but THUS SAITH THE LORD.
103 Would this glamorous city of Samaria, this self-styled, high-educated Israel, these fine-polished preachers and priests, receive this little, unknown fellow? Probably his grammar was very poor. Come from a poor family in the wilderness. Left home, called of God, went into the wilderness to study God and His Word, and become a prophet. The Lord born him that way.
104Prophets are born, a messenger for the age, who God, by foreknowledge, knows the age and has His agent there to call out sin.
105 Could that glamorous city receive him? You think those women would have paid any attention to what he said? You think those priests would have listened to him? Why, no, sir. He had no recommendation with him, from any organization. He couldn't say, that, "The Pharisees sent me." Neither could he say that the Sadducees sent him. He didn't carry any credentials. He didn't have any fellowship card from any group of people. He had no forerunner to fix up his campaign. There hadn't been all the Pharisees that had a union meeting and a--and a ministerial breakfast, and got everything together, to fix his campaign up, and knowing that he was coming. He was unknown to them. He had no fellowship card. He had no credentials. He had no recommendation from men.
106 But he had THUS SAITH THE LORD. That's the way of the true prophet. He had THUS SAITH THE LORD. If he had THUS SAITH THE LORD, it's so far different from our man-made schemes here. That's all he needed. If he come this way, he come in the name of a church. If he come from This way, he come in the Name of the Lord. So, a true prophet always comes the way of the Name of the Lord. Always, he comes in the Name of the Lord.
107Now, he couldn't show fellowship cards, but he--he had the Word of God. And that's what God had sent to the people. Now, the people had formed themselves organizations. They had different sectarian groups, and that's what the people had formed. But Amos didn't have that. He just had THUS SAITH THE LORD. That's what he had.
108 I'd imagine those priests, of a morning, have a little on the sabbath morning, have a little prayer, so forth, a little dedicational services, and--and went back. And talked a few things on great Moses, that one day lived, and a great somebody else that some day lived. "But, oh, the days of that has passed now. You people know our new president, our new government and all we got," and talk on a few things like that and go home.
109But here come a man not caring for that. He come with THUS SAITH THE LORD. See? That's the way of the prophet. No cooperation, knowed what was facing him, knowed that everything would be against him, know that they would reject him, they would turn him down. But he was coming in the Name of the Lord.
110Jesus knew that Calvary was facing Him, but He come in the Name of the Lord. See? That's the way of the true prophet.
111 He had the Word of the Lord for the nation. But the true Word of the Lord was foreign to those people. Yet, they thought they had It. I hope this gets down deep. They thought that they were so pious and religious, that the real Word of God was a foreign thing to them.
112That's the way it is today. The true Word of God made manifest is a foreign thing to lots of Pentecostal people. The real interpretation of the Word, the real woes, and curses, the real blessings of God is a foreign thing to many people who call themselves holiness, church members, Christians. It's a foreign thing to them. They don't know it. Mention It to them. "Never heard of such a thing." And, yet, their organizations grow and prosper, getting bigger and bigger members all the time, and more organizations added every year.
113 They thought that anything that come to them had to come out of those sectarian groups. Certainly they wouldn't receive him. Neither would they do it today. They had long forgot, that, "God was able of these stones to rise up true prophets to God." God is able, of the back woodsmen. He is able to raise, of these stones, men that'll stand for His Word, and prophesy in His Name, the Truth. "Laying the axe to the root of the tree." Let the chips fall. I don't care whether he's got cooperation or no cooperation. But that's the way of the true prophet.
114Some people thinks he's got it easy. They don't know what they speak of. He wasn't brought into town by a carriage, setting upon fine, harnessed horses, tassels, and the high priests standing out there, with big high things on their heads, bowing to him, "The honorable Dr. So-and-so is coming." That would have been some organizational setup.
115 Like the King of all of them come, He come, like, come through a stable in a barn, cow barn. Never come in pomp and glory, but He come in the humility of a Baby born in a barn. Amos didn't come... The Word of the Lord; 'cause he was the Word of the Lord. Any Word of God, it ain't the person; it's God.
Jesus said, "It's not Me that doeth the works."
He said, "You're a Man, making Yourself God."
116He said, "Then if I do not the works of God, don't believe Me. But if the works speak themself, believe the works, if you don't want to believe Me."
117Amos was God's Word walking down the road. He walked in, crudely, not in the fashions of the world. He come in the power of the Spirit.
118That's the way the Word of God comes. Not in organizational creed, not in a sissified something in the pulpit; but It comes in the power of the Spirit, to manifest God to the nation and to the people. It's a difference. How much different!
119 Now, this realized, forgot long ago, that God is able of stones to rise up true prophets. They didn't have... Their organization didn't have to raise up a true prophet, 'cause it perhaps couldn't do it. Cause, if it'd be, it'd be an organizational prophet.
120But, God raises! God takes what He wants to. He takes nothing, usually, to do His work; shows that It's God. A man is all puffed up, and thinks he is something, then God can't use him, because there's too much of hisself.
121That's what's the matter with the Christian church today. They think they know something. The Bible says, "When a man thinks he knows something, he knows nothing that he ought to know." The trouble today, we got so much self, so much hypocrisy, so much education, so much religion, and know nothing about the salvation of the Word of God. That's the pitiful part of it. Yes.
122 They had forgot, that, "God was able of these stone to raise children unto Abraham, or raise up true prophets of the Word."
123They don't have to come out of some certain school. God gives them their schooling. They don't have to have four degrees in college. They don't have to have their Bachelor of Art, and--and their Doctor's Degree, and so forth. They don't have to have that. God takes anything He wants to, and puts His Word in it. How does He do it? He manifests It and proves It.
124They couldn't say what seminary Jesus come out of. He didn't have any. "What school is He from?" He didn't have any. But what did He have? He had God, and He was the Word. They couldn't point back to some school.
125And God never did raise a man out of a school. Go down through history and find out where He ever did. He doesn't. He takes something from somewhere else, that's got nothing, no hopes for it. Then He brings that in and places His Word in it, and manifests Himself. That's what He was doing here in Amos. All right.
126 Now, Amos' Word was vindicated by God, in the day, in their own days. A vin-... God vindicated Amos' Word to be, that he was, had the Word of the Lord.
127And if he would come to us, right now, do you think our nation and our people would receive a man like that? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Do you think the Baptist would receive Amos? ["No."] The Methodist? ["No."] The Presbyterian? ["No."] The Pentecostals? ["No."] The Catholics? ["No."] No, sir. No. He certainly wouldn't.
128 Let's, for just a moment, transport him and bring him here, just a minute, and find out if they would or not. Let's just see whether he would, whether our churches would receive him today or not.
129The first thing he would do, he would disagree with every organization, 'cause it's contrary to the Word. Yes, sir. He would condemn our whole setup. That's right. Every doctrine, every creed, every denomination, he'd condemn the whole thing.
I just imagine, I can see some of these Pentecostal presbyters saying, "Why, glory to God! If he... Why, we wouldn't have that man in our town."
130And what do you think the Presbyterians and Baptist would do? "Why, that ignoramus, we don't want him around our country. He's nothing but a--a crank." They'd sign a paper to put him in prison, if they could, get him off the streets.
131But you think you could keep him there? Oh, no. You can't cage the Word of God. No, no. It'll come forth, anyhow. Prison bars opened one night, when they tried to cage It. A Light came in and delivered him out.
132 No, he--he would certainly disagree with our setup. All right. What would he start doing? Tearing it down. Why? He's a servant of God. He would go straight to the Foundation and start his campaign, right straight back, and tear every creed off of it, and go back to the Foundation. What is the Foundation? On God's Word. Right. "Heavens and earth will pass away, but My Words shall not." So he would tear every denomination, every creed, every doctrine, out of it, and throw it sideway, and he would blast it into Eternity.
133 You think the Pentecostals would receive him? No, sir. Baptists? Presbyterian? No, sir. Nazarenes? Pilgrim Holiness? They would hate him. Certainly. You think they'd go out and meet him in a--a limousine, and bring him into the city? They'd pray for the sun to scorch him up there. They'd set up a barricade, to keep him out of town. Why, there'd be more ministerial meetings around, over the city, you ever seen in your life. "Keep that crank out of this city."
134But, yet, he had THUS SAITH THE LORD. See? That's the way of a true prophet. He'd be despised. Certainly. He would go straight to the Foundation, for his campaign. He wouldn't need. He wouldn't say, "Now, I want all you Methodists to come in now and help me. I want you Baptist. I want all you people around here. All you Pentecostals, you claim that you're the last group that God is going to call, I want you all to come to me, and I want you to support my campaign."
135 "How do you baptize? What's initial evidence of the Holy Ghost?" Those questions, it'd be throwed in his face. And when he come back with the Bible Truth, they would turn him down. But that's the way of a true prophet. He's got all that to confront. See? Certainly.
136We wouldn't receive him. No, sir. Our--our... We wouldn't have none. We'd have none of his campaigns around our--our country. No, indeedy. Well, we wouldn't have him. No, sir. But he would come and bring the Church back to the Word, for That is the foundation. "Anybody lays on any other foundation, it's sinking sand. Upon this foundation alone, God builds His Church, upon the Doctrine of the apostles."
137 As I was saying the other day; someone talking about--about purgatory, and give references to many like Saint Francis and Saint Cecilia, and she praying for certain people, and out of purgatory, and give such an authorities as that. That's unscriptural authority. It's people who does not have an authority. The apostles had the Scriptural authority. And if it's contrary to them, it's a lie, as far as I'm concerned.
138 I do believe in a purgatory, but I believe it's right now. You purge your own soul. Purgatory means "to purge." When you see you've done something wrong, get out there and clean it out of you, by confession, and crying, and fasting, and praying.
139Someone even laughed at me when the Lord came here not long ago and give me a vision. I always wanted to see about binding that serpent. I always wondered how to. I should step out like that. When, that's what I've wanted, all my life. Then I begin to fast and pray. Said, "What'd you do that for?"
140I said, "In there, He said I was not sincere enough." After He come, then I wanted to purge myself. Not wait till you die, and let some priest try to purge you. Purge your souls!
141But, see, they took it out of the authoritative Word, and put it over in the hands of some man-made dogma, to bring money into the church, because they look at worldly things, worldly church, great powers in the world, political powers. But God looks to His Word. And any word that's contrary to God's Word is wrong. As far as I'm concerned, it's the Word or nothing. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
142 He would go straight to the Foundation. He would tear the thing to pieces. He would have to. He couldn't do nothing else, if Amos was here today. He couldn't do nothing else, for, remember, he is a true prophet of God, who the Word comes to. He couldn't do nothing else but go back to the Word. No matter if all the Pentecostals in the country gathered around him, said, "Sir, Amos, we believe you to be a prophet, but you're off of the Word. We want to straighten you up." He would stay with the Word. There is nothing else he could do, because he's a prophet. He didn't need their cooperation. He's got a Message to give. "And all the Father has given Me will come to Me." And he's going to preach the Word, and He's going to preach It just like It would be in the Bible, and therefore we'd turn him down. That's right.
143No matter what It would be, the Word of God comes to the prophets, their interpretation of the Word, the right interpretation.
144 Israel always got out of line, and God sent them a prophet with signs and wonders, to interpret that Word. And how did he know? He said, "If this prophet speaks, and it comes to pass, then that's right." He vindicated His prophets, that they were right.
145Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also. This you'll know. These signs shall follow them that believe."
146 And how can they claim to be a prophet of the Lord and deny the very Word of God? How can a man baptize in the name of "the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," them titles, and deny the very Name of Jesus Christ, when there's not a Scripture in the Bible to support their theory? I may be hard and critical, but it's time to get that way. It's the Truth.
147How can the people claim themselves to be Christians today, and running out here to everything; and women with bobbed hair, and wearing shorts, and smoking cigarettes, and running to picture shows, any kind of an old show, and carrying on? Tell me that's the Holy Ghost? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Don't you never tell me that. You, you make God sick at His stomach, if there was such a thing could be done. Yeah. I'm sure you understand. Call yourself, such as that, how can there be such a thing? "By their fruits they're known."
148 He would blast and condemn every bobbed-haired woman. How could he do anything else? He's a prophet. And that's the Word. He'd say, "You, Jezebels!" He'd get rough with them. Why? He's a prophet. He'd have to stay with the Word. That's right. You think they would stop? No, sir. They'd say, "It's a fanatic. He's as bad as that old Paul was, in the Bible, woman-hater."
149 "You, the bunch of impostoring, so-called Christians. No matter how holy you try to live, that don't have one thing to do with it. As long as you deny God's Word and don't line up to It, you're a sinner, an unbeliever," that's what he would say. He wouldn't... Lay, he'd lay the axe right to the root of the tree. He wouldn't spare nothing. He's a prophet, and that's the way of a true prophet. They'd stay with that Word regardless of who it is. If it's their own mother or daddy; makes no difference. Jesus did. Wouldn't even as much as call her a mother; she wasn't. He was God. God don't have a mother. They would, then who is His father? See?
150 He'd blast and condemn them. He'd condemn every denomination, because there is none of them built on the Word. I can't find one of them. And as soon as they denominate, they're against the Word right then. So how can the... a prophet bless what the Word condemns? Yet, he don't want to do it, to hurt his brother, but yet he's got to do it because he's a prophet. And he's a representation of the true Word of God, and don't move from It, in no way at all; precept on precept, and line on line. See what I mean? The way of a true prophet.
151How many, "The Lord, I wish You'd make me a prophet"? He doesn't do that. No. He doesn't do that.
152 He would condemn every immoral act of the churches, these bunco parties and all these things that they're having, card parties, soup suppers. He'd condemn every one of them. He'd blast them into hell where they come from.
153Think you'd receive him? No. The church today wouldn't receive him. Pentecost receive him? Well, he'd walk in there, say, "You bobbed-haired bunch of Jezebels, don't you know what THUS SAITH THE LORD means? Walk out here with a little skinned-up looking dress on, don't you know you're guilty of committing adultery every day with hundreds of men." That's what he would say.
154 You say, "Well, that old fogy! The old bald-headed, gray-looking fellow, get him out of that pulpit. Let's see you, trustee board, deacons, get him out of here."
155"Well, you bunch of miserable hypocrites." Right. Amos would call it out. Then call yourself, "We are... We belong to this group. We belong to that group." You're of the Devil, your father, for he's the one that denies the Word.
156Say, "I spoke with tongues." And then bob your hair? "Glory to God! Hallelujah!" And the Bible said it's a--it's a common, "common thing," for a woman to pray with her head cut like that. Then call yourself a Christian? Shame on you. Crawl off in a corner somewhere, get right with God.
157 Put on them little old short clothes, and get out here in the yard, and stretch yourself out, when you know good and well you're committing adultery with a hundred men every day. Said, Jesus said so, "Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her." She was the one presented herself, and you did it in your...
158 Where, you, you're dead to the things of the world. You've raised from that, as I said, the beginning. "You'd turn your head in shame. Your eyes narrow upon such a horrible thing of sin, instead of look at women to lust after them. You men that do a thing like that and call yourself Christians?" That's what he'd tell you. I'm trying to take his Words this morning. They would be his Words. For, he, remember, he's a true prophet. He'd have to stay with that Word. Uh-huh. I'm just quoting his Words. That's all. Cause, if you brought him, he is the Word. Then, here's the Word, Itself. May not have the man, but you got his Word, cause he'd have the Word of the Lord.
159 Every man-made doctrine, he'd condemn it, such as baptism "in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost." He'd throw that thing plumb back into Eternity. He'd condemn it, so there wouldn't be a smell of it left. Yes, sir.
160How many, you, how many in the church this morning would receive him upon that?
161Then they, this Jesus Name bunch, they'd--they'd say, "Oh, we'd take him on that." And then your organization, he'd blast you right on out with it. That's right. Your bobbed-haired women, and you putting up with it. That's right. Your men, the way they do and act. That's right.
162A lot of people say, "It's good to be a prophet." It is, if you're ready to sell out everything to the world and stay with God and with His Word.
163No, we wouldn't receive him by no means, our denominations today. We certainly wouldn't have nothing to do with him.
164 Listen to him blast it. He said, "The very God that you claim to believe in, He will destroy you." What will you do about that? The very God that Pentecost believes in, from the very immoral acts and the things that they're doing and permitting to be done, that very God will bring judgment upon them organizations. That's right. Exactly what Amos said to them.
165"Oh," they said, "we got Abraham. We got--we got this. We got the law. We got priests. We got prophets."
166Oh, brother, them eyes narrowed as he looked upon them, and blast that Word into them. Yes, sir. Sure. They wouldn't receive him. No, sir. He said, "They'll destroy them with your man-made doctrines." That's what he'd tell you today. He'd say the same as he did then. He said, "The very God that you're building churches to, perhaps pay millions of dollars, the very shrines that you're building to Jehovah, that you claim that you love, that very God will destroy you because you're rejecting His Word."
167 So is it today! The very God that America claims to serve will bring judgment upon the nation and destroy it. I hope that gets so deep that you'll never wiggle out of it. The very One that you claim that you love, and with your own man-made dogmas, and immoral life and decay that you got in you, away from the Word of God, will destroy you some day. That's THUS SAITH THE LORD. Nothing else left for them.
168 Line up with the Word! Preach the Gospel to them; cross the nation; tell them the Truth. The ministers fuss and scream, and carry on. The men condemn. The organizations turn you out. The women shake their head, and wouldn't let their hair grow out, for nothing. Wear their clothes just as exactly the same, year after year. Just like pouring water on a duck's back. "Then you claim you love God?"
169He said, Jesus said, "You've took your traditions and made the Commandments of God of none effect."
170That's the way of a true prophet. See? It's not an easy way. It's not what everybody thinks it could be.
171Jump up-and-down and scream, everybody patting you on the shoulder, then that's a sign you're not a true prophet. That's one of the very signs that you haven't got what you're talking about.
172 When did they ever pat him on the back, less they had an axe to grind? What? He'd turn around and condemn them. Right. Couldn't pat Amos on the back. They couldn't pat Elijah on the back. He didn't stand for that stuff. No, sir. He told them the God's Truth. And if Heaven is so great, and where we're going to, then if we can't line up with little bitty petty things, how we going to line with the Spirit There? Got to line with the Word. That's the way of the true prophet. Though it tear him to pieces, to say It, yeah, he's got to tear a nation to pieces, with It. That's right. But that's the way.
173 He would blast it. Oh, my! Know what he said to them? "The tumult," if you notice here. He said, "It's not in your government. It's in you." That's what he said. Yeah. "Tumults in the church, your form of godliness, that's what caused the trouble."
174The reason communism is sweeping the land today, it's not because of communism. It's because of the church. It's because of the people. Today they call themselves Christian. They sing like Angels. Trained voices, and speak with such eloquent, like they were Archangels; and disbelieve God's Word, like devils. That's right. Sing like an Archangel, dress like a I-don't-know-what, and deny God's Word.
175 A man, a preacher in the pulpit, that'll stand there and be called Doctor, Reverend, and ask him, "Did the Bible speak baptism in 'the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ,' or, 'Father, Son, and Holy Ghost'?" And he'll laugh in your face and take, "Father, Son, Holy Ghost." Then call yourself a child of God?
176Women knowing that the Bible condemns them to do certain things, and bob their hair, and act like the world, and wear immoral clothes and things like that, and they'll constantly do it, anyhow; and speak in tongues, and jump up-and-down, and shout, and have old ladies societies, and sewing circles, and send missionaries to the field. It's become a stench in the sight of God. And, THUS SAITH THE LORD, He will destroy the whole thing. He will.
177 It's not an easy thing, but that's the way of a true prophet. Blast It out there, and say It whether It hurts or not.
178John was a true prophet. He said, "The axe is laid to the root of the tree." That's the way of them. Sure.
179 The trouble is in her. Sing like Angels, dance like devils out here, dances, carrying on, card playing, race tracks. Pentecostals, going to the places of amusements, picture shows crowded with them. Every place, any kind of an old play or anything else, and go right down there, and races and everything else, and call themselves Christians, and go up and shout, and speak in tongues, and take feet-washing and communion.
180Why, it's--it's, "As a dog goes to its vomit," the prophet said, "so do they." If that thing was of the world, had to be kicked out of you, why do you return back to again? Right. Out on the streets, twisting, they call it, rock-and-roll, bobbing hair, wearing shorts. Oh, my! Call themselves Christians. Could you... No, I better not say it.
181 That's why I condemn them. If I'm going to stay with this Word, if this Word comes to me, I'll stay with this Word. This is what comes to me, the Word. Condemn it!
182 Claims to be led by the Holy Ghost, and do such things. Could you imagine a woman, being led of the Holy Ghost, let her hair be bobbed, when the very Holy Ghost condemns it? Then what kind of a Person is the Holy Ghost? Could you imagine?
183Could you imagine a preacher stand in the pulpit, and any man challenge him to show him one place anybody was ever baptized using the titles of "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," and laugh in your face and call you a fanatic, by baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ, and say he's led by the Spirit, and say he's got the Holy Ghost? Would the Holy Ghost deny His Own Word? No, sir. Uh-huh. Do you see? I hope you get it.
184 I don't know how much time. The next blow up may get me. But, until it does, I'm going to be standing right there with the Word. When I meet you yonder at the Judgment, I'm going to be standing right by that Word. That's what I believe to be the Truth.
185 No, you don't do things like that, and then have the Holy Ghost. Went to a minister's wife one time, setting up there with a dress on, it was horrible-looking.
You say, "You ain't got no rights."
186I have got a right. That's the Word. Preach It all. You bypass those things, a lot of sissified preachers, because they haven't got the audac-... Maybe you haven't even been called to preach, in the first place. Yeah. But a true servant of God will stay right with that Word. Right.
187Minister's wife setting there, all squeezed up in a dress, with earrings hanging on, and make-up on, and short bobbed hair. When, God condemns the whole thing as filth. And then saying you got the Holy Ghost?
188 I was preaching here in Phoenix, not long ago, on something like that, and the minister's wife setting on the pulpit, with one of these boyish bobbed hair all kinked up, and with a dress that she couldn't even keep her underneath skirts from shining. Couldn't get down over her knees. About four or five inches above her knees, setting up there; jumping up-and-down, leading songs. I blasted it just as hard as I could. Course, he won't invite me back. I don't expect to. But he knows what's right and wrong. When I stand at the Judgment, it's not on my hands anymore. Then go off and say...
189 A man, so-called teacher, which I don't say but he isn't, made a remark the other day, before some of my friends at a certain city I been into. You know the brother. And this brother come in. He said, well, he said, "We had Brother Branham here once." A certain city, and out West. And this man said, "Oh, Brother Branham's a good man." See? He knowed better than to throw anything on the character. Said, "Brother Branham, but don't you listen to his tapes, because they'll get you confused."
190And there happened to be one of my friends there, said, "Just a minute, sir. I was confused until I heard the tapes." Yeah. That's the difference. "I couldn't understand how a holy God would put up with such things as that, as you all do." Yeah.
191Same person, another one with him, stood at a certain place not long ago, said, "Brother Branham is a prophet. He can discern things. And things like... But," said, "now, don't listen to his Doctrine, 'cause he's not right." The insanity, the uncouth expression as that!
192 Don't you know that if it is a... I'm no prophet. But if the Word of God is true, It comes to the prophet. "The Word of the Lord came to the prophets." They was the one interpreted the Word. Then, you see, you don't...
193It don't even make sense, just to hide behind some petty denomination, one of those days will break and mold, and perish in hell.
194But the Word of God will endure forever. Upon that Rock I build my hopes forever, upon the Word of the Lord. Let everything else sink. If I lose every friend, everything else, my friendship is in Christ.
My hopes is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' Words with righteousness;
When all around my soul gives way,
Then He's all my hope and stay.
195 That gun exploded the other day. I seen. I thought I was dead. Had a peaceful feeling. I looked around. I thought, "Well, this is it." What good would a denomination do me then? What good would an organization do me then? I'd have to stand yonder at the fiery judgments of God, to be judged by this Word.
196Though I may had to scorch, and bend, and twist, and pull apart, many people, but I'm hoping to make, get the genuine kernel out of there, of the Word of God, and there build a soul for Eternity. That's right. Let God put it in His hands and build it to an obedient child.
197How could--how could a man, led of the Holy Ghost, do such a thing as that? Or, a woman with the Holy Ghost, do such things as that? No. He is holy. And if His Life is in you, you are the same. You'll be just like Him.
198 Israel, as we, thought because they were prospering with their alliance with others, that was God's okay upon it. Now, you know, we think that today.
199I talked to some men here not long ago, at a hotel, a few days ago, big men in the religious realms. And they said to me, "God proves that He's with us. Why, we growed last year, Brother Branham," I forget how many hundreds, like that.
200I said, "That's not one bit of approval." Uh-huh. That's right. Prostitution improve, increased last year, about thirty percent; did that show God was with prostitution? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Sure. Huh! That argument is no good. No. You can't do it. No, sir. God stands with His Word. Any other man will stand with His Word, if he's honest. All right.
201 They thought, because they had an alliance! Now, here, we'll get in, just a moment, on the governmental affairs. Our nation has turned down the Word of God, just like Israel did. They turned down the Word of God, and their people, their priests, and prophets, and so forth, are prophesying good to them. And, they, what can we do but prophesy wrong, because it's contrary to the Word! She is doomed. "Our great, beloved nation, based upon the... our experience of our forefathers." Then get back to what they had. Uh-huh. Right. Sure.
202 Israel was a great nation. Look at their forefathers, but God didn't spare them. That old bald-headed prophet was throwing the Word to them, and it happened just exactly the way he said. Read your history here and find out if it's not right. It come to pass just exactly the way he said it. And he condemned them, yet, them standing there, and the holy priests with holy garments on, sprinkling this; and wouldn't move a hand, this way or that way, because it was something this way, a tradition or something.
203Jesus said, "You are of your father, the Devil, and his works you'll do." They took Him and condemned Him, and hung Him on a tree, and killed Him. Exactly right. God raised Him up again. Yes, sir.
204 No, they would not. We would not believe Amos today, not at all. And today we have made an alliance. We got what we call today... We think it's God's "okay," because our organizations are increasing and--and everything is going the way it is. We think that's God's "okay" upon it. You know, they joined up, I believe, about two or three more million Protestants. And Catholics has went several million more. See? They think that's God's approval, by them being Catholic. Protestants think it's God's approval, them being Protestants. Huh! It's nonsense. It's cannon fodder. It's atomic ashes. It's the wrath of God being built up, to explode. That's exactly right.
You listen to me. I'll tell you the Word of the Lord. Amen.
205 Look at us. Look at the world today. Look at our nation. We're joined in with the U.N. What's in it? A bunch of ungodly. And we, with the audacity not even to let prayer being offered before our sessions come in.
206Did I just not read here, "How can two walk unless they be agreed? God doeth nothing unless He reveals it to His servants, the prophets. How can two walk 'less they be agreed."
207When, we got Mohammedan, Buddha, atheists, ungodly, selfish, everything else, in it. You think--you think God could dwell in something like that?
208"Well," you say, "that, well, we're in alliance with them. We got all the Western protection."
209They had all the nations around them, in protection. But that prophet said, "God will destroy you. The very God that you serve will destroy you, for your foolishness." He would say the same thing this morning. He would bawl, from the White House plumb down to the poor farm. He sure would. He would blast them, with the Word of God. He certainly would. That's the way of a true prophet.
210 "Look at us, the churches. Oh, we are the great holy Roman Catholic church!" Spoke, in the Bible, to be a WHORE.
211"We are the patriarchs of the fathers, the Protestant churches, all united together, and called the... is called the World Council Of Churches." Prostitutes of the WHORE, the Bible said. That's exactly what It said. Uh-huh. And yet we think, "And now all the churches are going together."
212Mr. Collins, a friend of mine, brother from California, Arizona there. Your--your... [Brother Neville says, "Elmer."--Ed.] Elmer. I said, "Well, I guess you're going to some fine little Methodist church."
213Said, "I got out of it when they joined that Council Of Churches up there."
214I said, "God bless you. You're nearing the Kingdom, brother." Uh-huh. Yes, sir.
215Dogma, depending upon the association with men, and with their man-made doctrine, and leaving the Word of God. What we need is a prophet today, blast that Word in there. That's exactly. Yeah.
216 They, they take safety among themselves. "Oh, we joined. We, Pentecostals, sure, we joined the World Council Of Churches, because in there we have fellowship. We'll win them over." Like a woman going to the barroom, to get drunk with her husband, to win him to God. More like the husband going with the wife, these days, to the barroom, to get drunk, to win her to God. Nonsense! Stay off the Devil's ground.
217When anything denies that Word, I'm against it. That makes me against every organization, 'cause it's against the Word. Ought to make every believer feel that way. Huh!
"Well," they say, "but, remember, we've got..."
218I got a big piece in the paper, someone sent me from Arizona, of how this patriarch So-and-so, the other day, said, "Pope John the Twenty-Second," or whatever they call him, "had... He's a fine man. He's the only man that ever talked on uniting the churches, the Catholics and Protestants, together." Said, "It might not come in our days, but, the next fifteen or twenty years, it'll be here."
219I thought, "Boy, you being a patriarch, you're prophesying, and don't know it."
220 "It's later than we think." The guy that wrote it to me, wrote on top the page, "It's later than we think." He had been listening at the tapes, too. Yes, sir. He said, "It's later than we think." Said, "Brother Branham, didn't you say this, years ago?"
221I said, "Sure." Yes, sir. It's coming to pass, because it's the Word of the Lord. It has to. Sure. Yeah.
222They say, "Well, this holy patriarch, don't you think he ought to know something more than that?" No, sir. If he denies God's Word, look in it like that, he can't.
223 I don't care how many popes, prophets, and what else you got among you. If you're off of the Word, you're off of the Word. That's right. How could God ever bless such a thing, as long as they deny the very Word of God? How can He bless anything besides His Word, something that's contrary to His Word? How can He deny It?
224How can you bless a cancer that's eating you up? How could you bless a--a--a electric wire that you're holding, you say, "Oh, hold me and burn me up"? That'd be insane.
225How can God bless anything that's against His Word? So get back to the Word! Uh-huh.
226You bunch of preachers, like hound dogs, matter with you? You go out here and sell your birthrights for a mess of pottage, to ride around in some Cadillac or something, or some big, high mansion somewhere, and a big million-dollar church. And all those things like that, and sell out your birthrights, and ashamed and afraid to preach the Word of God to your congregation. Say, ain't you ashamed of yourself? And call yourself a servant, a prophet of God, selling your birthrights for a mess of the world. What will you hatch out? The same as Esau did. Oh, what a disgrace!
227 Oh, no! A holy God that watches over His Word, to vindicate It, could not bless something that's against His Word. Now listen. I know I'm running just a little bit late, and I may be choking you to death. But, look, I want to ask you something. How could a holy God, Who spoke His Word and said, "Now, both heavens and earth will pass away, but That shall not pass away, not one Word of It," now how can He take something that's contrary to That and bless it? How could He do it? Look. He proves, Hisself. He vindicates His Word. He says what's right, not by membership.
228 Look at Moab. Moab had His Word, too, Moab. Israel had His Word; and Moab had a form of godliness, with His Word. They offered seven sacrifices, clean bullocks, upon seven altars; the perfect number, the perfect sacrifice. Then, besides that, he took seven rams, speaking that they believed in the coming of the Son of God, and offered them up there, with their high archbishop. All their dignitaries, all of their priests and high priests, everything else, stood around with their kings and presidents, and whatmore, and offered this just as religiously as they could be, against Israel.
229And there was Israel down there, a little bunch of renegades, looked like. But what was with Israel? God was in their campaign. He was proving Himself, that He was with them. See?
230 No matter how many patriarchs they'd have, popes, or whatever more, God cannot be with them until He proves Hisself with them. And as long as they're off of His Word, and denying His Word, how can He be with them? No signs of the living God amongst them.
231How could God be amongst the U.N., when two can't walk without they agree?
232Now, looky here. There's a church of Christ, so called, joined up with the Pentecostals. The Pentecost say they believe in speaking in tongues. They believe in the evidence of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues. They say they believe in this, that, and the other. They believe in signs and wonders. The church of Christ laughs at them, said, "You bunch of ignoramuses! That was the days gone by." How can two walk together less they be agreed? And they joined together. What they doing? They are seeking safety with one another. Away with such stuff!
233My safety is in Christ and in His Word, for His Word is Hisself. That's right.
No signs of the living God, not at all.
234 That's what Jesus said, "If I do not make the Word manifest, then don't believe It. If God doesn't speak and prophesy through Me, and say through Me and do through Me just what Messiah is supposed to do, then don't you believe Me."
235Then, a guy says that he is a prophet sent from God, and deny the Word? God be merciful to such stuff! How can God ever do such?
236 Let me ask, ask, is this now. I--I don't know when I'll speak to you again. That'd be up to God. I'm just laying in Food, like He told me in that vision that time, putting It in the barrels.
237You might ask me, "How could Amos foresee what was going to happen to them?" Why, it looked good.
238Look. Now look here. Now, listen close now. Cause, This is all on tape, and It's go, It'll go world-wide. See? Now how... Looky here.
239There was Israel. Their seminaries was in better shape than they ever was. There is nobody bothering them. They had their own religions. There ain't nobody said, "You can't worship Jehovah." "Go ahead," said the heathen nations, "worship. We got an agreement, one another."
240That prophet seen through that. See? So would a prophet today see through it. See?
241 "Go ahead." And Israel said, "Well, let us eat, drink, and be merry." So they got a bunch together and made them some creeds, and organizations, denominations, and things, and fixed it all up. And their women just lived in luxury and sin out there. Boy, carried around in cabarets and everything, half-dressed, little silk-look skirts on. If you ever seen some of their--their history of them days, how they looked, oh, almost one-third as bad as they do today. Not quite, though, 'cause they couldn't. Yeah. And how they did and carried on like that; and the kings, and the priests, and everybody else.
242Jesus said, "You devour widows' houses, you hypocrites." He said it. And all these things they were doing.
243That prophet standing there, looking down upon that, that nation like that, no wonder his heart was tore out of him. Yes, sir.
244 Now, you say, "How did he know what was going to happen? How could he foresee it? How?" It all looked good. Why, they got plenty to eat. They got plenty to wear. They, they got their big churches. They're prospering. Money sowed everywhere, luxury. Dances on the street, immorality, and everything else just going on, and everything is going fine. Just like America today. The television is full of dirty jokes, half-stripped women, everything else. Everything you see is just muck and sin. You don't have to look at a television, just open your eyes, look anywhere. Girls, boys, men, women; smoking, drinking. Them Jezebels calling themselves Christians. The filthy devils calling themself Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Pentecostals. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
No wonder it narrowed his eyes when he looked. Huh! That's right.
245 "It all looks good. How can you save, if we're going to do... How? How? Look here. Well, we, we got a million more. We, we got our buildings. Are... Oh, our churches are so big, we have to build new churches. Well, we got so much money, we don't know what to do with it. Why, we just build the best places in the--in the nation. The biggest churches there is, we own them. And we still got plenty of money. Don't you think God has blessed us?" No. You're off of His Word.
246"And, Brother Branham, you mean God is going to destroy this?" Yes, every one of them.
"How you know?" Amos, how did you know?
247Just like a doctor diagnosing a case. When he finds the disease that's on the patient, he knows what to do. He knows what that patient has got. He knows how far it's advanced. And he knows what's going to happen. That's the way with a prophet, a true prophet, when he sees. I don't care what you're doing. When he sees sin advancing, it's an eating cancer. And it's in such an advance, in the Pentecostals and all the rest of them, it can't come back. It's at an advanced stage. They're going to perish.
248 That's how Amos could diagnose the case. He diagnosed it by the Word of God. That's how a--a true prophet diagnoses the case, and says to them women, "Don't you never try to go to Judgment with bobbed hair, when you know better." Says to you men, the rest of you, and you preachers denying the Word, and having a form of godliness, and joining organizations, to dodge the issue, when you know better. You look at the same Word the true prophets would look at. The diagnoses of the case said, "Death! Separation!" Just like a doctor, he knows the case. He knows what kind of symptoms it's got.
249Look at this nation. When you say, "Pentecostal done." When, they won't even let you come to church, 'cause you preach to the women about bobbed hair, and the Bible condemns it. Afraid you'll say something about.
250 Here the other day, when I was making up some campaigns, Roy Borders was, on the West Coast, they brought him together, a bunch of ministers, about, oh, I guess forty or fifty of them, where I had a great meeting. They said, "Mr. Borders, I want to ask you something." Said, "Is it true that Brother Branham uses the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize in?"
251Mr. Borders, a very dignified gentleman, as you know Brother Borders from here. He said, "Sirs," he said, "Brother Branham, when he's out in the campaigns, out, this," said, "he don't preach. He just goes ahead and prays for your sick. That's about what he does."
252Said, "That's not what I asked you," said the presbyter. "Does he?" Now, they had the tapes. They know. Said, "Does he baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ?"
253He said, "Yes, in his own church. That's the only place he baptizes, in his own church."
254He said, "That's it. That's all I want to know. We don't want him. We don't want that heresy amongst our people."
255And the other day, when my good friend, Ed Daulton, got a letter from the Baptist church. He said, "We excommunicate you from the Baptist fellowship, because you have joined in the heresy of being baptized in Jesus' Name."
256I like to stand with Paul, "In what the world calls heresy, that's the way I worship God, 'cause it's His Word." Yes, sir. Yeah. Oh, sure.
257 The doctor diagnoses the case. He sees where it's at. A true prophet diagnoses the case, by the Word. He what? A doctor diagnoses his case, by the symptoms. Is that right? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] He looks at the symptoms and he sees what's the matter with the patient. He sees how far it's advanced, and say, "There's nothing can be done."
258And a true prophet takes the Word of God and diagnoses the cases, throws the Medicine into It. And the people throws It back in his face. What's going to happen? Perish, that's all; pleasure-loving, world-streaked bunch of so-called hypocrisy! But that's the way of a true prophet. See? Oh, my!
259 He sees the diseases. He seen that they got away from the Word. He saw the Word. And he knew the results which was coming. He seen the luxury they was living in, seen the way them women was acting. He seen the way them priests was doing, how they got away from the true worship of God, and things like that. There, he had the--he had the answer. He said, "That God that you claim you'll serve will destroy you."
"Why?"
260"You've not kept My Commandments." And yet they thought he had. Didn't I just read it here? 2nd verse, 4th... 2nd chapter, 4th verse, "Because I chose you to be the... Of all the families of the earth, I chose you, and yet you refuse to walk in My Commandments." You think...
261 That little, bald-headed prophet standing there with that gray beard streaking in his eyes, flashing fire, speaking to that bunch of priests and things, and said, "The God that you hypocrites are acting like you're serving, that same God will destroy you." You think he'd get cooperation? Huh! He said... Oh, my! He, try him today and see if he would. No. But he what? That's the way of a true prophet. He had the Word. He knowed what It was.
Like Micaiah of old...
262 The little baby that I dedicated, I passed some of it, few minutes ago, 'cause I hurry up the time.
263But, Micaiah, when he stood before Ahab, he looked at them. He knowed the Word. Micaiah spoke the Word to them. Why? Micaiah judged his vision, his Doctrine, with the Word of God. And he seen that his Doctrine and the Word was the same. Because, the Word said He would curse Ahab, and He would cause the dogs to lick his blood. That's what the Word said.
264So, Micaiah had a vision. That's, he was a prophet. "See what the Word comes to me." And he prayed, "O Lord God, what must I do? What must I say to this bunch of preachers standing here? Here is all the organizations. Every one in the land is gathered against me, Lord. Here I stand before the king. What must I say?"
265And he went into a vision. Said, "Go on up. Go on." Said, "But I seen Israel scattered like sheep having no shepherd." Yeah.
266 That--that district presbyter walked up and smacked him in the mouth, and said, "Where'd the Word of God, the Spirit of God, go, when It went out of me?" Out of him?
267You know what God said? He let a devil go down, get among them, because they were off the Word, to begin with.
268The Bible said, "If they wouldn't believe the Word, He'd give them strong delusions, to believe a lie, and would be damned by it." That's exactly what these organizations and people of this nation is doing today, believing a lie, to be dammed by it. "For there's not another Name given under Heaven whereby you must be saved." Line up, organizationals, so forth. Yes.
269 Now, what did these others believe? What did these other prophets look at? They were prophets. Yes, sir. They were prophets. But if they would have stopped and examined their prophecy with the Word!
270If the Methodists would stop today and examine their prophecy, they would never sprinkle another person. They would receive the Holy Ghost. They would baptize every one by immersing, in the Name of Jesus Christ. If the Assemblies of God would stop today and look at their prophecy, they would come back to the Word. If the Oneness, today, would stop and examine their prophecy, they would come back to the Word.
271But, you see, if them prophets would have stopped and examined their prophecy! They reasoned. They said, "That belongs to us. So we'll go up to Ramoth-Gilead and we'll take it, because it belongs us. Joshua give it to us."
But Micaiah said, "That sounds reasonable."
272But that's what it is. You don't want to reason. You want to believe what God said. Don't reason nothing.
273 What if Abraham would have reasoned? How would he ever left his land? How would he been a hundred years old, still giving praise to God, and they going to have the baby by Sarah, and her ninety?
Cast away reasons. You just believe.
274You let the Devil tell you, "You know, Brother Branham ain't nothing but a hypocrite."
275"Now, I now wait, let me see if he is. Let's see if he's teaching right. Let me go back to the Bible." Don't, don't go... He won't let you do that. No, no. See?
276But he'll say something bad about me, which he might have a right to, then you just keep getting that, stop and start reasoning, "Yeah. He ought not to have done this. He ought not to have done that." You start looking at me, well, you just have plenty.
277 And you could have got looking at the Lord Jesus. You can find plenty. Look at Him, just a minute. I'm going to put each one of you a minister. Now we're going to forget He ever was on earth. Here is a Boy that's proven, the whole nation over, that He's a--a bastard-born Child. His mother had Him before her and His father was ever married. It's proven. (Now, they're not going to the Word, "A virgin shall conceive.") They're just going to what they hear, see, "An illegitimate Child." Didn't they tell Him, "He was born in sin, and try to teach them"? I'm... See?
278 And look at what He was doing. He was actually tearing up every church there was in the country. Was that right? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Organizations, everything else.
279What was He? "Just some overgrown Boy going around like that, young Fellow, no denomination. Tell me what church You belong to. Who is Your father? You say Joseph is not Your father?"
"Joseph is not My father," He'd say.
"Well, who is Your Father?"
"God is My Father."
280"Well, You fanatic! That's exactly what You are. You, being a Man, and saying God is Your Father?"
281If they would have examined it by the Word! Hallelujah. Don't you see what? The Word was to be made flesh. They didn't examine their vision with the Word. That's it.
282That's what's the matter today. You don't examine your visions with the... your--your prophecy and your doctrine, with God's Word. Somebody try to tell you the Truth, then you fall out with them, just like Amos would, Amos did. You do the same thing.
283 Now look here. He's in this condition. Now, you would have condemned him, perhaps, that's right, if you hadn't have went back to the Word. They do the same. They condemn Him today.
284What if you women, here and here, yeah, why don't you examine your idea of your bobbed hair with the Word, and see what It says? See? Why don't you do those things?
285Why don't you examine your baptism, of "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," that false "trinity," is so called, which is nothing in the world but three offices of one God, titles? No name of "Father." There's no such a thing as name, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
286Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which is, "the Lord Jesus Christ." Examine your baptism with the way every one in the Bible is baptized. If you'd examine your thought with the Word, you--you'd come back and you'd be baptized in the Name of "the Lord Jesus Christ."
287That's what Paul told them to do. And said, "If anybody else taught anything different, let him--let him be accursed, even if an Angel come down."
288 You know, a lot of times, Angels come down. Boy, how Pentecost eats that up!
289How about when Saint Martin was standing there, and here stood a great bright being stood before him?
290A man who baptized in Jesus' Name, who believed in the Holy Ghost, and kept the Word! And the Romans kicking him out, and doing everything to him, trying to give him their dogmas and man-made doctrines. That man stood on the Word.
291One day, in his power, the devils would come to him and try to talk to him. He wouldn't pay no attention to them.
292One day, Satan come like that, like Christ, crowned, golden slippers on, stood there and said, "Don't you..." Blazes of fire around him. Said, "Don't you recognize me, Martin? I'm your Lord. Worship me."
Martin looked at him. "There is something wrong there."
293He said, "Martin, can't you recognize me?" Said, "I am your Lord and Saviour." Said, "Worship me." He said that three times.
294And Martin looked around. He seen, Christ will be crowned by His people, at the Coming. He wouldn't be wearing gold slippers. He said, "Get thee away from me, Satan."
Boy, wouldn't Pentecostals eat that up? "Boy, a bright shining Angel!"
295 That woman come down, Chicago where I'm going, said, "Brother Branham, the ministers up there said if the Angel of the Lord told you to baptize in Jesus' Name, they would accept it. But is that your own thought?"
296I said, "If the Angel of the Lord said anything contrary to That, it wouldn't be the Angel of the Lord." See?
297If any Angel says anything that's contrary to this Word, let it be a lie. And if a man tells you, a messenger from God, says he's from God, and tells you, "It's right to be baptized, the name of 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost,'" let him be a liar.
298If a man tells you, "It's all right for you, wear bobbed hair, and things like that; that you ought to wear a hat in the church, for a bonnet, 'to be a covering,'" let him be a liar.
299The Word of God, is the Truth. Any of these things that's against the Word, let it be a lie. It's the Word, is the Truth. It'll stand.
300 That's the reason Micaiah could know that his prophecy come from God, because he was with the Word of God. Yes, sir. His vision banked up just the same as the Word of God.
301Oh, if Amos was here, he would stay with the Word. That's right. But, you see, what's the trouble today, with us, is like it is with them. I'm fixing to close. The trouble with us is like it was them. They had been taught, off the Foundation. Jesus said, "You have made the Word of God of none effect by your traditions." And that false baptism! That false sign of receiving the Holy Ghost! Some of them said, "Shake a hand." Some of them said, "Speak in tongues." I've heard devils speak with tongues, and shake hands, too. Yes, sir. No sign of It. Now, all these things like that, all those things, see, you get off the Word of God to teach those traditions. That's right.
Now, he would, he would have to take you back to the Word.
302 But we have, our teachers today, has taught people, off of the Foundation of God's Word. Now listen close.
303That's what they had done there. That's what Amos was telling them. "The God that you claim to know, He is the One is going to destroy you."
304Now, we have taught them, off of (what?) the Foundation of "the Faith that was once delivered to the pentecostal fathers," yeah, the Bible. Taught a false purgatory! Taught a false baptism! Everything, false, false, false, separating from the Original.
305You don't believe it? Come back to the Bible, and take your "purgatory," and take your "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," and "sprinkling," and all that stuff, and come back and see if it's Scriptural. That's the way. Find out if it's on the Foundation. See? They're off of the Foundation.
306 Which, Paul said that, the Bible. The Bible speaks that, the--the... that, "The Church of God is founded upon the Doctrine of the apostles and the prophets." The prophets and apostles has to be the same. Sure.
307What? We went off of that Foundation of the Word, to denominational foundations.
308Listen now. I'm closing. Put on your spiritual hearing aid. Listen.
309We've got off of the Foundation of the Word, and on the foundation of a denomination. How long could I stay on that? Another three hours. Off of the Foundation of the Word, onto the foundation of worldly pleasures, worldliness, immoral creeping into the church. Off of the Word, onto creeds. That would take me three weeks to preach that through, half way, them four comments right there. Off of the Word, onto a denomination, denomination of Word. As soon as the--the church denominates, it's off the Word right then.
310 There ain't but one thing. Come right back where it left off, and go again. Come back onto the Word. Right. Repent means to "go, turn back, about-face." You're going the wrong way. All right.
311Denomination of pleasure. Denomination of wor-... A--a foundation, I mean, of--of pleasure, foundation of worldliness, foundation of creeds. And all that, together, hatched out an immoral corruption, spiritual corruption.
312 He being a true prophet, he would see in us just exactly what he seen in them. If he was standing here on this platform today, and I'd say, "Brother Amos, great prophet of God, you fearless one, come here and take my place," he would preach this Word. He would have to. He's a prophet. All right. He would preach It just exactly the way It's written, just what we're saying now. All right. He would be seeing then what he seen in us, immoral decay.
313Just look, friends. How many here, in this present church here now, sees that the world is in immoral decay? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Why, we know it is. What's the matter? It's off the Word. Right. All right.
314 Amos never blamed the government. Did you notice him here, when you read it when you go home? He never blamed the government, he blamed the church for electing such a government. Hum!
315You politicians, let me let that grind in you a while, here and across the world, where it'll go. The church elected such a thing as Jeroboam. Wonder if you, we, haven't done about the same thing? Let's say it's a good government; government can't build a house on a rock when the people elect house on a sand. Can it? Don't say, "Our government! Our government!" It's you, the nation. It's the people. How can we...
316 Minister said to me, said, "Brother Branham," said, "look. I know you're right in That. But," said, "if I would preach That, my denomination would kick me out, my people run me out of the church." Said, "I'll never preach another sermon."
I said, "Preach It, anyhow." Yes, sir.
317It's God's Word. You're responsible. If you're a prophet of God, true, you'll stay with the Word. If not, you'll stay with your denomination. Depends on where you're from.
318Look. No, sir. We cannot build, the government can't build a house upon a solid Rock when the people are voting for a house of pleasure on sinking sands.
319 Look what we want. Let's just take a minute now. I hope I don't wear you out. [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] But let's look what we want, just a minute. I can't pass this comment, this note. Look what we want.
320Look at our television. That's what we want. We want some of these comedians stand up there and turn all kind of dirty jokes, and we stay home from prayer meeting on Wednesday night, or the preacher let out early so that you can go and see it; some old filthy, dirty, five- or six-times married, prostitute, cracking dirty jokes, sexy-dressed, and carrying on like everything. And you love that better than you love the house of God, it shows what kind of spirit is in you.
321 We permit. We, the people, if the people of this nation would write letters to our government, say there would be a hundred million letters fly into that government, "Stop them filthy programs," they'd have to do it. We are the people. But we, the people, want filthiness, so that's what we get.
322Look at the radio program. Oh, my! Turned Rock Of Ages into a twist. Uh-huh. Old Rugged Cross into swing, rock-and-roll by it. The Old Rugged Cross, yeah, sure, on our radios, television. All the... Took here, not long ago, them hoops, them little girls. Everything just as immoral as they can get, that's what we love.
323 What's it sponsored by? Beer, whiskey, cigarettes, the money of nation. What do they do? Take their tax money, that should go to the government for taxes, and pay for the dirty filthy television programs they put on.
324The Pentecostals used to wouldn't go to them dirty, filthy picture shows when they had such plays. The Devil put one on you, put the television in your house.
325The way of a true prophet is pretty hard, but let's stay with the Truth. Yes, sir.
326 Look at our billboards. Women standing out, with cigarettes in their hand, every little Jezebel in the country. I went to...
327Other day, I seen a strange thing. There was one woman that come over to the school out there, to get the kids, when I went over to get them, that didn't have on a pair of shorts; and, it, freezing weather. Every one of them with a cigarette. As soon as they get there and stop, they didn't have a cigarette, they light it right quick, and, "Whew! See how I'm getting along?" Holding that hand out the door, like this, with a cigarette in her hand. And you say something to it, oh, they blow up. Sure.
328You say something to a ricky or elvis, or one of them out there, they would shoot you. And the government would back them up, 'cause they're only teen-agers. "Oh, that's all right. They, they didn't understand. They're teen-agers. Overlook it."
Now you see what a true prophet means, his way?
329 Look at these filthy dreamers in the churches, with their denomination, they would shoot you right in the back. The only thing keeps them from doing it, is the mercy of God, till the Message is got out. The Devil would kill you, if he could do it. Right. But the Message has got to go. "I the Lord will restore." That's right. "I'm able of these stones to rise it." That's right. All right.
330 Our picture shows, our billboards, our pleasure-loving sinners calling themselves Christians. People who call themselves Christians; pleasure-lovers, lust-seekers. Women, immoral dressed; men looking at them, whistling at them, calling themselves Christians, going out. Why, they've even got--they've even got...
331It's a great thing in Florida, California, that they have big clubs now. All the men get together and throw their keys in, and the women goes in and gets one of the keys out of there. And ever who it is, takes his wife home. They live a week, then come back, throw the key, keys in again. See? It's clubs. Bastard-born children and everything else, hog eat hog, dog eat dog. What's the matter? It's because they have left the Word.
332 They don't know what decency means. Out here with little, old tight dresses on, and things like that, and men lusting after them, and think that they're decent. You might not have done nothing wrong, sister, but let me tell you something, you're a tool of the Devil. And at the Judgment Bar, THUS SAITH THE LORD, you'll answer for committing adultery, and your soul will be gone. You know better. You know it now, anyhow. Right.
333 Our whole setup is corrupt and decayed. It's our people, what they want. Like a good man of the house, well, if a man was a good man of the house, blaming your government... That's what sends our boys out here and makes cannon fodder out of them, right, because our own corruption. If we love the Lord and serve the Lord, and voted the right kind of government and everything else, it'd be a wonderful place. That's right. We'd have no wars. No. God is our Refuge and Strength. Send our boys out and kill them up, and butcher them up, and everything else, is because our own action has brought it to pass. God said so, in the Bible, and He don't change. He's just the same. It's your own people's want.
334 Like a good man of the house, what if he's a good man? He wants to do right. He wants to live for God. And he's got a pleasure, immoral-loving family. What's a man going to do, when his wife wants to dress with shorts on, and wear sexy-looking clothes, and get out and act like a Jezebel, his daughters and all of his kids, and all of them? His daddy... His little boy he raised up, and loved, and pat and kiss, and put in the bed, and prayed for him, stand up, say, "My old man is crazy. All he thinks about is the Bible." What can that man do with his family?
335That's the same thing in our government, about its people here. Don't blame the government. Blame this bunch of backslidden churches, for putting such things in their politics, as they got. They want it. That's the reason they vote for it, and that's the reason they got it. And that's the reason the judgment of God is upon them. And they're going to reap what they sow. They're sowing now, and they're going to reap later. Watch. Oh! We are mad-stricken. Oh, yeah.
336 Trying to buy our way into Russia. Trying to buy our way with communism. Trying to. Why, money, you can't buy these gifts of God. There was a guy, Simon, tried to do it one day, and Peter said, "You perish with your money." We are playing the part of Simon the sorcerer, trying to buy a gift of God.
337Come back to the Word. Come back to God. Come back to Christ. Then don't worry about communism. We'll vote the right man in. We'll have another man like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, somebody that was real man. Don't blame that government up there. Blame ourselves. That's what Amos would say. And that's what any true prophet of God would say, if he knows the Word of God. If he's a true prophet, he--he knows the Word, 'cause It comes to him.
338 Israel, in their alliance with--with their made enemy. First, they had to get away from the Word of God, before they could make an alliance with their enemy.
339And before we could ever make an alliance with our enemies and things, we have to get away from the Word of God. Uh-huh. Same now, letting Rome take over. Well, we're doing it, all the time. She has took the government. She is taking the places. She has taken the people. Now she is taking the churches.
340What are we doing? Setting still, agreeing with them. "Oh, it doesn't make an difference whether it's this way or that way. It's all God, anyhow." You poor, miserable, backslidden so-called prophets. What's the matter with you? They don't know the Word about God and these things. They don't study the Word. They don't realize. They say communism is going to take the world over. No, it isn't.
341Romanism is going to take the world, and it's doing it under the name of Christianity. Didn't the Bible, Jesus say, "It'd be so close, till it'd fool the very Elect, if possible"?
342 What we need today. Let me close, in saying this. Now I'm going to close. What we need today is another true prophet. Amen. We need a man for the Word of God to come to. Yes, brother. He'd be rejected and run out, and cast out, but he'd sure blast a hole. He, he could. Yeah. He'd sure as throw such Seeds till the Elected would find It. Uh-huh. That's right. We need a prophet. We need a man who the right interpretation of the Word comes to, that God speaks through him and vindicates the Word, to make It true. That's what we need. And, brother, we are promised one, according to Malachi 4, "To restore." What? "The Faith of the people, back to the Bible." We're promised one. He'll do it.
343 Amos knew. Yes, sir. Amos knew, Israel, her ungodly lovers would soon destroy them.
344And their ungodly lovers of today will soon destroy them, the very denominational creeds and things that they've bound themselves into. You Pentecostals, that's the thing is going to destroy you, your creed and denomination. You're binding yourself right up yonder, take the mark of the beast, and don't even know it, pulling it right over your eyes. Sure. It is a boycott. What are you trying to do? "You belong to this, or you don't belong." See? You just wait, just get a little, just a little bit longer. Then, you say, "I'll get out of it then." No, you won't. You're already in it. You're already marked. You're caught with the mark on you.
345No matter, Esau weeped bitterly, when he knowed better. But he wept bitterly, trying to find a place to repent, and couldn't find it. You'll stay there then. Now is the time to flee.
346 Amos knew that their ungodly lovers would soon destroy her, for they, the church, had left Him, God and His Word, the way of Life. They got away from God's way of Life, and made their own. Oh, the Word was a stumbling block to them.
347And It's the same thing today. The Word of God is a stumbling block to the so-called Christian. Tell him about the water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ. Tell him about the holy God. That will make...
And, well, they say, "Well, we got the Holy Ghost."
348Then why are you still wearing bobbed hair? Why you still baptize in the name of "Father, Son, Holy Ghost"? Why do you still believe in these other things that you believe, and acting the way you do? Goes to show it. Your fruits prove it. Jesus said, "By their fruits, you know them." Yeah. See? That just goes to show, you're talking about something you know nothing about. Yes, sir. Yes.
349 If Amos was here, he would cry against their systems. You know that?
350Now I'm going to read one verse before closing, the 8th verse of the 3rd chapter. And let's read.
The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord... has spoken, who can but prophesy?
351Listen. In closing now, I want to say this. I'm sorry to have kept you, a half hour late. But, look. I want to say this. I'm a hunter. I hunt. I'm glad God give me something like that.
352The other day when the gun went off, I went right back down, see if I could shoot again. I don't want it to scare me. If I had a wreck, out on the road, I wouldn't quit driving a car. If I walk across the floor and stumble my toe on the carpet, and went through the window, I wouldn't quit walking. See? No, no. God give me a clean exercise. That was Satan. That wasn't God. See? That was Satan.
353 Now, I know the spiritual application to it. There is three of us in this room right now, that knows what it is. And it'd raise the hair on your head, but I wouldn't tell no one. See? Just these three people, for a confirmation. Now, it's all all right. It's all... God knowed all about it, and forewarned it, and everything else. And we know it. It was partly my fault, and I had something.
354I--I took up for a man one time, when I should not have took up. I could have just shook the liver out of him. See? Instead of doing it, I had to pay for it. So, then, so we... That's all right. It's me, and it's forgiven now. And we'll go on. See? Yes.
Amos, this 8th verse, "If a lion roars who will not fear?"
355 I've hunted in the African jungles. I've been around where lions were. He's the king of the beasts. I've laid out in the jungles at nighttime and hear the squawking and the hyenas, the laughing and the howling, and--and the--and the different animals. And then some of them hyenas would make, just curdle your blood when they scream. And there with leopards, and whining, and everything else, and beetles, and monkeys, and baboons, and thousands times thousands, "squeak, squawk." Walk everywhere, you can hear all kinds of things going on. But let a lion roar, the beetles will even keep still. It's a deathly hush. They keep still. What? Their king has spoken. Amen.
356 "If a lion roars, who will not fear? When God speaks, who can keep from prophesying?" When God speaks, the prophet cries. Know what I mean? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] The true prophet cries. Friends, He has spoken. Then, let every creature of His Kingdom take heed to what He said.
357If a lion can recognize that there is something wrong, when he roars, everything of his kingdom hushes. They listen. Even the little beetles, yet, he's in the kingdom of that lion. That blood-shrilling howl of the hyena, he shuts up. That elephant there, that can pick up the lion, and whirl him around with his, "Weeel! Weeel!" And let a lion roar, he'll shut up and stand still. Let the cape buffalo, who can snort, look like blowed fire from his nose. When a lion jump on him, wouldn't even harm him. Let the rhino, with his seven tons of armor, pierce him, and his big snout. Let a lion roar, he stops in his tracks. What's the matter? His king has spoken. See? He wants to hear what's going to be said.
358And when God speaks, the prophet cries. And then let His Kingdom take heed to what he is saying. God has spoken. Let every creature of His Kingdom listen to what He is saying.
Let's pray.
359 O Lion, of the tribe of Juda, rise up and roar! Thou art roaring in this last day. Your eyes are narrowed. You're looking down. You're seeing the sin of this so-called Christian nation and world. You're seeing the sin of this nation, when it's been bought with precious Blood. You're seeing how the denominations are wading over Your Word. See how the false prophets are lying. God's Truth they're denying.
360Roar, O Lion of Judah! Let Your prophets cry out. "When God speaks, who can keep from prophesying?" It's the Word of God coming out of the Bible, moving up through the prophet. How can he hold his peace? If he would, he'd blow to pieces. O God, let Your prophet roar, Lord. Roar out Your Message, God, and let every creature of Your Kingdom take heed.
361 May they stop. May the women stop and examine themselves. May the men stop and examine themself. May every preacher that listens to this tape, stop and examine himself, for the Lion of the tribe of Juda roars. And the true Word coming to the prophets, speak, cry out, "Repent and turn back before it's too late."
362God, I commit the Message, on the tape and in this visible audience, to You this morning, for trusting You'll approve It. And call every son and daughter of God, that's under... that ever hear this tape, or under the sound of the voice, they'll back to repentance before it's too late.
363And I believe, Lord, if You'd send Amos here, he'd cry the same thing. For he could not cry... But if he is a prophet of the Lord, he's the sender-forth of the Word. He is sent forth by the Word, with the Word, and he is the Word. Now, Lord, let it be done, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
1Dobré ráno, priatelia. Je skvelé ráno a je radosťou tu byť. Som šťastný, že som dnes ráno nažive a že som znova tu na zhromaždení. Je tu tak mnoho vecí, ktoré sa môžu stať v takom krátkom čase. A nevieme, za aký dlhý čas budeme zavolaní, aby sme sa zodpovedali hore na tom veľkom Súde. A chceme byť pripravení kedykoľvek, aby sme mali pokoj.
2A som veľmi vďačný, ako som už hovoril. Samozrejme, bol som tu v nedeľu večer a hovoril som ku ľuďom... Kázal som v nedeľu večer a chcem poďakovať bratovi Robersonovi a všetkým z vás, ktorí ste sa tu zastavili a radovali z toho Posolstva v nedeľu večer, „Máme všetky veci.“ A tak ja... Niekedy nemám v pláne to, že budem kázať, iba sa prichádzam pozrieť dolu na brata Neville. Jeho hrdlo je také, akoby v ňom mal niečo ako čmeliaka. Pomyslel som si, „Úbohý brat, keď ma dnes večer zavolal, samozrejme mu pomôžem alebo urobím všetko, čo môžem.“ Pretože viem, čo to je, keď ste unavený a zachrípnutý a kázali ste v to ráno veľmi tvrdo. A tak som v nedeľu večer hovoril namiesto neho. A tak sme... Ďakujem ti veľmi pekne.
3Je tu teraz mnoho vypovedaných prosieb o modlitbu. A tak ich len poďme prv spomenúť, všetky tieto prosby. Skloňme teraz svoje hlavy.
4Náš Nebeský Otče, je napísané, že by sme mali vstupovať do Tvojho zhromaždenia so vzdávaním vďaky v našich srdciach a učiň, aby sme dali svoje prosby v zhromaždení svätých na známosť. A máme ich tu dnes ráno mnoho, toľko, že nevieme, ako ich máme priviesť do Tvojej pozornosti, ale Ty ich poznáš. Je tu veľa takých, ktoré ani neboli vypovedané. Ty ich taktiež poznáš. A tak, modlíme sa z celých našich sŕdc, tak, ako sme to robili minulú nedeľu pre dieťa sestry Shepherd a brata Shepherda. Keď tam v... Vrátim sa ku tomu späť, Duch Svätý povedal, „Ona nemá detskú obrnu. Bude v poriadku.“ Aké uspokojenie sme mali, keď sme to počuli od Teba.
5No, prosím, aby si teraz v toto ráno vyhovel týmto prosbám za nemocných, za smútiaci domov, za blízkych a všetko, čo bolo vypovedané, Otče. Modlíme sa, aby si pamätal na každého jedného. A ja predkladám svoju modlitbu a modlitbu týchto ľudí pred Teba; sme spolu zhromaždení a prinášame to Tebe, v Mene Ježiša Krista. Modlíme sa, Otče, aby si nás vypočul. Amen.
6Chcem poďakovať každému z vás všetkých za vaše modlitby, ktoré ste sa za mňa modlili. Kým som... Viete, mal som tam dole na strelnici malú explóziu. A Satan sa ma pokúsil zabiť. A, samozrejme, nemohol to urobiť. Ale Boh so mnou ešte nebol hotový. A tak to nemohol urobiť, pokiaľ to všetko nie je dokončené. Keď je Boh hotový, potom som pripravený. Ale ja... Môj dobrý priateľ, Brat Woods tam dole, je to len milosť Božia, inak by to našiel odtiaľto dolu a nie odtiaľto hore. Bola to asi päť alebo šesť tonová explózia takto blízko mojej tváre, takto. Ani trochu ma nezranila. Vidíte? Trochu mi poškriabala tvár. Takže, no, všetko je to teraz preč a ostala tu len jedna malá škvrna.
7A tak chcem poďakovať tamto bratovi a sestre Dauch. Bratovi Brownovi a tým, ktorí sa cez telefonický rozhovor dohodli, aby sa spolu zhromaždili, skupina ľudí a modlili sa za mňa. A to je skrátka niečo, čo pre vás niečo robí. Viete, modlíte sa za iných a za všetko a potom, keď zistíte, že niekto sa modlí za vás, keď to potrebujete, znamená to pre vás veľmi veľa. A viem, že mnohí z vás nezavolali, alebo niečo také, ale robili ste skrátka to isté. A to pre nás znamená veľmi veľa. A to je dôvod, že som... ma to nezranilo. Boh mi dal byť zdravým. A tak som veľmi vďačný.
8No, mám tu zopár oznámení, tesne predtým, než zasvätíme týchto maličkých. No, dnes večer je v modlitebni služba. A všetci, ktorí ste prišli sem do modlitebne, príďte na službu priamo tam. A tak sme... Chystám sa dnes večer hovoriť u brata Ruddella tam hore na diaľnici, u jedného z našich bratov, ktorí nás navštevujú. A potom, akonáhle sa vrátim späť, ak budem mať ďalší večer, chcem ísť ku bratovi Junie Jacksonovi. Potom ku tomu bratovi v Sellersburgu, dlžíme mu tam hore jeden večer a tak ho tam hore chceme ísť pozrieť. A keď budeme môcť, tak sa dostaneme tam ku bratovi v Utica.
9Tento týždeň odchádzam do Green Bay, vo Wisconsine, ako viete, na regionálne zhromaždenia Obchodníkov Plného Evanjelia.
10Ďalšiu nedeľu som v tej strednej škole, ktorá je tam hore a v ktorej som bol naposledy. Zabudol som, ako sa volá to High School auditórium. [Brat hovorí, „Mather.“ - pozn.prekl.] Ako to je? [„Mather.“ - pozn.prekl.] Mather. Stephen Mather. Áno. V poriadku. High School auditórium.
11A potom v pondelok som na zhromaždení tam, kde som naposledy mal tú diskusiu s tým Kazateľským Združením v Chicagu. Sme na tom mieste kvôli rozlúčkovému zhromaždeniu pre brata Josepha Boze, ktorý odchádza do Tanganyiky. Tanganyika, domnievam sa, že to tak nazval. A v Keni a Durbane a tadiaľ pripravuje dohody pre moje blížiace sa jesenné zhromaždenia; a v Afrike a cez Južnú Afriku. A teda, prosíme vás, aby ste na nás pamätali v modlitbách ohľadne týchto zhromaždení. Potom sa vrátime späť.
12A neviem, či budem mať čas, aby som sa sem do modlitebne dostal na ďalší deň, predtým, ako potom pôjdeme hore do Severnej Karolíny. A potom odtiaľ do Južnej Karolíny. A potom celú cestu do Cow Palace, v Los Angeles, v meste South Gate. A dúfam, že práve tam sa dostanem a pôjdem sa pozrieť na pána Weatherby, toho, ktorý vyrobil tú zbraň, v ktorej explodovala tá nábojnica.
13 On poriadne nepodsústružil uzamykaciu vôľu a spôsobilo to, že nábojnicu to posunulo späť, namiesto toho, aby išla vpred. Bola to len stará puška, ktorú som mu poslal. Mal to vyvŕtať a potom prerobiť na iný druh pušky. Dal som do vnútra nábojnicu, narovnal sa ku streľbe a ono, no, zbraň to odhodilo asi 50 yardov [asi 45m - pozn.prekl.] takto odo mňa, roztopila sa mi v rukách. Hlaveň vymrštilo na vzdialenosť 50 yardov, západku odhodilo celkom dozadu, za ohradu pre jelene, tridsať, štyridsať yardov za mnou a kúsky črepín odleteli a narazili do kôry stromov a do všetkého ostatného. A tak, bolo to takto blízko pri mojom oku, iba okolo jedného palca [2,5cm - pozn.prekl.], kde to takto dopadlo. A ak by to malo vybuchnúť...
14A samotná tá zbraň vydrží 6900 libier tlaku bez výbuchu. A tak si môžete predstaviť, koľko toho tlaku na ňu pôsobilo, aby sa toto stalo. A pamätajte, ak to odtrhlo toto, mohlo mi to tiež odtrhnúť hlavu a ramená, viete. Ale stál tam Pán, ktorý ani nedovolil, aby ma to zranilo, len ma to poškriabalo na tvári. A malá črepina vošla pod mojím okom, utvorilo to kruh okolo môjho oka, a tak sa to tam, kde to črepina zasiahla, nedotklo zraku. Jeden z veľkých kusov, ktorý uviazol v lebke, smeroval okolo oka, avšak nedostal sa do oka. Ó!
15Prednedávnom, spomínate si, hovoril som vám, že ma stretol v izbe a povedal, „Neboj sa, lebo nikdy nezlyhávajúca Prítomnosť Ježiša Krista je navždy s tebou.“ Vidíte? Vidíte? A tak, toto dokázalo, že On je.
16Doktor, ktorý sa pozeral na moje oko v Louisville, povedal, že napísali späť Dr. Samovi Adairovi, nášmu priateľovi tu dole, a ten povedal, „Jediná vec, ktorú môžem povedať, je, že Pán tam v to ráno sedel so Svojím sluhom, aby ho ochránil, inak by mu neostala ani hlava a ramená.“ A tak, On bol ku mne veľmi dobrý a vážim si to. Pritiahlo ma to trocha bližšie. To vám vždy niečo spôsobí.
17A potom, dva dni po tom, o tri dni neskôr, keď som šiel na svoje zhromaždenie, ktoré som mal naplánované v Kanade, a ten človek, bez toho, aby o tomto niečo vedel, ma zavolal späť a musel to zhromaždenie odložiť. Rozumiete? Bol by som na ceste tam a táto vec by sa takto nestala. Rozumiete? A tak potom zavolal späť a ja musím vziať to zhromaždenie, zhromaždenie v Kanade. A bude to v júli, posledné júlové týždne. Potom idem do Dawson Creek, potom do Anchorage, na Aljašku, ak Pán dá.
18No, nemám žiadne vedenie ísť na ani jedno z tých zhromaždení, ani na jedno. Ale nemohol som pomyslieť na to, že by som tu sedel celé leto, posedával by som tu a ľudia všade zomierajú. Musím siať semená, kdekoľvek to je, na tom nezáleží. Ak nevyklíčia, ak ich dostane nebeské vtáctvo, čokoľvek to je, chcem siať semená, pretože On mi ich dal pár na zasiatie. A tak idem v každom prípade siať semená. No, mali sme tu dobu, keď som...
19Je mnoho ľudí, ktorí vykonávajú krst malých nemluvniat v Kresťanskej viere. No, to je v poriadku, ak to robíte. To je na vás. Samozrejme, oni ich v skutočnosti nekrstia. Iba pokropia ich temeno vodou. Ale čo sa týka mňa, rád zostanem presne s tým, čo povedala Biblia, že treba robiť. A tak, chcem robiť iba to, čo povedalo Slovo, jednoducho čokoľvek To povedalo. No, nenašiel som o tom žiadne miesto v Biblii.
20V Starej Zmluve prinášali deti na telesné obriezky, malých chlapcov, a matka obetovala obeť na očistenie, dve hrdličky alebo baránka.
21Ale v Novej Zmluve, jediné miesto, kde som mohol nájsť spomienku na túto veľkú službu... Bolo to zasvätenie. Prinášali k Ježišovi deti a On ich zodvihol hore na Svoje ruky a požehnal ich. Práve to robili rodičia v Jeho dňoch. A Jeho Život bol vzor toho, čo by sme mali robiť my. Rozumiete? On tieto veci urobil ako príklad.
22No, vezmeme len maličkých a prinesú ich k nám a podržíme ich hore pred Bohom a poprosíme o to, aby na nich prišlo Božie požehnanie, a matka a otec sa pomodlia modlitbu zasvätenia Bohu, zatiaľ čo Mu prinesú svoje dieťa. A... alebo ich zasvätia v Mene Ježiša Krista, pokiaľ nebudú dosť starí, aby mohli byť pokrstení vo Meno Ježiša Krista. A teraz, On povedal, „Čokoľvek robíte slovom alebo skutkom, všetko robte v Mene Pána Ježiša.“ A tak to je to, čo chceme robiť.
23A teraz, kým bude sestra jemne hrať tú krátku pieseň Prineste ich, tá sestra, ktorú tu máme. A matky a otcovia, ktorí máte tieto malé bábätká, ktoré nikdy neboli zasvätené Pánovi, keby ste ich teraz priniesli, kým im zhromaždenie a my budeme jemne spievať tú pieseň. Áno.
Prineste ich, prineste ich;
Prineste maličkých ku Ježišovi.
24Milujem týchto maličkých. Niečo tam na nich je, že sú takí sladkí.
25Domnievam sa, že toto je jednoznačne Talian. Nie je? V poriadku. Talianska rodina, pár z nich, ktorí majú byť zasvätení. Malá talianska sestra, ktorá je tu z, ó, z Chicaga. Povedala, „Je tu dnes ráno tá talianska rodina, ale ja nebudem kázať."
26Ako sa volá? Jonatán Dávid, aké krásne meno! No, Jonatán. Povedal, že jeho šéf mal talianske meno a on mal... On chce, aby sa jeho dieťa volalo biblickým menom.
27Viete, raz tam bol v Biblii jeden veľký Talian, ktorý sa volal Kornélius, viete. Mal čatu a bol dobrý a dával ľuďom almužny, ešte keď bol pohanom. Poznáte ten príbeh. A jedného dňa do jeho domu prišiel Anjel a povedal mu, aby poslal dolu po muža, ktorý pozná plán Boží. A on... Poznáte ten príbeh. Zatiaľ čo tí ľudia mali Boha vo veľkej úcte! „A kým Peter ešte hovoril tieto Slová, zostúpil na nich Svätý Duch.“ To je pravda. Modlím sa o to, aby toto dieťa bolo rovnakým človekom, toho istého mena.
28Jonatán, nádherné! Môžem si ho vziať? Poď sem, Jonatán. Ó, čo za hrudku cukru je to pre túto rodinu!
Skloňme naše hlavy.
29Náš Nebeský Otče, uplynuli roky od vtedy, čo sa stal ten príbeh, ktorý som práve spomenul, o veľkom mužovi, ktorý sa volal Kornélius, ktorý bol dobrým človekom, spravodlivým, a platil almužny a miloval Boha. A Anjel Boží prišiel do domu tohto muža. Ó, Bože, dnes ráno Ti dávame tohto malého Jonatána Dávida. Modlím sa, Nebeský Otče, že ako som ho vzal z rúk jeho matky a otca, ktorí ho darujú Tebe... Predkladám túto modlitbu zasvätenia života tohto dieťaťa, do životnej služby pre Teba a požehnanie do jeho domova, do toho veľkého odrazového mostíka do Cirkvi. Udeľ to, Otče. Dávam Ti malého Jonatána Dávida v Mene Ježiša Krista. Amen.
30Nech vám dá Boh Svoju milosť a pomoc pri jeho výchove v napomínaní Božom. Nech si požehnaný, Jonatán Dávid.
31No, tento, ó, je celkom mladý, alebo to je ona? On? Ó, dúfam, že prichádza ďalší kazateľ. Ako sa volá? Micheáš. Micheáš. Chcem o ňom dnes ráno hovoriť. Micheáš Edward. Edward, to je krásne meno. No, moja žena by to urobila oveľa lepšie, pokiaľ ide o jeho držanie, pretože som vždy vystrašený, že ich zlomím, keď sú takí maličkí. Rozumiete? Aké sladké drobné stvorenie, ich malé oči len pozerajú dookola. Je taký maličký. Koľko má rokov? Má jeden mesiac.
Skloňme teraz naše hlavy.
32Nebeský Otče, tento mladý pár prichádza znova sem hore, aby Ti obetovali produkt zväzku ich života, ktorý si im dal, aby ho vychovávali v napomínaní Božom. Požehnaj tohto malého Micheáša. Bože, modlím sa, aby si z neho urobil muža, akým bol Micheáš v Biblii. Udeľ to, Otče. Daj mu požehnania Božie. Požehnaj jeho otca a matku a učiň ich pre neho inšpiráciou tu na zemi, veľkým odrazovým mostíkom pre vec Kristovu. A teraz nás vypočuj, Otče, odovzdávam malého Micheáša Edwarda z rúk otca a matky do rúk Božích v Mene Ježiša Krista. Amen.
33Nech ho Pán žehná a nech požehná vás, otec a matka, aby ste ho vychovávali v napomínaní Božom.
Verím, že to je. [Prázdne miesto na páske. - pozn.prekl.]
34Ó, jednoducho milujem tých maličkých, proste každého jedného. Každé jedno z nich je tým najkrajším dieťaťom na svete. Nie je jednoducho potrebné... Keď som priniesol malého Jozefa domov, to bol, úprimne povedané, najškaredší maličký, akého som kedy videl, ale jeho matka a ja sme si mysleli, že bol ako bábika. Ale takto to zvykne byť, viete. To je... Skrátka si to tak myslíme.
35Premýšľal som dnes ráno o niektorých našich členoch tu. Bol tam... No, toto oko má v sebe beladonu [extrakt z rastliny beladona (ľuľkovec zlomocný) - pozn.prekl.], to, ktoré je veľmi rozšírené. Ale sestra Nash... Pýtal som sa na brata Nasha; premýšľal som, či je v poriadku. Je... Sú tu? Ó, no, áno, on je tu. Chvála Pánovi, brat Nash. Tak to je skvelé.
36No, sestra Edward, je ona tu? Alebo sestra Shepherd, ktorá mala to malé choré dievča, je teraz v poriadku? Skvelé. Dostal som správu a bolo to asi len päť minút, kým som mal mať ľudí z mesta na rozhovor. Bežal som do izby a modlil sa a oni povedali, že dieťa malo obrnu a jeho ruky a nohy boli vystužené. A bežal som sa modliť a povedal som, „Prídem po bohoslužbe.“ Povedal som Loyce, aby zavolala späť a povedala tej pani, že tam budem po bohoslužbe; ak ma bude potrebovať, nech ma zavolá. A keď som sa išiel modliť, Duch povedal, „Žiadna obrna. Ona bude v poriadku.“ Prišiel som, no, všetci sme sa tu v zbore modlili. Tým to bolo vybavené.
37[Sestra hovorí, „Brat Branham?“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno madam? [V pondelok sme išli k doktorovi, po tom, čo si sa za neho prvýkrát modlil, a všetok zápal pohrudnice v jeho hrudníku je celkom vyčistený, odišlo to z jeho hrdla.“ - pozn.prekl.] Chvála Pánovi! Modlitba mení veci.
Povedz, on tu dnes ráno nie je, že? Tvoj zať. Áno.
38Minulú nedeľu, naposledy, keď som tu minulý týždeň v nedeľu kázal, sedel tu jeden mladý chlapík; stále som na neho pozeral. Pomyslel som si, „Mal by som tohto chlapíka poznať.“ A zistil som, že to bol syn môjho starého spolužiaka, Jima Poole. No, my sme vyrástli spolu, už od útleho detstva. On je ten, s ktorým som mal vtedy tú nehodu s brokovnicou, a potom neskôr on mal tiež jednu, môj priateľ. Verím, že môžem priviesť toho chlapca ku Kristovi. Pri jeho otcovi som sa to veľmi snažil. Verím, že napriek tomu ho pritiahnem dnu. Verím, že môžem priviesť toho mladého chlapca. On má... Poobzeral som si ho. Vyzerá, že má jemného, ako to teraz nazvem (nepoužite túto poznámku na niekoho iného), ale cítim, že chvenie jeho ducha je dobré. Verím, že to nebude ťažké, priviesť toho chlapca ku Kristovi. A tak sa za neho modlime. To je pravda.
39A, brat, ešte niekto iný je chorý alebo niečo, niekto, na koho teraz myslím.
40Avšak, modlíme sa za všetkých. A keď niekedy... Keď zašlete prosbu, pamätajte, akonáhle ju dostanem... Myslím si, že moja žena je tu niekde v budove, a tak ona to vie. Akonáhle dostanem nejakú prosbu, hneď sa idem modliť rovno do svojej pracovne a ostávam tam, pokiaľ niečo nezacítim. Jednoducho to nevzdávam.
41Jedného dňa, keď Sam, Dr. Sam vyberal von z môjho oka tú vec, pokúšal sa o to a veľmi ho to ranilo, musel dať cez moju tvár uterák. Povedal, „Nemôžem vidieť krv môjho priateľa.“ Povedal... A ja som sa v tom kúpal, viete. Ale povedal, „Nemôžem to urobiť a pracovať na tom.“ Rozumiete? A tak to vytiahol von. A na druhý deň bol v nemocnici. Tak som sa za neho modlil a on odtiaľ odišiel v poriadku.
42A potom na ďalší deň, jeho žena, oni vôbec nevedeli, čo s ňou bolo zle, mysleli si, že má obrnu. Rozumiete? Povedali a povedali... A modlili sme sa za ňu a ona je teraz v poriadku doma. A tak sme mali v miestnosti, Doc... Išli sme do kancelárie a on... Spoločne sme zavreli dvere a povedal, „No, brat Bill, niečo sa ťa opýtam.“ Povedal, „Pomodlíš sa za mňa a za Betty?“
Povedal som, „Poďme. Poďme sa pomodliť.“
43A tak on je ten, ktorému Pán ukázal videnie, kde stavať tú kliniku. Pamätáte si na ten príbeh. Ak o tom len pochybujete, poďte niekedy za ním a opýtajte sa ho to. Áno, skrátka povedal, „Len nech niekto príde.“ Povedal, „Hovoril som o tom desiatim tisícom ľudí.“
44[Brat hovorí, „Brat Branham?“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno, brat. [„Pre tých, ktorí sú tu dnes ráno, a aby to vložilo do ostatných sŕdc väčšiu vieru: Ráno na Veľkonočnú nedeľu si tu vyvolal jednu vzácnu dušu, bol to muž, tretí v poradí. Povedal si, že bol zo Seymouru. A skrze pomazanie Ducha Svätého si povedal, 'Volajú ťa, „Bill.“' Poznám toho muža. Poznám ho veľmi dobre. A potom sme odtiaľto odišli a on sa volá Izák. Prezývajú ho 'Bill.'“ - pozn.prekl.] Tak veru. Vidíte?
45Jeho skutočné meno je Izák. [Brat hovorí, „To je pravda.“ - pozn.prekl] Ale prezývajú ho Bill. [„To je pravda.“ - pozn.prekl.]
46Duch Svätý nerobí chyby. On je neomylný. No, niekto hovoril, ja som povedal, „Mám päťdesiattri rokov a tri, okolo tridsaťjeden rokov som bol za kazateľňou a videl som Ho v desiatkach tisícoch prípadov.“
47Včera som bol dolu, smerom dolu, južne od Kentucky, priamo na hranici Tennessee a sedel som v člne s bratom Daultonom, ktorému Pán dal všetky jeho deti. Pamätáte si na to ráno, keď tu začínal. A povedal, „Brat Branham,“ povedal, „predpokladám, že je to rozpoznávanie pre teba ťažké.“
48Povedal som, „Ó, brat Daulton, desaťtisícekrát, desaťtisíce podobných prípadov.“
Povedal, „Prečo sa nepokúsiš napísať knihu“ (Povedal som...) „o tom?“
49Povedal som, „Ó, brat Daulton, to by bolo toho toľko, ako cez celý tento čln, encyklopédia, množstvo kníh o tom, čo som len ja videl Pána urobiť. A nebol jediný raz, že by niekedy zlyhal, vidíte, ani jediný raz; ale zakaždým to bolo dokonalé.“
50Verím, že teraz vidím, ak sa nemýlim, dievča brata Shepherda, tú s takými oranžovými šatami. Myslím si to. Raz ráno som pri nej zastavil. Kráčala a ja som si pomyslel, že to by som asi vyzdvihol nesprávne dievča, a tak som sa stiahol. Tak to som bol ja, kto zastavil, sestra. Domnieval som sa, že to bolo dievča brata Shepherda. A ja by som ju vyzdvihol, pretože som si pomyslel, že má asi pokazené auto alebo niečo také. Išli sme pre Becky. A ja som si potom pomyslel, že to asi nie je to dievča. Ale teraz ich tam vidím sedieť spolu, takže vidím, že to bolo to dievča. Tak to som bol ja, kto tam pristavil a potom odišiel preč.
51A tak, každý miluje Pána Ježiša? Ó, nádhera! To je jednoducho krásne a úžasné. Amen.
52[Brat Neville hovorí, „Práve prišiel brat Willard.“ - pozn.prekl.] No, brat Willard, sme radi, že ťa tu máme. A tiež vyzeráš veľmi dobre, najlepšie, ako som ťa videl. Obaja máme niečo ako fašírku na tvári. Vyzerám, ako by som bol zasiahnutý niečím takým. A videl som v tú noc brata Willarda, keď spal, a úprimne povedané, on vyzeral hrozne. Ale dnes ráno vyzeráš hrozne dobre. A vzdávame za to vďaku a chválu Bohu, brat. Amen. Áno. Viete, diabol nás nemôže zabiť, kým Boh nepovie, „Poď.“ Potom chceme ísť, nie, brat Willard? To je pravda. Do tej doby sa len márne snaží. To je všetko. Pán Ježiš je naša Pomoc a Útočisko.
53A teraz budem hovoriť ďalej, zatiaľ čo tu dnes ráno mám iba asi šesť hodín na kázanie. Vidíte? Len... No, vôbec nič sme neoznamovali, nerozdávali sme žiadne modlitebné lístky a podobné veci, pretože už som oznámil, že tu nebudem. Ale pôjdem len ďalej a pomôžem bratovi Nevillemu a dostanem sa ku vám všetkým, aby som vás videl a mal trocha času obecenstva.
54A minulú nedeľu večer, brat Roy Roberson, neviem, či tu je alebo nie je. Nedokážem to poriadne rozoznať, aby som videl, že tu je. Zavolal mi a rozprával o Posolstve.
55A niekto volal a povedal, „Čudoval som sa, keď si rozprával o tom, že 'Boh nám dal všetky veci.'“ Vidíte? On nám dal život. Skúste si ho kúpiť. On nám dal lásku. Skúste si ju kúpiť. Dal nám radosť. Skúste si ju kúpiť. Dal nám pokoj. Skúste si ho kúpiť. Neexistuje spôsob, ako by sa to dalo kúpiť. Nemôžete si to kúpiť.
Potom som povedal, „On nám dal smrť.“
Niekto zavolal a povedal, „Kazateľ, čudoval som sa tomu, kam tým mieriš.“ Povedal, „Pomyslel som si, 'Ó, tentokrát tu brat Branham zviazal sám seba.'“ Nie, keď to tak povedala Biblia. Rozumiete? Biblia povedala, že On nám dal smrť.
56No, čo môžeme robiť so smrťou? Viete, Pavol prichádzal ku smrti a povedal, „Ó, smrť, kde je tvoj osteň?“ Smrť nás nemá v moci. My máme v moci ju. Správne. Všetky veci sú nám dané.
57A potom som uviedol predobraz toho, ako Izrael na výprave do zasľúbenej zeme, oni nikdy nevideli tú zem. Nevedeli o nej nič. Mali len Božie zasľúbenie, že tam bola zem a bola plná mlieka a medu a bolo to dobré a skvelé miesto. A bola ním. Nikdy ju nevideli. Nikto tam nikdy nebol a nič o nej nevedel. Ale oni ju mali zasľúbenú. A pomocou viery pohostínili v púšti.
58A keď sa dostali priamo ku hranici, mali tam medzi sebou bojovníka, ktorý sa volal Jozue, čo znamená „Jehova Spasiteľ.“ A tak on prešiel Jordánom do zasľúbenej zeme a priniesol späť dôkaz toho, že tam tá zem je. To sa mi páči. A bola to dobrá zem. Dvaja muži odtiaľ vyniesli jeden strapec hrozna. Bola to dobrá zem a tak on priniesol späť dôkaz toho, že tá zem, ktorú sa chystajú zabrať do vlastníctva, tam bola.
59No, Cirkev, my cestujeme do Zeme nesmrteľnosti, do Zeme, kde nie je smrť, do Zeme, kde sú mŕtvi vzkriesení. A v našom tábore máme veľkého Spasiteľa. Ježiš znamená „Jehova Spasiteľ,“ Milovaný. A On prešiel Jordánom smrti do inej Zeme a vrátil sa späť a priniesol dôkaz toho, že žijeme po smrti. Amen. Takže, kde je smrť?
60A potom nám dal všetky veci. „Teraz máme závdavok nášho dedičstva. Do tej miery...“ Teraz počúvajte pozorne. A nejdem kázať na túto tému, ale to len spôsobuje, že sa práve teraz cítim dobre. Rozumiete? To, že máme toho závdavok. Lebo, raz sme kráčali v hriechu; a potom, čo sme sa nechali pokrstiť v Jeho Meno a vstali sme s Ním vo vzkriesení, boli sme vyvedení z hriechu, nikdy viac sa nechceme znova vrátiť späť. Vidíte? Povstali sme z hriechu s dôkazom, ktorý máme. Potencionálne sme vzkriesení z celej smrti. Rozumiete? Ak sme mohli povstať z hriechu, vierou v Neho; a tam je hriech, kto by sa chcel znova vrátiť späť do odpadkových košov hriechu? Vidíte? Prešli sme zo smrti do Života. Vidíte? A toto je závdavok. Amen. Je to závdavok úplného vzkriesenia, z celej smrti, fyzicky. A duchovne, my sme prekonali duchovnú smrť, pretože sme prešli zo smrti do Života.
61A ako Eliáš prišiel jedného dňa dolu ku Jordánu a udrel ho, s Elizeom a ono sa to rozdelilo a on tade prekročil. Vrátil sa späť s dvojitou porciou.
62A keď my udrieme Jordán, s Kristom, máme jednu porciu, ale keď sa vrátime, prídeme s dvojitou porciou. Máme Večný Život, vzkriesenie z hriechu, no, v spravodlivosti s Duchom Svätým. A potom pri návrate, s Kristom, vraciame sa späť s obojím, s fyzickým vzkriesením a duchovné vzkriesenie sme už dostali. Máme dvojitú porciu. Vždy predobrazom Krista a Cirkvi: Elizeus a Eliáš.
63Ó, nechcem tu s týmto začínať. Ó, rozhodne by sme tu nemali na toto Posolstvo šesť hodín. [Brat Neville hovorí, „Ešte je na tej kosti mäso.“ - pozn.prekl.] Áno. Ó! „Mäso na kosti,“ povedal brat Neville. Stále to obhrýzame. Ó, nie ste šťastní? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Vidíte? Nemáme...
64Nie je tu viacej žiadneho trápenia. Smrť je ničím. Máme ju. Je naša. Nemá nado mnou moc. Ja mám nad ňou moc. Ako? Skrze Neho, ktorý ma učinil premožiteľom, pretože ja som už premohol smrť. Ako som to urobil? Tým, že Mu verím. Rozumiete? Smrť je v hriechu, v nevere. Nie som neveriaci. Som veriaci. Povstal som z tej veci, vstal z mŕtvych. To je závdavok celého môjho úplného fyzického a duchovného vzkriesenia, všetkého. Tak veru. Porozumeli ste tomu? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Takže máme pod svojou kontrolou smrť, skrze Ježiša Krista, ktorý premohol smrť, peklo, hrob, choroby, žiaľ, všetko ostatné, zvíťazil nad všetkým.
65A teraz sme s Ním povstali, sedíme v Ponebeských miestach, duchovne hovoriac, v Kristu Ježišovi, so všetkými vecami pod našimi nohami. Dokonca fyzické vzkriesenie je pod našimi nohami, pretože sme v Kristovi. Porozumeli ste tomu? Ak áno, pozdvihnite ruky. [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen.“ - pozn.prekl.] Amen. To je dobre. Ak tomu rozumiete, je to skvelé. Rozumiete? Nedovoľte... Teraz len stačí udržiavať to vo svojej mysli. Rozumiete? „Prešli sme zo smrti do Života,“ fyzicky, duchovne, v každom smere.
66A všetko a všetky veci nám teraz patria. No, vonkajší svet hovorí, že sme blázniví, a napriek tomu nám patrí celá zem. Ako to zdedíte?
67Keď, ako som hovoril, Abrahám, vidíte, bol v zasľúbenej zemi; Boh mu ju dal. Lót bol unesený nejakými odpadlíckymi zbojníkmi, vzatý preč. To bol jeho synovec. V poriadku. Všetko, čo bolo v tej zemi, patrilo Abrahámovi. A tak, on nebol bojovníkom. Nikdy nebojoval. Nemal so sebou žiadnych bojovníkov. Mal pár sluhov. Ale keď uvidel, že niečo, že prišiel diabol a olúpil ho o niečo, čo bolo zasľúbené jemu, vyzbrojil svojich sluhov a sám si zobral zbroj. Nevedel, ako premôže túto celú skupinu kráľov. Iba s hŕstkou sluhov, ale Boh mu povedal, ako to urobiť. Rozdelili sa a pozabíjal kráľov a víťazne sa vrátil. Prečo? On položil svoju vieru na Božie zasľúbenie, že všetko v tej zemi bolo jeho a Lót bol toho časťou, to je pravda, bol časťou tej zeme. Ó!
68A tam stretol Melchisedeka, potom, čo tá bitka skončila. Mohli by ste len vidieť Abraháma, ako prichádza po ceste? Nevedel, že bol bojovníkom, ale potom poznal, že ním bol. Tak veru. A stretol Toho, ktorý dal to zasľúbenie, Melchisedeka.
69Teraz poďme čítať z Knihy Ámosa. Chystám sa dnes ráno rozprávať; ale nie šesť hodín. Dúfam, že nie. Rozumiete? Na tému, Cesta pravdivého proroka. A dnes večer, ak Pán dá, chystám sa hovoriť na tému, Vypustiť tlak, a tak, ak Pán dá.
70No, som známy ako kritik, ale nie som kritický, iba na všetko, čo je nesprávne. Ale ja, my by sme mali kritizovať to, čo je zlé.
71No, ak sa teraz chystáte v miestnosti zapnúť nahrávacie zariadenia, no, v poriadku. Chcem teraz čítať z Ámosa, z 3. kapitoly. Alebo... Áno. 3. kapitola z Ámosa, iba časť z toho, Ámos 3.
Počujte toto slovo, ktoré hovorí Hospodin proti vám, synovia Izraelovi, proti všetkej čeľadi, ktorú som vyviedol hore z Egyptskej zeme, hovoriac:
Len vás som poznal zo všetkých čeľadí zeme, preto navštívim na vás... všetky vaše neprávosti.
Či azda pojdú dvaja spolu bez toho, že by sa shodli?
Či zareve lev v lese, keď by nebolo pre neho koristi? Či vydá ľvíča svoj hlas zo svojej peleše bez toho, že by bolo lapilo?
Či padne vtáča do osídla na zemi, keď mu niet smečky? Či sa zdvihne osídlo od zeme, keď nechytilo ničoho?
Či sa zatrúbi na trúbu v meste, a ľud sa nesbehne v strachu? Či sa deje voľačo zlé v meste, a Hospodin neučinil?
Lebo Pán Hospodin... nečiní ničoho, krome keď zjavil svoju tajnú radu svojim služobníkom prorokom.
Lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Pán Hospodin hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?
72Jeho oči museli byť zúžené, ako v to ráno stál na kopci, hneď za mestom Samária. Vidím jeho pevné ruky, ako sa poťahoval za svoju šedivú bradu. Horúce slnko svietilo. Na pohľad nebol veľmi atraktívny. Aký bol odlišný od dnešných moderných evanjelistov! Jeho oblečenie bolo otrhané; neupravená brada. A pozeral sa dolu na to mesto Samária, jeho oči boli stále prižmúrené, ako sa díval. Na pohľad nevyzeral významný, ale mal pre ten národ TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
73Bolo to azda dosť odlišné pri tejto blížiacej sa kampani, kvôli ktorej ho Pán poslal do Samárie, než to, čo by boli robili naši moderní evanjelisti. Nebol vystrojený na takú evanjelizáciu, ako by sme si mysleli, že by mal byť dnes. Ale pamätajte, on nebol moderný evanjelista. On bol prorok. Nestaral sa o moderné vybavenie. On mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
74Nestaral sa o to, ako vyzeral a ako veľmi štýlovo bol oblečený, či boli jeho vlasy vyčesané vpravo, ani či sa na neho niekto pozerá alebo nie. On mal Slovo Pánovo. To bol jeho celý cieľ: priniesť to Slovo Pánovo. Kto bol tento muž? Áno. To bol Ámos, prorok, taká otrhaná osoba, ale vedel, kde stojí. Vedel, čo robí. On bol pravým prorokom Slova. A dôvod, prečo prišiel ku tomuto mestu bol, že ku nemu prišlo Slovo.
75A keď Slovo Pánovo príde ku pravému sluhovi, on musí ísť, bez ohľadu na okolnosti, alebo bez ohľadu na ťažkosti. V každom prípade musí ísť. Či už je pripravený, či sa na to cíti, či to chce, či čokoľvek iné; on musí ísť v každom prípade. Je to Božia reč a on musí priniesť to Posolstvo. Pretože to je... On nikdy nejde za hlúposťami. Nikdy nejde za peniazmi. Nikdy nejde za popularitou. On ide len v Mene Pánovom, kvôli jednej veci. Má poslanie a je poslaný od Pána. A on je Slovom Božím, pretože prináša Slovo Pánovo. To je pravý prorok Pánov.
Moja téma je: Cesta pravdivého proroka Božieho.
76Tento veľký, nebojácny muž Boží prorokoval vo dňoch Jeroboáma II. Mám tu pred sebou napísaný kúsok z jeho histórie. Prorokoval okolo trinásť rokov svojej kampane. A Jeroboám, bol to Jeroboám II. a on bol najchytrejším a najschopnejším mužom, akého Izrael za nejaký čas mal. Bol to muž, ktorý do Izraela priniesol prosperitu. Celý Izrael rozkvital. Ale on, niečo s ním nebolo v poriadku. Bol modlárom.
77A jedného dňa som to trochu čítal a trochu o tom premýšľal, že to celkom zodpovedalo dnešku. Nezáleží na tom, aký je človek chytrý, ako veľa toho dokáže a ako veľmi prosperuje, ak sa dostane preč od Boha, je tomu národu zadĺžený, preč od Boha a Jeho Slova. Zaujímalo by ma, či to dnes nesedí na nás, na niekoho, kto miluje byť na obrazovke televízie a ukazovať sa, akí sú chytrí a ako veľa majú inteligencie. Ale som zvedavý, či jej majú dosť na to, aby vzali TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. On bol chytrý muž, v poriadku.
78Izrael bol v odpadnutom stave. Jeho kazatelia, jeho kňazi a taktiež jeho vláda, všetci opustili Slovo Pánovo. No, oni neverili, že to tak je. Verili, že boli so Slovom Pánovým. „Ale existuje cesta, ktorá sa zdá byť človeku správnou, ale jej koniec je cestami smrti.“ Prečo sa mýlili? Prečo by si mohol človek myslieť, že sa mýlili? Celé kňažstvo mužov, tisíce kazateľov a kňazov a kráľov a panovníkov, všetci, ktorí vyhlasovali, že uctievajú Boha, a napriek tomu sa všetci mýlili.
79Nuž, oni nepotrebovali kráľa prosperity. To, čo potrebovali, bol prorok, pretože Slovo Pánovo, alebo výklad Slova Pánovho prichádza ku pravému prorokovi. Občas môžete vidieť, aká je potom jeho cesta. Je to veľmi drsná cesta, keď sú proti nemu všetci kňazi, všetci kazatelia, všetci duchovní vodcovia a aj samotná vláda. Ale napriek tomu Slovo Pánovo prichádza ku prorokovi a jedine ku nemu. On má pravdivé Slovo. Hoci mal tú istú Bibliu, ako mali oni, ale Slovo prišlo ku nemu. Boh potvrdzoval, že on mal Slovo.
80Oni mali najväčšie budovy a náboženské systémy a tak ďalej, aké kedy mali, všade nastavané oltáre a všetky druhy vecí, ale stále boli milióny míľ od Slova Božieho.
81Osobne si myslím, že ten obraz sa veľmi dobre hodí na dnes, keď čítam túto Knihu Ámosa. Musíte si to prečítať, keď prídete domov. Celá vláda, kňazi, všetci z nich opustili Slovo Božie.
82Len by som tu rád prečítal inú časť z Písma, vezmem to, aby som ukázal, kde to oni urobili. Teraz poďme čítať z 2. kapitoly a 4. verš, len na chvíľu.
Takto hovorí Hospodin: Pre troje prestúpení Júdu a pre štvoro neodvrátim toho
[„toho súdu“ - v angl.preklade KJV – pozn.prekl.],pretože zavrhli zákon Hospodinov,...
83To je Slovo, zavrhli Ho a napriek tomu si mysleli, že Ho majú.
...a neostríhali moje ustanovenia, a ich lži ich zaviedli do bludu,...
84No, mali Slovo, Bibliu, ale ich lži, ktoré s Tým spojili, ich priviedli do bludu.
... za... ktorými chodili ich otcovia:
85Vidíte dôvod? No, oni mali bludy, pretože oni vložili do Slova svoje vlastné preklady a výklady. A myslím si, že to sedelo s dneškom, tak, ako mnohí chcú vložiť ich vlastné myšlienky do Slova a dostaneme v tom zmätok. Čo za napomenutie od Boha mal tento prorok.
86No, Ámos bol Boží prorok, pravdivý prorok. Každý človek, ktorý niekedy číta o Ámosovi, pozná smelosť tohto nebojácneho muža Božieho. On je považovaný za jedného z menších prorokov, pretože sa tam nezdržiava veľmi dlho, ale určite položil sekeru ku koreňu stromu. On bol jeden z najnebojácnejších prorokov a prišiel s pomazaním. Prišiel s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vedel, o čom hovorí, pretože na ňom bolo pomazanie Božie, aby im priniesol správny výklad Božieho Slova.
87Ámos prišiel z vidieku, z pustatiny do okúzľujúceho mesta. Predtým tam nikdy nebol. Bol to odjakživa dedinský chlapec zozadu z pustatiny. Kým bol tam vzadu v modlitbe, Boh ho stretol a povedal mu o hanebnosti toho okúzľujúceho národa, ktorého bol súčasťou. A Samária bola hlavné mesto, jedno z hlavných miest v tom čase, a vládol mu Jeroboám.
88A keď tam v to ráno stál, na vrchole kopca, kráčal dnu so svojím starým, primitívnym dedinským oblečením na sebe, možno mal na nohách prach a blato, keď spal v tom starom otrhanom odeve, noc čo noc. A neviem, že by mali v tých dňoch vane. Mohlo to byť pár dní odvtedy, čo sa kúpal. Ale to nezraní vnútro človeka. Dnes príliš mnoho kladieme dôraz na vonkajšok a nedostatočne na vnútrajšok. Toľko sa staráme o to, či sa budeme kúpať každý deň a či sú naše vlasy upravené, naše oblečenie vymenené a všetko, a nechávame náš vnútrajšok ísť akoukoľvek cestou, nosíme ten istý starý hriešny odev, našu dušu nechávame napáchnuť vyznaniami a dogmami a nikdy ju nepreskúmame a neumyjeme vo vode Slova oddelenia od svetských vecí.
89Ako tam stál v to ráno, pozeral sa z kopca na to okúzľujúce mesto, plné moderných vecí, o ktorých nikdy nesníval, že tam také veci sú. Izrael bol na svojom vrchole. Bol v spojenectve so všetkými národmi okolo seba. Veľmi atraktívne ženy boli tak vyberane oblečené a takisto muži. A boli zasiahnutí pôžitkami, bežeckými pretekmi a olympiádou a všetkým, čo sa dialo. Niet divu, že jeho oči boli zúžené; nie kvôli pôvabu mesta, ako by to mohol urobiť nejaký turista, ktorý prichádza do New Yorku, alebo do Los Angeles a vidí polonahé ženy, nevhodne správajúcich sa mužov a hriech.
90Niektorí moji priatelia, pred pár dňami som sa vracal z rybárskeho výletu tesne pod Biblickou fakultou, známou Biblickou fakultou. A tam ležali na ceste, v tráve boli polonahé mladé dievčatá a mladí chlapci, asi študenti z fakulty, pili a nevhodne sa správali, hrozné.
91No, také nevhodné správanie, ako keď to dráždi chuť mnohých Američanov, ktorí sami seba nazývajú Kresťanmi, keď sa pozrú dolu do Los Angeles. Alebo, sledoval som ich v lietadle, keď sme prišli do Los Angeles; predtým tam nikdy neboli; alebo v Hollywoode, alebo na Floride, so všetkými ich neónovými palmami. Ó, mali by si znova napudrovať svoj nos a upraviť mejkap. Mysleli si, že to bola najviac okúzľujúca vec, ktorú kedy videli. A videli dobre upravené a oblečené ženy, ako kráčajú po uliciach, chceli sa odtiaľ dostať von a vidieť, ako natesno dokážu nosiť svoje oblečenie, alebo ako sa krútia hore a dole po uliciach. Zatiaľ, čo si mysleli, že je to niečo úžasné.
92Ale tie Bohom pomazané oči toho proroka neboli zúžené kvôli tej veľkoleposti, ako nejakí turisti, ale kvôli morálnej skazenosti ľudí, ktorí boli povolaní byť požehnanými Božími. Jeho oči sa nepozerali na tú veľkoleposť. Neboli zúžené kvôli veľkoleposti. Bolo to kvôli nemravnosti a skazenosti ľudí, ktorí boli povolaní byť vyvolenými Božími a správali sa takým spôsobom, akým sa správali. Niet divu, že povedal, „Lev zareval, kto by sa nebál? Boh prehovoril, kto by neprorokoval?“
93Videl skazenosť a úpadok. To bolo to, na čo sa pozeral. Vtedy, keď videl to všetko. Jeho to nelákalo. V jeho duši ho to znechucovalo. Prečo? On bol prorokom. Vedel, čo Boh zasľúbil požehnať, a čo bolo požehnanie, a ako sa požehnaní ľudia správajú. A diabol v jeho dobe prevrátil to, čo bolo skutočným požehnaním, na morálny úpadok; to požehnanie, ktoré obracia od potešenia očí a chutí neobrátených ľudí do vôle a cesty Božej a do Božieho spôsobu života.
94Aké typické pre dnešok! Ako môžu kazatelia stáť za kazateľňou a pozerať sa na hriech a skazenosť tohto sveta a vidieť ľudí, ktorí sa správajú a konajú takým spôsobom, akým konajú, a potom ich len požehnajú, pretože sú členmi ich cirkvi alebo denominácie, to je viacej, než moja duša dokáže pochopiť.
95Keď hovorí Boh, prorokuj! Ak zasiahne Duch Boží pravdivého proroka Božieho, on bude kričať Slovo. Nechcem byť kritický, ale kto môže zostať ticho? Kto sa môže postaviť a pozerať sa na takú vec a vyznávať, že je Kristov služobník a nehovoriť proti tomu? Nestarám sa o to, čo by povedala denominácia, alebo čo by povedala nejaká cirkev; to je dôvod, prečo k nim nepatrím. V prvom rade by vás vykopli. Ale na prvom mieste je Božie Slovo. Ak ste poslom, máte niečo do povedania. Ak hovoríte čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s Týmto Slovom, nie ste poslom od Boha; ste poslom zaviazaným nejakej denominácii, alebo nejakej teórii. Ale Boží posol má Slovo Božie.
96A náš priateľ, keď sme sa dnes ráno na neho dívali, on mal Slovo Božie, pretože bol pravdivým prorokom Pánovým.
97No, oni si mysleli, že k tomu mali výklad, a mysleli si, „No, samozrejme, pozrite sa, čo činíme.“
98No, čo to je, máme ho tu v to ráno, ako stojí na vrchole kopca a pozerá sa až dole do mesta. Krúti hlavou a pozerá sa; jeho oči sa zužujú. Utiera si zo svojej tváre rukávom pot a piesok. Horúce slnko svieti dolu na jeho plešatú hlavu. Brada mu visí dole; poťahuje si ju rukami. On nevidí okúzlenie. Vidí hriech. Neteší ho to. Znechucuje ho to.
99Prečo by nepovedal, „Ja, Izraelita, pozrite sa, ako moja krajina prosperovala?“ Ako by toto mohol povedať, keď bol pravdivým Božím prorokom a poznal následky a to, čo sa ide stať, kvôli takým veciam, aké tam boli?
100Nechajte ho dnes postaviť sa na kopec a pozrieť sa dole. Nechajte ho pozrieť sa do Jeffersonville na ľudí, ktorí sami seba nazývajú Kresťanmi. Nechajte ho pozrieť sa kamkoľvek v Amerike, na ľudí, ktorí sa sami nazývajú Kresťanmi. Jeho Bohom pomazané oči by sa znova zúžili. Jeho ruky by poťahovali bradu. Prečo? On nevidí tú veľkoleposť a prosperitu, ktorú vidí svet. On vidí odchádzanie od Boha. Vidí morálny úpadok ľudí. Vidí upadanie národa. Vidí prehnilosť v cirkvi. Ako môže urobiť niečo iné, než prižmúriť oči a dychtiť po tom, aby sa dostal dovnútra, a tak to tam mohol roztrhať na kusy?
101Čo ak by ho tam hore stretol nejaký biskup a povedal by, „No, ty si prorok Pánov? No, my ti povieme, čo môžeš hovoriť a čo nemôžeš.“ Myslíte si, že by to poslúchol? Čo ak by povedali, „Poď a pripoj sa teraz ku našej organizácii a pomôžeme ti s tvojou kampaňou?“ Myslíte si, že by to počúvol? Nie. Nedokážem si predstaviť, že by to takýto človek urobil. Nie.
102On bol poslaný od Boha. Nemal s nimi spoluprácu. On mal Slovo Božie, Božie pomazanie a Boží určený čas. Prichádzal s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Ó! To je pravdivý prorok. To bola cesta, ktorou išiel. Neputuje s ničím, iba s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN.
103Mohlo toto okúzľujúce mesto Samária, ten samozvaný, vysoko vzdelaný Izrael, tí dobre uhladení kazatelia a kňazi prijať tohto drobného, neznámeho človeka? Jeho gramatika bola pravdepodobne veľmi biedna. Pochádzal z chudobnej rodiny z pustatiny. Opustil domov, bol povolaný od Boha a odišiel do pustatiny, aby sa učil o Bohu a Jeho Slove a stal sa prorokom. Pán ho kvôli tomu zrodil.
104Proroci sa rodia, posol na daný vek, ktorého Boh predzvedel. On potom pozná ten vek a On tam mal Svojho agenta, aby vyzval hriech.
105Mohlo ho to veľkolepé mesto prijať? Myslíte si, že tie ženy mohli brať ohľad na to, čo hovoril? Myslíte si, že tí kňazi by ho mohli počúvať? No, nie veru. Nemal so sebou žiadne odporúčanie od nejakej organizácie. On nemohol povedať, že, „Poslali ma Farizeji.“ Tiež nemohol povedať, že ho poslali Sadúceji. Neniesol so sebou žiadne poverovacie listiny. Nemal žiadnu kartu obecenstva od nejakej skupiny ľudí. Nemal žiadneho predchodcu, ktorý by zariadil jeho kampaň. Tam neboli všetci Farizeji, ktorí mali spoločné zhromaždenie a všetko pohromade, aby vyvýšili jeho kampaň a vedeli, že prichádza. On bol pre nich neznámy. Nemal žiadnu kartu obecenstva. Nemal žiadne poverovacie listiny. Nemal žiadne odporúčania od ľudí.
106Ale mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. To je cesta pravdivého proroka. On mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. A ak mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, to je tak ďaleko odlišné od našich ľuďmi vytvorených systémov. To bolo všetko, čo potreboval. Ak by išiel touto cestou, prišiel by v mene cirkvi. Ak by išiel Touto cestou, prišiel by v Mene Pánovom. A tak pravdivý prorok vždy prichádza v Mene Pánovom.
107No, nemohol ukázať karty obecenstva, ale mal Slovo Božie. A to bolo to, čo Boh poslal ľuďom. No, ľudia sa vyformovali do organizácií. Mali rôzne sektárske skupiny a to je to, čo ľudia vytvorili. Ale Ámos to nemal. On mal iba TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. To bolo to, čo mal.
108Mohol by som si predstaviť tých kňazov v to ráno, ako majú krátku, v to ráno sabatu majú krátku modlitbu a tak ďalej, malé zasväcujúce služby a vracajú sa späť. A hovorili pár vecí o veľkom Mojžišovi, ktorý jedného dňa žil, a o veľkom niekom inom, ktorý raz žil. „Ale, ó, tie dni teraz pominuli. Vy, ľudia, poznáte nášho nového prezidenta, našu novú vládu a všetko, čo máme,“ a rozprávali takéto podobné veci a išli domov.
109Ale tu prichádza muž, ktorý sa o to nestará. On prichádza s TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vidíte? To je cesta proroka. Bez spolupráce, vedel, čo bolo pred ním, a vedel, že všetko bude proti nemu, vie, že ho vyhodia a odmietnu ho. Ale on prichádzal v Mene Pánovom.
110Ježiš vedel, že pred Ním bola Golgota, ale On išiel v Mene Pánovom. Vidíte? To je cesta pravdivého proroka.
111On mal pre národ Slovo Pánovo. Ale pravdivé Slovo Pánovo bolo pre tých ľudí cudzie. Jednako si mysleli, že Ho majú. Dúfam, že toto sa dostane hlboko. Oni si mysleli, že boli tak pobožní a nábožní, že až skutočné Slovo Božie bola pre nich cudzia vec.
112Takýmto spôsobom je to aj dnes. Pravdivé zjavené Slovo Božie je pre mnohých letničných ľudí cudzia vec. Skutočný výklad Slova, skutočné utrpenie a kliatby, skutočné požehnania Božie sú cudzou vecou pre mnohých ľudí, ktorí sa sami nazývajú svätými, členmi cirkvi, Kresťanmi. Je to pre nich cudzia vec. Nepoznajú to. Spomeňte To pred nimi. „Nikdy som nepočul o niečom takom.“ A jednako ich organizácie vzrastajú a prosperujú, naberajú po celý čas viac a viac členov a každý rok sa pridávajú ďalšie organizácie.
113Oni si mysleli, že všetko, čo k nim prišlo, muselo prísť z tých sektárskych skupín. Určite ho neprijali. Ani dnes by to neurobili. Dávno zabudli, že „Boh je schopný z týchto kameňov vzbudiť pravdivých Božích prorokov.“ Boh je toho schopný z drevorubačov. On je schopný vzbudiť z týchto kameňov muža, ktorý bude stáť za Jeho Slovom a prorokovať Pravdu v Jeho Mene. „Kladiem sekeru na koreň stromu.“ Nech lietajú triesky. Nestarám sa o to, či mal spoluprácu, alebo nemal žiadnu spoluprácu. Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka.
114 Niektorí ľudia si myslia, že to mal jednoduché. Nevedia, o čom hovoria. On sa nepriviezol do mesta kočom, sediac na pekných, vystrojených koňoch, ozdobených chocholcami a najvyšší kňazi stoja vonku s veľkými vznešenými vecami na hlavách a poklonili sa mu, „Ctihodný Doktor Ten-a-ten prichádza.“ To by bolo nejaké zorganizované usporiadanie.
115Rovnako, ako prichádza Kráľ ich všetkých, On prichádza takto, prichádza cez chliev v stodole, v kravskej stodole. Neprichádza v majestáte a sláve, ale prichádza v skromnosti Dieťaťa narodeného v stodole. Ámos neprichádzal... Slovo Pánovo; pretože on bol Slovom Pánovým. Každé Slovo Božie, to nie je tá osoba; to je Boh.
Ježiš povedal, „To nie Som Ja, kto činí tie skutky.“
On povedal, „Ty si Človek a robíš sa Bohom.“
116Povedal, „Potom, ak nečiním skutkov Božích, neverte Mi. Ale ak tie skutky hovoria sami za seba, verte tým skutkom, ak nechcete veriť Mne.“
117Ámos bol Božím Slovom kráčajúcim cestou dolu. Vošiel dnu, hrubo, nie vo svetskom štýle. On prišiel v sile Ducha.
118To je spôsob, akým prichádza Božie Slovo. Nie v organizačnom vyznaní, nie v niečom zženštilom za kazateľňou; ale To prichádza v sile Ducha, zjavuje Boha národu a ľuďom. To je rozdiel. Ako je to veľmi odlišné!
119No, to vyjasnilo, že dávno zabudli, že Boh je schopný z kameňov vzbudiť pravdivých prorokov. Nemali... Ich organizácia nemusela vzbudiť pravdivého proroka, pretože to asi nemohla urobiť. Pretože v prípade, ak by to tak bolo, to by bol organizačný prorok.
120Ale Boh vzbudzuje! Boh si berie to, čo chce. On si obyčajne berie niečo, čo je ničím, aby sa vykonala Jeho práca; ukazuje to, že to je Boh. Človek, ktorý je namyslený a myslí si, že je niečím, potom ho Boh nemôže použiť, pretože je tam príliš veľa samého seba.
121To je to, čo sa dnes deje s Kresťanskou cirkvou. Myslia si, že niečo vedia. Biblia hovorí, „Keď si človek myslí, že niečo vie, nepoznal nič, čo by mal poznať.“ Dnešné problémy, máme toľko samých seba, toľko pokrytectva, toľko vzdelania, toľko náboženstva a nevieme nič o spasení zo Slova Božieho. To je tá žalostná časť toho. Áno.
122Oni zabudli, že, „Boh bol schopný z tých kameňov vzbudiť deti Abrahámovi, alebo vzbudiť pravdivých prorokov Slova.“
123Nemajú vyjsť z nejakej určitej školy. Boh im dal ich školské vzdelanie. Nemajú mať štyri tituly z vysokej školy. Nemajú mať svoj titul bakalára umenia a svoj doktorský titul a tak ďalej. Nemajú to mať. Boh si berie, čokoľvek chce, a ukladá tam Svoje Slovo. Ako to robí? On To zjavuje a dokazuje To.
124Nedokázali povedať, z akého seminára Ježiš vyšiel. On nemal žiaden. „Z akej je On školy?“ Nemal žiadnu. Ale čo mal? On mal Boha a On bol Slovom. Nemohli ukázať dozadu na nejakú školu.
125A Boh nikdy nevzbudil človeka zo školy. Prejdite cez históriu a zistite, kde to Boh urobil. Neurobil to. On berie niekoho odniekiaľ, kto nemá nič, nemá na to žiadnu nádej. Potom to tam vkladá a umiestňuje do toho Svoje Slovo a zjavuje Samého Seba. To je to, čo robil tu pri Ámosovi. V poriadku.
126No, Ámosovo Slovo bolo potvrdené Bohom vo dňoch, v ich dňoch. Potvr-... Boh potvrdil, že sa Ámosovo Slovo stane, že bol, mal Slovo Pánovo.
127A ak by priamo teraz prišiel k nám, myslíte si, že by náš národ a naši ľudia prijali takého človeka? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Nie." - pozn.prekl.] Myslíte si, že Baptisti by Ámosa prijali? [„Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Metodisti? [„Nie.“] Presbyteriáni? [„Nie.“] Letniční? [„Nie.“] Katolíci? [„Nie.“] Nie veru. Nie. Určite nie.
128Poďme ho len na chvíľu presunúť a priniesť ho sem, len na malú chvíľu a zistíme, či by ho prijali, alebo nie. Poďme sa len pozrieť, či by ho dnes naše cirkvi prijali, alebo nie.
129Prvá vec, ktorú by urobil, by bola, že by nesúhlasil s každou organizáciou, pretože je to v protiklade so Slovom. Tak veru. Odsúdil by celé naše usporiadanie. To je pravda. Každú doktrínu, každé vyznanie, každú denomináciu, on by odsúdil celú vec.
Len si predstavujem, ako niekoľko týchto letničných presbyterov hovorí, „No, sláva Bohu! Ak on... No, nemali by sme mať tohto človeka v našom meste.“
130A čo myslíte, že by urobili Presbyteriáni a Baptisti? „No, tento nevzdelanec, nechceme ho v našom okolí. On nie je nič iné, než pomätenec.“ Podpísali by listinu, aby ho uvrhli do väzenia, ak by mohli, dostali by ho z ulíc.
131Ale myslíte, že by ste ho tam mohli zadržať? Ó, nie. Slovo Božie nemôžete zatvoriť do klietky. Nie, nie. To pôjde v každom prípade ďalej. Jednej noci, keď To skúšali uväzniť, mreže sa roztvorili. Svetlo vošlo dnu a vyslobodilo ho.
132No, on by určite nesúhlasil s naším usporiadaním. V poriadku. Čo by začal robiť? Strhol by to k zemi. Prečo? On je služobník Boží. Išiel by rovno do Základu a začal by svoju kampaň, priamo rovno späť, a roztrhal by každé z tých vyznaní a išiel by späť do Základu. Kde je Základ? V Božom Slove. Správne. „Nebesia i zem pominú, ale Moje Slová nie.“ A tak by roztrhal každú denomináciu, každé vyznanie, každú z tých doktrín a odhodil by to bokom, on by to udrel až do večnosti.
133Myslíte, že Letniční by ho prijali? Nie veru. Baptisti? Presbyteriáni? Nie veru. Nazaréni? Pútnici Svätosti? Nenávideli by ho. Určite. Myslíte, že by vyšli von a stretli sa s ním v limuzíne a priviezli ho do mesta? Modlili by sa, aby ho tam hore spálilo slnko. Postavili by barikádu, aby ho udržali von z mesta. No, bolo by tam naokolo v celom meste viac kazateľských zhromaždení, ako ste kedy v živote videli. „Udržme toho pomätenca mimo mesta.“
134 Ale jednako mal TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Vidíte? To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Bol by opovrhnutý. Určite. Išiel by na svojej kampani rovno k Fundamentu. Nepotreboval by nikoho. Nehovoril by, „No, Metodisti, potrebujem vás teraz všetkých, aby ste prišli a pomohli mi. Potrebujem vás, Baptisti. Potrebujem vás, všetci ľudia tu naokolo. Všetci Letniční, ktorí tvrdíte, že ste poslednou skupinou, ktorú sa Boh chystá zavolať, chcem, aby ste všetci prišli ku mne a potrebujem vás, aby ste podporili moju kampaň.
135„Ako krstíš? Čo je počiatočným dôkazom Ducha Svätého?“ Tieto otázky by mu boli hodené do tváre. A keď by prišiel naspäť s biblickou Pravdou, odstrčili by ho. Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. On má všetkému tomuto čeliť. Vidíte? Určite.
136Neprijali by sme ho. Nie veru. Náš... Nemali by sme žiadnu. Nemali by sme v našej krajine žiadnu z jeho kampaní. Vskutku nie. No, nemali by sme ho. Nie veru. Ale on by prišiel a priviedol Cirkev naspäť do Slova, lebo To je základ. „Každý, kto kladie na nejaký iný základ, to je topiaci sa piesok. Jedine na tomto základe buduje Boh Svoju Cirkev, na Náuke apoštolov.
137Ako som raz povedal; niekto hovoril o očistci a uvádzal odkazy na mnohých ľudí, ako Svätý František a Svätá Cecília, a ona sa modlí za určitých ľudí a dostáva ich von z očistca a dáva im takéto podobné právomoci. To je nebiblická právomoc. To sú ľudia, ktorí nemajú právomoc. Apoštoli mali biblickú právomoc. A ak je to v protiklade s nimi, tak je to lož, čo sa mňa týka.
138Verím v očistec, ale verím tomu, že je rovno tu a teraz. Očisťujete svoju vlastnú dušu. Očistec znamená „očistiť.“ Keď zbadáte, že ste urobili niečo zlé, dostaňte sa tam a očistite to zo seba, priznaním sa, plačom, pôstom a modlitbou.
139Niekto sa dokonca na mne smial, keď sem dole nedávno prišiel Pán a dal mi videnie. Vždy som chcel vidieť niečo o zviazaní toho hada. Vždy som bol zvedavý, ako sa to stane. Mal som takto vykročiť. Keď to bolo to, čo som chcel celý život. Potom som sa začal postiť a modliť. Povedal, „Kvôli čomu to robíš?“
140Povedal som, „On mi tam povedal, že nie som dostatočne čistý.“ Potom, čo prišiel, potom som sa chcel očistiť. Nečakajte, pokiaľ zomriete a nejaký kňaz sa vás pokúsi očistiť. Očistite svoje duše!
141Ale vidíte, vzali to preč z autoritatívneho Slova a vložili to do rúk, nejakej ľuďmi vytvorenej dogmy, aby priniesli do cirkvi peniaze, pretože hľadia na svetské veci, na svetskú cirkev, na veľmoci vo svete a na politické moci. Ale Boh hľadí na Svoje Slovo. A každé slovo, ktoré je v protiklade s Božím Slovom je nesprávne. Čo sa mňa týka, je to Slovo, alebo nič. Tak veru. Tak veru.
142On by išiel rovno do Základu. Roztrhal by tie nezmysly na kusy. Musel by to urobiť. Ak by tu bol dnes Ámos, nemohol by urobiť nič iné, lebo, pamätajte on je pravdivým Božím prorokom, ku ktorému prichádza Slovo. Nemohol by urobiť nič iné, než sa navrátiť do Slova. Nezáležalo na tom, ak by sa okolo neho zhromaždili všetci Letniční z krajiny a povedali by, „Pán Ámos, veríme ti, že si prorok, ale ty si preč od Slova. Chceme ťa napraviť.“ On by zostal so Slovom. Nič iné by nemohol urobiť, pretože bol prorokom. Nepotreboval ich spoluprácu. On mal odovzdať Posolstvo. „A všetko, čo Mi dal Otec, príde ku Mne.“ A on bude kázať Slovo a on To bude kázať presne tak, ako by To bolo v Biblii, a preto by sme ho odstrčili. To je pravda.
143Nezáleží na tom, čo by To bolo, Slovo Božie prichádza ku prorokom a ich výklad Slova je ten správny výklad.
144Izrael sa vždy dostal preč z línie a Boh im poslal proroka so znameniami a zázrakmi, aby vykladal Slovo. A ako to vedel? On povedal, „Ak ten prorok hovorí a stane sa to, potom je to pravda.“ On potvrdzoval svojich prorokov, že boli pravdiví.
145Ježiš povedal, „Ten, kto verí vo Mňa, skutky, ktoré ja činím, bude aj on činiť. Toto budete vedieť. Uverivších budú sprevádzať tieto znamenia.“
146A ako mohli tvrdiť, že sú proroci Pánovi a zapierať samotné Slovo Božie? Ako môže človek krstiť vo meno, "Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,“ na tie tituly a zapierať samotné Meno Ježiša Krista, keď nie je v Biblii Písmo, ktoré by ich teóriu podporilo? Možno budem tvrdý a kritický, ale je na čase, aby to bolo porozumené. To je Pravda.
147A ako môžu dnes o sebe ľudia tvrdiť, že sú Kresťania, a behajú tu za všetkým; a ženy s nakrátko ostrihanými vlasmi, nosia šortky, fajčia cigarety a behajú na filmové predstavenia, na nejaký druh nejakého šou a nevhodne sa správajú? Povedzte mi, je toto Duch Svätý? [Zhromaždenie odpovedá, „Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Nikdy mi to nehovorte. Vy, vy spôsobujete, že je Bohu zle od žalúdka, ak by sa taká vec dala urobiť. Áno. Som si istý, že rozumiete. Takto sa nazývať, ako môže takáto vec existovať? „Sú poznaní podľa svojho ovocia.“
148On by vyhodil a odsúdil každú nakrátko ostrihanú ženu. Ako by mohol urobiť niečo iné? On je prorokom. A to je Slovo. Povedal by, „Vy Jezábele!“ Bol by na ne hrubý. Prečo? On je prorokom. Musel by zostať so Slovom. To je pravda. Myslíte, že by s tým prestali? Nie veru. Povedali by, „To je fanatik. On je taký zlý, ako bol ten starý Pavol v Biblii, ten nenávistník žien.“
149„Vy banda podvodníckych takzvaných Kresťanov. Nezáleží na tom, ako sväto sa snažíte žiť, to s tým nemá nič spoločné. Tak dlho, ako zapierate Božie Slovo, nezaradíte sa ku Tomu, ste hriešnikmi a neveriacimi,“ toto by povedal. On by... Položil by sekeru rovno ku koreňu stromu. Nič by neušetril. On je prorokom a taká je cesta pravdivého proroka. Oni by zostali so Slovom bez ohľadu na to, kto to je. Ak to je ich vlastná matka alebo otec; to nerobí rozdiel. Pri Ježišovi to nerobilo rozdiel. On ju vôbec nenazval matkou; ona ňou nebola. On bol Bohom. Boh nemá matku. Oni by to urobili. Potom, kto je Jeho Otcom? Vidíte?
150On by ich vyhodil a odsúdil. Odsúdil by každú denomináciu, pretože žiadna z nich nie je vybudovaná na Slove. Nedokážem nájsť ani jednu z nich. A akonáhle sa stanú denomináciou, rovno vtedy sú proti Slovu. Tak, ako môže... prorok požehnať to, čo Slovo odsudzuje? Avšak on to nechce robiť, raniť svojho brata, ale jednako to musí urobiť, pretože je prorokom. A on je zastúpením Slova Božieho a nepohne sa od Toho v žiadnom prípade; príkaz na príkaz a úprava na úpravu. Rozumiete, čo tým myslím? Cesta pravdivého proroka.
151Koľko je takých, „Pane, prajem si, že by si ma urobil prorokom?“ On to neurobí. Nie. Neurobí to.
152On by odsúdil každý nemorálny skutok v cirkvách, tie partičky Bunco [kocková hra - pozn.prekl.] a všetky tieto veci, ktoré majú, partičky kariet, polievkové večere. Odsúdil by každého jedného z nich. Vyhodil by ich do pekla, tam, odkiaľ pochádzajú.
153Myslíte, že by ste ho prijali? Nie. Dnešná cirkev by ho neprijala. Letniční by ho prijali? No, prišiel by tam a povedal, „Vy nakrátko ostrihaná banda Jezábelí, neviete, čo znamená TAK HOVORÍ PÁN? Prechádzate sa tu oblečené v krátkych telo odhaľujúcich šatách a neviete, že ste každý deň vinné zo spáchania cudzoložstva so stovkami mužov?“ To je to, čo by povedal.
154Poviete, „No, ten starý zadubenec! Starý holohlavý, šedivý chlap, vyhoďte ho spoza kazateľne. Vy, dôverníci, diakoni, vystrčte ho preč odtiaľto.“
155„No, vy banda mizerných pokrytcov.“ Správne. Ámos by proti tomu kričal. Potom sa nazývate, „My sme... Patríme do tej skupiny. My patríme do tejto skupiny.“ Ste z diabla, vášho otca, lebo on je ten, ktorý popiera Slovo.
156Povieš, „Hovorila som v jazykoch.“ A potom si nakrátko striháš vlasy? „Sláva Bohu! Haleluja!“ A Biblia povedala, že to je pre ženu neslušné, „neslušná vec,“ modliť sa s takto ostrihanou hlavou. Potom sa nazývate Kresťanmi? Hanba vám. Odplazte sa niekam preč do rohu a dajte sa do poriadku s Bohom.
157Oblečiete si krátke staré stiahnuté oblečenie, vyjdete von na dvor a naťahujete sa tam vonku, keď veľmi dobre viete, že každý deň páchate cudzoložstvo so stovkou mužov. Povedal, Ježiš tak povedal, „Každý, kto by pozrel na ženu s myšlienkou požiadať ju, scudzoložil s ňou.“ Ona bola tá, ktorá sa predvádzala, a vy ste to urobili vo svojom...
158Pričom ste mŕtvi svetským veciam. Povstali ste z toho, ako som hovoril na začiatku. „Otočili by ste v hanbe svoje hlavy. Vaše oči sú prižmúrené na také hrozné hriešne veci, namiesto toho, aby ste hľadeli na ženy s myšlienkou požiadať ich. Vy, muži, ktorí robíte takéto veci, sa nazývate Kresťanmi?“ Toto je to, čo by vám povedal. Pokúšam sa dnes ráno vziať jeho Slová. Mohli by to byť jeho Slová. Lebo on, pamätajte, bol pravdivým prorokom. Musel by zostať s tým Slovom. Ó! Ja len citujem jeho Slová. To je celé. Pretože, ak ho prinesiete sem, on je Slovom. Potom, je tu Slovo Samotné. Možno nemáte človeka, ale máte jeho Slovo, pretože on musel mať Slovo Pánovo.
159Každá ľudmi vytvorená doktrína, on by to odsúdil, niečo také, ako je krst „vo meno Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha.“ On by tú vec hodil rovno do večnosti. Odsúdil by to tak, že by tu po tom neostal ani zápach. Tak veru.
160Koľkí z vás, koľkí z cirkvi by ho dnes ráno po tomto prijali?
161Potom oni, tá skupina Ježišovho Mena, povedali by, „Ó, my by sme ho s tým vzali.“ A potom vaša organizácia, on by vás s tým vyhodil rovno von. To je pravda. Vaše nakrátko ostrihané ženy a vy sa s tým uvádzate. To je pravda. Vaši muži, spôsob, ako konajú a činia. To je pravda.
162Mnoho ľudí hovorí, „Je dobré byť prorokom.“ To je, ak ste pripravený predať všetko na svete a zostať s Bohom a Jeho Slovom.
163Nie, v žiadnom prípade by sme ho neprijali, naše dnešné denominácie. Určite by sme s ním nemali nič dočinenia.
164Počúvajte ho, ako by s tým udrel. Povedal, „Ten istý Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že v Neho veríte, vás zničí.“ Čo ohľadom toho urobíte? Ten istý Boh, v ktorého veria Letniční, od úplne nemorálnych skutkov a vecí, ktoré robia a dovoľujú robiť, ten samotný Boh prinesie súd na tie organizácie. To je pravda. To je to, čo im povedal Ámos.
165„Ó,“ povedali, „máme Abraháma. Máme toto. Máme zákon. Máme kňazov. Máme prorokov.“
166Ó, brat, tie oči sa zúžili, keď sa na nich pozrel a vypálil do nich to Slovo. Tak veru. Samozrejme. Neprijali by ho. Nie veru. Povedal, „Budete zničení, s vašimi ľuďmi-vytvorenými doktrínami.“ To je to, čo by vám povedal dnes. Povedal by to isté, ako to urobil vtedy. Povedal, „Samotný Boh, ktorému staviate chrámy, možno platíte milióny dolárov, práve tie svätyne, ktoré staviate pre Jehovu, ktorého tvrdíte, že milujete, ten samotný Boh vás zničí, pretože odmietate Jeho Slovo.“
167A tak je to dnes! Samotný Boh, o ktorom Amerika tvrdí, že Mu slúži, prinesie súd na tento národ a zničí ho. Dúfam, že toto ide tak hlboko, že sa z toho nikdy nevykrútite. Práve Ten, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Ho milujete a s vašimi vlastnými ľuďmi vytvorenými dogmami a nemorálnym životom a úpadkom, ktorý máte v sebe, ste preč od Slova Božieho, to je Ten, ktorý vás jedného dňa zničí. To je TAK HOVORÍ PÁN. Nič iné pre nich nezostalo.
168Zaraďte sa do línie so Slovom! Kážte im Evanjelium; prejdite národom; povedzte im Pravdu. Kazatelia sa hádajú a vykrikujú a nevhodne sa správajú. Ľudia to odmietajú. Organizácie vás vyhodia von. Ženy pokrútia hlavou a nenechali by svoje vlasy narásť ani za nič. Nosia svoje oblečenie rovnako a presne tak isto, rok po roku. Rovnako, ako liať vodu na chrbát kačice. „Potom tvrdíte, že milujete Boha?“
169On povedal, Ježiš povedal, „Vzali ste svoje podanie a zbavili ste Prikázania Božie moci.“
170To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vidíte? To nie je ľahká cesta. Nie je to také, ako si každý myslí, že by to mohlo byť.
171Skáčete hore a dole, vykrikujete a každý vás tľapká po ramene, potom to je znamenie toho, že nie ste pravdivým prorokom. Je to jedno z úplných znamení, že nemáte to, o čom hovoríte.
172Kedy ho niekedy tľapkali po chrbte, bez toho, aby mu tam vrazili sekeru? Kedy? Otočil by sa a odsúdil by ich. Správne. Ámosa nemohli tľapkať po chrbte. Eliáša nemohli tľapkať po chrbte. On nestál o také nezmysly. Nie veru. Povedal im Božiu Pravdu. A ak je Nebo také veľkolepé, tam, kam ideme, potom, ak sa nedokážeme vyrovnať s malými drobnými vecami, ako tam budeme v súlade s Tým Duchom? Dostaňte sa do zhody so Slovom. To je cesta pravdivého proroka. Aj keď ho to roztrhá na kusy, že To povie, áno, on s Tým musí roztrhať na kusy národ. To je pravda. Ale to je tá cesta.
173On by to vyhodil do povetria. Ó! Viete, čo im povedal? „Duševný zmätok,“ ak si to tu všimnete. Povedal, „Nie je to vo vláde. Je to vo vás.“ To je to, čo im povedal. Áno. „Duševné nepokoje v cirkvi, vaša forma pobožnosti, práve to spôsobilo problémy.“
174Zmyslom komunizmu dnes je vyčistiť zem, nie je to kvôli komunizmu. To je kvôli cirkvi. To je kvôli ľuďom. Dnes sa nazývajú Kresťanmi. Spievajú ako Anjeli. Majú vytrénované hlasy a hovoria s takou výrečnosťou, ako keby boli Archanjelmi; a neveria Božiemu Slovu, presne tak, ako diabli. To je pravda. Spieva ako Archanjel, oblieka sa, ako neviem čo, a zapiera Božie Slovo.
175Muž, kazateľ za kazateľňou, ktorý tam stojí a nazýva sa Doktorom, Reverendom, a opýtajte sa ho, „Hovorí Biblia o krste vo 'Meno Pána Ježiša Krista,' alebo v 'Otca, Syna a Ducha Svätého'?“ A on sa vám vysmeje do tváre a vezme „Otca, Syna a Ducha Svätého.“ Potom sa nazývaš dieťaťom Božím?
176Ženy vedia, že Biblia ich odsudzuje za robenie určitých vecí, a strihajú si nakrátko vlasy, správajú sa ako svet, nosia nemorálne oblečenie a podobné veci a budú to ustavične robiť, bez ohľadu na čokoľvek; a hovoria v jazykoch, skáču hore a dole, vykrikujú a majú staré dámske spolky a krúžky šitia a posielajú misionárov na misijné polia. Stalo sa to smradom v Božích očiach. A TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, On celú vec zničí. Urobí to.
177Nie je to ľahká vec, ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vytiahne To tam von a povie To, či už To zraní, alebo nie.
178Ján bol pravdivým prorokom. Povedal, „Sekera je priložená ku koreňu stromu.“ Taká je ich cesta. Samozrejme.
179Sú v nej (cirkvi) problémy. Spievajú ako Anjeli, tancujú tam ako diabli, tance, nevhodné správanie, hranie kariet, závodné dráhy. Letniční, idú na zábavné podujatia, filmové predstavenia sú nimi preplnené. Každé miesto, každý druh nejakého šou, alebo niečoho iného a idú rovno tam dole a na preteky a všetko ostatné a nazývajú sa Kresťanmi a zodvihnú sa a vykrikujú, hovoria v jazykoch a vykonávajú umývanie nôh a berú Večeru Pánovu.
180No, to je, „ako, keď sa pes navracia ku svojmu vývratku,“ povedal prorok, „a tak to robia.“ Ak musela byť tá svetská vec od vás odkopnutá, prečo sa ku nej znova vraciate? Správne. Vonku na uliciach sa krútia, nazývajú to „rock 'n' roll“, strihajú si nakrátko vlasy a nosia šortky. Ó! Nazývajú sa Kresťanmi. Mohli by ste... Nie, radšej to nepoviem.
181Kvôli tomu ich odsudzujem. Ak sa chystám zostať s týmto Slovom, ak toto Slovo ku mne prichádza, zostanem s týmto Slovom. Toto ku mne prichádza, Slovo. Ono to odsúdi!
182Tvrdia, že sú vedení Svätým Duchom, a robia takéto veci. Mohli by ste si predstaviť ženu, ktorá je vedená Svätým Duchom, že by si nechala nakrátko ostrihať vlasy, keď to samotný Duch Svätý odsudzuje? Akým druhom Osoby je potom Duch Svätý? Mohli by ste si to predstaviť?
183Mohli by ste si predstaviť kazateľa stojaceho za kazateľňou a nejaký človek ho vyzve, aby mu ukázal jedno miesto Písma, kde bol niekedy niekto pokrstený použitím titulov, „Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý“ a on sa vám vysmeje do tváre a nazve vás fanatikom, kvôli krsteniu vo Meno Ježiša Krista. A on hovorí, že je vedený Duchom a má Svätého Ducha? Mohol by Duch Svätý zaprieť Svoje Vlastné Slovo? Nie veru. Ó. Vidíte to? Dúfam, že ste tomu porozumeli.
184Neviem, koľko ešte času. Ďalší výbuch ma môže dostať. Ale, kým sa to stane, budem stáť rovno tam so Slovom. Keď vás stretnem tam na súde, budem stáť rovno s týmto Slovom. Toto je to, čomu verím, že je to pravda.
185Nie, nerobíte takéto veci, keď máte Ducha Svätého. Prišiel som raz ku žene jedného kazateľa a ona tam sedí v takých šatách, vyzeralo to strašne.
Poviete, „Nemáš na to žiadne právo.“
186Mám na to právo. To je Slovo. Treba to kázať všetko. Mnohí zženštilí kazatelia obchádzajú tieto veci, pretože nemajú odva-... V prvom rade ste možno ani neboli povolaní kázať. Áno. Ale pravdivý Boží služobník zostane rovno so Slovom. Správne.
187Tá žena toho kazateľa tam sedí, všetko to má napasované v šatách, s visiacimi náušnicami, namaľovaná a nakrátko ostrihaná. Pričom Boh odsudzuje celú tú vec ako špinu. A potom hovoríte, že máte Svätého Ducha?
188Kázal som tu nedávno vo Pheonixe o niečom podobnom a žena jedného kazateľa sedela za kazateľňou s takými chlapčensky, nakrátko ostrihanými a úplne natočenými vlasmi a oblečená v šatách, ktorými nemohla zakryť ani svoje spodné prádlo pred tým, aby ho bolo jasne vidieť. Nevedela si ich dať dole cez kolená. Asi štyri alebo päť palcov nad kolenami a sedí tam hore; skáče hore a dole, vedie piesne. Vychŕlil som to tak tvrdo, ako som len mohol. Samozrejme, on ma už nepozval späť. Neočakával som to. Ale on vie, čo je správne, a čo je nesprávne. Keď zastanem na Súde, už to nie je na mojich rukách. Potom odišiel preč a povedal...
189Jeden človek, takzvaný učiteľ, čo nehovorím ja, ale on ním nie je, mal jedného dňa pripomienku, pred niektorými mojimi priateľmi v istom meste, v ktorom som bol. Poznáte toho brata. A tento brat prišiel. Povedal, no, povedal, „Raz sme tu mali brata Branhama.“ V istom meste, vonku na Západe. A tento človek povedal, „Ó, brat Branham je dobrý človek.“ Vidíte? Poznal lepší spôsob, než hádzať niečo na charakter. Povedal, „Brat Branham, ale nepočúvajte jeho pásky, pretože vás popletú.“
190A stalo sa, že tam stál jeden z mojich priateľov a povedal, „Počkajte chvíľu, pane! Ja som bol popletený, pokiaľ som nepočul tie pásky.“ Áno. To je rozdiel. „Nemohol som pochopiť, ako by sa mohol Svätý Boh postaviť za také veci, ako toto, aké všetci robíte.“ Áno.
191Niekto iný nedávno stál s tým istým človekom na nejakom mieste a on povedal, „Brat Branham je prorok. Dokáže rozpoznávať veci. A veci, ako... Ale,“ povedal, „no, nepočúvajte jeho náuku, pretože sa mýli.“ Šialenosť, aké hrubé vyjadrenie to je!
192Neviete, že ak to je... Nie som prorok. Ale, ak je Slovo Božie pravdivé, prichádza To ku prorokom. „Slovo Pánovo prichádzalo ku prorokom.“ Oni jediní vykladali Slovo. Potom, vidíte, vy ne-...
193To ani nedáva zmysel, schovávať sa len za nejakú malichernú denomináciu, ktorá sa v jednom z týchto dní zrúti, splesnivie a zanikne v pekle.
194Ale Slovo Božie vydrží naveky. Na tej Skale budujem svoju nádej naveky; na Slove Pánovom. Nech sa všetko ostatné potopí. Ak stratím každého priateľa a všetko ostatné, moje priateľstvo je v Kristovi.
Moja nádej nie je postavená na ničom menšom;
Ako na Ježišových Slovách a spravodlivosti;
Keď všetko okolo mojej duše povoľuje;
Potom On je všetkou mojou nádejou a zakotvením.
195Jedného dňa vybuchla tá zbraň. Videl som. Myslel som si, že som mŕtvy. Mal som pocit pokoja. Poobzeral som sa okolo seba. Pomyslel som si, „No, toto je ono!“ Čo dobrého by potom mohla pre mňa urobiť denominácia? Čo dobrého by potom pre mňa mohla urobiť organizácia? Budem sa musieť postaviť tam, pred horiace súdy Božie, aby som bol súdený týmto Slovom.
196Aj keď možno musím popáliť, skrútiť, strápiť a roztrhať mnoho ľudí, ale dúfam, že dostanem originálne zrno, odtiaľ zo Slova Božieho a tam postavím dušu pre Večnosť. To je pravda. Nechajte Boha, nech to vezme do Svojich rúk a vybuduje to na poslušné dieťa.
197Ako by mohol človek vedený Duchom Svätým robiť takéto veci, ako toto? Nie. On je Svätý. A ak je Jeho Život vo vás, vy ste tiež. Budete ako On.
198Izrael si myslel, ako my, že kvôli tomu, že prosperovali so svojím spoločenstvom a s ostatnými, že Boh s tým súhlasil. No, viete, my si to dnes tiež myslíme.
199Nedávno som sa tu v hoteli rozprával s nejakými ľuďmi, pred pár dňami, s veľkými ľuďmi z náboženských sfér. A povedali mi, „Boh dokazuje, že je s nami. No, za posledný rok sme vzrástli, brat Branham.“ Zabudol som, koľko stoviek ľudí... tak nejako.
200Povedal som, „To nie je ani štipka dôkazu.“ Aha. To je pravda. Prostitúcia sa zvyšuje, za posledný rok narástla o tridsať percent; dokazuje to, že Boh bol s prostitúciou? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Nie.“ - pozn.prekl.] Aha. Samozrejme. Aha! Tento argument nie je dobrý. Nie. Nemôžete to robiť. Nie veru. Boh stojí za Svojím Slovom. Každý iný človek bude stáť za Jeho Slovom, ak je úprimný. V poriadku.
201Mysleli si to kvôli tomu, že mali spoločenstvo! No, o chvíľu sa tu do toho dostaneme, do vládnych záležitostí. Náš národ odmietol Slovo Božie, presne tak, ako to urobil Izrael. Oni odmietli Slovo Božie a ich ľudia, kňazi, proroci, a tak ďalej, pre nich prorokovali dobré. A oni, čo môžeme robiť, okrem prorokovania zlého, pretože je to v protiklade so Slovom! Ona je odsúdená k zániku. „Náš veľkolepý, milovaný národ je založený na... skúsenostiach našich predkov.“ Potom sa navráťte ku tomu, čo mali oni. Aha. Správne. Samozrejme.
202Izrael bol veľkolepým národom. Pozrite na ich predkov, ale Boh ich neušetril. Ten starý holohlavý prorok im hádzal Slovo a stalo sa to presne takým spôsobom, ako to hovoril. Prečítajte si tu vaše dejiny a zistite si, či to nie je pravda. Stalo sa to presne takým spôsobom, ako to povedal. Odsúdil ich a napriek tomu tam stáli, a svätí kňazi, oblečení vo svätých rúchach krstili takto; a nebudú hýbať rukou tým smerom ani tamtým smerom, pretože to bolo nejakým takýmto smerom, tradícia, alebo také niečo.
203Ježiš povedal, „Vy ste zo svojho otca diabla a budete robiť jeho skutky.“ Oni Ho vzali a odsúdili, zavesili Ho na strom a zabili Ho. Presne tak. Boh Ho znova vzkriesil. Tak veru.
204Nie, neverili by mu. My by sme dnes Ámosovi neverili, vôbec nie. A dnes by sme vytvorili alianciu. Máme dnes to, čo nazývame... Myslíme si, že to má Boží „súhlas,“ pretože naše organizácie narastajú a všetko to ide takým smerom. Myslíme si, že je na tom Boží „súhlas“. Viete, myslím, že sa pripojilo okolo dvoch alebo troch miliónov ďalších Protestantov. A ku Katolíkom prišlo o niekoľko miliónov viacej. Vidíte? Myslia si, že je to Božie uznanie, že sú Katolíci. Protestanti si myslia, že to je Božie uznanie, že sú Protestanti. Aha! To je nezmysel. Je to potrava pre delá. Je to atómový popol. To je Boží hnev, ktorý narastá, aby vybuchol. To je úplná pravda.
Počúvajte ma. Hovorím vám Slovo Pánovo. Amen.
205Pozrite sa na nás. Pozrite na náš národ. Spojili sme sa v OSN. Čo je v nich? Banda bezbožných. A my tam nemáme ani dosť odvahy, aby sme tam predložili modlitbu na tých sedeniach.
206Už som to tu čítal, „Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nedohodli? Boh nečiní ničoho, iba ak to zjaví Svojim služobníkom prorokom. Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nedohodli?“
207Keď máme Mohamedána, Budhu, ateistov, bezbožných, sebeckých a všetko ostatné, čo sa v tom nachádza. Myslíte si, že Boh by mohol v niečom takom prebývať?
208„No,“ poviete, „tak, no, my sme s nimi v spoločenstve. Máme celú Západnú ochranu.“
209Oni boli pod ochranou všetkých okolitých národov. Ale ten prorok povedal, „Boh vás zničí. Práve ten Boh, ktorému slúžite, vás zničí, kvôli vášmu bláznovstvu.“ On by mohol dnes ráno povedať to isté. Reval by od Bieleho Domu, rovno dole, až ku chudobnej farme. Samozrejme, že by to urobil. Vyhodil by ich do povetria, so Slovom Božím. Určite by to urobil. To je cesta pravdivého proroka.
210„Hľaďte na nás, cirkvi. Ó, sme veľkolepá svätá Rímsko-Katolícka cirkev!“ Biblia povedala, že to je prostitútka.
211„My sme patriarchovia otcov, Protestantské cirkvi, všetky spojené dohromady a nazývajú sa... Sú nazvané Svetovou Radou Cirkví.“ Biblia povedala, že sú to smilnice od tej prostitútky. To je presne to, čo To povedalo. Aha. A napriek tomu si myslíme, „A teraz sa všetky cirkvi spoja dohromady.“
212Môj priateľ, pán Collins, brat z Kalifornie, tam v Arizone. Tvoj... [Brat Neville hovorí, „Elmer.“ - pozn.prekl.] Elmer. Povedal som, „No, predpokladám, že chodíš do nejakej skvelej malej Metodistickej cirkvi.“
213Povedal, „Odišiel som odtiaľ preč, keď sa pripojili tam ku tej Rade Cirkví.“
214Povedal som, „Boh ti žehnaj. Blížiš sa ku Kráľovstvu, brat.“ Aha. Tak veru.
215Dogma, byť závislý na spoločenstve s ľuďmi, s ich ľuďmi vytvorenými doktrínami a opustením Slova Božieho. To, čo dnes potrebujeme, je prorok, ktorý tam vychŕli Slovo. To je celkom správne. Áno.
216Oni majú medzi sebou bezpečie. „Ó, pripojili sme sa. My Letniční, samozrejme, pripojili sme sa ku Svetovej Rade Cirkví, pretože tam máme obecenstvo. Získame ďalších.“ Ako žena, ktorá ide do baru, aby sa opila so svojím manželom, aby ho získala pre Boha. Skôr, ako manžel, ktorý ide v týchto dňoch so svojou ženou, aby sa opil, aby ju získal pre Boha. Nezmysel! Držte sa preč od územia diabla.
217Ak čokoľvek popiera To Slovo, som proti tomu. To robí, že som proti organizácii, pretože je to proti Slovu. Kiežby to takto cítil každý veriaci. Ó!
„No,“ hovoria, „ale, pamätajte, my máme...“
218Mám veľký kus papiera, ktorý mi poslal niekto z Arizony, o tom, ako tento patriarcha Ten-a-ten jedného dňa povedal, „Pápež Ján Dvadsiaty-Druhý,“ alebo, ako mu to hovoria, „mal... On je skvelý človek. Je jediným človekom, ktorý kedy hovoril o spájaní cirkví, Katolíkov a Protestantov dohromady.“ Povedal, „Možno to nepríde v našom čase, ale v priebehu budúcich pätnástich, alebo dvadsiatich rokov to tu bude.“
219Pomyslel som si, „Chlapče, si patriarcha a prorokuješ a ani o tom nevieš.“
220„Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ Chlapík, ktorý mi to napísal, na predok strany napísal, „Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ On to tiež počúval na páske. Tak veru. Povedal, „Je neskoršie, ako si myslíme.“ Povedal, „Brat Branham, nehovoril si toto už pred rokmi?“
221Povedal som, „Samozrejme.“ Tak veru. Ide sa to vyplniť, pretože to je Slovo Pánovo. To sa musí vyplniť. Samozrejme. Áno.
222Povedia, „No, tento svätý patriarcha, nemyslíš si, že on by mal vedieť niečo viac, ako toto?“ Nie veru. Ak zapiera Božie Slovo, pozrite sa na to takto, on nemôže.
223Nestarám sa o to, koľko pápežov, prorokov a čo ďalšie máte medzi sebou. Ak ste preč od Slova, tak ste preč od Slova. To je pravda. Ako vôbec môže Boh požehnať takú vec, ak zapierajú samotné Slovo Božie? Ako môže požehnať niečo okrem Svojho Slova, niečo, čo je v protiklade s Jeho Slovom? Ako To môže zaprieť?
224Ako môžete požehnať rakovinu, ktorá vás rozožiera? Ako môžete požehnať elektrický drôt, ktorý držíte, poviete, „Ó, drž ma a spáľ ma?“ To by bolo šialené.
225Ako môže Boh požehnať niečo, čo je proti Jeho Slovu? A tak sa navráťte naspäť do Slova! Aha.
226Vy banda kazateľov, ako lovecké psy, čo je to s vami? Idete tam a predáte svoje práva prvorodenstva za misku šošovice, aby ste mohli jazdiť po okolí v nejakom Kadilaku, alebo niečom inom, alebo za nejakú veľkú vznešenú rezidenciu a veľký kostol za milión dolárov. A všetky tieto podobné veci a predáte svoje práva prvorodenstva a hanbíte sa a máte strach kázať vášmu zhromaždeniu Slovo Božie. Povedzte, nehanbíte sa za seba? A nazývate sa služobníkmi, Božími prorokmi, predávate svoje práva prvorodenstva za misku sveta. Čo budete liahnuť? To isté, čo Ezav. Ó, aká hanba!
227Ó, nie! Svätý Boh, ktorý dáva pozor na Svoje Slovo, aby Ho potvrdzoval, nemôže požehnať niečo, čo je proti Jeho Slovu. Teraz počúvajte. Viem, že pokračujem len o trochu dlhšie a možno vás už dusím na smrť. Ale sledujte, chcem sa vás niečo opýtať. Ako môže Svätý Boh, ktorý vypovedal Svoje Slovo a povedal, „No, oboje, nebesia i zem pominú, ale Toto nepominie, ani jedno Slovo z Toho,“ no, ako môže vziať niečo, čo je v protiklade s Týmto, a požehnať to? Ako to môže urobiť? Hľaďte. On dokazuje Samého Seba. On potvrdzuje Svoje Slovo. On hovorí, čo je správne, nie skrze členstvo.
228Pozrite na Moába. Moáb mal tiež Jeho Slovo, Moáb. Izrael mal Jeho Slovo; a Moáb mal formu pobožnosti, spolu s Jeho Slovom. Oni obetovali sedem obetí, čistých býkov na siedmich oltároch; dokonalé číslo, dokonalá obeť. Potom, okrem toho vzal siedmich baránkov, hovoria, že veria v príchod Syna Božieho a obetovali ich tam hore so svojim vrchným arcibiskupom. Všetci ich kňazi, veľkňazi a všetci ostatní, stáli okolo spolu s ich kráľmi a prezidentmi a čo ja viem, s kým ešte, a obetovali práve tak nábožne, ako len mohli, proti Izraelu.
229A tam dole bol Izrael, ktorý vyzeral ako malá banda odpadlíkov. Ale čo bolo s Izraelom? V ich výprave bol Boh. On sa dokazoval, že bol s nimi. Vidíte?
230Nezáleží na tom, koľko by mali patriarchov, pápežov, alebo čokoľvek iné, Boh s nimi nemôže byť, pokiaľ nedokazuje Samého Seba, že je s nimi. A tak dlho, kým sú preč od Jeho Slova a zapierajú Jeho Slovo, ako On môže byť s nimi? Nie sú medzi nimi žiadne znamenia živého Boha.
231Ako môže byť Boh medzi OSN, keď dvaja nemôžu kráčať spolu, bez toho, aby sa zhodli?
232No, pozrime sa sem. Tam je Cirkev Kristova, takzvaná, a pripojila sa ku Letničným. Letniční hovoria, že veria v hovorenie v jazykoch. Veria tomu, že dôkazom Ducha Svätého je hovorenie v jazykoch. Hovoria, že veria v to, tamto a toto. Veria v znamenia a zázraky. Cirkev Kristova sa na nich smeje a povedali, „Vy banda nevzdelancov! To bolo vo dňoch, ktoré pominuli.“ Ako môžu dvaja kráčať spolu, ak sa nezhodli? A oni sa spojili dohromady. Čo robia? Hľadajú bezpečie jeden s druhým. Preč od takýchto nezmyslov!
233Moje bezpečie je v Kristovi a Jeho Slove, lebo Jeho Slovo je On Sám. To je pravda.
Žiadne znamenia živého Boha, vôbec.
234To je to, čo povedal Ježiš, „Ak nemanifestujem Slovo, potom Tomu neverte. Ak skrze Mňa Boh nehovorí a neprorokuje, nerozpráva skrze Mňa a nerobí skrze Mňa presne to, čo sa predpokladá, že Mesiáš bude robiť, potom Mi neverte.“
235Potom nejaký chlapík hovorí, že je prorokom poslaným od Boha a zapiera Slovo? Bože, buď milostivý pri takých veciach! Ako vôbec môže Boh také niečo urobiť?
236Dovoľte mi opýtať sa, opýtať sa teraz toto. Neviem, kedy ku vám budem opäť hovoriť. To bude záležať od Boha. Ja len predkladám Pokrm tak, ako mi to On povedal vtedy v tom videní, ukladám To do sudov.
237Mohli by ste sa ma opýtať, „Ako mohol Ámos predvídať, čo sa im ide stať?“ No, vyzeralo to tam v poriadku.
238Pozrite sa. Teraz hľaďte sem. No, počúvajte teraz pozorne. Pretože To je celé na páske a ide To, pôjde To do celého sveta. Rozumiete? Teraz, ako... Pozrime sa sem.
239Tam bol Izrael. Ich semináre boli v lepšom stave, ako kedykoľvek predtým. Nebol tam nikto, kto by ich obťažoval. Mali svoje vlastné náboženstvá. Nikto tam nemohol povedať, „Nemôžete uctievať Jehovu.“ „Poďte smelo vpred,“ povedali pohanské národy, „uctievajte. Máme jeden s druhým dohodu.“
240Ten prorok videl skrze to. Rozumiete? Tak, aj dnes môže prorok skrze to vidieť. Rozumiete?
241„Poďte smelo vpred.“ A Izrael povedal, „No, dovoľte nám jesť, piť a ženiť sa.“ A tak urobili spoločne skupinu a vytvorili im nejaké vyznania, organizácie a podobné veci a všetko to upevnili. A ich ženy tam proste žili v prepychu a hriechu. Mladíci robili výtržnosti v kabaretoch a všetko možné, napoly oblečené, krátke hodvábne vyzerajúce sukne. Ak ste niekedy videli niečo z ich histórie v tých dňoch, ako vyzerali, ó, takmer tretina z nich robila také zlé veci, ako robia dnes. Aj keď nie tak celkom, pretože oni nemohli. Áno. A ako to robili a takto nevhodne sa správali; a králi, kňazi a všetci ostatní.
242Ježiš povedal, „Zožierate domy vdôv, vy pokrytci.“ On to povedal. A oni robili všetky tie veci.
243Ten prorok tam stojí, pozerá sa dole na nich, na ten národ podobný tomuto, niet divu, že mu to išlo vytrhnúť srdce. Tak veru.
244No, poviete, „Ako vedel, čo sa ide stať? Ako to mohol predvídať? Ako?“ Všetko to vyzeralo v poriadku. No, mali veľa jedla. Mali veľa šiat. Mali svoje veľké cirkvi. Prosperovali. Peniaze boli zasadené všade, prepych. Tance na uliciach, nemorálnosť a všetko ostatné sa práve deje a všetko, čo sa deje, je v poriadku. Presne tak, ako dnes v Amerike. Televízia je plná špinavých vtipov, polonahých žien a všetkého ostatného. Všetko, čo vidíte, je špina a hriech. Nemusíte sa dívať na televíziu, iba otvorte oči a pozrite sa kamkoľvek. Dievčatá, chlapci, muži a ženy; fajčia, pijú. Tie Jezábele sami seba nazývajú Kresťankami. Nečistí diabli sami seba nazývajú Metodistami, Baptistami, Presbyteriánmi, Katolíkmi a Letničnými. Aha. Aha.
Niet divu, že mu to zúžilo jeho oči, keď sa pozeral. Aha! To je pravda.
245„Všetko to vyzerá v poriadku. Ako môžeš byť spasený, ak my urobíme... Ako? Ako? Pozri sa sem. My máme o milión viacej. Máme naše budovy. Sme... Ó, naše cirkvi sú také obrovské, že až musíme postaviť nové kostoly. No, máme toľko peňazí, že ani nevieme, čo s nimi urobiť. No, my sme práve postavili najlepšie stavby v národe. Najväčšie kostoly, ktoré sú tu, vlastníme my. A stále máme veľké množstvo peňazí, nemyslíš, že Boh nás požehnal?“ Nie. Vy ste pomimo Jeho Slova.
246„A, brat Branham, myslíš si, že Boh sa to chystá zničiť?“ Áno, každého z nich.
„Ako to vieš?“ Ámos, ako si to vedel?
247Presne tak, ako keď lekár diagnostikuje stav. Keď zistí, že pacient je chorý, on vie, čo má urobiť. Vie, čo ten pacient dostal. Vie, ako veľmi je to pokročilé. Vie, čo sa stane. Takým spôsobom sa to deje s prorokom, s pravdivým prorokom, keď vidí. Nestarám sa, čo robíte. Keď vidí, ako sa hriech stupňuje, je to požierajúca rakovina. A to je v takom pokročilom štádiu, u letničných a u všetkých ostatných z nich, že sa to nedá vrátiť späť. Je to v pokročilom štádiu. Oni zahynú.
248Takto Ámos mohol diagnostikovať stav. On to diagnostikoval skrze Slovo Božie. Takto pravdivý prorok diagnostikuje stav a hovorí tým ženám, „Nikdy neskúšajte ísť na Súd s nakrátko ostrihanými vlasmi, keď o tom dobre viete." Hovorí ku vám, muži, zvyšku z vás a vám kazateľom, ktorí zapierate Slovo a máte formu pobožnosti a pripájate sa ku organizáciám, aby ste sa vyhli sporu, keď to dobre viete. Pozeráte sa do rovnakého Slova, do ktorého by sa pozerali aj pravdiví proroci. Diagnóza stavu povedala, „Smrť! Oddelenie!“ Tak, ako lekár, on pozná stav. On vie, aké to má druhy príznakov.
249Pozrite sa na tento národ. Keď hovoríte, „Letniční majú úspech.“ Keď vám ani nedovolia prísť do zboru, pretože kážete ženám o nakrátko ostrihaných vlasoch a že to Biblia odsudzuje. Obávajú sa, že budete o tom niečo hovoriť.
250Jedného dňa, keď som tu realizoval nejaké kampane, Roy Borders bol na Západnom Pobreží a oni ho priviedli dohromady, skupina kazateľov, asi, ó, domnievam sa, že štyridsať alebo päťdesiat z nich, tam, kde som mal to veľké zhromaždenie. Povedali, „Pán Borders, chcem sa ťa niečo opýtať.“ Povedal, „Je pravda, že brat Branham používa pri krste Meno Pána Ježiša Krista?“
251Pán Borders, veľmi dôstojný džentlmen, ako viete, brat Borders odtiaľto. Povedal, „Páni,“ povedal, „brat Branham, keď je vonku na kampaniach, tu vonku,“ povedal, „on nekáže. On len ide dopredu a modlí sa za vašich chorých. To je to, čo robí.“
252Povedal, „To som sa ťa nepýtal,“ povedal presbyter. „Robí to?“ No, oni mali pásky. Vedeli to. Povedal, „Krstí vo Meno Ježiša Krista?“
253Povedal, „Áno, v jeho vlastnom zbore. To je jediné miesto, kde krstí, v jeho vlastnom zbore.“
254Povedal, „To je to. To je všetko, čo som potreboval vedieť. Nechceme ho. Nechceme to kacírstvo medzi našimi ľuďmi.“
255A jedného dňa, keď môj dobrý priateľ, Ed Daulton, dostal list od Baptistickej cirkvi. Povedali, „Ste exkomunikovaný z Baptistického spoločenstva, pretože ste sa pripojili ku herézii pokrstenia v Ježišovo Meno.“
256Rád sa postavím s Pavlom, „To, čo svet nazýva herézia, to je spôsob, ako uctievam Boha, pretože je to Jeho Slovo.“ Tak veru. Ó, samozrejme.
257Lekár diagnostikuje stav. Vidí, kde to je. Pravdivý prorok diagnostikuje stav skrze Slovo. Ako? Doktor diagnostikuje stav, skrze príznaky. Je to pravda? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Pozerá na príznaky a vidí, čo sa deje s pacientom. Vidí, ako veľmi to je pokročilé, a povie, „Nedá sa už nič urobiť.“
258A pravdivý prorok berie Slovo Božie a diagnostikuje prípady, a dáva do toho medicínu. A ľudia mu to hádžu späť do tváre. Čo sa stane? Záhuba, to je celé; rozkoš milujúca, svetom poznačená, skupina takzvaných pokrytcov! Ale to je cesta pravdivého proroka. Vidíte? Ó!
259On vidí choroby. Vidí, že sa dostali preč od Slova. On videl Slovo. A poznal následky, ktoré prichádzali. Videl prepych, v ktorom žili, videl spôsob, ako sa ich ženy správali. Videl spôsob, akým konali ich kňazi, ako sa dostali preč od pravdivého uctievania Boha a podobné veci. On tam mal odpoveď. Povedal, „Ten Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Mu slúžite, vás zničí.“
„Prečo?“
260„Neostríhali ste Mojich Prikázaní.“ Aj napriek tomu, že si to mysleli. Nečítal som to tu? 2. verš, 4.... 2. kapitola, 4. verš, „Pretože Som Si vás vybral, aby ste boli... Vybral Som Si vás zo všetkých čeľadí zeme a napriek tomu ste odmietli kráčať v Mojich Prikázaniach.“ Myslíte si...
261Tento malý, plešatý prorok tam stojí s tou šedivo pruhovanou bradou a jeho oči iskria ohňom, hovorí ku tej bande kňazov a ostatných a povedal, „Boh, ktorému sa pretvarujete, že Mu slúžite, vy pokrytci, ten istý Boh vás zničí.“ Myslíte, že mal spoluprácu? Aha! Povedal... Ó! On, posúďte ho dnes a uvidíte, či by mal. Nie. Ale čo mal? To je cesta pravdivého proroka. On mal Slovo. Poznal, čo To bolo.
Tak, ako Micheáš za dávna...
262To malé dieťa, ktoré som pred chvíľou zasvätil, som z toho niečo vypustil, pretože som to urýchľoval.
263Ale Micheáš, keď zastal pred Achabom, pozrel sa na nich. On poznal Slovo. Micheáš im vypovedal Slovo. Prečo? Micheáš posudzoval svoje videnie, svoju Náuku so Slovom Božím. A uvidel, že jeho Náuka a Slovo boli rovnaké. Pretože Slovo povedalo, že On prekľaje Achaba a spôsobí, že psy budú lízať jeho krv. To bolo to, čo povedalo Slovo.
264Takže Micheáš mal videnie. Preto, lebo bol prorokom. „Hľaďte, čo za Slovo ku mne prišlo.“ A modlil sa, „Ó, Pane Bože, čo musím vykonať? Čo musím povedať tejto skupine kňazov, ktorí tu stoja? Sú tu všetky organizácie. Každý jeden v krajine je zoskupený proti mne, Pane. Stojím tu pred kráľom. Čo musím povedať?“
265A dostal sa do videnia. Povedal, „Choď tam hore. Choď hore.“ Povedal, „Ale videl som Izrael roztrúsený ako ovce nemajúce pastiera.“ Áno.
266Ten okresný presbyter vyšiel hore a udrel ho do úst a povedal, „Odkiaľ by mohlo Slovo Božie, Duch Boží prísť, keď To vychádza odo mňa?“ Od neho?
267Viete, čo povedal Boh? On dovolil diablovi prísť dole, dostať sa medzi nich, pretože boli preč od Slova, s ktorým začali.
268Biblia povedala, „Ak by neuverili Slovu, On im dá mocné pôsobenie bludu, aby uverili lži, a aby tým boli zatratení.“ To je presne to, čo robia dnes tieto organizácie a ľudia v tomto národe, veria lži, aby ňou boli zatratení. „Lebo nie je iné Meno dané pod Nebom, pomocou ktorého musíte byť spasení.“ Dajte sa do poriadku, ľudia organizácií a podobní. Áno.
269No, čomu verili tí ostatní? Na čo sa pozerali tí ostatní proroci? Oni boli proroci. Tak veru. Boli proroci. Ale iba ak by sa zastavili a preskúmali ich proroctvo so Slovom!
270Ak by sa dnes Metodisti zastavili a preskúmali ich proroctvo, nikdy by nepokropili ďalšiu osobu. Prijali by Ducha Svätého. Pokrstili by každého jedného ponorením, vo Meno Ježiša Krista. Ak by sa dnes pozastavili Zbory Božie [Assemblies of God. - pozn.prekl.] a pozreli sa na svoje proroctvo, navrátili by sa späť do Slova. Ak by sa dnes Jednotári zastavili a preskúmali svoje proroctvo, vrátili by sa naspäť do Slova.
271Ale vidíte, iba ak by sa ich proroci zastavili a preskúmali by svoje proroctvá! Oni uvažujú logicky. Hovoria, „To nám patrí. A tak pôjdeme hore do Rámota v Gileáde a vezmeme si ho, pretože nám patrí. Jozue nám ho dal.“
Ale Micheáš povedal, „To znie rozumne.“
272Ale toto je takto. Nepotrebujete uvažovať logicky. Potrebujete veriť Tomu, čo povedal Boh. Nič logicky nevyvodzujte.
273Čo ak by mal Abrahám logicky uvažovať? Ako by vôbec opustil svoju krajinu? Ako by mohol stále vzdávať chválu Bohu, keď mal sto rokov a čakali so Sárou dieťa v jej deväťdesiatich rokoch?
Odvrhnite preč logické argumenty. Len verte.
274Necháte diabla hovoriť vám, „Viete, brat Branham nie je ničím iným, ako pokrytcom.“
275„No, čakám teraz, ukáž mi, ak ním je. Pozrime sa, či je jeho učenie správne. Dovoľ mi navrátiť sa do Biblie.“ Nie, nechoď... Nechce vám dovoliť, aby ste to urobili. Nie, nie. Vidíte?
276Ale on povie o mne niečo zlé, na čo môže mať právo, potom ty to len ďalej počúvaš, zastavíš a začneš rozumovať, „Áno, naozaj toto nemal robiť a tamto nemal robiť.“ Začínaš sa dívať na mňa, no, nájdeš toho mnoho.
277A mohli by ste zamerať pohľad na Pána Ježiša. Môžete nájsť toho mnoho. Pozrite na chvíľu na Neho. Umiestňujem to na každého jedného z vás, kazatelia. No, my zabudneme, že On bol niekedy na zemi. On je Chlapcom, ktorý bol preukazovaný po celom národe, že je nemanželsky narodeným Dieťaťom. Jeho matka Ho mala predtým, ako sa s Jeho otcom vôbec vzali. To bolo preukazované. (No, oni nejdú za Slovom, „Panna počne.“) Idú len za tým, čo počujú a vidia, „Nemanželské Dieťa.“ Nepovedali Mu, „Narodil sa v hriechu a snaží sa nás vyučovať?“ Som... Vidíte?
278A pozrite sa, čo On robil. On skutočne roztrhal každú cirkev, ktorá bola v krajine. Bolo to správne? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Organizácie a všetko ostatné.
279Čím On bol? „Len nejaký zdivočelý Chlapec, ktorí takto chodí po okolí, mladý Chlapík, nepatrí do žiadnej denominácie. Povedz mi, do akej denominácie patríš. Kto je Tvojím Otcom? Hovoríš, že Jozef nie je Tvojím otcom?“
„Jozef nie je Môj Otec,“ povedal.
„No, kto je Tvoj Otec?“
„Boh je Mojím Otcom.“
280„No, Ty fanatik! Presne to si. Ty súc Človekom a hovoríš, že Boh je Tvojím Otcom?“
281Ak by to preskúmali pomocou Slova! Haleluja. Nevidíte, čo to je? Slovo sa stalo telom. Oni nepreskúmali svoje videnia so Slovom. Tým to bolo.
282To je to, čo sa deje dnes. Vy nepreverujete svoje videnia, svoje proroctvá a svoje náuky so Slovom Božím. Niekto sa vám pokúsi povedať Pravdu a potom ich vyhodíte, presne tak, ako by ste to urobili Ámosovi, ako to urobili Ámosovi. Robíte rovnakú vec.
283Teraz sa pozrite sem. No, vy by ste ho asi odsúdili, to je pravda, ak by ste sa prv neboli vrátili späť ku Slovu. Oni konajú rovnako. Dnes Ho zavrhli.
284Čo ak vy ženy, tu a tu, áno, prečo nepreskúmate svoju predstavu o svojich nakrátko ostrihaných vlasoch so Slovom a nepozriete sa, čo To hovorí? Rozumiete? Prečo neurobíte tieto veci?
285Prečo nepreveríte svoj krst na „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,“ tú falošnú takzvanú „trojicu,“ ktorá nie je ničím iným, než tromi úradmi jedného Boha, titulmi? Nie v mene „Otca.“ Neexistuje taká vec, ako meno, „Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý.“
286Meno Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha je „Pán Ježiš Kristus.“ Preverte svoj krst so spôsobom, akým bol pokrstený každý človek v Biblii. Ak by ste preskúmali svoje úvahy so Slovom, vrátili by ste sa naspäť a nechali by ste sa pokrstiť vo Meno „Pán Ježiš Kristus.“
287To je to, čo im povedal Pavol. A povedal, „Ak ktokoľvek iný vyučuje niečo odlišné, nech je prekliaty, dokonca, ak by aj Anjel prišiel dolu.“
288Viete, mnohokrát prichádzali dole Anjeli. Chlapče, ako im to Letniční zjedli!
289Ako napríklad, keď tam stál Svätý Martin a tu sa postavila pred ním veľká svietiaca bytosť?
290Muž, ktorý krstil v Ježišovo Meno, ktorý veril v Ducha Svätého a držal sa Slova! A Rimania ho vykopli a urobili mu to všetko, snažili sa mu dať svoje dogmy a ľuďmi vytvorené náuky. Ten muž stál na Slove.
291Jedného dňa v jeho sile, mohli k nemu prísť démoni a snažiť sa ku nemu hovoriť. On im nevenoval žiadnu pozornosť.
292Raz takto prišiel Satan, ako Kristus, korunovaný, obutý v zlatých papučiach, stál tam a povedal, „Ne....“ Okolo neho boli plamene ohňa. Povedal, „Nespoznávaš ma, Martin? Som tvoj Pán. Uctievaj ma.“
Martin sa na neho pozrel. „Niečo tu nesedí.“
293Povedal, „Martin, nepoznávaš ma?“ Povedal, „Som tvoj Pán a Spasiteľ.“ Povedal, „Uctievaj ma.“ Povedal to trikrát.
294A Martin sa poobzeral. Zbadal, že Kristus bude korunovaný Jeho ľuďmi, pri Jeho Príchode. Nebude mať na sebe zlaté papuče. Povedal, „Choď odo mňa preč, Satan.“
Chlapče, nezjedli by mu to Letniční? „Chlapče, jasný žiariaci Anjel!“
295Tá žena prišla do Chicaga, kam idem, povedala, „Brat Branham, kazatelia tu zhora hovoria, že ak by ti Anjel Pánov povedal, že máš krstiť v Ježišovo Meno, uznali by to. Ale je to tvoja vlastná myšlienka?“
296Povedal som, „Ak by Anjel Pánov povedal čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s Týmto, nebol by to Anjel Pánov.“ Rozumiete?
297Ak nejaký Anjel hovorí čokoľvek, čo je v protiklade s týmto Slovom, nech je to lož. A ak vám človek povie, posol od Boha, hovorí, že je od Boha, a povie vám, „Je to v poriadku byť pokrstený v mene 'Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha,'“ nech je klamárom.
298 Ak vám človek povie, „Je to pre teba v poriadku nosiť nakrátko ostrihané vlasy a také podobné veci; že by ste mali vo zbore nosiť klobúk kvôli zakrytiu, 'aby ste boli zakryté,'“ nech je klamárom.
299Slovo Božie je Pravda. Ktorákoľvek z týchto vecí, ktoré sú proti Slovu, nech je klamstvom. To je Slovo, ktoré je Pravdou. To vydrží.
300Z toho dôvodu Micheáš mohol vedieť, že jeho proroctvo prišlo od Boha, pretože on bol so Slovom Božím. Tak veru. Jeho videnie sa nahromadilo presne tak, ako Slovo Božie.
301Ó, ak by bol Ámos tu, zostal by so Slovom. To je pravda. Ale vidíte, aké problémy sú dnes s nami, sú také, aké boli s nimi. Pripravujem sa zakončiť. Problémy, ktoré sú s nami, boli aj s nimi. Oni boli vyučovaní mimo toho Základu. Ježiš povedal, „Svojimi tradíciami ste Slovo Božie zbavili moci.“ A ten falošný krst! Ten falošný znak prijatia Ducha Svätého! Niektorí z nich hovoria, „Potrasenie rukou.“ Niektorí z nich hovoria, „Hovorenie v jazykoch.“ Počul som aj diablov hovoriť v jazykoch a potriasať si ruky. Tak veru. To nie je Toho znak. No, všetky tie podobné veci, všetky tie veci, vidíte, dostali ste sa preč od Slova Božieho, aby ste učili tieto tradície. To je pravda.
No, on by vás musel vziať naspäť do Slova.
302Ale máme dnes našich učiteľov, ktorí učia ľudí, odvracajú ich preč od Základu Božieho Slova. Teraz počúvajte pozorne.
303To je to, čo tam urobili. To je to, čo im Ámos hovoril. „Boh, o ktorom tvrdíte, že Ho poznáte, On je Ten, ktorý vás zničí.“
304No, učili sme ich preč od (čoho?), od Základu, od „Viery, ktorá raz bola daná letničným otcom,“ áno, Biblia. Učia falošný očistec! Učia falošný krst! Všetko je falošné, falošné, falošné, oddelené od Originálu.
305Neveríte tomu? Poďte naspäť do Biblie a vezmite svoj „očistec“ a vezmite svojho „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha“ a „pokropenie“ a všetky tie nezmysly a poďte späť a pozrite sa, či je to biblické. To je spôsob. Zistite, či to je založené na Základe. Rozumiete? Oni sú preč od Základu.
306Pričom Pavol povedal, Biblia hovorí, že, „Cirkev Božia je založená na Náuke apoštolov a prorokov.“ Proroci a apoštoli musia byť rovnakí. Samozrejme.
307Čo sa stalo? Odišli sme preč od Základu Slova do denominačných základov.
308Počúvajte teraz. Zakončujem. Nasaďte si svoje duchovné slúchadlá. Počúvajte.
309Dostali sme sa preč od Základu Slova a dostali sme sa na základ denominácie. Ako dlho by som pritom mohol zostať? Ďalšie tri hodiny. Preč od Základu Slova do základu svetských pôžitkov, svetskosti, nemorálnosť vkrádajúca sa do zboru. Preč od Slova do vyznaní. To by mi zabralo tri týždne, aby som o tom všetkom kázal, len polovicu tých štyroch poznámok, ktoré tu mám. Preč od Slova do denominácie, zdenominacionalizovanie Slova. Akonáhle cirkev vytvorí denomináciu, rovno vtedy je preč od Slova.
310Nedá sa robiť nič, okrem jednej veci. Navrátiť sa späť, odkiaľ to odišlo preč, a ísť odznova. Vrátiť sa naspäť do Slova. Správne. Pokánie znamená, „ísť, otočiť sa späť, čelom vzad.“ Idete zlým smerom. V poriadku.
311Denominácia rozkoší. Denominácia, svet... Mám na mysli základ rozkoší, základ svetskosti, základ vyznaní. A všetko toto dokopy liahne nemorálnu zhnilosť, duchovnú zhnilosť.
312On, súc pravdivý prorok, videl by v nás presne to isté, čo videl v nich. Ak by tu dnes stál na tomto pódiu a ja by som povedal, „Brat Ámos, veľký prorok Boží, si smelý, poď sem a vezmi si moje miesto,“ on by kázal toto Slovo. Musel by to robiť. On je prorokom. V poriadku. Musel by to kázať presne takým spôsobom, ako je to napísané, práve to, čo teraz hovoríme. V poriadku. Potom by mohol vidieť a videl by v nás nemorálny úpadok.
313Len sa pozrite, priatelia. Koľkí z vás teraz v tomto dnešnom zbore vidia, že svet je v nemorálnom úpadku? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." - pozn.prekl.] No, vieme to. Čo sa deje? Je preč od Slova. Správne. V poriadku.
314Ámos nikdy nevinil vládu. Všimnete si ho tam, keď si to prečítate, keď pôjdete domov? Nikdy nevinil vládu, on vinil cirkev za to, že si zvolila takú vládu. Aha!
315Vy politici, dovoľte, nech vám to podám, aby sa to do vás na chvíľu vomlelo, tu a po celom svete, kam to pôjde. Cirkev si zvolila takú vec, ako bol Jeroboám. Som zvedavý, či ste vy, či sme my neurobili skoro takú istú vec? Povedzme, že je to dobrá vláda; vláda nemôže vybudovať dom na skale, keď si ľudia zvolia dom na piesku. Môže? Nehovorte, „Naša vláda! Naša vláda!“ To ste vy, národ. To sú ľudia. Ako môžeme...
316Jeden kazateľ mi povedal, povedal mi, „Brat Branham,“ povedal, „pozri sa. Viem, že v Tomto máš pravdu. Ale,“ povedal, „ak by som Toto kázal, moja denominácia by ma vykopla von, moji ľudia by ma vyhnali zo zboru.“ Povedal, „Nikdy by som už nekázal ďalšie kázanie.“
Povedal som, „Aj tak to káž!“ Tak veru.
317To je Božie Slovo. Ty si za to zodpovedný. Ak si Božím prorokom, pravdivým, zostaneš so Slovom. Ak nie, zostaneš s denomináciou. Záleží to od toho, odkiaľ pochádzaš.
318Hľaďte. Nie veru. Nemôžeme vybudovať, vláda nemôže vybudovať dom na pevnej Skale, keď ľudia hlasujú za dom rozkoší, ktorý je na základoch pohyblivých pieskov.
319Pozrite sa, čo chceme. Vezmime to teraz len na chvíľu. Dúfam, že vás neunavujem. [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Nie." - pozn.prekl.] Ale poďme sa len na chvíľu pozrieť, čo chceme. Nemôžem vynechať tento komentár, túto poznámku. Pozrime sa, čo chceme.
320Pozrime sa na našu televíziu. To je to, čo chceme. Chceme zopár tých komediantov, ktorí sa postavia tam hore a rozprávajú všetky možné špinavé vtipy, a my zostávame doma namiesto toho, aby sme išli na modlitebné zhromaždenie v stredu večer, alebo to kazateľ rozpustí skôr, tak, aby odišli a videli to; nejaké oplzlé, špinavé, päť alebo šesťkrát vydaté prostitútky, lúskajú špinavé vtipy, sexy oblečené a vo všetkom sa správajú úplne nevhodne. A vy to milujete viac, ako milujete dom Boží, to ukazuje, aký druh ducha je vo vás.
321My sme to dovolili. My ľudia, ak by ľudia tohto národa napísali našej vláde listy, povedzme, že by tam, na túto vládu priletelo sto miliónov listov, „Zastavte tie oplzlé programy,“ oni by to museli urobiť. My sme ľudia. Ale my ľudia chceme oplzlosť a tak to je to, čo máme.
322Pozrite sa na program v rádiu. Ó! Zamenili Skalu Vekov za „twist“. Aha! Starý Hrubý Kríž za „swing“ a „rock 'n roll“ namiesto toho. Starý Hrubý Kríž, áno, samozrejme v našich rádiách a v televízii. Všetko... Nedávno to tam bolo, tie „hoops“, tie dievčatá. Všetko také nemorálne, ako sa len dá, to je to, čo milujeme.
323Čím to je sponzorované? Pivom, whisky, cigaretami, peniazmi tohto národa. Čo robia? Berú ich daňové peniaze, ktoré musia ísť vláde vo forme daní a platia nimi za špinavé, oplzlé televízne programy, ktoré tam dajú.
324Letniční nezvykli chodiť na tie špinavé a oplzlé filmové predstavenia, keď mali také programy. Diabol umiestnil jednu ku vám, umiestnil do vášho domu televíziu.
325Cesta pravdivého proroka je dosť ťažká, ale zostaňme s Pravdou. Tak veru.
326Pozrite sa na naše billboardy. Ženy tam stoja s cigaretami v ruke, každá malá Jezábeľ v krajine. Idem do...
327Jedného dňa som uvidel zvláštnu vec. Bola tam jedna žena, ktorá tam prišla do školy, aby vyzdvihla deti, keď som ich tam aj ja bol vziať a nemala už nič na šortkách; a bolo mrazivé počasie. Každá z nich mala cigaretu. Akonáhle sa tam dostali a zastavili a nemali cigaretu, hneď si ju rýchlo zapálili a, „Fíha! Vidíte, ako sa mi darí?“ Drží tú ruku von z dverí, asi takto, s cigaretou v ruke. A niečo na to poviete, ó, oni vybuchnú. Samozrejme.
328Poviete niečo Rickymu alebo Elvisovi, alebo niekomu z nich, oni by vás zastrelili. A vláda by ich pustila späť, pretože sú to iba tínedžeri. „Ó, to je celkom správne. Oni to nechápu. Sú to iba tínedžeri. Prehliadnite to.“
Vidíte teraz, čo to znamená pravdivý prorok, jeho cesta?
329Pozrite sa na tých oplzlých snílkov v cirkvách, v ich denomináciách, oni by vám strelili rovno od chrbta. Jediná vec, ktorá ich zadržuje od toho, aby to urobili, je milosrdenstvo Božie, kým sa Posolstvo dostáva von. Diabol by vás zabil, ak by to mohol urobiť. Správne. Ale Posolstvo musí ísť. „Ja, Pán, prinavrátim.“ To je pravda. „Som schopný to vzbudiť z týchto kameňov.“ To je pravda. V poriadku.
330 Naše filmové predstavenia, naše billboardy, naši hriešnici milujúci rozkoš, sa nazývajú Kresťanmi. Ľudia, ktorí sami seba nazvú Kresťanmi; milujúci rozkoš, hľadači žiadostivostí. Ženy, nemorálne oblečené; muži na ne pozerajú, pískajú na ne, nazývajú sa Kresťanmi, a takto sa ukazujú. No, oni majú dokonca...
331To je veľká vec na Floride, v Kalifornii, že tam teraz majú veľké kluby. Všetci muži sa dajú dohromady a vhodia svoje kľúče dovnútra a ženy prídu a vyberú si odtiaľ jeden kľúč. A vždy ten, koho ten kľúč je, si berie domov svoju ženu. Žijú spolu týždeň, potom sa vrátia a vhodia opäť dnu kľúče. Rozumiete? To sú kluby. Nemanželsky narodené deti a všetko možné, prasa žerie prasa, pes žerie psa (zákon džungle). Čo sa to deje? Je to tak, pretože opustili Slovo.
332Nevedia, čo znamená počestnosť. Tam vonku s krátkym, riadne tesným oblečením na sebe a podobnými vecami a muži sú po nich žiadostiví a oni si myslia, že sú počestné. Ty možno nerobíš nič zlé, sestra, ale dovoľ mi povedať ti niečo, ty si nástrojom diabla. A pri Súde, TAK HOVORÍ PÁN, budeš sa zodpovedať za spáchanie cudzoložstva a tvoja duša odíde preč. Dobre to vieš. Teraz to každopádne vieš. Správne.
333Celý náš systém je skazený a zhnitý. To sú naši ľudia, ktorí to chcú. Tak, ako hospodár, no, ak bol človek hospodárom, vinil našu vládu... To je to, čo posiela našich chlapcov tam von a robí z nich potravu pre delá, správne, kvôli našej vlastnej skazenosti. Ak by sme milovali Pána, slúžili Pánovi a zvolili správny druh vlády a všetkého ostatného, bolo by to nádherné miesto. To je pravda. Nemali by sme žiadne vojny. Nie. Boh je naším Útočiskom a Silou. Posielanie našich chlapcov von a ich zabíjanie a masakrovanie a všetko ostatné, je kvôli tomu, že naše vlastné konanie tomu prinieslo súhlas. Boh to tak povedal v Biblii a On sa nemení. On je rovnaký. To sú vaši vlastní ľudia, ktorí to chcú.
334Tak, ako hospodár, čo ak je dobrým človekom? Chce konať správne. Chce žiť pre Boha. A má rodinu milujúcu rozkoš a nemorálnosť. Čo ten človek urobí, keď sa jeho žena chce obliekať do šortiek a nosiť sexy vyzerajúce šaty a ide tam von a správa sa ako Jezábeľ, jeho dcéry a všetky jeho deti a všetci z nich? Jeho otecko... Jeho malý chlapec, ktorého vychoval, miloval ho, potľapkával ho, bozkával ho, ukladal ho do postele a modlil sa za neho, on sa postaví a povie, „Môj starý otec je bláznivý. Všetko, o čom rozmýšľa, je Biblia.“ Čo môže ten človek urobiť so svojou rodinou?
335Tá istá vec je v našej vláde, ohľadne jej ľudí tu. Neobviňujte vládu. Obviňujte tú bandu odpadlíckych cirkví za to, že dosadili také veci, aké majú, do ich politiky. Oni to chcú. Z toho dôvodu za to hlasujú a preto to aj majú. A z toho dôvodu je na nich súd Boží. A oni budú žať to, čo zasiali. Teraz to sejú a budú to žať neskôr. Dávajte pozor. Ó! Sme zasiahnutý zlom. Ó, áno.
336Pokúšate sa kúpiť si našu cestu do Ruska. Skúšate si kúpiť našu cestu s komunizmom. Skúšate to. No, peniaze, nemôžete si kúpiť tieto dary Božie. Bol tam jeden muž, Šimon, raz sa o to pokúsil a Peter povedal, “Zahynieš so svojimi peniazmi.“ My odohrávame rolu Šimona kúzelníka, ktorý sa pokúšal kúpiť si dar Boží.
337Vráťte sa naspäť do Slova. Poďte naspäť ku Bohu. Navráťte sa späť ku Kristovi. Potom sa nestarajte o komunizmus. Zvolíme správnych ľudí. Budeme mať iných mužov, ako Abrahám Lincoln, George Washington, niekoho, kto bol skutočným mužom. Neobviňujte tam tú vládu. Obviňujte seba. Toto by Ámos povedal. A to je to, čo by povedal každý pravdivý Boží prorok, ak pozná Slovo Božie. Ak je pravdivým prorokom, pozná Slovo Božie, pretože To prichádza ku nemu.
338Izrael, v ich spoločenstve, ktoré vytvorili so svojím nepriateľom. V prvom rade sa museli dostať preč od Slova Božieho, predtým, ako mohli vytvoriť spoločenstvo s ich nepriateľom.
339A predtým, ako by sme mohli niekedy vytvoriť spoločenstvo s našimi nepriateľmi a ostatnými vecami, musíme sa dostať preč od Slova Božieho. Aha! To isté teraz, nechávame Rím všetko zabrať. No, robíme to po celý čas. Ona prevzala vládu. Zaberá miesta. Ona dostala ľudí. Teraz preberá cirkvi.
340Čo robíme? Stále sedíme a súhlasíme s tým. „Ó, to nerobí žiaden rozdiel, či to je týmto spôsobom, alebo takýmto spôsobom. To je stále Boh, v každom prípade.“ Vy biedni, mizerní, odpadlícki, takzvaní proroci. Čo sa to s vami deje? Oni nepoznajú Slovo o Bohu a týchto veciach. Neštudujú Slovo. Neuvedomujú si to. Hovoria, že komunizmus ide zabrať celý svet. Nie, to nie.
341Rímsky katolicizmus ide prebrať svet a robí to pod menom Kresťanstva. Nepovedala Biblia, Ježiš, že, „Bude to také blízke, že by to zviedlo aj samotných vyvolených, ak by to bolo možné?“
342To, čo dnes potrebujeme. Dovoľte mi na tomto zakončiť. Idem teraz zakončiť. To, čo dnes potrebujeme, je ďalší pravdivý prorok. Amen. Potrebujeme muža, ku ktorému príde Slovo Božie. Áno, brat. On by bol opovrhnutý a vyhnaný von a odvrhnutý, ale on by určite udrel palicou. On by to mohol urobiť. Áno. On by určite hádzal toľko Semena, pokiaľ by To Vyvolení nenašli. Aha. To je pravda. Potrebujeme proroka. Potrebujeme muža, ku ktorému prichádza pravdivý výklad Slova, cez ktorého Boh hovorí a potvrdzuje Slovo, aby To urobil pravdivým. To je to, čo potrebujeme. A, brat, máme jedného zasľúbeného, podľa Malachiáša 4, „Aby obnovil.“ Čo? „Vieru ľudí naspäť do Biblie.“ Máme jedného zasľúbeného. On to urobí.
343Ámos to vedel. Tak veru. Ámos vedel, že Izrael, že jej bezbožní milenci ich čoskoro zničia.
344A ich bezbožní milenci dnes ich čoskoro zničia, samotné denominačné vyznania a veci, ktorými sa do toho zviazali. Vy, Letniční, tá vec vás zničí, vaše vyznanie a denominácia. Vy sa tam sami zväzujete, beriete na seba znamenie šelmy a neviete o tom, sťahujete si to rovno cez oči. Samozrejme. To je bojkot. Čo sa to snažíte robiť? „Buď do toho patríte, alebo nepatríte.“ Rozumiete? Iba čakáte, len trochu, len o trochu dlhšie. Potom poviete, „Potom odtiaľ vyjdem.“ Nie, nevyjdeš. Už si v tom. Už si označený. Si lapený označením na sebe.
345Nezáleží na tom, že Ezav horko plakal, keď to lepšie pochopil. Iba horko plače, snaží sa nájsť miesto pre pokánie a nemôže ho nájsť. Potom tam zostanete. Teraz je čas utiecť.
346Ámos vedel, že ich bezbožní milenci ju čoskoro zničia, lebo oni, cirkev Ho musela opustiť, Boha a Jeho Slovo, Cestu Života. Oni odišli z Božej Cesty Života a vytvorili si svoju vlastnú. Ó, Slovo bolo pre nich kameňom úrazu.
347A je To rovnaká vec i dnes. Slovo Božie je kameňom úrazu, pre takzvaných Kresťanov. Povedzte im o vodnom krste vo Meno Ježiša Krista. Povedzte im o Svätom Bohu. To urobí...
No, povedia, „No, my máme Svätého Ducha.“
348Prečo potom stále nosíte nakrátko ostrihané vlasy? Prečo stále krstíte na meno „Otca, Syna a Svätého Ducha“? Prečo stále veríte tým ostatným veciam, ktorým veríte, a správate sa takým spôsobom, akým sa správate. Poďte to dokázať. Vaše ovocie to dokazuje. Ježiš povedal, „Po ich ovocí ich poznáte.“ Áno. Vidíte? To len ukazuje, že hovoríte o niečom, o čom nič neviete. Tak veru. Áno.
349Ak by tu bol Ámos, on by kričal proti ich systémom. Viete to?
350Teraz idem prečítať jeden verš, pred zakončením, 8. verš z 3. kapitoly. A začnime čítať.
Lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Pán prehovoril, kto by neprorokoval?
351Počúvajte. Teraz na záver chcem povedať toto. Prepáčte mi, že som vás zdržal o pol hodinu dlhšie. Ale pozrite sa. Chcem povedať toto. Som poľovníkom. Poľujem. Som šťastný, že Boh mi dal niečo, ako toto.
352Jedného dňa, keď tá zbraň vybuchla, išiel som hneď naspäť, pozrieť sa, či môžem opäť strieľať. Nechcel som, aby ma to zastrašilo. Ak by som mal na ceste vrak, neprestal by som šoférovať auto. Ak by som kráčal na poschodie a zakopol by som palcom o koberec a vypadol cez okno, neprestal by som chodiť. Rozumiete? Nie, nie. Boh mi dáva čisté skúšky. To bol Satan. To nebol Boh. Rozumiete? To bol Satan.
353No, poznám na to duchovnú aplikáciu. Práve teraz sú tu traja z nás v tejto miestnosti, ktorí vedia, čo to je. A to by vám postavilo vlasy na hlave, ale nikomu som o tom nepovedal. Rozumiete? Iba títo traja ľudia, ako potvrdenie. No, to je celé v poriadku... To je celé... Boh o tom vie všetko a varoval pred tým a všetko ostatné. A vieme to. Čiastočne to bola moja chyba a mal som niečo.
354 Raz som sa ujal človeka, ktorého som sa nemal ujať. Mal som z neho vytriasť pečeň. Rozumiete? A keďže som to neurobil, musel som za to platiť. A tak potom, tak my... To je v poriadku. To som bol ja a je to teraz odpustené. A pôjdeme ďalej. Rozumiete? Áno.
Ámos, tento 8. verš, „Ak lev reve, kto by sa nebál?“
355Poľoval som v Afrických džungliach. Bol som okolo miest, kde boli levy. On je kráľom zvierat. Ležal som vonku v noci v džungliach a počul som škriekanie, a hyeny sa smiať a kvíliť, a ostatné zvieratá. A potom, niektoré z tých hyen by vám mohli len zraziť vašu krv, keď vrieskali. A tam s leopardmi a vrčaním a všetkým možným a chrobákmi, opicami, paviánmi a tisícekrát tisíce, „škrek, škrek.“ Kráčate kamkoľvek a môžete počuť všetky druhy tvorov, ktoré tam chodia. Ale nech zareve lev, dokonca ešte aj chrobáci stíchnu. To je hrobové ticho. Zostanú ticho. Prečo? Prehovoril ich kráľ. Amen.
356„Ak lev reve, kto by sa nebál? Keď Boh hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?“ Keď Boh hovorí, prorok kričí. Viete, čo tým myslím? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, „Amen." - pozn.prekl.] Pravdivý prorok kričí. Priatelia, On prehovoril. Potom, nech každé stvorenie z Jeho Kráľovstva dbá na To, čo On povedal.
357Ak môže lev rozpoznať, že tam nie je niečo v poriadku, keď reve, všetko z jeho kráľovstva umĺkne. Oni počúvajú. Dokonca malí chrobáci, pretože sú v kráľovstve toho leva. Ten krvou prenikajúci výkrik hyeny, on zmĺkne. Ten slon, ktorý tam môže zodvihnúť leva a zatočiť s ním s tým jeho trúbením... A nech lev zareve, on zmĺkne a zostane ticho. Nech africký bizón, ktorý môže fŕkať, a vyzerá to, ako by mu z nozdier šľahal oheň. Keď na neho lev skočí, nemôže mu ani ublížiť. Nech nosorožec so svojím sedemtonovým brnením, prerazí ho, a so svojím veľkým rohom. Nech zareve lev, on zastane vo svojich stopách. Čo sa deje? Prehovoril jeho kráľ. Rozumiete? On chce počuť, čo bude povedané.
358A keď Boh hovorí, prorok kričí. A potom, nech Jeho Kráľovstvo dbá na to, čo On hovorí. Boh prehovoril. Nech každé stvorenie z Jeho Kráľovstva počúva, čo On hovorí.
Modlime sa.
359Ó, Lev z pokolenia Júdovho, povstaň a zarev! Ty kričíš v tomto poslednom dni. Tvoje oči sú zúžené. Pozeráš sa dole. Vidíš hriechy tohto takzvaného Kresťanského národa a sveta. Vidíš hriechy tejto krajiny, keď boli vykúpené drahou Krvou. Vidíš, ako sa denominácie brodia cez Tvoje Slovo. Vidíš, ako falošní proroci klamú. Božiu Pravdu zapierajú.
360Zarev, ó, Lev z Júdu! Nechaj Svojich prorokov kričať. „Keď Boh hovorí, kto by neprorokoval?“ To je Slovo Božie, vychádzajúce von z Biblie, pohybujúce sa ku prorokovi. Ako môže byť ticho? Ak by to robil, bude roztrhaný na kusy. Ó, Bože, nech Tvoj prorok reve, Pane. Zarev von Svoje Posolstvo, Bože, a nech každé stvorenie z Tvojho Kráľovstva dbá na To.
361Nech sa môžu zastaviť. Nech sa ženy môžu pozastaviť a prekontrolovať sa. Nech sa muži môžu zastaviť a skontrolovať sa. Nech sa môže každý kazateľ, ktorý počúva túto pásku, zastaviť a preskúmať samého seba, lebo reve Lev z pokolenia Júdovho. A pravdivé Slovo prichádza ku prorokom, hovoria, kričia, „Čiňte pokánie a navráťte sa späť, predtým, ako bude príliš neskoro.“
362Bože, odovzdávam dnes ráno toto Posolstvo, na páske a v tomto viditeľnom publiku, Tebe, lebo verím, že s Tým súhlasíš. A zavolaj každého syna a dcéru Božiu, ktorí sú pod... ktorí niekedy započujú túto pásku, alebo budú pod zvukom toho hlasu, nech sa vrátia späť ku pokániu, predtým, ako bude príliš neskoro.
1 Why, good morning, friends. It's a fine morning, and a good time to be here. I'm happy to be alive this morning, and to be here with the congregation again. There is so many things can happen in such a short time. And we don't know what time that we're going to be called upon, to answer, up at the big Court. And we want to be prepared at any time, so we can have peace.
2 And I'm very grateful, as I said. Course, I was here Sunday night, and was speaking to the people... I preached Sunday night, and want to thank Brother Roberson, all you all called in, about enjoying that Message of Sunday night, "We have all things." And so I... Sometime I didn't think I was going to speak, just come down and looked at Brother Neville. His--his throat kind of like a bumblebee down there. I thought, "Poor brother, if he sure calls on me tonight, I'm going to help, or do everything I can." Cause, I know what that is, when you're tired and hoarse, and you've preached hard that morning. And so I--I spoke for him Sunday night. And so we're--we're... I thank you, very much.
3 Now there's many requests, they say, for prayer. And so let's just remember them, first, all these requests. Let's bow our heads now.
4Our Heavenly Father, it is written that we should enter Thy assemblies with thanksgiving upon our hearts, make our requests known in the assemblies of the Saints. And we have many of them, this morning, so many, that we don't know how to call them to Your attention, but You know them. There's many that was not spoken of. You know them, also. So, we pray with all of our hearts, as we did last Sunday night for Sister Shepherd's, Brother Shepherd's, child. There when in the... Come back, the Holy Spirit said, "She does not have no polio. She'll be all right." What a satisfaction we have when we hear from You.
5Now we're asking this morning that You will grant these requests for the sickness, for the bereaved home, for the loved ones, and all that's been spoken, Father. We pray that You will remember each one. And I offer my prayer, and the prayer of these people, before Thee; gathered together, and sent to You, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Hear us, Father, we pray. Amen.
6 I want to thank each and every one of you all for your prayers for me. While I... You know I had a little explosion down on the range down there. And Satan tried to kill me. And--and, course, he couldn't do it. But God wasn't through with me yet. So he just can't do it until it's all over. When God is finished, then I'm ready. But I... My good friend, Brother Woods, down there, it's just the mercies of God, or he'd just found from here down, and not from here up. Was about a five or six ton explosion that close to my face, like that. Never hurt me a bit. See? Scratched my face up a little. So, that, well, it's all gone now, just one little spot left there.
7 So, I want to thank Brother and Sister Dauch over here. Brother Brown, and them, who understood by telephone conversation that they gathered together, a group of people, and prayed for me. And that just is something, does something to you. You know, you pray for others, and everything, and then when you find out that somebody is praying for you when you need it, that means a whole lot. And I know many of you didn't call in, or anything, but you did just the same. And it means a whole lot to us. And that's the reason that I... it didn't hurt me. God let me be well. And so I'm very grateful.
8 Now, I have some announcements just before we dedicate these little fellows. Now, tonight, there is service at the tabernacle. And all you that come here at the tabernacle, come right to the service here. And so we're... I'm going to speak for Brother Ruddell, tonight, up here on the highway, one of our visiting brothers. And then, as soon as I get back, if I have another night, I want to go to Brother Junie Jackson. Then that brother at Sellersburg, we owe him a night up there, and so we want to go up to see him. And the brother over at Utica, getting in these nights as we can.
9 This week I leave for Green Bay, Wisconsin, as you know, to the regional convention of the Full Gospel Business Men.
10Next Sunday, I'm at that high school, that up there, that I was the last time there. I forget the name of that high school auditorium. [A brother says, "Mather."--Ed.] What is it? ["Mather."] Mather. Stephen Mather. Yeah. All right. High school auditorium.
11And then, Monday, I'm in a convention over where I held the discussion with that ministerial association in Chicago, the last time there. We're in that place for a farewell meeting to Brother Joseph Boze, who is going to Tanganyika. Tanganyika, I believe he calls it. And Kenya, and Durban, and through there, making arrangements for my oncoming fall meetings; and in Africa, and through South Africa. And then we ask you to remember us in prayer in these meetings. Then we return back.
12 And I don't know where I have time to get it, another day at the tabernacle, or not, before we go then up to North Carolina. And then, from there, to South Carolina. And then all the way over to the Cow Palace in Los Angeles, at South Gate. And there is where I hope to get to go and see Mr. Weatherby, the one that made the rifle that the shell exploded in.
13He didn't have the head space backed off too much, and let the shell push back instead of go forward. It was an old rifle I just sent to him. He had it bored out, then, and made into a different kind of a rifle. I put the shell in it, raised up to shoot, and it, well, it blowed the gun fifty yards around me, like that, melted in my hand. The barrel went out on the fifty yard line, the bolt went plumb back behind the deer cage, thirty, forty yards behind me, and pieces of shrapnel flew and knocked bark off trees and everything else. So that was that close to my eye, just about one inch, where it went off like that. And if it had blow...
14And that gun will stand sixty-nine hundred pounds of pressure, itself, without blowing. So you can imagine how much was on it, to do that. And remember, if it'll blow that, it could have blowed my head and shoulders too, you see. But there was the Lord standing there, that didn't even let it hurt me, just scratched me across the face. And a little shrapnel went in below the sight of my eye, made a ring around the sight, so it didn't touch the sight, where the shrapnel went in. One of the big pieces that stuck in the skull went around the eye, didn't get in the eye, though. Oh, my!
15 Not long ago, you remember, I told you He met me in the room, and said, "Do not fear, for the never-failing Presence of Jesus Christ is with you forever." See? See? So that proves it, that He is.
16A doctor that looked at my eye in Louisville, he said they wrote back to Dr. Sam Adair down here, our friend, and said, "The only thing that I can say, that the Lord was setting there that morning with His servant to protect him, or he wouldn't even have head and shoulders left." So, He was really good to me, and I appreciate that. It brings me a little closer. It always makes a little different.
17 And then, two days after that, three days, after I was going on to my meeting, where I had scheduled in Canada, the man, without knowing anything about this, called me back, and had to postpone the meeting. See? I'd have been on the road out there, this thing hadn't happened like that. See? And so then called back, and I have to take the meeting, the Canadian meeting. And that will be in July, the last weeks in July. Then I'm going on to Dawson Creek, then to Anchorage, Alaska, the Lord willing.
18Now, none of these meetings I have any leadings to go it, not a one. But I can't think of setting here all summer, setting around here, and people dying everywhere. I got to sow seeds, wherever it is, no matter what. If it don't come up, if the birds of the air get it, whatever it is, I want to sow seeds, 'cause He give me some to sow. So I--I'm going to sow the seed anyhow. Now, we have a time here that I...
19 Many people, what they call, "baptize" little babies in the Christian faith. Well, that's all right, if you do that. That's up to you. Course, they don't really baptize them. They just sprinkle water on top of them. But, to me, I like to stay just what the Bible said do. Therefore, just what the Word said, that's what I want to do, just whatever It said. And, now, I--I don't find any place in the Bible.
20In the Old Testament, they brought the children for fleshly circumcision, the little males, and the mother offered an offering for purification, two turtledoves or a lamb.
21But, in the New Testament, the only place that I can find to commemoration of this great service of... It was a dedication. They brought infants to Jesus, and He picked them up in His arms and blessed them. That's what the parents did of His day. And His life was an example of what we should do. See? These things He did for an example.
22 Now, we just take the little ones, and they bring them to us, and we just hold them up to God, and ask God's blessings upon them, and pray a prayer of dedication from the mother and father, to God, as they present their child. And... or dedicate them in the Name of Jesus Christ, until they're old enough to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. And now, He said, "Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the Name of Jesus Christ." So--so that's what we wish to do.
23 And now, while the sister will play softly this little song, sister, we have here, Bring Them In. And the mothers and fathers that's got these little babies that's never been dedicated to the Lord, if you'll bring them now, while the congregation, we sing softly to them now, a hymn. Yeah.
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the little ones to Jesus.
24I love these little fellows. There is something about them that's so sweet.
25I guess this is strictly an Italian. Isn't he? All right. The Italian family, few ones that have to be dedicated. Little Italian sister here from, oh, from Chicago, is here. Said, "This is the Italian family, this morning, but I'm not going to preach."
26What's his name? Jonathan David, what a beautiful name! Now, Jonathan. He said his boss had an--had an Italian name, and he had... He wants his baby to be named a Bible name.
27You know, there was a great Italian in the Bible, by the name of Cornelius, one time, you know. He had a band, and he was good, and he gave alms to the people, when he being a Gentile, yet. You know the story. And one day an Angel came to his house, told him to send down for a man who knew the program of God. And he... You know the story. While, he had those people in such respects of God! "While Peter yet spake these Words, the Holy Ghost fell on them." That's right. I pray this baby will be the same type of man, the same name.
28 Jonathan, beautiful! Can I have him? Come here, Jonathan. My, what a little lump of sugar for this family!
Let us bow our heads.
29Our Heavenly Father, years has passed by, as the story that I've just quoted, of a great man named Cornelius, who was a good man, righteous, paying alms and loving God. And an Angel of God came to the house of that man. O God, we give to You, this morning, little Jonathan David. I pray, Heavenly Father, that as I have taken him from the arms of his mother and father, who is presenting him to You... I offer this prayer of dedication of this child's life for a life of service to You, a blessing to the home, a great stepping stone to the Church. Grant it, Father. I give to You little Jonathan David, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
30God give you His grace and help to raise him in the admonition of God.
Bless you, Jonathan David.
31 Now, this one, my, he's quite young, or is it she? He? My, another preacher coming along, I hope. What's the name? Micah. Micah. I'm speaking on him this morning. Micah Edward. Edward, that's a fine name. Now, my wife could do this a lot better when it comes to holding him, 'cause I'm always afraid I'll break them when they're little. See? What a sweet little thing, them little eyes just looking around. He's so little. How old is he? One month old.
Let us bow our heads.
32Heavenly Father, this young couple again walks up here to offer to You the results of their union of life You have given them, to raise in the admonition of God. Bless this little Micah. God, I pray that You'll make him a man like Micah in the Bible. Grant it, Father. Give to him the blessings of God. Bless his father and mother, and make him an inspiration here on earth, a great stepping stone for the cause of Christ. And now, hear us, Father, I present to You, from the arms of the father and mother, to the arms of God, little Micah Edward, in Jesus Christ's Name. Amen.
33May the Lord bless him, bless you, the father and mother, to raise him in the admonition of God.
I believe that's it. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]
34 Oh, I just love them little fellows, just every one. That, each one, is the prettiest baby in the world. There's just no need... When I brought little Joseph home, that was, honestly, the ugliest little fellow I ever seen, but his mother and I thought he was a doll. But that's the way it is, you know. That's the... We just think that.
35 I'm wondering, this morning, some of our members here. There was a--a... Now, this eye has belladonna in it, which blurs a lot. But Sister Nash... Asked about Brother Nash; I wonder if he had got all right. Is... Are they here? Oh, well, yes, he's here. Praise the Lord, Brother Nash. That, that's good.
36Now, Sister Edwards, is she here? The... Or, Sister Shepherd, that had the little, sick girl, she is all right now? Fine. I got the news, and the thing was just about five minutes till I had people, out of town, for interview. I run in the room and prayed, and they said the child was taking polio, arms and legs was stiffening. And I run in to pray, and said, "I'll come after church." Told Loyce to call back and tell the lady I'd be there after church; if she wanted me, to call me. And when I went in to pray, the Spirit said--said, "No polio. She'll be all right." I come down, well, we all had prayer here at the church. That just settled it.
37 [A sister says, "Brother Branham?"--Ed.] Yes, ma'am. ["We went to the doctor on Monday, after you prayed for him the first time, and all the pleurisy in his chest is all cleared up, gone from his throat."] Praise the Lord! Prayer changes things.
Say, he isn't here, this morning, is he, the son-in-law? Yeah.
38Last Sunday, the last time I preached here, Sunday a week, there was a young fellow set here; I kept looking at him. I thought, "I ought to know that chap." And come to find out, he was my old schoolmate's son, Jim Poole. Why, we was raised together, from little boys, up. He is the one that I had the shotgun accident with, that time, and then later on had one himself, and a friend of mine. I trust that I can lead that boy to Christ. I tried his daddy so hard. I believe I will, yet, will bring him in. I hope I can lead that young fellow. He had a... I looked around at him. He looked like he had a fine, what I call it now (don't make this remark to anyone else), but, vibration of his spirit, a good feel. I believe it wouldn't take too much to lead that boy to Christ. So let's pray for him. That's right.
39 And, brother, see, somebody else was sick, or something, that I trying to think of.
40However, we pray for all. And when sometimes... When you send a request, remember, as soon as I get it... My wife is in the building somewhere, I think, so she knows. As soon as I get a request, right straight to my den room, I go to prayer, and stay there till I feel something. I just don't give it up.
41 Other day, when Sam, Dr. Sam, picked that stuff out of my eye, he was trying to, and it hurt him so bad, he had to put a towel over my face. Said, "I can't see my buddy's blood." Said... And I was bathed in it, you know. But he said, "I can't do that and work on it." See? And so he pulled that out. And the next day he was in the hospital. So I prayed for him, and he come out all right.
42And then the second day, his wife, they didn't even know what was wrong with her, thought she was taking polio. See? Said, and said... And prayed for her, and now she is home well. So we got in the room, Doc... We went in the office, and he... We pulled the door together, said, "Now, Brother Bill, I'm going to ask you something." Said, "Will you pray for me and Betty?"
I said, "Let's. Let's pray."
43 So, he is the one that the Lord showed the vision, where to build the clinic. You, you remember the story. If you ever doubt it, go by and ask him sometime. Yeah, just said, "Just let anybody come in." Said, "I've told it to ten thousand people."
44 [A brother says, "Brother Branham?"--Ed.] Yes, brother. ["For those here this morning and to put more faith in other's hearts: Easter Sunday morning, you called out a precious soul here, the third one, which was a man. You said he was from Seymour. And you said, through the anointing of the Holy Ghost, 'They call you, "Bill."' I know the man. I know him very well. And after we left here, his name is Isaac. They do call him 'Bill.'"] Yes, sir. See?
45His actual name is Isaac. [The brother says, "That's right."--Ed.] But they call him Bill. ["That's right."]
46The Holy Spirit makes no mistake. It's the infallible. Now, this, someone was talking, said... "I'm--I'm fifty-three, and third, about thirty-one years, I've been behind the pulpit, and I have seen Him in tens of thousands of things."
47 Yesterday, I was down, way down, southern Kentucky, right on Tennessee border, and I was setting in a boat with Brother Daulton, who the Lord gave all of his children to him. You remember the morning here, when he started out. And he said, "Brother Branham," said, "I guess it'd be hard for you to estimate."
48I said, "Oh, Brother Daulton, tens of thousand times tens of thousands of things like that."
Said, "Why don't you try to write a book" (I said...) "of it?"
49I said, "Oh, my, Brother Daulton, it'd--it'd go across this boat here, an encyclopedia, just volumes of books of what I seen the Lord do. And not one time has He ever failed, see, not one time; but, perfect each time."
50 I see, I believe now, if I'm not mistaken, Brother Shepherd's girl, with a kind of an orange-looking dress on. I think that. I stopped by her, the other morning. She was walking down, and I thought I might have the wrong girl to pick up, so I took off. So that was me that stopped, sister. I--I thought it was Brother Shepherd's girl, and I'd pick her up, 'cause I thought maybe his car might have broke or something. We was going, get Becky. And I thought it might be the wrong girl. But now I seen him setting with them there, so I--I believe it was the right girl. So that was me that pulled up there and then pulled away.
51 So, everybody love the Lord Jesus? Oh, wonderful! That's just fine and dandy. Amen.
52[Brother Neville says, "Brother Willard just came in."--Ed.] Well, Brother Willard, we're just glad to have you in. And you look pretty good, too, the best I can see you. We both kind of hamburgered up, around the face. I look like I've been hit with a handful of it. And I seen Brother Willard that night, when he was asleep, and honest to goodness, he looked terrible. But you look awful good this morning. And we give thanks and praise to God for it, brother. Amen. Yes. You know, the Devil can't kill us till God says, "Come on." Then we want to go, don't we, Brother Willard? That's right. Until then he's just trying in vain. That's all. The Lord Jesus is our Help and our Refuge.
53 Now here I talk along here, when I've just got about six hours to preach this morning. See? Just... Now, we never notified, didn't send out no tickets, and things, 'cause I already announced I wouldn't be here. But, just to come down and help Brother Neville, and get to see you all again, and have a little time of fellowship.
54And last Sunday night, Brother Roy Roberson, I don't know whether he's in here, or not. I can't make out enough to see that he's here. He called me up, was telling me about the Message.
55And someone called, said, "I was wondering when you talked about 'God gave us all things.'" See? He did. He gave us life. Try to buy it. He gave us love. Try to buy it. He gave us joy. Try to buy it. He gave us peace. Try to buy it. No way of buying it. You can't buy it.
Then I said, "He gave us death."
Someone called up, said, "Preacher, I wondered where you was going with that." Said, "I thought, 'Uh-oh, here Brother Branham tied hisself that time.'" Not when the Bible says so. See? The Bible said He gave us death.
56 Now, what can we do with death? You know, Paul coming to death, he said, "O death, where is your sting?" Death don't control us. We control it. Right. All things is given to us.
57 And then I gave the illustration of how that Israel, on the march to the promised land, they had never seen that land. They knowed nothing about it. They just had a promise of God, there was a land, and it was full of milk and honey, and good, and--and a great place. And it was. They never had seen it. Nobody ever been there, knowed anything about it. But they had the promise of it. And by faith they sojourned into the desert.
58And when they got right to the border line, they had a warrior there by the name of Joshua, which means, "Jehovah Saviour." So he crossed over the Jordan, into the promised land, and brought back the evidence that the land was there. I like that. And it was a good land. Two men packed one bunch of grapes out. It was a good land, so he brought back the evidence that the land that they were going to possess was there.
59 Now, to the Church, we are journeying to a Land of immortality, a Land where there's no death, a Land where the dead is raised up. And we had a great Saviour in our camp. Jesus means "Jehovah Saviour," Beloved. And He crossed the Jordan of death, over into the other Land, and come back, and brought the evidence that we live after death. Amen. So where is death at?
60 And then He gave us all things. "Now we have the earnest of our inheritance. Insomuch..." Now listen close. And I ain't preaching on that subject, but it just feels good to me right now. See? That, we have the earnest of that. For, one day we walked in sin; and after being baptized in His Name, and raised with Him in resurrection, we've been brought out of sin, never no more to want to go back again. See? We are raised from sin, with the evidence that we have. We're potentially in the resurrection from all death. See? If we could raise up from sin, by faith in Him; and there is sin, who would want to go back to the garbage cans of sin again? See? We've passed from death to Life. See? And that's the earnest. Amen. That's the earnest of the complete resurrection, all death, physically. And spiritual, we done overcome spiritual death, 'cause we've passed from death unto Life.
61 And as Elijah went down to Jordan one day, and struck it, with Elisha, and it parted back, and he crossed over. He come back with a double portion.
62And when we strike Jordan, with Christ, we got one portion, but when we return, we're coming with two portions. We got Eternal Life, resurrection from sin, now, in righteousness with the Holy Ghost. And then on the return, with Christ, we come back with both physical resurrection, and we already got spiritual resurrection. We have a double portion of it. Always a type of Christ and the Church: Elisha and Elijah.
63Oh, I don't want to get started on that. My, my, my, we'd never get on this six-hour Message here. [Brother Neville says, "Meat on the bone, yet."--Ed.] Yes. My! "Meat on the bone," Brother Neville said. Still gnawing it. Oh, aren't you glad? [Congregation says, "Amen."] See? We don't have...
64 There ain't no bother no more. Death is nothing. We got it. It's ours. It can't control me. I control it. How? Through Him Who made me an overcomer, because I've already overcome death. How did I do it? By believing on Him. See? Death is in sin, unbelief. I'm not an unbeliever. I'm a believer. I've raised from that thing, resurrected. It's the earnest of all my complete physical, spiritual resurrection, everything. Yes, sir. You get it? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] So we do have death under our control, through Jesus Christ Who has overcome death, hell, grave, sickness, sorrow, everything else, triumphed over all.
65 And we are now risen with Him, setting in Heavenly places, spiritually speaking, in Christ Jesus, with all things under our feet. Even the physical resurrection is under our feet, 'cause we're in Christ. Do--do you get it? If you do, raise your hands. [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Amen. That's good. As long as you get it, that's fine. See? Don't let... Now just keep keeping it in your mind. See? "We have passed from death unto Life," physical, spiritual, every way.
66 And everything, and all things, belongs to us now. Why, the world out here is saying we're crazy, and yet the whole earth belongs to us. How you going to inherit it?
67 When, as I said, Abraham, see, he was in the promised land; God gave it to him. Lot was taken by some renegade outlaws, took away. That was his nephew. All right. Everything was in that land belonged to Abraham. So, he wasn't a warrior. He never did fight. He didn't have any warriors with him. He had some servants. But when he seen that something, the Devil, had come and robbed him of something that was a promise to him, he armed his servants and took an arm himself. He didn't know how he was going to overcome this whole company of kings. Just a handful of servants, but God told him how to do it. He divided himself, and slaughtered the kings, and come back triumph. Why? He laid his faith upon God's promise that everything in that land was his, and Lot was part of it, that's right, was part of the land. Oh, my!
68And there he met Melchisedec, after the battle was over. Could you just see Abraham coming up the road? He didn't know he was a warrior, but he knowed then he was. Yes, sir. And he met the One Who gave the promise, Melchisedec.
69 Now let's read out of the Book of Amos. I'm going to speak this morning; not six hours, though. I hope not. See? On a--on a subject, that, The Way Of A True Prophet. And tonight, the Lord willing, I'm going to speak on, Letting Off The Pressure, and so the--the Lord willing.
70 Now, I am known to be a critic, but I--I--I am not critical, only anything that's wrong. But I, we, should criticize wrong.
71Now, if you're going to turn your recorders on now, in the room, why, all right. I want to read now from Amos, the 3rd chapter. Or the... Yes. The 3rd chapter of Amos, just a portion of it, Amos 3.
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for... your iniquity.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD has not done it?
Surely the Lord... will do nothing, but he reveals his secrets unto his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?
72 His eyes must have got narrow, as he stood that morning on the hill just beyond the city of Samaria. I can see his steady hands as it moved through his gray beard. The hot sun was shining down. He wasn't too glamorous to look at. How different from the modern evangelists today! His clothes was rugged; shaggy-looking beard. And looked down upon that city of Samaria, his eyes getting narrow as he looked. He wasn't much to look at, but he had THUS SAITH THE LORD for that nation.
73It was, perhaps, a lot different for this oncoming campaign, that the Lord has sent him to Samaria for, than what our modern evangelists would be. He wasn't equipped for such a revival, as we would think he should be today. But remember, he wasn't a modern evangelist. He was a prophet. He didn't care about the modern equipment. He had THUS SAITH THE LORD.
74 He didn't care how he looked, and how much fashion he was dressed like, whether his hair was combed right, or whether anybody looked at him or not. He had the Word of the Lord. That was his full objective: bring that Word of the Lord. Who was this fellow? Yep. It was Amos, the prophet, rugged individual, but he knowed where he was standing. He knowed what he was doing. He was a true prophet of the Word. And the reason he had come to this city, was because the Word had come to him.
75And when the Word of the Lord comes to a true servant, he must go, regardless of circumstances, or regardless of difficulties. He must go, anyhow. Whether he's prepared, whether he feels like it, whether he wants to, whether whatever more; he must go, anyhow. It's God speaking, and he must carry this Message. Because, it's... He never goes for foolishness. He never goes for money. He never goes for popularity. He only goes in the Name of the Lord, for one thing. He's got a--a mission, and he's sent of the Lord. And he is the Word of God, because he's carrying the Word of the Lord. That is a true prophet of the Lord.
My text is: The Way Of A True Prophet Of God.
76 This great, fearless man of God prophesied in the days of Jeroboam the second. I've got part of his history wrote out here before me. He prophesied about thirteen years of his campaign. And Jeroboam, was Jeroboam the second, was just about as smart and able a man as Israel had had for some time. He was a man that had brought prosperity to Israel. Israel was all flourishing. But, he, was something wrong with him. He was an idolater.
77And I kind of reading this, the other day, I kind of thought that was pretty fitting to today. No matter how smart a man is, and how much he can do, and how much prosperity, if he gets away from God, he's an indebtment to the nation, away from God and His Word. I wonder if it isn't fitting to us, today, to someone who loves to set on television and show how smart they are, how much brains they got. But I wonder if they got enough to take THUS SAITH THE LORD. He was a smart man, all right.
78 Israel was in a backslidden condition. Her preachers, her priests, and also her government, had all left the Word of the Lord. Now, they didn't believe that. They believed that they were with the Word of the Lord. "But there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death." Why was they wrong? Why could a man believe that--that if they were wrong? A whole priesthood of men, thousands of preachers and priests, and kings and governors, all who professed to be worshippers of God, and, yet, all of them were wrong.
79Then, they didn't need a king for prosperity. What they needed was a prophet, because the Word of the Lord, or the interpretation of the Word of the Lord, comes to a true prophet. Sometimes you can see what his way is then. It's a pretty rugged way, when all the priests, and all the preachers, and--and--and all the diviners, and--and the government itself against him. But, yet, the Word of the Lord comes to the prophet, and that alone. He has the right Word. Although he had the same Bible they had, but the Word was to him. God was vindicating that he had the Word.
80 They had the greatest buildings and the religious systems, and so forth, that they ever had, altars built everywhere, and--and all kinds of--of things, but still they were a million miles from the Word of God.
81I think, myself, the picture would fit very good today, as I read this Book of Amos. You must read it when you go home. All the government, priests, all of them had left the Word of God.
82I would just like to read another portion of Scripture here, I got, to show where they had done it. Now let's read the 2nd chapter and the 4th verse, just a minute.
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD,...
83That's the Word, despised It, and yet they thought they had It.
... and have not kept my commandments, and their lies caused them to error,...
84Now, they had the Word, Bible, but the lies that they had joined with It had caused them to error.
... after... which their fathers have walked:
85See the reason? Now, they had error because that they had put their own translations or interpretations to the Word. And I thought it was fitting to today, as so many wants to put their own idea to the Word, and we get in a mess. What a rebuke from God, this prophet had.
86 Now, Amos was God's prophet, a true prophet. Any man that ever reads about Amos knows the boldness of that fearless man of God. He is considered one of the minor prophets, 'cause he didn't stay very long, but he certainly laid the axe to the root of the tree. He was one of the most fearless of the prophets, and he come with the anointing. He come with THUS SAITH THE LORD. He knowed what he was talking about, because the anointing of God was upon him to bring the right interpretation to God's Word to them.
87 Amos come from the country, the wilderness, to the city of glamour. He had never been there before. He was a country boy, way back out in the wilderness. While he was back there in prayer, God had met him, and had told him of the wickedness of this glamorous nation in which he was a part of. And Samaria was the capital, one of the capitals at the time, and of the reign of Jeroboam.
88And when he stood there that morning, at the top of the hill, walking in with his old, crude, country clothes on, perhaps dust and mud on his feet, and where he had slept in that old ragged garment, night after night. And I don't know, he didn't have bathtubs in that days. It might have been a few days since he took a bath. But that don't hurt the inside of the man. Too much, day, putting on the outside, not enough on the inside. We're so concerned about whether we bathe each day, and our hair is groomed, and our clothes changed, and everything, and then let the inside go any way, wear the same old sinful garments, stinking the soul up with creeds and dogmas, and never search it and wash it in the Word of the water of separation, from the things of the world.
89 As he stood that morning, looking over the hill, at that glamorous city, full of modern things that he had never dreamed there was such a thing. Israel was in its height. It was in an alliance with all the nations around it. Very glamorous, the women dressed to the spot, and the--and the men. And they were pleasure-stricken, running races, and olympics, and everything going on. No wonder his eyes narrowed; not with the glamour of the city, like some tourist would do, coming into New York, or to Los Angeles, seeing the half-dressed women, the men carrying on, and the sin.
90 Some friends of mine, a few days ago, was coming up from a fishing trip, just below a Bible college of a great, famous Bible college. And there, laying in the road, in the weeds, were young girls, half-dressed, and young boys, perhaps students from the college, drinking and carrying on, horrible.
91Now, such carrying on as that tickles the appetite of a many American who calls themselves Christians, when they look down into Los Angeles. Or, I've watched them on the plane when we come in to Los Angeles; they never been there before; or to Hollywood, or--or to Florida with all their neon lightings over the--the palm trees. Oh, they would powder their nose new, and fix up the makeup. They were thought it was the most glamorous thing they ever seen. And see the well-groomed and dressed, walking on the streets, they wanted to get out there and see how tight they could wear their clothes, or twist up-and-down the streets. When, they think that that is something wonderful.
92 But those God-anointed eyes of that prophet didn't narrow because of the glamour, like some tourists, but on the moral corruption, to a people who was called to be blessed of God. His eyes didn't look at the glamour. They didn't narrow because of glamour. It was because of the--the--the indecency and the corruption of a people that had been called to be the chosen of God, and would act in such a way as that. Wonder, he said, "The lion roareth, who will not fear? God spoke, and who can keep from prophesying?"
93He seen the corruption, the decay. That's what he was looking at. That's when he seen all of that. It didn't attract him. It sickened him at his soul. Why? He was a prophet. He knowed what God had promised to bless, and what a blessing was, and how people act with the blessing. And the Devil has perverted in his day, from what a real blessing was, to a--a--a moral decay; a blessing to tickle the eyes and appetites of unconverted people, to the will and way of God, and God's way of life.
94 How typical it is today! How preachers can stand in the pulpit, and look upon sin and corruption of this world, and see people that doing and acting the way they do, and then just bless them because they're a member of their church, or a denomination, it's more than my soul can understand.
95When God speaks, prophesy! If the Spirit of God strikes a real prophet of God, he'll cry with the Word. I don't want to be critical, but who can hold their peace? Who can stand to look upon such a thing, and profess to be a servant of Christ, and not call it out? I don't care what a denomination would say, or what any church would say; that's the reason I don't belong to them. They'd kick you out, the first thing. But God's Word comes first. If you're a messenger, you've got something to say. If you say anything contrary to This Word, you're not a messenger from God; you're a messenger of the covenant of some denomination or some theory. But a messenger of God has the Word of God.
96And our friend, this morning, as we looked at him, he had the Word of God, because he was a true prophet of the Lord.
97Now, they thought they had the--the interpretation to it, and thought, "Well, sure, look what we're doing."
98 Now, the thing of it is, we've got him standing there on top the hill this morning, looking off, down through the city. Shaking his head, looking; his eyes narrowing. Taking his sleeve and wiping the sweat from his face, and dust. Hot sun shining down upon his bald head. His beard hanging down; he's rubbing it with his hands. He didn't see glamour. He saw sin. It didn't please him. It sickened him.
99Why would he not say, "Me, an Israelite, look how my country has prospered"? How could he say that when he was a true prophet of God, knowing the results, and what was going to become of such a thing as that?
100 Let's stand him on a hill today and let him look down. Let him look in Jeffersonville, at the people who call themselves Christians. Let him look anywhere in America for a people who call themselves Christians. His God-anointed eyes would narrow again. His hands twitched in his beard. Why? He don't see the glamour and prosperity that the world sees. He sees the--the going away from God. He sees the moral decay of the people. He sees the backsliding of the nation. He sees the rottenness in the church. How could he do anything but narrow his eyes, and long to get into it, so he can tear it to pieces?
101 What if some bishop would have met him up there, and said, "Now, are you the prophet of the Lord? Now, we'll tell you what you can say and what you can't." You think he would have listened? What if they'd said, "Come join our organization now, and we'll help you in your campaign?" You think he'd have listened? No. I couldn't imagine that, out of a man like that. No.
102He was sent of God. He didn't have to have their cooperation. He had God's Word, God's anointing, God's appointed time. He was coming in THUS SAITH THE LORD. Uh-huh. That's the true prophet. That's the way he travels. He travels with nothing but THUS SAITH THE LORD.
103 Would this glamorous city of Samaria, this self-styled, high-educated Israel, these fine-polished preachers and priests, receive this little, unknown fellow? Probably his grammar was very poor. Come from a poor family in the wilderness. Left home, called of God, went into the wilderness to study God and His Word, and become a prophet. The Lord born him that way.
104Prophets are born, a messenger for the age, who God, by foreknowledge, knows the age and has His agent there to call out sin.
105 Could that glamorous city receive him? You think those women would have paid any attention to what he said? You think those priests would have listened to him? Why, no, sir. He had no recommendation with him, from any organization. He couldn't say, that, "The Pharisees sent me." Neither could he say that the Sadducees sent him. He didn't carry any credentials. He didn't have any fellowship card from any group of people. He had no forerunner to fix up his campaign. There hadn't been all the Pharisees that had a union meeting and a--and a ministerial breakfast, and got everything together, to fix his campaign up, and knowing that he was coming. He was unknown to them. He had no fellowship card. He had no credentials. He had no recommendation from men.
106 But he had THUS SAITH THE LORD. That's the way of the true prophet. He had THUS SAITH THE LORD. If he had THUS SAITH THE LORD, it's so far different from our man-made schemes here. That's all he needed. If he come this way, he come in the name of a church. If he come from This way, he come in the Name of the Lord. So, a true prophet always comes the way of the Name of the Lord. Always, he comes in the Name of the Lord.
107Now, he couldn't show fellowship cards, but he--he had the Word of God. And that's what God had sent to the people. Now, the people had formed themselves organizations. They had different sectarian groups, and that's what the people had formed. But Amos didn't have that. He just had THUS SAITH THE LORD. That's what he had.
108 I'd imagine those priests, of a morning, have a little on the sabbath morning, have a little prayer, so forth, a little dedicational services, and--and went back. And talked a few things on great Moses, that one day lived, and a great somebody else that some day lived. "But, oh, the days of that has passed now. You people know our new president, our new government and all we got," and talk on a few things like that and go home.
109But here come a man not caring for that. He come with THUS SAITH THE LORD. See? That's the way of the prophet. No cooperation, knowed what was facing him, knowed that everything would be against him, know that they would reject him, they would turn him down. But he was coming in the Name of the Lord.
110Jesus knew that Calvary was facing Him, but He come in the Name of the Lord. See? That's the way of the true prophet.
111 He had the Word of the Lord for the nation. But the true Word of the Lord was foreign to those people. Yet, they thought they had It. I hope this gets down deep. They thought that they were so pious and religious, that the real Word of God was a foreign thing to them.
112That's the way it is today. The true Word of God made manifest is a foreign thing to lots of Pentecostal people. The real interpretation of the Word, the real woes, and curses, the real blessings of God is a foreign thing to many people who call themselves holiness, church members, Christians. It's a foreign thing to them. They don't know it. Mention It to them. "Never heard of such a thing." And, yet, their organizations grow and prosper, getting bigger and bigger members all the time, and more organizations added every year.
113 They thought that anything that come to them had to come out of those sectarian groups. Certainly they wouldn't receive him. Neither would they do it today. They had long forgot, that, "God was able of these stones to rise up true prophets to God." God is able, of the back woodsmen. He is able to raise, of these stones, men that'll stand for His Word, and prophesy in His Name, the Truth. "Laying the axe to the root of the tree." Let the chips fall. I don't care whether he's got cooperation or no cooperation. But that's the way of the true prophet.
114Some people thinks he's got it easy. They don't know what they speak of. He wasn't brought into town by a carriage, setting upon fine, harnessed horses, tassels, and the high priests standing out there, with big high things on their heads, bowing to him, "The honorable Dr. So-and-so is coming." That would have been some organizational setup.
115 Like the King of all of them come, He come, like, come through a stable in a barn, cow barn. Never come in pomp and glory, but He come in the humility of a Baby born in a barn. Amos didn't come... The Word of the Lord; 'cause he was the Word of the Lord. Any Word of God, it ain't the person; it's God.
Jesus said, "It's not Me that doeth the works."
He said, "You're a Man, making Yourself God."
116He said, "Then if I do not the works of God, don't believe Me. But if the works speak themself, believe the works, if you don't want to believe Me."
117Amos was God's Word walking down the road. He walked in, crudely, not in the fashions of the world. He come in the power of the Spirit.
118That's the way the Word of God comes. Not in organizational creed, not in a sissified something in the pulpit; but It comes in the power of the Spirit, to manifest God to the nation and to the people. It's a difference. How much different!
119 Now, this realized, forgot long ago, that God is able of stones to rise up true prophets. They didn't have... Their organization didn't have to raise up a true prophet, 'cause it perhaps couldn't do it. Cause, if it'd be, it'd be an organizational prophet.
120But, God raises! God takes what He wants to. He takes nothing, usually, to do His work; shows that It's God. A man is all puffed up, and thinks he is something, then God can't use him, because there's too much of hisself.
121That's what's the matter with the Christian church today. They think they know something. The Bible says, "When a man thinks he knows something, he knows nothing that he ought to know." The trouble today, we got so much self, so much hypocrisy, so much education, so much religion, and know nothing about the salvation of the Word of God. That's the pitiful part of it. Yes.
122 They had forgot, that, "God was able of these stone to raise children unto Abraham, or raise up true prophets of the Word."
123They don't have to come out of some certain school. God gives them their schooling. They don't have to have four degrees in college. They don't have to have their Bachelor of Art, and--and their Doctor's Degree, and so forth. They don't have to have that. God takes anything He wants to, and puts His Word in it. How does He do it? He manifests It and proves It.
124They couldn't say what seminary Jesus come out of. He didn't have any. "What school is He from?" He didn't have any. But what did He have? He had God, and He was the Word. They couldn't point back to some school.
125And God never did raise a man out of a school. Go down through history and find out where He ever did. He doesn't. He takes something from somewhere else, that's got nothing, no hopes for it. Then He brings that in and places His Word in it, and manifests Himself. That's what He was doing here in Amos. All right.
126 Now, Amos' Word was vindicated by God, in the day, in their own days. A vin-... God vindicated Amos' Word to be, that he was, had the Word of the Lord.
127And if he would come to us, right now, do you think our nation and our people would receive a man like that? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Do you think the Baptist would receive Amos? ["No."] The Methodist? ["No."] The Presbyterian? ["No."] The Pentecostals? ["No."] The Catholics? ["No."] No, sir. No. He certainly wouldn't.
128 Let's, for just a moment, transport him and bring him here, just a minute, and find out if they would or not. Let's just see whether he would, whether our churches would receive him today or not.
129The first thing he would do, he would disagree with every organization, 'cause it's contrary to the Word. Yes, sir. He would condemn our whole setup. That's right. Every doctrine, every creed, every denomination, he'd condemn the whole thing.
I just imagine, I can see some of these Pentecostal presbyters saying, "Why, glory to God! If he... Why, we wouldn't have that man in our town."
130And what do you think the Presbyterians and Baptist would do? "Why, that ignoramus, we don't want him around our country. He's nothing but a--a crank." They'd sign a paper to put him in prison, if they could, get him off the streets.
131But you think you could keep him there? Oh, no. You can't cage the Word of God. No, no. It'll come forth, anyhow. Prison bars opened one night, when they tried to cage It. A Light came in and delivered him out.
132 No, he--he would certainly disagree with our setup. All right. What would he start doing? Tearing it down. Why? He's a servant of God. He would go straight to the Foundation and start his campaign, right straight back, and tear every creed off of it, and go back to the Foundation. What is the Foundation? On God's Word. Right. "Heavens and earth will pass away, but My Words shall not." So he would tear every denomination, every creed, every doctrine, out of it, and throw it sideway, and he would blast it into Eternity.
133 You think the Pentecostals would receive him? No, sir. Baptists? Presbyterian? No, sir. Nazarenes? Pilgrim Holiness? They would hate him. Certainly. You think they'd go out and meet him in a--a limousine, and bring him into the city? They'd pray for the sun to scorch him up there. They'd set up a barricade, to keep him out of town. Why, there'd be more ministerial meetings around, over the city, you ever seen in your life. "Keep that crank out of this city."
134But, yet, he had THUS SAITH THE LORD. See? That's the way of a true prophet. He'd be despised. Certainly. He would go straight to the Foundation, for his campaign. He wouldn't need. He wouldn't say, "Now, I want all you Methodists to come in now and help me. I want you Baptist. I want all you people around here. All you Pentecostals, you claim that you're the last group that God is going to call, I want you all to come to me, and I want you to support my campaign."
135 "How do you baptize? What's initial evidence of the Holy Ghost?" Those questions, it'd be throwed in his face. And when he come back with the Bible Truth, they would turn him down. But that's the way of a true prophet. He's got all that to confront. See? Certainly.
136We wouldn't receive him. No, sir. Our--our... We wouldn't have none. We'd have none of his campaigns around our--our country. No, indeedy. Well, we wouldn't have him. No, sir. But he would come and bring the Church back to the Word, for That is the foundation. "Anybody lays on any other foundation, it's sinking sand. Upon this foundation alone, God builds His Church, upon the Doctrine of the apostles."
137 As I was saying the other day; someone talking about--about purgatory, and give references to many like Saint Francis and Saint Cecilia, and she praying for certain people, and out of purgatory, and give such an authorities as that. That's unscriptural authority. It's people who does not have an authority. The apostles had the Scriptural authority. And if it's contrary to them, it's a lie, as far as I'm concerned.
138 I do believe in a purgatory, but I believe it's right now. You purge your own soul. Purgatory means "to purge." When you see you've done something wrong, get out there and clean it out of you, by confession, and crying, and fasting, and praying.
139Someone even laughed at me when the Lord came here not long ago and give me a vision. I always wanted to see about binding that serpent. I always wondered how to. I should step out like that. When, that's what I've wanted, all my life. Then I begin to fast and pray. Said, "What'd you do that for?"
140I said, "In there, He said I was not sincere enough." After He come, then I wanted to purge myself. Not wait till you die, and let some priest try to purge you. Purge your souls!
141But, see, they took it out of the authoritative Word, and put it over in the hands of some man-made dogma, to bring money into the church, because they look at worldly things, worldly church, great powers in the world, political powers. But God looks to His Word. And any word that's contrary to God's Word is wrong. As far as I'm concerned, it's the Word or nothing. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
142 He would go straight to the Foundation. He would tear the thing to pieces. He would have to. He couldn't do nothing else, if Amos was here today. He couldn't do nothing else, for, remember, he is a true prophet of God, who the Word comes to. He couldn't do nothing else but go back to the Word. No matter if all the Pentecostals in the country gathered around him, said, "Sir, Amos, we believe you to be a prophet, but you're off of the Word. We want to straighten you up." He would stay with the Word. There is nothing else he could do, because he's a prophet. He didn't need their cooperation. He's got a Message to give. "And all the Father has given Me will come to Me." And he's going to preach the Word, and He's going to preach It just like It would be in the Bible, and therefore we'd turn him down. That's right.
143No matter what It would be, the Word of God comes to the prophets, their interpretation of the Word, the right interpretation.
144 Israel always got out of line, and God sent them a prophet with signs and wonders, to interpret that Word. And how did he know? He said, "If this prophet speaks, and it comes to pass, then that's right." He vindicated His prophets, that they were right.
145Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also. This you'll know. These signs shall follow them that believe."
146 And how can they claim to be a prophet of the Lord and deny the very Word of God? How can a man baptize in the name of "the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," them titles, and deny the very Name of Jesus Christ, when there's not a Scripture in the Bible to support their theory? I may be hard and critical, but it's time to get that way. It's the Truth.
147How can the people claim themselves to be Christians today, and running out here to everything; and women with bobbed hair, and wearing shorts, and smoking cigarettes, and running to picture shows, any kind of an old show, and carrying on? Tell me that's the Holy Ghost? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Don't you never tell me that. You, you make God sick at His stomach, if there was such a thing could be done. Yeah. I'm sure you understand. Call yourself, such as that, how can there be such a thing? "By their fruits they're known."
148 He would blast and condemn every bobbed-haired woman. How could he do anything else? He's a prophet. And that's the Word. He'd say, "You, Jezebels!" He'd get rough with them. Why? He's a prophet. He'd have to stay with the Word. That's right. You think they would stop? No, sir. They'd say, "It's a fanatic. He's as bad as that old Paul was, in the Bible, woman-hater."
149 "You, the bunch of impostoring, so-called Christians. No matter how holy you try to live, that don't have one thing to do with it. As long as you deny God's Word and don't line up to It, you're a sinner, an unbeliever," that's what he would say. He wouldn't... Lay, he'd lay the axe right to the root of the tree. He wouldn't spare nothing. He's a prophet, and that's the way of a true prophet. They'd stay with that Word regardless of who it is. If it's their own mother or daddy; makes no difference. Jesus did. Wouldn't even as much as call her a mother; she wasn't. He was God. God don't have a mother. They would, then who is His father? See?
150 He'd blast and condemn them. He'd condemn every denomination, because there is none of them built on the Word. I can't find one of them. And as soon as they denominate, they're against the Word right then. So how can the... a prophet bless what the Word condemns? Yet, he don't want to do it, to hurt his brother, but yet he's got to do it because he's a prophet. And he's a representation of the true Word of God, and don't move from It, in no way at all; precept on precept, and line on line. See what I mean? The way of a true prophet.
151How many, "The Lord, I wish You'd make me a prophet"? He doesn't do that. No. He doesn't do that.
152 He would condemn every immoral act of the churches, these bunco parties and all these things that they're having, card parties, soup suppers. He'd condemn every one of them. He'd blast them into hell where they come from.
153Think you'd receive him? No. The church today wouldn't receive him. Pentecost receive him? Well, he'd walk in there, say, "You bobbed-haired bunch of Jezebels, don't you know what THUS SAITH THE LORD means? Walk out here with a little skinned-up looking dress on, don't you know you're guilty of committing adultery every day with hundreds of men." That's what he would say.
154 You say, "Well, that old fogy! The old bald-headed, gray-looking fellow, get him out of that pulpit. Let's see you, trustee board, deacons, get him out of here."
155"Well, you bunch of miserable hypocrites." Right. Amos would call it out. Then call yourself, "We are... We belong to this group. We belong to that group." You're of the Devil, your father, for he's the one that denies the Word.
156Say, "I spoke with tongues." And then bob your hair? "Glory to God! Hallelujah!" And the Bible said it's a--it's a common, "common thing," for a woman to pray with her head cut like that. Then call yourself a Christian? Shame on you. Crawl off in a corner somewhere, get right with God.
157 Put on them little old short clothes, and get out here in the yard, and stretch yourself out, when you know good and well you're committing adultery with a hundred men every day. Said, Jesus said so, "Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her." She was the one presented herself, and you did it in your...
158 Where, you, you're dead to the things of the world. You've raised from that, as I said, the beginning. "You'd turn your head in shame. Your eyes narrow upon such a horrible thing of sin, instead of look at women to lust after them. You men that do a thing like that and call yourself Christians?" That's what he'd tell you. I'm trying to take his Words this morning. They would be his Words. For, he, remember, he's a true prophet. He'd have to stay with that Word. Uh-huh. I'm just quoting his Words. That's all. Cause, if you brought him, he is the Word. Then, here's the Word, Itself. May not have the man, but you got his Word, cause he'd have the Word of the Lord.
159 Every man-made doctrine, he'd condemn it, such as baptism "in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost." He'd throw that thing plumb back into Eternity. He'd condemn it, so there wouldn't be a smell of it left. Yes, sir.
160How many, you, how many in the church this morning would receive him upon that?
161Then they, this Jesus Name bunch, they'd--they'd say, "Oh, we'd take him on that." And then your organization, he'd blast you right on out with it. That's right. Your bobbed-haired women, and you putting up with it. That's right. Your men, the way they do and act. That's right.
162A lot of people say, "It's good to be a prophet." It is, if you're ready to sell out everything to the world and stay with God and with His Word.
163No, we wouldn't receive him by no means, our denominations today. We certainly wouldn't have nothing to do with him.
164 Listen to him blast it. He said, "The very God that you claim to believe in, He will destroy you." What will you do about that? The very God that Pentecost believes in, from the very immoral acts and the things that they're doing and permitting to be done, that very God will bring judgment upon them organizations. That's right. Exactly what Amos said to them.
165"Oh," they said, "we got Abraham. We got--we got this. We got the law. We got priests. We got prophets."
166Oh, brother, them eyes narrowed as he looked upon them, and blast that Word into them. Yes, sir. Sure. They wouldn't receive him. No, sir. He said, "They'll destroy them with your man-made doctrines." That's what he'd tell you today. He'd say the same as he did then. He said, "The very God that you're building churches to, perhaps pay millions of dollars, the very shrines that you're building to Jehovah, that you claim that you love, that very God will destroy you because you're rejecting His Word."
167 So is it today! The very God that America claims to serve will bring judgment upon the nation and destroy it. I hope that gets so deep that you'll never wiggle out of it. The very One that you claim that you love, and with your own man-made dogmas, and immoral life and decay that you got in you, away from the Word of God, will destroy you some day. That's THUS SAITH THE LORD. Nothing else left for them.
168 Line up with the Word! Preach the Gospel to them; cross the nation; tell them the Truth. The ministers fuss and scream, and carry on. The men condemn. The organizations turn you out. The women shake their head, and wouldn't let their hair grow out, for nothing. Wear their clothes just as exactly the same, year after year. Just like pouring water on a duck's back. "Then you claim you love God?"
169He said, Jesus said, "You've took your traditions and made the Commandments of God of none effect."
170That's the way of a true prophet. See? It's not an easy way. It's not what everybody thinks it could be.
171Jump up-and-down and scream, everybody patting you on the shoulder, then that's a sign you're not a true prophet. That's one of the very signs that you haven't got what you're talking about.
172 When did they ever pat him on the back, less they had an axe to grind? What? He'd turn around and condemn them. Right. Couldn't pat Amos on the back. They couldn't pat Elijah on the back. He didn't stand for that stuff. No, sir. He told them the God's Truth. And if Heaven is so great, and where we're going to, then if we can't line up with little bitty petty things, how we going to line with the Spirit There? Got to line with the Word. That's the way of the true prophet. Though it tear him to pieces, to say It, yeah, he's got to tear a nation to pieces, with It. That's right. But that's the way.
173 He would blast it. Oh, my! Know what he said to them? "The tumult," if you notice here. He said, "It's not in your government. It's in you." That's what he said. Yeah. "Tumults in the church, your form of godliness, that's what caused the trouble."
174The reason communism is sweeping the land today, it's not because of communism. It's because of the church. It's because of the people. Today they call themselves Christian. They sing like Angels. Trained voices, and speak with such eloquent, like they were Archangels; and disbelieve God's Word, like devils. That's right. Sing like an Archangel, dress like a I-don't-know-what, and deny God's Word.
175 A man, a preacher in the pulpit, that'll stand there and be called Doctor, Reverend, and ask him, "Did the Bible speak baptism in 'the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ,' or, 'Father, Son, and Holy Ghost'?" And he'll laugh in your face and take, "Father, Son, Holy Ghost." Then call yourself a child of God?
176Women knowing that the Bible condemns them to do certain things, and bob their hair, and act like the world, and wear immoral clothes and things like that, and they'll constantly do it, anyhow; and speak in tongues, and jump up-and-down, and shout, and have old ladies societies, and sewing circles, and send missionaries to the field. It's become a stench in the sight of God. And, THUS SAITH THE LORD, He will destroy the whole thing. He will.
177 It's not an easy thing, but that's the way of a true prophet. Blast It out there, and say It whether It hurts or not.
178John was a true prophet. He said, "The axe is laid to the root of the tree." That's the way of them. Sure.
179 The trouble is in her. Sing like Angels, dance like devils out here, dances, carrying on, card playing, race tracks. Pentecostals, going to the places of amusements, picture shows crowded with them. Every place, any kind of an old play or anything else, and go right down there, and races and everything else, and call themselves Christians, and go up and shout, and speak in tongues, and take feet-washing and communion.
180Why, it's--it's, "As a dog goes to its vomit," the prophet said, "so do they." If that thing was of the world, had to be kicked out of you, why do you return back to again? Right. Out on the streets, twisting, they call it, rock-and-roll, bobbing hair, wearing shorts. Oh, my! Call themselves Christians. Could you... No, I better not say it.
181 That's why I condemn them. If I'm going to stay with this Word, if this Word comes to me, I'll stay with this Word. This is what comes to me, the Word. Condemn it!
182 Claims to be led by the Holy Ghost, and do such things. Could you imagine a woman, being led of the Holy Ghost, let her hair be bobbed, when the very Holy Ghost condemns it? Then what kind of a Person is the Holy Ghost? Could you imagine?
183Could you imagine a preacher stand in the pulpit, and any man challenge him to show him one place anybody was ever baptized using the titles of "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," and laugh in your face and call you a fanatic, by baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ, and say he's led by the Spirit, and say he's got the Holy Ghost? Would the Holy Ghost deny His Own Word? No, sir. Uh-huh. Do you see? I hope you get it.
184 I don't know how much time. The next blow up may get me. But, until it does, I'm going to be standing right there with the Word. When I meet you yonder at the Judgment, I'm going to be standing right by that Word. That's what I believe to be the Truth.
185 No, you don't do things like that, and then have the Holy Ghost. Went to a minister's wife one time, setting up there with a dress on, it was horrible-looking.
You say, "You ain't got no rights."
186I have got a right. That's the Word. Preach It all. You bypass those things, a lot of sissified preachers, because they haven't got the audac-... Maybe you haven't even been called to preach, in the first place. Yeah. But a true servant of God will stay right with that Word. Right.
187Minister's wife setting there, all squeezed up in a dress, with earrings hanging on, and make-up on, and short bobbed hair. When, God condemns the whole thing as filth. And then saying you got the Holy Ghost?
188 I was preaching here in Phoenix, not long ago, on something like that, and the minister's wife setting on the pulpit, with one of these boyish bobbed hair all kinked up, and with a dress that she couldn't even keep her underneath skirts from shining. Couldn't get down over her knees. About four or five inches above her knees, setting up there; jumping up-and-down, leading songs. I blasted it just as hard as I could. Course, he won't invite me back. I don't expect to. But he knows what's right and wrong. When I stand at the Judgment, it's not on my hands anymore. Then go off and say...
189 A man, so-called teacher, which I don't say but he isn't, made a remark the other day, before some of my friends at a certain city I been into. You know the brother. And this brother come in. He said, well, he said, "We had Brother Branham here once." A certain city, and out West. And this man said, "Oh, Brother Branham's a good man." See? He knowed better than to throw anything on the character. Said, "Brother Branham, but don't you listen to his tapes, because they'll get you confused."
190And there happened to be one of my friends there, said, "Just a minute, sir. I was confused until I heard the tapes." Yeah. That's the difference. "I couldn't understand how a holy God would put up with such things as that, as you all do." Yeah.
191Same person, another one with him, stood at a certain place not long ago, said, "Brother Branham is a prophet. He can discern things. And things like... But," said, "now, don't listen to his Doctrine, 'cause he's not right." The insanity, the uncouth expression as that!
192 Don't you know that if it is a... I'm no prophet. But if the Word of God is true, It comes to the prophet. "The Word of the Lord came to the prophets." They was the one interpreted the Word. Then, you see, you don't...
193It don't even make sense, just to hide behind some petty denomination, one of those days will break and mold, and perish in hell.
194But the Word of God will endure forever. Upon that Rock I build my hopes forever, upon the Word of the Lord. Let everything else sink. If I lose every friend, everything else, my friendship is in Christ.
My hopes is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' Words with righteousness;
When all around my soul gives way,
Then He's all my hope and stay.
195 That gun exploded the other day. I seen. I thought I was dead. Had a peaceful feeling. I looked around. I thought, "Well, this is it." What good would a denomination do me then? What good would an organization do me then? I'd have to stand yonder at the fiery judgments of God, to be judged by this Word.
196Though I may had to scorch, and bend, and twist, and pull apart, many people, but I'm hoping to make, get the genuine kernel out of there, of the Word of God, and there build a soul for Eternity. That's right. Let God put it in His hands and build it to an obedient child.
197How could--how could a man, led of the Holy Ghost, do such a thing as that? Or, a woman with the Holy Ghost, do such things as that? No. He is holy. And if His Life is in you, you are the same. You'll be just like Him.
198 Israel, as we, thought because they were prospering with their alliance with others, that was God's okay upon it. Now, you know, we think that today.
199I talked to some men here not long ago, at a hotel, a few days ago, big men in the religious realms. And they said to me, "God proves that He's with us. Why, we growed last year, Brother Branham," I forget how many hundreds, like that.
200I said, "That's not one bit of approval." Uh-huh. That's right. Prostitution improve, increased last year, about thirty percent; did that show God was with prostitution? [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Sure. Huh! That argument is no good. No. You can't do it. No, sir. God stands with His Word. Any other man will stand with His Word, if he's honest. All right.
201 They thought, because they had an alliance! Now, here, we'll get in, just a moment, on the governmental affairs. Our nation has turned down the Word of God, just like Israel did. They turned down the Word of God, and their people, their priests, and prophets, and so forth, are prophesying good to them. And, they, what can we do but prophesy wrong, because it's contrary to the Word! She is doomed. "Our great, beloved nation, based upon the... our experience of our forefathers." Then get back to what they had. Uh-huh. Right. Sure.
202 Israel was a great nation. Look at their forefathers, but God didn't spare them. That old bald-headed prophet was throwing the Word to them, and it happened just exactly the way he said. Read your history here and find out if it's not right. It come to pass just exactly the way he said it. And he condemned them, yet, them standing there, and the holy priests with holy garments on, sprinkling this; and wouldn't move a hand, this way or that way, because it was something this way, a tradition or something.
203Jesus said, "You are of your father, the Devil, and his works you'll do." They took Him and condemned Him, and hung Him on a tree, and killed Him. Exactly right. God raised Him up again. Yes, sir.
204 No, they would not. We would not believe Amos today, not at all. And today we have made an alliance. We got what we call today... We think it's God's "okay," because our organizations are increasing and--and everything is going the way it is. We think that's God's "okay" upon it. You know, they joined up, I believe, about two or three more million Protestants. And Catholics has went several million more. See? They think that's God's approval, by them being Catholic. Protestants think it's God's approval, them being Protestants. Huh! It's nonsense. It's cannon fodder. It's atomic ashes. It's the wrath of God being built up, to explode. That's exactly right.
You listen to me. I'll tell you the Word of the Lord. Amen.
205 Look at us. Look at the world today. Look at our nation. We're joined in with the U.N. What's in it? A bunch of ungodly. And we, with the audacity not even to let prayer being offered before our sessions come in.
206Did I just not read here, "How can two walk unless they be agreed? God doeth nothing unless He reveals it to His servants, the prophets. How can two walk 'less they be agreed."
207When, we got Mohammedan, Buddha, atheists, ungodly, selfish, everything else, in it. You think--you think God could dwell in something like that?
208"Well," you say, "that, well, we're in alliance with them. We got all the Western protection."
209They had all the nations around them, in protection. But that prophet said, "God will destroy you. The very God that you serve will destroy you, for your foolishness." He would say the same thing this morning. He would bawl, from the White House plumb down to the poor farm. He sure would. He would blast them, with the Word of God. He certainly would. That's the way of a true prophet.
210 "Look at us, the churches. Oh, we are the great holy Roman Catholic church!" Spoke, in the Bible, to be a WHORE.
211"We are the patriarchs of the fathers, the Protestant churches, all united together, and called the... is called the World Council Of Churches." Prostitutes of the WHORE, the Bible said. That's exactly what It said. Uh-huh. And yet we think, "And now all the churches are going together."
212Mr. Collins, a friend of mine, brother from California, Arizona there. Your--your... [Brother Neville says, "Elmer."--Ed.] Elmer. I said, "Well, I guess you're going to some fine little Methodist church."
213Said, "I got out of it when they joined that Council Of Churches up there."
214I said, "God bless you. You're nearing the Kingdom, brother." Uh-huh. Yes, sir.
215Dogma, depending upon the association with men, and with their man-made doctrine, and leaving the Word of God. What we need is a prophet today, blast that Word in there. That's exactly. Yeah.
216 They, they take safety among themselves. "Oh, we joined. We, Pentecostals, sure, we joined the World Council Of Churches, because in there we have fellowship. We'll win them over." Like a woman going to the barroom, to get drunk with her husband, to win him to God. More like the husband going with the wife, these days, to the barroom, to get drunk, to win her to God. Nonsense! Stay off the Devil's ground.
217When anything denies that Word, I'm against it. That makes me against every organization, 'cause it's against the Word. Ought to make every believer feel that way. Huh!
"Well," they say, "but, remember, we've got..."
218I got a big piece in the paper, someone sent me from Arizona, of how this patriarch So-and-so, the other day, said, "Pope John the Twenty-Second," or whatever they call him, "had... He's a fine man. He's the only man that ever talked on uniting the churches, the Catholics and Protestants, together." Said, "It might not come in our days, but, the next fifteen or twenty years, it'll be here."
219I thought, "Boy, you being a patriarch, you're prophesying, and don't know it."
220 "It's later than we think." The guy that wrote it to me, wrote on top the page, "It's later than we think." He had been listening at the tapes, too. Yes, sir. He said, "It's later than we think." Said, "Brother Branham, didn't you say this, years ago?"
221I said, "Sure." Yes, sir. It's coming to pass, because it's the Word of the Lord. It has to. Sure. Yeah.
222They say, "Well, this holy patriarch, don't you think he ought to know something more than that?" No, sir. If he denies God's Word, look in it like that, he can't.
223 I don't care how many popes, prophets, and what else you got among you. If you're off of the Word, you're off of the Word. That's right. How could God ever bless such a thing, as long as they deny the very Word of God? How can He bless anything besides His Word, something that's contrary to His Word? How can He deny It?
224How can you bless a cancer that's eating you up? How could you bless a--a--a electric wire that you're holding, you say, "Oh, hold me and burn me up"? That'd be insane.
225How can God bless anything that's against His Word? So get back to the Word! Uh-huh.
226You bunch of preachers, like hound dogs, matter with you? You go out here and sell your birthrights for a mess of pottage, to ride around in some Cadillac or something, or some big, high mansion somewhere, and a big million-dollar church. And all those things like that, and sell out your birthrights, and ashamed and afraid to preach the Word of God to your congregation. Say, ain't you ashamed of yourself? And call yourself a servant, a prophet of God, selling your birthrights for a mess of the world. What will you hatch out? The same as Esau did. Oh, what a disgrace!
227 Oh, no! A holy God that watches over His Word, to vindicate It, could not bless something that's against His Word. Now listen. I know I'm running just a little bit late, and I may be choking you to death. But, look, I want to ask you something. How could a holy God, Who spoke His Word and said, "Now, both heavens and earth will pass away, but That shall not pass away, not one Word of It," now how can He take something that's contrary to That and bless it? How could He do it? Look. He proves, Hisself. He vindicates His Word. He says what's right, not by membership.
228 Look at Moab. Moab had His Word, too, Moab. Israel had His Word; and Moab had a form of godliness, with His Word. They offered seven sacrifices, clean bullocks, upon seven altars; the perfect number, the perfect sacrifice. Then, besides that, he took seven rams, speaking that they believed in the coming of the Son of God, and offered them up there, with their high archbishop. All their dignitaries, all of their priests and high priests, everything else, stood around with their kings and presidents, and whatmore, and offered this just as religiously as they could be, against Israel.
229And there was Israel down there, a little bunch of renegades, looked like. But what was with Israel? God was in their campaign. He was proving Himself, that He was with them. See?
230 No matter how many patriarchs they'd have, popes, or whatever more, God cannot be with them until He proves Hisself with them. And as long as they're off of His Word, and denying His Word, how can He be with them? No signs of the living God amongst them.
231How could God be amongst the U.N., when two can't walk without they agree?
232Now, looky here. There's a church of Christ, so called, joined up with the Pentecostals. The Pentecost say they believe in speaking in tongues. They believe in the evidence of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues. They say they believe in this, that, and the other. They believe in signs and wonders. The church of Christ laughs at them, said, "You bunch of ignoramuses! That was the days gone by." How can two walk together less they be agreed? And they joined together. What they doing? They are seeking safety with one another. Away with such stuff!
233My safety is in Christ and in His Word, for His Word is Hisself. That's right.
No signs of the living God, not at all.
234 That's what Jesus said, "If I do not make the Word manifest, then don't believe It. If God doesn't speak and prophesy through Me, and say through Me and do through Me just what Messiah is supposed to do, then don't you believe Me."
235Then, a guy says that he is a prophet sent from God, and deny the Word? God be merciful to such stuff! How can God ever do such?
236 Let me ask, ask, is this now. I--I don't know when I'll speak to you again. That'd be up to God. I'm just laying in Food, like He told me in that vision that time, putting It in the barrels.
237You might ask me, "How could Amos foresee what was going to happen to them?" Why, it looked good.
238Look. Now look here. Now, listen close now. Cause, This is all on tape, and It's go, It'll go world-wide. See? Now how... Looky here.
239There was Israel. Their seminaries was in better shape than they ever was. There is nobody bothering them. They had their own religions. There ain't nobody said, "You can't worship Jehovah." "Go ahead," said the heathen nations, "worship. We got an agreement, one another."
240That prophet seen through that. See? So would a prophet today see through it. See?
241 "Go ahead." And Israel said, "Well, let us eat, drink, and be merry." So they got a bunch together and made them some creeds, and organizations, denominations, and things, and fixed it all up. And their women just lived in luxury and sin out there. Boy, carried around in cabarets and everything, half-dressed, little silk-look skirts on. If you ever seen some of their--their history of them days, how they looked, oh, almost one-third as bad as they do today. Not quite, though, 'cause they couldn't. Yeah. And how they did and carried on like that; and the kings, and the priests, and everybody else.
242Jesus said, "You devour widows' houses, you hypocrites." He said it. And all these things they were doing.
243That prophet standing there, looking down upon that, that nation like that, no wonder his heart was tore out of him. Yes, sir.
244 Now, you say, "How did he know what was going to happen? How could he foresee it? How?" It all looked good. Why, they got plenty to eat. They got plenty to wear. They, they got their big churches. They're prospering. Money sowed everywhere, luxury. Dances on the street, immorality, and everything else just going on, and everything is going fine. Just like America today. The television is full of dirty jokes, half-stripped women, everything else. Everything you see is just muck and sin. You don't have to look at a television, just open your eyes, look anywhere. Girls, boys, men, women; smoking, drinking. Them Jezebels calling themselves Christians. The filthy devils calling themself Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Pentecostals. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
No wonder it narrowed his eyes when he looked. Huh! That's right.
245 "It all looks good. How can you save, if we're going to do... How? How? Look here. Well, we, we got a million more. We, we got our buildings. Are... Oh, our churches are so big, we have to build new churches. Well, we got so much money, we don't know what to do with it. Why, we just build the best places in the--in the nation. The biggest churches there is, we own them. And we still got plenty of money. Don't you think God has blessed us?" No. You're off of His Word.
246"And, Brother Branham, you mean God is going to destroy this?" Yes, every one of them.
"How you know?" Amos, how did you know?
247Just like a doctor diagnosing a case. When he finds the disease that's on the patient, he knows what to do. He knows what that patient has got. He knows how far it's advanced. And he knows what's going to happen. That's the way with a prophet, a true prophet, when he sees. I don't care what you're doing. When he sees sin advancing, it's an eating cancer. And it's in such an advance, in the Pentecostals and all the rest of them, it can't come back. It's at an advanced stage. They're going to perish.
248 That's how Amos could diagnose the case. He diagnosed it by the Word of God. That's how a--a true prophet diagnoses the case, and says to them women, "Don't you never try to go to Judgment with bobbed hair, when you know better." Says to you men, the rest of you, and you preachers denying the Word, and having a form of godliness, and joining organizations, to dodge the issue, when you know better. You look at the same Word the true prophets would look at. The diagnoses of the case said, "Death! Separation!" Just like a doctor, he knows the case. He knows what kind of symptoms it's got.
249Look at this nation. When you say, "Pentecostal done." When, they won't even let you come to church, 'cause you preach to the women about bobbed hair, and the Bible condemns it. Afraid you'll say something about.
250 Here the other day, when I was making up some campaigns, Roy Borders was, on the West Coast, they brought him together, a bunch of ministers, about, oh, I guess forty or fifty of them, where I had a great meeting. They said, "Mr. Borders, I want to ask you something." Said, "Is it true that Brother Branham uses the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize in?"
251Mr. Borders, a very dignified gentleman, as you know Brother Borders from here. He said, "Sirs," he said, "Brother Branham, when he's out in the campaigns, out, this," said, "he don't preach. He just goes ahead and prays for your sick. That's about what he does."
252Said, "That's not what I asked you," said the presbyter. "Does he?" Now, they had the tapes. They know. Said, "Does he baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ?"
253He said, "Yes, in his own church. That's the only place he baptizes, in his own church."
254He said, "That's it. That's all I want to know. We don't want him. We don't want that heresy amongst our people."
255And the other day, when my good friend, Ed Daulton, got a letter from the Baptist church. He said, "We excommunicate you from the Baptist fellowship, because you have joined in the heresy of being baptized in Jesus' Name."
256I like to stand with Paul, "In what the world calls heresy, that's the way I worship God, 'cause it's His Word." Yes, sir. Yeah. Oh, sure.
257 The doctor diagnoses the case. He sees where it's at. A true prophet diagnoses the case, by the Word. He what? A doctor diagnoses his case, by the symptoms. Is that right? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] He looks at the symptoms and he sees what's the matter with the patient. He sees how far it's advanced, and say, "There's nothing can be done."
258And a true prophet takes the Word of God and diagnoses the cases, throws the Medicine into It. And the people throws It back in his face. What's going to happen? Perish, that's all; pleasure-loving, world-streaked bunch of so-called hypocrisy! But that's the way of a true prophet. See? Oh, my!
259 He sees the diseases. He seen that they got away from the Word. He saw the Word. And he knew the results which was coming. He seen the luxury they was living in, seen the way them women was acting. He seen the way them priests was doing, how they got away from the true worship of God, and things like that. There, he had the--he had the answer. He said, "That God that you claim you'll serve will destroy you."
"Why?"
260"You've not kept My Commandments." And yet they thought he had. Didn't I just read it here? 2nd verse, 4th... 2nd chapter, 4th verse, "Because I chose you to be the... Of all the families of the earth, I chose you, and yet you refuse to walk in My Commandments." You think...
261 That little, bald-headed prophet standing there with that gray beard streaking in his eyes, flashing fire, speaking to that bunch of priests and things, and said, "The God that you hypocrites are acting like you're serving, that same God will destroy you." You think he'd get cooperation? Huh! He said... Oh, my! He, try him today and see if he would. No. But he what? That's the way of a true prophet. He had the Word. He knowed what It was.
Like Micaiah of old...
262 The little baby that I dedicated, I passed some of it, few minutes ago, 'cause I hurry up the time.
263But, Micaiah, when he stood before Ahab, he looked at them. He knowed the Word. Micaiah spoke the Word to them. Why? Micaiah judged his vision, his Doctrine, with the Word of God. And he seen that his Doctrine and the Word was the same. Because, the Word said He would curse Ahab, and He would cause the dogs to lick his blood. That's what the Word said.
264So, Micaiah had a vision. That's, he was a prophet. "See what the Word comes to me." And he prayed, "O Lord God, what must I do? What must I say to this bunch of preachers standing here? Here is all the organizations. Every one in the land is gathered against me, Lord. Here I stand before the king. What must I say?"
265And he went into a vision. Said, "Go on up. Go on." Said, "But I seen Israel scattered like sheep having no shepherd." Yeah.
266 That--that district presbyter walked up and smacked him in the mouth, and said, "Where'd the Word of God, the Spirit of God, go, when It went out of me?" Out of him?
267You know what God said? He let a devil go down, get among them, because they were off the Word, to begin with.
268The Bible said, "If they wouldn't believe the Word, He'd give them strong delusions, to believe a lie, and would be damned by it." That's exactly what these organizations and people of this nation is doing today, believing a lie, to be dammed by it. "For there's not another Name given under Heaven whereby you must be saved." Line up, organizationals, so forth. Yes.
269 Now, what did these others believe? What did these other prophets look at? They were prophets. Yes, sir. They were prophets. But if they would have stopped and examined their prophecy with the Word!
270If the Methodists would stop today and examine their prophecy, they would never sprinkle another person. They would receive the Holy Ghost. They would baptize every one by immersing, in the Name of Jesus Christ. If the Assemblies of God would stop today and look at their prophecy, they would come back to the Word. If the Oneness, today, would stop and examine their prophecy, they would come back to the Word.
271But, you see, if them prophets would have stopped and examined their prophecy! They reasoned. They said, "That belongs to us. So we'll go up to Ramoth-Gilead and we'll take it, because it belongs us. Joshua give it to us."
But Micaiah said, "That sounds reasonable."
272But that's what it is. You don't want to reason. You want to believe what God said. Don't reason nothing.
273 What if Abraham would have reasoned? How would he ever left his land? How would he been a hundred years old, still giving praise to God, and they going to have the baby by Sarah, and her ninety?
Cast away reasons. You just believe.
274You let the Devil tell you, "You know, Brother Branham ain't nothing but a hypocrite."
275"Now, I now wait, let me see if he is. Let's see if he's teaching right. Let me go back to the Bible." Don't, don't go... He won't let you do that. No, no. See?
276But he'll say something bad about me, which he might have a right to, then you just keep getting that, stop and start reasoning, "Yeah. He ought not to have done this. He ought not to have done that." You start looking at me, well, you just have plenty.
277 And you could have got looking at the Lord Jesus. You can find plenty. Look at Him, just a minute. I'm going to put each one of you a minister. Now we're going to forget He ever was on earth. Here is a Boy that's proven, the whole nation over, that He's a--a bastard-born Child. His mother had Him before her and His father was ever married. It's proven. (Now, they're not going to the Word, "A virgin shall conceive.") They're just going to what they hear, see, "An illegitimate Child." Didn't they tell Him, "He was born in sin, and try to teach them"? I'm... See?
278 And look at what He was doing. He was actually tearing up every church there was in the country. Was that right? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Organizations, everything else.
279What was He? "Just some overgrown Boy going around like that, young Fellow, no denomination. Tell me what church You belong to. Who is Your father? You say Joseph is not Your father?"
"Joseph is not My father," He'd say.
"Well, who is Your Father?"
"God is My Father."
280"Well, You fanatic! That's exactly what You are. You, being a Man, and saying God is Your Father?"
281If they would have examined it by the Word! Hallelujah. Don't you see what? The Word was to be made flesh. They didn't examine their vision with the Word. That's it.
282That's what's the matter today. You don't examine your visions with the... your--your prophecy and your doctrine, with God's Word. Somebody try to tell you the Truth, then you fall out with them, just like Amos would, Amos did. You do the same thing.
283 Now look here. He's in this condition. Now, you would have condemned him, perhaps, that's right, if you hadn't have went back to the Word. They do the same. They condemn Him today.
284What if you women, here and here, yeah, why don't you examine your idea of your bobbed hair with the Word, and see what It says? See? Why don't you do those things?
285Why don't you examine your baptism, of "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," that false "trinity," is so called, which is nothing in the world but three offices of one God, titles? No name of "Father." There's no such a thing as name, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
286Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which is, "the Lord Jesus Christ." Examine your baptism with the way every one in the Bible is baptized. If you'd examine your thought with the Word, you--you'd come back and you'd be baptized in the Name of "the Lord Jesus Christ."
287That's what Paul told them to do. And said, "If anybody else taught anything different, let him--let him be accursed, even if an Angel come down."
288 You know, a lot of times, Angels come down. Boy, how Pentecost eats that up!
289How about when Saint Martin was standing there, and here stood a great bright being stood before him?
290A man who baptized in Jesus' Name, who believed in the Holy Ghost, and kept the Word! And the Romans kicking him out, and doing everything to him, trying to give him their dogmas and man-made doctrines. That man stood on the Word.
291One day, in his power, the devils would come to him and try to talk to him. He wouldn't pay no attention to them.
292One day, Satan come like that, like Christ, crowned, golden slippers on, stood there and said, "Don't you..." Blazes of fire around him. Said, "Don't you recognize me, Martin? I'm your Lord. Worship me."
Martin looked at him. "There is something wrong there."
293He said, "Martin, can't you recognize me?" Said, "I am your Lord and Saviour." Said, "Worship me." He said that three times.
294And Martin looked around. He seen, Christ will be crowned by His people, at the Coming. He wouldn't be wearing gold slippers. He said, "Get thee away from me, Satan."
Boy, wouldn't Pentecostals eat that up? "Boy, a bright shining Angel!"
295 That woman come down, Chicago where I'm going, said, "Brother Branham, the ministers up there said if the Angel of the Lord told you to baptize in Jesus' Name, they would accept it. But is that your own thought?"
296I said, "If the Angel of the Lord said anything contrary to That, it wouldn't be the Angel of the Lord." See?
297If any Angel says anything that's contrary to this Word, let it be a lie. And if a man tells you, a messenger from God, says he's from God, and tells you, "It's right to be baptized, the name of 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost,'" let him be a liar.
298If a man tells you, "It's all right for you, wear bobbed hair, and things like that; that you ought to wear a hat in the church, for a bonnet, 'to be a covering,'" let him be a liar.
299The Word of God, is the Truth. Any of these things that's against the Word, let it be a lie. It's the Word, is the Truth. It'll stand.
300 That's the reason Micaiah could know that his prophecy come from God, because he was with the Word of God. Yes, sir. His vision banked up just the same as the Word of God.
301Oh, if Amos was here, he would stay with the Word. That's right. But, you see, what's the trouble today, with us, is like it is with them. I'm fixing to close. The trouble with us is like it was them. They had been taught, off the Foundation. Jesus said, "You have made the Word of God of none effect by your traditions." And that false baptism! That false sign of receiving the Holy Ghost! Some of them said, "Shake a hand." Some of them said, "Speak in tongues." I've heard devils speak with tongues, and shake hands, too. Yes, sir. No sign of It. Now, all these things like that, all those things, see, you get off the Word of God to teach those traditions. That's right.
Now, he would, he would have to take you back to the Word.
302 But we have, our teachers today, has taught people, off of the Foundation of God's Word. Now listen close.
303That's what they had done there. That's what Amos was telling them. "The God that you claim to know, He is the One is going to destroy you."
304Now, we have taught them, off of (what?) the Foundation of "the Faith that was once delivered to the pentecostal fathers," yeah, the Bible. Taught a false purgatory! Taught a false baptism! Everything, false, false, false, separating from the Original.
305You don't believe it? Come back to the Bible, and take your "purgatory," and take your "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," and "sprinkling," and all that stuff, and come back and see if it's Scriptural. That's the way. Find out if it's on the Foundation. See? They're off of the Foundation.
306 Which, Paul said that, the Bible. The Bible speaks that, the--the... that, "The Church of God is founded upon the Doctrine of the apostles and the prophets." The prophets and apostles has to be the same. Sure.
307What? We went off of that Foundation of the Word, to denominational foundations.
308Listen now. I'm closing. Put on your spiritual hearing aid. Listen.
309We've got off of the Foundation of the Word, and on the foundation of a denomination. How long could I stay on that? Another three hours. Off of the Foundation of the Word, onto the foundation of worldly pleasures, worldliness, immoral creeping into the church. Off of the Word, onto creeds. That would take me three weeks to preach that through, half way, them four comments right there. Off of the Word, onto a denomination, denomination of Word. As soon as the--the church denominates, it's off the Word right then.
310 There ain't but one thing. Come right back where it left off, and go again. Come back onto the Word. Right. Repent means to "go, turn back, about-face." You're going the wrong way. All right.
311Denomination of pleasure. Denomination of wor-... A--a foundation, I mean, of--of pleasure, foundation of worldliness, foundation of creeds. And all that, together, hatched out an immoral corruption, spiritual corruption.
312 He being a true prophet, he would see in us just exactly what he seen in them. If he was standing here on this platform today, and I'd say, "Brother Amos, great prophet of God, you fearless one, come here and take my place," he would preach this Word. He would have to. He's a prophet. All right. He would preach It just exactly the way It's written, just what we're saying now. All right. He would be seeing then what he seen in us, immoral decay.
313Just look, friends. How many here, in this present church here now, sees that the world is in immoral decay? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Why, we know it is. What's the matter? It's off the Word. Right. All right.
314 Amos never blamed the government. Did you notice him here, when you read it when you go home? He never blamed the government, he blamed the church for electing such a government. Hum!
315You politicians, let me let that grind in you a while, here and across the world, where it'll go. The church elected such a thing as Jeroboam. Wonder if you, we, haven't done about the same thing? Let's say it's a good government; government can't build a house on a rock when the people elect house on a sand. Can it? Don't say, "Our government! Our government!" It's you, the nation. It's the people. How can we...
316 Minister said to me, said, "Brother Branham," said, "look. I know you're right in That. But," said, "if I would preach That, my denomination would kick me out, my people run me out of the church." Said, "I'll never preach another sermon."
I said, "Preach It, anyhow." Yes, sir.
317It's God's Word. You're responsible. If you're a prophet of God, true, you'll stay with the Word. If not, you'll stay with your denomination. Depends on where you're from.
318Look. No, sir. We cannot build, the government can't build a house upon a solid Rock when the people are voting for a house of pleasure on sinking sands.
319 Look what we want. Let's just take a minute now. I hope I don't wear you out. [Congregation says, "No."--Ed.] But let's look what we want, just a minute. I can't pass this comment, this note. Look what we want.
320Look at our television. That's what we want. We want some of these comedians stand up there and turn all kind of dirty jokes, and we stay home from prayer meeting on Wednesday night, or the preacher let out early so that you can go and see it; some old filthy, dirty, five- or six-times married, prostitute, cracking dirty jokes, sexy-dressed, and carrying on like everything. And you love that better than you love the house of God, it shows what kind of spirit is in you.
321 We permit. We, the people, if the people of this nation would write letters to our government, say there would be a hundred million letters fly into that government, "Stop them filthy programs," they'd have to do it. We are the people. But we, the people, want filthiness, so that's what we get.
322Look at the radio program. Oh, my! Turned Rock Of Ages into a twist. Uh-huh. Old Rugged Cross into swing, rock-and-roll by it. The Old Rugged Cross, yeah, sure, on our radios, television. All the... Took here, not long ago, them hoops, them little girls. Everything just as immoral as they can get, that's what we love.
323 What's it sponsored by? Beer, whiskey, cigarettes, the money of nation. What do they do? Take their tax money, that should go to the government for taxes, and pay for the dirty filthy television programs they put on.
324The Pentecostals used to wouldn't go to them dirty, filthy picture shows when they had such plays. The Devil put one on you, put the television in your house.
325The way of a true prophet is pretty hard, but let's stay with the Truth. Yes, sir.
326 Look at our billboards. Women standing out, with cigarettes in their hand, every little Jezebel in the country. I went to...
327Other day, I seen a strange thing. There was one woman that come over to the school out there, to get the kids, when I went over to get them, that didn't have on a pair of shorts; and, it, freezing weather. Every one of them with a cigarette. As soon as they get there and stop, they didn't have a cigarette, they light it right quick, and, "Whew! See how I'm getting along?" Holding that hand out the door, like this, with a cigarette in her hand. And you say something to it, oh, they blow up. Sure.
328You say something to a ricky or elvis, or one of them out there, they would shoot you. And the government would back them up, 'cause they're only teen-agers. "Oh, that's all right. They, they didn't understand. They're teen-agers. Overlook it."
Now you see what a true prophet means, his way?
329 Look at these filthy dreamers in the churches, with their denomination, they would shoot you right in the back. The only thing keeps them from doing it, is the mercy of God, till the Message is got out. The Devil would kill you, if he could do it. Right. But the Message has got to go. "I the Lord will restore." That's right. "I'm able of these stones to rise it." That's right. All right.
330 Our picture shows, our billboards, our pleasure-loving sinners calling themselves Christians. People who call themselves Christians; pleasure-lovers, lust-seekers. Women, immoral dressed; men looking at them, whistling at them, calling themselves Christians, going out. Why, they've even got--they've even got...
331It's a great thing in Florida, California, that they have big clubs now. All the men get together and throw their keys in, and the women goes in and gets one of the keys out of there. And ever who it is, takes his wife home. They live a week, then come back, throw the key, keys in again. See? It's clubs. Bastard-born children and everything else, hog eat hog, dog eat dog. What's the matter? It's because they have left the Word.
332 They don't know what decency means. Out here with little, old tight dresses on, and things like that, and men lusting after them, and think that they're decent. You might not have done nothing wrong, sister, but let me tell you something, you're a tool of the Devil. And at the Judgment Bar, THUS SAITH THE LORD, you'll answer for committing adultery, and your soul will be gone. You know better. You know it now, anyhow. Right.
333 Our whole setup is corrupt and decayed. It's our people, what they want. Like a good man of the house, well, if a man was a good man of the house, blaming your government... That's what sends our boys out here and makes cannon fodder out of them, right, because our own corruption. If we love the Lord and serve the Lord, and voted the right kind of government and everything else, it'd be a wonderful place. That's right. We'd have no wars. No. God is our Refuge and Strength. Send our boys out and kill them up, and butcher them up, and everything else, is because our own action has brought it to pass. God said so, in the Bible, and He don't change. He's just the same. It's your own people's want.
334 Like a good man of the house, what if he's a good man? He wants to do right. He wants to live for God. And he's got a pleasure, immoral-loving family. What's a man going to do, when his wife wants to dress with shorts on, and wear sexy-looking clothes, and get out and act like a Jezebel, his daughters and all of his kids, and all of them? His daddy... His little boy he raised up, and loved, and pat and kiss, and put in the bed, and prayed for him, stand up, say, "My old man is crazy. All he thinks about is the Bible." What can that man do with his family?
335That's the same thing in our government, about its people here. Don't blame the government. Blame this bunch of backslidden churches, for putting such things in their politics, as they got. They want it. That's the reason they vote for it, and that's the reason they got it. And that's the reason the judgment of God is upon them. And they're going to reap what they sow. They're sowing now, and they're going to reap later. Watch. Oh! We are mad-stricken. Oh, yeah.
336 Trying to buy our way into Russia. Trying to buy our way with communism. Trying to. Why, money, you can't buy these gifts of God. There was a guy, Simon, tried to do it one day, and Peter said, "You perish with your money." We are playing the part of Simon the sorcerer, trying to buy a gift of God.
337Come back to the Word. Come back to God. Come back to Christ. Then don't worry about communism. We'll vote the right man in. We'll have another man like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, somebody that was real man. Don't blame that government up there. Blame ourselves. That's what Amos would say. And that's what any true prophet of God would say, if he knows the Word of God. If he's a true prophet, he--he knows the Word, 'cause It comes to him.
338 Israel, in their alliance with--with their made enemy. First, they had to get away from the Word of God, before they could make an alliance with their enemy.
339And before we could ever make an alliance with our enemies and things, we have to get away from the Word of God. Uh-huh. Same now, letting Rome take over. Well, we're doing it, all the time. She has took the government. She is taking the places. She has taken the people. Now she is taking the churches.
340What are we doing? Setting still, agreeing with them. "Oh, it doesn't make an difference whether it's this way or that way. It's all God, anyhow." You poor, miserable, backslidden so-called prophets. What's the matter with you? They don't know the Word about God and these things. They don't study the Word. They don't realize. They say communism is going to take the world over. No, it isn't.
341Romanism is going to take the world, and it's doing it under the name of Christianity. Didn't the Bible, Jesus say, "It'd be so close, till it'd fool the very Elect, if possible"?
342 What we need today. Let me close, in saying this. Now I'm going to close. What we need today is another true prophet. Amen. We need a man for the Word of God to come to. Yes, brother. He'd be rejected and run out, and cast out, but he'd sure blast a hole. He, he could. Yeah. He'd sure as throw such Seeds till the Elected would find It. Uh-huh. That's right. We need a prophet. We need a man who the right interpretation of the Word comes to, that God speaks through him and vindicates the Word, to make It true. That's what we need. And, brother, we are promised one, according to Malachi 4, "To restore." What? "The Faith of the people, back to the Bible." We're promised one. He'll do it.
343 Amos knew. Yes, sir. Amos knew, Israel, her ungodly lovers would soon destroy them.
344And their ungodly lovers of today will soon destroy them, the very denominational creeds and things that they've bound themselves into. You Pentecostals, that's the thing is going to destroy you, your creed and denomination. You're binding yourself right up yonder, take the mark of the beast, and don't even know it, pulling it right over your eyes. Sure. It is a boycott. What are you trying to do? "You belong to this, or you don't belong." See? You just wait, just get a little, just a little bit longer. Then, you say, "I'll get out of it then." No, you won't. You're already in it. You're already marked. You're caught with the mark on you.
345No matter, Esau weeped bitterly, when he knowed better. But he wept bitterly, trying to find a place to repent, and couldn't find it. You'll stay there then. Now is the time to flee.
346 Amos knew that their ungodly lovers would soon destroy her, for they, the church, had left Him, God and His Word, the way of Life. They got away from God's way of Life, and made their own. Oh, the Word was a stumbling block to them.
347And It's the same thing today. The Word of God is a stumbling block to the so-called Christian. Tell him about the water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ. Tell him about the holy God. That will make...
And, well, they say, "Well, we got the Holy Ghost."
348Then why are you still wearing bobbed hair? Why you still baptize in the name of "Father, Son, Holy Ghost"? Why do you still believe in these other things that you believe, and acting the way you do? Goes to show it. Your fruits prove it. Jesus said, "By their fruits, you know them." Yeah. See? That just goes to show, you're talking about something you know nothing about. Yes, sir. Yes.
349 If Amos was here, he would cry against their systems. You know that?
350Now I'm going to read one verse before closing, the 8th verse of the 3rd chapter. And let's read.
The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord... has spoken, who can but prophesy?
351Listen. In closing now, I want to say this. I'm sorry to have kept you, a half hour late. But, look. I want to say this. I'm a hunter. I hunt. I'm glad God give me something like that.
352The other day when the gun went off, I went right back down, see if I could shoot again. I don't want it to scare me. If I had a wreck, out on the road, I wouldn't quit driving a car. If I walk across the floor and stumble my toe on the carpet, and went through the window, I wouldn't quit walking. See? No, no. God give me a clean exercise. That was Satan. That wasn't God. See? That was Satan.
353 Now, I know the spiritual application to it. There is three of us in this room right now, that knows what it is. And it'd raise the hair on your head, but I wouldn't tell no one. See? Just these three people, for a confirmation. Now, it's all all right. It's all... God knowed all about it, and forewarned it, and everything else. And we know it. It was partly my fault, and I had something.
354I--I took up for a man one time, when I should not have took up. I could have just shook the liver out of him. See? Instead of doing it, I had to pay for it. So, then, so we... That's all right. It's me, and it's forgiven now. And we'll go on. See? Yes.
Amos, this 8th verse, "If a lion roars who will not fear?"
355 I've hunted in the African jungles. I've been around where lions were. He's the king of the beasts. I've laid out in the jungles at nighttime and hear the squawking and the hyenas, the laughing and the howling, and--and the--and the different animals. And then some of them hyenas would make, just curdle your blood when they scream. And there with leopards, and whining, and everything else, and beetles, and monkeys, and baboons, and thousands times thousands, "squeak, squawk." Walk everywhere, you can hear all kinds of things going on. But let a lion roar, the beetles will even keep still. It's a deathly hush. They keep still. What? Their king has spoken. Amen.
356 "If a lion roars, who will not fear? When God speaks, who can keep from prophesying?" When God speaks, the prophet cries. Know what I mean? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] The true prophet cries. Friends, He has spoken. Then, let every creature of His Kingdom take heed to what He said.
357If a lion can recognize that there is something wrong, when he roars, everything of his kingdom hushes. They listen. Even the little beetles, yet, he's in the kingdom of that lion. That blood-shrilling howl of the hyena, he shuts up. That elephant there, that can pick up the lion, and whirl him around with his, "Weeel! Weeel!" And let a lion roar, he'll shut up and stand still. Let the cape buffalo, who can snort, look like blowed fire from his nose. When a lion jump on him, wouldn't even harm him. Let the rhino, with his seven tons of armor, pierce him, and his big snout. Let a lion roar, he stops in his tracks. What's the matter? His king has spoken. See? He wants to hear what's going to be said.
358And when God speaks, the prophet cries. And then let His Kingdom take heed to what he is saying. God has spoken. Let every creature of His Kingdom listen to what He is saying.
Let's pray.
359 O Lion, of the tribe of Juda, rise up and roar! Thou art roaring in this last day. Your eyes are narrowed. You're looking down. You're seeing the sin of this so-called Christian nation and world. You're seeing the sin of this nation, when it's been bought with precious Blood. You're seeing how the denominations are wading over Your Word. See how the false prophets are lying. God's Truth they're denying.
360Roar, O Lion of Judah! Let Your prophets cry out. "When God speaks, who can keep from prophesying?" It's the Word of God coming out of the Bible, moving up through the prophet. How can he hold his peace? If he would, he'd blow to pieces. O God, let Your prophet roar, Lord. Roar out Your Message, God, and let every creature of Your Kingdom take heed.
361 May they stop. May the women stop and examine themselves. May the men stop and examine themself. May every preacher that listens to this tape, stop and examine himself, for the Lion of the tribe of Juda roars. And the true Word coming to the prophets, speak, cry out, "Repent and turn back before it's too late."
362God, I commit the Message, on the tape and in this visible audience, to You this morning, for trusting You'll approve It. And call every son and daughter of God, that's under... that ever hear this tape, or under the sound of the voice, they'll back to repentance before it's too late.
363And I believe, Lord, if You'd send Amos here, he'd cry the same thing. For he could not cry... But if he is a prophet of the Lord, he's the sender-forth of the Word. He is sent forth by the Word, with the Word, and he is the Word. Now, Lord, let it be done, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.