Established in the Present Truth

Established in the Present Truth

Bro. Lee Vayle - July 10, 1971

a. Now, I don't know just what message I'll be bringing in the services here, but try to bring out something which is valuable to us in this end time. You know, the Word of God is the most amazing Book. And I know that in the last Church Age, that's the Sixth not speaking of the Pentecostal Age now, because that's part of this Age. But speaking back in the days of Wesley. You know they had the Word for their day, they had a measure of It, had a portion of the Word of God. And the people took that Word out, and It was related to their day. Just as that Message fit into the whole Bible, and they could take and make the whole Bible relate to It.

And when they preached everything they saw in that Word related to Wesley's message. Then of course It got perverted. And then anything went. And then you know, when the gifts were restored every time that the Pentecostal's opened their mouths, they were…(and I don't blame them, I was right in there with them) we found Scripture after Scripture that referred to the gift ministry. And expecting it to become evident. And we really rode that horse fast and furious. I think we sort of ruined it. I had pretty much of a dead horse.

b. Now, this day we have the prophet 's Message, and you'd be surprised how the whole Bible relates to It. It just seems you just turn page after page, and that it's that same Message, and it's wonderful. Especially wonderful, because we're fortunate that we have a vindicated Message. You know, that's one thing we're standing on. I realize that the excitement's good, and I like excitement.

I agree with Dr. Finney, Charles Finney who said, "If the people are not excited in the church, they'll get their excitement someplace else." That's right, there must be excitement. Christianity must be exciting, or you're going to have to try to find some excitement somewhere. And this Word is exciting, but we're at a place today where the excitement has died down in a great way, because of Bro. Branham's demise.

c. You know, who's chariot it belonged with this excitement, and with his reality in the Word. All you've got to do is to pick up a tape and hear it, and you'll find that many times you can't hear what he is saying, because the people were carried along with his enthusiasm, and they've got to scream and heaven knows what. Now, I like to shout too at times, I keep my mouth shut if somebody's preaching. And I sort of keep my excitement in here till the time comes when it can come out, because you might stop somebody from hearing something.

In much of those tapes in many of them, you can't hear what's being said. And I'm glad that people are getting something, but you ask them just what they're getting at that time, ten to one they don't know. (See?) We must have the Word, there's got to be some type of understanding of that Word if you're ever going to act upon It, or live that Word out.

d. So, we were carried along by his excitement, by the reality that he had. And I kind of think that Noah's time was the same way. They said, "Well, Pop never made a mistake, and I'll stand and believe in him thoroughly." He was …?... and they were very excited, I think until the day came when they got into the ark. And then they shut it. It was something like the black-hole of Calcutta, but I believe the Light of God was in there, like in the land of Goshen. It was light.

And you know those seven days, must have been pretty rough when they were in that ark before that rain started to come proving he was vindicated. The excitement had died down. And now they were waiting, shut up to the Word, that had been preached. Is it going to do what He said it was going to do? And you know something? I got a feeling we're in the same position right today. The excitement has died down. You know that? In many ways, except we go daily by the wine of the revelation, the Word of God of which the Lord said in that four days, don't destroy the oil and the wine.

e. Now, we have that wine of revelation, we have the Holy Spirit. But there is no doubt that there is a great calm has beset the ship, and it seems like there's nobody's going nowhere. Until some say, "Ain't nobody got nothing." Just count me out when you say that. And I got more than I ever had, that I may be doing less shouting about it, and have less vergo and physical excitement manifested, but I believe we like Noah, we have more than we ever had, because we're just beginning to see the final outworking of the promise for this day.

So, we appreciate everything that the Lord shows us, and what He shows us we appreciate more than anything in His Word. Because this Word will endure forever. Now, a lot of things we've said and did years ago. As I mentioned during the Pentecostal age, we referred Scripture to it. We were so happy to find all these things, it didn't work out. Man. I guess I got some of those old sermons out, I don't know if I have or not, I think I finally burnt them, because they weren't any good. I got a few left that I sure preached with four yards of error, out of four and one third material. And [Bro. Vayle chuckles] I might have had one foot through out of the thirteen feet. But, believe me, it was really something.

And I could go back over those old sermons. And you know, I thought they were so good and so accurate. And they were so rotten and so inaccurate [Bro. Vayle chuckles again] Only the grace of God to open our eyes at the end time. And I think you've heard a lot of sermons that you thought that were so wonderful. And my, my, they were wonderfully tragic. Oh, the wonder of it all. Now, today many the things that you hear quiet in your soul, but you're trying to give and that's good.

f. You know, I tell folks you'd never believe it that years ago my language was perfect. It was too. I could speak beautifully and flawlessly, and I could teach school, I never heard anything ever taught back, and said, "Now teacher there's …?.. you aren't teaching that right." Your mouth and all, (you know) there's a place for your child to listen. Too many folk weren't wanting to listen to what the prophet said. You know, they wanted to be where the action was, but they missed what was behind the prophet's action, which was the Word of God.

One day that same Word is going to become incarnate in a Bride. Because the Bible said, "We shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed." [1 Cor 15:51-52] Now, that's not just a verse of Scripture brother/sister. If that's just a verse of Scripture, forget it. That Word had actually got to come to pass incarnate. And it is not the manifested really real Word of God, until there's a group of people standing here who are changed as their names can bring things and walking in Him, and they walk into the Kingdom, and you're going to see it.

g. So, whether we know it or not, we're fulfilling the part of that Word today. You say, "Well brother, I want that other part." Now see there, shame on you. You've been carried away with your own little foolish thinking. Just cut it out. If you're going to get over there, and that's the Word, then you've got to be the Word right now while you're sitting there. It's kind of a tragic thought maybe for some people. But, they're hoping down the road we're going to see something. Oh, you ain't going to see nothing. Down that road makes you see it here.

If I'm not to worry here, in the doldrum's, I'm not so worried in the odd race down the road here. I'm, not so worried of God like Abraham, he didn't get …?... of his age. And he was in worse shape one minute before he was changed, which signifies the resurrection. That's right. He was in worse shape, one minute before his change, than any time in his whole life. Because he was one minute older, more shocked. …?... He was just as much Abraham, that Word of promise, which has gone into manifestation, I think he was just at much as the worse moment of his life, just as much, as he was in that great moment.

Now, where is your faith going? Going up, or going down. Should be going up. Because you got to have faith brother/sister. Enoch walked with God, and he was walking with God just as much, then and he was not. For God done took him. So, there's where we are. Now, maybe I'll preach a little message on that. But that's two hours on, 'Twentieth Century Negative Confession' [07-07-71] and get you up on top.

1. Now, this morning I want to bring a message for on the 'Scripture of the Present Truth'. The subject is 'The Present Truth'. I thought it might be a good subject to start us off on our various subjects. And you might have to listen quite carefully to see just which way I'm going. Because there's a lot of word study here, not playing on words, but actually bringing out the truth from the Word of God. And this will take a little listening, and I'll go slow and we'll see what the Lord will do for us.

Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Gracious Eternal Father, we praise and thank You that we have magnified and exalted Your Name through the Lord Jesus Christ. And now, Lord, we know that You want to do the same thing, giving Yourself pre-eminence in the Bride. And we know that this is something that you're going to see done, because You're God, You're able to see it all brought to pass. But, we are so finite and so human, many times we wonder just how much pre-eminence You are getting. And just how much glory that You are getting.

And, Lord, this is our thought that we want You to have glory. And we want it on anything in this world, if we just knew that we were giving You glory. But, we know there is a way to test it, and that's by the Word. And we know, Lord, if we look at that Word, and conduct ourselves in some manner of likeness it's with pure hearts of faith and integrity, we know that we will be giving You a little bit of glory. Not commensurate with what You're worthy of, but maybe it will show a little love on our part and let You know that we appreciate Your grace and Your Person of Yourself.

Now, Lord, as we study the Word this morning, we know that as the prophet said many times that anybody's hand can open the Book, but only Your Spirit can open the Word by revelation to us. And so, we pray now that You'll help us to just throw away everything but consecrated thought towards Thee, O God. Open our minds and hearts for the real desire to know the Word. Bless the Word, Lord, that It comes forth. Let not a thing be said, O God, that ought not to be said. Let It be in a real Spirit of Jesus Christ.

And may the people also hear It in the same manner. That together that we might all be one with Thee by the Word. And all go marching into the glory which lies before us. And we'll be careful to give you the praise in Jesus' Name. Amen.

1. Now reading in 2 Peter 1:10-21,

(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if (you) do these things, (you) shall never fall:

(11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though (you) know them, and be established in the present truth.

(13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

(14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

(15) Moreover I will endeavour that (you) may be able after my decease (that's after I'm dead) to have these things always in remembrance.

(16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,…

A fable is more or less just a story with a moral to it. Christ, morality is not the end of Christian, Christianity, Eternal Life is. (See?)

(16) …(and) when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

(17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

(19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto (you) do well that (you) take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

(21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2. Now, the text is in verse 12,

(12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though (you) know them, and be established in the present truth.

And the topic of course is, "The Present Truth'. Now, it's well to know exactly what Peter is saying when he mentions here that they are "established in the present truth." Now, he is not saying, that they had a need to the established in the present truth. Now, if you'll notice that. He's not saying that they have a need to be established in the present truth. He admits that they are already established. And he goes on to say that as long as he is with them in the flesh, he is going to continue to remind them, and impress upon them memories, the truth that they already have. You follow? The truth that they already have. He does not say that he's going to bring them future truth, or that he has something else to teach them.

Notice, in verse 13 and 14.

(13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (What of? What you already have.)

(14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Lord…hath shewed me.

He doesn't say that he has something else to tell them. He said he has told them, and he said we are established in the Word that he brought them. So, Peter most evidently gave the Word of the Message. Now, you notice my language is very explicit, it's very scriptural, although you don't go to the original Greek. But, it's the Word of the Message, and the Word ministry to the Elect. He has finished It, because he said, "I've got nothing to add to It. All I can do now it's to bring It to your minds constantly, so that your mind will always be impressed with what I have given you."

3. Let's go over here to John 17:8, and hear what Jesus had to say about His Word ministry.

(8) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Jesus said, "I gave them the Word that You gave Me to give to them." Notice also, over here in the Book of Acts 20:26-27. Paul speaking:

(26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, (to make a record) that I am pure from the blood of all men.

(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Jesus gave all the Word He was going to give them. Peter gave them all the Word that he was going to give them. John, or Paul rather, gave them all the Message that he was to give them.

Now, notice carefully that I am not going to try to establish a rule here as God has not revealed to me, that there is nothing left of the Word to come in the Resurrection. As I say now, I'm not going to try to establish a rule here, because I have no revelation. I have no Scripture that says there will not be some type of Word ministry during that forty, thirty to forty-five days in the Resurrection . But, my own belief based on the words that I have just read to you concerning Jesus, concerning Paul, also John, Peter, the writers. And what the prophet himself said that his ministry would be changed before he was taken. Basing I say, not as doctrine, this is my own belief, I do not believe that there is any Word ministry, that Bro. Branham did not give us. I believe that Word ministry was complete based upon Scripture as a precedent. Then we've had all that we need to know to put us in a Rapture.

4. Now, that he said that, now back to our text, in the Book of Peter, notice the words, "that you be established in the present truth." [2 Pet 1:12] Now, this word 'established' is the very same word that's used…interpreted as 'steadfast' in 1 Peter 5:9

(9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith,…

You can read It, "In whom resist…established in the faith." It's the same identical word. Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Now, basically the word 'steadfast' means 'be firm in its place'. In other words, there's a certain place that you should be in, and you're firm in it.

Now, this does not imply, or simply mean a sort of suffering resistance, but it actually means a solidarity in the very mask and body of the thing itself. That's not hard to understand, I'll explain it to you. A steadfast person, or an established person in the Word of God is a very solid person. (See?) But the word 'stubbornness' , sort of …?... The word 'bulldog faith' also doesn't quite apply. But also sort of kills the idea of a very dynamic hard hitting slugging type of person. Not, now all that's good, and it may be very important. But, this word is a better word, it means a 'solid person'. A coordinated person. It's a person that's integrated. (See?)

5. Now, applying that thought to the present truth as we know it today. A steadfast person, an established person in this Word. One with the present truth of this age, it well oriented in this Message. He's coordinated with the Word of the day in which he lives. As Bro. Branham said, "Moses never came with Noah's message." (See?) Jesus never came with Moses' message.

The people today stand with this Word, they are one with It. They have brought every thought into captivity. There is no turning back in their minds to Egypt, or to Sodom and Gomorrah. They are absolutely one with the Word, and they are well integrated. In other words, this Word is not causing them frustration, or great nervous problems, and terrible conditions.

This Word actually is one with which they are one, seeing there is an orientation, and integration. In other words, you don't separate this Word from the people, and the people from the Word. They're growing into a oneness. (See?) A firmness, a solidarity.

6. Now, also this word 'steadfast' was used here, so it's not so much in the singular. (See?) "Wow, Bro. Vayle, I believe I'm that kind of a person." Well, I'm glad you are, I hope each one of us is. But as a body of people we ain't doing so hot. Now, this word here means there's a body of people that are doing very well. There's a solid …?... within the mask. We are one with the people. Some-times it might be more spiritual, irrational moment. I get very good at this.

And I remember, one brother one time said, sing in a chorus, and he said, "I'm glad that I'm one of them." And he said, "Which one of them?"

And in my rational lucid spiritual moment I said, "I don't care which one, as long as you're one of them." And you know Bro. Branham had the very same thing. We sort of lost it.

7. Now, this word here that we be steadfast in the present truth, absolutely puts each person who is doing his best to believe this Message without signs, to take a leadership over the people. Now, notice I put a qualification in there, because I've got it. But, there's certainly there's room today to have unity amongst the people. And we must strive for that unity, because this Word will bring us into a unity. (See?) Bro. Branham never spoke disparaging anybody. He took the attitude of the apostle Paul. That if he even preached Jesus Christ for contention, that God is being preached.

And as Peter said concerning those who take the Name of the Lord Jesus in a vulgar way, what down south they call 'holy man' and all. There are many people say, "Oh, I feel so discouraged when that person uses the Name of the Lord wrong." It said, "Make us leap for joy, that they can't stop using that Name." They're a long ways off.

Can we say we're kind of righteous, we feel kind of sad about a man cussing. Now, I admit there's a place for it. But there's a place where you can go wrong. It's better to look at it the way Jesus did. On their part He's vilified, but on our part He's glorified. I even wonder if …?... that scream out in their rotten language of Jesus Christ. What do they know about Jesus? But, they're cursing, but they can't get away from that Name. (See?)

8. So, if we get this right, we're going to have to leave this camp meeting a little stirred up about getting along a little more with those who claim they believe this Message, and though they use It to their own end, at least thank God this Word is going out. Because I can name you names, not cities, but the places when men use this Word to aggrandize themselves, and the prophet's ministry to walk out upon, but there were sheep out there that heard it. And changed their life.

They'll have to establish in the present truth, brother/sister, is to be well orientated. You're in your place. You don't get shoved around, but neither do you shove anybody else. Oh, that is a charming thought. That …?... Because many times going to be shoved, bless God, I may be in there doing some shoving. [Bro. Vayle chuckles] Now, you don't mind that, do you? Now, the prophet's Word placed the Bride with the whole body of Jesus Christ. Because remember, the Bride is substance of Him, because she's His Body. And If He's incarnate Word, then she's got to be incarnate Word. So remember, we're not just the body of Christ, we're the body of truth.

Now, the present truth of Paul and John, and those that were the writers of God entrusted with this Word. Now listen, they placed the New Testament Bride with the resurrected Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Sure did.

9.. Let's go to Acts 15: you believe the Bible, p don't know it's in the Bible. They think that Jews are going to sit in one corner and we're going to sit in the other corner in the Millennium. That's wrong Now, [Acts 15:] 14

(14) Simeon hath declared how God (for) the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

(15) And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

(16) After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Now notice, the tabernacle of David is continuously built right now. The Gentiles being added to it. Now what did it? The Word did it. (See?) God bringing these people into the inheritance given to the Elect of which Abraham was a key, (see?) and the ten thousand brought in. Now, every single age adds to that Kingdom by the Word. And so today, this Message of William Branham, prophet of God, brought in the Bride to place her in the Kingdom of the Resurrection. (See?) How wonderful is this truth. And that's what Peter said. "You've been placed, you're established, you're one with that Word, you're one with Christ." What did it? Them receiving the Word. What Word? The Word of the hour, the Word of that day. Not yesterday. No sir, it was the present truth.

10. Now, notice also the present truth does not refer to some truth under consideration at the moment. Now, many people think that's what Peter wrote here. Now, he said, "Brethren, the present truth is this where suddenly the women are to have short hair, or long hair." Now, that's exactly wrong. That is not the present truth. The present truth is the truth which is present with you, (now listen) true instruction by your teachers. That's right.

The present truth is that truth which God has reserved for this age. Now, remember the Pentecostal had their restoration of gifts, went to seed. They misinterpreted it. They made a dogma, creed organized well. Remember, Wesley had the truth, theypervert it. Luther had the truth, it was perverted. Now today we've got the truth, it'll be perverted too, except for the Bride. This truth is the present truth, and it's not something under discussion, it referred to that which has been given to you for that age. Now, I know many people don't understand that there is a message for every age.

11. But, let's just try to go back here to Titus, and I think I can show you something here. All right, Titus 1:3

(3) But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Now, here is the literal translation:

"But in his own private and strategic season, (he may know when His Word, not just one season. Not just one,) his own private and strategic of which there are seven for the Gentle churches. And the Word of God never came forth except at the right time in God's strategy, and God's strategic season."

Oh hallelujah, what was that strategic season? They all perish, except He send Elijah. God's strategy. I've got to quiet down, or I'll never get to preaching. And I'll ruin my voice on top, but I can get pretty excited.

God is His Own strategic season, and this is the last one. He has made known His Word in a proclamation. "The Lord shall descend with a Shout, " [I Th 4:16a] And that is a military command, a proclamation. Which I was entrusted in accordance with the command of God.

Now, if you'll read on page 16 of 'Trying to do God a Service Without Being God's Will' [65-11-27] This will be very nice for you to read, when you read it right there.

12. So you see, God has a strategic season. And in this strategic season there is a present truth. And you are instructed by your teachers in it, because you don't know it yourself. What are you going to do with the five-fold ministry now, throw it out the window? I imagine Bro. Rosenke got his nugget book with him, I got mine in the car, I guess I have, or somewhere. You can look up a lot of passages in there. Look up what he said about teachers.

…?... you can he taught, and you didn't need a teacher, then teachers became redundant. Very foolish, but he said teachers in there. You know even the elders are apt to teach, and they have got to teach, because if the elders ever lead the congregation astray if he's not truly ordained of God. (See?) A five-fold ministry in the Bride brother/sister, cannot lead anybody astray. I mean a ministry to the Bride in that five-fold. If you've got two believers say, "Well, we're going to take this, and take away the ministry, well to your taste then you be my guest. But you took something out of the Book.

I'm not trying to grind an axe tonight, I'd be one of the happiest guys in the world, to just go home and get a job sweeping sidewalks. I'm not kidding. Not that I…don't love God and don't love to preach. But, it's most amazing why people get all fooled in it, because the very Greek structure of this Word agrees with Bro. Branham. He said, "You preachers you've got you to take It and break It down to people." What did Paul say to the Jews and Peter say to do? Why did Jesus say to do? That very word that you said in that Book of John where He said, "Feed My sheep, feed My sheep, feed My sheep." Oh, Protestant you're so wrong. And Catholic's accept this wrong. Catholic say, "Rule My sheep, rule My sheep, rule My sheep." It's not, it's: 'rule and feed, and rule." That's the actual translation.

And over in the Book of Hebrews It says, "Obey them that have the authority over you who teach you the Word of God, rule over you." What is it? It's the Word of God. And It's ordained to be taught to the people. You say, "Bro. Vayle, are you trying to figure teaching?" No siree. I was simply taught by the prophet. In fact I can try to tell you what he taught me. And every Scripture I find and what he taught in those tapes, that stored up food, I take It to this Word here. And when I can see what he taught from those tapes in this work, I know that I have got it, because that's what he gave. (See?)

13. Now notice, also here that we go along looking at the present truth which being opposite to it, and in [2 Peter] chapter 1: 9,

(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Did you hear what I said? This fellow's in trouble. So, whoever he is, don't get your own thoughts, don’t worry. Now, I'm going to explain to you, "He that lacks these things is blind." Never mind what things he's blind in. You just consider that fellow sick. He's blind. Can't see afar off. Doesn't know what's coming. "And even forgotten he was purged from his old sins." No redemption rest.

Now, let's read It according to the little Greek. It should read, "To whom these things are not present to his blindness. A present truth with a present life, blind, that's right. What is It saying in the Book of Revelation, "You're wretched, you're miserable, you're poor, you're naked, you're blind." [Rev 3:17] Why?

Because the 'Present Truth' and the solidarity of being one with that Word is not in the people. The covenant of God is annulled. (See?) Purging is gone. Blindness has set in. "They're poor, wretched, miserable, naked, blind and don’t know it."

14. This very same phrase is found over here in the Book of Colossians 1:6

(6) Which is come unto you,…(what? The Gospel which has come unto you) as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day (you) heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Now, let's read the context, starting in verse 3.

(3) We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (Colossians)

(4) Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which (you) have to all the saints,

(5) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof (you) heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (See?)

(6) Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; (he said, I don't preach two Gospels, just one where ever I go) and bringeth forth fruit, (in the world) it doth (the same for) you, since the day (you heard of it, (see?) and knew the grace of God in truth:

Not the grace of God apart from truth brother/sister. It's got to be the grace of God in truth. Now:

(7) As (you) also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

(8) Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Notice what Paul is saying here in verse 6. He said, "That Gospel of truth is present with them. One Word, and It brings forth fruit in them." (See?)

15. Now, look at the difference between this and in 2 Peter 1:9. (See?) They're blind, and they cannot see as afar off, leaving the covenant over the sacrifice that claims it. Now, how does that work?

I'll make you an illustration. I don't have a black-board here, don't need one. I think I've got it somewhere in my pile of notes at home. Bro. Branham drew a little picture. He drew circles then said, "Bro. Vayle, this represents God." He was teaching something for the Church Ages. He said, "This represents God." Now, he said, "This Bible is the Word of God. Now, the Spirit of God comes from God and It's got to go through the Word. Now, passes through the Word, and it falls upon two kinds of people. Here's a little lady at the well, (she's really a sinner) and here's a Pharisee over here, he's a real fine up-standing man."

Now he said, "I’m going to color these a certain way, make you visualize it." He said, "This little sinner women she's about ninety percent black, but she's got one little tiny place of white in her."

Now he said, "This Pharisee over here he's about ninety percent white, and one little place black. Black is unbelief in all the sins, and the white signifies the good things."

16. All right, he said, "The Word, the Spirit of God coming by the Word falls on both." He said, "Watch that woman receive It and she'll go all white. But, (he said) see that Pharisee turn It down and go all black."

This is what I'm talking about here is what Peter's warning about. (See?) It all comes out what the prophet taught us. You cannot turn down the Word of God for your day, and not suffer the consequence of rejection. There cannot be a sacrifice void of that which is contingent to the sacrifice. You just don't say, "Well, hallelujah, I love the Lord and I'm born again and that's it." This to me is entirely wrong. How can you be born again without that Word? (See?)

Now, you must be born of a perverted word. Peter here warns in this same epistle. He said, "Being born again not of corruptible seed." [1 Pet 1:23] Now, there's only one way you can get born again, and that's by the Word that has two words, 'corrupted' and 'uncorrupted'. And the present truth is the uncorrupted Word of the hour brought by instruction. (See?) Just like I was instructed, and now I must instruct, just like Bro. Branham. You are instructed, and if God calls you, you must instruct. If He hasn't called you, you must wait. (See?) But you got a job.

17. Now, the present truth. Noticed how Paul vindicated himself. In 1 Corinthians 14:36-37. I love these verses.

(36) What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

(37) If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Now notice, Paul said that. Certainly. Paul said it on the grounds of his vindication that he was the instructor of his Age.

18. Now, let's go back to Colossians [1:] a second again. I want a couple of answers here. Let's look at that verse 6 again. Paul speaking in verse 5,

(5) …(the) word…of the gospel; (came,)

(6) (It came) unto you, as it is in all the world; (it didn't change it, brings the same things. Now, It brought) forth fruit,…

Now, notice in verse 7

(7) As (you) also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister…(five-fold ministry again, see, under instruction.)

God using this Message to bring the Bride to perfection, which is solidarity. (See?) Keeping this Word before you in order that you will be an integrated member of the Body of Jesus Christ. Leave one Word, that's it. Take one Word out, add one Word, that's it. Is that right?

19. Revelation 22:18:19. You add one Word it's the plagues are added. Take away one Word, the name is taken away. (See?) Peter, Paul coordinating the very thing that Bro. Branham said. So strong as to turn people right away from the Word of God. Say, "I can't go for that. Why that man is trying to tell me that we have to believe everything he said." But the Bride said, "I better believe everything that's contrary to what he said. And believes everything that he did say, as dear old Daddy Bosworth once said, (I think it's directly on his tapes, and I know he said it.) he said, "Remember this, (he said) never doubt the Word." He said, "If you must doubt, doubt your doubts, they’re unreliable."

You can doubt anything you want, except for what Bro. Branham taught. (See?) And no matter what it is, don't doubt it. Wait for His answer to come. Even when it looks as though he contradicted himself. You just haven't called …?... that's all. Because I'll tell you one thing, you let somebody begin to describe this audience from the back, and somebody from the front you may have quite a bit of trouble reconciling in the same audience, ends up with the point of view.

20. Now, you tell the folks how it is that for years I kept my peace on a certain thing that Bro. Branham said. And it happened to be about this business of God dividing the waters from the waters you know. And Bro. Branham said, "Oh, we shot the moon you know, back in Noah's day." He said, "We've got the atomic bomb, and there's no rain, there's no water up there."

And I say to myself, "Well, that's funny, the Word of God says there's water up there, and Bro. Branham said there's no water up there."

Then I read when another fellow, he got very brilliant, and he said, "The water up there turned to ice, and the sun shone through the ice, and so when the flood time came God send a meteor and it ..?... [makes a noise] burnt a hole in the ice, and it put a lot of water out there. And I thought, "Well, that's sure nice, that's very nice too." And so I went on day by day, wondering things to myself, never said a word. Until one day evidently my little bit of perspective got the best of the Lord and He explained to me. He said, "Certainly, you know yourself by what you're taught, that water is nothing but two gasses."

So, He separated the water turned them to oxygen and to hydrogen. And certainly there was no water up there, it was gas. And you know what? Not too long ago in a tape, Bro. Branham said the very same thing without saying it that way. He said, "He sent the mustard gases." You talk about the sharp tutor. That fellow didn't know we have ice, and buckshot the whole thin, we need to. have spiritual eyes to go the full gamut. So, what you've got to do, you throw away your own ideas and you wait for the viewpoint, you see, to come into full view.

Now, the present truth, Now, it also might be good when we look at this present truth to notice in 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14

(13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, (that's elected) because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

(14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel,…

Isn't it funny how people get…they shudder when you say Branham's Message?But, oh how they …?... when they talk about Pau's Gospel. I'm using sarcasm, I'm doing it on purpose. The adage is love. Ha, ha, ha, ha, you know, there's nothing in the world gets me like this hypocrisy. It explains …?... super sensual hypocritical religious hogwash. They finally got to eating hogwash, they finally got it done. I didn't call it that word, but I sure liked it. [laughter] Because it's a lot of hog, you're not going to wash in there. [more laughter]

22. But, they're so self righteous, "you follow a man." Sure do. What do you think, I was told. Seventh Church Age messenger, right thinking upon…?... I may be stupid, but not that stupid. Solved the limit. My limit is at this age is doing stupid things, but not believing wrong. Because my eternal life is bound up in that. I could…you could think of all position and lose my shirt, I won't lose my soul. Paul said, "Our Gospel." Paul's Gospel. He said, "My Gospel." It never was his, because God gave It to him.

Now, notice about these people here. He said, "We're bound to give thanks to God." And yet over here he said, "We've bound to give thanks, because God chose you." And yet some people cuss election up and down, oh, the do that. That if you preach election, you preach election , you preach predestination, oh my, they're very horrified. Oh, they're ready to turn upon God. But Paul said, "We're bound to give thanks." Didn't catch that did you? I said, "Paul said, we're bound to give thanks, because God has an elected program." The purpose of God stands in election. Not to be hateful about, not to be mad about, not to fuss about, not to grimace about. It's to rejoice, hallelujah, I love election. Why? Because it makes it sure. May we all scramble a for surebuck don't we? And they make this scrambling for a sure win, to heal cancer. And a sure win to put you on easy street. And down the street melody singing for a sure way to have a guarantee religion. Hogwash. And they hate election. Well, I love to. I don't know about them, but the Bible says, Paul says, "We're bound to give thanks, because God has elected.?

23. Now notice, now that’s just that verse in there for awhile, sort of cheer you up. Now, It says here, because you're elected. You may be elected sure by coming to Him. …?... doesn't tell you at all.

Now, he said here that you were chosen to sanctification. The Spirit of God separating you by the Word! What Word? The present truth. Did that separate you? What was that cry that was in her, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh." [Mt 25:6] Get him to say, "Who made it? You got to search the Bible to find out who makes that cry. And suddenly a cry goes forth about midnight. "Behold the Bridegroom." Not cometh, no sir, that's not in the Greek. The word is 'behold the bridegroom'. Not cometh. He comes later on. Behold Him. Revelation 10:1, we know …?... nobody sees that …?... No sir.

Camera caught the Pillar of Fire. God …?... Only he was in contact with that mighty Messenger, you and I weren't. The cry went forth at midnight, "Behold the Bridegroom." We'll go into that later. (See?) Now, we're bound to give thanks, because we're coming by the Word. Because this way we're placed into Jesus Christ, we're part of that Bride.

24. Now, with this, God here, let's go back to 1 Peter 5:1-10

(1) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

(2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, (that's by the Word) taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, (not) but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

(3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

How did he do it? By the Word and by example using the flock. Right?

(4) And when the chief Shepherd (that's the chief Pastor Jesus) shall appear, (you) shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (That's your reward. Now:)

(5) Likewise, (you) younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. (You) all be subject one to another, clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

(6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

(7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (Now:)

(8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, (walks) about, seeking whom he may devour:

(9) Whom resist stedfast…

See, solid in that Word. How in the world could you resist the devil when the gates of hell my brother/sister can only be clothed by revelation? How are you going to resist the devil, or anything when it's outside of the revealed Word? How is anybody going to make the Rapture without this Word? How is he going to escape death? How are they going to get rid of the antichrist? They won't take him in. He's going about to take the whole thing over, and he will take it over, except those are steadfast. One with that Word. Why? Because you're not proud, you can see down the road where that thing's going.

25. Like Bro. Branham said, "You …?... " Why, he said, "If you don't belong to a union, (he said) you can't have a job." But he said, "Just watch it, because we know where it's going," And when it starts going there, just… "Oh, bless God, I wouldn't join a union, because, hallelujah." (See?) Oh, don't try to out God please, and out prophet the prophet honey? Please don't do that.

The sisters say, "Well, can I wear my hair up?"

"Yes, bless God, because it keeps it off your neck and you can stay cool that way, honey."

So, preacher goes around and around the country saying, "Well, you know, when Bro. Branham saw those lovely girls, they had their hair down to here. So nobody can wear their hair any way, except down their backs now." Hogwash. You... be ashamed of yourself. Out trying to out-prophet, the prophet.

I would say something here, but it would be kind of crude I guess. I was going to say, "Get your own crowd and believe anything. Look I don't have much integrity. But God have pity. If I could take something that somebody else has fought and died for, then use it as my footstool. I got a little bit of pity somewhere, a little compassion, although I've got a lot of crud too. And I've got a strong stomach, and I really have. I'd die eating worms, and prove it, not even bat an eye. But, this is one thing that I can’t eat. They're revolting. (See?)

26. Stand steadfast. Knowing the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren in the world.

(10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ,…(the Word.)

He never came down shook you're hand and called you and said, "Here I am." He sent His Word. (See?) Called you, He Himself, that Word. Called you, you see. Now:

(10) …after (you've) suffered a while, (established, notice It said, He'll) make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle…

"Bro. Vayle, I don't know that I'm one with that Word the way Peter says it." You know what your trouble is? You're too nervous because you just wouldn't let these things, come and let these things go, let them come, and them go, to save the world. (See?) Preacher comes along you let your pastor take care of those problems, don’t you get fussed up, he's the guy that will get fussed up, he'll tell you what's right or wrong. Bro. Branham said, he was the supreme authority in the church. And if you don't think that God can lead you there, you're right there where you're supposed to be. And if he's not the ordained of God, I believe you'll know and you'll walk out and get something done...

[Quality of sound too poor to continue satisfactory]