Deravé cisterny
Izrael spáchal dve veľké zlá. Boh povedal, že sa od Neho odvrátili, od Prameňa Života, a vykopali si cisterny, aby z nich mohli piť. No, to je niečo. Tento text mi napadol z toho dôvodu, že by to mohlo ísť súvisle s tým, o čom som hovoril dnes ráno, o hodine, v ktorej žijeme, a o tej veci, za ktorú bojujeme. A dívame sa na Izrael, ako na príklad toho, čím bol Boh, a On musí zostávať vždy rovnaký. A bola tam iba jediná vec, ktorú kedy Boh uctil, a to bola Jeho cesta, ktorú pre ľudí určil. A keď sa dostali z tej cesty preč, potom bol Boh zneuctený a Boh učinil, aby ľudia trpeli za to, že odišli od toho, čo im povedal, že majú robiť, a nezáležalo na tom, čo to bolo.
On im dal dokonca zákon, „Nedotýkaj sa, nechytaj do rúk, neochutnávaj.“ Nie len preto, že bolo zlé robiť to, ale zlé bolo neposlúchnutie toho, čo On povedal, že treba robiť. A tak zákon nikdy nemôže existovať bez trestu za porušenie toho zákona. Pretože, ak tu nie je žiaden trest, potom zákon nestojí za veľa, iba ak je tam za jeho porušenie trest. Zákon!
No, zisťujeme, že to, čo oni v tých dňoch urobili, sa zdá mať súvislosť s tým, čo robíme my dnes, s tým, čo robia ľudia v cirkvi. Teraz tu vidíme zvláštnu vec. Niektorým ľuďom sa to môže zdať divné, keď On povedal, „Vy... Oni si vyrúbali cisterny, deravé cisterny.“ No, možno niekto z vás nevie, čo je to cisterna. Koľkí z vás vedia, čo je to cisterna? No, väčšina z vás vie. Ak ste boli niekedy vychovaní na farme, viete, čo je to cisterna. Spomínam si, že som z jednej vypil dosť chrobákov na to, aby som vedel, čo je to cisterna.
Kázal som vonku na vidieku pod dreveným altánkom, kde ste mali veľké džbány plné cisternovej vody, ktoré stáli tam vonku na daždi, viete, a ono to trocha zostarne. A potom, v noci do toho vlezú tie chrobáky. A tak viem, čo je to voda z cisterny.
1Modlime sa. Pane, teraz veríme. Veríme v Syna Božieho a skrze to prijímame večný Život, skrze Neho. Teraz sme sa v toto popoludnie znova zhromaždili, alebo dnes večer, kvôli ďalšej bohoslužbe, s dôverou v Teba, že nám dáš Posolstvo a budeš k nám dnes večer hovoriť. Veríme Ti, Pane a očakávame na Teba. A Ty si povedal, „Tí, ktorí očakávajú na Pána, nadobúdajú novej sily; vznášajú sa na perutiach ako orly.“ A modlíme sa, Bože, aby si nám dnes večer dal tú narastajúcu silu, ako očakávame na Teba.
2Ďakujeme Ti za týchto ľudí a za to, čo pre Teba znamenajú a čo znamenajú pre mňa. Ďakujem Ti za to, Otče. Oni sú Tvojimi klenotmi. A modlím sa, Bože, aby si sa im dnes večer Ty Sám prejavil takým spôsobom, akým to potrebujú. Ak sú tu nemocní, nech sú uzdravení. Ak je tu v niekoho mysli pochybnosť; odstráň ju preč, Pane. A daj nám len Tvoju Prítomnosť a Tvoje Požehnania, pretože ich potrebujeme, Pane. Ty si naša vše-dostatočnosť. A bez Teba nezmôžeme nič.
3Prosíme Ťa, aby si prijal naše vzdávanie vďaky za všetko, čo si vykonal. V Mene Ježiša Krista sa tešíme na Tvoje Požehnania. Amen.
Môžete sa posadiť.
4No, v dnešný nedeľný večer je tu len trocha chladnejšie, ako to bolo minulú nedeľu večer. Sme veľmi vďační našim bratom, ktorí tak usilovne pracovali a zvládli to. Poznám dvoch, alebo troch z nich. Brat Mike Egan, ktorého vidím tam vzadu, a ja... Brat Mike a brat Sothmann, brat (tuším) Roy Roberson, brat Woods a všetci z nich, boli tu dole a poriadne sa zapotili, keď sa to snažili zvládnuť a tak dnes, alebo teraz môžeme mať toto Posolstvo. Tak sme veľmi vďační.
5No, na budúcu nedeľu ráno, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, chcem mať službu uzdravovania a modlitby za nemocných. Venujeme ten čas na službu uzdravovania, ak to bude vôľa Pánova.
6Dnes ráno som si všimol, že tam bola kôpka vreckoviek. Pomodlil som sa za ne. Zatiaľ čo ste sa modlili a spievali, modlil som sa za tie vreckovky; a okrem toho, dnes večer sú tu ďalšie. A tak veríme, že Boh uzdravuje nemocných. Je medzi nami toľko ohromných svedectiev o uzdravení, a po celom svete, a sme za to vďační.
7A uvažoval som, že na ďalšiu nedeľu, keďže musím byť na krátky čas preč a venovali sme tak mnoho času len vyučovaniu a Posolstvu, až som uvažoval, že by to bola dobrá vec, ak by sme mali službu uzdravovania a modlitby za nemocných. A veríme, že Boh nám dá nádherný čas.
8No, mnohí z vás budú dnes večer musieť prejsť mnoho míľ. A tak som dnes hovoril s niekoľkými skupinkami, tam v jedálni Blue Boar, kde som večeral. S mnohými skvelými ľuďmi, s ktorými som si potriasol ruky a rozprával som sa s nimi, s ľuďmi, s ktorými som sa nikdy pred tým nestretol, ktorí prichádzajú sem do zboru. A som za takých priateľov vďačný a chcem poďakovať všetkým z vás a každému jednotlivo. Niektorí z nich nazbierali černice a priniesli nám ich. A niekto nám priniesol, myslím, že to bolo niečo ako vedierko sirupu, alebo melasy a podobné veci. Neviete si predstaviť, čo to pre nás znamená. A raz som vstal skoro ráno a vyšiel som von z domu, niekedy tam...
9Raz ráno tam bol nejaký brat, ktorý bol na tom naozaj zle, nemal oblečenie a tak ďalej, chcel, aby som mu išiel doniesť nejaké oblečenie. Vykročil som a skoro som sa potkol o vedierko černíc, ktoré tam ležalo. Povedal som, „Tie černice si priniesol ty?“
10A on povedal, „Nie, nemám s tým nič spoločné. Bol som tu pred svitaním a ony tu už vtedy ležali.“ A to bol môj dobrý brat Ruddell, ktorý mi ich priniesol. A tak, veľmi si tieto veci cením.
11Billy Paul mi práve pred chvíľou oznámil, že dnes večer v tomto zhromaždení pre mňa vybrali zbierku. Ďakujem vám za to. Nechcel som od vás, aby ste to robili. Určite si cením vašu snahu a to všetko, ale to nebolo potrebné. Avšak, nech vás Pán žehná. Viete, že Biblia povedala, „Nakoľko ste toho učinili najmenšiemu z týchto, Mne ste učinili.“
12No, hovoril som ku vám v tom Posolstve dosť priamočiaro. A ja... Niektorí ľudia môžu mať dojem, že som sa nazdával, že Ježiš príde dnes ráno alebo večer. Áno. No, nehovorím, že On príde. A znova, On nemusí prísť do ďalšieho týždňa, môže to byť až za rok a môže to byť o desať rokov. Neviem, kedy príde. Ale je tu jedna vec, ktorú chcem... vždy to majte na mysli, buďte pripravení každú minútu, alebo hodinu. Rozumiete? Čiže, ak nepríde dnes, môže tu byť zajtra. A tak držte vo svojej mysli, že On prichádza.
13Neviem, v akej chvíli nastane na tejto zemi moja posledná hodina, ani jeden z nás to nevie. A nikto z nás tu nevie, kedy On príde. Ani On Sám to nevie, na základe Jeho Vlastných Slov; povedal, „Iba Otec vie, kedy On príde; ani Syn nevie, kedy príde.“ Bude to vtedy, keď Ho k nám Boh znova pošle. Ale my vyhliadame Jeho Príchod. A ak nepríde v mojej generácii, môže prísť v tej ďalšej; a ak nepríde v tej, príde v ďalšej. Ale, čo sa týka mňa, sotva môžem vidieť, že by ostával ešte nejaký čas. Ja len... Pre mňa sa to môže stať v ktorejkoľvek minúte. No, to neznamená... To neznamená, no, že uvidíte nebesia premenené a všetko... To nie je ten Príchod, o ktorom hovorím. Ja hovorím o Vytrhnutí.
14Pozrite sa, On má tri príchody. On prišiel v troch menách Syna. Prišiel v trojici; Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý. Vidíte, všetko z toho je ten istý Kristus, ten istý Boh, po celý čas. No, vieme, že On prišiel, aby priniesol tri diela milosti; ospravedlnenie, posvätenie a krst Duchom Svätým. Všetko v Bohu je kompletné v trojkách.
15A tak, On najprv prišiel, aby vykúpil Svoju Nevestu. Druhýkrát prichádza ako Vytrhnutie, aby vzal preč Svoju Nevestu. Tretíkrát prichádza so Svojou Nevestou, Kráľ a Kráľovná; potom, to je vtedy, keď mnoho ľudí očakáva Príchod.
Ale, keď príde tentokrát, takmer nikto, iba tí, ktorí sú pripravení, budú vedieť, keď príde. Jednoducho tam nastane zmiznutie ľudí. Oni nebudú vedieť, čo sa s nimi stalo. Budú skrátka v momente vzatí preč, a tak sa len stanú nezvestnými. „Premenení v momente, v okamihu.“ A tak buďte len na to pripravení. Bolo by to hrozné, v jedno ráno stratiť milovaných, nikto by ich nedokázal nájsť. Nebolo by to strašné, vedieť, že sa to už stalo a vy ste to minuli? A tak sa len zachovávajte (nepoškvrnení) pred Bohom.
16No, na ďalší týždeň, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, na budúci pondelok, za týždeň od tohto pondelka, ak to bude vôľa Božia, beriem rodinu späť do Arizony, kam chodia (deti) do školy, a potom sa vrátim späť.
17No, neodchádzam tam... nebudem tam mať žiadne bohoslužby. Málokedy som v Arizone. Bývam preč, niekde inde. Na ďalší pondelok tam vezmem svoju manželku. Prídem znova sem. Odtiaľto odídem do Britskej Kolumbie. Vrátim sa späť do Colorada. Niekedy okolo Vianoc budem znova v Arizone, len na skok, iba na tak dlho, pokiaľ... možno na dva alebo tri dni, dám rodinu dokopy a budem tu naspäť cez Vianočné prázdniny, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, budem tu mať službu v priebehu novoročného týždňa.
18Takže prakticky som väčšinou tu. Som tu desaťkrát častejšie, ako tam vonku, pretože tam vonku nemáme žiaden zbor, ani žiadne bohoslužby, nič tam vonku nemáme, teda, čo sa týka bohoslužieb. Avšak je tu jedna nedobrá vec. Nemám miesto, kam by som poslal deti, aby mohli počuť tieto Posolstvá tak, ako vaše deti, ktoré sa dostanú sem, aby to mohli počuť, a tak máme tento jeden nedostatok. Ale oni sú všetky zdravšie. Je to suché, horúce, suché podnebie, ale všetky deti vyzerajú byť zdravšie. Nebývam tam dostatočne dlho na to, aby som zistil, či je to zdravé alebo nezdravé. Som v pohybe a myslím si, že som sa skrátka narodil ako cestovateľ.
19Moja žena ma nazýva... Viem, že je tu, takže to po tomto zhromaždení schytám, všetci to poznáte. Ako ma to volá?... pohyblivé vetry, alebo nepokojné vetry, alebo akokoľvek—čokoľvek, viete, pohyblivé piesky? Alebo inými slovami, som stále na cestách. A som teraz ženatý dvadsaťdva rokov a niekedy mám dojem, že som doma cudzincom, pretože musím znova odísť.
Ale očakávam na ten čas, keď sa raz usadíme v našej Domovine. Ale teraz prebieha boj a tak buďme na modlitbe.
20Nezabudnite na ďalšiu nedeľu ráno, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, priveďte svojich nemocných a postihnutých. Príďte skoro ráno, obsaďte svoje miesto a pravdepodobne tam bude skupina, za ktorú sa budeme modliť. Budeme musieť rozdať modlitebné karty. Ak ich nebude dosť, aspoň toľko, aby sa utvoril malý rad, asi dva alebo tri tucty, alebo podobne, tak nebudeme rozdávať modlitebné karty. Ale pravdepodobne modlitebné karty rozdáme a tak to urobíme asi hodinu pred pravidelnou bohoslužbou, ktorá, myslím, zaberie... Bude to o ôsmej, o ôsmej alebo o pol deviatej, keď budú rozdávať modlitebné karty; otvoria modlitebňu a na ďalšiu nedeľu ráno rozdajú modlitebné karty. A potom tu určite buďte, kvôli vašim... Priveďte svojich milovaných, usaďte ich tu. V modlitebni bude príjemne a chladnejšie, a ak sú nemocní, urobíme všetko čo môžeme, aby sme sa za nich pomodlili.
21Ďakujem vám ešte raz za tú zbierku lásky.
22A teraz, dnes večer, budeme čítať niečo z Božieho Slova a buďte pripravení na túto opätovnú udalosť Jeho Prítomnosti, aby nám bolo prinesené Jeho Slovo. No, vieme, že môžeme prečítať text, ale Boh musí zjaviť súvislosť. Rozumiete? Môžeme vziať text, ale Boh musí zjaviť súvislosť. A zatiaľ čo sa teraz obraciate do knihy Jeremiáša, do 2. kapitoly...
23Chcem povedať, že som šťastný, že tu mám spolu s vami brata Lee Vayle, vzácneho brata v Pánovi. A myslím si, že tento brat tu, nedokážem si spomenúť, ako sa volá, brat Willard Crase. A videl som bratov z Arkansasu, brata Johna a tých ďalších z okolia Poplar Bluff a brata Blaira. Ó, a brat Jackson a brat Ruddell a toľkí, že skrátka nie som schopný... Prial by som si, aby som mohol všetkých osloviť menom, ale skrátka to nedokážem urobiť a vy tomu rozumiete. Brat Ben Bryant, vidím ho tu sedieť; on je tým, ktorý zvyčajne niekde v rohu hovorí „Amen,“ zatiaľ čo ja... Každý pozná Bena kvôli jeho hlasu. Aha.
24Raz sme boli v Kalifornii, kázal som tam v údolí Posolstvo pre baptistických ľudí. Mali tam veľký stan a mnohých, tak trocha vysoko spoločensky uhladených baptistov. Odnikiaľ som nikdy nepočul „amen“; viete, niektoré ženy majú strach, že by sa im z tváre odlomil náter. A potom, prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, zbadal som, ako sa pár nôh, asi takto a dve mocné ruky dvíhali do vzduchu a čierne vlasy sa zatrepotali a vyšiel asi takýto výkrik: „Amen!“. A pozrel som sa dole, povedal som, „Ben, kde si sa tu vzal?“ On tam skutočne priniesol to „Amen.“
25Vidím, ako si ho jeho žena trocha obzerá. No, on stráca trocha z tých čiernych vlasov, ale to je v poriadku, viete. Nestaraj sa o to. Ja som svoje stratil pred mnohými rokmi.
Takže, no, nezabúdajte sa modliť.
26Teraz, kým sa dostaneme do tejto vážnej časti bohoslužby, pamätajte, ak čítame Toto Slovo, potom Boh Svoje Slovo požehná. „Nenavráti sa ku Nemu prázdne, ale vykoná to Svoj účel.“ A viem, že keď čítam Slovo, vždy budem mať Pravdu. Keď čítam Slovo, Boh uctí Svoje Slovo.
27Teraz povstaňme s úctou k Jeho Slovu. Jeremiáš, 2. kapitola, 12. a 13. verš z Jeremiáša 2.
Užasnite nebesia nad tým, zhrozte sa, zdúpnejte veľmi! hovorí Hospodin.
Lebo môj ľud spáchal dvoje zlo: Opustil mňa, prameň živej vody, aby si vyrúbali cisterny, deravé cisterny dopukané, ktoré nedržia vody!
Skloňme teraz svoje hlavy.
28Drahý Bože, bolo prečítané Tvoje Slovo. A my sa modlíme, aby si to Slovo uctil a dal nám dnes večer Jeho podobenstvo alebo súvislosť; ako sa dívame na dni, ktoré uplynuli, na Izrael, ako na náš príklad, tak, ako nás to Biblia učí, že môžeme vidieť, čo si im urobil, keď boli poslušní Slovu, môžeme vidieť, čo si im urobil, keď neposlúchli Slovo, a môžeme sa naučiť to, čo musíme robiť my. A tak sa modlíme, aby si dnes večer ku nám hovoril veľmi zvláštnym spôsobom, aby sme mohli vedieť, ako sa máme správať v týchto dňoch, o ktorých sme sa dnes ráno naučili, že v nich žijeme. Lebo o to prosíme v Ježišovom Mene. Amen.
Môžete si sadnúť.
29Dnes večer chcem len na chvíľu hovoriť na tému: Deravé cisterny.
30Izrael spáchal dve veľké zlá. Boh povedal, že sa od Neho odvrátili, od Prameňa Života, a vykopali si cisterny, aby z nich mohli piť. No, to je niečo.
31Tento text mi napadol z toho dôvodu, že by to mohlo ísť súvisle s tým, o čom som hovoril dnes ráno, o hodine, v ktorej žijeme, a o tej veci, za ktorú bojujeme.
32A dívame sa na Izrael, ako na príklad toho, čím bol Boh, a On musí zostávať vždy rovnaký. A bola tam iba jediná vec, ktorú kedy Boh uctil, a to bola Jeho cesta, ktorú pre ľudí určil. A keď sa dostali z tej cesty preč, potom bol Boh zneuctený a Boh učinil, aby ľudia trpeli za to, že odišli od toho, čo im povedal, že majú robiť, a nezáležalo na tom, čo to bolo.
On im dal dokonca zákon, „Nedotýkaj sa, nechytaj do rúk, neochutnávaj.“ Nie len preto, že bolo zlé robiť to, ale zlé bolo neposlúchnutie toho, čo On povedal, že treba robiť. A tak zákon nikdy nemôže existovať bez trestu za porušenie toho zákona. Pretože, ak tu nie je žiaden trest, potom zákon nestojí za veľa, iba ak je tam za jeho porušenie trest. Zákon!
33No, zisťujeme, že to, čo oni v tých dňoch urobili, sa zdá mať súvislosť s tým, čo robíme my dnes, s tým, čo robia ľudia v cirkvi.
34Teraz tu vidíme zvláštnu vec. Niektorým ľuďom sa to môže zdať divné, keď On povedal, „Vy... Oni si vyrúbali cisterny, deravé cisterny.“ No, možno niekto z vás nevie, čo je to cisterna. Koľkí z vás vedia, čo je to cisterna? No, väčšina z vás vie. Ak ste boli niekedy vychovaní na farme, viete, čo je to cisterna. Spomínam si, že som z jednej vypil dosť chrobákov na to, aby som vedel, čo je to cisterna.
Kázal som vonku na vidieku pod dreveným altánkom, kde ste mali veľké džbány plné cisternovej vody, ktoré stáli tam vonku na daždi, viete, a ono to trocha zostarne. A potom, v noci do toho vlezú tie chrobáky. A tak viem, čo je to voda z cisterny.
35Cisterna je miestom, dierou, ktorá je vykopaná v zemi, aby nahradila studňu. Keď ľudia nemajú studňu, tak si zaobstarajú cisternu. Inými slovami, cisterna je umelo vytvorená nádrž, alebo umelo vytvorená studňa v zemi, ktorú človek vykopal na to, aby zachytil vodu, kvôli tomu, aby ju mohol použiť. Niektorí z nich ju používajú ako vodu na umývanie a iní ju používajú ako pitnú vodu a možno aj na iné účely. Všetka voda, ktorú sme niekedy používali, bola z cisterny. Zvykli sme tam mať takú starú vec, s ktorou ste museli točiť dookola, dookola, dookola a dookola, aby ste vodu dostali nahor; mali sme na tom malé vedierka, aby sme vytiahli vodu von z cisterny.
36No, pri cisterne sme si všimli jednu vec, ktorá sa líši od studne. No, v cisterne sa voda minie. Cisterna sa nedokáže sama znova naplniť. To je... Nie je to spoľahlivé. Nemôžete sa spoľahnúť na cisternu. Ona sa spolieha a závisí od dažďových zrážok, ktoré padnú v lete alebo v zime, akokoľvek to je... Zvyčajne v zimnom období, keď príde sneh a dážď, potom voda steká dolu do cisterny. A ak sa tam tá voda nedostane, potom nemáte žiadnu vodu. To je celé... vyschne. A nedokáže sa znova sama naplniť. Tá stará cisterna sa nedokáže sama naplniť. Ona sa naplní z tých dažďových zrážok.
37A chcem, aby ste si všimli ešte jednu vec ohľadom cisterny. Zvyčajne zistíte, alebo v našom prípade to bolo tak, že cisterna... Obvykle je stodola dvakrát väčšia ako dom a oni zvyčajne nechávajú vodu zo (strechy) stodoly stiecť do cisterny. Pamätám sa na tú starú cisternovú studňu tam vonku, keď mala... keď sa voda hnala cez tie kanalizačné rúry aj zo (strechy) stodoly. Ona sa napĺňala zo stodoly.
Takže voda bola privádzaná zo strechy stodoly; tam, kde všetky zvieratá šliapu kolom dookola po dvore a keď je sucho, všetka tá špina z dvora sa usadí na streche stodoly. A potom príde voda a zmyje to všetko zo strechy dolu, cez ten umelo vytvorený... potom do toho umelo vytvoreného žľabu a potom do tej umelo vytvorenej cisterny. A ak ste mali cisternu a nemali ste tam špinu, potom neviem, čo ste to mali. Tak veru! Celé je to umelo vytvorené a také špinavé, ako to len môže byť.
38Viete, zvykli sme to nazývať... Na jednej z nich sme mali filter z handry. Viete vôbec, čo to bolo? Musel sa na to dávať handrový filter, aby to zachytilo všetkých tých chrobákov a ostatné veci, ktoré stekali dole zo strechy stodoly a z celého okolia a tiekli dole z jedného miesta na druhé a do cisterny. A my sme na to zvykli dávať ten handrový filter, aby sme zachytili všetok ten odpad a látky, ktoré sme mohli. Samozrejme, nemohlo to zachytiť tú skutočnú špinu, zachytilo to iba tie hrubé kusy, ktoré stiekli a padli do toho. Chrobák do toho mohol spadnúť, ale šťava z toho chrobáka tiekla ďalej s vodou. Takže ste tam mali skutočnú špinu, keď ste mali starú špinavú cisternu.
39Ak tam necháte tú vodu pár dní stáť, stane sa, že začne stagnovať. Necháte vodu stáť v cisterne a ona zhnije. A bude plná žiab, jašteríc a hadov. A my sme to zvykli nazývať „krútichvosty,“ [po anglicky „wiggle-tails,“ pravdepodobne sú to larvy komárov -- pozn.prekl.] drobné, maličké... Neviem, či... to nie sú parazity, sú to... Ja nemôžem, neviem, ako by ste to mohli nazvať. Ale nejaké drobné tvory sa dostanú do vody, ktoré nazývame „krútichvosty.“ Vy viete, čo to je. Koľkí z vás vedia, o čom to tu hovorím? Ó, no, samozrejme, vy všetci dedinskí ľudia to poznáte. Celkom to zhnije, a potom sa do toho dostanú všetci milovníci stojatej (vody). To sa skrátka skutočne stane, pretože to je nehybná voda. A pretože je to zhnité, pritiahne to tam živočíchy, ktoré majú radi zhnité veci.
40A celé to všetko je podobné našim dnešným cirkvám. Myslím, že sme opustili... Jeden z najväčších hriechov, ktorého sa dnes cirkev dopustila, tak, ako vtedy Izrael, opustili Jeho, Ten Prameň živej Vody, a vyrúbali si cisterny vytvorené ľuďmi. A tie sa stali bydliskom všetkého, čo miluje taký druh vody. Žijú v tom jašterice, žaby a všetky druhy nečistých baktérií, pretože to je nádrž vytvorená človekom. A tie veci v tej nádrži zostávajú, dokonalý príklad na naše dnešné denominácie.
41„No,“ poviete, „brat Branham, prečo na týchto ľudí tak tvrdo útočíš?“
Na to by sa malo udierať. Na to sa musí udierať. Uniknite odtiaľ, pretože to nakoniec vytvorí znamenie šelmy. Pamätajte, to je Pravda! Bude to znamením šelmy. Denominácia povedie rovno do toho. Je to práve teraz na svojej ceste ku nátlaku, skrze moc.
42Pozrite sa na starú Rímsku ríšu. To je presne to, čo ich priviedlo do toho znamenia odpadlíctva. Zistili ste, že žiaden človek nemohol kupovať ani predávať, ak nemal znamenie šelmy. Musel ho mať.
43Na zemi budú iba dva druhy ľudí; tí s Pečaťou Božou, a tí so znamením šelmy. Iba tieto dve kategórie, takže budete musieť mať jedno, alebo druhé. Bude to odpadlíctvo, znamenie náboženstva, odpadlíckeho náboženstva.
44A bude to mať obraz šelmy. Ako sme to študovali, zistili sme, že Rím bol, je, a vždy bude tým znamen-... alebo tou šelmou. Presne tak. Neexistuje spôsob, ako by sme mohli dostať niečo iné. Rím!
45A čo urobil Rím? Obrátil sa z pohanského Ríma na pápežský Rím a zorganizoval systém, celosvetový systém, ktorý donútil každého, aby sa do toho náboženstva pripojil, inak bol vydaný na smrť.
46A je to zvláštna vec, že tieto Spojené Štáty sa objavujú na scéne a sú ako baránok. A baránok má dva malé rohy, občianske a duchovné práva. A po chvíli, keď to bolo baránkom, sme zistili, že potom to hovorilo ako drak a vykonávalo to všetku moc, ktorú mal ten drak predtým. Biblia nám hovorí, že oni povedali, „Učiňme obraz šelme.“ Obraz je niečo, čo je podobné niečomu inému. A my to môžeme vidieť rovno teraz, že v jej odpadnutom stave, cirkev formuje Svetovú Radu Cirkví, ktorá je obrazom ku moci Rímu; a bude ľudí nútiť ku tej istej veci, ako to urobil Rím... alebo ako to urobil pápežský Rím. A tak tu nie je žiadna iná možnosť, žiadna iná vec. Ale toto je Pravda.
47A preto na to v mojom veku útočím, v mojom čase, pretože sa do toho musí udrieť. Volanie zaznelo, „Vyjdite z nej, Môj ľude, aby ste sa nezúčastnili jej hriechov!“
48No, prirovnávam to ku tým špinavým a odporným cisternám. „On je Prameňom Života. On je živými Vodami.“ A ľudia To opustia a vykopú si cisterny, ktoré dokážu zachytiť iba špinu. To je tá jediná vec, ktorú to dokáže zachytiť. A to je to, čo robí denominacionalizmus; zachytáva všetko, čo príde, a chce sa pripojiť. Oni sú ochotní to prijať, ak to má nejaké peniaze, alebo sa to môže obliekať určitým spôsobom. Nezáleží na tom, kto sú, odkiaľ prídu, oni ich aj tak vezmú.
49Teraz znova zisťujeme, že to znamenie šelmy bolo sformované tu. Amerika je číslom trinásť. Bola zrodená z trinástich kolónií. Má vlajku, ktorá má trinásť hviezd a trinásť pruhov. A dokonca sa objavuje v Zjavení, v 13. kapitole. A Amerika bola vždy ženou, takto bola znázorňovaná aj na našich minciach. Dokonca Indiánska hlava na 1-centovej minci má ženský profil. Vieme to, poznáme tú históriu. Všetko, zvon slobody a všetko ostatné, sloboda... socha slobody... všetko je žena. Žena; číslo trinásť. Rozumiete? No, je to skvelé, že môžeme tieto veci vidieť.
50A teraz, ja som to mal predpovedané skrze zjavenie od Boha, alebo videnie z roku 1933, že sa pred časom konca stane tých sedem udalostí. A tá jedna z nich bola, že, „Mussolini,“ ktorý sa vtedy stával diktátorom, že „sa stane diktátorom.“ A tiež, že podnikne inváziu, pôjde dolu do Etiópie a podrobí si Etiópiu. A Duch, povedalo To, „Ona padne k jeho nohám.“
51Zaujímalo by ma, či tu v modlitebni zostal ešte niekto z tých starších, kto si ma pamätá, ako som to hovoril tu dole v Redman Hall, keď sme to kázali pred mnohými a mnohými rokmi. Je tu v tejto budove dnes večer niekto, kto zostal odtiaľ zdola, zo starej Redmanovej siene, keď som to tam kázal, vtedy, keď prišli s tým N.R.A. [Nation Rifle Association -- pozn.prekl.], vtedy dávno, v čase Roosveltovho prvého (volebného) obdobia? Mám dojem, že tu už nie je nikto. Je tu aspoň jeden? Áno, áno, jedna, tam je jedna. Áno, pani Wilsonová, pamätám si ju. A moja žena, ktorá sedí tam vzadu. Dve, ktoré zostali z tej starej generácie, ktorá tu bola v tých dňoch.
Tak, keď hovorili, že to N.R.A. bolo znamením šelmy, povedal som, „Nič na tom nie je; vôbec nie. To znamenie šelmy nepríde odtiaľto. To vyjde z Ríma. A toto nemôže byť znamením šelmy.“
52A teraz si spomeňte na to, že tieto veci boli vypovedané. Povedal, „Adolf Hitler príde ku záhadnému koncu.“ A on vyhlási Spojeným Štátom vojnu. A oni postavia obrovskú, mohutnú betónovú vec, a že v nej dokonca budú bývať. A práve tam utŕžia Američania príšernú porážku.“ A to bola tá Siegfriedova línia, jedenásť rokov predtým, ako sa to vôbec začalo stavať. A potom povedal, „Ale on príde ku svojmu koncu; a Štáty vyhrajú vojnu.“
53A potom povedal, že, „Sú tam tri 'izmy'; Nacizmus, fašizmus a komunizmus.“ A povedal som, „Oni všetky skončia v komunizme. Rusko to celé prevezme v komunizme.“
54A povedal som, „Potom bude veda veľmi vyspelá, človek sa stane takým chytrým, že bude vynachádzať toľko vecí, až zostrojí automobil, ktorý bude vyzerať ako vajce, a bude mať niečo také ako sklenenú strechu a bude to riadené nejakou inou silou, než volantom.“ A oni také auto už majú.
55A povedal som, „Potom morálka našich žien upadne do takých nízkych vecí, že sa stanú hanbou pre všetky národy. Budú nosiť mužské oblečenie. Neprestanú si vyzliekať svoje šaty, až sa skutočne stane, že budú oblečené len v spodnom prádle, to je všetko. A nakoniec prídu do toho, že budú nosiť iba figový list.“
A ak ste si všimli, minulý mesiac v časopise Život, mali tam ženu, ktorá mala na sebe figové listy. A to sú nové večerné šaty alebo róba, ktorú večer nosia; priesvitné, dá sa cez ne vidieť, iba figové listy skrátka zakrývajú určité miesto na jej tele, bez ramienok, alebo popruhu, odopnuté plavky, ich vrch, odhalené telo. A ako sa tieto veci stali!
56Potom som povedal, „Videl som v Spojených Štátoch povstať ženu, ako veľkú kráľovnú, alebo niečo také. A na pohľad bola nádherná, ale krutá vo svojom srdci. A spôsobila, že národ išiel v jej šľapajách.“
57Potom som povedal, „Nakoniec mi On povedal, aby som sa znova obzrel na východ. A keď som to urobil, zbadal som, vyzeralo to, ako keby svet explodoval. A pokiaľ som len dovidel, nebolo tam nič, iba trosky a tlejúce skaly boli rozmetané po povrchu zeme.“
58A tieto veci sa mali stať pred koncom sveta. A päť z týchto siedmych vecí sa už v priebehu tridsiatich troch rokov stali. Tu sa nachádzame, celkom na konci času!
59A ja som rovno vtedy hovoril proti tomu denominačnému systému. A dnes večer stále verím, že je to žumpa, že je to miesto, do ktorého steká špina. Nedokážem veriť tomu, že by Boh zniesol také veci vo Svojej Cirkvi, pretože musí byť narodená z Ducha Božieho a okrem toho očistená predtým, než sa môže nazývať Jeho. Tajomné Telo Kristovo, do ktorého sme pokrstení skrze krst Duchom Svätým.
59Áno, tento cisternový systém je určite ideálny príklad denominácie. Múdry človek by to mal preskúmať a nikdy do toho nevstúpiť, lebo Boh v priebehu vekov dokázal, že je proti tomu a nikdy s tým nepracoval. Žiadna skupina... Kedykoľvek nejaký muž povstal s posolstvom, ako Luther, Wesley, a tak ďalej, a Smith, Kalvin a tí ostatní; akonáhle začali s organizáciou, Boh tú vec odložil na poličku a nikdy viac to nenavštívil v prebudení.
60Pozrite sa naprieč históriou. Nikdy tam nebola doba, že by Boh niekedy vzal denomináciu a urobil z toho prebudenie, nikde. Potom je dokázané, cez históriu a skrze Bibliu, že je to v Božích očiach špinavou vecou, a tak s tým nechcem mať nič spoločné. A preto som proti tomu. Snažím sa dostať ľudí z toho von.
61Sme vyzývaní... teraz je to tak, ako to bolo v Izraeli, aby sme hľadeli na Izrael, kvôli príkladom. Tak dlho, kým zostávali s tým Prameňom, boli v poriadku. Ale, keď sa dostali ku tomu, že si vyrúbali cisterny, ľuďmi vytvorené systémy, rovno vtedy ich Boh opustil. On nám urobí to isté. „Oni Ho opustili, Ten Prameň živej Vody.“ To boli tie námietky, ktoré proti nim Boh mal. „Urobili niečo, aby mohli povedať, 'Vidíte, čo sme dokázali!'“
62No, v čase, keď putovali s Mojžišom; keď im Boh skrze milosť dal proroka, dal im Ohnivý Stĺp, aby išiel pred nimi a dokázal To znameniami a zázrakmi, milosť poskytla všetky tieto veci. Izrael stále chcel, videl zákon. Odmietli milosť, aby prijali zákon.
To je presne to, čo ľudia robia dnes. Odmietajú Slovo, aby prijali denominačný systém, pretože v ňom môžu robiť to, čo chcú, a vystačia si s tým. Ale v Kristovi to nemôžete robiť! Musíte prísť umytí a čistí, aby ste boli v Kristovi.
63Opúšťajú artézsku studňu, kvôli ľuďmi vytvorenému systému, alebo cisterne, dokážete si predstaviť, že toto niekto urobí? Dokážete si predstaviť mentálny stav nejakej osoby, ktorá môže piť z čerstvej artézskej studne, a opustila by ju kvôli cisterne vytvorenej ľuďmi, v ktorej sa nachádzajú žaby, jašterice, „krútichvosty“ a všetko možné?
To nevyzerá ani tak rozumne, aby to bola pravda, ale to je presne to, čo ľudia urobili. Oni opustili Slovo, Ten skutočný Prameň Božieho zdroja a Sily, aby pili z cisterien a vytvorili si cisterny. To isté, čo urobili oni vtedy, urobili aj teraz. Oni hovoria...
On povedal, „Opustili Ma.“ On tu povedal, tu v Jeremiášovi 2:14, či vlastne 13. Povedal, „Opustili Mňa, Prameň živej Vody.“
64No, vidíme, čo to je cisterna. Vidíme, čo zachytáva. Vidíme, ako je vytvorená. Je to človekom vytvorená vec, ktorá sa napĺňa zo špinavej strechy. Voda, ktorá prší dole, dopadá na špinavú strechu a iba zmyje tú strechu dole, odplaví to dolu cez umelo vytvorený žľab, cez umelo vytvorené potrubie, do nádrže vytvorenej ľuďmi. A zhromaždí sa tam všetka tá špina, baktérie, jašterice, žaby a podobné živočíchy z povrchu zeme. A všimnite si, oni sú nečisté zvieratá; „krútichvosty“ v stagnujúcej vode. Ten „krútichvost“ nemôže žiť v čistej vode. Ak by sa do nej dostal, zabilo by ho to. On musí byť v stagnujúcej vode.
65A takýmto spôsobom, je to s mnohými tými dnešnými parazitmi. Nemôžete žiť v čistej vode Ducha Svätého. Preto sú tak pevne proti Slovu a hovoria, „To si protirečí. Nič na Tom nie je.“ Je to tak, pretože musia mať nejaký druh kaluže so stagnujúcou vodou, aby sa v nej mohli krútiť. Správne.
Takým istým spôsobom je to so žabami, s jaštericami, so žubrienkami a s podobnými vecami. Oni sa musia dostať do blízkosti močiara alebo stagnujúcej kaluže, aby mohli žiť, lebo to je ich prirodzenosť, kvôli ktorej tam žijú. A zviera nemôžete zmeniť, pokiaľ nezmeníte jeho prirodzenosť.
A nemôžete učiniť, aby človek videl Slovo Božie, pokiaľ nebola zmenená jeho prirodzenosť; a keď je jeho prirodzenosť zmenená z toho, čím je, na syna Božieho, vojde do neho Duch Svätý. Duch Svätý napísal Slovo Božie!
66Dnes som sa rozprával s mojím dobrým priateľom, doktorom Lee Vayle, ktorý je tu teraz prítomný. A on je ozaj teológ, a tak obvykle mávame pomerne dosť pekné diskusie ohľadom Písma. Je veľmi múdry.
A on sa ma raz opýtal, čo si myslím o počiatočnom dôkaze Ducha Svätého, „Bolo to hovorenie v jazykoch?“ Stalo sa to pred mnohými rokmi.
Povedal som, „Nie, ja to tak nevidím.“
Povedal, „Ani ja,“ povedal, „aj keď som to tak bol učený. Povedal, „Čo si myslíš ty, že by mohlo byť tým dôkazom?“
67Povedal som, „Najdokonalejším dôkazom, na ktorý dokážem pomyslieť, je láska.“ A tak sme sa o tom začali rozprávať.
A vtedy som si myslel, že to znie veľmi pekne, a tak som sa toho skrátka držal, „Ak má človek lásku.“
Ale jedného dňa ma Pán vo videní napravil. A On povedal, že „dôkazom Ducha boli tí, ktorí dokázali prijať Slovo,“ ani láska, ani hovorenie v jazykoch, ale je to prijímanie Slova.
68A potom mi Doktor Vayle povedal, že „to je biblické,“ povedal, „pretože v Jánovi 14, Ježiš povedal, 'Keď On, Ten Duch Svätý na vás zostúpi, On vám zjaví tie veci, ktoré Som vás učil, a zjaví vám veci, ktoré prídu.'“
Takže, tu je skutočný dôkaz Ducha Svätého! On mi zatiaľ nepovedal nikdy nič nesprávne. Takže, „Dôkazom Ducha Svätého je ten, kto môže veriť Slovu.“ Dokážete To prijať.
Pretože Ježiš nikdy nepovedal, „Keď príde Duch Svätý, budete hovoriť jazykmi.“ On nikdy nepovedal, že keď príde Duch Svätý, budete robiť nejakú z týchto vecí. Ale On povedal, „On vezme tieto Moje veci a zjaví vám ich a zjaví vám veci, ktoré majú prísť.“ Takže, tu je skutočný dôkaz Ducha Svätého podľa samotného Ježiša.
69A tak všetky tieto senzácie a podobné veci, ktoré ľudia majú a stále s tým žijú, môžete vidieť, prečo to robia. Vidíte, stáva sa to denomináciou, alebo stojacou kalužou a nikdy tu nebude denominácia vytvorená na dokonalom Slove Božom. Nedá sa to urobiť, pretože nemôžete ohraničovať alebo označovať Boha. Nie veru!
70Je to tak preto, lebo ak dostanete skupinu ľudí, ktorí môžu veriť Slovu, a necháte ich vytvoriť organizáciu, tak prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, je, že v priebehu roka je to tam skupina Rickyov, s ktorou nemôžete nič urobiť. Oni to prevezmú a vy s tým nič neurobíte. To nie je Boží systém. Nie je a tak vieme, že tá vec je mimo. Stáva sa to cisternou a stáva sa to miestom, kde bude každý robiť kompromis s tým, s týmto alebo tamtým, aby dostali dnu viacej členov, alebo dovolili ľuďom pripojiť sa ku nim.
71Zistili sme, že tento systém už začal raz dávno v čase Izraela, keď kopali tie cisterny. A bol tam jeden muž a skupina farizejov, ktorí vykopali nejaké cisterny. A mali tam muža, ktorý sa volal Herodes, a on bol ohlasovateľom, guvernérom štátu.
A on prišiel dolu, aby si vypočul muža, ktorý sa nenechal od ich denominácií oklamať. On bol prorokom. A žiaden prorok nemal nikdy nič spoločného s denomináciou, iba to, že ju nenávidel. Tento prorok začal hovoriť, „Nezačnite hovoriť sami v sebe, 'Máme nášho otca Abraháma,' lebo vám hovorím, že Boh je schopný z týchto kameňov vzbudiť Abrahámovi deti.“
72A oni priviedli hodnostára, aby si ho vypočul. A tento hodnostár odobral svojmu bratovi jeho manželku a oženil sa s ňou. A čo urobil a povedal tento muž, keď predstúpil pred jeho tvár? Oni si mysleli, že urobí kompromis a povie, „No, pane, vy, vy tu máte pekný trón. A vy by ste mohli... Som taký šťastný, že tu dnes ste, aby ste ma vypočuli.“
Ján skrátka predstúpil rovno pred jeho tvár a povedal, „Nie je ti to dovolené, aby si ju mal!“ Úplne prvá vec, ktorú povedal, on na neho zareval jeho hriech.
73Vidíte, denominácie vytvoria kaluže so stojatou vodou, kde muži môžu žiť so ženami a ich ženy môžu vyvádzať, strihať si vlasy, nosiť šortky a všetko ostatné a nazývať sa Kresťanmi.
Ale skutočný Prameň, haleluja, moci Božej, tam to nemôže zostať, pretože Ono to vytlačí von. „Ja Som Prameňom živých Vôd. Opustili Ma, aby si vykopali nejaké cisterny.“
74No, prameň živej vody, zistili sme, čo je to prameň živej vody? Zistili sme, čo je to cisterna, teraz, čo je to prameň živej vody? To je artézska studňa.
„Artézska studňa, čo to je, brat Branham?“
To je studňa, v ktorej voda stále pramení zdola a vytlačuje sa nahor. Stále vyvierajúca voda. Sama sa doplňuje, je vždy čerstvá a čistá, artézska studňa, prameň živej vody. Ona nie je mŕtva a stojatá. Je žijúca, neustále sa mení, prináša stále niečo nové, hýbe sa, vyviera zo svojich zdrojov. Čerpá svoje zásoby zo svojho ložiska, ktoré je... stálym prameňom živých vôd vyvierajúcich nahor. Samočistiaca; je to čistá, priezračná, číra voda. Doplňuje sa sama; nemusíte čakať, kým zaprší, aby sa naplnila jej nádrž. Stále vyviera a dáva svoju vodu voľne. Nemusíte ju pumpovať, navíjať, otáčať, alebo sa ku nej pripojiť. Je to skrátka prameň živých vôd.
75Viete, vezmite si tie cisterny, musíte s tým otáčať, otáčať a otáčať a pumpovať a všetko možné, aby ste dostali von trocha tej stojatej vody.
Ale Prameň živej Vody To vydáva von voľne, bez pumpovania, pripojovania sa a všetkého ostatného. Ó, som taký šťastný za Ten Prameň! Tak veru!
76Nepotrebujete ku tomu žiadne sitko, aby zadržalo parazitov. Lebo to ide tak hlboko dole, do Skaly, až tam nie sú žiadne parazity.
Nepotrebuje to mať na sebe zavesenú vzdelávaciu handru, to je pravda, nejaký svetom vytvorený systém ľuďmi vytvorenej denominačnej múdrosti; aby vám bolo pred psychiatrom povedané, či ste schopný kázať alebo nie. Nemá to na sebe zavesenú žiadnu z tých špinavých handier. Akonáhle ju tam dáte, ihneď ju to odstrčí preč. Nemôžete to urobiť. Tá studňa neustále vyviera. Mohli by ste na ňu dať jednu z tých handier, To by ju okamžite odhodilo preč na jednu, alebo na druhú stranu. Nemá žiaden čas na to, aby na nej boli nejaké denominačné handry.
77Nepotrebuje žiaden filter, žiadne sitko, žiadne pumpovanie, žiadne postrkovanie, ani nič iné. To tam skrátka vyviera. Nemusí sa spoliehať na miestne dažde, aby sa naplnila. Dažde sú „prebudenia,“ kde Ten Prameň... To je v Tom Prameni Života. „Tam, kde je mŕtvola, budú zhromaždené orly.“ Nemusíte vypumpovať prebudenie, vy nemusíte vypumpovať nič. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je len prísť ku Prameňu. Neustále je plný dobrej, čistej vody a nemá To konca. Skrátka To stále vyviera.
78Nemusíte prísť ku cisterne a hovoriť, „No, ak zaprší a zmyje to tú stodolu, budeme mať niečo na pitie.“ Rozumiete? Ó! Toto nie. Tá artézska studňa chŕli po celý čas dobrú a studenú vodu. Môžete sa na ňu spoľahnúť. Nemusíte hovoriť, „No, idem tam ku tej starej cisterne. Zvykli sme z nej piť, ale už dlhý čas nepršalo. Hovorím vám, možno je už vyschnutá.“ A práve to je spôsob niektorých tých ľuďmi vytvorených systémov. Môžete vojsť dnu, ak máte nejakú veľkú udalosť, nejaký dôležitý spolok, ktorý niečo predáva, alebo nejaký druh určitej udalosti, veľké oslavy a podobné udalosti, kartové hry, večierky v suteréne a všetko možné, môžete toho nájsť plný dom.
Ale keď idete tam, kde vyviera Ten Prameň, tam ľudia neustále dostávajú dobrú studenú vodu na pitie. Môžete sa na To spoľahnúť! Oni povedia, „Oni už desať rokov nemali prebudenie.“ Ak žijete z Toho Prameňa, On má neustále prebiehajúce prebudenie.
80Ako povedal ten malý Welšan. Alebo raz, keď vo Walese prebiehalo prebudenie, boli tam nejakí hodnostári zo Štátov. Niektorí z tých veľkých doktorov teológie prišli do Walesu, aby zistili, kde a čo sa to tam vlastne dialo. A tak mali tie ich stojaté goliere a cylindre a kráčali dole ulicou.
A tu prichádza malý policajt, točí svojím malým obuškom v ruke a píska si, „Dole na kríži, kde zomrel môj Spasiteľ, tam dole som kričal za očistenie od hriechov; tam bola na moje srdce použitá Krv, česť Jeho Menu,“ a tak si kráča po ulici.
A tak si povedali, „Vyzerá to tak, že je to nábožný človek. Ideme sa ho opýtať.“
A povedali, „Pane!“
Povedal, „Áno, pane?“
Povedal, „My sme tu zo Spojených Štátov. Sme delegácia. Prišli sme sem vyšetriť to takzvané Waleské prebudenie. Sme doktormi teológie a sme tu na to, aby sme to preskúmali.“ Povedal, „Potrebujeme vedieť, kde to prebudenie je a kde sa koná.“
On povedal, „Páni, dorazili ste tam. Ja som to Waleské prebudenie.“ Amen! „Waleské prebudenie je vo mne. Tu sa koná.“
81Takto to je, keď žijete z Toho Prameňa živej Vody. Je To stále živé, vyviera To znova a znova a znova a znova. Nemá To konca. Žiadne, „Poďte sa pozrieť, či je tam nejaká voda, keďže prednedávnom sme tu mali dážď,“ to nie je ono. To je Ten Prameň živej Vody. Ako som hovoril, „On rozdáva Svoju Vodu voľne.“
82Nemusíte na To dávať handry, aby ste (niečo) zistili; nejaké vzdelávacie handry, predtým, ako ho môžete vyslať von kázať a zisťovať, či svoje slová hláskuje správne, či ich správne vyslovuje a či používa podstatné mená, zámená, a tak ďalej, a prídavné mená. Mnohí z nich ani nevedia, čo to je, ale oni žijú pri tom Prameni, ktorý je stále rovnaký, rozumiete, rovnaký.
83To nemusí byť závislé od miestnych dažďov, aby sa to naplnilo, alebo (závislé) od miestnych prebudení. Nie je to potrebné robiť, lebo jeho moc (toho prameňa) a jeho čistota je v ňom. To je miesto, kde je Slovo, Jeho Vlastná Moc! Keď To človek môže prijať do svojho srdca, To má Svoju čistotu. To má Svoju Moc. To sa nachádza rovno v Samotnom Slove, z ktorého vyviera ďalej Život.
84Ak by To Izrael opustil, dostali by sa do problémov. Zakaždým, keď sa od Toho dostali preč, tak sa dostali do problémov.
Rovnako, ako my teraz. Keď sa prebudenie dostane preč od Tohoto, potom je to k ničomu. Vykope si to nejaké studne, alebo nejaké stagnujúce cisterny a tam to ide.
85Ale On im vždy pomáhal. To reptanie pri Červenom mori, vtedy, keď reptali... Napriek tomu všetkému zasľúbil, On im dal zasľúbenie. Ak sa na to pozrieme z nášho pohľadu, mohol ich rovno tam otočiť; ale On zasľúbil, že ich cez to prevedie.
A čo urobil? Tým Izraelským deťom, On im zaslal Stĺp Ohňa a všetko ostatné ako potvrdenie, ich proroka. A oni ich odtiaľ vyviedli ku moru. A vždy proti Tomu povstanú problémy. A tu prichádza faraón a jeho armáda. A viete, čo Boh urobil? On len otvoril tú červenú, skazenú cisternu.
Mŕtve more je tá najmŕtvejšia vec na svete. Ono je naozaj mŕtve. Je skazené. Nič v ňom nemôže žiť.
A On ho otvoril a oslobodil ich na druhú stranu. Vzal ich tam, kde nebudú musieť byť zviazaní takou vecou, ako je táto.
86A na púšti zistili, že nemôžu byť závislí od nádrží; ony boli vyschnuté. Zistili sme, že oni chodili od jednej diery s vodou ku druhej. Keď boli na púšti, boli vysmädnutí na smrť za jedným dúškom vody. A mohli by ísť ku tej nádrži, ktorá tam bola, ku rybníku; to bolo vyschnuté. Išli ku inému miestu; bolo to vyschnuté. Oni sa skrátka ani nenazdávali, že by ešte niekedy dostali napiť.
A potom našli vodu na tom najneobvyklejšom mieste v celej púšti. Bola v skale. Nachádzala sa v skale. Najnepravde-podobnejšie miesto, kde by človek mohol nájsť nejakú vodu, by bolo v suchej skale v strede púšte. Ale vidíte, Boh robí takéto veci. Na najneobvyklejšom mieste, tým najnezvyčajnejším spôsobom. Vždy sme to tak mali.
87Oni si myslia, že musíte mať veľké denominácie pohromade a aby sa všetci zišli dokopy a vo veľkom blúdili bezcieľne dookola a tak ďalej, a získali tisíce, aby spolupracovali, a všetko takéto kvôli tomu, aby mali prebudenie.
Niekedy Boh vezme biedneho chlapíka, ktorý nepozná ani abecedu, a rovno medzi negramotnými ľuďmi, ktorí sotva rozoznajú svoju pravú ruku od ľavej, On môže vzbudiť prebudenie, ktoré otrasie svetom. On to vykonal v Jánovej dobe. On to vykonal v čase prorokov. Žiaden z nich, nakoľko vieme, nebol nikdy vzdelaný, ale Boh ich mohol uchopiť a niečo s nimi vykonať.
88Zvnútra Tej Skaly vytryskli vody. On bol Tou Skalou. A On rozkázal tej Skale a musela byť udretá. A On dal hojnosť priezračnej, čerstvej, čistej vody každému, kto pil. On zachránil všetkých, ktorí z Toho pili. Dokonalá súvislosť s Jánom 3:16. „Boh tak miloval svet, že Svojho jednorodeného Syna dal, aby nikto, kto verí v Neho, nezahynul, ale mal večný život.“
89Boh udrel Tú Skalu na Golgote. Náš súd bol uvalený na Neho, aby z Neho mohol prísť Duch Života, ktorý vám a mne dáva Večný Život. To je v dokonalej súvislosti s tým tam na púšti.
90Oni nikdy nemuseli ťahať, kopať, pumpovať, alebo čokoľvek iné; len sa voľne podieľali na Jeho pripravenej ceste. Nuž, nemuseli tú vodu vykopať z rybníka. Nemuseli ju vyťahovať s vedrom. Nemuseli mať žiaden navijak, s ktorým by ju dostali. Museli sa na tom iba podieľať.
A to všetko je aktuálne aj teraz. Nemusíte sa ku ničomu pripojiť. Nemusíte sa dostať dolu ku oltáru a pracovať na niečom, pumpovať to. Nemusíte opakovať slovo znova a znova a znova, až kým sa vám nepopletie jazyk. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte spraviť, je len podieľať sa na Ňom, voľne, na Božej pripravenej ceste. Bez pumpovania, bez tlačenia, bez ničoho; len z Toho vziať, voľne. Nič nemusíte urobiť; len sa na Tom podieľať. Tak je to, len Tomu verte. To je všetko, čo k tomu môžem povedať.
Oni nemuseli kvôli Tomu nič urobiť. Nemuseli kvôli Tomu kopať. Nikdy kvôli Tomu nemuseli kľaknúť a celú noc kričať. Oni si z Toho len dali; bolo To udrené a pripravené. To je pravda.
91Dívam sa teraz na muža, ktorý sedí tam vzadu v miestnosti. Spomínam si, ako som mu to raz hovoril v stajni vedľa válovu.
A on povedal, „Ale ja nie som dobrý.“
92Povedal som, „Ja viem, že nie si.“ A povedal som, „Ja tiež nie som.“ Ale povedal som, „Ty sa dívaš na to, čo si ty. A prestaň sa pozerať na to, čo si ty, a pozri sa na to, Kým je On.“
Povedal, „Keby som sa len mohol zbaviť týchto cigariet, brat Branham, mohol by som byť Kresťanom.“
93Povedal som, „Nezbavuj sa ich. Ty sa snažíš stať sa dobrým a potom ku Nemu prísť. On nikdy neprišiel zachrániť dobrých ľudí; On prišiel zachrániť zlých ľudí, ktorí o sebe vedeli, že sú zlí.“
Povedal, „No...“
Povedal som, „Počuj, ty nechceš ísť do pekla, alebo chceš?“
Povedal, „Nie.“
94Povedal som, „No, nemusíš tam ísť. On zomrel kvôli tomu, aby si tam nemusel ísť.“
Povedal, „Čo musím urobiť?“
Povedal som, „Nič. Je to také jednoduché.“
Povedal, „Ale, ak by som niekedy mohol...“
95Povedal som, „Znova sa vraciaš ku tým cigaretám. Prestaň premýšľať o tých cigaretách. Len pamätaj, premýšľaj o Ňom, o tom, čo On urobil, o tom, Kým je On; nie o tom, čo si ty. Ty nie si dobrý; a nikdy si nebol a nikdy nebudeš. Ale počíta sa to, Kým je On, On je Tým Hlavným!“ A povedal som, „No, jediná malá vec, ktorú musíš urobiť; ak On zaujal tvoje miesto tam dole, ty len ochotne prijmi to, čo On už vykonal. Jediná vec, ktorú musíš urobiť, je prijať to.“
„No,“ povedal, „to je jednoduché. Urobím to.“
96Povedal som, „Tu je potok.“ Rozumiete? Priviedol som ho tam hore a pokrstil ho vo Meno Ježiša Krista.
Niektorí z jeho blízkych tu sedia a ja viem, že sa na mne zabávali, keď som to robil, ale vedel som, čo robím. Videl som v tom mužovi niečo, čo bolo skutočné. Videl som to tam a vzal som ho a pokrstil ho v Mene Pána Ježiša.
A keď sme to urobili, netrvalo dlho, až som šiel dole do domu jeho syna. Videli sme videnie o strome zlomenom v určitom mieste a ten muž spadol a takmer si zlomil chrbticu. Vzali ho do nemocnice. A v tú noc mi Pán zjavil, že s tými je cigaretami koniec.
A tak na ďalší deň chcel nejaké cigarety. Povedal som, „Kúpim mu kartón a vezmite mu ho. Dávajte len pozor a sledujte, že jeho dni fajčenia skončili.“ On odvtedy nikdy nevyfajčil jedinú cigaretu a nikdy od tej doby ani jednu nechcel. Boh!
97Vidíte, prvá vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je prísť ku Tomu Prameňu. Musíte prísť ku Tej Vode, uvedomiť si, že nie je nič, čo by ste mohli urobiť. Jedná sa o to, čo On pre vás urobil. Nemusíte kopať; nemusíte pumpovať, nemusíte skoncovať s týmto; nemusíte skoncovať s tamtým. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je dostať sa tam a piť. To je celé. Ak ste smädní; pite!
98No, On bol Skalou. Boh ho za nás udrel a On tam vydal hojnosť priezračnej, čistej Vody. On to robí doteraz, aj dnes pre každého, kto bude veriť. Toto je, samozrejme, Jeho milosť, pre Jeho ľudí, pre nás.
99Tam je niečo, ako by tam, ako ľudia dnes, sú pripravení prijať, čo len môžu, ale nechcú poskytnúť na oplátku žiadnu službu. Izrael bol hneď pripravený piť zo skaly, ale nechceli poskytnúť Bohu Jeho službu, ktorá Mu náležala.
100A On nám vždy preukazuje službu. Viete, bez Neho nemôžeme ani dýchať. Bez Božej pomoci nemôžeme ani dýchať. Tak veľmi sme od Neho závislí. A napriek tomu nás to takmer trhá na kusy, ak sa snažíme urobiť, ak musíme pre Neho niečo urobiť. On nás požiada, aby sme niečo urobili, aby sme niekoho išli navštíviť, išli sa za niekoho pomodliť, išli niekomu pomôcť, to nás takmer roztrhá, keď to máme urobiť. Ale nechceme urobiť niečo, aby sme Mu poslúžili.
101Jeho sťažnosť bola, „Opustili Mňa, Slovo; a namiesto Mňa prijali deravú cisternu. Prijali... Opustili Mňa, Prameň Života, Prameň Vody Života; a boli žiadostiví radšej piť zo skazenej cisterny.“ Dokážete si to predstaviť?
102Dokážete si teraz predstaviť človeka, keď je tu tá artézska studňa, ktorá skrátka vydáva skvelú, minerálnu vodu rovno zo srdca skál, tam dole z piesočnatých ložísk, a tak ďalej, práve taká studená a dobrá, ako len môže byť; a radšej by išiel piť z tamtej cisterny, ktorá má v sebe zmytú strechu stodoly a chlievov a všetkých vonkajších budov okolo nejakého pozemku? A dostane sa to rovno do tej cisterny, vytekajúca voda odteká rovno späť do vnútra, zo stodoly, stajní a z maštalí a všetko to odteká rovno späť do cisterny, a potom to chceme prij... pili by sme skôr odtiaľ, ako z tej artézskej studne? S takou osobou by niečo nebolo mentálne v poriadku. To je pravda.
103A keď si muž alebo žena zvolia denomináciu za svoj základ, to im umožní strihať si vlasy nakrátko, nosiť šortky, maľovať si tvár a všetky tieto ďalšie nezmysly, nejaký druh programu, všetko to vyvádzanie, môžu ísť na bowlingové dráhy a všetky tie hlúposti tam vonku a oni sa s tým všetkým dokážu vyrovnať; a majú to takto radšej, než staromódne Slovo Božie, ktoré reže a seká a robí zo žien dámy, berie ich a pôsobí, že sa budú správne obliekať a riadne správať, odoberá cigarety a tabak, nadávanie a preklínanie, klamanie a kradnutie, vezme to od vás a berie od vás preč všetok svet a dáva vám Niečo, čo je dokonalá náhrada. Ako môže muž alebo žena hľadať v takých veciach uspokojenie? Ako z toho môžete dostať uspokojenie?
104Ako môžete dostať dúšok čerstvej vody zo skazenej cisterny? Prečo by človek... Ak človek ide ku skazenej cisterne kvôli tomu, aby sa napil, keď je tam otvorená artézska studňa, mohli by ste povedať, „Ten človek to nemá v hlave v poriadku.“
A ak žena alebo muž idú na také miesto, aby našli uspokojenie, s takou osobou nie je niečo duchovne v poriadku. Oni nechcú Slovo. To ukazuje, že ich prirodzenosť je stále žabia, alebo žubrienky, alebo takého niečoho, to je pravda, niečo z tej prirodzenosti, ktorá miluje tú skazenú kaluž, pretože také druhy živočíchov nemôžu žiť vo vode s čerstvou vodou. Nedokážu to; to je čerstvá voda. Nedokážu to.
105No, sťažnosť bola, „Opustili To.“ A dnes urobili rovnakú vec.
Teraz sa pozrime na tú ženu pri studni. No, ona prišla ku Jakobovej cisterne a chodila tam čerpať vodu po celý čas, z Jakobovej cisterny. Ale Jakobova cisterna, denominácia, mohli by sme to tak nazvať, pretože on ich vykopal tri; a tu bola jedna z nich. No, rozprávala veľký príbeh. Povedala, „No, náš otec vykopal túto studňu, Jakob. On z nej pil a jeho dobytok a všetko z nej pilo. Nie je to dostatočné?
106On povedal, „Ale voda, ktorú odtiaľ čerpáš, ty si znova smädná, musíš sa sem pre ňu vracať. Ale,“ povedal, „voda, ktorú ti Ja dám, je Prameňom, Gejzírom vytryskujúcim zvnútra a nemusíš sem pre Ňu chodiť. Ona je rovno s tebou.“
107Všimnite si. Ale keď zistila, že k nej prehovoril biblický Prameň, skrze biblické znamenie, ktoré hľadala, opustila ten Jakobov denominačný systém a nikdy sa ku nemu znova nevrátila, pretože našla skutočnú Skalu. Rozumiete? Bežala do mesta. Skončila s hriechom. Už viacej nebola skazenou ženou. Povedala, „Poďte, vidzte, Koho som našla, Človeka, Ktorý mi povedal veci, ktoré som urobila. Či to nie je samotný Kristus?“ Ona... Tá cisterna mohla byť v poriadku; slúžila svojmu účelu. Ona bola teraz pri tom skutočnom Prameni. Cisterna bola v poriadku, pokiaľ nebol otvorený ten skutočný Prameň. Ale keď prišiel ten skutočný Prameň, tá cisterna stratila svoju silu. Tá žena zistila, že existuje lepšie miesto na pitie.
108A existuje lepšie miesto. Existuje lepšie miesto, a to je v Kristovi. Vo Svätom Jánovi 7:37 a 38, pri konci sviatku stánov, Ježiš povedal, „Ak niekto žízni, nech príde ku Mne a pije.“
Oni sa všetci radovali. Mali tam malý prúd vody, ktorý vytekal spod oltára, a všetci na tej slávnosti, na tom sviatku z neho pili. A hovorili, „Naši otcovia pili z duchovnej Skaly na púšti.“ Vidíte, vykopali si cisternu, vypumpovali odniekiaľ zdola nejakú stojatú vodu, ktorá vytryskovala spod toho chrámu. A všetci sa zišli okolo tej vody a pili a hovorili, „Pred rokmi naši otcovia pili na púšti.“
Ježiš povedal, „Ja som tá Skala, ktorá bola na púšti.“
Povedali, „Jedli sme mannu z neba a Boh ju zoslal dole.“
109Povedal, „Ja som tá manna.“ On, ten Prameň stál medzi nimi. Ten Chlieb Života stál medzi nimi.
A stále To nechceli. Radšej mali svoju cisternu; pretože človek vytvoril toto a Boh zaslal Toto. To je presne ten rozdiel. Vykopali si cisterny!
110Povedal, „Ak niekto žízni, nech príde ku Mne a pije“, On je Tým Prameňom. A ako povedalo Písmo, „Z jeho vnútra potečú rieky živej Vody.“ Ó, On je tou artézskou studňou! „Z jeho vnútra, alebo z najvnútornejšej bytosti potečú rieky živej Vody.“
111On je tou Skalou, ktorá bola na... ktorá bola Hagarinou skalou v čase skúšok; keď bolo jej dieťa na pokraji smrti, keď bola vyhostená z tábora a bola tam vonku s malým Izmaelom. Jej voda v cisterne, ktorú niesla so sebou, sa minula. A ona položila malého Izmaela; a odišla na vzdialenosť dostrelu lukom a plakala a, ó, pretože nechcela vidieť zomierať svoje dieťa. A zrazu prehovoril Anjel Pánov a ona našla Bér-... Bér-šebu, studňu, ktorá tam vytekala a vyteká dodnes. On bol Hagarinou Bér--Bér-Šébou, skalou tam vonku na púšti.
112Ona tam stála vo Fontáne naplnenej Krvou, vtedy tam stála v tom chráme. [Prázdne miesto na páske. - pozn.prekl.]... v čase búrky. V Zachariášovi, v 13. kapitole, On bol Tým otvoreným Prameňom v Dávidovom dome, na očistenie a pre očistenie od hriechu. On bol Ten Prameň. A v Žalme 36:9 bol Dávidovým Prameňom Života. On je stále Tým Prameňom v dome Dávidovom.
A On je v básnikovi, v jeho srdci. Básnik povedal:
Je Prameň naplnený Krvou;
Tečúci z Emanuelových žíl;
Kde hriešnici ponorení v tom prúde;
Zbavujú sa všetkých svojich nečistých škvŕn.
On je Tým Prameňom Života, Prameňom Vody. On je Slovom Božím.
113Ľudia Ho v týchto posledných dňoch opustili, To pravé Slovo, Vodu Života; a vyrúbali si denominačné cisterny; a znova vyrúbali, vykopali!
114A teraz sme zistili, že oni mali deravé cisterny. A potom, že tieto cisterny sú naplnené neveriacimi baktériami, neveriacim chvastaním sa, vzdelávacími programami, a tak ďalej, čo je v protiklade s Božími zasľúbeniami. Oni sú ohľadne Slova pochybovačmi.
115No, tie cisterny, ktoré mali, Biblia povedala, že boli „deravé“. Deravá cisterna je „netesná“ cisterna a (voda) presakuje von. Čo to spôsobuje? Presakuje to von do nábožnej žumpy nazvanej Svetová Rada Cirkví. A práve tam ich vedú ich deravé cisterny, všetky, pretože Ho opustili a... Prameň živej Vody; a vytvorili si tieto cisterny.
116Vykopávajú veľké seminárne systémy výučby, vzdelávania, a tak ďalej. Taký druh cisterien kopú dnes, takže človek musí mať Ph.D. alebo LL.D., alebo bakalára umenia, či niečo podobné, predtým, ako vôbec môže ísť kázať. Cisterny, ktoré boli naplnené ľuďmi vytvorenou teológiou. Vezmú ich do tých slávnych veľkých škôl vzdelávania a tam im naočkujú ich ľuďmi vytvorenú teológiu a vyšlú ich s tým von. Čo za deň, v ktorom žijeme, ľuďmi vytvorené cisterny! Žiaden problém... Niet divu, že tá vec sa stala smradom, ó, je to tak, pretože ľudia z toho pijú.
117A keď sa chcú dnes ľudia radovať, čo urobia? Ľudia sa namiesto prijatia radosti od Pána obracajú kvôli radosti ku hriechu. Ľudia, ktorí chodia do zboru a tvrdia že sú služobníci Krista, keď sú skutočne nervózni, zapália si cigaretu. A keď sa chcú trocha zabaviť, tak sa oblečú do svojho nemorálneho oblečenia, idú von a kosia trávnik, keď idú okolo muži, aby na nich pohvizdovali. Urobia čokoľvek preto, aby boli populárne. Chcú vyzerať ako filmové hviezdy. To je ich radosť.
Keď Ježiš povedal, „Ja Som ich dostatočnosť.“
Dôvod, že oni idú ku tomu, je ten, že nechcú piť z Toho Prameňa. Odmietli To. Nechcú z Toho piť. Pripojili sa ku nejakému druhu ľuďmi vytvoreného systému, nejakého druhu cisterny, ktorá je plná všetkého druhu skazených vecí, aby mohli chodiť takým spôsobom.
118Včera sme vzali deti hore ku rieke. Myslím, že to bolo v sobotu ráno. Išli sme dole; Billy chytal v loďke ryby. A vzali sme hore deti, môjho malého vnúčika a ostatných, moju dcérku a môjho malého syna a išli sme hore ku rieke na plavbu loďkou. Nemôžete sa ani plaviť po rieke loďkou, kvôli špinavým, ohavným a hanebným ľuďom tam na rieke, polonahí a vyvádzajú. Okolo nás preplávala loďka so skupinou malých dvanásť-, štrnásťročných chlapcov, každý s plechovkou piva v ruke a cigaretou. Oni toto nazývajú „zabávať sa.“ Ó! Ako dlho môže ešte tento svet vydržať s takýmto systémom?
119Potom, aby sa oslobodili od myšlienok, že keď zomrú, pôjdu do pekla, urobia to, že idú a pripoja sa ku jednej z tých ľuďmi vytvorených cisterien. Takže do tej cisterny patria rovnakí ľudia. Nie je to nič iné, než skupina nečistých, najodpornejších „krútichvostov“ tohto sveta. A oni sa k tomu pričleňujú, pretože, ako zvykla hovorievať moja stará matka, „Vrana k vrane sadá.“ Oni nechcú prísť k Tomu Prameňu a byť očistení od toho hriešneho života. Chcú žiť tam vonku a stále držať svedectvo, že sú Kresťania. Prečo? Oni sa od Neho odvrátili, od skutočného Prameňa radosti, Života, dokonalého Života a spokojnosti. Z toho dôvodu to urobili, pretože sa chcú pripojiť. Majú tam nejaký druh ľudí, ktorí veria takým nezmyslom.
120Tu prednedávnom, brat Fred a ja a brat Tom, naša skupina išla do známeho baptistického zboru v meste Tuscon, aby sme zistili, či by sme nemohli nájsť niečo malé, čo by nám možno dalo malé svieže občerstvenie. A ten kazateľ povedal niečo o ľuďoch v Egypte, keď opustili to jedenie cesnaku, a tak ďalej, chceli sa vrátiť späť a znova ho jesť. Povedal, „Niečo podobné robia ľudia aj dnes.“
A my sme všetci povedali, „Amen!“ Nikdy som nevidel takú skupinu! Celý zbor sa prestal dívať na kazateľa a obzerali sa, aby videli, kto to povedal „amen.“ Vyzeralo to tak, že ich to vystrašilo na smrť. Nevedeli, čo to bolo.
Keď Dávid povedal, „Pokrikujte Hospodinovi s radosťou. Chváľte ho na harfách! Chváľte ho na citarách! Každý duch nech chváli Hospodina! Haleluja! Boh radujúci sa vo Svojich ľuďoch. Nech tí, ktorí majú poznanie, hovoria „Amen,“ keď je niečo povedané správne.
121Prečo sa neodvrátiť od tohto systému a cisterien sveta, do spoľahlivého Božieho systému, ktorý je artézskou studňou, Ježišom Kristom? Prečo sa neobrátite ku Nemu, kde Boh je naším hojným zdrojom radosti, naším hojným zdrojom chvál a naším hojným zdrojom spokojnosti? Upokojenie mojich nervov prichádza od Boha.
Keď som roztržitý, nachádzam svoje uspokojenie v Kristovi, nie v cigarete, nie v svetských veciach, nie v pripájaní sa ku nejakému vyznaniu; ale v nachádzaní Jeho, v zasľúbenom Slove, ktoré povedal, „Keď odídem, prídem znova a poberiem si vás.“ Nachádzam v tom svoju radosť. On je moja Radosť.
122Oni dnes hovoria, že skrze pripojenie sa ku týmto veciam a skrze vytvorenie tej Svetovej Rady Cirkví idú vytvoriť lepšie miesto pre život. Podľa môjho úprimného názoru idú vytvoriť lepšie miesto pre hriech. To je práve... Celá tá vec je hriešna, každopádne; nie pre žitie, ale pre smrť. Vytvárajú to miesto, aby sa v ňom dalo hrešiť, namiesto toho, aby sa v ňom dalo žiť.
123Akákoľvek iná vec pomimo Ježiša Krista a Jeho Slova Života je deravou cisternou. Čokoľvek, čo sa To snaží nahradiť; čokoľvek, čo sa snažíte urobiť, aby ste priniesli pokoj, čokoľvek, čo sa snažíte urobiť, aby ste priniesli uspokojenie, akýkoľvek druh radosti, ktorý prijmete z niečoho iného, ako náhradu za Toto, je deravou cisternou plnou špiny. On dáva dokonalé uspokojenie.
124Spomínam si, ako som tu pred pár rokmi vychádzal von zadnými dverami. Bol tam vonku mladý posmievač, ktorý mi povedal, „Vieš, ten dôvod, že vždy hovoríš o ženách takýmto spôsobom, nosenie tých šortiek a podobné veci,“ povedal, „je to preto, že si starý.“ Povedal, „To je ten dôvod.“
Povedal som, „Pozri sa. Koľko máš rokov?“
Povedal, „Dvadsaťsedem.“
125Povedal som, „Keď som bol o mnoho rokov mladší ako ty, kázal som to isté.“
Našiel som Prameň uspokojenia. On je mojou porciou. Amen! Tak dlho, ako To On dodáva, tak je to krása. To je mojím umením... hľadieť na Neho, pozorovať skutky Jeho rúk a vidieť, čo robí. Neexistuje žiaden iný prameň, ktorý poznám!
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Je Prameň naplnený Krvou;
Tečúci z Emanuelových žíl;
Kde hriešnici ponorení v tom prúde;
Zbavujú sa všetkých svojich nečistých škvŕn.
126Hovorím vám, nepoznám žiaden iný prameň okrem Toho Prameňa. Očistil ma, keď som bol špinavý. Zachováva ma očisteného, pretože chcem žiť rovno pri Tom, piť tú čerstvú Vodu, ktorá napĺňa moju dušu radosťou.
Niekedy môžem byť na dne a cítiť sa, že sotva môžem ísť do... ďalšieho kola, nemôžem ísť nikam inam; potom môžem pokľaknúť a položiť svoj prst na zasľúbenie a povedať, „Pane Bože, Ty si mojou silou. Ty si mojím uspokojením. Ty si moje všetko vo všetkom.“ A môžem začať cítiť, že Niečo tam z môjho vnútra vyviera. Som z toho vonku.
127Keď som prekročil päťdesiatku, ráno som sa zobudil, viete, aké to je, sotva môžete dostať jednu nohu von z postele. Ó, sotva to dokážete urobiť; a niekto klope pri dverách, alebo mi Billy povie, že je tam niekde naliehavý prípad, ku ktorému musím ísť. A ja si pomyslím, „Ako to dokážem?“ Snažím sa jednu nohu vystrčiť von.
Pomyslím si, „Ty si Prameňom naplneným mojou silou. Amen! Moja sila a moja pomoc prichádza od Pána. Ty si mojou artézskou studňou! Ty si mojou mladosťou! 'Tí, ktorí očakávajú na Pána, nadobúdajú novej sily; vznášajú sa na perutiach ako orly; bežia a nezomdlievajú; chodia a neustávajú.' Pane Bože, je to moja povinnosť, aby som išiel. Bol som povolaný na miesto povinnosti.“ A prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, Niečo začne v tvojom vnútri bublať.
128Raz som mal na jednom malom mieste zhromaždenie, tam v Topeka, v Kansase; bol tam chlapec, mladý kazateľ, jeden z mojich prvých sponzorov. Brat Roy, ktorý tu sedí, si to miesto pamätá. Tam v tej veľkej budove, bol tam... Ten kazateľ bol pod strechou tej budovy, bočná stena ho tam dole pod tým rozdrvila. Ten mladý muž umieral. Praskla mu pečeň. Jeho slezina bola vytrhnutá zo svojho miesta. Padli na neho tony.
129Sedel som na raňajkách a rozprával som sa s manželkou. Povedal som, „Moja, vieš, ak by tu bol Ježiš, vieš, čo by urobil?“ Povedal som, „Keď ma on sponzoroval, 'Verím Tomu Slovu,' on sponzoroval Krista.“ A povedal som, „To je diablov trik.“ Povedal som, Ak by tu bol Ježiš, On by naňho išiel položiť Svoje sväté ruky. Ten chlapec by bol uzdravený. Nestarám sa o to, že jeho pečeň praskla. On by bol uzdravený, pretože Ježiš by tam vošiel a vedel by presne, Kým On bol. On poznal Svoje povolanie, Písmo sa nemýlilo a potvrdilo v Ňom, že On vedel, Kým bol, a bez... bez tieňa pochybnosti. On by na neho položil svoje ruky a povedal by, 'Synu, buď zdravý,' a odišiel by odtiaľ.“ A povedal som, „Nie je dosť diablov v pekle, aby potom toho chlapca zabili.“ Povedal som, „On by bol uzdravený.“ Ale povedal som, „Vidíš, zlatko, On bol Ježiš, sväté ruky Božie.“
Povedal som, „Ja som hriešnik. Narodil som sa skrze sex. Môj otec a matka boli obaja hriešnici a ja nie som o nič lepší.“
A povedal som, „Ale vieš čo? Ak by mi Pán dal videnie a poslal ma tam dole, potom by to bolo iné.“ Povedal som, „Išiel by som dole a položil na neho svoje ruky a on by z toho lôžka povstal, ak by mi On dal videnie.“
130Potom som začal uvažovať, „Napokon, ak by to bolo videnie, čo by to bolo? Boli by na neho položené tie isté špinavé ruky, aha, modlil by sa za neho ten istý človek, tie isté ruky.“
Potom som začal rozmýšľať, „Ja som Jeho splnomocnenec. Potom Boh nehľadí na mňa. Tá Krv Toho Jediného Spravodlivého sa tam hore pod oltárom prihovára za mňa. On je mojou dostatočnosťou. On je mojou modlitbou. On je mojím Životom.“ Povedal som, „Jediná vec, kvôli ktorej by som na neho položil s vierou svoje ruky, by bola, ak by som mal vieru vo videnie. A bez videnia by tá istá viera urobila rovnakú vec; a tak môžem seba považovať za nič, ale Jeho považovať za moje všetko vo všetkom. On je mojím Životom. On je mojím Splnomocnencom. Neposlala ma žiadna denominácia; On ma poslal. Haleluja! Ja prichádzam v Jeho Mene. Položím na neho svoje ruky.“ Prišiel som tam dole a položil na toho chlapca ruky a v ten večer bol na zhromaždení úplne zdravý. Amen!
131Ó, áno. On je Ten Prameň. „Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň. Nič iné, než Krv Ježiša!“ Ja som darebák, som odpadlík, každý z nás je, ale pred Bohom sme dokonalí. „Vy tedy buďte dokonalí, ako váš Otec v Nebesiach je dokonalý.“ Ako nimi môžete byť? Pretože nás tam reprezentuje Ten Jediný dokonalý. Ten Prameň je tam každý deň čerstvý. Nie nejaké skazené niečo, ale každý deň čerstvé, čo zmýva všetky moje hriechy. On je Tým Prameňom.
132Teraz, na koniec by som mohol povedať toto. Čokoľvek iné než Toto, je deravými cisternami, a to, čo do toho dáte, nakoniec vytečie; ak dávate všetku svoju nádej, všetok svoj čas a všetko do jednej z tých cisterien so skazenou vodou. Ježiš povedal, že to boli deravé cisterny. Boh povedal, „Sú deravé a vytečie z nich všetko, čo do nich vložíte.“ Nemôžete s nimi prejsť veľmi ďaleko, pretože ony vytečú. Lebo On je jediná Cesta ku Pravde, ku Životu a ku Večnej radosti a Večnému pokoju. On je Ten Jediný a jediná Cesta ku Tomu. Ó!
133Nevyčerpateľný Prameň Života je Ježiš Kristus. Prečo? A Kto je On? Slovo, to isté; Slovo, Život, Prameň, „Ten istý včera, dnes i naveky.“ Pre skutočného veriaceho je To jeho najvyššia radosť, jeho zvrchovaný Život. A jeho najvyššie uspokojenie je v Kristovi. Žiadne pumpovanie, žiadne ťahanie, žiadne pripojovanie, žiadne prepúšťanie; iba veriť a odpočívať. To je to, čo je On pre veriaceho.
134Ako otec Abrahám; on nikdy neťahal, nikdy sa nezlostil, nikdy sa neznepokojoval. On mal Slovo. On sa oprel o hruď El Šaddaja. Keď mal Abrahám sto rokov, Boh sa mu zjavil a povedal, „Ja Som Všemohúci.“ Hebrejské slovo „El Šaddaj“ znamená, „Ten, ktorý má prsia“. „A ty si starý a tvoja sila pominula, ale opri sa len o Moju hruď a naber z Tohto Prameňa silu.“ Amen! A čo nabral? Nové telo. On mal od Sáry dieťa. A o päťdesiat rokov neskôr mal sedem detí od inej ženy.
135Ó, El Šaddaj! Stará Zmluva ukazuje, čo urobil, a Nová Zmluva nám hovorí to, čo bude robiť. Amen! V Starej Zmluve...
136Teraz je klimatizácia vypnutá, tak sa poponáhľam a zakončím tu teraz o chvíľočku. Rád by som predtým, ako zakončím, povedal toto. Raz som mal na toto dobrý príklad. Bol som na obchôdzke. A mnohí ľudia tu... Dole v okolí Georgetown, tam dole v Milltowne, za starých čias tam zvykol byť v horách prameň. Bola to artézska studňa. Vytryskovalo to asi štyri alebo päť stôp vysoký prúd vody, skrátka sa to valilo von po celý čas a bola to tam celá veľká fontána. A rovno okolo toho bolo veľa tej mäty, poznáte to, a rastliny, ktoré tam rástli, sa podobali mäte. Ó, zvykol som skrátka dychtiť po tom, aby som sa tam dostal, ó, aby som sa dostal ku tomu prameňu. A ľahol som si ku tomu a len som pil a pil, sadol som si a pil a odpočíval.
A rok po roku som stále chodil ku tomu istému prameňu. Nikdy to neustávalo, či bola zima alebo leto. Nemohli to zamraziť. Nemôžete zamraziť artézsku studňu. Ó! Óh! Nestarám sa o to, aký chlad sa tam dostáva, nedokáže to zamraziť. Vy zamrazíte cisternu; len trocha snehu to dokáže. Rozumiete?
Ale všetko, čo sa pohybuje, má v sebe Život, hýbe sa to naokolo. A vy nemôžete zmraziť artézsku Studňu. Nezáleží na tom, aký skľúčený duch je v okolí toho miesta, Táto Studňa je vždy živá. Žite pri Tej Studni.
137A všimol som si tam, že keď som išiel okolo a pil z toho, ó, to bola taká čerstvá voda! Nikdy si nerobíte starosti, „Som zvedavý, či, keď sa tam dostanem, či náhodou neprestala tiecť?“ Stále tiekla...
138Jeden starý farmár mi povedal, hovoril, „Môj starý otec z toho pil.“ A povedal, „Nikdy z toho neubudlo, alebo niečo také. Je to stále ten istý prameň, valiaci sa rovno tam do Modrej Rieky.“
139Pomyslel som si, „Ó, čo za skvelé miesto na pitie!“ Schádzal som z cesty asi míľu, aby som sa dostal na to miesto, pretože to bolo také pravé miesto na pitie. Ó, aká dobrá bola tá voda! Ó!
Chcel by som sa tam dostať, keď som teraz v Arizonskej púšti, stále o tom premýšľam, „Ten úžasný prameň tam v údolí, keby som si ku nemu mohol len ľahnúť!“
Ako raz povedal Dávid, „Ó, keby som sa mohol ešte raz z tej studne napiť!“ Ak by sa tam len mohol dostať!
140A jedného dňa som tam sedel a stala sa mi trochu smiešna vec. A povedal som, „Čo ťa robí po celý čas takým šťastným? Prial by som si byť tiež taký šťastný. No, odkedy sem chodievam, nikdy som ťa nevidel smutného. Nie je na tebe jediná smutná vec.“ Povedal som, „Si stále plný radosti. Skáčeš a bubleš a prekypuješ. Zima či leto, chladno alebo horko, akokoľvek je, ty si vždy plný radosti. Čo ťa robí...? Ako, čo to je? Je to preto, že z teba pijem?“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, možno z teba pijú zajace a tebe sa to tak páči.“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, čo spôsobuje, že tak bubleš? Čo ťa robí takým šťastným? Čo spôsobuje, že si vždy plný radosti?“ Povedal som, „Je to preto, že z teba pijú vtáci?“
„Nie.“
„Lebo z teba pijem ja?“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, čo spôsobuje, že si taký plný radosti?“
141A keby mi ten prameň mohol odpovedať, povedal by: „Brat Branham, nie je to preto, že ty piješ; vážim si toho a tiež, že môžem poslúžiť vtákom. Slúžim každému, kto sa chce napiť. Jediná vec, ktorú musíš urobiť, je, že sem prídeš a napiješ sa. Ale to, čo ma robí šťastným, nie je moje bublanie, je to niečo vo vnútri, čo ma poháňa. Niečo vo mne buble.“
142A takto to je so životom naplneným Duchom. Ako povedal Ježiš, On bol v... Vidíte, On vám dáva pramene vody vytekajúce do Večného Života, artézsky, pretekajúci gejzír, ktorý neustále vyteká. Bez ohľadu na to, či je zvyšok zboru hore alebo dole, vy ste stále pri Tom Prameni.
Prečo by ste mali prijímať starý denominačný systém a cisternu plnú parazitov a všetkého možného a piť ustavične z tých skazených nezmyslov, keď ste pozvaní ku Prameňu, ku artézskej Studni?
143Myslím na to, ako to len tryskalo a prekrúcalo sa, bublalo a smialo sa a radovalo, poskakovalo a veselilo sa. Chladno či daždivo; horúco či sucho, keď bol celý zvyšok krajiny vysušený, prebublávalo to tak, ako vždy. Pretože to bolo zakotvené hlboko dole v skalách, z ktorých to vyvieralo.
144Ó, nechajte ma žiť z Toho Gejzíru! Vezmite si všetky vaše ľuďmi vytvorené systémy, ktoré chcete, všetky vaše staré skazené studne, ale nechajte ma prísť ku... alebo cisterny so stojatou vodou. Ale nechajte ma prísť ku Tomu Prameňu, nechajte ma len prísť tam, kde je v plnosti On. On je moja Radosť. On je mojím Svetlom. On je moja—On je mojou Silou. On je mojou Vodou. On je mojím Životom. On je mojím Uzdraviteľom. On je mojím Spasiteľom. On je mojím Kráľom. Všetko, čo som potreboval, som našiel v Ňom. Prečo by som mal chcieť ísť ku niečomu inému?
145Brat, sestra, nechcete prísť dnes večer ku Tomuto Prameňu? Nechcete, ak ste tam nikdy neboli, nechcete To dnes večer prijať, zatiaľ čo skloníme naše hlavy?
146Deravé cisterny, netesné, presakujúce, presakuje do nich svet, špina zo stodoly a z minulých dní. Prečo nie Táto Studňa, v Ktorej tá špina nemôže zostať, Tento veľký Prameň naplnený Krvou, tečúcou z Emanuelových žíl? Prečo To neprijať dnes večer? Nech nám dnes večer Boh pomôže, v tej vysušenej, vysmädnutej zemi. Ako povedal prorok, „On je Tou Skalou vo vypráhlej zemi.“ On je Ten Prameň. Nechcete dnes večer vo svojich srdciach ku Nemu prísť, zatiaľ čo skloníme svoje hlavy?
147Drahý Nebeský Otče, nie je tu žiaden iný Prameň, ako hrá táto hudba, „Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň; nič, než Krv Ježiša.“ Narodil som sa tam, bol som tam vychovaný; tam chcem žiť a zomrieť a byť tam vzkriesený, v Jeho Prítomnosti. Pane, dovoľ mi byť vždy v Jeho Prítomnosti, lebo nepoznám žiaden iný. Žiadne vyznanie, žiadna láska; žiadna láska, okrem Krista, žiadne vyznanie, iba Kristus, žiadna kniha, iba Biblia, nie je nič iné, žiadna radosť pomimo Neho. Keby ste Ho odo mňa vzali, ó, Bože, nezáleží na tom, koľko sveta by som vlastnil, to by bolo stále mŕtve, blúdil by som dookola s rukami zdvihnutými nad hlavou. Keby si ho odo mňa vzal, pominul by som sa, Pane. Ale, ak Ho necháš vo mne, potom je december taký príjemný ako máj, potom tu nie sú horúce miesta a nie sú tu vysušené miesta, dokonca samotná smrť nemá žiadne víťazstvo. Dovoľ nám, aby sme Ho mali, Otče. Udeľ Ho tu dnes večer v hojnosti, každému veriacemu, keď tu očakávame v tejto miestnosti.
148Mnohí z nich musia dnes večer vyraziť na dlhú cestu, keď pôjdu do svojich domovov, a nech by bolo ich zmýšľanie takéto, „Žijem pri Tom Prameni. Žijem tam, čerstvé pitie hodinu čo hodinu.“
149A ak To ešte neprijali, nech by Ho mohli prijať teraz, a tak vziať Ten Prameň rovno so sebou. „Pôjdem s vami; budem s vami až do skonania sveta.“ Udeľ tieto veci, Otče.
150A teraz, zatiaľ čo máme naše hlavy sklonené, je tu dnes večer niekto, alebo koľkí z vás by mohli povedať, „Pane, vezmi ma hneď teraz ku Tomu Prameňu. Nikdy som sem neprišiel iba na to, aby som počúval; prišiel som sem, aby som tu Niečo našiel. Prišiel som sem, aby som našiel Teba, Pane. Ja Ťa dnes večer potrebujem. Príď do môjho srdca hneď teraz. Učiníš to, Pane?“ Nech vás Boh žehná. Pán požehnaj každému jednému.
151Otče, Ty si videl tie zdvihnuté ruky v celej miestnosti a okolo stien, v ostatných miestnostiach a vonku. Ty si ich videl, Otče. Modlím sa, aby si uspokojil všetky ich potreby. Možno pili z nejakej starej cisterny, Pane, skrátka nejaké pozastavenie v polovici cesty, kde nejaký človek vyrúbal cisternu a ona sa znečistila všetkými druhmi podivných náuk, ktoré zapierajú Slovo. Modlím sa, Bože, aby dnes večer prišli ku Nemu, Ktorý je Prameňom, Tým Prameňom Života. Udeľ to, Otče. Odovzdávam Ti ich teraz v Ježišovom Mene.
152A Ty si mi povedal, „Ak by ste prosili o čokoľvek v Mojom Mene, stane sa vám.“ No, neprosil by som o to, Pane, ak by som si nemyslel, že sa to stane. To by bolo len hovorenie nejakých rituálnych fráz. Ale ja sa za nich modlím s úprimnosťou. Modlím sa za nich a verím, že Ty udelíš, čo si zasľúbil.
153A teraz, dnes večer ich odvádzam preč od tej cisterny. Odvádzam ich preč od toho miesta kde pili, kde neboli spokojní; ku Tomu Prameňu. Robím to v Mene Ježiša Krista.
154Oni sú Tvoji, Pane. Nech z Teba pijú, zo živej Vody, z Prameňa živej Vody. Prosím o to v Ježišovom Mene. Amen. Udeľ to, Pane.
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Čo môže zmyť môj hriech?
Nič, než Krv Ježiša;
Čo ma môže znova uzdraviť?
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Ó, Ježišu, uzdrav ich, Pane! Udeľ to, Pane, skrze Ježišovo Meno. Modlím sa, Bože, aby si... ?... Ty poznáš všetko.
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv...
155Premýšľajte o tom, nepoznám žiaden iný prameň! Nepoznám nič iné okrem Neho. Netúžim poznať nič iné, iba Jeho. Nič, iba Krv Ježiša! Ó!
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
156Zatiaľ čo to znova spievame, potraste si navzájom ruky. Milujete sa navzájom? Je tu niekto, kto má niečo proti niekomu inému? Ak áno, poďte to dať do poriadku. Urobíte to? Neodchádzajte odtiaľto takto. Rozumiete? Ak máte niečo proti niekomu inému, poďte to hneď teraz dať do poriadku. Práve teraz máte príležitosť ísť tam a povedať, „Brat, sestra, niečo som o tebe povedal, niečo som si pomyslel. Nechcel som to urobiť. Odpusť mi.“ Vidíte, tak sa to má robiť. Majme Ten Prameň rovno medzi nami, po celý čas. Rozumiete?
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
157Ó, nie je On úžasný? Žiaden iný prameň! Nechceme sa znečistiť inými vecami. My sme sa oddelili, nechali sme svet za nami. Už nechceme viac egyptský cesnak a deravé cisterny. Sme na ceste s Pánom Ježišom, s tou udretou Skalou, amen, jeme Mannu z hora a pijeme; jeme anjelský Pokrm a pijeme zo Skaly. Amen!
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Skloňme teraz naše hlavy.
158Modlím sa, aby Boh veľmi bohato požehnal každého z vás, aby bola Jeho milosť a milosrdenstvo s vami v priebehu ďalšieho týždňa. A ak by sa čokoľvek stalo, že by niekto z vás teraz skĺzol za oponu, len si pamätajte, že to je iba pár hodín spánku a odpočinku, kým sa znova stretneme. Pamätajte, že „Tí, ktorí žijú a pozostanú, nebudú stáť v ceste tým, ktorí spia, keď Trúba Božia, tá posledná Trúba...“ Tá šiesta už skrátka zaznela. A táto posledná Trúba, tak, ako tá posledná Pečať, bude Príchod Pánov. „Ona zazneje a mŕtvi v Kristu vstanú najprv.“ Do toho času len odpočívame.
159A ak by ste si ublížili, pamätajte:
Ber so sebou Meno Ježiš;
Štít pred každým trápením,
Keď sa nahromadí pokušenie okolo teba;
Vzdychni to Sväté Meno v modlitbe. (Diabli utečú.)
160Len na to pamätajte, dúfame, že sa tu s vami stretneme aj na budúcu nedeľu ráno. Prineste chorých a postihnutých. Budem sa za vás modliť. Vy sa teraz modlite za mňa. Urobíte to? Povedzte, “Amen.” [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." -- pozn.prekl.] Budem sa za vás modliť, aby vás Boh požehnal.
… Meno v modlitbe.
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, ó, aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies;
Predrahé Meno, Ó aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies.
Skláňajúc sa pred menom Ježiš;
Upadajúc na tvár ku Jeho nohám;
Kráľa kráľov v Nebesiach budeme korunovať;
Keď sa zakončí naša púť.
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, (nie je sladké a predrahé?)
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies;
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, ó, aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies.
161Je to vždy také ťažké opustiť vás. Aj keď viem, že horíte, ale je tu skrátka niečo… Dovoľte, ešte jeden verš o niečom, urobíte to? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen. – pozn.prekl.] Urobíte to? Požehnané putá, ktoré nás viažu, sestra. Koľkí z vás poznajú tú starú pieseň? Zvykli sme to pred rokmi spievať.
162A dnes večer som premýšľal, “dve ruky zo stoviek, ktoré tu zostali,“ odvtedy, keď sme zvykli v modlitebni spievať tú pieseň a potriasať si navzájom ruky. Požehnané putá, ktoré nás viažu. Pochoval som mnohých z nich, rovno tu hore na cintoríne. Oni čakajú. Ja ich znova uvidím. Raz som ich na chvíľu videl vo videní, keď som hľadel poza oponu. Oni tam sú.
Skloňme teraz hlavy, zatiaľ čo budeme spievať.
Požehnané buď puto, ktoré viaže;
Naše srdcia v Kresťanskej láske;
Naše obecenstvo spriaznených myslí
Je ako to Hore.
Keď sme od…
Teraz sa natiahnite a uchopte niekoho ruku.
…seba oddelení;
Skloňte teraz svoju hlavu.
Spôsobuje nám to vnútornú bolesť;
Ale stále sa budeme v srdci radovať;
A dúfať, že sa stretneme znovu.
163S našimi sklonenými hlavami. Odovzdávam teraz bohoslužbu pastorovi, aby nás rozpustil…
1 Let us pray. Lord, now we believe. We believe on the Son of God, and, through this, we accept Eternal Life through Him. Now we have gathered again, this afternoon, or this evening, for another service, trusting You for the Message and for what You will tell us tonight. We believe Thee, Lord, and we wait upon Thee. And You said, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like a eagle." And we pray, God, that You will give us that mounting-up Power, tonight, as we wait on Thee.
2We thank Thee for these people, and for what they mean to You and what they mean to me. I thank You for it, Father. They are Your jewels. And I pray, God, that tonight, that You will manifest Yourself in the way, to them, that they have need of. If there is sick here, may they be healed. If there is a doubt in someone's mind; clear it up, Lord. And just give us of Thy Presence and Thy blessings, because we need them, Lord. You are our all-sufficiency. And, without You, we cannot do nothing.
3We pray that You'll receive our thanksgiving for all that You have done. In the Name of Jesus Christ we look forward to Your blessings. Amen.
You may be seated.
4 And, well, it's just a--a bit cooler this Sunday night, in here, than it was last Sunday night. We're very grateful to our brothers who worked so faithfully in getting this in. I know two or three of them. Brother Mike Egan, as I see back there, and I... Brother Mike, and Brother Sothmann, Brother (I believe) Roy Roberson, and Brother Woods, and all of them, they were down here just sweating it out, trying to get it in so we could have this Message now, or today. So, we're grateful.
5 Now, next Sunday morning, the Lord willing, I want to have a healing service, prayers for the sick. And we'll designate it to a healing service, if the Lord willing.
6I noticed, this morning, there is a bunch of handkerchiefs here. I prayed for them. And I, while you were praying and singing, I prayed for the handkerchiefs; and then there is more here tonight. So, we--we believe that God heals the sick. So many great testimonies of healing among us, and across the world, and we're grateful for this.
7And I thought, next Sunday, being I have to be away for a little bit, and we have been holding so much just to the teaching and of the Message, that I thought it would be a good thing if we had a--a healing service, prayed for the sick. And we trust that God will give us a great time.
8 Now, many of you have to drive many miles tonight. So I was talking to groups over at the--the Blue Boar Cafeteria, today, where I was having dinner. Many fine people, I got to shake their hands and talk with them, people I never met before, that comes here to the church. And I am grateful for such friends, and I want to thank each and every one of you. Some of them have picked blackberries, and brought us. And one brought us a bucket of syrup, or molasses, I believe it was, and--and just things. You don't know what that means. And of a morning, I come up and go out of the house, sometime there...
9 Other morning there was some brother there that was real bad off, had no clothes and things, wanted me to go get him some clothes. I started out, and I almost stumbled over a bucket of blackberries setting there. I said, "Did you bring these blackberries?"
10And he said, "No, never had nothing to do with it. I been here 'fore daylight, and they was setting here then." And it was my good Brother Ruddell had brought them to me. And, so, those things I certainly appreciate.
11Billy Paul just made mention to me, a few moments ago, that among this congregation tonight, they had took up an offering, that for me. I--I thank you for that. I didn't want you to do that. I--I just appreciate your efforts, and so forth, but that wasn't necessary. And, but, the Lord bless you. You know, you know, the Bible said, "Insomuch as you have done unto the least of these, you have did it unto Me."
12 Now, I have been kind of speaking to you, on the Message, very straight. And I... Some people might be under the impression that--that I think that Jesus is going to come in the morning or tonight. I do. Now, I don't say that He will. And, again, He may not come for next week, and it might be next year, it might be ten years. I don't know when He is coming. But, there is one thing I want to... always you bear in mind, you be ready every minute or hour. See? That, if He doesn't come today, He might be here tomorrow. So just keep that in your mind, that He is coming.
13And I don't know what time is going to be my last hour on this earth, neither does any of us. And there is none of us know when He is coming. He doesn't even know, Himself, by His Own Words; He said, "The Father, only, knows when He will come; not even the Son knows when He will come." It's when God sends Him to us again. But we're looking for His Coming. And if He doesn't come in my generation, He might come in the next; if He doesn't come in that one, He'll come in the next. But, for myself, I can't see hardly any time left. I just... To me, it could happen at any minute. Now, that don't mean... That doesn't mean, now, that you'll see the heavens change and every... That's not the Coming I'm speaking of. I'm talking of the Rapture.
14 See, He makes three Comings. He come in three sons' names. He come in a trinity; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. See, all of it the same Christ, the same God, all the time. Now, we know He come to bring three works of grace; justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost. Everything, in God, is completed in three's.
15And so He come, first, to redeem His Bride. He comes, second, as a Rapture, to take away His Bride. He comes, third, with His Bride, King and Queen; after, that's when many people are expecting the Coming.
But when He comes this time, hardly none but those who are ready will know when He comes. There'll just be an absence of people. They won't know what happened to them. They'll just be caught away, in a moment, and that they just come up missing. "Changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye." So just be ready for that. It'd be horrible some morning to miss a loved one, no one can find them. Wouldn't it be too bad to know it's done past and you missed it? So just keep before God.
16 Now, next week, the Lord willing, next Monday, from week from this Monday, if God willing, I'm taking the family back out to Arizona where they go to school, then I--I'm coming back.
17Now, I don't go out there... I haven't any services to be out there in. I'm hardly ever in Arizona. I'm gone somewhere else. I take the wife out there, next Monday. I'm coming back here again. I'll leave from here to British Columbia. I come back to Colorado. I'll be in Arizona again sometime near Christmas, just for a few minutes, long enough... maybe two or three days, get the family together, be back here through Christmas holidays, the Lord willing, have a service through new year's week here.
18 So then I'm here, practically, more. I'm here ten times more than out there, because we don't have any church or any services out there, nothing we have out there, so, in a way of church service. That's one bad thing about it. I have no place to send the children that will hear these Message, like your children gets to hear it here, and--and so that's one defect we have. But they're all healthier. It's a dry, hot, dry climate, but all the children seem to be healthier. I'm not there long enough to know whether it's healthy or not healthy. I, I'm on the move, and I--I--I guess I was just born a rambler.
19My wife calls me... I know she is here, so I'll get this after church, you all know. What is that called, shifting winds, or restless winds, or whatever--whatever, you know, shifting sands? Or, I'm always on the move, in other words. And I been married now, twenty-two years, and I sometimes I think I'm a stranger around the house, because I have to be going.
But I'm looking for the time that when we'll be settled down in the homeland someday. But now the battle is on, so let's be in prayer.
20 Don't forget, next Sunday morning, the Lord willing, bring in your sick and the afflicted. Come early, get your place, and probably there is a group to be prayed for. We'll have to give out prayer cards. If there isn't enough, we won't give out prayer cards, just enough to form a little line like two or three dozen, or something. But we--we'll probably give out prayer cards, so we'll probably do it about an hour before the regular service, which I think takes up... It'll be eight, eight or eight-thirty, they'll give out the prayer cards; open the church, give the prayer cards next Sunday morning. And then be sure to be here for your... Bring your loved ones, put them in there. It'll be nice and cool in the church, if they're sick, and we'll do everything we can to pray for them.
21Thank you, again, for the love offering.
22 And now we're going to read some of God's Word, tonight, and be ready for this event of His Presence again to bring us His Word. Now, we know we can read a text, but God has to reveal the context. See? We can take a text, but God has to reveal the context. And while you're turning now in the Book of Jeremiah, the 2nd chapter.
23I want to say that I'm glad to have, with us, Brother Lee Vayle, a precious brother in the Lord. And I think here, the brother here, I can't think of his name, Brother Willard Crase. And I seen the brothers from Arkansas, Brother John and them, from around Poplar Bluff, and Brother Blair. And, oh, Brother Jackson, and Brother Ruddell, and so many that I--I just can't... Wish I could call everybody's name, but I just can't do it, and you understand. Brother Ben Bryant, I see him setting here; he is usually my amen corner while I'm... Everybody knows Ben by his voice. Uh-huh.
24 We, setting in California one time, I was preaching a Message for the Baptist people up in the valley. They had a big tent there, and a lot of kind of aristocratical Baptists. I could never hear an "amen" from anywhere; you know, afraid some of the women break the paint on their face. And then, first thing you know, I seen a pair of feet about like that, go up in the air, and two big hands, and a black hair shaking there, hollering, "Amen," screaming like that. And I looked down, I said, "Ben, where did you come from?" He was really getting the "amen."
25I see his wife looking him over, a little bit. Well, he's a-losing a little of that black hair, but that's all right, you know. Don't get worried about that. I did, mine, a long time ago.
So, now, don't forget to pray.
26 Now while we get to the sincere side of the service, remember, if we read this Word, then God will bless His Word. "It will not return to Him void, but It will accomplish that which It's purposed for." And I know, in reading the Word, I'll always be right. When I read the Word, God will honor His Word.
27Now let us stand in respect to His Word. Jeremiah, the 2nd chapter, the 12th and 13th verses of Jeremiah 2.
Be astonished, O... heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living water, and have hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can not... can hold no water.
Let us bow our heads now.
28 Dear God, Thy Word has been read. And we pray that You will honor that Word and give to us tonight the parable or the parallel of It; as we look to days gone by, Israel, as examples, as the Bible teaches us that we can see what You did to them when they obeyed the Word, see what You did to them when they disobeyed the Word, and learn what we must do. So, we pray that You will speak to us tonight in a very special way, that we might know how to conduct ourselves in this day, that we learned this morning that we're living in. For we ask it in Jesus' Name. Amen.
May be seated.
29 I want to speak tonight on the subject, for just a--a short time on: Broken Cisterns.
30Israel had done two great evils. God said they had turned from Him, the Fountain of Life, and had hewed themselves cisterns to drink out of. Now, that's something.
31The reason I thought of this text was because that it would run parallel to what I was saying this morning, of the hour that we're living, and the Cause that we are struggling for.
32 And we look at Israel as example, that, what God was, He always has to remain the same. And there is only one thing that God ever did honor, that was, His way that He provided for the people. And when they got out of that way, then God was dishonored, and God made the people suffer for getting away from what He had told them to do, no matter what it was.
He even give them a law, "Touch not, handle not, taste not." Just not because of the evil of doing it, but the evil of disobeying what He said do. And there's always cannot be a law without a punishment for law. Because, if there's no punishment, then, law is not much to it unless it has a penalty. The law!
33 Now, we find, what they did in that day seems to parallel what we are doing today, what the church people are doing.
34Now we see a strange thing here. It might be strange to some people, when He said, "You have, they have, hewn to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns." Now, maybe some of you don't know what a cistern is. How many knows what a cistern is? Well, most all of you. If you was ever raised on a farm, you know what a cistern is. I remember I've drank enough bugs from one, to--to know what a--a cistern was.
Preached out in the country where, in a brush arbor, where you'd have a big pitcherful of cistern water setting there, out of the--the rain, you know, and it kind of got a little old. And--and then the bugs, at nighttime, would get into it. And so I know what cistern water is.
35 A--a cistern is a--a place, a thing that's dug in the ground, to take the place of a well. Where people doesn't have a well, then they get a--a cistern. In other words, a cistern is a man-made tank or a man-made well in the ground, that man dig out, to catch the water, to--to use it. Some of them use it for washwater, and some use it for drinking water, and different way, maybe. All the water sometime, that we used to get, was on a cistern. Used to have an old thing you had to wind, around, around, around, around, to get the water up; had little buckets on it, to pump the water out of the cistern.
36Well, we notice one thing about a cistern that's different from a well. Now, a cistern will get empty. The--the--the cistern cannot fill itself. It is--is... It's not reliable. You can't rely upon a cistern. It has to rely and depend upon the rains that fall in the summer or in the winter, whatever it is to... Usually, in the wintertime when the snow and rain comes, then it runs the water off into the cistern. And if it doesn't get that water, then you--you don't have any water. It's all--it's all... dries up. And it can't refill itself. The old cistern cannot refill itself. It gets its filling from the--the rains that falls.
37 And I want you to notice another thing about a cistern. Usually, you find, or the way it was at our place, the cistern... Usually the barn is about twice the size of the house, and they usually run the water off the barn, to the cistern. I remember that old cistern well out there, when he had... when the--the drain pipes rushing it in, too, off the barn. It fills from the barn.
So then the water is carried from the roof of the barn; where, all the animals stepping around through the stable yard, and all the filth of the barnyard settles on top the barn, in dry times. And then the water comes and washes it all down off the roof, into a trough that's man-made, then into a man-made spout, then into a man-made cistern. And if you haven't got a mess, I don't know what you got, when you got a cistern. Yes, sir! It's all man-made, and just as dirty as it can be.
38 You know, we used to call... We had a filter rag on one. Did you ever know what that was? Had to put a filter rag on it, to catch all the bugs and things that come off the top of the--the barn, and all around the place, and poured out from one place to another, into the cistern. And we used to put a--a filter rag on it, to catch all the--the scum and stuff that we could. Course, that wouldn't catch the real dirt, it just caught the big missiles that come down and fell into it. The bug might fall in it, but the juice of the bug went on with the water. So, you--you really had a mess when you had an old dirty cistern.
39 In a few days, you let that water stand there, and it becomes stagnated. You let the water stand in a cistern, it become stagnated. And it gets full of--of frogs, and lizards, and snakes. And we used to call it "wiggle-tails," little bitty... I don't know whether... They're not a parasite, they're a... I cannot, I don't know what you'd call them. But some little thing gets in the water, that--that we called it wiggle-tails. You know what it is. How many knows what I'm talking about? Oh, why, sure, all you country folks know. Gets it all full of stagnation, and then these lovers of stagnation comes with it. It just actually comes, because it's stagnated. And because it's stagnated, it draws the animal there that likes stagnated things.
40 And that's a whole lot like our churches today. I think that we have left... One of the great sins that the church has done today, just like Israel then, it left Him, the Fountain of living Water, and has hewed themselves out man-made cisterns. And it become a habitation of everything that loves that kind of water. Lizards, frogs, and all kinds of unclean germs, live in it, because it's a man-made tank. And in this tank these things stay, a perfect example of our denominationals today.
41"Now," you say, "Brother Branham, why do you strike at those people so hard?"
It ought to be struck at. It's got to be struck at. Flee it, because it will finally form the mark of the beast. Remember, that is the Truth! It will be the mark of the beast. Denomination will lead right to it. It's on its road right there now, to force, by a power.
42Look in the old Roman empire. That's exactly what led them to that mark of an apostasy. You found out that no man could buy or sell without the mark of the beast. He had to have it.
43 There is only two classes of people will be on the earth; those with the Seal of God, and those with the mark of the beast. Only two classes, so you'll have to have one or the other. It'll be an apostasy, a--a mark of--of religion, apostate religion.
44And it's going to have a image unto the beast. As we study, we find out that Rome was, is, and always will be, the mar-... or, the beast. Exactly. There is no way to get it anything else. Rome!
45And what did Rome do? Was converted from pagan Rome unto papal Rome, and organized a system, a universal system, that forced everybody to that one religion or be put to death.
46 And it's a strange thing that this United States appears on the scene, and it's like a lamb. And a lamb has two small horns, civil and ecclesiastical rights. And after a while, when that was a lamb, we found out that it spoke then like a dragon and exercised all the power the dragon had before it. And the Bible tells us that they said, "Let us make a image unto the beast." An image is something like something else. And we can see it right now that, in its apostate condition, the church is forming the World Council of Churches, which is the image to the power of Rome; and will force upon the people the same thing that pagan Rome did... or papal Rome did. So, there is no other way, no other thing. But that is the Truth.
47And that's why I'm striking it in my age, in my time, because it's got to be struck at. The call come in, to, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins!"
48 Now, I'm liking that to these dirty, filthy cisterns. "He is the Fountain of Life. He is the living Waters." And man leave That, and dig for themselves cisterns which can only catch the filth. That's the only thing it can catch. And that's what denominationalism does; it catches everything that comes along and wants to join. They're willing to take it in if it's got some money or can dress in a certain way. No matter who they are, where they come from, they take them, anyhow.
49 Now we find, again, that, this mark of the beast that was formed here. America, is, number thirteen. It was born with thirteen colonies. It had a flag that had thirteen stars, thirteen stripes. And it even appears in Revelations the 13th chapter. And America has always been a woman, represented on our coins. Even the Indian head, on a penny, is a woman's profile. We know that, know the history of it. Everything, the Liberty Bell, and everything else, the liberty... Statue of Liberty is, everything, a woman. A woman; number thirteen. See? Now, it's--it's beautiful to see those things.
50 And now I have predicted by revelation from God, or a vision in 1933, that seven things would happen before the end time. And that, one of them, that, "Mussolini," who was then becoming dictator, "he would become dictator. And, also, he would make an invasion and go down to Ethiopia, and would take Ethiopia. And the Spirit, It said, 'He shall fall at his step.'"
51I wonder if there is any of the old-timers still left in the tabernacle, remember me saying that in the Redman's Hall down here when we preached, many, many years ago. Is there one in the building, tonight, that's left from down there at the old Redman's Hall when I preached that, when they had the N.R.A. out, way back in time of Roosevelt's first term? I guess there is not a one in here. Is there one? Yeah, yeah, one, there is one. Yes, Mrs. Wilson, I remember her. My wife, setting in the back. Two left, out of the old generation of those in that day.
That, when they said this N.R.A. was the mark of the beast, I said, "Nothing to it; not at all. The mark of the beast don't come here. It comes out of Rome. And it can't be the mark of the beast."
52 And now remember that these things was said. Said, "Adolph Hitler would come to a mysterious end. And he would declare war on the United States. And they would build a great--a--a great concrete thing, that they'd even live in it. And right there the Americans would take a horrible beating, at this." And it was the Siegfried line, eleven years before it was ever started to be built. And then said, "But he would come to an end; and the States would win the war."
53And then said, that, "There is three ism's; Nazism, fascism, and communism." And I said, "They'll all wind up in communism. Russia will take it all, in communism."
54And I said, "Then science is going to be so great, man is going to get so smart, till he'll invent so many things until he's going to make an automobile that looks like an egg, that'll have like a glass top on it, and it'd be controlled by some other power than a steering wheel." And they've got the car.
55 And I said, "Then the morals of our women is going to fall in such a degraded things, till they're going to be a disgrace to all nations. They're going to wear man's clothes. They're going to keep taking off their clothes till actually they come down like they got their underneath clothes on, that's all. And, finally, they'll come to wearing just a fig leaf."
And if you notice, in last month's Life magazine, they had the woman with the fig leaves on. And that's the new evening frock, or gown, what they wear of the evening; transparent, can see through it, only the fig leaves just hides a certain spot of her body; with strapless, or strap, unstrapped bathing suits, the top of it, exposed body. And how that those things has happened!
56Then I said, "I seen a woman stand in the United States, like a great queen or something. And she was beautiful to look at, but wicked in her heart. And she made the nation step, go at her step."
57 Then I said, "Finally, He told me to look back East again. And, when I did, I seen, looked like, as it was, the world had exploded. And as far as I could see, was nothing but sticks, and--and smoldering rocks had been blowed up out of the earth."
And these were to happen before the end of the world. And five of the seven has already happened, in thirty-three years. There we are, back to the end time!
58And I spoke against that denominational system right then. And I still believe, tonight, that it's a cesspool, that it's a place where the filth run into it. I can't believe that God would ever take such a thing in His Church, because it's got to be born of the Spirit of God and then cleansed before it can be called His. The mystical Body of Christ, we are baptized into It by the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
59 Yes, this cistern system is certainly a perfect example of denomination. A wise man ought to look, and never to go into it, for God has proved through the ages that He's against it and never did work with it. Any group... Any time a man raised up with a message, like Luther, Wesley, or so forth, and Smith, and Calvin, and them; when they started the organization, God laid the thing on the shelf and never did visit it again in a revival.
60Look through history. There has never been a time that God ever took a denomination, made a revival out of it, nowhere. Then, through history and by the Bible, proves that it's a filthy thing in the sight of God, so I don't want nothing to do with it. And that's why I'm against. I'm trying to get the people out of it.
61 We are invited, like in Israel, so is it now, to look to Israel for examples. They, as long as they stayed with that Fountain, they were all right. But when they got to hewing themselves cisterns, man-made systems, then God left them flat. He'll do us the same. "They have forsook Him, the Fountain of living Water." That was the complaints that God had against them. "To make something that they could say, 'You see what we have done!'"
62 Now, when in the time of the--the travel of Moses; when God, by grace, had given them a prophet, had given them a Pillar of Fire to go before them, had vindicated It by signs and wonders. Grace had provided all these things. Israel still wanted, saw law. They refused grace, to take law.
That's exactly what the people does today. They refuse the Word, to take a denominational system, because in that they can do what they want to and get by with it. But you can't do it in Christ! You've got to come clean and clear, in order to be in Christ.
63 Leaving the artesian well, for a man-made system or cistern, could you imagine someone doing that? Could you imagine the mental conditions of a person that could drink at a fresh artesian well, and would leave that for a man-made cistern with frogs, and lizards, and wiggle-tails, and everything else in it?
It don't seem even sensibly to be right, but that's just exactly what the people has done. They've left the Word, the true Fountain of God's source and Power, to drink out of cisterns, and make themselves cisterns. Same as they did then, they have done it now. They say...
He said, "They've left Me." Here He said, here in Jeremiah 2:14, or 13, rather. He said, "They have left Me, the Fountain of living Water."
64 Now, we see what a cistern is. We see what it catches. We see how it's made. It's a man-made thing that comes off of a dirty roof. The water that falls down, hits on a dirty roof, and it only washes the roof off, puts it down through a man-made trough, through a man-made spout, into a man-made tank. And all the filth gathers in there, and the--the germs, and the lizards, and frogs, and things of the land, like that. And, notice, they are the unclean animal; wiggle-tails, stagnated. A wiggle-tail can't live in clear water. If it does, it'd kill him. He's got to be in the stagnation.
65 And that's the way it is with a lot of these parasites today. You can't live in the fresh water of the Holy Spirit. That's the reason they're so firmly against the Word, and say, "It contradicts Itself. There is nothing to It." Is because they have to have some kind of a stagnated pool to wiggle in. Right.
That's the same way it is with frogs, and with lizards, and with tadpoles, and such as that. They've got to get around the swamp or the stagnated pool, to live, for it's their nature to live there. And you can't change the animal till you change its nature.
And you cannot make a man see the Word of God till his nature has been changed; and when his nature is changed from what he is, to a son of God, and the Holy Spirit comes into him. The Holy Spirit wrote the Word of God!
66 Today I was talking with my good friend, Doctor Lee Vayle, who is present now. And he's quite a theologian, and so we usually have some--have some pretty good discussions on the Scripture. Very smart.
And he asked me one time what I thought about the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, "Was it speaking in tongues?" It's been many years ago.
I said, "No; can't see that."
He said, "Neither do I," said, "though I've been taught that." He said, "What would you think would be an evidence?"
67I said, "The most perfect evidence I can think of is love." And so we got to talking on that.
And then I thought that sounded pretty good so I just held that, "If a man has got love."
But one day the Lord, in a vision, straightened me out. And He said, that, "The evidence of the Spirit was those who could receive the Word," neither love, nor speaking in tongues, but it's receiving the Word.
68 And then Doctor Vayle was saying to me, that, "That is Scriptural," he said, "because, in John 14, Jesus said, 'When He the Holy Ghost is come upon you, He will reveal these things to you, that I've taught you, and will show you things to come.'"
So there is the genuine evidence of the Holy Ghost! He has never told me anything wrong yet. That, "It is the evidence of the Holy Ghost, is he who can believe the Word." You can receive It.
Cause, Jesus never said, "When the Holy Ghost is come, you'll speak with tongues." He never said, the Holy Ghost come, you'd do any of those things. But He said, "He will take these things of Mine and show them to you, and will show you things that is to come." So there is the genuine evidence of the Holy Ghost, according to Jesus Himself.
69 So all these sensations and things that people have and still live on, you can see why they do it. See, it becomes a denomination, or a stagnated pool, and there'll never be a denomination made upon the imp-... the perfect Word of God. It can't do it, because you can't nominate or denominate God. No, sir!
70The reason it is, you get a bunch of man who can believe the Word, let them start an organization. The first thing you know, in a year's time there's a bunch of Rickies in there that you couldn't do nothing with. They got a hold, and you can't do nothing about it. It's not God's system. It isn't, so we know that that thing is out. It becomes a cistern, and becomes a place where each one will compromise on this, that, or the other, to get members in there, or let people come in.
71 We find out, this system started one time, back in the Israelites days, when they was digging these cisterns. And there was a man and a bunch of Pharisees who had dug some cisterns. And they had a man named Herod, and he was a proclamator, governor of the state.
And he come down to hear a man that didn't fool with their denominations. He was a prophet. And no prophet ever had anything to do with a denomination, but hated it. This prophet begin to say, "Don't you begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham to our father,' because I tell you that God is able of these stones to rise children to Abraham."
72And they brought out a dignitary to hear him. And this dignitary had took his brother's wife away from him, and married her. And what did that man walk out to his face and say? They thought he would compromise, and say, "Now, sir, you, you have you a nice seat over here. And you ought to... I'm so glad you're here to hear me today."
John just walked right up in his face, and said, "It's not lawful for you to have her." The very first thing he said, he bawled him out for his sin.
73 See, denominations make stagnant pools where man can live with women, and them women can carry on, and cut their hair, and wear shorts, and anything else, and call themselves Christians.
But a genuine Fountain, hallelujah, of the Power of God, it can't stay there, because It pushes it out. "I am the Fountain of living Waters. They left Me, to dig themselves some cisterns."
74Now, a fountain of living water, we find out, what is a fountain of living water? We find out what the cistern is, now what is a fountain of living water? It's an artesian well.
"An artesian well, what's that, Brother Branham?"
It's a well that it's always comes from beneath and pushes its water out. It's flowing all the time. It is self-supporting. Always fresh and clean, an artesian well, a fountain of living water. It's not dead and stagnated. It's living, it's constantly changing, bringing up something new all the time, moving on, coming from its resources. It draws its resources from--from its bed, which is a... still a fountain of living waters spraying up. Self-cleansing; it's clean, pure, clean water. It's self-supporting; you don't have to wait for the rains to fill its tank up. It's always a bubbling up, gives its water free. You don't have to pump it, wind it, twist it, or join it. It's just a fountain of living waters.
75 You know, you take these old cisterns, you have to crank it and crank it and crank it, and pump and everything, to get a little of that stagnated water out. Huh!
But a Fountain of living Water gives It out, free, without pumping, joining, anything else. Oh, I'm glad for that Fountain! Yes, sir!
76It needs no strainer on It, to take the parasites out. For, It's coming so deep down, there in the Rock, until there's no parasites there.
It don't have to have a educational rag hanging on It, that's right, some worldly-made system of man-made denominational wisdom; to tell you, before a psychiatrist, whether you're able to preach or not. It don't have one of those filthy rags hanging on It. It'd push it right off as soon as you put it on there. You can't do it. That well is bubbling up, all the time. You'd put one of them rags on it, it'd throw it plumb out on the one side or the other. It don't have no time for a denominational rag on it.
77 It don't need no filter, no strainer, no pumping, no jerking, no nothing else. It's just there, bubbling up. It don't have to depend on local rains to fill it up. Rains are "revivals," where that Fountain... That's at that Fountain of Life. "Where the Carcass is, the eagles will gather." You don't have to pump up a revival; you don't have to pump up nothing. Only thing you have to do is just come to the Fountain. It's always full of good, fresh water, and there is no end to It. It just keeps on bubbling.
78You don't have to go to the cistern, and say, "Well, if it rains and washes off the barn, we'll have something to drink." See? My, my! Not this. That artesian well is spurting forth good, cold water all the time. You can depend on it. You don't have to say, "Well, I'll go over to this old cistern. We used to drink out of it, but it hasn't rained in a long time. I tell you, it may be dry."
79 That's the way some of these man-made systems are. You can go in, if you got a big something going on, a big cabal of selling something, or--or some kind of a something going on, a big parties and things going on, bunco games, and parties in the basement, and everything, you might find a full house.
But where you go to where that Fountain is bubbling up, always, the people are there getting a good, cold drink of water. You can depend on It! Say, "They haven't had a revival for ten years." If you live by that Fountain, She's always got a revival going on.
80 Like the little Welshman said. Or, one time when they had the Welsh revival going on, there was some dignitaries from the States. Some of these great Doctors of Divinity went over to Wales, to find out where and what all this was about. So they had on their turned-around collars, and their plug hats, and they was walking down the street.
And here come a little cop along, whirling his little old billy club in his hand, a whistling, "Down at the cross where my Saviour died, down there for cleansing from sin I cried; there to my heart was the Blood applied, glory to His Name," walking down the street.
So they said, "This seems to be a religious man. We'll go ask him."
And they said, "Mister!"
Said, "Yes, sir?"
He said, "We are here from the United States. We're a delegation. We come over here to investigate the Welsh revival, so-called. We are Doctors of Divinity, and we're here to look it over." He said, "We want to know where the revival is, and where it's held."
He said, "Sir, you have arrived. I am the Welsh revival." Amen! "The Welsh revival is in me. Here is where it's at."
81 That's the way it is when you live by that Fountain of living Waters. It's living all the time, bubbling over and over, and over and over. There is no end to It. Not, "Go see if some water, if we had a rain here not long ago," that's not it. It's that Fountain of living Water. As I say, It gives Its Water free.
82You don't have to put rags on It, to find out; some educational rags, 'fore you can send him out to preach, and see if he spells his words right, speaks them right, if he uses his nouns and pronouns, and so forth, and adjectives. Many of them don't even know what they are, but he's living at the Fountain just the same, see, the same.
83 It don't have to depend on the local rains, to fill it up, or the local revivals, for it. It don't have to do that, for its Power and its purity is within itself. That's where the Word is, Its Own Power! When a man can receive It in his heart, It's got Its purity. It's got Its power. It's right in the Word Itself, springs forth the Life.
84Israel would get away from It, they would get in trouble. Every time they got away from It, they got in trouble.
The same as we do now. When the revival gets away from That, then it's no good. It digs itself some wells, and, or some stagnated cisterns, and there it goes.
85 But He always helped them. The murmuring at the Red Sea, then when they murmured... Yet, in all that, He had promised, made them a promise. He should have turned them back right there, the way we would look at it; but He had promised to take them over there.
What did He do? Them children of Israel, He furnished them the Pillar of Fire and everything, for a vindication, their prophet. And they led them out there to the sea. And, always, there is trouble against It. And here come the Pharaoh and his army. And you know what God did? He just opened up that red, stagnated cistern.
The Dead Sea is the deadest thing in the world. It's really dead. It's stagnated. Nothing can live in it.
And He opened it up and set them free, on the other side. He took them to where they wouldn't have to be bound by such a thing as that.
86 In the wilderness, they found that the tanks could not be depended on; they were dry. Found out, they go from one water hole to another. When they was in the wilderness, they was starving to death, for a drink of water. And they would go to this tank over here, a pond; it was dried up. They went to another place; it was dried up. They just couldn't think they was ever going to get a drink.
And then on the most unlikely place in all the desert, they found the water. It was in a rock. It was in a rock. The most unlikely place that a man would find any water, would be in a dry rock in the middle of a desert. But, you see, God does things like that. In the most unlikely place, in the most unusual way. That's what we've always had.
87 They think you have to have a big denominationals, together, and let them all come together and have a great big milling around, and so forth, and get thousands to cooperate, and all like this, to have a revival.
Sometime God takes the little old guy don't even know his ABC's, and right amongst a bunch of illiterate people that hardly knows their right hand from the left, He can raise up a revival that'll shake the world. He did in the time of John. He done it in the time of the prophets. None of them, as we know of, was ever educated, but God could get a hold of them and do something with them.
88 In this Rock came forth the waters. He was the Rock. And He commanded this Rock, and must be smote. And He gave abundance of pure, fresh, clean water to everybody that would drink. He saved all who would drink from It. A perfect parallel with John 3:16.
... God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,... whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but would have everlasting life,
89God smote that Rock, on Calvary. Our judgment was upon Him, that from Him might come the Spirit of Life that would give you and me Eternal Life. That's a perfect parable of It, there in this wilderness.
90 They never had to pull, dig, pump, or anything; just partake of His provided way, freely. When, they didn't have to dig it out of a pond. They didn't have to pull it up with a bucket. They didn't have to have no windle to get it with. They just had to partake of it.
And that's all there is now. You don't have to join nothing. You don't have to get down at the altar and work up something, pumping it. You don't have to say a word over and over and over, till you get a confusion of language. The only thing you have to do is just partake of Him, freely, God's provided way. No pumping, no pushing, no nothing; just take of It, freely. Nothing you have to do; just partake of It. That is, just believe It. That's all I can say to it.
They never had to do anything for it. Never had to dig for it. They never had to get down and cry all night, for it. They just partook of it; it was smitten and ready. That's right.
91 I'm looking at a man now, setting in the back of the room here. I remember telling him that, on an old barn stall one day, by a manger.
And he said, "But I'm no good."
92I said, "I know you're not." And I said, "I'm not, either." But I said, "You're looking at what you are. And quit looking at what you are, and look what He is."
He said, "If I could just get rid of these cigarettes, Brother Branham, I--I--I would be a Christian."
93I said, "Don't get rid of them. You're trying to get good and then come to Him. He never come to save good man; He come to save bad man that knowed they were bad."
He said, "Well..."
I said, "Listen, you don't want to go to hell, do you?"
He said, "No."
94I said, "Well, you don't have to. He died that you might not have to go."
He said, "What do I have to do?"
I said, "Nothing. It's just that simple."
He said, "But if I can ever..."
95I said, "There you go, back to that cigarette again. Quit thinking about that cigarette. Just remember, think about Him, what He did, what He is; not what you are. You're no good; and you never was, and never will be. But, what He is, He's the One!" And I said, "Now, the only one thing you have to do; if He took your place down there, you just willingly accept what He did. Only thing you have to do is just accept it."
"Why," he said, "that's simple. I'll do that."
96 I said, "Here is the creek." See? I brought him up here and baptized him in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Some of his people are setting here, and I--I know they felt funny at me for doing that, but I knowed what I was doing. I seen in the man something that was genuine. I could see it there, and I took him and baptized him in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
And, when we did that, it wasn't long after that till I was went down to his son's house. We seen a--a vision of a tree being broke at a certain place, and the man fell, almost broke his back. Took him in the hospital. And that night the Lord revealed, to me, that was the end of cigarettes.
So the next day he wanted some cigarettes. I said, "I'll buy him a carton and take it to him. You just watch and see, his cigarette days are done." He's never smoked one since, and never wanted one since. God!
97See, the first thing you've got to do is to come to that Fountain. You've got to come to that Water, realize it's nothing that you can do. It's what He done for you. You don't have to dig; you don't have to pump out; you don't have to quit this; you don't have to quit that. The only thing you have to do is get there and drink. That's all. If you're thirsty; drink!
98 Now, He was the Rock. God smote Him for us, and He gave forth abundance of pure, clean water. He does yet, today, to everyone that will believe. This is His grace, of course, to His people, us.
99There is something like there, like the people of today, ready to receive what they can get, but don't want to give any service in return. Israel was ready to--to drink from the rock now, but they didn't want to give God His service that was due Him.
100And He's always giving us a service. You know, we can't even breathe without Him. We can't breathe without God's service. That's how dependent we are on Him. And, yet, it almost breaks us in two if we try to do, have to do something for Him. He asks us to do something, go see somebody, go pray for somebody, go help somebody, it's almost breaks us up, to do it. But we don't want to do anything to Him for service.
101 His complaint was, "They have forsaken Me, the Word; and have accepted a broken cistern, instead. Accept... They have forsaken Me, the Fountain of Life, the Fountain of Water of Life; and they desire and would rather drink from a stagnated cistern." Could you imagine that?
102Could you imagine a person now, that, here is an artesian well just putting out that fine, limestone water, right out of the heart of the rocks, down there in the sand beds, and so forth, just as cold and good as it could be; and would rather drink out of a cistern over there, that had washed off the top of the barn, and the sheds, and all of the out-buildings around the place? And put it right into that cistern there, where the seepage of the water drains right back into, from the barn, the stables and stalls, and everything draining right back into the cistern, and then we want to acce-... would drink out of that before going to that artesian well? There would be something mentally wrong with the person. That's right.
103 And when a man or a woman will take a denomination on their stand, that'll permit bobbed hair, wearing shorts, makeup, all this other kind of stuff, and some little kind of a--a program, and all this carrying on, and can go to the bowling alleys, and--and all that nonsense out there, and can put up with that; and like that better than they do the old-fashion Word of God that cuts down and hews out, and makes ladies out of women, and takes and makes them dress right and act right, takes cigarettes and tobaccos, and swearing and cursing, and lying and stealing, away from you, and all the world away from you, and give you Something that is a perfect satisfaction. Why do a man or a woman go to such a thing as that for comfort? How can you get comfort out of that?
104 How could you get a fresh drink out of a stagnated cistern? Why would a person... If a person goes to a stagnated cistern to get a drink, when there's an artesian well open, you would say, "There is something wrong with that man's mind."
And if a woman or a man goes to such a place to find comfort, there is something spiritually wrong with that person. They don't want the Word. It shows that their nature is still a frog, or a tadpole, or something, that's right, something of that nature that likes that stagnated pool, because them kind of things won't live in a fresh-Water pool. They can't do it; it's fresh Water. They can't do it.
105 Now, the complain was, "They left It." And today they've done the same thing.
Now look at the woman at the well. Well, she come up to Jacob's cistern, and she had been getting water there all the time, at Jacob's cistern. But Jacob's cistern, denomination, we would call it, 'cause he dug three of them; and this one he had dug. Now, she had a great story. She said, "Now, our father dug this well, Jacob. He drank out of it, and his cattle drank out of it, and everything. Isn't that good enough?"
106He said, "But the water that you draw from there, you thirst again, have to come back here to get it. But," said, "the Water that I give you is a Fountain, a Geyser spurting up from the inside, and you don't come here to get It. It's right with you."
107 Notice. But when she discovered that a Scriptural Fountain had spoken to her, by a Scriptural sign that she had been looking for, she left that Jacob's denominational system and never went back to it again, because she had found the real Rock. See? She run into the city. She was through with sin. She was no more a foul woman. She said, "Come, see Who I have found, a Man Who told me the things that I've done. Isn't This the very Christ?" She... That cistern might have been all right; it had served its purpose. Now she was at the true Fountain. The cistern had been all right until the true Fountain was open. But when the true Fountain come along, the cistern lost its strength. She found there's a better place to drink.
108 And there is a better place. There's a better place, and that's in Christ. In Saint John 7:37 and 38, Jesus said, at the last of the feast of the tabernacles, "If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink."
They were all rejoicing. They had a little spurt of water coming out from under the altar, and--and there they was all drinking from this, in celebration, of the--of the feast. And said, "Our fathers drank from the spiritual rock in the wilderness." See, they had hewed themself a cistern, some stagnated water they pumped down from somewhere, and spurting it up under the temple there. And they would all get around this water and drink, and say, "Years ago, our fathers drank in the wilderness."
Jesus said, "I am that Rock that was in the wilderness."
Said, "We eat manna from Heaven, and God rained it down."
109Said, "I am that Manna." He, that Fountain, was standing among them. That Bread of Life was standing among them.
And still they did not want It. They'd rather have their cistern; because, man had made this, and God had sent That. That's exactly the difference. Dug themselves cisterns!
110He said, "If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink." He is that Fountain.
And as the Scripture has said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living Water." Oh, He is that artesian well! "Out of his belly, or innermost being, shall flow rivers of living Water."
111 He is that Rock that was in... That was Hagar's Rock, in the time of trouble; when her baby was about to die, when she had been put out of the camp, and was out there with little Ishmael. Her water, in her cistern that she was packing with her, had give out. And she laid little Ishmael down; and walked over, a bow shot, and cried, and, oh, because she didn't want to see the baby die. And all at once, the Angel of the Lord spoke, and she found Beer-... Beersheba, the--the well there that was flowing, and still flowing to this day. He was Hagar's Beer-Beersheba, Rock out there in the wilderness.
112 It was standing here in the Fountain filled with Blood, that day, standing there in the temple. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... time of storm. In Zechariah the 13th chapter, He was that Fountain opened in the house of David, for cleansing, and for (sin) cleansing of sin. He was that Fountain. And in the Psalms 36:9, He was David's Fountain of Life. He is still that Fountain in the house of David.
And He is the poet's, in his heart there. Poet said:
There is a Fountain filled with Blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins,
When sinners plunge beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
He is that Fountain of Life, Fountain of Water. He is the Word of God.
113 People of these last days has forsook Him, the true Word, Water of Life; and has hewed themself out denominational cisterns; and, again, hewed, dug!
114And now we find out, they have had broken cisterns. And then this cistern is filled with unbelieving germs, unbelieving boasting, educational programs, and so forth, which is contrary to God's promises. They are doubters of the Word.
115 Now, these cisterns that they've got, the Bible said, were "broken." Broken cistern is a "leaking" cistern, and it's seeping out. What's it doing? It's seeping out into a religious cesspool called the World Council of Churches. And that's where the broken cistern is leading them to, all because they have forsook Him, and have... the Fountain of living Water; and made these cisterns.
116Digging out big seminary systems of learning, education, and so forth. That's the kind of cisterns they're digging today, that a man has to have a Ph.D., or an LL.D., or a Bachelor of Art, or something, before he can even go preach. Cisterns that has been filled with man-made theology. They take them into these great big schools of learning, and in there they inject into them their own man-made theology, and they send them out with that. What a day that we're living in, man-made cisterns! No trouble the... No wonder the thing has become a--a stink, oh, my, it's because that the people drink from that.
117 And when the people want joy today, what do they do? The people, instead of accepting the joy of the Lord, they turn to sin, for joy. People who go to church and claim to be servants of Christ, when they get real nervous they'll light up a cigarette. And when they--when they want to--to have some fun, they stick on their immoral clothes and go out and cut the grass when the man is going by, to get them to whistle at them. They do everything to be popular. They want to look like the movie stars. That's their joy.
When, Jesus said, "I am their sufficiency."
The reason that they go to that, because they don't want to drink from that Fountain. They have turned It down. They don't want to drink from It. They join themselves to some kind of a man-made system, some kind of a cistern that's full of all kind of stagnated things, that they can go like that.
118 Yesterday, we had the kids up on the river. I believe it was Saturday morning. We went down; Billy had been fishing in the boat. And we took the kiddies up, my little grandson and them, my daughter, and my little son, and we went up the river to--to take a boat ride. You couldn't even take a boat ride on the river, for the filthy, dirty, scummy people out there on the river, half naked and carrying on. A boat drove up beside of us, a bunch of little twelve-, fourteen-year-old boys, each one with a beer can in their hand, and a cigarette. They call that "having fun." Oh, my! How long can this world last, with such a system as that?
119 Then to free themselves from the thoughts that when they die they'll go to hell, the thing they do, they go and join one of these man-made cisterns. So that same type of people belongs in that cistern. It's nothing but a bunch of unclean, filthied wiggle-tails of the world. And they associate themselves to that because, as my old mother used to say, "Birds of a feather flock together." They won't come to the Fountain and be cleaned up from that life of sin. They want to live out there, and still hold a testimony that they are Christians. Why? They have turned from Him, the true Fountain of joy, Life, perfect Life and satisfaction. That's the reason they did it, because that they want to join up. They have some kind of people there that believe in that stuff.
120 Here not long ago, Brother Fred and I, and Brother Tom, a bunch of us went to a noted Baptist church in the city of Tucson, to see if we couldn't find a little something that would give us maybe a little fresh feeling. And the minister said something another about the people in Egypt, when they left they was eating garlic and so forth, they wanted to go back again and eat that. Said, "That's something like people of today."
And, we, everybody said, "Amen!" I never seen such a bunch! The whole church lost the sight of the preacher and looked back to see who it was that said "amen." Liked to scared them to death. They didn't know what it was.
When, David said, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Praise Him upon harps! Praise Him with the psaltery! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. And praise ye the Lord!" God rejoices in His people. Let them of the learned, say, "Amen," when anything is said right.
121 Why not turn from this system and cisterns of the world, to the faithful system of God, which is the artesian well, Jesus Christ? Why don't you turn to Him, where God is our abundant supply of joy, our abundant supply in praises, our abundant supply in satisfaction? The calmness of my nerves comes from God.
When I'm tore up, I find my satisfaction in Christ, not in a cigarette, not in the things of the world, not in joining some creed; but in finding Him, the promised Word that He said, "If I go away, I'll come again to receive you." I find my joy in that. He is my Joy.
122 They say today, by joining these things and by making this World Council of Churches, that they're going to make a better place to live in. To my honest opinion, they're going to make a better place to sin in. That's just... The whole thing is sin, anyhow; not to live in, but to die in. Make its place to sin in--sin in, instead of live in.
123Any other thing, outside of Jesus Christ and His Word of Life, is a broken cistern. Anything that tries to substitute It; anything that you try to do to bring you peace, anything that you try to do to bring you comfort, any kind of a joy that you receive from anything else, as a substitute for This, it's a broken cistern full of filth. He gives perfect satisfaction.
124 I remember here, couple summers ago, I stepped out the back door. There was a young snicklefritz out there that said to me, said, "You know, the reason you're always talking about women like that, wearing those shorts and things," he said, "because you're an old man." Said, "That's the reason it is."
I said, "Look here. How old are you?"
Said, "Twenty-seven."
125I said, "When I was many years younger than you, I preached the same thing."
I found a Fountain of satisfaction. He is my portion. Amen! As long as He supplies that, that's the beauty. That's--that's my... That's my art, is looking at Him, watching His hand work and see what He is doing. There is no other fount I know!
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
There is a Fountain filled with Blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins,
Where sinners plunge beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stain.
126 I'm telling you, no other fount I know but that Fountain. It cleansed me when I was dirty. It keeps me cleansed, because I want to live right at It, drink this fresh Water that's fills my soul with joy.
I can be so ever so down, and feel that I can't hardly go no... another round, can't go nowhere else; then I can kneel down and put my finger on a promise, and say, "Lord God, Thou art my strength. Thou art my satisfaction. Thou art my all-in-all." I can begin to feel Something bubbling up from inside of me there. I come out of it.
127 As I have past fifty years old, I'd wake up of a morning, you know how it is, you can't hardly get that one foot out of the bed. My, you can't hardly do it; and somebody at the door, knocking, or Billy telling me there's an emergency, somewhere I've got to go. And I think, "How can I do it?" Try to put one foot out.
I think, "Thou art the Fountain filled with my strength. Amen! My strength and my help cometh from the Lord. Thou are my artesian well! Thou art my youth! 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with the wings like an eagle; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.' Lord God, this is my duty, to go. I'm called to the post of duty." And the first thing you know, Something begins to gurgle up inside of me.
128 The other day, over in a little place, I was having a meeting over here in Topeka, Kansas; there was a boy, a young preacher, one of my first sponsors. Brother Roy, setting here, remembers the place. In this, in this great place there, there was a--a... This minister had got under a roof or a place, the sidewall mashed him down beneath that. The little fellow was going to die. His liver was bursted. His spleen was knocked out of place. Tons fell on him.
129I sat at the breakfast, talking to the wife. I said, "Wife, you know, if Jesus was here, you know what He'd do?" I said, "When he sponsored me, 'I believe that Word,' he was sponsoring Christ." And I said, "That's a trick of the devil." I said, "If Jesus was here, He'd go lay His holy hands upon him. That boy would get well. I don't care if his liver is bursted. He would get well, because Jesus would walk in there knowing exactly Who He was. He knowed His calling, the Scriptures was right, vindicating in Him that He knowed Who He was, and not a... not no shadow of doubt. He'd lay His hands upon him, and say, 'Son, be well,' walk out of there." And I said, "There isn't enough devils in hell to kill that boy, then." I said, "He would get well." But I said, "You see, honey, He was Jesus, the holy hands of God."
I said, "I'm a sinner. I was born sexual birth. My father and mother were both sinners, and I'm just a no-good nothing."
And I said, "But you know what? If the Lord would give me a vision and send me down there, then that would be different." I said, "I'd go down and lay my hands on him, he'd come out of that bed if He give me a vision."
130 Then I got to thinking, "After all, if it was the vision, what was it? It was the same dirty hands on him, uh-huh, same man praying for him, same dirty hands."
Then I begin to think, "I am His representative. Then, God doesn't see me. That Blood of that righteous One lays up there upon the altar; it makes intercessions for me. He is my sufficiency. He is my prayer. He is my Life." I said, "The only thing that'd make me put my hands on him, with faith, because I had faith in the vision. And without the vision, the same faith would do the same thing; so I can reckon myself nothing, but reckon Him my all-in-all. He is my Life. He is my Commissioner. No denomination sent me; He sent me. Hallelujah! I go in His Name. I'll lay hands upon him." Walked down there and laid hands on that boy, and that night he was in the meeting, solid well. Amen!
131 Oh, yes, He is that Fountain. "No other fount I know. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!" I'm a stinker, I'm a renegade, every one of us are, but before God we are perfect. Je-... "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." How can you be? Because a perfect One represents us there. That Fountain is there every day, fresh. Not some stagnated something, but fresh every day, that washes away all my sins. He is that Fountain.
132 Now in closing, I might say this. Anything different from This is broken cisterns, and will finally leak out what you put in it; if you're putting all your hopes, all your time, and everything, in one of those stagnated cisterns. Jesus said they were broken cisterns. God said, "They're broken, and they'll leak out ever what you put in them." You can't go any farther with them, 'cause they'll leak out. For He is the only way to the Truth, to the Life, and to Eternal joy, and Eternal peace. He is the only One and the only way to That. Oh, my!
133The inexhaustible Fountain of Life is Jesus Christ. Why? And Who is He? The Word, the same; the Word, the Life, the Fountain, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." The true believer, It's his supreme joy, his supreme Life. And his supreme satisfaction is in Christ. No pumping, no pulling, no joining, no bailing; just believing and resting. That's what He is to the believing.
134 Like father Abraham; he never pulled, he never fretted, he never worried. He had the Word. He layed upon El Shaddai's breast. When Abraham was a hundred years old, God appeared to him, and said, "I am the Almighty." The Hebrew word is El Shaddai, means, "the Breasted-One." "And you are old, and your strength is gone, but just lay upon My bosom and nurse your strength from this Fountain." Amen! What did he nurse himself to? A new body. He had the baby, by Sarah. And, fifty years later, had seven children by another woman.
135Oh, El Shaddai! The Old Testament shows what He did, the New Testament tells what He'll do. Amen! In the Old Testament...
136 Now the air is off, so I'll hurry and quit here now, just in a minute.
I'd like to say this before I close. I had a good example of this one time. I was patrolling. And many people here... Down around Georgetown, down there in Milltown, there used to be, way back in the hills, a fountain. It was an artesian well. It throwed out about a--a four- or five-foot stream of water, just gushed out all the time, and a great big fountain around there. And right around it was a lot of this here pennyroyal, you know, and stuff growing there, that mint-like. And, oh, I used to just thirst to get there, oh, my, to get to that fountain. And I'd lay down by this thing and just drink and drink, and set down and drink, wait.
And year after year I'd still come to this same fountain. It never did cease, winter or summer. They couldn't freeze it. You can't freeze an artesian well. Oh, no! Oh, no! I don't care how--how cold it gets, it ain't going to freeze that. You'll freeze a cistern; just a little frost will do that. See?
But anything that's moving, got Life in it, it's a moving around. And you can't freeze the artesian Well out. No matter how depressed the spirit is around the place, this Well is always a living. Live at that Well.
137 And I noticed there, I went by and I'd drink at it, and, oh, my, just the fresh water! You never had to worry, "Wonder, if I get there, wonder if it quit running?" It's been running...
138An old farmer told me, said, "My grandfather drink out of it." And said, "It never has diminished or nothing. It's still the same well, gushing right out into Blue River there."
139I thought, "Oh, my, what a fine place to water!" I'd walk about a mile out of the way, to get to that place, because it was such a real place to drink at. Oh, how good that water was! Oh, my!
I'd--I'd get out there in that desert, Arizona now, I still think about it, "That wonderful well down there, if I could just lay down to that!"
As David said one time, "Oh, if I could once more drink from that well!" If he would just get there!
140 And I set down one day, and I had a little funny thing that happened to me. And I said, "What makes you so happy all the time? I wish I could be happy like that. Why, I never seen you sad, since I been coming here. There's not one sad thing about you." I said, "You're always full of joy. You're jumping and bubbling and carrying on. Winter or summer, cold or hot, whatever it is, you're always full of joy. What makes you...? What, what is it? Because I drink out of you?"
"Nope."
I say, "Well, maybe the rabbits drink out of you, and you like it so well."
"Nope."
I said, "Well, what makes you bubbling over like that? What makes you so happy? What makes you always full of joy?" Said, "Is it because that--that the birds drink from you?"
"No."
"Cause I drink from you?"
"No."
I said, "Well, what makes you so full of joy?"
141And if that well could speak back to me, he would say this. "Brother Branham, not because you drink; I appreciate that, and because I can furnish for the birds. I furnish for anybody that wants to drink. Only thing you have to do is come here and drink. But, what makes me happy, it ain't me bubbling, it's something inside, pushing me. It's something bubbling me."
142And that's the way it is with a Spirit-filled life. As Jesus said, He was in... See, He give you wells of water springing up unto everlasting Life, an artesian, overflowing gusher that's constantly flowing. Whether the rest of the church is up or down, you're still at that Well.
Why would you take an old denominational system and cistern, full of parasites and everything else, and drink around on that stagnated stuff, when you're invited to a Fountain, an artesian Well?
143 I think how it just pushed, and juggled, and--and gurgled, and laughed, and joyed, and jumped, and froliced. Cold, rainy; hot, dry, when all the rest of the country was drying up, it was bubbling just like it always did. Cause it was deep, rooted, way down in the rocks it come forth.
144Oh, let me live by that Gusher! Take all your man-made systems you want to, all your old stagnated wells, but let me come to... or stagnated cisterns. But, let me come to this Fountain, let me come there where He is just full. He is my Joy. He is my Light. He is my--He is my Strength. He is my Water. He is my Life. He is my Healer. He is my Saviour. He is my King. Everything that I have need of is found in Him. Why would I want to go to anything else?
145 Brother, sister, won't you come to this Fountain tonight? Won't you, if you're not ever been there, won't you receive It tonight while we bow our heads?
146Broken cisterns, leaking, seeping, the world seeping into it, filth from the barns and of other days. Why not this Well, that that stuff cannot stay in, this great Fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins? Why don't you receive that tonight? May God help us tonight, in this dry, thirsty land. As the prophet said, "He is the Rock in a weary land." He is that Fountain. Won't you come to Him tonight, in your hearts, while we pray?
147 Dear Heavenly Father, there is no other Fountain, as the music is playing, "No other fount I know; nothing but the Blood of Jesus." I was born there, I've been raised there; I want to live there, and die there, and rise again there, in His Presence. Always, Lord, let me be in His Presence, for there's no other I know. No creed, no love; no love but Christ, no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no anything else, no joy outside of Him. Take Him from me, O God, I don't care how much of the world I owned, it--it would still be dead, I'd wander around with my hands up over my head. Take Him from me, I'll be gone, Lord. But let Him be in me, then December is as pleasant as May, then there is no hot places and there's no dry places, even death itself has no victory. Let us have Him, Father. Give Him, in abundance, to every believer here tonight, as they've waited in this room.
148Many of them has got to drive along the road tonight, as they go to their homes, and may this be their thinking, "I'm living at that Fountain. I'm living there, freshly drinking, hour by hour."
149And if they haven't received that, as yet, may they receive Him now, so they can take the Fountain right with them. "I'll go with you; I'll be with you to the end of the world." Grant these things, Father.
150 And now while we have our heads bowed, is there someone in here, tonight, or how many would say, "Lord, take me to that Fountain just now. I've never come here just to hear; I come here to find out Something. I come here to find You, Lord. I have a need of You tonight. Come to my heart right now. Will you do it, Lord?" God bless you. The Lord bless each one.
151 Father, You seen the hands, even up and around the wall, and in the other rooms, outside. You--You seen them, Father. I--I pray that You'll supply everything they have need of. Maybe they been drinking at some old cistern, Lord, just some half-way stopover where some man hewed out a cistern, it's become contaminated with all kinds of strange doctrines, denying the Word. I pray, God, that tonight they'll come to Him Who is that Fountain, that Fountain of Life. Grant it, Father. I commit them to Thee now in Jesus' Name.
152And You told me, "If you ask anything in My Name, it'll be done." Now, I wouldn't ask this, Lord, if I didn't think it would be done. I'd be--I'd be just saying it in a ritual routine. But I pray for them, with sincerity. I pray for them, believing that You will grant what You promised.
153And now I take them away from that cistern tonight. I take them away from the place they had been drinking, where they're not satisfied; to this Fountain. I do it in Jesus Christ's Name.
154 They are Yours, Lord. Let them drink from You, the living Water, the Fountain of living Water. In Jesus' Name, I ask it. Amen. Grant it, Lord.
Oh, precious is that flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
O Jesus, heal these, Lord! Grant it, Lord, through Jesus' Name. I pray, God, that You...?... Thou knowest all things.
No other fount I know,
Oh, nothing but the Blood of...
155Think of it, no other fount I know! I don't know nothing else but Him. I don't desire to know nothing else but Him. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus! Oh!
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Oh, nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
156 While we sing that again, let's shake hands with one another. Do you love one another? Is there anybody in here got anything against somebody else? If there is, go make it right. Will you? Let's not leave here like that. See? If you got an ought against anybody, you go make it right, right now. Right now is your opportunity to go over, say, "Brother, sister, I said something about you, I thought something. I didn't mean to do that. Forgive me." See, that's the way to do it. Let's have the Fountain right among us, all the time. See?
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
Oh, no other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
157Oh, isn't He wonderful? No other fountain! We won't contaminate ourselves with other things. We have separated, left the world behind. We don't want no more of Egypt's garlics and broken cisterns. We are in the journey with the Lord Jesus, that smitten Rock, amen, eating Manna from Above, and drinking; eating angels' Food, and drinking from the Rock. Amen!
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Now let us bow our heads.
158 Praying that God will so richly bless each of you, that His grace and mercy will be with you through the coming week. And if anything should happen, that one of you may slip beyond the veil now, just remember that it's only a few hours of sleep and rest until we meet. Remember, that, "They which are alive and remain shall not hinder those which are sleeping, for the Trump of God, that last Trumpet..." The sixth one has just sounded. And that last Trumpet, like the last Seal, will be the Coming of the Lord. "It shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise first." Just resting till that time.
159And if you should get hurt, remember:
Take the Name of Jesus with you,
As a shield from every snare;
And when temptations around you gather,
Just breathe that holy Name in prayer. (Devils will flee.)
160Just remember, we hope to meet you here next Sunday morning. Bring in the sick and afflicted. I'll be praying for you. You pray for me now. Will you do it? Say, "Amen." [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] I'll pray for you, that God will bless.
... Name in prayer.
Precious Name, precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven;
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven.
At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heaven we'll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.
Precious Name, precious Name, (isn't it sweet and precious?)
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven;
Precious Name, precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven.
161 It's always so hard to leave you. Although I know that you're burning up, but there is just something about... Let's, one more verse of something, will you do it? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Will you do it? Blest Be The Tie That Binds, sister. How many knows the old song? We used to sing it, years ago.
162And I was thinking, tonight, "two hands, out of the hundreds, that's left," when we used to sing that song around the tabernacle, and join one another's hand. Blest Be The Tie That Binds. I've buried a lot of them, right up here in the cemetery. They're waiting. I'll see them again. I see them, once in a while, in a vision, when I look beyond the veil. They're there.
Let's bow our heads now as we sing.
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship...
Is like to that Above.
When we...
Now reach over and get a hold of somebody's hand.
... asunder part,
Now bow your head.
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
163With our heads bowed. I turn the service to the pastor now, and dismiss in...
1Modlime sa. Pane, teraz veríme. Veríme v Syna Božieho a skrze to prijímame večný Život, skrze Neho. Teraz sme sa v toto popoludnie znova zhromaždili, alebo dnes večer, kvôli ďalšej bohoslužbe, s dôverou v Teba, že nám dáš Posolstvo a budeš k nám dnes večer hovoriť. Veríme Ti, Pane a očakávame na Teba. A Ty si povedal, „Tí, ktorí očakávajú na Pána, nadobúdajú novej sily; vznášajú sa na perutiach ako orly.“ A modlíme sa, Bože, aby si nám dnes večer dal tú narastajúcu silu, ako očakávame na Teba.
2Ďakujeme Ti za týchto ľudí a za to, čo pre Teba znamenajú a čo znamenajú pre mňa. Ďakujem Ti za to, Otče. Oni sú Tvojimi klenotmi. A modlím sa, Bože, aby si sa im dnes večer Ty Sám prejavil takým spôsobom, akým to potrebujú. Ak sú tu nemocní, nech sú uzdravení. Ak je tu v niekoho mysli pochybnosť; odstráň ju preč, Pane. A daj nám len Tvoju Prítomnosť a Tvoje Požehnania, pretože ich potrebujeme, Pane. Ty si naša vše-dostatočnosť. A bez Teba nezmôžeme nič.
3Prosíme Ťa, aby si prijal naše vzdávanie vďaky za všetko, čo si vykonal. V Mene Ježiša Krista sa tešíme na Tvoje Požehnania. Amen.
Môžete sa posadiť.
4No, v dnešný nedeľný večer je tu len trocha chladnejšie, ako to bolo minulú nedeľu večer. Sme veľmi vďační našim bratom, ktorí tak usilovne pracovali a zvládli to. Poznám dvoch, alebo troch z nich. Brat Mike Egan, ktorého vidím tam vzadu, a ja... Brat Mike a brat Sothmann, brat (tuším) Roy Roberson, brat Woods a všetci z nich, boli tu dole a poriadne sa zapotili, keď sa to snažili zvládnuť a tak dnes, alebo teraz môžeme mať toto Posolstvo. Tak sme veľmi vďační.
5No, na budúcu nedeľu ráno, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, chcem mať službu uzdravovania a modlitby za nemocných. Venujeme ten čas na službu uzdravovania, ak to bude vôľa Pánova.
6Dnes ráno som si všimol, že tam bola kôpka vreckoviek. Pomodlil som sa za ne. Zatiaľ čo ste sa modlili a spievali, modlil som sa za tie vreckovky; a okrem toho, dnes večer sú tu ďalšie. A tak veríme, že Boh uzdravuje nemocných. Je medzi nami toľko ohromných svedectiev o uzdravení, a po celom svete, a sme za to vďační.
7A uvažoval som, že na ďalšiu nedeľu, keďže musím byť na krátky čas preč a venovali sme tak mnoho času len vyučovaniu a Posolstvu, až som uvažoval, že by to bola dobrá vec, ak by sme mali službu uzdravovania a modlitby za nemocných. A veríme, že Boh nám dá nádherný čas.
8No, mnohí z vás budú dnes večer musieť prejsť mnoho míľ. A tak som dnes hovoril s niekoľkými skupinkami, tam v jedálni Blue Boar, kde som večeral. S mnohými skvelými ľuďmi, s ktorými som si potriasol ruky a rozprával som sa s nimi, s ľuďmi, s ktorými som sa nikdy pred tým nestretol, ktorí prichádzajú sem do zboru. A som za takých priateľov vďačný a chcem poďakovať všetkým z vás a každému jednotlivo. Niektorí z nich nazbierali černice a priniesli nám ich. A niekto nám priniesol, myslím, že to bolo niečo ako vedierko sirupu, alebo melasy a podobné veci. Neviete si predstaviť, čo to pre nás znamená. A raz som vstal skoro ráno a vyšiel som von z domu, niekedy tam...
9Raz ráno tam bol nejaký brat, ktorý bol na tom naozaj zle, nemal oblečenie a tak ďalej, chcel, aby som mu išiel doniesť nejaké oblečenie. Vykročil som a skoro som sa potkol o vedierko černíc, ktoré tam ležalo. Povedal som, „Tie černice si priniesol ty?“
10A on povedal, „Nie, nemám s tým nič spoločné. Bol som tu pred svitaním a ony tu už vtedy ležali.“ A to bol môj dobrý brat Ruddell, ktorý mi ich priniesol. A tak, veľmi si tieto veci cením.
11Billy Paul mi práve pred chvíľou oznámil, že dnes večer v tomto zhromaždení pre mňa vybrali zbierku. Ďakujem vám za to. Nechcel som od vás, aby ste to robili. Určite si cením vašu snahu a to všetko, ale to nebolo potrebné. Avšak, nech vás Pán žehná. Viete, že Biblia povedala, „Nakoľko ste toho učinili najmenšiemu z týchto, Mne ste učinili.“
12No, hovoril som ku vám v tom Posolstve dosť priamočiaro. A ja... Niektorí ľudia môžu mať dojem, že som sa nazdával, že Ježiš príde dnes ráno alebo večer. Áno. No, nehovorím, že On príde. A znova, On nemusí prísť do ďalšieho týždňa, môže to byť až za rok a môže to byť o desať rokov. Neviem, kedy príde. Ale je tu jedna vec, ktorú chcem... vždy to majte na mysli, buďte pripravení každú minútu, alebo hodinu. Rozumiete? Čiže, ak nepríde dnes, môže tu byť zajtra. A tak držte vo svojej mysli, že On prichádza.
13Neviem, v akej chvíli nastane na tejto zemi moja posledná hodina, ani jeden z nás to nevie. A nikto z nás tu nevie, kedy On príde. Ani On Sám to nevie, na základe Jeho Vlastných Slov; povedal, „Iba Otec vie, kedy On príde; ani Syn nevie, kedy príde.“ Bude to vtedy, keď Ho k nám Boh znova pošle. Ale my vyhliadame Jeho Príchod. A ak nepríde v mojej generácii, môže prísť v tej ďalšej; a ak nepríde v tej, príde v ďalšej. Ale, čo sa týka mňa, sotva môžem vidieť, že by ostával ešte nejaký čas. Ja len... Pre mňa sa to môže stať v ktorejkoľvek minúte. No, to neznamená... To neznamená, no, že uvidíte nebesia premenené a všetko... To nie je ten Príchod, o ktorom hovorím. Ja hovorím o Vytrhnutí.
14Pozrite sa, On má tri príchody. On prišiel v troch menách Syna. Prišiel v trojici; Otec, Syn a Duch Svätý. Vidíte, všetko z toho je ten istý Kristus, ten istý Boh, po celý čas. No, vieme, že On prišiel, aby priniesol tri diela milosti; ospravedlnenie, posvätenie a krst Duchom Svätým. Všetko v Bohu je kompletné v trojkách.
15A tak, On najprv prišiel, aby vykúpil Svoju Nevestu. Druhýkrát prichádza ako Vytrhnutie, aby vzal preč Svoju Nevestu. Tretíkrát prichádza so Svojou Nevestou, Kráľ a Kráľovná; potom, to je vtedy, keď mnoho ľudí očakáva Príchod.
Ale, keď príde tentokrát, takmer nikto, iba tí, ktorí sú pripravení, budú vedieť, keď príde. Jednoducho tam nastane zmiznutie ľudí. Oni nebudú vedieť, čo sa s nimi stalo. Budú skrátka v momente vzatí preč, a tak sa len stanú nezvestnými. „Premenení v momente, v okamihu.“ A tak buďte len na to pripravení. Bolo by to hrozné, v jedno ráno stratiť milovaných, nikto by ich nedokázal nájsť. Nebolo by to strašné, vedieť, že sa to už stalo a vy ste to minuli? A tak sa len zachovávajte (nepoškvrnení) pred Bohom.
16No, na ďalší týždeň, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, na budúci pondelok, za týždeň od tohto pondelka, ak to bude vôľa Božia, beriem rodinu späť do Arizony, kam chodia (deti) do školy, a potom sa vrátim späť.
17No, neodchádzam tam... nebudem tam mať žiadne bohoslužby. Málokedy som v Arizone. Bývam preč, niekde inde. Na ďalší pondelok tam vezmem svoju manželku. Prídem znova sem. Odtiaľto odídem do Britskej Kolumbie. Vrátim sa späť do Colorada. Niekedy okolo Vianoc budem znova v Arizone, len na skok, iba na tak dlho, pokiaľ... možno na dva alebo tri dni, dám rodinu dokopy a budem tu naspäť cez Vianočné prázdniny, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, budem tu mať službu v priebehu novoročného týždňa.
18Takže prakticky som väčšinou tu. Som tu desaťkrát častejšie, ako tam vonku, pretože tam vonku nemáme žiaden zbor, ani žiadne bohoslužby, nič tam vonku nemáme, teda, čo sa týka bohoslužieb. Avšak je tu jedna nedobrá vec. Nemám miesto, kam by som poslal deti, aby mohli počuť tieto Posolstvá tak, ako vaše deti, ktoré sa dostanú sem, aby to mohli počuť, a tak máme tento jeden nedostatok. Ale oni sú všetky zdravšie. Je to suché, horúce, suché podnebie, ale všetky deti vyzerajú byť zdravšie. Nebývam tam dostatočne dlho na to, aby som zistil, či je to zdravé alebo nezdravé. Som v pohybe a myslím si, že som sa skrátka narodil ako cestovateľ.
19Moja žena ma nazýva... Viem, že je tu, takže to po tomto zhromaždení schytám, všetci to poznáte. Ako ma to volá?... pohyblivé vetry, alebo nepokojné vetry, alebo akokoľvek—čokoľvek, viete, pohyblivé piesky? Alebo inými slovami, som stále na cestách. A som teraz ženatý dvadsaťdva rokov a niekedy mám dojem, že som doma cudzincom, pretože musím znova odísť.
Ale očakávam na ten čas, keď sa raz usadíme v našej Domovine. Ale teraz prebieha boj a tak buďme na modlitbe.
20Nezabudnite na ďalšiu nedeľu ráno, ak to bude vôľa Pánova, priveďte svojich nemocných a postihnutých. Príďte skoro ráno, obsaďte svoje miesto a pravdepodobne tam bude skupina, za ktorú sa budeme modliť. Budeme musieť rozdať modlitebné karty. Ak ich nebude dosť, aspoň toľko, aby sa utvoril malý rad, asi dva alebo tri tucty, alebo podobne, tak nebudeme rozdávať modlitebné karty. Ale pravdepodobne modlitebné karty rozdáme a tak to urobíme asi hodinu pred pravidelnou bohoslužbou, ktorá, myslím, zaberie... Bude to o ôsmej, o ôsmej alebo o pol deviatej, keď budú rozdávať modlitebné karty; otvoria modlitebňu a na ďalšiu nedeľu ráno rozdajú modlitebné karty. A potom tu určite buďte, kvôli vašim... Priveďte svojich milovaných, usaďte ich tu. V modlitebni bude príjemne a chladnejšie, a ak sú nemocní, urobíme všetko čo môžeme, aby sme sa za nich pomodlili.
21Ďakujem vám ešte raz za tú zbierku lásky.
22A teraz, dnes večer, budeme čítať niečo z Božieho Slova a buďte pripravení na túto opätovnú udalosť Jeho Prítomnosti, aby nám bolo prinesené Jeho Slovo. No, vieme, že môžeme prečítať text, ale Boh musí zjaviť súvislosť. Rozumiete? Môžeme vziať text, ale Boh musí zjaviť súvislosť. A zatiaľ čo sa teraz obraciate do knihy Jeremiáša, do 2. kapitoly...
23Chcem povedať, že som šťastný, že tu mám spolu s vami brata Lee Vayle, vzácneho brata v Pánovi. A myslím si, že tento brat tu, nedokážem si spomenúť, ako sa volá, brat Willard Crase. A videl som bratov z Arkansasu, brata Johna a tých ďalších z okolia Poplar Bluff a brata Blaira. Ó, a brat Jackson a brat Ruddell a toľkí, že skrátka nie som schopný... Prial by som si, aby som mohol všetkých osloviť menom, ale skrátka to nedokážem urobiť a vy tomu rozumiete. Brat Ben Bryant, vidím ho tu sedieť; on je tým, ktorý zvyčajne niekde v rohu hovorí „Amen,“ zatiaľ čo ja... Každý pozná Bena kvôli jeho hlasu. Aha.
24Raz sme boli v Kalifornii, kázal som tam v údolí Posolstvo pre baptistických ľudí. Mali tam veľký stan a mnohých, tak trocha vysoko spoločensky uhladených baptistov. Odnikiaľ som nikdy nepočul „amen“; viete, niektoré ženy majú strach, že by sa im z tváre odlomil náter. A potom, prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, zbadal som, ako sa pár nôh, asi takto a dve mocné ruky dvíhali do vzduchu a čierne vlasy sa zatrepotali a vyšiel asi takýto výkrik: „Amen!“. A pozrel som sa dole, povedal som, „Ben, kde si sa tu vzal?“ On tam skutočne priniesol to „Amen.“
25Vidím, ako si ho jeho žena trocha obzerá. No, on stráca trocha z tých čiernych vlasov, ale to je v poriadku, viete. Nestaraj sa o to. Ja som svoje stratil pred mnohými rokmi.
Takže, no, nezabúdajte sa modliť.
26Teraz, kým sa dostaneme do tejto vážnej časti bohoslužby, pamätajte, ak čítame Toto Slovo, potom Boh Svoje Slovo požehná. „Nenavráti sa ku Nemu prázdne, ale vykoná to Svoj účel.“ A viem, že keď čítam Slovo, vždy budem mať Pravdu. Keď čítam Slovo, Boh uctí Svoje Slovo.
27Teraz povstaňme s úctou k Jeho Slovu. Jeremiáš, 2. kapitola, 12. a 13. verš z Jeremiáša 2.
Užasnite nebesia nad tým, zhrozte sa, zdúpnejte veľmi! hovorí Hospodin.
Lebo môj ľud spáchal dvoje zlo: Opustil mňa, prameň živej vody, aby si vyrúbali cisterny, deravé cisterny dopukané, ktoré nedržia vody!
Skloňme teraz svoje hlavy.
28Drahý Bože, bolo prečítané Tvoje Slovo. A my sa modlíme, aby si to Slovo uctil a dal nám dnes večer Jeho podobenstvo alebo súvislosť; ako sa dívame na dni, ktoré uplynuli, na Izrael, ako na náš príklad, tak, ako nás to Biblia učí, že môžeme vidieť, čo si im urobil, keď boli poslušní Slovu, môžeme vidieť, čo si im urobil, keď neposlúchli Slovo, a môžeme sa naučiť to, čo musíme robiť my. A tak sa modlíme, aby si dnes večer ku nám hovoril veľmi zvláštnym spôsobom, aby sme mohli vedieť, ako sa máme správať v týchto dňoch, o ktorých sme sa dnes ráno naučili, že v nich žijeme. Lebo o to prosíme v Ježišovom Mene. Amen.
Môžete si sadnúť.
29Dnes večer chcem len na chvíľu hovoriť na tému: Deravé cisterny.
30Izrael spáchal dve veľké zlá. Boh povedal, že sa od Neho odvrátili, od Prameňa Života, a vykopali si cisterny, aby z nich mohli piť. No, to je niečo.
31Tento text mi napadol z toho dôvodu, že by to mohlo ísť súvisle s tým, o čom som hovoril dnes ráno, o hodine, v ktorej žijeme, a o tej veci, za ktorú bojujeme.
32A dívame sa na Izrael, ako na príklad toho, čím bol Boh, a On musí zostávať vždy rovnaký. A bola tam iba jediná vec, ktorú kedy Boh uctil, a to bola Jeho cesta, ktorú pre ľudí určil. A keď sa dostali z tej cesty preč, potom bol Boh zneuctený a Boh učinil, aby ľudia trpeli za to, že odišli od toho, čo im povedal, že majú robiť, a nezáležalo na tom, čo to bolo.
On im dal dokonca zákon, „Nedotýkaj sa, nechytaj do rúk, neochutnávaj.“ Nie len preto, že bolo zlé robiť to, ale zlé bolo neposlúchnutie toho, čo On povedal, že treba robiť. A tak zákon nikdy nemôže existovať bez trestu za porušenie toho zákona. Pretože, ak tu nie je žiaden trest, potom zákon nestojí za veľa, iba ak je tam za jeho porušenie trest. Zákon!
33No, zisťujeme, že to, čo oni v tých dňoch urobili, sa zdá mať súvislosť s tým, čo robíme my dnes, s tým, čo robia ľudia v cirkvi.
34Teraz tu vidíme zvláštnu vec. Niektorým ľuďom sa to môže zdať divné, keď On povedal, „Vy... Oni si vyrúbali cisterny, deravé cisterny.“ No, možno niekto z vás nevie, čo je to cisterna. Koľkí z vás vedia, čo je to cisterna? No, väčšina z vás vie. Ak ste boli niekedy vychovaní na farme, viete, čo je to cisterna. Spomínam si, že som z jednej vypil dosť chrobákov na to, aby som vedel, čo je to cisterna.
Kázal som vonku na vidieku pod dreveným altánkom, kde ste mali veľké džbány plné cisternovej vody, ktoré stáli tam vonku na daždi, viete, a ono to trocha zostarne. A potom, v noci do toho vlezú tie chrobáky. A tak viem, čo je to voda z cisterny.
35Cisterna je miestom, dierou, ktorá je vykopaná v zemi, aby nahradila studňu. Keď ľudia nemajú studňu, tak si zaobstarajú cisternu. Inými slovami, cisterna je umelo vytvorená nádrž, alebo umelo vytvorená studňa v zemi, ktorú človek vykopal na to, aby zachytil vodu, kvôli tomu, aby ju mohol použiť. Niektorí z nich ju používajú ako vodu na umývanie a iní ju používajú ako pitnú vodu a možno aj na iné účely. Všetka voda, ktorú sme niekedy používali, bola z cisterny. Zvykli sme tam mať takú starú vec, s ktorou ste museli točiť dookola, dookola, dookola a dookola, aby ste vodu dostali nahor; mali sme na tom malé vedierka, aby sme vytiahli vodu von z cisterny.
36No, pri cisterne sme si všimli jednu vec, ktorá sa líši od studne. No, v cisterne sa voda minie. Cisterna sa nedokáže sama znova naplniť. To je... Nie je to spoľahlivé. Nemôžete sa spoľahnúť na cisternu. Ona sa spolieha a závisí od dažďových zrážok, ktoré padnú v lete alebo v zime, akokoľvek to je... Zvyčajne v zimnom období, keď príde sneh a dážď, potom voda steká dolu do cisterny. A ak sa tam tá voda nedostane, potom nemáte žiadnu vodu. To je celé... vyschne. A nedokáže sa znova sama naplniť. Tá stará cisterna sa nedokáže sama naplniť. Ona sa naplní z tých dažďových zrážok.
37A chcem, aby ste si všimli ešte jednu vec ohľadom cisterny. Zvyčajne zistíte, alebo v našom prípade to bolo tak, že cisterna... Obvykle je stodola dvakrát väčšia ako dom a oni zvyčajne nechávajú vodu zo (strechy) stodoly stiecť do cisterny. Pamätám sa na tú starú cisternovú studňu tam vonku, keď mala... keď sa voda hnala cez tie kanalizačné rúry aj zo (strechy) stodoly. Ona sa napĺňala zo stodoly.
Takže voda bola privádzaná zo strechy stodoly; tam, kde všetky zvieratá šliapu kolom dookola po dvore a keď je sucho, všetka tá špina z dvora sa usadí na streche stodoly. A potom príde voda a zmyje to všetko zo strechy dolu, cez ten umelo vytvorený... potom do toho umelo vytvoreného žľabu a potom do tej umelo vytvorenej cisterny. A ak ste mali cisternu a nemali ste tam špinu, potom neviem, čo ste to mali. Tak veru! Celé je to umelo vytvorené a také špinavé, ako to len môže byť.
38Viete, zvykli sme to nazývať... Na jednej z nich sme mali filter z handry. Viete vôbec, čo to bolo? Musel sa na to dávať handrový filter, aby to zachytilo všetkých tých chrobákov a ostatné veci, ktoré stekali dole zo strechy stodoly a z celého okolia a tiekli dole z jedného miesta na druhé a do cisterny. A my sme na to zvykli dávať ten handrový filter, aby sme zachytili všetok ten odpad a látky, ktoré sme mohli. Samozrejme, nemohlo to zachytiť tú skutočnú špinu, zachytilo to iba tie hrubé kusy, ktoré stiekli a padli do toho. Chrobák do toho mohol spadnúť, ale šťava z toho chrobáka tiekla ďalej s vodou. Takže ste tam mali skutočnú špinu, keď ste mali starú špinavú cisternu.
39Ak tam necháte tú vodu pár dní stáť, stane sa, že začne stagnovať. Necháte vodu stáť v cisterne a ona zhnije. A bude plná žiab, jašteríc a hadov. A my sme to zvykli nazývať „krútichvosty,“ [po anglicky „wiggle-tails,“ pravdepodobne sú to larvy komárov -- pozn.prekl.] drobné, maličké... Neviem, či... to nie sú parazity, sú to... Ja nemôžem, neviem, ako by ste to mohli nazvať. Ale nejaké drobné tvory sa dostanú do vody, ktoré nazývame „krútichvosty.“ Vy viete, čo to je. Koľkí z vás vedia, o čom to tu hovorím? Ó, no, samozrejme, vy všetci dedinskí ľudia to poznáte. Celkom to zhnije, a potom sa do toho dostanú všetci milovníci stojatej (vody). To sa skrátka skutočne stane, pretože to je nehybná voda. A pretože je to zhnité, pritiahne to tam živočíchy, ktoré majú radi zhnité veci.
40A celé to všetko je podobné našim dnešným cirkvám. Myslím, že sme opustili... Jeden z najväčších hriechov, ktorého sa dnes cirkev dopustila, tak, ako vtedy Izrael, opustili Jeho, Ten Prameň živej Vody, a vyrúbali si cisterny vytvorené ľuďmi. A tie sa stali bydliskom všetkého, čo miluje taký druh vody. Žijú v tom jašterice, žaby a všetky druhy nečistých baktérií, pretože to je nádrž vytvorená človekom. A tie veci v tej nádrži zostávajú, dokonalý príklad na naše dnešné denominácie.
41„No,“ poviete, „brat Branham, prečo na týchto ľudí tak tvrdo útočíš?“
Na to by sa malo udierať. Na to sa musí udierať. Uniknite odtiaľ, pretože to nakoniec vytvorí znamenie šelmy. Pamätajte, to je Pravda! Bude to znamením šelmy. Denominácia povedie rovno do toho. Je to práve teraz na svojej ceste ku nátlaku, skrze moc.
42Pozrite sa na starú Rímsku ríšu. To je presne to, čo ich priviedlo do toho znamenia odpadlíctva. Zistili ste, že žiaden človek nemohol kupovať ani predávať, ak nemal znamenie šelmy. Musel ho mať.
43Na zemi budú iba dva druhy ľudí; tí s Pečaťou Božou, a tí so znamením šelmy. Iba tieto dve kategórie, takže budete musieť mať jedno, alebo druhé. Bude to odpadlíctvo, znamenie náboženstva, odpadlíckeho náboženstva.
44A bude to mať obraz šelmy. Ako sme to študovali, zistili sme, že Rím bol, je, a vždy bude tým znamen-... alebo tou šelmou. Presne tak. Neexistuje spôsob, ako by sme mohli dostať niečo iné. Rím!
45A čo urobil Rím? Obrátil sa z pohanského Ríma na pápežský Rím a zorganizoval systém, celosvetový systém, ktorý donútil každého, aby sa do toho náboženstva pripojil, inak bol vydaný na smrť.
46A je to zvláštna vec, že tieto Spojené Štáty sa objavujú na scéne a sú ako baránok. A baránok má dva malé rohy, občianske a duchovné práva. A po chvíli, keď to bolo baránkom, sme zistili, že potom to hovorilo ako drak a vykonávalo to všetku moc, ktorú mal ten drak predtým. Biblia nám hovorí, že oni povedali, „Učiňme obraz šelme.“ Obraz je niečo, čo je podobné niečomu inému. A my to môžeme vidieť rovno teraz, že v jej odpadnutom stave, cirkev formuje Svetovú Radu Cirkví, ktorá je obrazom ku moci Rímu; a bude ľudí nútiť ku tej istej veci, ako to urobil Rím... alebo ako to urobil pápežský Rím. A tak tu nie je žiadna iná možnosť, žiadna iná vec. Ale toto je Pravda.
47A preto na to v mojom veku útočím, v mojom čase, pretože sa do toho musí udrieť. Volanie zaznelo, „Vyjdite z nej, Môj ľude, aby ste sa nezúčastnili jej hriechov!“
48No, prirovnávam to ku tým špinavým a odporným cisternám. „On je Prameňom Života. On je živými Vodami.“ A ľudia To opustia a vykopú si cisterny, ktoré dokážu zachytiť iba špinu. To je tá jediná vec, ktorú to dokáže zachytiť. A to je to, čo robí denominacionalizmus; zachytáva všetko, čo príde, a chce sa pripojiť. Oni sú ochotní to prijať, ak to má nejaké peniaze, alebo sa to môže obliekať určitým spôsobom. Nezáleží na tom, kto sú, odkiaľ prídu, oni ich aj tak vezmú.
49Teraz znova zisťujeme, že to znamenie šelmy bolo sformované tu. Amerika je číslom trinásť. Bola zrodená z trinástich kolónií. Má vlajku, ktorá má trinásť hviezd a trinásť pruhov. A dokonca sa objavuje v Zjavení, v 13. kapitole. A Amerika bola vždy ženou, takto bola znázorňovaná aj na našich minciach. Dokonca Indiánska hlava na 1-centovej minci má ženský profil. Vieme to, poznáme tú históriu. Všetko, zvon slobody a všetko ostatné, sloboda... socha slobody... všetko je žena. Žena; číslo trinásť. Rozumiete? No, je to skvelé, že môžeme tieto veci vidieť.
50A teraz, ja som to mal predpovedané skrze zjavenie od Boha, alebo videnie z roku 1933, že sa pred časom konca stane tých sedem udalostí. A tá jedna z nich bola, že, „Mussolini,“ ktorý sa vtedy stával diktátorom, že „sa stane diktátorom.“ A tiež, že podnikne inváziu, pôjde dolu do Etiópie a podrobí si Etiópiu. A Duch, povedalo To, „Ona padne k jeho nohám.“
51Zaujímalo by ma, či tu v modlitebni zostal ešte niekto z tých starších, kto si ma pamätá, ako som to hovoril tu dole v Redman Hall, keď sme to kázali pred mnohými a mnohými rokmi. Je tu v tejto budove dnes večer niekto, kto zostal odtiaľ zdola, zo starej Redmanovej siene, keď som to tam kázal, vtedy, keď prišli s tým N.R.A. [Nation Rifle Association -- pozn.prekl.], vtedy dávno, v čase Roosveltovho prvého (volebného) obdobia? Mám dojem, že tu už nie je nikto. Je tu aspoň jeden? Áno, áno, jedna, tam je jedna. Áno, pani Wilsonová, pamätám si ju. A moja žena, ktorá sedí tam vzadu. Dve, ktoré zostali z tej starej generácie, ktorá tu bola v tých dňoch.
Tak, keď hovorili, že to N.R.A. bolo znamením šelmy, povedal som, „Nič na tom nie je; vôbec nie. To znamenie šelmy nepríde odtiaľto. To vyjde z Ríma. A toto nemôže byť znamením šelmy.“
52A teraz si spomeňte na to, že tieto veci boli vypovedané. Povedal, „Adolf Hitler príde ku záhadnému koncu.“ A on vyhlási Spojeným Štátom vojnu. A oni postavia obrovskú, mohutnú betónovú vec, a že v nej dokonca budú bývať. A práve tam utŕžia Američania príšernú porážku.“ A to bola tá Siegfriedova línia, jedenásť rokov predtým, ako sa to vôbec začalo stavať. A potom povedal, „Ale on príde ku svojmu koncu; a Štáty vyhrajú vojnu.“
53A potom povedal, že, „Sú tam tri 'izmy'; Nacizmus, fašizmus a komunizmus.“ A povedal som, „Oni všetky skončia v komunizme. Rusko to celé prevezme v komunizme.“
54A povedal som, „Potom bude veda veľmi vyspelá, človek sa stane takým chytrým, že bude vynachádzať toľko vecí, až zostrojí automobil, ktorý bude vyzerať ako vajce, a bude mať niečo také ako sklenenú strechu a bude to riadené nejakou inou silou, než volantom.“ A oni také auto už majú.
55A povedal som, „Potom morálka našich žien upadne do takých nízkych vecí, že sa stanú hanbou pre všetky národy. Budú nosiť mužské oblečenie. Neprestanú si vyzliekať svoje šaty, až sa skutočne stane, že budú oblečené len v spodnom prádle, to je všetko. A nakoniec prídu do toho, že budú nosiť iba figový list.“
A ak ste si všimli, minulý mesiac v časopise Život, mali tam ženu, ktorá mala na sebe figové listy. A to sú nové večerné šaty alebo róba, ktorú večer nosia; priesvitné, dá sa cez ne vidieť, iba figové listy skrátka zakrývajú určité miesto na jej tele, bez ramienok, alebo popruhu, odopnuté plavky, ich vrch, odhalené telo. A ako sa tieto veci stali!
56Potom som povedal, „Videl som v Spojených Štátoch povstať ženu, ako veľkú kráľovnú, alebo niečo také. A na pohľad bola nádherná, ale krutá vo svojom srdci. A spôsobila, že národ išiel v jej šľapajách.“
57Potom som povedal, „Nakoniec mi On povedal, aby som sa znova obzrel na východ. A keď som to urobil, zbadal som, vyzeralo to, ako keby svet explodoval. A pokiaľ som len dovidel, nebolo tam nič, iba trosky a tlejúce skaly boli rozmetané po povrchu zeme.“
58A tieto veci sa mali stať pred koncom sveta. A päť z týchto siedmych vecí sa už v priebehu tridsiatich troch rokov stali. Tu sa nachádzame, celkom na konci času!
59A ja som rovno vtedy hovoril proti tomu denominačnému systému. A dnes večer stále verím, že je to žumpa, že je to miesto, do ktorého steká špina. Nedokážem veriť tomu, že by Boh zniesol také veci vo Svojej Cirkvi, pretože musí byť narodená z Ducha Božieho a okrem toho očistená predtým, než sa môže nazývať Jeho. Tajomné Telo Kristovo, do ktorého sme pokrstení skrze krst Duchom Svätým.
59Áno, tento cisternový systém je určite ideálny príklad denominácie. Múdry človek by to mal preskúmať a nikdy do toho nevstúpiť, lebo Boh v priebehu vekov dokázal, že je proti tomu a nikdy s tým nepracoval. Žiadna skupina... Kedykoľvek nejaký muž povstal s posolstvom, ako Luther, Wesley, a tak ďalej, a Smith, Kalvin a tí ostatní; akonáhle začali s organizáciou, Boh tú vec odložil na poličku a nikdy viac to nenavštívil v prebudení.
60Pozrite sa naprieč históriou. Nikdy tam nebola doba, že by Boh niekedy vzal denomináciu a urobil z toho prebudenie, nikde. Potom je dokázané, cez históriu a skrze Bibliu, že je to v Božích očiach špinavou vecou, a tak s tým nechcem mať nič spoločné. A preto som proti tomu. Snažím sa dostať ľudí z toho von.
61Sme vyzývaní... teraz je to tak, ako to bolo v Izraeli, aby sme hľadeli na Izrael, kvôli príkladom. Tak dlho, kým zostávali s tým Prameňom, boli v poriadku. Ale, keď sa dostali ku tomu, že si vyrúbali cisterny, ľuďmi vytvorené systémy, rovno vtedy ich Boh opustil. On nám urobí to isté. „Oni Ho opustili, Ten Prameň živej Vody.“ To boli tie námietky, ktoré proti nim Boh mal. „Urobili niečo, aby mohli povedať, 'Vidíte, čo sme dokázali!'“
62No, v čase, keď putovali s Mojžišom; keď im Boh skrze milosť dal proroka, dal im Ohnivý Stĺp, aby išiel pred nimi a dokázal To znameniami a zázrakmi, milosť poskytla všetky tieto veci. Izrael stále chcel, videl zákon. Odmietli milosť, aby prijali zákon.
To je presne to, čo ľudia robia dnes. Odmietajú Slovo, aby prijali denominačný systém, pretože v ňom môžu robiť to, čo chcú, a vystačia si s tým. Ale v Kristovi to nemôžete robiť! Musíte prísť umytí a čistí, aby ste boli v Kristovi.
63Opúšťajú artézsku studňu, kvôli ľuďmi vytvorenému systému, alebo cisterne, dokážete si predstaviť, že toto niekto urobí? Dokážete si predstaviť mentálny stav nejakej osoby, ktorá môže piť z čerstvej artézskej studne, a opustila by ju kvôli cisterne vytvorenej ľuďmi, v ktorej sa nachádzajú žaby, jašterice, „krútichvosty“ a všetko možné?
To nevyzerá ani tak rozumne, aby to bola pravda, ale to je presne to, čo ľudia urobili. Oni opustili Slovo, Ten skutočný Prameň Božieho zdroja a Sily, aby pili z cisterien a vytvorili si cisterny. To isté, čo urobili oni vtedy, urobili aj teraz. Oni hovoria...
On povedal, „Opustili Ma.“ On tu povedal, tu v Jeremiášovi 2:14, či vlastne 13. Povedal, „Opustili Mňa, Prameň živej Vody.“
64No, vidíme, čo to je cisterna. Vidíme, čo zachytáva. Vidíme, ako je vytvorená. Je to človekom vytvorená vec, ktorá sa napĺňa zo špinavej strechy. Voda, ktorá prší dole, dopadá na špinavú strechu a iba zmyje tú strechu dole, odplaví to dolu cez umelo vytvorený žľab, cez umelo vytvorené potrubie, do nádrže vytvorenej ľuďmi. A zhromaždí sa tam všetka tá špina, baktérie, jašterice, žaby a podobné živočíchy z povrchu zeme. A všimnite si, oni sú nečisté zvieratá; „krútichvosty“ v stagnujúcej vode. Ten „krútichvost“ nemôže žiť v čistej vode. Ak by sa do nej dostal, zabilo by ho to. On musí byť v stagnujúcej vode.
65A takýmto spôsobom, je to s mnohými tými dnešnými parazitmi. Nemôžete žiť v čistej vode Ducha Svätého. Preto sú tak pevne proti Slovu a hovoria, „To si protirečí. Nič na Tom nie je.“ Je to tak, pretože musia mať nejaký druh kaluže so stagnujúcou vodou, aby sa v nej mohli krútiť. Správne.
Takým istým spôsobom je to so žabami, s jaštericami, so žubrienkami a s podobnými vecami. Oni sa musia dostať do blízkosti močiara alebo stagnujúcej kaluže, aby mohli žiť, lebo to je ich prirodzenosť, kvôli ktorej tam žijú. A zviera nemôžete zmeniť, pokiaľ nezmeníte jeho prirodzenosť.
A nemôžete učiniť, aby človek videl Slovo Božie, pokiaľ nebola zmenená jeho prirodzenosť; a keď je jeho prirodzenosť zmenená z toho, čím je, na syna Božieho, vojde do neho Duch Svätý. Duch Svätý napísal Slovo Božie!
66Dnes som sa rozprával s mojím dobrým priateľom, doktorom Lee Vayle, ktorý je tu teraz prítomný. A on je ozaj teológ, a tak obvykle mávame pomerne dosť pekné diskusie ohľadom Písma. Je veľmi múdry.
A on sa ma raz opýtal, čo si myslím o počiatočnom dôkaze Ducha Svätého, „Bolo to hovorenie v jazykoch?“ Stalo sa to pred mnohými rokmi.
Povedal som, „Nie, ja to tak nevidím.“
Povedal, „Ani ja,“ povedal, „aj keď som to tak bol učený. Povedal, „Čo si myslíš ty, že by mohlo byť tým dôkazom?“
67Povedal som, „Najdokonalejším dôkazom, na ktorý dokážem pomyslieť, je láska.“ A tak sme sa o tom začali rozprávať.
A vtedy som si myslel, že to znie veľmi pekne, a tak som sa toho skrátka držal, „Ak má človek lásku.“
Ale jedného dňa ma Pán vo videní napravil. A On povedal, že „dôkazom Ducha boli tí, ktorí dokázali prijať Slovo,“ ani láska, ani hovorenie v jazykoch, ale je to prijímanie Slova.
68A potom mi Doktor Vayle povedal, že „to je biblické,“ povedal, „pretože v Jánovi 14, Ježiš povedal, 'Keď On, Ten Duch Svätý na vás zostúpi, On vám zjaví tie veci, ktoré Som vás učil, a zjaví vám veci, ktoré prídu.'“
Takže, tu je skutočný dôkaz Ducha Svätého! On mi zatiaľ nepovedal nikdy nič nesprávne. Takže, „Dôkazom Ducha Svätého je ten, kto môže veriť Slovu.“ Dokážete To prijať.
Pretože Ježiš nikdy nepovedal, „Keď príde Duch Svätý, budete hovoriť jazykmi.“ On nikdy nepovedal, že keď príde Duch Svätý, budete robiť nejakú z týchto vecí. Ale On povedal, „On vezme tieto Moje veci a zjaví vám ich a zjaví vám veci, ktoré majú prísť.“ Takže, tu je skutočný dôkaz Ducha Svätého podľa samotného Ježiša.
69A tak všetky tieto senzácie a podobné veci, ktoré ľudia majú a stále s tým žijú, môžete vidieť, prečo to robia. Vidíte, stáva sa to denomináciou, alebo stojacou kalužou a nikdy tu nebude denominácia vytvorená na dokonalom Slove Božom. Nedá sa to urobiť, pretože nemôžete ohraničovať alebo označovať Boha. Nie veru!
70Je to tak preto, lebo ak dostanete skupinu ľudí, ktorí môžu veriť Slovu, a necháte ich vytvoriť organizáciu, tak prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, je, že v priebehu roka je to tam skupina Rickyov, s ktorou nemôžete nič urobiť. Oni to prevezmú a vy s tým nič neurobíte. To nie je Boží systém. Nie je a tak vieme, že tá vec je mimo. Stáva sa to cisternou a stáva sa to miestom, kde bude každý robiť kompromis s tým, s týmto alebo tamtým, aby dostali dnu viacej členov, alebo dovolili ľuďom pripojiť sa ku nim.
71Zistili sme, že tento systém už začal raz dávno v čase Izraela, keď kopali tie cisterny. A bol tam jeden muž a skupina farizejov, ktorí vykopali nejaké cisterny. A mali tam muža, ktorý sa volal Herodes, a on bol ohlasovateľom, guvernérom štátu.
A on prišiel dolu, aby si vypočul muža, ktorý sa nenechal od ich denominácií oklamať. On bol prorokom. A žiaden prorok nemal nikdy nič spoločného s denomináciou, iba to, že ju nenávidel. Tento prorok začal hovoriť, „Nezačnite hovoriť sami v sebe, 'Máme nášho otca Abraháma,' lebo vám hovorím, že Boh je schopný z týchto kameňov vzbudiť Abrahámovi deti.“
72A oni priviedli hodnostára, aby si ho vypočul. A tento hodnostár odobral svojmu bratovi jeho manželku a oženil sa s ňou. A čo urobil a povedal tento muž, keď predstúpil pred jeho tvár? Oni si mysleli, že urobí kompromis a povie, „No, pane, vy, vy tu máte pekný trón. A vy by ste mohli... Som taký šťastný, že tu dnes ste, aby ste ma vypočuli.“
Ján skrátka predstúpil rovno pred jeho tvár a povedal, „Nie je ti to dovolené, aby si ju mal!“ Úplne prvá vec, ktorú povedal, on na neho zareval jeho hriech.
73Vidíte, denominácie vytvoria kaluže so stojatou vodou, kde muži môžu žiť so ženami a ich ženy môžu vyvádzať, strihať si vlasy, nosiť šortky a všetko ostatné a nazývať sa Kresťanmi.
Ale skutočný Prameň, haleluja, moci Božej, tam to nemôže zostať, pretože Ono to vytlačí von. „Ja Som Prameňom živých Vôd. Opustili Ma, aby si vykopali nejaké cisterny.“
74No, prameň živej vody, zistili sme, čo je to prameň živej vody? Zistili sme, čo je to cisterna, teraz, čo je to prameň živej vody? To je artézska studňa.
„Artézska studňa, čo to je, brat Branham?“
To je studňa, v ktorej voda stále pramení zdola a vytlačuje sa nahor. Stále vyvierajúca voda. Sama sa doplňuje, je vždy čerstvá a čistá, artézska studňa, prameň živej vody. Ona nie je mŕtva a stojatá. Je žijúca, neustále sa mení, prináša stále niečo nové, hýbe sa, vyviera zo svojich zdrojov. Čerpá svoje zásoby zo svojho ložiska, ktoré je... stálym prameňom živých vôd vyvierajúcich nahor. Samočistiaca; je to čistá, priezračná, číra voda. Doplňuje sa sama; nemusíte čakať, kým zaprší, aby sa naplnila jej nádrž. Stále vyviera a dáva svoju vodu voľne. Nemusíte ju pumpovať, navíjať, otáčať, alebo sa ku nej pripojiť. Je to skrátka prameň živých vôd.
75Viete, vezmite si tie cisterny, musíte s tým otáčať, otáčať a otáčať a pumpovať a všetko možné, aby ste dostali von trocha tej stojatej vody.
Ale Prameň živej Vody To vydáva von voľne, bez pumpovania, pripojovania sa a všetkého ostatného. Ó, som taký šťastný za Ten Prameň! Tak veru!
76Nepotrebujete ku tomu žiadne sitko, aby zadržalo parazitov. Lebo to ide tak hlboko dole, do Skaly, až tam nie sú žiadne parazity.
Nepotrebuje to mať na sebe zavesenú vzdelávaciu handru, to je pravda, nejaký svetom vytvorený systém ľuďmi vytvorenej denominačnej múdrosti; aby vám bolo pred psychiatrom povedané, či ste schopný kázať alebo nie. Nemá to na sebe zavesenú žiadnu z tých špinavých handier. Akonáhle ju tam dáte, ihneď ju to odstrčí preč. Nemôžete to urobiť. Tá studňa neustále vyviera. Mohli by ste na ňu dať jednu z tých handier, To by ju okamžite odhodilo preč na jednu, alebo na druhú stranu. Nemá žiaden čas na to, aby na nej boli nejaké denominačné handry.
77Nepotrebuje žiaden filter, žiadne sitko, žiadne pumpovanie, žiadne postrkovanie, ani nič iné. To tam skrátka vyviera. Nemusí sa spoliehať na miestne dažde, aby sa naplnila. Dažde sú „prebudenia,“ kde Ten Prameň... To je v Tom Prameni Života. „Tam, kde je mŕtvola, budú zhromaždené orly.“ Nemusíte vypumpovať prebudenie, vy nemusíte vypumpovať nič. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je len prísť ku Prameňu. Neustále je plný dobrej, čistej vody a nemá To konca. Skrátka To stále vyviera.
78Nemusíte prísť ku cisterne a hovoriť, „No, ak zaprší a zmyje to tú stodolu, budeme mať niečo na pitie.“ Rozumiete? Ó! Toto nie. Tá artézska studňa chŕli po celý čas dobrú a studenú vodu. Môžete sa na ňu spoľahnúť. Nemusíte hovoriť, „No, idem tam ku tej starej cisterne. Zvykli sme z nej piť, ale už dlhý čas nepršalo. Hovorím vám, možno je už vyschnutá.“ A práve to je spôsob niektorých tých ľuďmi vytvorených systémov. Môžete vojsť dnu, ak máte nejakú veľkú udalosť, nejaký dôležitý spolok, ktorý niečo predáva, alebo nejaký druh určitej udalosti, veľké oslavy a podobné udalosti, kartové hry, večierky v suteréne a všetko možné, môžete toho nájsť plný dom.
Ale keď idete tam, kde vyviera Ten Prameň, tam ľudia neustále dostávajú dobrú studenú vodu na pitie. Môžete sa na To spoľahnúť! Oni povedia, „Oni už desať rokov nemali prebudenie.“ Ak žijete z Toho Prameňa, On má neustále prebiehajúce prebudenie.
80Ako povedal ten malý Welšan. Alebo raz, keď vo Walese prebiehalo prebudenie, boli tam nejakí hodnostári zo Štátov. Niektorí z tých veľkých doktorov teológie prišli do Walesu, aby zistili, kde a čo sa to tam vlastne dialo. A tak mali tie ich stojaté goliere a cylindre a kráčali dole ulicou.
A tu prichádza malý policajt, točí svojím malým obuškom v ruke a píska si, „Dole na kríži, kde zomrel môj Spasiteľ, tam dole som kričal za očistenie od hriechov; tam bola na moje srdce použitá Krv, česť Jeho Menu,“ a tak si kráča po ulici.
A tak si povedali, „Vyzerá to tak, že je to nábožný človek. Ideme sa ho opýtať.“
A povedali, „Pane!“
Povedal, „Áno, pane?“
Povedal, „My sme tu zo Spojených Štátov. Sme delegácia. Prišli sme sem vyšetriť to takzvané Waleské prebudenie. Sme doktormi teológie a sme tu na to, aby sme to preskúmali.“ Povedal, „Potrebujeme vedieť, kde to prebudenie je a kde sa koná.“
On povedal, „Páni, dorazili ste tam. Ja som to Waleské prebudenie.“ Amen! „Waleské prebudenie je vo mne. Tu sa koná.“
81Takto to je, keď žijete z Toho Prameňa živej Vody. Je To stále živé, vyviera To znova a znova a znova a znova. Nemá To konca. Žiadne, „Poďte sa pozrieť, či je tam nejaká voda, keďže prednedávnom sme tu mali dážď,“ to nie je ono. To je Ten Prameň živej Vody. Ako som hovoril, „On rozdáva Svoju Vodu voľne.“
82Nemusíte na To dávať handry, aby ste (niečo) zistili; nejaké vzdelávacie handry, predtým, ako ho môžete vyslať von kázať a zisťovať, či svoje slová hláskuje správne, či ich správne vyslovuje a či používa podstatné mená, zámená, a tak ďalej, a prídavné mená. Mnohí z nich ani nevedia, čo to je, ale oni žijú pri tom Prameni, ktorý je stále rovnaký, rozumiete, rovnaký.
83To nemusí byť závislé od miestnych dažďov, aby sa to naplnilo, alebo (závislé) od miestnych prebudení. Nie je to potrebné robiť, lebo jeho moc (toho prameňa) a jeho čistota je v ňom. To je miesto, kde je Slovo, Jeho Vlastná Moc! Keď To človek môže prijať do svojho srdca, To má Svoju čistotu. To má Svoju Moc. To sa nachádza rovno v Samotnom Slove, z ktorého vyviera ďalej Život.
84Ak by To Izrael opustil, dostali by sa do problémov. Zakaždým, keď sa od Toho dostali preč, tak sa dostali do problémov.
Rovnako, ako my teraz. Keď sa prebudenie dostane preč od Tohoto, potom je to k ničomu. Vykope si to nejaké studne, alebo nejaké stagnujúce cisterny a tam to ide.
85Ale On im vždy pomáhal. To reptanie pri Červenom mori, vtedy, keď reptali... Napriek tomu všetkému zasľúbil, On im dal zasľúbenie. Ak sa na to pozrieme z nášho pohľadu, mohol ich rovno tam otočiť; ale On zasľúbil, že ich cez to prevedie.
A čo urobil? Tým Izraelským deťom, On im zaslal Stĺp Ohňa a všetko ostatné ako potvrdenie, ich proroka. A oni ich odtiaľ vyviedli ku moru. A vždy proti Tomu povstanú problémy. A tu prichádza faraón a jeho armáda. A viete, čo Boh urobil? On len otvoril tú červenú, skazenú cisternu.
Mŕtve more je tá najmŕtvejšia vec na svete. Ono je naozaj mŕtve. Je skazené. Nič v ňom nemôže žiť.
A On ho otvoril a oslobodil ich na druhú stranu. Vzal ich tam, kde nebudú musieť byť zviazaní takou vecou, ako je táto.
86A na púšti zistili, že nemôžu byť závislí od nádrží; ony boli vyschnuté. Zistili sme, že oni chodili od jednej diery s vodou ku druhej. Keď boli na púšti, boli vysmädnutí na smrť za jedným dúškom vody. A mohli by ísť ku tej nádrži, ktorá tam bola, ku rybníku; to bolo vyschnuté. Išli ku inému miestu; bolo to vyschnuté. Oni sa skrátka ani nenazdávali, že by ešte niekedy dostali napiť.
A potom našli vodu na tom najneobvyklejšom mieste v celej púšti. Bola v skale. Nachádzala sa v skale. Najnepravde-podobnejšie miesto, kde by človek mohol nájsť nejakú vodu, by bolo v suchej skale v strede púšte. Ale vidíte, Boh robí takéto veci. Na najneobvyklejšom mieste, tým najnezvyčajnejším spôsobom. Vždy sme to tak mali.
87Oni si myslia, že musíte mať veľké denominácie pohromade a aby sa všetci zišli dokopy a vo veľkom blúdili bezcieľne dookola a tak ďalej, a získali tisíce, aby spolupracovali, a všetko takéto kvôli tomu, aby mali prebudenie.
Niekedy Boh vezme biedneho chlapíka, ktorý nepozná ani abecedu, a rovno medzi negramotnými ľuďmi, ktorí sotva rozoznajú svoju pravú ruku od ľavej, On môže vzbudiť prebudenie, ktoré otrasie svetom. On to vykonal v Jánovej dobe. On to vykonal v čase prorokov. Žiaden z nich, nakoľko vieme, nebol nikdy vzdelaný, ale Boh ich mohol uchopiť a niečo s nimi vykonať.
88Zvnútra Tej Skaly vytryskli vody. On bol Tou Skalou. A On rozkázal tej Skale a musela byť udretá. A On dal hojnosť priezračnej, čerstvej, čistej vody každému, kto pil. On zachránil všetkých, ktorí z Toho pili. Dokonalá súvislosť s Jánom 3:16. „Boh tak miloval svet, že Svojho jednorodeného Syna dal, aby nikto, kto verí v Neho, nezahynul, ale mal večný život.“
89Boh udrel Tú Skalu na Golgote. Náš súd bol uvalený na Neho, aby z Neho mohol prísť Duch Života, ktorý vám a mne dáva Večný Život. To je v dokonalej súvislosti s tým tam na púšti.
90Oni nikdy nemuseli ťahať, kopať, pumpovať, alebo čokoľvek iné; len sa voľne podieľali na Jeho pripravenej ceste. Nuž, nemuseli tú vodu vykopať z rybníka. Nemuseli ju vyťahovať s vedrom. Nemuseli mať žiaden navijak, s ktorým by ju dostali. Museli sa na tom iba podieľať.
A to všetko je aktuálne aj teraz. Nemusíte sa ku ničomu pripojiť. Nemusíte sa dostať dolu ku oltáru a pracovať na niečom, pumpovať to. Nemusíte opakovať slovo znova a znova a znova, až kým sa vám nepopletie jazyk. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte spraviť, je len podieľať sa na Ňom, voľne, na Božej pripravenej ceste. Bez pumpovania, bez tlačenia, bez ničoho; len z Toho vziať, voľne. Nič nemusíte urobiť; len sa na Tom podieľať. Tak je to, len Tomu verte. To je všetko, čo k tomu môžem povedať.
Oni nemuseli kvôli Tomu nič urobiť. Nemuseli kvôli Tomu kopať. Nikdy kvôli Tomu nemuseli kľaknúť a celú noc kričať. Oni si z Toho len dali; bolo To udrené a pripravené. To je pravda.
91Dívam sa teraz na muža, ktorý sedí tam vzadu v miestnosti. Spomínam si, ako som mu to raz hovoril v stajni vedľa válovu.
A on povedal, „Ale ja nie som dobrý.“
92Povedal som, „Ja viem, že nie si.“ A povedal som, „Ja tiež nie som.“ Ale povedal som, „Ty sa dívaš na to, čo si ty. A prestaň sa pozerať na to, čo si ty, a pozri sa na to, Kým je On.“
Povedal, „Keby som sa len mohol zbaviť týchto cigariet, brat Branham, mohol by som byť Kresťanom.“
93Povedal som, „Nezbavuj sa ich. Ty sa snažíš stať sa dobrým a potom ku Nemu prísť. On nikdy neprišiel zachrániť dobrých ľudí; On prišiel zachrániť zlých ľudí, ktorí o sebe vedeli, že sú zlí.“
Povedal, „No...“
Povedal som, „Počuj, ty nechceš ísť do pekla, alebo chceš?“
Povedal, „Nie.“
94Povedal som, „No, nemusíš tam ísť. On zomrel kvôli tomu, aby si tam nemusel ísť.“
Povedal, „Čo musím urobiť?“
Povedal som, „Nič. Je to také jednoduché.“
Povedal, „Ale, ak by som niekedy mohol...“
95Povedal som, „Znova sa vraciaš ku tým cigaretám. Prestaň premýšľať o tých cigaretách. Len pamätaj, premýšľaj o Ňom, o tom, čo On urobil, o tom, Kým je On; nie o tom, čo si ty. Ty nie si dobrý; a nikdy si nebol a nikdy nebudeš. Ale počíta sa to, Kým je On, On je Tým Hlavným!“ A povedal som, „No, jediná malá vec, ktorú musíš urobiť; ak On zaujal tvoje miesto tam dole, ty len ochotne prijmi to, čo On už vykonal. Jediná vec, ktorú musíš urobiť, je prijať to.“
„No,“ povedal, „to je jednoduché. Urobím to.“
96Povedal som, „Tu je potok.“ Rozumiete? Priviedol som ho tam hore a pokrstil ho vo Meno Ježiša Krista.
Niektorí z jeho blízkych tu sedia a ja viem, že sa na mne zabávali, keď som to robil, ale vedel som, čo robím. Videl som v tom mužovi niečo, čo bolo skutočné. Videl som to tam a vzal som ho a pokrstil ho v Mene Pána Ježiša.
A keď sme to urobili, netrvalo dlho, až som šiel dole do domu jeho syna. Videli sme videnie o strome zlomenom v určitom mieste a ten muž spadol a takmer si zlomil chrbticu. Vzali ho do nemocnice. A v tú noc mi Pán zjavil, že s tými je cigaretami koniec.
A tak na ďalší deň chcel nejaké cigarety. Povedal som, „Kúpim mu kartón a vezmite mu ho. Dávajte len pozor a sledujte, že jeho dni fajčenia skončili.“ On odvtedy nikdy nevyfajčil jedinú cigaretu a nikdy od tej doby ani jednu nechcel. Boh!
97Vidíte, prvá vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je prísť ku Tomu Prameňu. Musíte prísť ku Tej Vode, uvedomiť si, že nie je nič, čo by ste mohli urobiť. Jedná sa o to, čo On pre vás urobil. Nemusíte kopať; nemusíte pumpovať, nemusíte skoncovať s týmto; nemusíte skoncovať s tamtým. Jediná vec, ktorú musíte urobiť, je dostať sa tam a piť. To je celé. Ak ste smädní; pite!
98No, On bol Skalou. Boh ho za nás udrel a On tam vydal hojnosť priezračnej, čistej Vody. On to robí doteraz, aj dnes pre každého, kto bude veriť. Toto je, samozrejme, Jeho milosť, pre Jeho ľudí, pre nás.
99Tam je niečo, ako by tam, ako ľudia dnes, sú pripravení prijať, čo len môžu, ale nechcú poskytnúť na oplátku žiadnu službu. Izrael bol hneď pripravený piť zo skaly, ale nechceli poskytnúť Bohu Jeho službu, ktorá Mu náležala.
100A On nám vždy preukazuje službu. Viete, bez Neho nemôžeme ani dýchať. Bez Božej pomoci nemôžeme ani dýchať. Tak veľmi sme od Neho závislí. A napriek tomu nás to takmer trhá na kusy, ak sa snažíme urobiť, ak musíme pre Neho niečo urobiť. On nás požiada, aby sme niečo urobili, aby sme niekoho išli navštíviť, išli sa za niekoho pomodliť, išli niekomu pomôcť, to nás takmer roztrhá, keď to máme urobiť. Ale nechceme urobiť niečo, aby sme Mu poslúžili.
101Jeho sťažnosť bola, „Opustili Mňa, Slovo; a namiesto Mňa prijali deravú cisternu. Prijali... Opustili Mňa, Prameň Života, Prameň Vody Života; a boli žiadostiví radšej piť zo skazenej cisterny.“ Dokážete si to predstaviť?
102Dokážete si teraz predstaviť človeka, keď je tu tá artézska studňa, ktorá skrátka vydáva skvelú, minerálnu vodu rovno zo srdca skál, tam dole z piesočnatých ložísk, a tak ďalej, práve taká studená a dobrá, ako len môže byť; a radšej by išiel piť z tamtej cisterny, ktorá má v sebe zmytú strechu stodoly a chlievov a všetkých vonkajších budov okolo nejakého pozemku? A dostane sa to rovno do tej cisterny, vytekajúca voda odteká rovno späť do vnútra, zo stodoly, stajní a z maštalí a všetko to odteká rovno späť do cisterny, a potom to chceme prij... pili by sme skôr odtiaľ, ako z tej artézskej studne? S takou osobou by niečo nebolo mentálne v poriadku. To je pravda.
103A keď si muž alebo žena zvolia denomináciu za svoj základ, to im umožní strihať si vlasy nakrátko, nosiť šortky, maľovať si tvár a všetky tieto ďalšie nezmysly, nejaký druh programu, všetko to vyvádzanie, môžu ísť na bowlingové dráhy a všetky tie hlúposti tam vonku a oni sa s tým všetkým dokážu vyrovnať; a majú to takto radšej, než staromódne Slovo Božie, ktoré reže a seká a robí zo žien dámy, berie ich a pôsobí, že sa budú správne obliekať a riadne správať, odoberá cigarety a tabak, nadávanie a preklínanie, klamanie a kradnutie, vezme to od vás a berie od vás preč všetok svet a dáva vám Niečo, čo je dokonalá náhrada. Ako môže muž alebo žena hľadať v takých veciach uspokojenie? Ako z toho môžete dostať uspokojenie?
104Ako môžete dostať dúšok čerstvej vody zo skazenej cisterny? Prečo by človek... Ak človek ide ku skazenej cisterne kvôli tomu, aby sa napil, keď je tam otvorená artézska studňa, mohli by ste povedať, „Ten človek to nemá v hlave v poriadku.“
A ak žena alebo muž idú na také miesto, aby našli uspokojenie, s takou osobou nie je niečo duchovne v poriadku. Oni nechcú Slovo. To ukazuje, že ich prirodzenosť je stále žabia, alebo žubrienky, alebo takého niečoho, to je pravda, niečo z tej prirodzenosti, ktorá miluje tú skazenú kaluž, pretože také druhy živočíchov nemôžu žiť vo vode s čerstvou vodou. Nedokážu to; to je čerstvá voda. Nedokážu to.
105No, sťažnosť bola, „Opustili To.“ A dnes urobili rovnakú vec.
Teraz sa pozrime na tú ženu pri studni. No, ona prišla ku Jakobovej cisterne a chodila tam čerpať vodu po celý čas, z Jakobovej cisterny. Ale Jakobova cisterna, denominácia, mohli by sme to tak nazvať, pretože on ich vykopal tri; a tu bola jedna z nich. No, rozprávala veľký príbeh. Povedala, „No, náš otec vykopal túto studňu, Jakob. On z nej pil a jeho dobytok a všetko z nej pilo. Nie je to dostatočné?
106On povedal, „Ale voda, ktorú odtiaľ čerpáš, ty si znova smädná, musíš sa sem pre ňu vracať. Ale,“ povedal, „voda, ktorú ti Ja dám, je Prameňom, Gejzírom vytryskujúcim zvnútra a nemusíš sem pre Ňu chodiť. Ona je rovno s tebou.“
107Všimnite si. Ale keď zistila, že k nej prehovoril biblický Prameň, skrze biblické znamenie, ktoré hľadala, opustila ten Jakobov denominačný systém a nikdy sa ku nemu znova nevrátila, pretože našla skutočnú Skalu. Rozumiete? Bežala do mesta. Skončila s hriechom. Už viacej nebola skazenou ženou. Povedala, „Poďte, vidzte, Koho som našla, Človeka, Ktorý mi povedal veci, ktoré som urobila. Či to nie je samotný Kristus?“ Ona... Tá cisterna mohla byť v poriadku; slúžila svojmu účelu. Ona bola teraz pri tom skutočnom Prameni. Cisterna bola v poriadku, pokiaľ nebol otvorený ten skutočný Prameň. Ale keď prišiel ten skutočný Prameň, tá cisterna stratila svoju silu. Tá žena zistila, že existuje lepšie miesto na pitie.
108A existuje lepšie miesto. Existuje lepšie miesto, a to je v Kristovi. Vo Svätom Jánovi 7:37 a 38, pri konci sviatku stánov, Ježiš povedal, „Ak niekto žízni, nech príde ku Mne a pije.“
Oni sa všetci radovali. Mali tam malý prúd vody, ktorý vytekal spod oltára, a všetci na tej slávnosti, na tom sviatku z neho pili. A hovorili, „Naši otcovia pili z duchovnej Skaly na púšti.“ Vidíte, vykopali si cisternu, vypumpovali odniekiaľ zdola nejakú stojatú vodu, ktorá vytryskovala spod toho chrámu. A všetci sa zišli okolo tej vody a pili a hovorili, „Pred rokmi naši otcovia pili na púšti.“
Ježiš povedal, „Ja som tá Skala, ktorá bola na púšti.“
Povedali, „Jedli sme mannu z neba a Boh ju zoslal dole.“
109Povedal, „Ja som tá manna.“ On, ten Prameň stál medzi nimi. Ten Chlieb Života stál medzi nimi.
A stále To nechceli. Radšej mali svoju cisternu; pretože človek vytvoril toto a Boh zaslal Toto. To je presne ten rozdiel. Vykopali si cisterny!
110Povedal, „Ak niekto žízni, nech príde ku Mne a pije“, On je Tým Prameňom. A ako povedalo Písmo, „Z jeho vnútra potečú rieky živej Vody.“ Ó, On je tou artézskou studňou! „Z jeho vnútra, alebo z najvnútornejšej bytosti potečú rieky živej Vody.“
111On je tou Skalou, ktorá bola na... ktorá bola Hagarinou skalou v čase skúšok; keď bolo jej dieťa na pokraji smrti, keď bola vyhostená z tábora a bola tam vonku s malým Izmaelom. Jej voda v cisterne, ktorú niesla so sebou, sa minula. A ona položila malého Izmaela; a odišla na vzdialenosť dostrelu lukom a plakala a, ó, pretože nechcela vidieť zomierať svoje dieťa. A zrazu prehovoril Anjel Pánov a ona našla Bér-... Bér-šebu, studňu, ktorá tam vytekala a vyteká dodnes. On bol Hagarinou Bér--Bér-Šébou, skalou tam vonku na púšti.
112Ona tam stála vo Fontáne naplnenej Krvou, vtedy tam stála v tom chráme. [Prázdne miesto na páske. - pozn.prekl.]... v čase búrky. V Zachariášovi, v 13. kapitole, On bol Tým otvoreným Prameňom v Dávidovom dome, na očistenie a pre očistenie od hriechu. On bol Ten Prameň. A v Žalme 36:9 bol Dávidovým Prameňom Života. On je stále Tým Prameňom v dome Dávidovom.
A On je v básnikovi, v jeho srdci. Básnik povedal:
Je Prameň naplnený Krvou;
Tečúci z Emanuelových žíl;
Kde hriešnici ponorení v tom prúde;
Zbavujú sa všetkých svojich nečistých škvŕn.
On je Tým Prameňom Života, Prameňom Vody. On je Slovom Božím.
113Ľudia Ho v týchto posledných dňoch opustili, To pravé Slovo, Vodu Života; a vyrúbali si denominačné cisterny; a znova vyrúbali, vykopali!
114A teraz sme zistili, že oni mali deravé cisterny. A potom, že tieto cisterny sú naplnené neveriacimi baktériami, neveriacim chvastaním sa, vzdelávacími programami, a tak ďalej, čo je v protiklade s Božími zasľúbeniami. Oni sú ohľadne Slova pochybovačmi.
115No, tie cisterny, ktoré mali, Biblia povedala, že boli „deravé“. Deravá cisterna je „netesná“ cisterna a (voda) presakuje von. Čo to spôsobuje? Presakuje to von do nábožnej žumpy nazvanej Svetová Rada Cirkví. A práve tam ich vedú ich deravé cisterny, všetky, pretože Ho opustili a... Prameň živej Vody; a vytvorili si tieto cisterny.
116Vykopávajú veľké seminárne systémy výučby, vzdelávania, a tak ďalej. Taký druh cisterien kopú dnes, takže človek musí mať Ph.D. alebo LL.D., alebo bakalára umenia, či niečo podobné, predtým, ako vôbec môže ísť kázať. Cisterny, ktoré boli naplnené ľuďmi vytvorenou teológiou. Vezmú ich do tých slávnych veľkých škôl vzdelávania a tam im naočkujú ich ľuďmi vytvorenú teológiu a vyšlú ich s tým von. Čo za deň, v ktorom žijeme, ľuďmi vytvorené cisterny! Žiaden problém... Niet divu, že tá vec sa stala smradom, ó, je to tak, pretože ľudia z toho pijú.
117A keď sa chcú dnes ľudia radovať, čo urobia? Ľudia sa namiesto prijatia radosti od Pána obracajú kvôli radosti ku hriechu. Ľudia, ktorí chodia do zboru a tvrdia že sú služobníci Krista, keď sú skutočne nervózni, zapália si cigaretu. A keď sa chcú trocha zabaviť, tak sa oblečú do svojho nemorálneho oblečenia, idú von a kosia trávnik, keď idú okolo muži, aby na nich pohvizdovali. Urobia čokoľvek preto, aby boli populárne. Chcú vyzerať ako filmové hviezdy. To je ich radosť.
Keď Ježiš povedal, „Ja Som ich dostatočnosť.“
Dôvod, že oni idú ku tomu, je ten, že nechcú piť z Toho Prameňa. Odmietli To. Nechcú z Toho piť. Pripojili sa ku nejakému druhu ľuďmi vytvoreného systému, nejakého druhu cisterny, ktorá je plná všetkého druhu skazených vecí, aby mohli chodiť takým spôsobom.
118Včera sme vzali deti hore ku rieke. Myslím, že to bolo v sobotu ráno. Išli sme dole; Billy chytal v loďke ryby. A vzali sme hore deti, môjho malého vnúčika a ostatných, moju dcérku a môjho malého syna a išli sme hore ku rieke na plavbu loďkou. Nemôžete sa ani plaviť po rieke loďkou, kvôli špinavým, ohavným a hanebným ľuďom tam na rieke, polonahí a vyvádzajú. Okolo nás preplávala loďka so skupinou malých dvanásť-, štrnásťročných chlapcov, každý s plechovkou piva v ruke a cigaretou. Oni toto nazývajú „zabávať sa.“ Ó! Ako dlho môže ešte tento svet vydržať s takýmto systémom?
119Potom, aby sa oslobodili od myšlienok, že keď zomrú, pôjdu do pekla, urobia to, že idú a pripoja sa ku jednej z tých ľuďmi vytvorených cisterien. Takže do tej cisterny patria rovnakí ľudia. Nie je to nič iné, než skupina nečistých, najodpornejších „krútichvostov“ tohto sveta. A oni sa k tomu pričleňujú, pretože, ako zvykla hovorievať moja stará matka, „Vrana k vrane sadá.“ Oni nechcú prísť k Tomu Prameňu a byť očistení od toho hriešneho života. Chcú žiť tam vonku a stále držať svedectvo, že sú Kresťania. Prečo? Oni sa od Neho odvrátili, od skutočného Prameňa radosti, Života, dokonalého Života a spokojnosti. Z toho dôvodu to urobili, pretože sa chcú pripojiť. Majú tam nejaký druh ľudí, ktorí veria takým nezmyslom.
120Tu prednedávnom, brat Fred a ja a brat Tom, naša skupina išla do známeho baptistického zboru v meste Tuscon, aby sme zistili, či by sme nemohli nájsť niečo malé, čo by nám možno dalo malé svieže občerstvenie. A ten kazateľ povedal niečo o ľuďoch v Egypte, keď opustili to jedenie cesnaku, a tak ďalej, chceli sa vrátiť späť a znova ho jesť. Povedal, „Niečo podobné robia ľudia aj dnes.“
A my sme všetci povedali, „Amen!“ Nikdy som nevidel takú skupinu! Celý zbor sa prestal dívať na kazateľa a obzerali sa, aby videli, kto to povedal „amen.“ Vyzeralo to tak, že ich to vystrašilo na smrť. Nevedeli, čo to bolo.
Keď Dávid povedal, „Pokrikujte Hospodinovi s radosťou. Chváľte ho na harfách! Chváľte ho na citarách! Každý duch nech chváli Hospodina! Haleluja! Boh radujúci sa vo Svojich ľuďoch. Nech tí, ktorí majú poznanie, hovoria „Amen,“ keď je niečo povedané správne.
121Prečo sa neodvrátiť od tohto systému a cisterien sveta, do spoľahlivého Božieho systému, ktorý je artézskou studňou, Ježišom Kristom? Prečo sa neobrátite ku Nemu, kde Boh je naším hojným zdrojom radosti, naším hojným zdrojom chvál a naším hojným zdrojom spokojnosti? Upokojenie mojich nervov prichádza od Boha.
Keď som roztržitý, nachádzam svoje uspokojenie v Kristovi, nie v cigarete, nie v svetských veciach, nie v pripájaní sa ku nejakému vyznaniu; ale v nachádzaní Jeho, v zasľúbenom Slove, ktoré povedal, „Keď odídem, prídem znova a poberiem si vás.“ Nachádzam v tom svoju radosť. On je moja Radosť.
122Oni dnes hovoria, že skrze pripojenie sa ku týmto veciam a skrze vytvorenie tej Svetovej Rady Cirkví idú vytvoriť lepšie miesto pre život. Podľa môjho úprimného názoru idú vytvoriť lepšie miesto pre hriech. To je práve... Celá tá vec je hriešna, každopádne; nie pre žitie, ale pre smrť. Vytvárajú to miesto, aby sa v ňom dalo hrešiť, namiesto toho, aby sa v ňom dalo žiť.
123Akákoľvek iná vec pomimo Ježiša Krista a Jeho Slova Života je deravou cisternou. Čokoľvek, čo sa To snaží nahradiť; čokoľvek, čo sa snažíte urobiť, aby ste priniesli pokoj, čokoľvek, čo sa snažíte urobiť, aby ste priniesli uspokojenie, akýkoľvek druh radosti, ktorý prijmete z niečoho iného, ako náhradu za Toto, je deravou cisternou plnou špiny. On dáva dokonalé uspokojenie.
124Spomínam si, ako som tu pred pár rokmi vychádzal von zadnými dverami. Bol tam vonku mladý posmievač, ktorý mi povedal, „Vieš, ten dôvod, že vždy hovoríš o ženách takýmto spôsobom, nosenie tých šortiek a podobné veci,“ povedal, „je to preto, že si starý.“ Povedal, „To je ten dôvod.“
Povedal som, „Pozri sa. Koľko máš rokov?“
Povedal, „Dvadsaťsedem.“
125Povedal som, „Keď som bol o mnoho rokov mladší ako ty, kázal som to isté.“
Našiel som Prameň uspokojenia. On je mojou porciou. Amen! Tak dlho, ako To On dodáva, tak je to krása. To je mojím umením... hľadieť na Neho, pozorovať skutky Jeho rúk a vidieť, čo robí. Neexistuje žiaden iný prameň, ktorý poznám!
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Je Prameň naplnený Krvou;
Tečúci z Emanuelových žíl;
Kde hriešnici ponorení v tom prúde;
Zbavujú sa všetkých svojich nečistých škvŕn.
126Hovorím vám, nepoznám žiaden iný prameň okrem Toho Prameňa. Očistil ma, keď som bol špinavý. Zachováva ma očisteného, pretože chcem žiť rovno pri Tom, piť tú čerstvú Vodu, ktorá napĺňa moju dušu radosťou.
Niekedy môžem byť na dne a cítiť sa, že sotva môžem ísť do... ďalšieho kola, nemôžem ísť nikam inam; potom môžem pokľaknúť a položiť svoj prst na zasľúbenie a povedať, „Pane Bože, Ty si mojou silou. Ty si mojím uspokojením. Ty si moje všetko vo všetkom.“ A môžem začať cítiť, že Niečo tam z môjho vnútra vyviera. Som z toho vonku.
127Keď som prekročil päťdesiatku, ráno som sa zobudil, viete, aké to je, sotva môžete dostať jednu nohu von z postele. Ó, sotva to dokážete urobiť; a niekto klope pri dverách, alebo mi Billy povie, že je tam niekde naliehavý prípad, ku ktorému musím ísť. A ja si pomyslím, „Ako to dokážem?“ Snažím sa jednu nohu vystrčiť von.
Pomyslím si, „Ty si Prameňom naplneným mojou silou. Amen! Moja sila a moja pomoc prichádza od Pána. Ty si mojou artézskou studňou! Ty si mojou mladosťou! 'Tí, ktorí očakávajú na Pána, nadobúdajú novej sily; vznášajú sa na perutiach ako orly; bežia a nezomdlievajú; chodia a neustávajú.' Pane Bože, je to moja povinnosť, aby som išiel. Bol som povolaný na miesto povinnosti.“ A prvá vec, ktorú zistíte, Niečo začne v tvojom vnútri bublať.
128Raz som mal na jednom malom mieste zhromaždenie, tam v Topeka, v Kansase; bol tam chlapec, mladý kazateľ, jeden z mojich prvých sponzorov. Brat Roy, ktorý tu sedí, si to miesto pamätá. Tam v tej veľkej budove, bol tam... Ten kazateľ bol pod strechou tej budovy, bočná stena ho tam dole pod tým rozdrvila. Ten mladý muž umieral. Praskla mu pečeň. Jeho slezina bola vytrhnutá zo svojho miesta. Padli na neho tony.
129Sedel som na raňajkách a rozprával som sa s manželkou. Povedal som, „Moja, vieš, ak by tu bol Ježiš, vieš, čo by urobil?“ Povedal som, „Keď ma on sponzoroval, 'Verím Tomu Slovu,' on sponzoroval Krista.“ A povedal som, „To je diablov trik.“ Povedal som, Ak by tu bol Ježiš, On by naňho išiel položiť Svoje sväté ruky. Ten chlapec by bol uzdravený. Nestarám sa o to, že jeho pečeň praskla. On by bol uzdravený, pretože Ježiš by tam vošiel a vedel by presne, Kým On bol. On poznal Svoje povolanie, Písmo sa nemýlilo a potvrdilo v Ňom, že On vedel, Kým bol, a bez... bez tieňa pochybnosti. On by na neho položil svoje ruky a povedal by, 'Synu, buď zdravý,' a odišiel by odtiaľ.“ A povedal som, „Nie je dosť diablov v pekle, aby potom toho chlapca zabili.“ Povedal som, „On by bol uzdravený.“ Ale povedal som, „Vidíš, zlatko, On bol Ježiš, sväté ruky Božie.“
Povedal som, „Ja som hriešnik. Narodil som sa skrze sex. Môj otec a matka boli obaja hriešnici a ja nie som o nič lepší.“
A povedal som, „Ale vieš čo? Ak by mi Pán dal videnie a poslal ma tam dole, potom by to bolo iné.“ Povedal som, „Išiel by som dole a položil na neho svoje ruky a on by z toho lôžka povstal, ak by mi On dal videnie.“
130Potom som začal uvažovať, „Napokon, ak by to bolo videnie, čo by to bolo? Boli by na neho položené tie isté špinavé ruky, aha, modlil by sa za neho ten istý človek, tie isté ruky.“
Potom som začal rozmýšľať, „Ja som Jeho splnomocnenec. Potom Boh nehľadí na mňa. Tá Krv Toho Jediného Spravodlivého sa tam hore pod oltárom prihovára za mňa. On je mojou dostatočnosťou. On je mojou modlitbou. On je mojím Životom.“ Povedal som, „Jediná vec, kvôli ktorej by som na neho položil s vierou svoje ruky, by bola, ak by som mal vieru vo videnie. A bez videnia by tá istá viera urobila rovnakú vec; a tak môžem seba považovať za nič, ale Jeho považovať za moje všetko vo všetkom. On je mojím Životom. On je mojím Splnomocnencom. Neposlala ma žiadna denominácia; On ma poslal. Haleluja! Ja prichádzam v Jeho Mene. Položím na neho svoje ruky.“ Prišiel som tam dole a položil na toho chlapca ruky a v ten večer bol na zhromaždení úplne zdravý. Amen!
131Ó, áno. On je Ten Prameň. „Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň. Nič iné, než Krv Ježiša!“ Ja som darebák, som odpadlík, každý z nás je, ale pred Bohom sme dokonalí. „Vy tedy buďte dokonalí, ako váš Otec v Nebesiach je dokonalý.“ Ako nimi môžete byť? Pretože nás tam reprezentuje Ten Jediný dokonalý. Ten Prameň je tam každý deň čerstvý. Nie nejaké skazené niečo, ale každý deň čerstvé, čo zmýva všetky moje hriechy. On je Tým Prameňom.
132Teraz, na koniec by som mohol povedať toto. Čokoľvek iné než Toto, je deravými cisternami, a to, čo do toho dáte, nakoniec vytečie; ak dávate všetku svoju nádej, všetok svoj čas a všetko do jednej z tých cisterien so skazenou vodou. Ježiš povedal, že to boli deravé cisterny. Boh povedal, „Sú deravé a vytečie z nich všetko, čo do nich vložíte.“ Nemôžete s nimi prejsť veľmi ďaleko, pretože ony vytečú. Lebo On je jediná Cesta ku Pravde, ku Životu a ku Večnej radosti a Večnému pokoju. On je Ten Jediný a jediná Cesta ku Tomu. Ó!
133Nevyčerpateľný Prameň Života je Ježiš Kristus. Prečo? A Kto je On? Slovo, to isté; Slovo, Život, Prameň, „Ten istý včera, dnes i naveky.“ Pre skutočného veriaceho je To jeho najvyššia radosť, jeho zvrchovaný Život. A jeho najvyššie uspokojenie je v Kristovi. Žiadne pumpovanie, žiadne ťahanie, žiadne pripojovanie, žiadne prepúšťanie; iba veriť a odpočívať. To je to, čo je On pre veriaceho.
134Ako otec Abrahám; on nikdy neťahal, nikdy sa nezlostil, nikdy sa neznepokojoval. On mal Slovo. On sa oprel o hruď El Šaddaja. Keď mal Abrahám sto rokov, Boh sa mu zjavil a povedal, „Ja Som Všemohúci.“ Hebrejské slovo „El Šaddaj“ znamená, „Ten, ktorý má prsia“. „A ty si starý a tvoja sila pominula, ale opri sa len o Moju hruď a naber z Tohto Prameňa silu.“ Amen! A čo nabral? Nové telo. On mal od Sáry dieťa. A o päťdesiat rokov neskôr mal sedem detí od inej ženy.
135Ó, El Šaddaj! Stará Zmluva ukazuje, čo urobil, a Nová Zmluva nám hovorí to, čo bude robiť. Amen! V Starej Zmluve...
136Teraz je klimatizácia vypnutá, tak sa poponáhľam a zakončím tu teraz o chvíľočku. Rád by som predtým, ako zakončím, povedal toto. Raz som mal na toto dobrý príklad. Bol som na obchôdzke. A mnohí ľudia tu... Dole v okolí Georgetown, tam dole v Milltowne, za starých čias tam zvykol byť v horách prameň. Bola to artézska studňa. Vytryskovalo to asi štyri alebo päť stôp vysoký prúd vody, skrátka sa to valilo von po celý čas a bola to tam celá veľká fontána. A rovno okolo toho bolo veľa tej mäty, poznáte to, a rastliny, ktoré tam rástli, sa podobali mäte. Ó, zvykol som skrátka dychtiť po tom, aby som sa tam dostal, ó, aby som sa dostal ku tomu prameňu. A ľahol som si ku tomu a len som pil a pil, sadol som si a pil a odpočíval.
A rok po roku som stále chodil ku tomu istému prameňu. Nikdy to neustávalo, či bola zima alebo leto. Nemohli to zamraziť. Nemôžete zamraziť artézsku studňu. Ó! Óh! Nestarám sa o to, aký chlad sa tam dostáva, nedokáže to zamraziť. Vy zamrazíte cisternu; len trocha snehu to dokáže. Rozumiete?
Ale všetko, čo sa pohybuje, má v sebe Život, hýbe sa to naokolo. A vy nemôžete zmraziť artézsku Studňu. Nezáleží na tom, aký skľúčený duch je v okolí toho miesta, Táto Studňa je vždy živá. Žite pri Tej Studni.
137A všimol som si tam, že keď som išiel okolo a pil z toho, ó, to bola taká čerstvá voda! Nikdy si nerobíte starosti, „Som zvedavý, či, keď sa tam dostanem, či náhodou neprestala tiecť?“ Stále tiekla...
138Jeden starý farmár mi povedal, hovoril, „Môj starý otec z toho pil.“ A povedal, „Nikdy z toho neubudlo, alebo niečo také. Je to stále ten istý prameň, valiaci sa rovno tam do Modrej Rieky.“
139Pomyslel som si, „Ó, čo za skvelé miesto na pitie!“ Schádzal som z cesty asi míľu, aby som sa dostal na to miesto, pretože to bolo také pravé miesto na pitie. Ó, aká dobrá bola tá voda! Ó!
Chcel by som sa tam dostať, keď som teraz v Arizonskej púšti, stále o tom premýšľam, „Ten úžasný prameň tam v údolí, keby som si ku nemu mohol len ľahnúť!“
Ako raz povedal Dávid, „Ó, keby som sa mohol ešte raz z tej studne napiť!“ Ak by sa tam len mohol dostať!
140A jedného dňa som tam sedel a stala sa mi trochu smiešna vec. A povedal som, „Čo ťa robí po celý čas takým šťastným? Prial by som si byť tiež taký šťastný. No, odkedy sem chodievam, nikdy som ťa nevidel smutného. Nie je na tebe jediná smutná vec.“ Povedal som, „Si stále plný radosti. Skáčeš a bubleš a prekypuješ. Zima či leto, chladno alebo horko, akokoľvek je, ty si vždy plný radosti. Čo ťa robí...? Ako, čo to je? Je to preto, že z teba pijem?“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, možno z teba pijú zajace a tebe sa to tak páči.“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, čo spôsobuje, že tak bubleš? Čo ťa robí takým šťastným? Čo spôsobuje, že si vždy plný radosti?“ Povedal som, „Je to preto, že z teba pijú vtáci?“
„Nie.“
„Lebo z teba pijem ja?“
„Nie.“
Povedal som, „No, čo spôsobuje, že si taký plný radosti?“
141A keby mi ten prameň mohol odpovedať, povedal by: „Brat Branham, nie je to preto, že ty piješ; vážim si toho a tiež, že môžem poslúžiť vtákom. Slúžim každému, kto sa chce napiť. Jediná vec, ktorú musíš urobiť, je, že sem prídeš a napiješ sa. Ale to, čo ma robí šťastným, nie je moje bublanie, je to niečo vo vnútri, čo ma poháňa. Niečo vo mne buble.“
142A takto to je so životom naplneným Duchom. Ako povedal Ježiš, On bol v... Vidíte, On vám dáva pramene vody vytekajúce do Večného Života, artézsky, pretekajúci gejzír, ktorý neustále vyteká. Bez ohľadu na to, či je zvyšok zboru hore alebo dole, vy ste stále pri Tom Prameni.
Prečo by ste mali prijímať starý denominačný systém a cisternu plnú parazitov a všetkého možného a piť ustavične z tých skazených nezmyslov, keď ste pozvaní ku Prameňu, ku artézskej Studni?
143Myslím na to, ako to len tryskalo a prekrúcalo sa, bublalo a smialo sa a radovalo, poskakovalo a veselilo sa. Chladno či daždivo; horúco či sucho, keď bol celý zvyšok krajiny vysušený, prebublávalo to tak, ako vždy. Pretože to bolo zakotvené hlboko dole v skalách, z ktorých to vyvieralo.
144Ó, nechajte ma žiť z Toho Gejzíru! Vezmite si všetky vaše ľuďmi vytvorené systémy, ktoré chcete, všetky vaše staré skazené studne, ale nechajte ma prísť ku... alebo cisterny so stojatou vodou. Ale nechajte ma prísť ku Tomu Prameňu, nechajte ma len prísť tam, kde je v plnosti On. On je moja Radosť. On je mojím Svetlom. On je moja—On je mojou Silou. On je mojou Vodou. On je mojím Životom. On je mojím Uzdraviteľom. On je mojím Spasiteľom. On je mojím Kráľom. Všetko, čo som potreboval, som našiel v Ňom. Prečo by som mal chcieť ísť ku niečomu inému?
145Brat, sestra, nechcete prísť dnes večer ku Tomuto Prameňu? Nechcete, ak ste tam nikdy neboli, nechcete To dnes večer prijať, zatiaľ čo skloníme naše hlavy?
146Deravé cisterny, netesné, presakujúce, presakuje do nich svet, špina zo stodoly a z minulých dní. Prečo nie Táto Studňa, v Ktorej tá špina nemôže zostať, Tento veľký Prameň naplnený Krvou, tečúcou z Emanuelových žíl? Prečo To neprijať dnes večer? Nech nám dnes večer Boh pomôže, v tej vysušenej, vysmädnutej zemi. Ako povedal prorok, „On je Tou Skalou vo vypráhlej zemi.“ On je Ten Prameň. Nechcete dnes večer vo svojich srdciach ku Nemu prísť, zatiaľ čo skloníme svoje hlavy?
147Drahý Nebeský Otče, nie je tu žiaden iný Prameň, ako hrá táto hudba, „Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň; nič, než Krv Ježiša.“ Narodil som sa tam, bol som tam vychovaný; tam chcem žiť a zomrieť a byť tam vzkriesený, v Jeho Prítomnosti. Pane, dovoľ mi byť vždy v Jeho Prítomnosti, lebo nepoznám žiaden iný. Žiadne vyznanie, žiadna láska; žiadna láska, okrem Krista, žiadne vyznanie, iba Kristus, žiadna kniha, iba Biblia, nie je nič iné, žiadna radosť pomimo Neho. Keby ste Ho odo mňa vzali, ó, Bože, nezáleží na tom, koľko sveta by som vlastnil, to by bolo stále mŕtve, blúdil by som dookola s rukami zdvihnutými nad hlavou. Keby si ho odo mňa vzal, pominul by som sa, Pane. Ale, ak Ho necháš vo mne, potom je december taký príjemný ako máj, potom tu nie sú horúce miesta a nie sú tu vysušené miesta, dokonca samotná smrť nemá žiadne víťazstvo. Dovoľ nám, aby sme Ho mali, Otče. Udeľ Ho tu dnes večer v hojnosti, každému veriacemu, keď tu očakávame v tejto miestnosti.
148Mnohí z nich musia dnes večer vyraziť na dlhú cestu, keď pôjdu do svojich domovov, a nech by bolo ich zmýšľanie takéto, „Žijem pri Tom Prameni. Žijem tam, čerstvé pitie hodinu čo hodinu.“
149A ak To ešte neprijali, nech by Ho mohli prijať teraz, a tak vziať Ten Prameň rovno so sebou. „Pôjdem s vami; budem s vami až do skonania sveta.“ Udeľ tieto veci, Otče.
150A teraz, zatiaľ čo máme naše hlavy sklonené, je tu dnes večer niekto, alebo koľkí z vás by mohli povedať, „Pane, vezmi ma hneď teraz ku Tomu Prameňu. Nikdy som sem neprišiel iba na to, aby som počúval; prišiel som sem, aby som tu Niečo našiel. Prišiel som sem, aby som našiel Teba, Pane. Ja Ťa dnes večer potrebujem. Príď do môjho srdca hneď teraz. Učiníš to, Pane?“ Nech vás Boh žehná. Pán požehnaj každému jednému.
151Otče, Ty si videl tie zdvihnuté ruky v celej miestnosti a okolo stien, v ostatných miestnostiach a vonku. Ty si ich videl, Otče. Modlím sa, aby si uspokojil všetky ich potreby. Možno pili z nejakej starej cisterny, Pane, skrátka nejaké pozastavenie v polovici cesty, kde nejaký človek vyrúbal cisternu a ona sa znečistila všetkými druhmi podivných náuk, ktoré zapierajú Slovo. Modlím sa, Bože, aby dnes večer prišli ku Nemu, Ktorý je Prameňom, Tým Prameňom Života. Udeľ to, Otče. Odovzdávam Ti ich teraz v Ježišovom Mene.
152A Ty si mi povedal, „Ak by ste prosili o čokoľvek v Mojom Mene, stane sa vám.“ No, neprosil by som o to, Pane, ak by som si nemyslel, že sa to stane. To by bolo len hovorenie nejakých rituálnych fráz. Ale ja sa za nich modlím s úprimnosťou. Modlím sa za nich a verím, že Ty udelíš, čo si zasľúbil.
153A teraz, dnes večer ich odvádzam preč od tej cisterny. Odvádzam ich preč od toho miesta kde pili, kde neboli spokojní; ku Tomu Prameňu. Robím to v Mene Ježiša Krista.
154Oni sú Tvoji, Pane. Nech z Teba pijú, zo živej Vody, z Prameňa živej Vody. Prosím o to v Ježišovom Mene. Amen. Udeľ to, Pane.
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Čo môže zmyť môj hriech?
Nič, než Krv Ježiša;
Čo ma môže znova uzdraviť?
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Ó, Ježišu, uzdrav ich, Pane! Udeľ to, Pane, skrze Ježišovo Meno. Modlím sa, Bože, aby si... ?... Ty poznáš všetko.
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv...
155Premýšľajte o tom, nepoznám žiaden iný prameň! Nepoznám nič iné okrem Neho. Netúžim poznať nič iné, iba Jeho. Nič, iba Krv Ježiša! Ó!
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
156Zatiaľ čo to znova spievame, potraste si navzájom ruky. Milujete sa navzájom? Je tu niekto, kto má niečo proti niekomu inému? Ak áno, poďte to dať do poriadku. Urobíte to? Neodchádzajte odtiaľto takto. Rozumiete? Ak máte niečo proti niekomu inému, poďte to hneď teraz dať do poriadku. Práve teraz máte príležitosť ísť tam a povedať, „Brat, sestra, niečo som o tebe povedal, niečo som si pomyslel. Nechcel som to urobiť. Odpusť mi.“ Vidíte, tak sa to má robiť. Majme Ten Prameň rovno medzi nami, po celý čas. Rozumiete?
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Ó, vzácny to Prameň;
Ktorý ma robí bielym ako sneh;
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Ó, nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
157Ó, nie je On úžasný? Žiaden iný prameň! Nechceme sa znečistiť inými vecami. My sme sa oddelili, nechali sme svet za nami. Už nechceme viac egyptský cesnak a deravé cisterny. Sme na ceste s Pánom Ježišom, s tou udretou Skalou, amen, jeme Mannu z hora a pijeme; jeme anjelský Pokrm a pijeme zo Skaly. Amen!
Nepoznám žiaden iný prameň;
Nič, iba Krv Ježiša.
Skloňme teraz naše hlavy.
158Modlím sa, aby Boh veľmi bohato požehnal každého z vás, aby bola Jeho milosť a milosrdenstvo s vami v priebehu ďalšieho týždňa. A ak by sa čokoľvek stalo, že by niekto z vás teraz skĺzol za oponu, len si pamätajte, že to je iba pár hodín spánku a odpočinku, kým sa znova stretneme. Pamätajte, že „Tí, ktorí žijú a pozostanú, nebudú stáť v ceste tým, ktorí spia, keď Trúba Božia, tá posledná Trúba...“ Tá šiesta už skrátka zaznela. A táto posledná Trúba, tak, ako tá posledná Pečať, bude Príchod Pánov. „Ona zazneje a mŕtvi v Kristu vstanú najprv.“ Do toho času len odpočívame.
159A ak by ste si ublížili, pamätajte:
Ber so sebou Meno Ježiš;
Štít pred každým trápením,
Keď sa nahromadí pokušenie okolo teba;
Vzdychni to Sväté Meno v modlitbe. (Diabli utečú.)
160Len na to pamätajte, dúfame, že sa tu s vami stretneme aj na budúcu nedeľu ráno. Prineste chorých a postihnutých. Budem sa za vás modliť. Vy sa teraz modlite za mňa. Urobíte to? Povedzte, “Amen.” [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen." -- pozn.prekl.] Budem sa za vás modliť, aby vás Boh požehnal.
… Meno v modlitbe.
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, ó, aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies;
Predrahé Meno, Ó aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies.
Skláňajúc sa pred menom Ježiš;
Upadajúc na tvár ku Jeho nohám;
Kráľa kráľov v Nebesiach budeme korunovať;
Keď sa zakončí naša púť.
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, (nie je sladké a predrahé?)
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies;
Predrahé Meno, predrahé Meno, ó, aké sladké!
Nádej zeme a radosť Nebies.
161Je to vždy také ťažké opustiť vás. Aj keď viem, že horíte, ale je tu skrátka niečo… Dovoľte, ešte jeden verš o niečom, urobíte to? [Zhromaždenie hovorí, "Amen. – pozn.prekl.] Urobíte to? Požehnané putá, ktoré nás viažu, sestra. Koľkí z vás poznajú tú starú pieseň? Zvykli sme to pred rokmi spievať.
162A dnes večer som premýšľal, “dve ruky zo stoviek, ktoré tu zostali,“ odvtedy, keď sme zvykli v modlitebni spievať tú pieseň a potriasať si navzájom ruky. Požehnané putá, ktoré nás viažu. Pochoval som mnohých z nich, rovno tu hore na cintoríne. Oni čakajú. Ja ich znova uvidím. Raz som ich na chvíľu videl vo videní, keď som hľadel poza oponu. Oni tam sú.
Skloňme teraz hlavy, zatiaľ čo budeme spievať.
Požehnané buď puto, ktoré viaže;
Naše srdcia v Kresťanskej láske;
Naše obecenstvo spriaznených myslí
Je ako to Hore.
Keď sme od…
Teraz sa natiahnite a uchopte niekoho ruku.
…seba oddelení;
Skloňte teraz svoju hlavu.
Spôsobuje nám to vnútornú bolesť;
Ale stále sa budeme v srdci radovať;
A dúfať, že sa stretneme znovu.
163S našimi sklonenými hlavami. Odovzdávam teraz bohoslužbu pastorovi, aby nás rozpustil…
1 Let us pray. Lord, now we believe. We believe on the Son of God, and, through this, we accept Eternal Life through Him. Now we have gathered again, this afternoon, or this evening, for another service, trusting You for the Message and for what You will tell us tonight. We believe Thee, Lord, and we wait upon Thee. And You said, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like a eagle." And we pray, God, that You will give us that mounting-up Power, tonight, as we wait on Thee.
2We thank Thee for these people, and for what they mean to You and what they mean to me. I thank You for it, Father. They are Your jewels. And I pray, God, that tonight, that You will manifest Yourself in the way, to them, that they have need of. If there is sick here, may they be healed. If there is a doubt in someone's mind; clear it up, Lord. And just give us of Thy Presence and Thy blessings, because we need them, Lord. You are our all-sufficiency. And, without You, we cannot do nothing.
3We pray that You'll receive our thanksgiving for all that You have done. In the Name of Jesus Christ we look forward to Your blessings. Amen.
You may be seated.
4 And, well, it's just a--a bit cooler this Sunday night, in here, than it was last Sunday night. We're very grateful to our brothers who worked so faithfully in getting this in. I know two or three of them. Brother Mike Egan, as I see back there, and I... Brother Mike, and Brother Sothmann, Brother (I believe) Roy Roberson, and Brother Woods, and all of them, they were down here just sweating it out, trying to get it in so we could have this Message now, or today. So, we're grateful.
5 Now, next Sunday morning, the Lord willing, I want to have a healing service, prayers for the sick. And we'll designate it to a healing service, if the Lord willing.
6I noticed, this morning, there is a bunch of handkerchiefs here. I prayed for them. And I, while you were praying and singing, I prayed for the handkerchiefs; and then there is more here tonight. So, we--we believe that God heals the sick. So many great testimonies of healing among us, and across the world, and we're grateful for this.
7And I thought, next Sunday, being I have to be away for a little bit, and we have been holding so much just to the teaching and of the Message, that I thought it would be a good thing if we had a--a healing service, prayed for the sick. And we trust that God will give us a great time.
8 Now, many of you have to drive many miles tonight. So I was talking to groups over at the--the Blue Boar Cafeteria, today, where I was having dinner. Many fine people, I got to shake their hands and talk with them, people I never met before, that comes here to the church. And I am grateful for such friends, and I want to thank each and every one of you. Some of them have picked blackberries, and brought us. And one brought us a bucket of syrup, or molasses, I believe it was, and--and just things. You don't know what that means. And of a morning, I come up and go out of the house, sometime there...
9 Other morning there was some brother there that was real bad off, had no clothes and things, wanted me to go get him some clothes. I started out, and I almost stumbled over a bucket of blackberries setting there. I said, "Did you bring these blackberries?"
10And he said, "No, never had nothing to do with it. I been here 'fore daylight, and they was setting here then." And it was my good Brother Ruddell had brought them to me. And, so, those things I certainly appreciate.
11Billy Paul just made mention to me, a few moments ago, that among this congregation tonight, they had took up an offering, that for me. I--I thank you for that. I didn't want you to do that. I--I just appreciate your efforts, and so forth, but that wasn't necessary. And, but, the Lord bless you. You know, you know, the Bible said, "Insomuch as you have done unto the least of these, you have did it unto Me."
12 Now, I have been kind of speaking to you, on the Message, very straight. And I... Some people might be under the impression that--that I think that Jesus is going to come in the morning or tonight. I do. Now, I don't say that He will. And, again, He may not come for next week, and it might be next year, it might be ten years. I don't know when He is coming. But, there is one thing I want to... always you bear in mind, you be ready every minute or hour. See? That, if He doesn't come today, He might be here tomorrow. So just keep that in your mind, that He is coming.
13And I don't know what time is going to be my last hour on this earth, neither does any of us. And there is none of us know when He is coming. He doesn't even know, Himself, by His Own Words; He said, "The Father, only, knows when He will come; not even the Son knows when He will come." It's when God sends Him to us again. But we're looking for His Coming. And if He doesn't come in my generation, He might come in the next; if He doesn't come in that one, He'll come in the next. But, for myself, I can't see hardly any time left. I just... To me, it could happen at any minute. Now, that don't mean... That doesn't mean, now, that you'll see the heavens change and every... That's not the Coming I'm speaking of. I'm talking of the Rapture.
14 See, He makes three Comings. He come in three sons' names. He come in a trinity; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. See, all of it the same Christ, the same God, all the time. Now, we know He come to bring three works of grace; justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost. Everything, in God, is completed in three's.
15And so He come, first, to redeem His Bride. He comes, second, as a Rapture, to take away His Bride. He comes, third, with His Bride, King and Queen; after, that's when many people are expecting the Coming.
But when He comes this time, hardly none but those who are ready will know when He comes. There'll just be an absence of people. They won't know what happened to them. They'll just be caught away, in a moment, and that they just come up missing. "Changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye." So just be ready for that. It'd be horrible some morning to miss a loved one, no one can find them. Wouldn't it be too bad to know it's done past and you missed it? So just keep before God.
16 Now, next week, the Lord willing, next Monday, from week from this Monday, if God willing, I'm taking the family back out to Arizona where they go to school, then I--I'm coming back.
17Now, I don't go out there... I haven't any services to be out there in. I'm hardly ever in Arizona. I'm gone somewhere else. I take the wife out there, next Monday. I'm coming back here again. I'll leave from here to British Columbia. I come back to Colorado. I'll be in Arizona again sometime near Christmas, just for a few minutes, long enough... maybe two or three days, get the family together, be back here through Christmas holidays, the Lord willing, have a service through new year's week here.
18 So then I'm here, practically, more. I'm here ten times more than out there, because we don't have any church or any services out there, nothing we have out there, so, in a way of church service. That's one bad thing about it. I have no place to send the children that will hear these Message, like your children gets to hear it here, and--and so that's one defect we have. But they're all healthier. It's a dry, hot, dry climate, but all the children seem to be healthier. I'm not there long enough to know whether it's healthy or not healthy. I, I'm on the move, and I--I--I guess I was just born a rambler.
19My wife calls me... I know she is here, so I'll get this after church, you all know. What is that called, shifting winds, or restless winds, or whatever--whatever, you know, shifting sands? Or, I'm always on the move, in other words. And I been married now, twenty-two years, and I sometimes I think I'm a stranger around the house, because I have to be going.
But I'm looking for the time that when we'll be settled down in the homeland someday. But now the battle is on, so let's be in prayer.
20 Don't forget, next Sunday morning, the Lord willing, bring in your sick and the afflicted. Come early, get your place, and probably there is a group to be prayed for. We'll have to give out prayer cards. If there isn't enough, we won't give out prayer cards, just enough to form a little line like two or three dozen, or something. But we--we'll probably give out prayer cards, so we'll probably do it about an hour before the regular service, which I think takes up... It'll be eight, eight or eight-thirty, they'll give out the prayer cards; open the church, give the prayer cards next Sunday morning. And then be sure to be here for your... Bring your loved ones, put them in there. It'll be nice and cool in the church, if they're sick, and we'll do everything we can to pray for them.
21Thank you, again, for the love offering.
22 And now we're going to read some of God's Word, tonight, and be ready for this event of His Presence again to bring us His Word. Now, we know we can read a text, but God has to reveal the context. See? We can take a text, but God has to reveal the context. And while you're turning now in the Book of Jeremiah, the 2nd chapter.
23I want to say that I'm glad to have, with us, Brother Lee Vayle, a precious brother in the Lord. And I think here, the brother here, I can't think of his name, Brother Willard Crase. And I seen the brothers from Arkansas, Brother John and them, from around Poplar Bluff, and Brother Blair. And, oh, Brother Jackson, and Brother Ruddell, and so many that I--I just can't... Wish I could call everybody's name, but I just can't do it, and you understand. Brother Ben Bryant, I see him setting here; he is usually my amen corner while I'm... Everybody knows Ben by his voice. Uh-huh.
24 We, setting in California one time, I was preaching a Message for the Baptist people up in the valley. They had a big tent there, and a lot of kind of aristocratical Baptists. I could never hear an "amen" from anywhere; you know, afraid some of the women break the paint on their face. And then, first thing you know, I seen a pair of feet about like that, go up in the air, and two big hands, and a black hair shaking there, hollering, "Amen," screaming like that. And I looked down, I said, "Ben, where did you come from?" He was really getting the "amen."
25I see his wife looking him over, a little bit. Well, he's a-losing a little of that black hair, but that's all right, you know. Don't get worried about that. I did, mine, a long time ago.
So, now, don't forget to pray.
26 Now while we get to the sincere side of the service, remember, if we read this Word, then God will bless His Word. "It will not return to Him void, but It will accomplish that which It's purposed for." And I know, in reading the Word, I'll always be right. When I read the Word, God will honor His Word.
27Now let us stand in respect to His Word. Jeremiah, the 2nd chapter, the 12th and 13th verses of Jeremiah 2.
Be astonished, O... heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living water, and have hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can not... can hold no water.
Let us bow our heads now.
28 Dear God, Thy Word has been read. And we pray that You will honor that Word and give to us tonight the parable or the parallel of It; as we look to days gone by, Israel, as examples, as the Bible teaches us that we can see what You did to them when they obeyed the Word, see what You did to them when they disobeyed the Word, and learn what we must do. So, we pray that You will speak to us tonight in a very special way, that we might know how to conduct ourselves in this day, that we learned this morning that we're living in. For we ask it in Jesus' Name. Amen.
May be seated.
29 I want to speak tonight on the subject, for just a--a short time on: Broken Cisterns.
30Israel had done two great evils. God said they had turned from Him, the Fountain of Life, and had hewed themselves cisterns to drink out of. Now, that's something.
31The reason I thought of this text was because that it would run parallel to what I was saying this morning, of the hour that we're living, and the Cause that we are struggling for.
32 And we look at Israel as example, that, what God was, He always has to remain the same. And there is only one thing that God ever did honor, that was, His way that He provided for the people. And when they got out of that way, then God was dishonored, and God made the people suffer for getting away from what He had told them to do, no matter what it was.
He even give them a law, "Touch not, handle not, taste not." Just not because of the evil of doing it, but the evil of disobeying what He said do. And there's always cannot be a law without a punishment for law. Because, if there's no punishment, then, law is not much to it unless it has a penalty. The law!
33 Now, we find, what they did in that day seems to parallel what we are doing today, what the church people are doing.
34Now we see a strange thing here. It might be strange to some people, when He said, "You have, they have, hewn to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns." Now, maybe some of you don't know what a cistern is. How many knows what a cistern is? Well, most all of you. If you was ever raised on a farm, you know what a cistern is. I remember I've drank enough bugs from one, to--to know what a--a cistern was.
Preached out in the country where, in a brush arbor, where you'd have a big pitcherful of cistern water setting there, out of the--the rain, you know, and it kind of got a little old. And--and then the bugs, at nighttime, would get into it. And so I know what cistern water is.
35 A--a cistern is a--a place, a thing that's dug in the ground, to take the place of a well. Where people doesn't have a well, then they get a--a cistern. In other words, a cistern is a man-made tank or a man-made well in the ground, that man dig out, to catch the water, to--to use it. Some of them use it for washwater, and some use it for drinking water, and different way, maybe. All the water sometime, that we used to get, was on a cistern. Used to have an old thing you had to wind, around, around, around, around, to get the water up; had little buckets on it, to pump the water out of the cistern.
36Well, we notice one thing about a cistern that's different from a well. Now, a cistern will get empty. The--the--the cistern cannot fill itself. It is--is... It's not reliable. You can't rely upon a cistern. It has to rely and depend upon the rains that fall in the summer or in the winter, whatever it is to... Usually, in the wintertime when the snow and rain comes, then it runs the water off into the cistern. And if it doesn't get that water, then you--you don't have any water. It's all--it's all... dries up. And it can't refill itself. The old cistern cannot refill itself. It gets its filling from the--the rains that falls.
37 And I want you to notice another thing about a cistern. Usually, you find, or the way it was at our place, the cistern... Usually the barn is about twice the size of the house, and they usually run the water off the barn, to the cistern. I remember that old cistern well out there, when he had... when the--the drain pipes rushing it in, too, off the barn. It fills from the barn.
So then the water is carried from the roof of the barn; where, all the animals stepping around through the stable yard, and all the filth of the barnyard settles on top the barn, in dry times. And then the water comes and washes it all down off the roof, into a trough that's man-made, then into a man-made spout, then into a man-made cistern. And if you haven't got a mess, I don't know what you got, when you got a cistern. Yes, sir! It's all man-made, and just as dirty as it can be.
38 You know, we used to call... We had a filter rag on one. Did you ever know what that was? Had to put a filter rag on it, to catch all the bugs and things that come off the top of the--the barn, and all around the place, and poured out from one place to another, into the cistern. And we used to put a--a filter rag on it, to catch all the--the scum and stuff that we could. Course, that wouldn't catch the real dirt, it just caught the big missiles that come down and fell into it. The bug might fall in it, but the juice of the bug went on with the water. So, you--you really had a mess when you had an old dirty cistern.
39 In a few days, you let that water stand there, and it becomes stagnated. You let the water stand in a cistern, it become stagnated. And it gets full of--of frogs, and lizards, and snakes. And we used to call it "wiggle-tails," little bitty... I don't know whether... They're not a parasite, they're a... I cannot, I don't know what you'd call them. But some little thing gets in the water, that--that we called it wiggle-tails. You know what it is. How many knows what I'm talking about? Oh, why, sure, all you country folks know. Gets it all full of stagnation, and then these lovers of stagnation comes with it. It just actually comes, because it's stagnated. And because it's stagnated, it draws the animal there that likes stagnated things.
40 And that's a whole lot like our churches today. I think that we have left... One of the great sins that the church has done today, just like Israel then, it left Him, the Fountain of living Water, and has hewed themselves out man-made cisterns. And it become a habitation of everything that loves that kind of water. Lizards, frogs, and all kinds of unclean germs, live in it, because it's a man-made tank. And in this tank these things stay, a perfect example of our denominationals today.
41"Now," you say, "Brother Branham, why do you strike at those people so hard?"
It ought to be struck at. It's got to be struck at. Flee it, because it will finally form the mark of the beast. Remember, that is the Truth! It will be the mark of the beast. Denomination will lead right to it. It's on its road right there now, to force, by a power.
42Look in the old Roman empire. That's exactly what led them to that mark of an apostasy. You found out that no man could buy or sell without the mark of the beast. He had to have it.
43 There is only two classes of people will be on the earth; those with the Seal of God, and those with the mark of the beast. Only two classes, so you'll have to have one or the other. It'll be an apostasy, a--a mark of--of religion, apostate religion.
44And it's going to have a image unto the beast. As we study, we find out that Rome was, is, and always will be, the mar-... or, the beast. Exactly. There is no way to get it anything else. Rome!
45And what did Rome do? Was converted from pagan Rome unto papal Rome, and organized a system, a universal system, that forced everybody to that one religion or be put to death.
46 And it's a strange thing that this United States appears on the scene, and it's like a lamb. And a lamb has two small horns, civil and ecclesiastical rights. And after a while, when that was a lamb, we found out that it spoke then like a dragon and exercised all the power the dragon had before it. And the Bible tells us that they said, "Let us make a image unto the beast." An image is something like something else. And we can see it right now that, in its apostate condition, the church is forming the World Council of Churches, which is the image to the power of Rome; and will force upon the people the same thing that pagan Rome did... or papal Rome did. So, there is no other way, no other thing. But that is the Truth.
47And that's why I'm striking it in my age, in my time, because it's got to be struck at. The call come in, to, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins!"
48 Now, I'm liking that to these dirty, filthy cisterns. "He is the Fountain of Life. He is the living Waters." And man leave That, and dig for themselves cisterns which can only catch the filth. That's the only thing it can catch. And that's what denominationalism does; it catches everything that comes along and wants to join. They're willing to take it in if it's got some money or can dress in a certain way. No matter who they are, where they come from, they take them, anyhow.
49 Now we find, again, that, this mark of the beast that was formed here. America, is, number thirteen. It was born with thirteen colonies. It had a flag that had thirteen stars, thirteen stripes. And it even appears in Revelations the 13th chapter. And America has always been a woman, represented on our coins. Even the Indian head, on a penny, is a woman's profile. We know that, know the history of it. Everything, the Liberty Bell, and everything else, the liberty... Statue of Liberty is, everything, a woman. A woman; number thirteen. See? Now, it's--it's beautiful to see those things.
50 And now I have predicted by revelation from God, or a vision in 1933, that seven things would happen before the end time. And that, one of them, that, "Mussolini," who was then becoming dictator, "he would become dictator. And, also, he would make an invasion and go down to Ethiopia, and would take Ethiopia. And the Spirit, It said, 'He shall fall at his step.'"
51I wonder if there is any of the old-timers still left in the tabernacle, remember me saying that in the Redman's Hall down here when we preached, many, many years ago. Is there one in the building, tonight, that's left from down there at the old Redman's Hall when I preached that, when they had the N.R.A. out, way back in time of Roosevelt's first term? I guess there is not a one in here. Is there one? Yeah, yeah, one, there is one. Yes, Mrs. Wilson, I remember her. My wife, setting in the back. Two left, out of the old generation of those in that day.
That, when they said this N.R.A. was the mark of the beast, I said, "Nothing to it; not at all. The mark of the beast don't come here. It comes out of Rome. And it can't be the mark of the beast."
52 And now remember that these things was said. Said, "Adolph Hitler would come to a mysterious end. And he would declare war on the United States. And they would build a great--a--a great concrete thing, that they'd even live in it. And right there the Americans would take a horrible beating, at this." And it was the Siegfried line, eleven years before it was ever started to be built. And then said, "But he would come to an end; and the States would win the war."
53And then said, that, "There is three ism's; Nazism, fascism, and communism." And I said, "They'll all wind up in communism. Russia will take it all, in communism."
54And I said, "Then science is going to be so great, man is going to get so smart, till he'll invent so many things until he's going to make an automobile that looks like an egg, that'll have like a glass top on it, and it'd be controlled by some other power than a steering wheel." And they've got the car.
55 And I said, "Then the morals of our women is going to fall in such a degraded things, till they're going to be a disgrace to all nations. They're going to wear man's clothes. They're going to keep taking off their clothes till actually they come down like they got their underneath clothes on, that's all. And, finally, they'll come to wearing just a fig leaf."
And if you notice, in last month's Life magazine, they had the woman with the fig leaves on. And that's the new evening frock, or gown, what they wear of the evening; transparent, can see through it, only the fig leaves just hides a certain spot of her body; with strapless, or strap, unstrapped bathing suits, the top of it, exposed body. And how that those things has happened!
56Then I said, "I seen a woman stand in the United States, like a great queen or something. And she was beautiful to look at, but wicked in her heart. And she made the nation step, go at her step."
57 Then I said, "Finally, He told me to look back East again. And, when I did, I seen, looked like, as it was, the world had exploded. And as far as I could see, was nothing but sticks, and--and smoldering rocks had been blowed up out of the earth."
And these were to happen before the end of the world. And five of the seven has already happened, in thirty-three years. There we are, back to the end time!
58And I spoke against that denominational system right then. And I still believe, tonight, that it's a cesspool, that it's a place where the filth run into it. I can't believe that God would ever take such a thing in His Church, because it's got to be born of the Spirit of God and then cleansed before it can be called His. The mystical Body of Christ, we are baptized into It by the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
59 Yes, this cistern system is certainly a perfect example of denomination. A wise man ought to look, and never to go into it, for God has proved through the ages that He's against it and never did work with it. Any group... Any time a man raised up with a message, like Luther, Wesley, or so forth, and Smith, and Calvin, and them; when they started the organization, God laid the thing on the shelf and never did visit it again in a revival.
60Look through history. There has never been a time that God ever took a denomination, made a revival out of it, nowhere. Then, through history and by the Bible, proves that it's a filthy thing in the sight of God, so I don't want nothing to do with it. And that's why I'm against. I'm trying to get the people out of it.
61 We are invited, like in Israel, so is it now, to look to Israel for examples. They, as long as they stayed with that Fountain, they were all right. But when they got to hewing themselves cisterns, man-made systems, then God left them flat. He'll do us the same. "They have forsook Him, the Fountain of living Water." That was the complaints that God had against them. "To make something that they could say, 'You see what we have done!'"
62 Now, when in the time of the--the travel of Moses; when God, by grace, had given them a prophet, had given them a Pillar of Fire to go before them, had vindicated It by signs and wonders. Grace had provided all these things. Israel still wanted, saw law. They refused grace, to take law.
That's exactly what the people does today. They refuse the Word, to take a denominational system, because in that they can do what they want to and get by with it. But you can't do it in Christ! You've got to come clean and clear, in order to be in Christ.
63 Leaving the artesian well, for a man-made system or cistern, could you imagine someone doing that? Could you imagine the mental conditions of a person that could drink at a fresh artesian well, and would leave that for a man-made cistern with frogs, and lizards, and wiggle-tails, and everything else in it?
It don't seem even sensibly to be right, but that's just exactly what the people has done. They've left the Word, the true Fountain of God's source and Power, to drink out of cisterns, and make themselves cisterns. Same as they did then, they have done it now. They say...
He said, "They've left Me." Here He said, here in Jeremiah 2:14, or 13, rather. He said, "They have left Me, the Fountain of living Water."
64 Now, we see what a cistern is. We see what it catches. We see how it's made. It's a man-made thing that comes off of a dirty roof. The water that falls down, hits on a dirty roof, and it only washes the roof off, puts it down through a man-made trough, through a man-made spout, into a man-made tank. And all the filth gathers in there, and the--the germs, and the lizards, and frogs, and things of the land, like that. And, notice, they are the unclean animal; wiggle-tails, stagnated. A wiggle-tail can't live in clear water. If it does, it'd kill him. He's got to be in the stagnation.
65 And that's the way it is with a lot of these parasites today. You can't live in the fresh water of the Holy Spirit. That's the reason they're so firmly against the Word, and say, "It contradicts Itself. There is nothing to It." Is because they have to have some kind of a stagnated pool to wiggle in. Right.
That's the same way it is with frogs, and with lizards, and with tadpoles, and such as that. They've got to get around the swamp or the stagnated pool, to live, for it's their nature to live there. And you can't change the animal till you change its nature.
And you cannot make a man see the Word of God till his nature has been changed; and when his nature is changed from what he is, to a son of God, and the Holy Spirit comes into him. The Holy Spirit wrote the Word of God!
66 Today I was talking with my good friend, Doctor Lee Vayle, who is present now. And he's quite a theologian, and so we usually have some--have some pretty good discussions on the Scripture. Very smart.
And he asked me one time what I thought about the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, "Was it speaking in tongues?" It's been many years ago.
I said, "No; can't see that."
He said, "Neither do I," said, "though I've been taught that." He said, "What would you think would be an evidence?"
67I said, "The most perfect evidence I can think of is love." And so we got to talking on that.
And then I thought that sounded pretty good so I just held that, "If a man has got love."
But one day the Lord, in a vision, straightened me out. And He said, that, "The evidence of the Spirit was those who could receive the Word," neither love, nor speaking in tongues, but it's receiving the Word.
68 And then Doctor Vayle was saying to me, that, "That is Scriptural," he said, "because, in John 14, Jesus said, 'When He the Holy Ghost is come upon you, He will reveal these things to you, that I've taught you, and will show you things to come.'"
So there is the genuine evidence of the Holy Ghost! He has never told me anything wrong yet. That, "It is the evidence of the Holy Ghost, is he who can believe the Word." You can receive It.
Cause, Jesus never said, "When the Holy Ghost is come, you'll speak with tongues." He never said, the Holy Ghost come, you'd do any of those things. But He said, "He will take these things of Mine and show them to you, and will show you things that is to come." So there is the genuine evidence of the Holy Ghost, according to Jesus Himself.
69 So all these sensations and things that people have and still live on, you can see why they do it. See, it becomes a denomination, or a stagnated pool, and there'll never be a denomination made upon the imp-... the perfect Word of God. It can't do it, because you can't nominate or denominate God. No, sir!
70The reason it is, you get a bunch of man who can believe the Word, let them start an organization. The first thing you know, in a year's time there's a bunch of Rickies in there that you couldn't do nothing with. They got a hold, and you can't do nothing about it. It's not God's system. It isn't, so we know that that thing is out. It becomes a cistern, and becomes a place where each one will compromise on this, that, or the other, to get members in there, or let people come in.
71 We find out, this system started one time, back in the Israelites days, when they was digging these cisterns. And there was a man and a bunch of Pharisees who had dug some cisterns. And they had a man named Herod, and he was a proclamator, governor of the state.
And he come down to hear a man that didn't fool with their denominations. He was a prophet. And no prophet ever had anything to do with a denomination, but hated it. This prophet begin to say, "Don't you begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham to our father,' because I tell you that God is able of these stones to rise children to Abraham."
72And they brought out a dignitary to hear him. And this dignitary had took his brother's wife away from him, and married her. And what did that man walk out to his face and say? They thought he would compromise, and say, "Now, sir, you, you have you a nice seat over here. And you ought to... I'm so glad you're here to hear me today."
John just walked right up in his face, and said, "It's not lawful for you to have her." The very first thing he said, he bawled him out for his sin.
73 See, denominations make stagnant pools where man can live with women, and them women can carry on, and cut their hair, and wear shorts, and anything else, and call themselves Christians.
But a genuine Fountain, hallelujah, of the Power of God, it can't stay there, because It pushes it out. "I am the Fountain of living Waters. They left Me, to dig themselves some cisterns."
74Now, a fountain of living water, we find out, what is a fountain of living water? We find out what the cistern is, now what is a fountain of living water? It's an artesian well.
"An artesian well, what's that, Brother Branham?"
It's a well that it's always comes from beneath and pushes its water out. It's flowing all the time. It is self-supporting. Always fresh and clean, an artesian well, a fountain of living water. It's not dead and stagnated. It's living, it's constantly changing, bringing up something new all the time, moving on, coming from its resources. It draws its resources from--from its bed, which is a... still a fountain of living waters spraying up. Self-cleansing; it's clean, pure, clean water. It's self-supporting; you don't have to wait for the rains to fill its tank up. It's always a bubbling up, gives its water free. You don't have to pump it, wind it, twist it, or join it. It's just a fountain of living waters.
75 You know, you take these old cisterns, you have to crank it and crank it and crank it, and pump and everything, to get a little of that stagnated water out. Huh!
But a Fountain of living Water gives It out, free, without pumping, joining, anything else. Oh, I'm glad for that Fountain! Yes, sir!
76It needs no strainer on It, to take the parasites out. For, It's coming so deep down, there in the Rock, until there's no parasites there.
It don't have to have a educational rag hanging on It, that's right, some worldly-made system of man-made denominational wisdom; to tell you, before a psychiatrist, whether you're able to preach or not. It don't have one of those filthy rags hanging on It. It'd push it right off as soon as you put it on there. You can't do it. That well is bubbling up, all the time. You'd put one of them rags on it, it'd throw it plumb out on the one side or the other. It don't have no time for a denominational rag on it.
77 It don't need no filter, no strainer, no pumping, no jerking, no nothing else. It's just there, bubbling up. It don't have to depend on local rains to fill it up. Rains are "revivals," where that Fountain... That's at that Fountain of Life. "Where the Carcass is, the eagles will gather." You don't have to pump up a revival; you don't have to pump up nothing. Only thing you have to do is just come to the Fountain. It's always full of good, fresh water, and there is no end to It. It just keeps on bubbling.
78You don't have to go to the cistern, and say, "Well, if it rains and washes off the barn, we'll have something to drink." See? My, my! Not this. That artesian well is spurting forth good, cold water all the time. You can depend on it. You don't have to say, "Well, I'll go over to this old cistern. We used to drink out of it, but it hasn't rained in a long time. I tell you, it may be dry."
79 That's the way some of these man-made systems are. You can go in, if you got a big something going on, a big cabal of selling something, or--or some kind of a something going on, a big parties and things going on, bunco games, and parties in the basement, and everything, you might find a full house.
But where you go to where that Fountain is bubbling up, always, the people are there getting a good, cold drink of water. You can depend on It! Say, "They haven't had a revival for ten years." If you live by that Fountain, She's always got a revival going on.
80 Like the little Welshman said. Or, one time when they had the Welsh revival going on, there was some dignitaries from the States. Some of these great Doctors of Divinity went over to Wales, to find out where and what all this was about. So they had on their turned-around collars, and their plug hats, and they was walking down the street.
And here come a little cop along, whirling his little old billy club in his hand, a whistling, "Down at the cross where my Saviour died, down there for cleansing from sin I cried; there to my heart was the Blood applied, glory to His Name," walking down the street.
So they said, "This seems to be a religious man. We'll go ask him."
And they said, "Mister!"
Said, "Yes, sir?"
He said, "We are here from the United States. We're a delegation. We come over here to investigate the Welsh revival, so-called. We are Doctors of Divinity, and we're here to look it over." He said, "We want to know where the revival is, and where it's held."
He said, "Sir, you have arrived. I am the Welsh revival." Amen! "The Welsh revival is in me. Here is where it's at."
81 That's the way it is when you live by that Fountain of living Waters. It's living all the time, bubbling over and over, and over and over. There is no end to It. Not, "Go see if some water, if we had a rain here not long ago," that's not it. It's that Fountain of living Water. As I say, It gives Its Water free.
82You don't have to put rags on It, to find out; some educational rags, 'fore you can send him out to preach, and see if he spells his words right, speaks them right, if he uses his nouns and pronouns, and so forth, and adjectives. Many of them don't even know what they are, but he's living at the Fountain just the same, see, the same.
83 It don't have to depend on the local rains, to fill it up, or the local revivals, for it. It don't have to do that, for its Power and its purity is within itself. That's where the Word is, Its Own Power! When a man can receive It in his heart, It's got Its purity. It's got Its power. It's right in the Word Itself, springs forth the Life.
84Israel would get away from It, they would get in trouble. Every time they got away from It, they got in trouble.
The same as we do now. When the revival gets away from That, then it's no good. It digs itself some wells, and, or some stagnated cisterns, and there it goes.
85 But He always helped them. The murmuring at the Red Sea, then when they murmured... Yet, in all that, He had promised, made them a promise. He should have turned them back right there, the way we would look at it; but He had promised to take them over there.
What did He do? Them children of Israel, He furnished them the Pillar of Fire and everything, for a vindication, their prophet. And they led them out there to the sea. And, always, there is trouble against It. And here come the Pharaoh and his army. And you know what God did? He just opened up that red, stagnated cistern.
The Dead Sea is the deadest thing in the world. It's really dead. It's stagnated. Nothing can live in it.
And He opened it up and set them free, on the other side. He took them to where they wouldn't have to be bound by such a thing as that.
86 In the wilderness, they found that the tanks could not be depended on; they were dry. Found out, they go from one water hole to another. When they was in the wilderness, they was starving to death, for a drink of water. And they would go to this tank over here, a pond; it was dried up. They went to another place; it was dried up. They just couldn't think they was ever going to get a drink.
And then on the most unlikely place in all the desert, they found the water. It was in a rock. It was in a rock. The most unlikely place that a man would find any water, would be in a dry rock in the middle of a desert. But, you see, God does things like that. In the most unlikely place, in the most unusual way. That's what we've always had.
87 They think you have to have a big denominationals, together, and let them all come together and have a great big milling around, and so forth, and get thousands to cooperate, and all like this, to have a revival.
Sometime God takes the little old guy don't even know his ABC's, and right amongst a bunch of illiterate people that hardly knows their right hand from the left, He can raise up a revival that'll shake the world. He did in the time of John. He done it in the time of the prophets. None of them, as we know of, was ever educated, but God could get a hold of them and do something with them.
88 In this Rock came forth the waters. He was the Rock. And He commanded this Rock, and must be smote. And He gave abundance of pure, fresh, clean water to everybody that would drink. He saved all who would drink from It. A perfect parallel with John 3:16.
... God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,... whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but would have everlasting life,
89God smote that Rock, on Calvary. Our judgment was upon Him, that from Him might come the Spirit of Life that would give you and me Eternal Life. That's a perfect parable of It, there in this wilderness.
90 They never had to pull, dig, pump, or anything; just partake of His provided way, freely. When, they didn't have to dig it out of a pond. They didn't have to pull it up with a bucket. They didn't have to have no windle to get it with. They just had to partake of it.
And that's all there is now. You don't have to join nothing. You don't have to get down at the altar and work up something, pumping it. You don't have to say a word over and over and over, till you get a confusion of language. The only thing you have to do is just partake of Him, freely, God's provided way. No pumping, no pushing, no nothing; just take of It, freely. Nothing you have to do; just partake of It. That is, just believe It. That's all I can say to it.
They never had to do anything for it. Never had to dig for it. They never had to get down and cry all night, for it. They just partook of it; it was smitten and ready. That's right.
91 I'm looking at a man now, setting in the back of the room here. I remember telling him that, on an old barn stall one day, by a manger.
And he said, "But I'm no good."
92I said, "I know you're not." And I said, "I'm not, either." But I said, "You're looking at what you are. And quit looking at what you are, and look what He is."
He said, "If I could just get rid of these cigarettes, Brother Branham, I--I--I would be a Christian."
93I said, "Don't get rid of them. You're trying to get good and then come to Him. He never come to save good man; He come to save bad man that knowed they were bad."
He said, "Well..."
I said, "Listen, you don't want to go to hell, do you?"
He said, "No."
94I said, "Well, you don't have to. He died that you might not have to go."
He said, "What do I have to do?"
I said, "Nothing. It's just that simple."
He said, "But if I can ever..."
95I said, "There you go, back to that cigarette again. Quit thinking about that cigarette. Just remember, think about Him, what He did, what He is; not what you are. You're no good; and you never was, and never will be. But, what He is, He's the One!" And I said, "Now, the only one thing you have to do; if He took your place down there, you just willingly accept what He did. Only thing you have to do is just accept it."
"Why," he said, "that's simple. I'll do that."
96 I said, "Here is the creek." See? I brought him up here and baptized him in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Some of his people are setting here, and I--I know they felt funny at me for doing that, but I knowed what I was doing. I seen in the man something that was genuine. I could see it there, and I took him and baptized him in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
And, when we did that, it wasn't long after that till I was went down to his son's house. We seen a--a vision of a tree being broke at a certain place, and the man fell, almost broke his back. Took him in the hospital. And that night the Lord revealed, to me, that was the end of cigarettes.
So the next day he wanted some cigarettes. I said, "I'll buy him a carton and take it to him. You just watch and see, his cigarette days are done." He's never smoked one since, and never wanted one since. God!
97See, the first thing you've got to do is to come to that Fountain. You've got to come to that Water, realize it's nothing that you can do. It's what He done for you. You don't have to dig; you don't have to pump out; you don't have to quit this; you don't have to quit that. The only thing you have to do is get there and drink. That's all. If you're thirsty; drink!
98 Now, He was the Rock. God smote Him for us, and He gave forth abundance of pure, clean water. He does yet, today, to everyone that will believe. This is His grace, of course, to His people, us.
99There is something like there, like the people of today, ready to receive what they can get, but don't want to give any service in return. Israel was ready to--to drink from the rock now, but they didn't want to give God His service that was due Him.
100And He's always giving us a service. You know, we can't even breathe without Him. We can't breathe without God's service. That's how dependent we are on Him. And, yet, it almost breaks us in two if we try to do, have to do something for Him. He asks us to do something, go see somebody, go pray for somebody, go help somebody, it's almost breaks us up, to do it. But we don't want to do anything to Him for service.
101 His complaint was, "They have forsaken Me, the Word; and have accepted a broken cistern, instead. Accept... They have forsaken Me, the Fountain of Life, the Fountain of Water of Life; and they desire and would rather drink from a stagnated cistern." Could you imagine that?
102Could you imagine a person now, that, here is an artesian well just putting out that fine, limestone water, right out of the heart of the rocks, down there in the sand beds, and so forth, just as cold and good as it could be; and would rather drink out of a cistern over there, that had washed off the top of the barn, and the sheds, and all of the out-buildings around the place? And put it right into that cistern there, where the seepage of the water drains right back into, from the barn, the stables and stalls, and everything draining right back into the cistern, and then we want to acce-... would drink out of that before going to that artesian well? There would be something mentally wrong with the person. That's right.
103 And when a man or a woman will take a denomination on their stand, that'll permit bobbed hair, wearing shorts, makeup, all this other kind of stuff, and some little kind of a--a program, and all this carrying on, and can go to the bowling alleys, and--and all that nonsense out there, and can put up with that; and like that better than they do the old-fashion Word of God that cuts down and hews out, and makes ladies out of women, and takes and makes them dress right and act right, takes cigarettes and tobaccos, and swearing and cursing, and lying and stealing, away from you, and all the world away from you, and give you Something that is a perfect satisfaction. Why do a man or a woman go to such a thing as that for comfort? How can you get comfort out of that?
104 How could you get a fresh drink out of a stagnated cistern? Why would a person... If a person goes to a stagnated cistern to get a drink, when there's an artesian well open, you would say, "There is something wrong with that man's mind."
And if a woman or a man goes to such a place to find comfort, there is something spiritually wrong with that person. They don't want the Word. It shows that their nature is still a frog, or a tadpole, or something, that's right, something of that nature that likes that stagnated pool, because them kind of things won't live in a fresh-Water pool. They can't do it; it's fresh Water. They can't do it.
105 Now, the complain was, "They left It." And today they've done the same thing.
Now look at the woman at the well. Well, she come up to Jacob's cistern, and she had been getting water there all the time, at Jacob's cistern. But Jacob's cistern, denomination, we would call it, 'cause he dug three of them; and this one he had dug. Now, she had a great story. She said, "Now, our father dug this well, Jacob. He drank out of it, and his cattle drank out of it, and everything. Isn't that good enough?"
106He said, "But the water that you draw from there, you thirst again, have to come back here to get it. But," said, "the Water that I give you is a Fountain, a Geyser spurting up from the inside, and you don't come here to get It. It's right with you."
107 Notice. But when she discovered that a Scriptural Fountain had spoken to her, by a Scriptural sign that she had been looking for, she left that Jacob's denominational system and never went back to it again, because she had found the real Rock. See? She run into the city. She was through with sin. She was no more a foul woman. She said, "Come, see Who I have found, a Man Who told me the things that I've done. Isn't This the very Christ?" She... That cistern might have been all right; it had served its purpose. Now she was at the true Fountain. The cistern had been all right until the true Fountain was open. But when the true Fountain come along, the cistern lost its strength. She found there's a better place to drink.
108 And there is a better place. There's a better place, and that's in Christ. In Saint John 7:37 and 38, Jesus said, at the last of the feast of the tabernacles, "If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink."
They were all rejoicing. They had a little spurt of water coming out from under the altar, and--and there they was all drinking from this, in celebration, of the--of the feast. And said, "Our fathers drank from the spiritual rock in the wilderness." See, they had hewed themself a cistern, some stagnated water they pumped down from somewhere, and spurting it up under the temple there. And they would all get around this water and drink, and say, "Years ago, our fathers drank in the wilderness."
Jesus said, "I am that Rock that was in the wilderness."
Said, "We eat manna from Heaven, and God rained it down."
109Said, "I am that Manna." He, that Fountain, was standing among them. That Bread of Life was standing among them.
And still they did not want It. They'd rather have their cistern; because, man had made this, and God had sent That. That's exactly the difference. Dug themselves cisterns!
110He said, "If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink." He is that Fountain.
And as the Scripture has said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living Water." Oh, He is that artesian well! "Out of his belly, or innermost being, shall flow rivers of living Water."
111 He is that Rock that was in... That was Hagar's Rock, in the time of trouble; when her baby was about to die, when she had been put out of the camp, and was out there with little Ishmael. Her water, in her cistern that she was packing with her, had give out. And she laid little Ishmael down; and walked over, a bow shot, and cried, and, oh, because she didn't want to see the baby die. And all at once, the Angel of the Lord spoke, and she found Beer-... Beersheba, the--the well there that was flowing, and still flowing to this day. He was Hagar's Beer-Beersheba, Rock out there in the wilderness.
112 It was standing here in the Fountain filled with Blood, that day, standing there in the temple. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... time of storm. In Zechariah the 13th chapter, He was that Fountain opened in the house of David, for cleansing, and for (sin) cleansing of sin. He was that Fountain. And in the Psalms 36:9, He was David's Fountain of Life. He is still that Fountain in the house of David.
And He is the poet's, in his heart there. Poet said:
There is a Fountain filled with Blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins,
When sinners plunge beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
He is that Fountain of Life, Fountain of Water. He is the Word of God.
113 People of these last days has forsook Him, the true Word, Water of Life; and has hewed themself out denominational cisterns; and, again, hewed, dug!
114And now we find out, they have had broken cisterns. And then this cistern is filled with unbelieving germs, unbelieving boasting, educational programs, and so forth, which is contrary to God's promises. They are doubters of the Word.
115 Now, these cisterns that they've got, the Bible said, were "broken." Broken cistern is a "leaking" cistern, and it's seeping out. What's it doing? It's seeping out into a religious cesspool called the World Council of Churches. And that's where the broken cistern is leading them to, all because they have forsook Him, and have... the Fountain of living Water; and made these cisterns.
116Digging out big seminary systems of learning, education, and so forth. That's the kind of cisterns they're digging today, that a man has to have a Ph.D., or an LL.D., or a Bachelor of Art, or something, before he can even go preach. Cisterns that has been filled with man-made theology. They take them into these great big schools of learning, and in there they inject into them their own man-made theology, and they send them out with that. What a day that we're living in, man-made cisterns! No trouble the... No wonder the thing has become a--a stink, oh, my, it's because that the people drink from that.
117 And when the people want joy today, what do they do? The people, instead of accepting the joy of the Lord, they turn to sin, for joy. People who go to church and claim to be servants of Christ, when they get real nervous they'll light up a cigarette. And when they--when they want to--to have some fun, they stick on their immoral clothes and go out and cut the grass when the man is going by, to get them to whistle at them. They do everything to be popular. They want to look like the movie stars. That's their joy.
When, Jesus said, "I am their sufficiency."
The reason that they go to that, because they don't want to drink from that Fountain. They have turned It down. They don't want to drink from It. They join themselves to some kind of a man-made system, some kind of a cistern that's full of all kind of stagnated things, that they can go like that.
118 Yesterday, we had the kids up on the river. I believe it was Saturday morning. We went down; Billy had been fishing in the boat. And we took the kiddies up, my little grandson and them, my daughter, and my little son, and we went up the river to--to take a boat ride. You couldn't even take a boat ride on the river, for the filthy, dirty, scummy people out there on the river, half naked and carrying on. A boat drove up beside of us, a bunch of little twelve-, fourteen-year-old boys, each one with a beer can in their hand, and a cigarette. They call that "having fun." Oh, my! How long can this world last, with such a system as that?
119 Then to free themselves from the thoughts that when they die they'll go to hell, the thing they do, they go and join one of these man-made cisterns. So that same type of people belongs in that cistern. It's nothing but a bunch of unclean, filthied wiggle-tails of the world. And they associate themselves to that because, as my old mother used to say, "Birds of a feather flock together." They won't come to the Fountain and be cleaned up from that life of sin. They want to live out there, and still hold a testimony that they are Christians. Why? They have turned from Him, the true Fountain of joy, Life, perfect Life and satisfaction. That's the reason they did it, because that they want to join up. They have some kind of people there that believe in that stuff.
120 Here not long ago, Brother Fred and I, and Brother Tom, a bunch of us went to a noted Baptist church in the city of Tucson, to see if we couldn't find a little something that would give us maybe a little fresh feeling. And the minister said something another about the people in Egypt, when they left they was eating garlic and so forth, they wanted to go back again and eat that. Said, "That's something like people of today."
And, we, everybody said, "Amen!" I never seen such a bunch! The whole church lost the sight of the preacher and looked back to see who it was that said "amen." Liked to scared them to death. They didn't know what it was.
When, David said, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Praise Him upon harps! Praise Him with the psaltery! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. And praise ye the Lord!" God rejoices in His people. Let them of the learned, say, "Amen," when anything is said right.
121 Why not turn from this system and cisterns of the world, to the faithful system of God, which is the artesian well, Jesus Christ? Why don't you turn to Him, where God is our abundant supply of joy, our abundant supply in praises, our abundant supply in satisfaction? The calmness of my nerves comes from God.
When I'm tore up, I find my satisfaction in Christ, not in a cigarette, not in the things of the world, not in joining some creed; but in finding Him, the promised Word that He said, "If I go away, I'll come again to receive you." I find my joy in that. He is my Joy.
122 They say today, by joining these things and by making this World Council of Churches, that they're going to make a better place to live in. To my honest opinion, they're going to make a better place to sin in. That's just... The whole thing is sin, anyhow; not to live in, but to die in. Make its place to sin in--sin in, instead of live in.
123Any other thing, outside of Jesus Christ and His Word of Life, is a broken cistern. Anything that tries to substitute It; anything that you try to do to bring you peace, anything that you try to do to bring you comfort, any kind of a joy that you receive from anything else, as a substitute for This, it's a broken cistern full of filth. He gives perfect satisfaction.
124 I remember here, couple summers ago, I stepped out the back door. There was a young snicklefritz out there that said to me, said, "You know, the reason you're always talking about women like that, wearing those shorts and things," he said, "because you're an old man." Said, "That's the reason it is."
I said, "Look here. How old are you?"
Said, "Twenty-seven."
125I said, "When I was many years younger than you, I preached the same thing."
I found a Fountain of satisfaction. He is my portion. Amen! As long as He supplies that, that's the beauty. That's--that's my... That's my art, is looking at Him, watching His hand work and see what He is doing. There is no other fount I know!
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
There is a Fountain filled with Blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins,
Where sinners plunge beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stain.
126 I'm telling you, no other fount I know but that Fountain. It cleansed me when I was dirty. It keeps me cleansed, because I want to live right at It, drink this fresh Water that's fills my soul with joy.
I can be so ever so down, and feel that I can't hardly go no... another round, can't go nowhere else; then I can kneel down and put my finger on a promise, and say, "Lord God, Thou art my strength. Thou art my satisfaction. Thou art my all-in-all." I can begin to feel Something bubbling up from inside of me there. I come out of it.
127 As I have past fifty years old, I'd wake up of a morning, you know how it is, you can't hardly get that one foot out of the bed. My, you can't hardly do it; and somebody at the door, knocking, or Billy telling me there's an emergency, somewhere I've got to go. And I think, "How can I do it?" Try to put one foot out.
I think, "Thou art the Fountain filled with my strength. Amen! My strength and my help cometh from the Lord. Thou are my artesian well! Thou art my youth! 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with the wings like an eagle; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.' Lord God, this is my duty, to go. I'm called to the post of duty." And the first thing you know, Something begins to gurgle up inside of me.
128 The other day, over in a little place, I was having a meeting over here in Topeka, Kansas; there was a boy, a young preacher, one of my first sponsors. Brother Roy, setting here, remembers the place. In this, in this great place there, there was a--a... This minister had got under a roof or a place, the sidewall mashed him down beneath that. The little fellow was going to die. His liver was bursted. His spleen was knocked out of place. Tons fell on him.
129I sat at the breakfast, talking to the wife. I said, "Wife, you know, if Jesus was here, you know what He'd do?" I said, "When he sponsored me, 'I believe that Word,' he was sponsoring Christ." And I said, "That's a trick of the devil." I said, "If Jesus was here, He'd go lay His holy hands upon him. That boy would get well. I don't care if his liver is bursted. He would get well, because Jesus would walk in there knowing exactly Who He was. He knowed His calling, the Scriptures was right, vindicating in Him that He knowed Who He was, and not a... not no shadow of doubt. He'd lay His hands upon him, and say, 'Son, be well,' walk out of there." And I said, "There isn't enough devils in hell to kill that boy, then." I said, "He would get well." But I said, "You see, honey, He was Jesus, the holy hands of God."
I said, "I'm a sinner. I was born sexual birth. My father and mother were both sinners, and I'm just a no-good nothing."
And I said, "But you know what? If the Lord would give me a vision and send me down there, then that would be different." I said, "I'd go down and lay my hands on him, he'd come out of that bed if He give me a vision."
130 Then I got to thinking, "After all, if it was the vision, what was it? It was the same dirty hands on him, uh-huh, same man praying for him, same dirty hands."
Then I begin to think, "I am His representative. Then, God doesn't see me. That Blood of that righteous One lays up there upon the altar; it makes intercessions for me. He is my sufficiency. He is my prayer. He is my Life." I said, "The only thing that'd make me put my hands on him, with faith, because I had faith in the vision. And without the vision, the same faith would do the same thing; so I can reckon myself nothing, but reckon Him my all-in-all. He is my Life. He is my Commissioner. No denomination sent me; He sent me. Hallelujah! I go in His Name. I'll lay hands upon him." Walked down there and laid hands on that boy, and that night he was in the meeting, solid well. Amen!
131 Oh, yes, He is that Fountain. "No other fount I know. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!" I'm a stinker, I'm a renegade, every one of us are, but before God we are perfect. Je-... "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." How can you be? Because a perfect One represents us there. That Fountain is there every day, fresh. Not some stagnated something, but fresh every day, that washes away all my sins. He is that Fountain.
132 Now in closing, I might say this. Anything different from This is broken cisterns, and will finally leak out what you put in it; if you're putting all your hopes, all your time, and everything, in one of those stagnated cisterns. Jesus said they were broken cisterns. God said, "They're broken, and they'll leak out ever what you put in them." You can't go any farther with them, 'cause they'll leak out. For He is the only way to the Truth, to the Life, and to Eternal joy, and Eternal peace. He is the only One and the only way to That. Oh, my!
133The inexhaustible Fountain of Life is Jesus Christ. Why? And Who is He? The Word, the same; the Word, the Life, the Fountain, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." The true believer, It's his supreme joy, his supreme Life. And his supreme satisfaction is in Christ. No pumping, no pulling, no joining, no bailing; just believing and resting. That's what He is to the believing.
134 Like father Abraham; he never pulled, he never fretted, he never worried. He had the Word. He layed upon El Shaddai's breast. When Abraham was a hundred years old, God appeared to him, and said, "I am the Almighty." The Hebrew word is El Shaddai, means, "the Breasted-One." "And you are old, and your strength is gone, but just lay upon My bosom and nurse your strength from this Fountain." Amen! What did he nurse himself to? A new body. He had the baby, by Sarah. And, fifty years later, had seven children by another woman.
135Oh, El Shaddai! The Old Testament shows what He did, the New Testament tells what He'll do. Amen! In the Old Testament...
136 Now the air is off, so I'll hurry and quit here now, just in a minute.
I'd like to say this before I close. I had a good example of this one time. I was patrolling. And many people here... Down around Georgetown, down there in Milltown, there used to be, way back in the hills, a fountain. It was an artesian well. It throwed out about a--a four- or five-foot stream of water, just gushed out all the time, and a great big fountain around there. And right around it was a lot of this here pennyroyal, you know, and stuff growing there, that mint-like. And, oh, I used to just thirst to get there, oh, my, to get to that fountain. And I'd lay down by this thing and just drink and drink, and set down and drink, wait.
And year after year I'd still come to this same fountain. It never did cease, winter or summer. They couldn't freeze it. You can't freeze an artesian well. Oh, no! Oh, no! I don't care how--how cold it gets, it ain't going to freeze that. You'll freeze a cistern; just a little frost will do that. See?
But anything that's moving, got Life in it, it's a moving around. And you can't freeze the artesian Well out. No matter how depressed the spirit is around the place, this Well is always a living. Live at that Well.
137 And I noticed there, I went by and I'd drink at it, and, oh, my, just the fresh water! You never had to worry, "Wonder, if I get there, wonder if it quit running?" It's been running...
138An old farmer told me, said, "My grandfather drink out of it." And said, "It never has diminished or nothing. It's still the same well, gushing right out into Blue River there."
139I thought, "Oh, my, what a fine place to water!" I'd walk about a mile out of the way, to get to that place, because it was such a real place to drink at. Oh, how good that water was! Oh, my!
I'd--I'd get out there in that desert, Arizona now, I still think about it, "That wonderful well down there, if I could just lay down to that!"
As David said one time, "Oh, if I could once more drink from that well!" If he would just get there!
140 And I set down one day, and I had a little funny thing that happened to me. And I said, "What makes you so happy all the time? I wish I could be happy like that. Why, I never seen you sad, since I been coming here. There's not one sad thing about you." I said, "You're always full of joy. You're jumping and bubbling and carrying on. Winter or summer, cold or hot, whatever it is, you're always full of joy. What makes you...? What, what is it? Because I drink out of you?"
"Nope."
I say, "Well, maybe the rabbits drink out of you, and you like it so well."
"Nope."
I said, "Well, what makes you bubbling over like that? What makes you so happy? What makes you always full of joy?" Said, "Is it because that--that the birds drink from you?"
"No."
"Cause I drink from you?"
"No."
I said, "Well, what makes you so full of joy?"
141And if that well could speak back to me, he would say this. "Brother Branham, not because you drink; I appreciate that, and because I can furnish for the birds. I furnish for anybody that wants to drink. Only thing you have to do is come here and drink. But, what makes me happy, it ain't me bubbling, it's something inside, pushing me. It's something bubbling me."
142And that's the way it is with a Spirit-filled life. As Jesus said, He was in... See, He give you wells of water springing up unto everlasting Life, an artesian, overflowing gusher that's constantly flowing. Whether the rest of the church is up or down, you're still at that Well.
Why would you take an old denominational system and cistern, full of parasites and everything else, and drink around on that stagnated stuff, when you're invited to a Fountain, an artesian Well?
143 I think how it just pushed, and juggled, and--and gurgled, and laughed, and joyed, and jumped, and froliced. Cold, rainy; hot, dry, when all the rest of the country was drying up, it was bubbling just like it always did. Cause it was deep, rooted, way down in the rocks it come forth.
144Oh, let me live by that Gusher! Take all your man-made systems you want to, all your old stagnated wells, but let me come to... or stagnated cisterns. But, let me come to this Fountain, let me come there where He is just full. He is my Joy. He is my Light. He is my--He is my Strength. He is my Water. He is my Life. He is my Healer. He is my Saviour. He is my King. Everything that I have need of is found in Him. Why would I want to go to anything else?
145 Brother, sister, won't you come to this Fountain tonight? Won't you, if you're not ever been there, won't you receive It tonight while we bow our heads?
146Broken cisterns, leaking, seeping, the world seeping into it, filth from the barns and of other days. Why not this Well, that that stuff cannot stay in, this great Fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins? Why don't you receive that tonight? May God help us tonight, in this dry, thirsty land. As the prophet said, "He is the Rock in a weary land." He is that Fountain. Won't you come to Him tonight, in your hearts, while we pray?
147 Dear Heavenly Father, there is no other Fountain, as the music is playing, "No other fount I know; nothing but the Blood of Jesus." I was born there, I've been raised there; I want to live there, and die there, and rise again there, in His Presence. Always, Lord, let me be in His Presence, for there's no other I know. No creed, no love; no love but Christ, no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no anything else, no joy outside of Him. Take Him from me, O God, I don't care how much of the world I owned, it--it would still be dead, I'd wander around with my hands up over my head. Take Him from me, I'll be gone, Lord. But let Him be in me, then December is as pleasant as May, then there is no hot places and there's no dry places, even death itself has no victory. Let us have Him, Father. Give Him, in abundance, to every believer here tonight, as they've waited in this room.
148Many of them has got to drive along the road tonight, as they go to their homes, and may this be their thinking, "I'm living at that Fountain. I'm living there, freshly drinking, hour by hour."
149And if they haven't received that, as yet, may they receive Him now, so they can take the Fountain right with them. "I'll go with you; I'll be with you to the end of the world." Grant these things, Father.
150 And now while we have our heads bowed, is there someone in here, tonight, or how many would say, "Lord, take me to that Fountain just now. I've never come here just to hear; I come here to find out Something. I come here to find You, Lord. I have a need of You tonight. Come to my heart right now. Will you do it, Lord?" God bless you. The Lord bless each one.
151 Father, You seen the hands, even up and around the wall, and in the other rooms, outside. You--You seen them, Father. I--I pray that You'll supply everything they have need of. Maybe they been drinking at some old cistern, Lord, just some half-way stopover where some man hewed out a cistern, it's become contaminated with all kinds of strange doctrines, denying the Word. I pray, God, that tonight they'll come to Him Who is that Fountain, that Fountain of Life. Grant it, Father. I commit them to Thee now in Jesus' Name.
152And You told me, "If you ask anything in My Name, it'll be done." Now, I wouldn't ask this, Lord, if I didn't think it would be done. I'd be--I'd be just saying it in a ritual routine. But I pray for them, with sincerity. I pray for them, believing that You will grant what You promised.
153And now I take them away from that cistern tonight. I take them away from the place they had been drinking, where they're not satisfied; to this Fountain. I do it in Jesus Christ's Name.
154 They are Yours, Lord. Let them drink from You, the living Water, the Fountain of living Water. In Jesus' Name, I ask it. Amen. Grant it, Lord.
Oh, precious is that flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
O Jesus, heal these, Lord! Grant it, Lord, through Jesus' Name. I pray, God, that You...?... Thou knowest all things.
No other fount I know,
Oh, nothing but the Blood of...
155Think of it, no other fount I know! I don't know nothing else but Him. I don't desire to know nothing else but Him. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus! Oh!
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Oh, nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
156 While we sing that again, let's shake hands with one another. Do you love one another? Is there anybody in here got anything against somebody else? If there is, go make it right. Will you? Let's not leave here like that. See? If you got an ought against anybody, you go make it right, right now. Right now is your opportunity to go over, say, "Brother, sister, I said something about you, I thought something. I didn't mean to do that. Forgive me." See, that's the way to do it. Let's have the Fountain right among us, all the time. See?
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
Oh, no other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
157Oh, isn't He wonderful? No other fountain! We won't contaminate ourselves with other things. We have separated, left the world behind. We don't want no more of Egypt's garlics and broken cisterns. We are in the journey with the Lord Jesus, that smitten Rock, amen, eating Manna from Above, and drinking; eating angels' Food, and drinking from the Rock. Amen!
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Now let us bow our heads.
158 Praying that God will so richly bless each of you, that His grace and mercy will be with you through the coming week. And if anything should happen, that one of you may slip beyond the veil now, just remember that it's only a few hours of sleep and rest until we meet. Remember, that, "They which are alive and remain shall not hinder those which are sleeping, for the Trump of God, that last Trumpet..." The sixth one has just sounded. And that last Trumpet, like the last Seal, will be the Coming of the Lord. "It shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise first." Just resting till that time.
159And if you should get hurt, remember:
Take the Name of Jesus with you,
As a shield from every snare;
And when temptations around you gather,
Just breathe that holy Name in prayer. (Devils will flee.)
160Just remember, we hope to meet you here next Sunday morning. Bring in the sick and afflicted. I'll be praying for you. You pray for me now. Will you do it? Say, "Amen." [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] I'll pray for you, that God will bless.
... Name in prayer.
Precious Name, precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven;
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven.
At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heaven we'll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.
Precious Name, precious Name, (isn't it sweet and precious?)
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven;
Precious Name, precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heaven.
161 It's always so hard to leave you. Although I know that you're burning up, but there is just something about... Let's, one more verse of something, will you do it? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Will you do it? Blest Be The Tie That Binds, sister. How many knows the old song? We used to sing it, years ago.
162And I was thinking, tonight, "two hands, out of the hundreds, that's left," when we used to sing that song around the tabernacle, and join one another's hand. Blest Be The Tie That Binds. I've buried a lot of them, right up here in the cemetery. They're waiting. I'll see them again. I see them, once in a while, in a vision, when I look beyond the veil. They're there.
Let's bow our heads now as we sing.
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship...
Is like to that Above.
When we...
Now reach over and get a hold of somebody's hand.
... asunder part,
Now bow your head.
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
163With our heads bowed. I turn the service to the pastor now, and dismiss in...